Apple’s new iPhone 15 devices have hit the mobile stores across the country, generating a lot of excitement among die-hard Apple fans, and even those thinking of switching over from Android to the Apple ecosystem. While the market buzz signals high demand for the company’s latest products, it has also prompted other players to go back to the drawing board in order to, what the seasoned industry watchers term as, “copy Apple’s ideas.” We got our hands on the basic iPhone 15 model and the top-tier iPhone 15 Pro Max for trial purpose.
First things first, the new iPhone lineup represents a big leap forward, both inside and out. On the inside, there’s fast 5G connectivity, all-around snappy performance and breezy mobile gaming with the A17 Pro processor in iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max and A16 Bionic chip in iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. And on the outside, the devices feature a new aerospace-grade titanium design that’s strong yet lightweight, plus there’s a durable, colour-infused back glass and a new contoured edge.
But the real reason to get the new iPhone (at either end of the spectrum) is the cameras; there is a slew of upgrades here that significantly enhance photography. There’s USB-C charging too, Apple has finally retired the Lightning port after over a decade. Expensive, yes, but take my word, the new iPhones are worth the splurge. Let us dig deeper to find out more.
iPhone 15 Pro Max
My initial reaction after using the iPhone 15 Pro Max for the first few days: it’s very familiar yet also very different. The device feels much better in the hand with its new refined brush texture, contoured edges, the Ceramic Shield front cover and the thinnest borders on iPhone. The 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display benefits from an OLED panel, delivering great vibrancy, rich and punchy colours with plenty of pop, deep blacks and bright whites. Everything looks plush, from photos you’ve taken to movies you stream.
A key attraction is the all-new Action button. This replaces the single-function switch used to toggle between ring and silent, offering additional options so users can choose between quickly accessing the camera or flashlight; activating Voice Memos, Focus, Translate, and accessibility features like Magnifier; or using Shortcuts for more options. A press-and-hold gesture with fine-tuned haptic feedback and visual cues in the Dynamic Island ensure the new button launches the intended action.
In fact, the Dynamic Island is a surprise announcement in the new iPhone 15 lineup. This is a secondary display where you can view media playback, sports scores, rideshare status and other bits of information without flipping back and forth between apps.
In terms of actual running, everything is super speedy here, load times are lightning fast, day-to-day performance is excellent. The phone breezes through tasks without any lag whatsoever.
On the camera front, we are looking at the same 48MP main sensor that was introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro, along with a 12MP ultra-wide sensor and a 12MP telephoto sensor. I believe the beauty of an iPhone is its point-and-shoot approach. Herein, the 15 Pro Max excels with its great results, including 5x optical shots. Portraits feature sharper detail, more vivid colours, and better low-light performance.
Plainspeak, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is a fantastic phone that raises the bar not only for the iPhone family but for smartphones in general.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Display: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display
- Processor: A17 Pro chip
- Camera: 48MP+12MP+12MP (rear), 12MP selfie camera
- Battery: Li-ion 4441mAh battery, 15W wireless (MagSafe)
- Colours: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
- Estimated street price: `1,59,900 (256GB), `1,79,900 (512GB), `199900 (1TB)iPhone 15
The iPhone 15 now seems more in step with its higher-end siblings. It has last year’s best chipset (the A16 Bionic) and last year’s best 48MP image sensor, and many other high-end features from last year’s iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. A powerful 48MP Main camera enables high-resolution photos and a new 2x Telephoto option gives users a total of three optical zoom levels — like having a third camera.
The Super Retina XDR display is great for watching content and playing games. Peak HDR brightness now reaches up to 1600 nits so HDR photos and videos look better than ever. With A16 Bionic for powerful, smooth and fast running, USB-C connector; and enhanced durability features, the iPhone 15 will certainly appeal to those who prefer palm-sized devices.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Display: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display
- Processor: A16 Bionic chip
- Cameras: 48MP+12MP (rear), 12MP front camera
- Battery: Li-ion 3349 mAh battery, 15W wireless (MagSafe)
- Colours: Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink
- Estimated street price: `79,900 (128GB), `89,900 (256GB), `1,09,900 (512GB)
