Christine Romero - Chan / Digital Trends
Apple launch theiPhone 15series in September 2023 , which was already nine months ago . How meter fly !
Earlier this month , Apple heldWWDC 2024 , its annual developer conference , where the company showcases the next beat of software program updates — includingiOS 18 . While the amount ofcompatible iPhones for iOS 18is plenty , only two will draw the full benefits of the AI - expectant computer software update : the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max .
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
That ’s right — even the belated iPhone 15 , which come out not even a full yr ago , wo n’t be getting the full iOS 18 experience this fall . This isApple atomization at its finest , so it begs the question : Is the iPhone 15 still good enough at this point in 2024 ?
I have n’t pluck up the iPhone 15 since I primitively review it back in October 2023 . After WWDC , I decide to find fault it up again to canvas it with a unfermented perspective .
What I still like about the iPhone 15
The iPhone 15 this yr undergo some pretty crowing upgrade compare to its forerunner , the iPhone 14 . Thankfully , these change still hold up quite well .
Apple changed the back Methedrine to a lustrelessness finish rather than glistening like before . Personally , I do it this matte glass because if you ’re using it naked , the matte finish mean few fingerprint and daub all over . This is due to Apple using a “ colour - infuse ” glass back , though aside from the pink one , they do n’t see too colorful .
I also really love how lightweight the iPhone 15 is . Though my daily number one wood is the iPhone 15 Pro , which is swooning than its herald because it employ Ti instead of stainless steel , I always felt that aluminum feels better to hold over offer amounts of time . And with the more curving sharpness this time around , it ’s definitely more comfortable in the bridge player .
The camera improvements on the iPhone 15 were also surprising when Apple discover it . It ’s middling on par with what I get on my iPhone 15 Pro . So , if you do n’t necessarily ask a dedicated telephoto electron lens , then you could probably get by with just the iPhone 15 .
Apple also afford the iPhone 15 the new Auto Portrait mode , which mechanically captures depth data even in normal photos when a somebody or pet is detected , allowing you to convert it into a Portrait persona after the fact . This is one of my best-loved lineament of the card , make it possible to turn any fast shot of my girl into something that looks even better .
The show on the iPhone 15 looks pretty dependable too . Colors are burnished and vivacious , and text is crisp and sharp . However , since I primarily apply my iPhone 15 Pro , I do notice the 60Hz refresh rate on the iPhone 15 more than I ’d wish to . Most mass may not notice it , and it ’s not something that affects day-by-day economic consumption , but it can be a piece jarring to go back to 60Hz if you ’re used to 90 - 120Hz display .
The iPhone 15 will soon be outdated
When Apple reveal iOS 18 at its WWDC 2024 keynote , it was very vindicated that Apple was rifle all - in onApple Intelligence , its suite of AI tools across all platforms . With iOS 18 , your iPhone now has some coolheaded unexampled feature , including smart Siri , unexampled penning tools , image contemporaries tools , well overall search in Photos , the Clean Up tool , and more .
But there ’s one adult catch : Apple Intelligence can only run on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max . Yes , even though the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus came out at the same time , these two model wo n’t be fetch any Apple Intelligence features . essentially , Apple ’s year - one-time earphone wo n’t even get the belated software feature film fall this decline .
Of course , there ’s still a lot of new stuff occur in iOS 18 that does n’t postulate Apple Intelligence . For example , message will have RCS support and the power to schedule content to be sent later . The home screen will be more customizable by allowing apps and widgets to be placed anywhere , and the icons and whatchamacallit will have new looks . Control Center is get its biggest revamp in years , allowing user to fully customize the layout and even throw out the ignition lock screen shortcuts .
Still , there ’s no denying that a very big part of iOS 18 calculate on Apple Intelligence . An instance is Siri — if you ’re using an iPhone that gets iOS 18 but does n’t get Apple Intelligence , will Siri remain , well , dumb ? Because it see like with AI , Siri will last become functional , but it will still be the same one-time Siri for everyone who does n’t have an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max .
I recollect the iPhone 15 has sic the disc for the newest iPhone that is the fastest to be outdated . Sure , it ’ll operate fine , but you ’re basically going to be missing half the feature article of the newest software program update . And at that breaker point , is it even worth using ?
A short life for the iPhone 15
Before Apple had its WWDC 2024 league , I would have said that the iPhone 15 is a good iPhone for most people . After all , Apple gave it some big upgrades like the 48MP main photographic camera , USB - C , and even the Dynamic Island . And for the most part , the A16 Bionic is a good chip for canonical tasks that people would use the iPhone 15 for .
But then WWDC happened , and the A16 Bionic is clearly not adept enough any longer — at least not good enough to hunt down Apple Intelligence ( along with the want of necessary RAM ) . Considering that the iPhone 15 starts at $ 800 and will only have half the features of iOS 18 when it comes out in the fall , it ’s just not worth it anymore in 2024 .
Though it ’s disappointing that Apple is making a year - previous phone outdated already , it ’s not exactly Modern . Apple has been leaving characteristic off older iPhones regularly . iOS 17 introduced new FaceTime gestures that would trigger 3D effects in video telephone call , and only the iPhone 12 and later on got this feature . Standby Mode was also only for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models .
Still , Apple Intelligence is a significant part of iOS 18 , and it ’s not a small feature . It ’s by all odds a move that will leave a sour taste in the oral fissure of many iPhone 15 and early user .
So , for now , if you already have an iPhone 15 , you’re able to enjoy its full capability until September . If you ’re considering buying one now , it ’s probably best to wait for the iPhone 16 or at least get aniPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Maxif you desire to use Apple Intelligence in iOS 18 .
