Apple’s iPhone 15 Plus (beginning at $899) takes every little thing good concerning the iPhone 15 (beginning at $799) and dials it up a notch with an even bigger display and longer battery life. This second iteration of the Plus mannequin includes a revised design, a brighter show, and a step ahead in efficiency in contrast with its predecessor, all whereas conserving the beginning worth unchanged. It is about the identical measurement because the 15 Professional Max (beginning at $1,199), however simpler on the pockets. In the end, the Professional Max is our Editors’ Selection winner for its superior options, however the 15 Plus is a advantageous various if you would like most of what that cellphone presents for much less cash.
Extra to Like
Typically talking, the iPhone 15 Plus is only a bigger iPhone 15. It is the identical feature-for-feature and spec-for-spec aside from the battery, display, and measurement. Rather more separates the common iPhones from the Professional fashions, reminiscent of a extra highly effective new processor and the addition of a telephoto digital camera within the Professional.
Other than the marginally modified form and the adoption of USB-C, practically all different design points listed here are much like the iPhone 14 Plus. Beginning with the form, Apple softened up the joint between the aluminum body and glass panels by rounding out the steel. This small tweak drastically improves the texture of the cellphone in your hand. The 15 Plus is obtainable in a very nice matte black in addition to mild blue, inexperienced, pink, or yellow. To realize these finishes, Apple says it used a brand new methodology of infusing the colour instantly into the glass.
The cellphone’s dimensions and weight are virtually equivalent to its predecessor at 6.33 by 3.06 by 0.31 inches (HWD) and seven.09 ounces. Final 12 months’s Plus mannequin got here in at 6.33 by 3.07 by 0.31 inches and seven.16 ounces. The usual iPhone 15 is markedly smaller at 5.81 by 2.82 by 0.31 inches and 6.02 ounces, whereas the 15 Professional Max is shut at 6.29 by 3.02 by 0.32 inches and seven.81 ounces. On the Android entrance, the $999 Samsung Galaxy S23+ measures 6.21 by 3.0 by 0.30 inches and weighs 6.91 ounces, whereas the $999 Pixel 8 Professional measures 6.4 by 3.0 by 0.3 inches and seven.5 ounces.
Apple’s Ceramic Defend protects the display, although it would not say what kind of glass the rear panel makes use of. All 4 iPhone 15 fashions meet the IP68 score for resistance to mud and water. The iPhone 15 Plus can sit in as much as six meters of water for as much as half-hour, in keeping with Apple. We nonetheless suppose it’s best to cowl it with a protecting case to be protected.
The 15 Plus would not have the brand new Motion button you get with the Professional fashions. It carries over the legacy ringer change, which sits excessive on the left fringe of the cellphone. Different controls embrace two quantity buttons on the left and an influence/display lock button on the proper. All of them work effectively.
Apple has lastly swapped out the outdated Lightning port in favor of USB-C. On the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, the USB 2.0 port is able to information switch speeds of 480Mbps (the identical as Lightning), in addition to mirroring video out by way of an adapter. The Professional fashions have a quicker model of USB-C that handles 10Gbps information speeds and might ship video seize indicators to exterior arduous drives for recording, offered you purchase the proper cable.
A Larger Canvas
The 6.7-inch, 2,796-by-1,290-pixel OLED display is among the main causes to choose the iPhone 15 Plus over the usual 6.1-inch, 2,556-by-1,179-pixel mannequin (all 4 iPhone 15s have a pixel density of 460ppi). It has all the identical options, however that 0.6-inch measurement distinction offers motion pictures, pictures, and web sites a bit extra room to breathe. The 15 Plus show has a two-million-to-one distinction ratio and ranging brightness of 1,000 nits (typical), 1,600 nits (HDR), and a couple of,000 nits (peak out of doors). We discovered it straightforward to learn outside beneath direct daylight.
