Every year, Apple releases two sets of brand new phones: the regular iPhone series and the Pro iPhone series. While it might seem like the Pro series is just a better version of the regular iPhone, this year’s models cater to different audiences. The specifications alone don’t tell the whole story. After using and testing these phones, the differences became more apparent, much like the surprising appeal of the new pink wallpaper on the iPhone 15.
Key Areas of Focus
This comparison will delve into several key areas that matter most to consumers: design, display, connectivity, performance, camera, battery life, and pricing.
Design and Build Quality
Both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro come in two sizes: 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays. They feature a new curved design that fits better in your hand and the new Dynamic Island design. Both models now have a USB-C port. However, the iPhone 15 has aluminum rails, while the iPhone 15 Pro features titanium rails, offering a more polished and premium look.
Despite the Pro’s premium materials, the iPhone 15 is about 10% lighter due to its aluminum body, making it more comfortable to hold. The regular iPhone 15 is 20% lighter than the previous iPhone 14 Pro series, enhancing its manageability. The iPhone 15 also boasts a narrow bezel, making the display appear almost bezel-less, which is more noticeable with a darker wallpaper.
Display Quality
Both iPhones offer OLED displays at 460 pixels per inch, the same contrast ratio, and brightness levels (1600 nits peak for HDR video and 2000 nits for outdoor use). However, the refresh rate sets them apart. The iPhone 15 is limited to a 60Hz display, while the Pro models feature a variable refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, making animations and scrolling appear smoother.
For most users, the difference in refresh rate might not be immediately noticeable unless comparing both phones side by side. The iPhone 15 Pro’s ability to lower its refresh rate to 1Hz enables an always-on display, which the regular iPhone 15 lacks.
Performance
The iPhone 15 Pro is equipped with the latest A17 Pro chip, while the iPhone 15 uses the A16 chip from the previous year’s 14 Pro Max. Although the A16 remains a powerful chip capable of handling everyday tasks with ease, the A17 Pro offers faster performance, particularly noticeable in video and photo editing apps. The A17 Pro also supports exclusive console-level gaming, like Resident Evil 4 Remake and Assassin’s Creed Mirage, which are not available on the regular iPhone 15.
Battery Life
Contrary to what one might expect, the regular iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models have larger batteries than the 15 Pro and Pro Max. This has been the case for the past two years. The regular iPhone 15 even outperformed the 15 Pro in Mr. Who’s the Boss’s battery test, making it the iPhone of choice for better battery life. The 15 Plus model currently holds the record for the best battery life in an iPhone.
Camera Systems
The camera systems in these phones are among the most impressive Apple has ever produced. Both the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro have a 48-megapixel sensor on the main camera lens, providing detailed 24-megapixel photos by default. This is a significant upgrade from the 12-megapixel photos of previous models.
However, there are some differences. The iPhone 15 Pro’s main lens has a 24mm focal length, compared to the 26mm on the regular iPhone 15. The Pro models can also adjust the focal distance using the 48-megapixel sensor, allowing for various points of view. Despite these differences, the standard photo quality between the two models is quite similar, which is a win for the regular iPhone 15.
The iPhone 15 introduces extended zoom functionality, enabling up to 10x digital zoom. The Pro models have dedicated zoom lenses, with the Pro Max offering a 5x zoom lens, compared to the 3x lens on the standard Pro. Additionally, the 15 Pro’s ultra-wide camera includes autofocus for macro shots, a feature not available on the regular iPhone 15.
Another significant difference lies in the pro camera modes. The iPhone 15 Pro offers Apple ProRAW and ProRes video options, which are not available on the regular iPhone 15.
