Apple iPhone 15 Plus Review

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus is the second generation of the Plus model, which offers a larger screen and longer battery life than the standard iPhone 15. It also shares many of the same features and improvements as the iPhone 15, such as the Dynamic Island, the USB-C port, the A16 Bionic chip, and the 48MP main camera. The Apple iPhone 15 Plus is priced at $899 for the 128GB version, which is $100 more than the iPhone 15 and $100 less than the iPhone 15 Pro. It is available in five colors: black, blue, green, pink, and yellow.

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus is a great choice for anyone who wants a big-screen iPhone with excellent battery life and performance, without paying the premium price of the Pro models. It also offers a very good camera system, with a surprising 2x telephoto zoom capability that is achieved through software and hardware optimization. However, the Apple iPhone 15 Plus is not perfect, and it has some drawbacks that may deter some potential buyers. For example, it does not have an always-on display, a telephoto camera, or a fast recharge speed. It also has a dated-looking 60Hz display that may not appeal to some users who are used to higher refresh rates.

In this review, we will examine the design, display, camera, hardware, software, performance, and battery of the iPhone 15 Plus, and compare it with some of its competitors and predecessors. We will also highlight the pros and cons of the device, and give our verdict on whether it is worth buying or not.

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has a similar design to the iPhone 15, but with some subtle changes that make it more comfortable to hold and use. The most noticeable difference is the shape of the aluminum frame, which is rounded at the edges instead of flat. This gives the phone a smoother and softer feel in the hand, and reduces the sharpness that some users complained about with the previous Plus model. The glass panels on the front and back are also slightly curved, which adds to the ergonomic appeal of the device.

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has a charming and colorful design, with a new method of infusing the color directly into the glass. The matte finish of the glass also reduces fingerprints and smudges, and gives the phone a more premium look. The phone comes in five colors: black, blue, green, pink, and yellow. The black color is the most neutral and elegant, while the other colors are more vibrant and playful. The color of the frame matches the color of the glass, creating a seamless and harmonious appearance.

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has a familiar layout of buttons and ports, with some notable changes. The power button is on the right side, the volume buttons and the mute switch are on the left side, and the SIM tray is on the bottom. The biggest change is the replacement of the Lightning port with the USB-C port, which is a welcome and long-awaited upgrade. The USB-C port allows for faster data transfer, wider compatibility, and more versatility. It also supports USB Power Delivery, which enables fast charging with compatible adapters. However, the iPhone 15 Plus does not come with a charger or a cable in the box, which is a disappointing and inconvenient decision by Apple. You will have to buy your own USB-C charger and cable, or use your existing ones, if you have any.

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus does not have a headphone jack, which is not surprising, but still annoying for some users who prefer wired headphones. You will have to use wireless headphones, such as the AirPods, or use an adapter to connect your wired headphones to the USB-C port. The phone also does not have a microSD card slot, which means you cannot expand the storage beyond the built-in capacity. The iPhone 15 Plus comes in three storage options: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. The base model has enough storage for most users, but if you need more space for your photos, videos, apps, and games, you may want to opt for the higher models, which cost $100 and $200 more, respectively.

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has a dual-speaker system, with one speaker at the bottom and one at the top. The speakers produce loud and clear sound, with good balance and quality. They are suitable for watching videos, listening to music, and making calls. However, they are not stereo speakers, which means they do not create a spatial sound effect. They also lack bass and depth, which may disappoint some audiophiles.

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has a water-resistant and dust-resistant design, with an IP68 rating. This means it can withstand submersion in up to 6 meters of water for up to 30 minutes, and exposure to dust and dirt. However, this does not mean the phone is waterproof or dustproof, and it may still suffer damage from water or dust under certain conditions. You should avoid exposing the phone to liquids or particles that may harm it, and dry it thoroughly if it gets wet.