The cellphone does away with the unpleasant notch of the 14 Plus and as an alternative adopts Apple’s Dynamic Island. This part close to the highest of the show hides the TrueDepth and Face ID cameras. Fairly than merely cede the realm to darkness, Apple attire it up with dynamic content material that permits you to work together with choose apps reminiscent of Apple Music, the clock, timers, and extra. This can be a nice improve for the 15 and 15 Plus, however neither cellphone will get the helpful always-on show of the Professional fashions.
One other factor the 15 Plus would not get? An adaptive refresh fee. The 15 and 15 Plus each have static 60Hz shows regardless that many Android telephones in the identical worth vary have 90Hz or 120Hz panels. Apple is counting on the quicker adaptive refresh fee of the Professional fashions as a differentiator between the strains. Quicker refresh charges result in smoother experiences once you work together with the display.
Loads of Energy
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus share the identical specs on the subject of the processor, reminiscence, and storage. Meaning Apple’s A16 Bionic processor is operating the present: It’s manufactured with a 4nm course of and is carried over from the 14 Professional fashions from 2022. It is nonetheless a succesful chip because of its six-core configuration, which incorporates two efficiency cores at 3.46GHz and 4 effectivity cores. A five-core GPU pushes the polygons and a 16-core Neural Engine handles machine studying duties. The 15 Plus has 6GB of RAM and comes with both 128GB ($899), 256GB ($999), or 512GB ($1,199) of storage. The iPhone would not help reminiscence playing cards.
Benchmarking the year-old chip proves the iPhone 15 Plus has all the ability it should ever want. As anticipated, the 15 Plus put up numbers nearly equivalent to the 15. For instance, on Geekbench 6, which challenges the CPU, the 15 Plus scored 2,598 and 6,549 on the single- and multi-core assessments, respectively, whereas the iPhone 15 scored 2,607 and 6,231. Each units of scores are an enormous soar over the numbers from the iPhone 14 (1,753 and 4,734), whereas competing Android telephones posted decrease numbers. The Galaxy S23 scored 1,541 and 4,949, and the Pixel 7 hit 1,032 and a couple of,749, for example.
In graphics assessments, the 15 Plus was a tick slower than the 15. Within the GFXBench Aztec Ruins, T-Rex, and Manhattan assessments, the 15 Plus averaged 57fps towards the 15’s 58fps. In the meantime, the Galaxy S23 additionally hit 58fps, whereas the 15 Professional Max hit 60fps.
Pushing the 15 Plus by way of a couple of extra benchmarks turned out scores of two,985 on 3DMark Wildlife Excessive, 1,535 on the BaseMark Internet 3.0, and 1,405,642 on AnTuTu. These outcomes are in step with these of the iPhone 15, and a bit decrease than these of the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max.
Testing a resource-intensive sport like Genshin Affect demonstrates that the cellphone is totally outfitted for many customers. Gameplay was excellent even with every little thing set to the very best ranges. As well as, the cellphone handles each app effectively and multitasks with out slowing down.
A High Battery Performer
Lengthy battery life is among the high causes to purchase the iPhone 15 Plus. It handily outlasts the iPhone 15 and 15 Professional and practically matches the eternal 15 Professional Max in testing.
Our battery take a look at entails dialing the display brightness setting to the utmost and streaming HD video over Wi-Fi till the battery totally depletes. The battery netted about 40 minutes greater than the 14 Plus, leaping from 18 hours and half-hour to 19 hours and 10 minutes. By means of comparability, the iPhone 15 reached 16 hours, the 15 Professional reached 16 hours and 45 minutes, and the 15 Professional Max topped the lot at 20 hours and quarter-hour.
No different equally priced Android smartphone lasts so long as the 15 Plus for this identical take a look at. The Galaxy S23+ put up 13 hours and 12 minutes, the Pixel 7 Professional held on for 10 hours and half-hour, and the $699.99 OnePlus 11 5G lasted for 11 hours and 13 minutes.
