Apple iPhone 15 (Plus) vs. iPhone 15 Pro (Max) compared

November 18, 2023

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Apple iPhone 15: A comparison of the technical specs of all four models
Before we take a detailed look at the new models, we first take a look at the technical specs of the new Apple phones in our table:

2023 Pro Max Model
2023 Pro Model
2023 Plus Model
2023 base model

Product

Picture

Review

Not yet tested

Read the iPhone 15 Pro review

Read the iPhone 15 Plus review

Read the iPhone 15 review

Price (MSRP)

Display

6.7-inch OLED
2796 x 1290 pixels (460 PPI)
120 Hz refresh rate

6.1-inch OLED
2556 x 1179 pixels (460 PPI)
120 Hz refresh rate

6.7-inch OLED
2796 x 1290 pixels (460 PPI)
60 Hz refresh rate

6.1-inch OLED
2556 x 1179 pixels (460 PPI)
60 Hz refresh rate

SoC

Memory

128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB

128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB

Camera

Main: 48 MP | f/1.78 | 24 mm | sensor-shift OIS
Ultra-wide: 12 MP | f/2.2 | 13 mm | Macro
5x telephoto: 12 MP | f/2.8 | 120 mm | sensor-shift OIS

Main: 48 MP | f/1.78 | 24 mm | sensor-shift OIS
Ultra-wide: 12 MP | f/2.2 | 13 mm | Macro
3x telephoto: 12 MP | f/2.8 | 77 mm | sensor-shift OIS

Main: 48 MP | f/1.6 | sensor-shift OIS
Ultra-wide: 12 MP | f/2.4 | 13 mm

Selfie Camera

12 MP | f/1.9 | autofocus

Charging

Wired: 20 W
MagSafe: 15 W
Qi wireless: 7.5 W

Connectivity

eSIM | 5G | Wi-Fi 6E | Bluetooth 5.3 | NFC | UWB | Satellite

eSIM | 5G | Wi-Fi 6 | Bluetooth 5.3 | NFC | UWB | Satellite

IP Certification

IP68, Ceramic Shield, titanium frame

IP68, Ceramic Shield, aluminum frame

Dimensions and weight

6.29 x 3.02 x 0.32 in | 7.81 oz
159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm | 221 g

5.77 x 2.78 x 0.32 in | 6.6 oz
146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25 mm | 187 g

6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 | 7.09 oz
160.9 x 77.8 x 7.80 mm | 201 g

5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in | 6.02 oz
147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm | 171 g

Offers*

Table of Contents:

iPhone 15 (Plus) vs. iPhone 15 Pro (Max): Design and display
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus look only minimally different from their predecessors. Apple still relies on an aluminum frame and the dimensions and weight have also only changed insignificantly. There is colored glass on the back and a Ceramic Shield front.
Of course, the USB Type-C port is new, which Apple introduced for all models. Say goodbye to the Lightning port on the iPhone. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are available in pink, yellow, green, blue, and black. We also have to say goodbye to a rather unloved feature: The previous notch in the center at the top of the display. The standard models now also finally get the flexible notch called Dynamic Island, which was still reserved for the Pro models in 2022.
Apple explains that this pill-shaped notch has become even more versatile. Now you can also display the gate for your flight, or see at a glance how things stand at your favorite club.
Both the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus rely on a “Super Retina XDR” display—one with a size of 6.1 inches for the basic version and the other with 6.7 inches for the Plus variant. The display is brighter: Apple quotes a brightness of 1,600 nits, the peak in the sun is even 2,000 nits—twice as bright as in the iPhone 14.
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
The design of the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max has changed a bit more. Of course, this also applies to the Lightning connector, which has been replaced by USB Type-C, but also to the material used: While it was still stainless steel last year, Apple now relies on titanium this year, which makes the devices both more robust and lighter.
Speaking of materials, Apple is focusing on more sustainability than ever before for both the Pro devices and the basic models. Apple uses more recycled materials—for example, only recycled cobalt is used in the batteries. The devices with titanium frames will be available in four colors: White Titanium, Black Titanium, Blue Titanium, and Nature Titanium. The Pro iPhones also have the Ceramic Shield front, but Apple uses a textured matte glass design for the back.

However, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro (Max) already makes a very sophisticated impression. / © Apple

The display edges have become thinner, and the corners of the front have also been rounded off further. Those who followed the rumors in the run-up have already expected this: Apple will give the Pro models its new action button on the left side of the device. The button, which replaces the mute button, not only takes over its function but can start a variety of other actions, such as triggering the camera.
The Pro models feature OLED panels, which Apple, as usual, calls the most absurd marketing terms. The “Super Retina XDR display” comes with a resolution of 2556 x 1179 px on the 15 Pro and 2796 x 1290 px on the 15 Pro Max—unchanged from last year. The adaptive ProMotion mode with LTPO 2.0 technology, allows a refresh rate that ranges from 1 to 120 Hz, but we already know that from last year.

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iPhone 15 (Plus) vs. iPhone 15 Pro (Max): SoC and performance
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus
Even though the processors in the Basic and Pro versions differ from each other, just like last year, you don’t have to worry that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will even come close to anything like performance problems this year. After all, both models will be powered by the A16 Bionic SoCs that powered the Pro models last year.
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
With the A17 Pro, Apple once again takes the performance of its Pro models up a notch. However, this is not a mere product update, but a powerful one. Compared to the A16 Bionic, Apple promises up to 10% more CPU performance and even 20% in the GPU. According to its own statement, the iPhone 15 Pro also now uses hardware-accelerated ray tracing for the first time, which is up to four times faster than software-based ray tracing and delivers smoother graphics and realistic light simulations.

Gaming is said to be a pure pleasure on devices with A17 Pro. / © Apple

And after testing the phones, it was clear that Apple’s custom ARM cores are markedly superior to the generic Cortex cores used in the Android ecosystem. GPU performance is not as dominant, yet Apple’s closed ecosystem and sheer market presence ensures that games are well optimized for its high-end chips.
iPhone 15 (Plus) vs. iPhone 15 Pro (Max): Camera module
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus
Unsurprisingly, the Cupertino-based company has continued to work on its reputation for giving its iPhones strong cameras. It is equally unsurprising that the strongest camera is reserved for the top models.
For the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, Apple now relies on a main camera with a 48 MP sensor and f1.6 aperture. The ultra-wide-angle camera remains at the usual 12 MP and f2.4 aperture.

Main camera | 2x zoom | Outdoor © nextpit