iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Plus Buyer's Guide: 7 Differences Compared

[MacRumors]

Apple recently unveiled the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus as the successors to the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, featuring the Dynamic Island, a 48-megapixel main camera, a USB-C port, and more. Following the discontinuation of its "mini" devices, this is the second time Apple has offered offering a standard model with a 6.7-inch display – a display size that used to be exclusive to the high-end iPhone "Pro Max" lineup.

The iPhone 15 starts at $799 and the iPhone 15 Plus starts at $899. Although the two phones share the vast majority of features, there are a small number of differences between the devices that are worth considering. Our guide highlights the differences between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, and helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two iPhone models is best for you.

The ‌iPhone 15 and ‌iPhone 15 Plus share virtually all of the same key features beyond physical size. Both phones have the same OLED Super Retina XDR display, A16 Bionic chip, and "advanced" camera setup, and both are available in the same selection of color options. Nevertheless, there are still some important differences:

iPhone 15	iPhone 15 Plus
6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display	6.7-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display
2556-by-1179-pixel resolution	2796-by-1290-pixel resolution
20-hour battery life (during video playback)	26-hour battery life (during video playback)
5.81-inch (147.6mm) height	6.33-inch (160.9mm) height
2.82-inch (71.5mm) width	3.07-inch (78.1mm) width
6.02-ounce (171 grams) weight	7.09-ounce (201 grams) weight
$799, $899, or $1,099 for 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage	$899, $999, or $1,199 for 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage

Unlike some iPhone models offered with different display sizes like the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, there are no additional camera improvements to be gained with the larger model when it comes to the iPhone 15 Plus. In fact, there are no standalone features to be gained by buying the bigger device at all. Six additional hours of battery life is the only real feature to consider beyond the larger display.

The most important decision point to weigh up when considering the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus is undoubtedly screen size, but comfort, pocketability, and weight, are also noteworthy considerations. The added $100 in price for the iPhone 15 Plus seems fair for the added display area and battery life, but it is crucial to weigh up these additional aspects for your personal use case.

The iPhone 15 Plus represents the most you can get out of a non-Pro iPhone model to obtain the best possible battery life, but that does not necessarily translate into a worthwhile purchase for all users. A larger and heavier 6.7-inch iPhone is not for everyone. Some may find the iPhone 15 Plus's size excessive or uncomfortably large to hold, while others will love the larger display for consuming media. Screen size is ultimately a matter of personal preference, and since the ‌iPhone 15 and ‌iPhone 15 Plus almost all features other than battery life, it comes down to individual taste.

Article Link: iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Plus Buyer's Guide: 7 Differences Compared

 

[Slash787]

iPhone 15 mini would have been so much better than the iPhone 15 Plus. Keep the Plus but it was so hurtful that they discontinued the mini.

 

[contacos]

I love how the 6 hours of battery life is just a note on the side. That’s the no question thing to get a Plus in my opinion.

 

[alpi123]

Lazy journalism

 

[Born Again]

I was listening to the verge podcast and one of them jokingly referred to these phones as the “loser phones”.

Given the price difference and specs I’d say most people wouldn’t notice the difference if you have a loser phone or a Pro.

 

[LedRush]

I think I remember reading that the standard Plus is even lower selling than the Mini was. I wonder if its entire reason for existence is to push people to the Pro Max?

 

[Biro]

I’m trying out the 6.7-inch screen size for the first time with my iPhone 15 Plus purchase - without paying for a Pro Max that I really wouldn’t want anyway. I know I’ll enjoy the longer battery life. Despite being only a tick lighter than my 13 Pro it feels reasonably lighter due to weight distribution and the lack of a third camera lens. If I love it, great. If not, I’ll swap it for a base iPhone 16 next year.

And, all of you Mini fans, I feel your pain but please go post on one of the dozen of so strings about the Mini. We’re not talking about that here. And Apple doesn’t break out sales figures for individual iPhone models.

 

[Mac_The_Ripper]

iPhone 15 mini would have been so much better than the iPhone 15 Plus. Keep the Plus but it was so hurtful that they discontinued the mini.

