The iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max have all been released, but if you want a small-screen iPhone, you’ll have to choose between the basic and Pro models. Both handsets have a 6.1-inch screen and share a lot of other features, but their prices are substantially different.
With that in mind, we’ve looked at the two smaller phones below, comparing their specifications and how we discovered them in our iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro reviews. Without reading this article, you’ll know that the iPhone 15 Pro is a higher-end cellphone than the iPhone 15, but read on for a more in-depth look at how both phones vary – and what they have in common.
IPHONE 15 VS IPHONE 15 PRO: SPECS COMPARISON
Traditionally, Apple sells more Pro models than vanilla ones. Both have their place in the market and our experience, they typically appeal to different audiences. You may be contemplating whether to acquire the normal iPhone 15 or the iPhone 15 Pro. Apple continues to offer significant segmentation between its vanilla and Pro models, but this changes from year to year.
With its redesigned display, the addition of the Dynamic Island, and a new 48MP camera, the vanilla model is arguably closer to the Pro this year than in previous years. Still, the differences and similarities are worth looking into to justify some savings or extra expenditure on a brand-new iPhone.
CAMERA
The iPhone 15 has a dual-camera system, with a 48-megapixel main sensor and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro features a third 12-megapixel telephoto lens capable of up to 3x optical zoom. This improves the camera’s ability to shoot subjects from a distance. Both phones have 12-megapixel selfie cameras and can shoot 4K video at up to 60fps; the Pro additionally supports ProRes 4K/60fps external recording and macro video recording.
We regarded the iPhone 15’s 48-megapixel sensor to be a significant boost over its predecessor, though it is not identical to the one on the iPhone 15 Pro. The iPhone 15 Pro also contains extra video features such as ProRes, ProRaw, and log shooting for those who want to color-grade their footage, making it a better choice for content creators.
DESIGN AND DISPLAY
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro appear considerably different from their predecessors. In terms of comparison, they have both similarities and contrasts. Both phones feature a Dynamic Island rather than a notch. This is not a new feature for the Pro model, but it is for the basic iPhone 15. They also have rounded edges, as opposed to flat ones on prior generations, and a USB-C port rather than a Lightning one.
So, in many ways, they seem very similar, but the iPhone 15 Pro has a more premium finish, with an Apple Watch Ultra-style Action button in place of a mute switch and titanium sides instead of aluminum on the iPhone 15. However, the dimensions of these phones are similar: the iPhone 15 measures 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm, while the iPhone 15 Pro measures 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3mm. The Pro model is heavier, weighing 187g vs 171g for the basic iPhone 15.
Both phones have 6.1-inch 1179 x 2556 displays with 461 pixels per inch and a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits. However, unlike the iPhone 15 Pro, which boasts a 120Hz screen, the iPhone 15 only has a 60Hz display. So the refresh rate is the primary display difference.
HOW’S THE PERFORMANCE?
Until recently, a basic iPhone and a Pro model had the same CPU, with the only potential power differential being the amount of RAM. But Apple did not do this with the iPhone 14 series.
Instead, the company provided the Pro versions with the latest and best A16 Bionic chipset, while the ordinary iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus used the A15 Bionic from the prior generation of Pro iPhones. The same thing happened this year, with the iPhone 15 getting the A16 Bionic and the iPhone 15 Pro getting the upgraded A17 Pro chip.
The A17 Pro boasts a 20% more powerful GPU than its predecessor and a 10% quicker CPU, so the iPhone 15 Pro should be significantly more powerful. Nonetheless, the A16 Bionic is no slouch, and the regular iPhone 15 does not seem underpowered. Aside from that, the iPhone 15 Pro has greater RAM, at 8GB, vs 6GB in the iPhone 15.
GET THE IPHONE 15 for:
- The lesser price.
- The lighter body.
- The more bright color choices.
- The battery life is slightly better.
GET THE IPHONE 15 PRO for:
- The ProMotion display has an adjustable refresh rate of 120Hz.
- The charging speed is somewhat faster.
- The more powerful chipset and future gaming capabilities.
- The USB port’s transfer speeds are 10 Gbps.
- The all-around improved camera system includes telephoto and ultrawide autofocus for macro shots.
