Apple iPhone 15 Review: What's New?

Key specs, pros, cons and price of iPhone 15 in Bangladesh

September 17, 2023, 10:32 AM
by Md. Mehedi Hasan

UNB News
Publish- September 17, 2023, 10:32 AM
Md. Mehedi Hasan
Update- September 17, 2023, 11:15 AM

Apple iPhone 15 (Apple.com)

The highly anticipated Apple iPhone 15 was officially announced on September 12, 2023. With its cutting-edge features and sleek design, the iPhone 15 is set to make its mark in the world of smartphones. This article will delve into what the iPhone 15 has to offer and why it's generating such excitement in the mobile phone market.

Key Features of Apple iPhone 15

Design

The iPhone 15 model’s dimensions are 147.6mm by 71.6mm by 7.8mm weighing 171g. The latest iPhone shares almost similar dimensions and weight with its predecessor, the iPhone 14 (146.7 by 71.5 by 7.8 mm; 172g).

It features a color-infused glass back and has replaced the Lightning port with a USB-C port. The aluminum frame of the iPhone 15 has been redesigned to provide a more comfortable grip by smoothing out sharp edges.

The iPhone 15 comes in five pastel colors, including black, blue, green, yellow, and pink. The color-infused glass back seamlessly integrates the camera bump, enhancing its overall aesthetics.

Notably, the USB-C port enables compatibility with modern MacBooks and iPads, streamlining the charging process for users who own these devices. However, the iPhone 15 lacks the new Action Button found in other models.

The Ceramic Shield on the back of the phone still houses a diagonal dual-camera system. On the front, it incorporates a Dynamic Island on the screen, replacing the notch found in previous models. Apple maintains its reputation for IP-rated protection, surpassing the IP68 certification for dust ingress and ensuring reliable water resistance.

Display

The iPhone 15 boasts a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2556 by 1179 pixels and a 60Hz refresh rate. While many had hoped for a higher refresh rate, it remains at 60Hz, unlike the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, which feature a variable 120Hz refresh rate. This keeps the standard iPhone 15 behind competitors in terms of screen smoothness.

Nevertheless, the Super Retina XDR OLED display offers a visually pleasing experience, with Apple claiming it to be slightly brighter this year, with a peak brightness of 1,200 nits rising to 2,000 nits. The display maintains the same resolution as its predecessor, resulting in a pixel density of 460 pixels per inch (ppi). Essentially, the display on the iPhone 15 is comparable to the previous two generations of non-Pro iPhone displays.

One notable change to the 6.1-inch screen on the standard iPhone 15 is the absence of a notch. Instead, it features the Dynamic Island, a feature previously exclusive to the Pro models. This makes the Dynamic Island a standard feature across the iPhone 15 lineup for 2023.

The Dynamic Island on the iPhone 15 offers all the capabilities it had on the Pro models, and there is potential for iOS 17 to introduce additional functionality over time, even though no new functionalities were announced during the launch event.

Performance

In the iPhone 14 series, Apple introduced a noticeable division by equipping the base iPhone 14 with the same Apple A15 Bionic chip as the previous year, while reserving the more powerful and power-efficient A16 Bionic exclusively for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. This trend of a two-tiered processor strategy continues into 2023.

The iPhone 15 now features the A16 Bionic chip, which was introduced in the previous year, while the 15 Pro models are equipped with the potentially more capable A17 Pro.

In terms of performance, the iPhone 15 appears to be highly responsive, akin to the iPhone 14 Pro, thanks to the A16 Bionic chip. This processor has consistently demonstrated fast performance, and it's expected to perform similarly in the iPhone 15.

Storage options have remained unchanged from the previous year, offering a baseline capacity of 128GB, a mid-tier option of 256GB, and a top-tier choice of 512GB. Notably, the Pro models now start with double the storage capacity compared to their predecessors.

