This post is from October 2023.

There are few surprises in the iPhone 15 Plus. Many of the differences from the iPhone 14 Plus first appeared in last year’s Pro models, which makes this feel more like a consolidation than a leap forward.

It is still a worthwhile upgrade. The improvements are small, but they add up. If you are coming from an iPhone 14, you will notice the refinements.

You probably shouldn’t be upgrading every year. Most people now hold on to phones for three years or more. If you are moving from an iPhone 11 or 12, the jump in performance and camera quality will feel significant.

Size matters

This review focuses on the iPhone 15 Plus, but most of the comments also apply to the standard iPhone 15. The key difference is size.

The iPhone 15 has a 6.1-inch display and starts at NZ$1650. The iPhone 15 Plus has a 6.7-inch display and starts at NZ$1850.

That extra screen space makes a real difference. It is better for reading, writing and watching video. If you spend a lot of time looking at your phone, the larger display is worth the extra NZ$200.

The base models come with 128GB of storage. That may be enough if you rely on iCloud. If not, you will need to pay more for 256GB or 512GB.

Familiar, but refined

The overall design has not changed much since the iPhone X. You still get an edge-to-edge display with a slim bezel and a camera cluster on the back.

There are subtle refinements. The edges are more rounded, which makes the phone feel smoother in the hand. The new colour finishes, including the pale pink review unit, are understated rather than bold.

Build quality is excellent, as you would expect at this price. Like most modern phones, it is not designed for easy repair, although professionals can service it without too much trouble.

USB-C arrives

Apple has finally moved from Lightning to USB-C. This brings the iPhone into line with other devices and makes charging simpler.

You can now use the same cable across multiple gadgets, and it is easier to borrow a charger when needed. The standard models do not get faster data transfer speeds, but that is unlikely to matter for most users.

Dynamic Island and display

The iPhone 15 range now includes Dynamic Island, which replaces the old notch. It allows apps to surface information around the front camera area.

The display is bright and sharp, with Apple’s Super Retina XDR OLED technology. It remains fixed at 60Hz, which is lower than some rivals and Apple’s own Pro models.

In practice, the screen is easy to read in all conditions, including bright sunlight. If you are upgrading from an older iPhone, it will feel like a step forward.

Proven performance

Apple continues its strategy of moving last year’s Pro chip into this year’s standard models. The iPhone 15 uses the A16 Bionic processor from the iPhone 14 Pro.

Performance is strong. Everything feels fast and responsive, from everyday tasks to demanding apps and games.

In simple terms, there is more than enough power here for most users, and likely more than you will need for years to come.

Battery life holds up

Battery life is slightly better than the iPhone 14 generation. The improvement is modest, but noticeable.

In everyday use, the iPhone 15 Plus can last up to two days on a charge. Heavier use will bring that down, but it still comfortably lasts a full day.

Charging is quick enough. You can reach around 50 percent in half an hour, with a full charge taking roughly 90 minutes.

Camera improvements, not a revolution

The main camera moves to 48 megapixels, up from 12 megapixels on earlier models. In practice, most photos are captured at 24 megapixels.

Image quality is excellent, especially in good light. Low-light performance has improved, although not dramatically.

The extra resolution helps when cropping images. You can zoom in and reframe shots without losing as much detail.

Apple has also added a 2x optical zoom option. It is not as flexible as the zoom systems on some rivals, but it delivers clear results.

Video remains a strong point, and on-device editing tools are powerful and easy to use.

Verdict

The iPhone 15 Plus is a solid, incremental upgrade. It brings features that were once reserved for Pro models to a wider audience at a lower price.

If you are using an older iPhone, the improvements will feel substantial. If you are coming from last year’s model, the changes are less compelling.

For most buyers, the iPhone 15 Plus strikes a good balance between performance, features and price. If photography is your priority, the Pro models are worth considering. Otherwise, this is an easy phone to recommend.