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has a 6.7-inch OLED display, with a resolution of 2796 by 1290 pixels and a pixel density of 458 pixels per inch. The display is the same size and resolution as the iPhone 14 Plus and the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but it has some improvements that make it better and brighter. The most significant improvement is the Dynamic Island, which is a technology that allows the display to adjust its refresh rate according to the content and activity on the screen. The refresh rate can range from 10Hz to 120Hz, which means the display can update 10 to 120 times per second. This results in smoother and more responsive animations, scrolling, and gaming, as well as lower power consumption and longer battery life.

The Dynamic Island is a feature that was previously exclusive to the Pro models, and it is a great addition to the Plus model. It makes the display more adaptive and efficient, and enhances the user experience. However, the Dynamic Island is not always noticeable, and it depends on the type and quality of the content and the app that you are using. Some apps and games may not support the higher refresh rates, and some content may not benefit from the smoother motion. The Dynamic Island is also not user-controllable, which means you cannot manually set the refresh rate to your preference. You have to trust the phone to decide the best refresh rate for each situation.

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has a dual-camera system on the back, which consists of a 48MP wide-angle camera, and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera. The camera system is similar to the iPhone 15, but with some enhancements and optimizations that make it more capable and versatile. The most notable enhancement is the 2x optical zoom and the 10x digital zoom that the telephoto camera offers, which is achieved through a combination of software and hardware techniques. The telephoto camera uses a folded lens design, which allows it to fit in the thin body of the phone, and a sensor-shift stabilization, which reduces the blur and the shake of the images. The telephoto camera also uses a hybrid zoom, which combines the optical zoom and the digital zoom to produce clearer and sharper images at different distances.

The camera system of the Apple iPhone 15 Plus also has a Night mode, which is a feature that improves the quality and the brightness of the photos and videos in low-light conditions. The Night mode uses a long exposure technique, which captures multiple frames at different exposures and combines them into one image. The Night mode also uses a deep fusion technique, which analyzes the texture, the detail, and the noise of the image and enhances them accordingly. The Night mode is available for all three cameras, and it is automatically activated when the phone detects a dark environment. However, you can also manually adjust the exposure time and the brightness of the Night mode in the camera app.

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has an A16 Bionic chip, which is a 4-nanometer processor that powers the device and its features. The A16 Bionic chip is the same as the iPhone 15, but with some enhancements and optimizations that make it faster and more efficient. The A16 Bionic chip has a six-core CPU, a four-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine, which work together to deliver high performance and intelligence. The A16 Bionic chip can handle complex tasks and apps, such as gaming, editing, and machine learning, with ease and speed. The A16 Bionic chip also supports 5G connectivity, which enables faster and more reliable internet access and data transfer.

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has 6GB of RAM, which is the same as the iPhone 15 and the Pro models. The RAM is the memory that stores and manages the data and the processes that are currently running on the device. The RAM affects the speed and the multitasking ability of the device, and how many apps and tabs it can keep open at the same time. The 6GB of RAM is enough for most users and scenarios, but it may not be sufficient for some heavy and intensive users and tasks.

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus runs on iOS 17, which is the latest and the most advanced operating system for the iPhone. iOS 17 is the same as the iPhone 15 and the Pro models, but with some enhancements and optimizations that make it more stable and smooth. iOS 17 has a simple and intuitive interface, which allows you to access and use the various features and apps of the device. iOS 17 also has a dark mode, which changes the color scheme of the interface to a darker and cooler tone, which is easier on the eyes and the battery.

iOS 17 has a Focus feature, which is a technology that allows you to customize and control the notifications and the distractions that you receive on the device. The Focus feature lets you create different profiles, such as Work, Personal, Sleep, or Do Not Disturb, and choose which apps, contacts, and alerts can reach you in each profile. The Focus feature also syncs with your other Apple devices, such as your Mac, your iPad, or your Apple Watch, and applies the same profile and settings across them. The Focus feature aims to help you concentrate and be productive, and to reduce the stress and the clutter of the notifications.