Software

iOS 17 may not bring substantial enhancements compared to the more feature-packed iOS 16, but it does introduce several noteworthy improvements that enhance the user experience on the iPhone 15.

Some key features include Contact Posters and NameDrop, real-time location sharing (referred to as Check In) within Messages, automated nudity blurring in Messages and AirDrop, Live Voicemail with transcription, Interactive Widgets, and the addition of StandBy mode, which was initially thought to be exclusive to iPhones with always-on displays but is also available on the iPhone 15. It's important to note that without an Always-On display, tapping the screen is necessary to view the iPhone 15's display in Standby mode.

Despite running iOS 17, the iPhone 15 retains a familiar feel compared to the iPhone 14. However, the introduction of the Dynamic Island brings a refreshing element to the user experience. The Dynamic Island can display various information depending on user activities, such as directions, music controls, or Uber ride status.

Apple iPhone 15 (Apple.com)

Cameras

The iPhone 15 may appear similar in design to its predecessors, the iPhone 14 and 13, especially in terms of its camera system. However, it houses a significant camera upgrade. The primary sensor, which has traditionally been 12MP, has been upgraded to a substantial 48MP sensor, taking inspiration from the iPhone 14 Pro.

A notable feature is the iPhone 15's ability to capture 24MP images by combining the best information from the 12MP sensor with the full details from the new 48MP sensor. This also enables an effective 2x optical zoom, even though it doesn't involve a physical zoom lens; instead, it extracts the middle 12MP portion from the 48MP image.

In terms of other camera specifications, the secondary ultra-wide camera remains at 12MP, and the front-facing camera, although now concealed within the Dynamic Island, also maintains a 12MP resolution.

Additionally, the camera software introduces new features that allow users to shoot in portrait mode using the standard camera. The phone initially captures a standard photo, recognizes the presence of people and depth in the image, and saves the relevant information. Users can then revisit the photo and transform it into portrait mode, with the ability to select the focal point among subjects.

Battery and Charger

While there's no official confirmation, there have been discussions about a slightly larger battery in the iPhone 15 compared to the previous year. Paired with the newer chipset, this could indicate improved power efficiency, although Apple's provided data does not explicitly support this.

Apple maintains its claim of achieving a 50% charge in just 30 minutes. Charging speeds also remain the same, with 15W for MagSafe and 7.5W for the Qi-standard wireless charging. Overall, the iPhone 15 is expected to deliver reliable all-day battery life.

Pros and Cons of Apple iPhone 15

Pros

- Upgraded Camera System

- Dynamic Island Display

- A16 Bionic Chip

- USB-C Port

- IP68 Water and Dust Resistance.

Cons

- 60Hz Refresh Rate

- No New Action Button

- Familiar Design

- Limited Storage Options.

Price of iPhone 15

The pricing of iPhone 15 starts at $799 in the USA. It is almost BDT 87,694. The conversion rate here is USD 1 = BDT 109.57. However, the official price of iPhone 15 in Bangladesh may vary due to tax and other issues.

Verdict

Apple enthusiasts and tech aficionados alike are eagerly awaiting its release, which is scheduled for September 22, 2023. This latest addition to the iPhone lineup promises to bring a blend of innovative technology and refined aesthetics, continuing the tradition of excellence that Apple is renowned for.

Despite featuring the previous year's CPU and retaining the silent/ring switch, the iPhone 15 remains competitive in the smartphone market. The A16 Bionic chipset, while not the latest, still delivers exceptional mobile processing speed.

Additionally, the iPhone 15 brings notable improvements such as the USB-C port and the versatile Dynamic Island, adding to its appeal. The highlight is the inclusion of a substantial 48MP camera, complemented by a range of new camera features that align it with the capabilities of the pricier iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models.

While the exact performance will need to be assessed through testing, the iPhone 15 appears to offer an attractive and more budget-friendly entry point for those looking to join the Apple iPhone ecosystem.