Apple’s iPhone 15 series launched on September 12, 2023, brought us two intriguing mainstream flagships: the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus. These two models have a lot in common, sharing key features like the A16 Bionic chip and the 48MP main camera, but they also have distinct differences that may influence your purchasing decision. If you’re debating between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, we’re here to help you make an informed choice, with a detailed comparison of their design, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and pricing.
iPhone 15: A New Era for Apple’s Mainstream Flagships
Price and Availability
The iPhone 15 is the more affordable of the two, with a starting price of ₹87,900 for the 128GB variant, and higher prices for models with 256GB and 512GB of storage. It offers a solid set of features with a smaller form factor, making it an attractive choice for those who prefer a more compact phone while still enjoying the power of Apple’s latest hardware.
Design and Display
In terms of design, the iPhone 15 boasts the same modern and sleek look that’s become synonymous with Apple’s flagship devices. It features a 6.1-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1179 x 2556, making for an incredibly sharp and vibrant screen. One of the standout features of this model is the Dynamic Island, which replaces the traditional notch with a more interactive pill-shaped cutout. This was first introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro models, and now it’s made its way to the standard iPhone 15.
The iPhone 15 is available in several colors, including Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, and Pink. It’s also lighter, weighing in at 171g, and its dimensions are 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm, making it comfortable to hold and easy to use one-handed. However, despite these upgrades, the display is still limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, which, while perfectly fine for most users, may feel a bit outdated compared to other devices that have adopted 90Hz or even 120Hz screens.
Performance
The iPhone 15 is powered by the A16 Bionic chip, a six-core processor with powerful capabilities for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps. Paired with 6GB of RAM, it can easily handle any task you throw at it, from running graphics-intensive games to editing videos. While it doesn’t feature the newer A17 Pro chip found in the iPhone 15 Pro models, the A16 Bionic remains one of the most powerful mobile processors available.
Camera System
On the back of the iPhone 15, you’ll find a 48MP primary camera paired with a 12MP ultra-wide lens. This is a significant improvement over the previous generation’s 12MP camera, offering greater detail and the ability to crop photos without losing sharpness. The camera setup also supports 2x lossless zoom, giving you more flexibility when capturing distant subjects without sacrificing quality.
For selfies, the iPhone 15 is equipped with a 12MP front camera that takes sharp, detailed photos. Apple’s computational photography has made impressive strides, ensuring that the camera system delivers great performance in various lighting conditions.
Battery Life (MAH)
When it comes to battery life, the iPhone 15 packs a 3,349mAh battery, a slight upgrade over the previous iPhone 14. This results in around one full day of usage on a single charge. Apple has made strides in optimizing battery efficiency with iOS 17, but users seeking longer endurance will likely find the iPhone 15’s battery life to be average.
It supports 20W wired charging, meaning you can charge it from 0 to 50% in around 30 minutes, and also offers 15W wireless charging for added convenience.
iPhone 15 Plus: Bigger, Better Battery, But At a Price
Price and Availability
The iPhone 15 Plus starts at ₹69,900 for the 128GB variant, which is ₹18,000 cheaper than the iPhone 15 at the same storage level. However, as you move up to higher storage configurations, the price difference narrows. Despite its bigger size, the iPhone 15 Plus offers better battery performance, making it a solid choice for those looking for a larger phone without compromising too much on battery life.
Design and Display
The iPhone 15 Plus has an even bigger design with a 6.7-inch OLED display that offers a resolution of 1290 x 2796. The larger screen is ideal for those who enjoy watching videos, playing games, or multitasking on their phones. Like the iPhone 15, it also features the Dynamic Island and a 60Hz refresh rate. Its increased size adds weight, bringing the total to 201g, which is quite a bit heavier than the iPhone 15, making it less suitable for one-handed use.
The iPhone 15 Plus shares the same design language as the iPhone 15, but it’s noticeably bigger and bulkier. Its dimensions are 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8mm, offering a larger canvas for media consumption, but also making it less pocket-friendly than the standard iPhone 15. The Plus model also comes in the same array of colors, so there’s no difference on that front.
Performance
Just like the iPhone 15, the iPhone 15 Plus runs on the A16 Bionic chip. It delivers the same exceptional performance, so you can expect the same smooth experience when running apps, gaming, and multitasking. The 6GB of RAM and the A16 chip are more than capable of handling anything you throw at them, meaning the Plus model doesn’t sacrifice performance despite its larger size.
Camera System
The iPhone 15 Plus features the same 48MP main camera and 12MP ultra-wide camera as the iPhone 15. There’s no real difference between the two models when it comes to photography, as both offer excellent image quality, low-light performance, and the flexibility of 2x lossless zoom.
One major advantage of the Plus is that the larger screen can make framing shots and editing photos easier, but the photo quality remains identical to that of the iPhone 15.
Battery Life
The iPhone 15 Plus wins the battery game, as it comes with a larger 4,383mAh battery. This results in significantly better battery life, and users can expect up to two full days of use on a single charge in most cases. Apple has improved power efficiency with the A16 chip, and combined with the larger battery, the iPhone 15 Plus offers a notable stamina boost compared to the standard iPhone 15.
It also supports 20W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, similar to the iPhone 15. However, the key advantage is that the Plus’s battery will keep you going for much longer, especially if you’re a heavy user.
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 15 Plus: Key Differences
- Display Size and Resolution
- iPhone 15: 6.1-inch OLED, 1179 x 2556 resolution
- iPhone 15 Plus: 6.7-inch OLED, 1290 x 2796 resolution
The Plus model offers a larger screen and slightly higher resolution, making it better for watching videos and playing games.
- Battery Life
- iPhone 15: 3,349mAh, up to one full day of use
- iPhone 15 Plus: 4,383mAh, up to two full days of use
The Plus model clearly wins in terms of battery endurance.
- Weight and Size
- iPhone 15: 171g, more compact and easier to handle
- iPhone 15 Plus: 201g, larger and heavier
If portability is important to you, the iPhone 15 will be the better option.
- Price
- iPhone 15: ₹87,900
- iPhone 15 Plus: ₹69,900
The iPhone 15 Plus is the more affordable option at the base storage level, but it is pricier when moving up to higher storage configurations.
Which One Should You Buy?
Both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are exceptional devices, but they cater to slightly different needs.
- If you prefer a more compact and affordable iPhone with solid performance and camera quality, the iPhone 15 is a great choice. It’s ideal for users who don’t mind charging their phone every night and prefer a smaller device for easy one-handed use.
- However, if you’re someone who enjoys a larger screen and needs longer battery life, the iPhone 15 Plus is the better option. The extra battery capacity will last longer and will appeal to heavy users or those who want a phone that can comfortably get through two full days of use.
Ultimately, the choice boils down to your preference for size, battery life, and budget. If you can afford the extra cost, the iPhone 15 Plus offers better value in terms of battery performance, but if you’re on a budget, the iPhone 15 still offers excellent value without sacrificing too much on performance or camera quality.