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has a high performance and a smooth operation, which are enabled by the A16 Bionic chip, the 6GB of RAM, and the iOS 17. The iPhone 15 Plus can handle various tasks and apps, such as gaming, editing, and machine learning, with ease and speed. The iPhone 15 Plus also has a fast and reliable internet access and data transfer, which are supported by the 5G connectivity, the Wi-Fi 6, and the Bluetooth 5.2. The iPhone 15 Plus also has a fast and secure unlocking and authentication, which are provided by the Face ID feature.

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has a high performance and a smooth operation, but it also has some limitations and issues that may affect the quality and the enjoyment of the device. For example, the iPhone 15 Plus does not have an always-on display, which means it does not show the time, the date, the battery, or the notifications when the screen is off. The iPhone 15 Plus also does not have a telephoto camera, which means it does not have a true optical zoom or a portrait mode for the rear-facing camera. The iPhone 15 Plus also does not have a fast recharge speed, which means it takes longer to charge the device than some of its competitors and predecessors.

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has a 4,383 mAh battery, which is the same as the iPhone 15 and the Pro models. The battery is the power source that supplies and stores the energy for the device and its features. The battery affects the usage and the standby time of the device, and how often and how long you need to charge it. The battery also affects the weight and the thickness of the device, and how comfortable and convenient it is to hold and use.

The iPhone 15 Plus has a long and impressive battery life, which is enabled by the large capacity, the Dynamic Island, and the iOS 17. The iPhone 15 Plus can last up to 20 hours of video playback, up to 12 hours of video streaming, or up to 80 hours of audio playback, which are higher than the previous Plus model and the Pro Max model. The iPhone 15 Plus can also last up to a full day or more of mixed and moderate use, such as browsing, messaging, calling, or gaming, depending on the settings and the activity. The iPhone 15 Plus can also last up to 10 days of standby time, which is the same as the previous Plus model and the Pro Max model.

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus is a device that delivers a big-screen experience with excellent battery life and performance, without paying the premium price of the Pro models. It also offers a very good camera system, with a surprising 2x telephoto zoom capability that is achieved through software and hardware optimization. However, the iPhone 15 Plus is not perfect, and it has some drawbacks that may deter some potential buyers. For example, it does not have an always-on display, a telephoto camera, or a fast recharge speed. It also has a dated-looking 60Hz display that may not appeal to some users who are used to higher refresh rates.

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus is a device that is suitable for anyone who wants a big-screen iPhone with excellent battery life and performance, without breaking the bank. It is also a device that is ideal for anyone who values the camera quality and versatility, especially the 2x telephoto zoom feature. However, the iPhone 15 Plus is not a device that is recommended for anyone who prefers a smaller and lighter phone, or who expects a more advanced and modern display. It is also not a device that is suggested for anyone who needs a fast charging speed, or who wants a true optical zoom or a portrait mode for the rear-facing camera.

Pros:

• Large and bright OLED display with Dynamic Island
• Long and impressive battery life
• Fast and reliable 5G connectivity
• Powerful and efficient A16 Bionic chip
• Colorful and ergonomic design with USB-C port and MagSafe feature
• Simple and intuitive iOS 17 with Focus, Live Text, and Safari features

Cons:

• No charger or cable in the box
• No fast charging support
• No always-on display
• No telephoto camera or portrait mode for the rear-facing camera
• Large and heavy size and weight
• Dated-looking 60Hz display
• Notch and bezels on the screen

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus is a device that is worth buying if you are looking for a large and powerful iPhone with a long battery life and a capable camera system, and if you are willing to compromise on some features and aspects that are not essential or important for you. However, the Apple iPhone 15 Plus is not a device that is worth buying if you are looking for a small and light iPhone with a fast charging speed and a modern display, or if you are unwilling to compromise on some features and aspects that are essential or important for you.