When you’re taking the 15 Plus out for a day stuffed with journey, you needn’t fear. We relied on the cellphone for a day journey out of city that required a number of hours of GPS navigation, a lot of on-the-ground mapping, and loads of Google Search and digital camera use. Regardless of operating it arduous from early morning till late night, the cellphone nonetheless had loads within the tank to push by way of breakfast the next morning. If you’d like an reasonably priced iPhone that goes the space, the 15 Plus is the mannequin to get.
All iPhone 15 fashions can deal with wired charging at as much as 20W. Apple stopped together with charging bricks within the field a very long time in the past, however the firm does provide a high-quality 39-inch braided USB-C-to-USB-C cable with the brand new fashions. The highest two opponents cost a bit quicker at 45W for the S23+ and 30W for the Pixel 8 Professional. None of those cost as quick because the OnePlus 11 5G, which may deal with 80W.
It takes half-hour to cost the 15 Plus from useless to 50% so long as you may have a quick sufficient charger. A full cost takes a bit beneath 90 minutes. The S23+ expenses shortly in simply 62 minutes whereas the OnePlus 11 can absorb a full cost in a mere 27 minutes.
As for wi-fi charging, the iPhone 15 Plus is suitable with Apple’s MagSafe system in addition to customary Qi wi-fi chargers. Utilizing MagSafe is quicker at 15W in contrast with Qi’s 7.5W.
All of the Wi-fi Connectivity You Want
Radio capabilities are about the identical throughout all the iPhone 15 vary, however the Professional fashions get a couple of additional tips. Even so, most individuals gained’t miss them on the iPhone 15 Plus.
Most significantly, the cellphone has the Qualcomm Snapdragon X70 modem. This connects to C-band, sub-6GHz, and mmWave 5G service throughout AT&T, T-Cellular, Verizon, and their numerous MVNOs. We examined the cellphone extensively on AT&T’s community and got here away impressed with the efficiency.
Velocity assessments on robust AT&T 5G+ service constantly reached over 300Mbps on the downlink, which is in step with the outcomes we noticed testing an S23+ in the identical location. Add speeds had been additionally fairly good, usually reaching 60Mbps, the identical because the S23+. In areas with a weak AT&T 5G connection, obtain and add speeds dipped to 10Mbps and 4.4Mbps, respectively, whereas the S23 got here in at 9.45Mbps and 5.1Mbps. In different phrases, the 15 Plus performs on par with competing units on the identical community.
One space the 15 Plus doesn’t fairly compete with the S23+ or the 15 Professional fashions is Wi-Fi. Apple skipped the newer Wi-Fi 6E spec and as an alternative carried over the Wi-Fi 6 radio from final 12 months. The cellphone hit a most Wi-Fi obtain pace of 590Mbps after we examined on a 1Gbps connection. The iPhone 15 hit about that very same quantity, however the S23+ and iPhone 15 Professional had been in a position to attain 640Mbps. Add speeds had been good at 251Mbps. Testing the Wi-Fi efficiency on the community’s far edge, speeds dipped considerably however remained equal to different units, hitting 8.5Mbps down and 4.8Mbps up.
Bluetooth 5.3 is aboard for connecting to equipment like wi-fi headphones and smartphones. The cellphone’s codec help is unchanged with AAC, Apple Lossless, and FLAC obtainable. It additionally helps Apple’s spatial audio. We examined it with a number of pairs of true wi-fi earbuds and got here away impressed with each the audio and connection efficiency. Apple up to date the 15 Professional and Professional Max with the Thread sensible house networking protocol, however not the 15 or 15 Plus.
All of the iPhone 15s are eSIM-only within the US. Worldwide fashions nonetheless ship with a nano SIM tray. US consumers might want to activate the cellphone on their community of alternative instantly. The cellphone helps as much as two energetic eSIM numbers at a time. Telephone name readability was wonderful throughout the board. Apple’s new Voice Isolation characteristic, which you need to activate within the settings, actually makes your voice pop so others can hear it higher.
Apple has completed a advantageous job with the cellphone’s stereo audio system. You may fill a small room, like a bed room or workplace, with stable, clear sound. The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” our bass take a look at monitor, performed with clear highs and loads of low-end thump (for a cellphone). When you’re outdoors, you could be higher off with a Bluetooth speaker.
