Within the iPhone 15 range, there is an interesting decision between the iPhone 15 Plus and the iPhone 15 Pro, as they officially sit next to one other in the extended iPhone lineup.
The Pro is more expensive, but the Plus is only one step down in price, and it has several advantages over Apple’s higher-end model.
So, which one should you buy? We can help you answer that question based on their specifications as well as what we discovered in our comprehensive iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro reviews.
IPHONE 15 PLUS VS IPHONE 15 PRO: SPECS COMPARISON
Before we get into the intricacies of these two phones, let’s go over their specifications. So, here’s a rundown of everything the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro have to offer on paper.
CAMERA
The photography experience is perhaps the most significant change between the iPhone 15 Plus and 15 Pro Max. That’s likely to be the decisive factor for many. At the end of the day, if you don’t use the camera very much, the iPhone 15 Plus is ideal for casual social media posting and sending images of your pets to friends and family.
On the other hand, if you enjoy playing with cameras or have semi-professional needs, the Pro Max is an obvious pick.
The Pro Max not only provides additional flexibility with three specialized cameras (ultrawide, primary, and 5x telephoto), but the camera hardware is also superior. The main camera has a larger sensor, the ultrawide camera outperforms the 15 Plus, and a 3D ToF sensor in the back allows for additional functionality. Oh, and the ultrawide camera includes autofocus, which allows for macro photography.
When comparing the 15 Plus and 15 Pro Max during the day, the difference is not noticeable. After all, most phones now shoot amazing images during the day.
The most evident distinction is found inside the ultra wides. Even in decent lighting, the 15 Plus’ ultrawide camera is unimpressive.
When you take the two iPhones out after dusk, the disparity widens. The larger main sensor, more capable ultrawide, and improved image processing by the A17 Pro’s ISP result in much greater photo quality at nighttime. As previously said, the 15 Pro Max wins here.
In terms of video quality, the two devices are comparable during the day, but the 15 Pro Max stands out with its ProRes video recording mode for professional or semi-professional use, as well as its sensors’ ability to capture better low-light footage.
DESIGN AND DISPLAY
Both of these phones include Apple’s Dynamic Island. That’s not a true upgrade for the iPhone 15 Pro, but it is for the iPhone 15 Plus.
Both phones’ edges have also softened off slightly after several years of severely right-angled surfaces. We’re only talking about a slight curve here, but it makes them more comfortable to grip as a result. Both phones also have an IP68 designation for dust and water protection, which is consistent with prior versions.
The move from Apple’s Lightning port to USB-C is arguably the most significant architectural change in both of these phones. Visually, this does not appear to be very different, but in practice, it means you may use a single charger for all purposes.
The biggest difference between these two phones is their size. The iPhone 15 Pro measures 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3mm, whilst the iPhone 15 Plus is larger but slightly narrower at 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8mm. It’s also heavier, weighing 201g vs the iPhone 15 Pro’s 187g.
Aside from that, the iPhone 15 Pro uses a new titanium material instead of the hefty and beautiful stainless steel used in previous models. The iPhone 15 Plus retains the aluminum frame from previous non-Pro models.
The iPhone 15 Pro also boasts slightly lower bezels and a new configurable Action button, which replaces the physical alert slider switch found on all previous iPhones, including the iPhone 15 Plus.
The colors of these phones also differ. The iPhone 15 Plus comes in black, blue, green, yellow, and pink, while the iPhone 15 Pro comes in black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium.
The iPhone 15 Pro features a 6.1-inch OLED display, while the iPhone 15 Plus has a 6.7-inch OLED display.
The iPhone 15 Pro has a resolution of 1179 x 2556, while the iPhone 15 Plus has a resolution of 1290 x 2796; yet, due to their bigger sizes, the two have about the same pixel density. Both panels have a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits.
The iPhone 15 Pro does have an advantage with its 120Hz refresh rate and LTPO technology, the latter allowing for an always-on display. The iPhone 15 Plus is stuck at 60Hz and does not have an always-on function.
In practice, we described the iPhone 15 Pro’s screen as “gorgeous and responsive,” and the iPhone 15 Plus’s as “a great expansive display.” So both screens impressed us, but size aside, the iPhone 15 Pro’s is unquestionably the superior screen.
HOW’S THE PERFORMANCE?
Apple created a historic split in its iPhone line with the iPhone 14 series, retaining the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus on the previous year’s chipset while upgrading the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max.
This technique has been carried over to the iPhone 15 series, with the iPhone 15 Pro featuring the new A17 Pro chipset and the iPhone 15 Plus running the A16 Bionic from the iPhone 14 Pro.
The iPhone 15 Pro has 8GB of RAM, while the iPhone 15 Plus has 6 GB. All of this implies that the iPhone 15 Pro is a much more powerful phone. It is powerful enough to run AAA console games and delivers what we call “class-leading performance.” That’s not to imply the iPhone 15 Plus lacks power; our assessment describes it as having “flagship performance.” The two phones, however, run the same software, specifically iOS 17.
GET THE IPHONE 15 PLUS FOR:
- A lighter and slimmer body.
- The charging speed is slightly faster.
- The significantly cheaper price tag.
- The same huge screen and battery life as the most costly iPhone.
GET THE IPHONE 15 PRO FOR:
- The more compact size
- The larger display.
- The better battery life.