And the "Mini Clan" strikes again. There is no new iPhone Mini, and there will most likely never be a new iPhone Mini. Posting about in 9 million times in MR isn't going to make Apple start selling them again when they didn't sell well in the first place.

 

[GuruZac]

I know many here disagree, but I think the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are the best non-Pro iPhones that have launched thus far. I think we've reached a point with CPU/GPU, where using last years Pro CPU/GPU is simply a non-starter. The only things Apple should add to the non-Pro is increased refresh display, perhaps at least 90Hz, and possibly always on. I think there are still plenty of other reasons users will select the Pro models outside of those two features.

 

[ghanwani]

For me, the only iPhone worth buying this year is the 15 Pro in natural titanium. And that assumes that PWM would be tolerable. But at this point I have lets-give-this-oled-phone-a-try fatigue.

 

[RWI]

Sadly again no mini. I am going to switch my 12 mini for this standard model, but do so reluctantly.
Ooh and the colors are so soft, I mean c'mon on! Not all men are gonna want a pastel colored iPhone.
Even the black seems girly.

 

[Star-fire]

The colors are disappointing, at least something vibrant. If I buy I guess blue, it almost looks white from videos I've seen. My Galaxy 20FE is showing battery weakness and that's a 6.5 in screen, not sure if I'd like the reduction in size, so plus for me.

 

[klky]

I know many here disagree, but I think the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are the best non-Pro iPhones that have launched thus far. I think we've reached a point with CPU/GPU, where using last years Pro CPU/GPU is simply a non-starter. The only things Apple should add to the non-Pro is increased refresh display, perhaps at least 90Hz, and possibly always on. I think there are still plenty of other reasons users will select the Pro models outside of those two features.

I agree. The regular models got some really nice upgrades and refinements this year. As someone who has bought the Pro model ever since they launched with the 11 Pro, I’d seriously consider the 15 if only it had a higher refresh rate.

 

[snipr125]

I know many here disagree, but I think the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are the best non-Pro iPhones that have launched thus far. I think we've reached a point with CPU/GPU, where using last years Pro CPU/GPU is simply a non-starter. The only things Apple should add to the non-Pro is increased refresh display, perhaps at least 90Hz, and possibly always on. I think there are still plenty of other reasons users will select the Pro models outside of those two features.

Yep, they would have really nailed the regular 15 and 15 Plus if they finally added some kind of faster refresh rate like 90 hz as you said. They could still differentiate the full 120 hz Pro-motion screen on the Pros as being, well more 'Pro' (adaptive all the way down to 1 hz etc).

 

[svish]

Go with the Plus for bigger screen and better battery life

 

[RWI]

Aah you mean the heavier model with the lesser grip?

 

[Markwebbvt]

I'd gladly purchase a Plus. Though I have the 13 Mini and keep questioning if I should still hang on to it (I have 96% battery capacity left after 2 years as it's my secondary phone), just very lately it's slowed down and become sluggish despite cleaning cache, deleting apps, etc.. Is that the 2 year Apple curse prompting me to upgrade? Hmmm.

 

[Trouble1]

Why buy a larger car just because it has a bigger gas tank? I’m undecided and indecisive between the 15 and 15 Plus.
Im using a 8 Plus now and the screen on the 15 is pretty close to being the same. I’m more inclined to put the price difference towards owning an iPad mini for media consumption and better battery life. Im thinking the phone is just for basic phone stuff, calls, text messages, taking photos, music. What say you?

 

[ghanwani]

Why buy a larger car just because it has a bigger gas tank? I’m undecided and indecisive between the 15 and 15 Plus.
Im using a 8 Plus now and the screen on the 15 is pretty close to being the same. I’m more inclined to put the price difference towards owning an iPad mini for media consumption and better battery life. Im thinking the phone is just for basic phone stuff, calls, text messages, taking photos, music. What say you?

On behalf of Tim Cook and the team at Apple, I’d like to point out that Apple’s customers are most satisfied when they buy a maxed out 15 Pro Max. Anything less and you may experience buyer’s remorse.