With the 15 Plus, you get two years of entry to Emergency Roadside Help. This characteristic allows you to hook up with a close-by AAA supplier utilizing satellites very like Emergency SOS. It’s strictly for emergencies that happen in areas with no mobile protection.
Double the Digicam
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus share all their digital camera {hardware} and options. Every has a 48MP main digital camera that Apple is utilizing in a singular option to create 24MP pictures which can be wealthy intimately and vivid in low-light conditions. The 15 Plus helps the environment friendly HEIF format for saving picture information, however you’ll be able to decide to fall again to JPGs if you want.
Because of the excessive pixel rely of the principle sensor, the first digital camera can take 1x and 2x “optical” zoom pictures. This works as a result of the 2x pictures are captured with the central 12MP of the sensor (somewhat than all the 48MP rely) after which run by way of Apple’s algorithms.
The opposite digital camera squeezed into the rear digital camera module is a 12MP ultra-wide digital camera with an aperture of f/2.4. This digital camera captures pictures at 0.5x, which delivers a extremely large subject of view for grand vistas, tight indoor areas, or only a entire lot of individuals. The 15 Plus doesn’t have the third telephoto lens of the Professional fashions, nor does it have the macro capturing mode. The 12MP selfie digital camera, which Apple calls TrueDepth, has an aperture of f/1.9 and handles a spread of picture modes together with low mild.
Most individuals can be pleased with the photographs they get from the principle digital camera. It does very well outside in vivid mild. This is a collection of pictures taken at 0.5x, 1x, and 2x:
It is typically straightforward to identify the optical distortion from the ultra-wide digital camera’s lens, however that is a part of its character. Total, the 15 Plus does a advantageous job capturing good colour, correct publicity, and respectable white steadiness all whereas remaining sharp.
Switching to nighttime and low-light capturing, the 15 Plus manages to make enhancements over the iPhone 14 Plus. The brand new sensor is healthier at conserving issues sharp and clear with out an excessive amount of noise.
Individuals who like to take pictures of themselves can be pleased with the outcomes they see from the 15 Plus. It does a superb job of capturing clear selfies and portraits irrespective of the lighting. Talking of portraits, all iPhone 15 fashions can mechanically seize depth data once you take a photograph of an individual, canine, or cat, permitting you to show an everyday picture right into a portrait after the very fact.
All three lenses are able to recording high-quality 4K60 footage and may also apply Motion mode, Cinematic mode, and Dolby Imaginative and prescient. It’s a must to improve to the 15 Professional or Professional Max to get ProRes, Log, or Macro video seize.
Succesful Software program
Apple ships the iPhone 15 Plus with iOS 17. There are many new options on board that we actually like, together with Contact Posters, FaceTime Messages, Search Filters in Messages, and Standby mode. Make sure to try our in-depth evaluate and examine the entire new capabilities.
A very powerful facet of the software program is that Apple will help it for years to return. For instance, Apple is at the moment updating all iPhones again to the XS and XR with iOS 17. Based mostly on that timeline, the 15 Plus will see a minimum of 5 iterations of iOS along with all of the minor and safety updates in between. Apple has a greater monitor document for supporting its units over time than Google, although that is starting to alter.
A Protected Guess for Battery Life
Apple’s iPhone 15 Plus is the cellphone to get if battery life and price range are your high considerations. It outlasts the iPhone 15 and 15 Professional, coming in second solely to the top-shelf Professional Max. In any other case, it features a bigger show than the usual iPhone 15, the identical speedy processor, a advantageous pair of cameras, wonderful wi-fi radios, and a water-resistant construct. When you choose a smaller cellphone, it can save you $100 with the common iPhone 15, however you may take successful on battery life. The iPhone 15 Professional Max nonetheless earns our Editors’ Selection award for providing the most effective iPhone expertise total, however the 15 Plus will get you a lot of the manner there for $300 much less.
