Like last year, Apple released four models for the iPhone 15 series, namely the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. We have already reviewed the iPhone 15 Pro (check it out here), so it's time to check out the iPhone 15 Plus. What are the improvements you need to know about this variant? Read on below if you're curious about the iPhone 15 Plus.
Design – A sense of luxury
While the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are equipped with a new titanium side frame, the iPhone 15 Plus (along with the iPhone 15) doesn't. Even so, the iPhone 15 Plus' finish is quite clean, minimal and premium. The body is well-built and features a matte surface on the back.
The back and front of the iPhone 15 Plus
Not many changes on the sides, but the USB-C is finally here
In terms of size, the iPhone 15 Plus is the same as the iPhone 15 Pro Max at 6.7 inches but weighs just 201g. Despite its large size, the device can comfortably fit in a pocket and still be held in one hand. However, whether it feels comfortable can vary with individuals, especially if they have smaller hands.
The dual rear camera bump is quite thick but isn't too noticeable unless viewed from the side. This is due to the transparent camera square design, which adds a subtle colour contrast, giving this iPhone a bit of personality. At the front, the bezels on the screen are still thick. But most people probably won't notice it too much due to its large screen size.
Left: Nicer curves; Right: The protruding camera bump
Interestingly, the corners of the iPhone 15 Plus are more curved than the iPhone 14. Its coated aluminium finish also gives it a glass-like feel when held but does make it slippery. We recommend slapping on a protective case so it won't slip out of your hand that easily. Overall, the iPhone 15 Plus looks similar to its predecessor, but the built quality and design look aesthetically pleasing.
Tech specs and features - Improved cameras and a USB-C (finally)
- A16 Bionic chipset
- 8GB of RAM
- 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage
- Measures 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8mm | Weight 201g
- 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display (2796×1290 pixel resolution at 460 PPI)
- 48MP main camera: 26mm focal length, aperture f/1.6, second-generation optical image stabilization (OIS), 100% Focus Pixel, support ultra-high resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
- 12MP ultra-width camera: 13mm focal length, aperture f/2.4 and viewing angle 120°, 100% focus pixel
- Telephoto 2x 12MP (via 4-in-1 pixel sensor): Aperture f/1.6, second-generation optical image stabilization (OIS), 100% Focus Pixel
- 12MP front-facing camera
- Features - USB-C 2.0 with up to 480Mbps transfer speeds, Action Button, Crash Detection, MagSafe 15W wireless charging, Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W
- Supports - 5G, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3
- 4383mAh battery
- iOS 17
Just like the last generation, users of the iPhone 15 Plus are only getting the A16 Bionic, the same chipset equipped on the iPhone 14 Pro variants. It's by no means a potato chipset, as it still delivers exceptional performance even with just 8GB of RAM. But you can't deny that it's a dated chipset on a new iPhone generation. It would be nice if the Plus variant got the latest chipset. However, Apple seems to be looking to segregate the target audience between non-Pro and Pro iPhone models.
Thankfully, the iPhone 15 Plus has an OLED Super Retina XDR display that takes the visual experience to a new level. It delivers visuals that are mesmerising and satisfying, with clear colours and sharpness, even under the scorching sunlight. On top of that, the primary camera has been upgraded from 12MP to 48MP, with support for 4K video recording at up to 60FPS.
The overall visual presentation was pleasing
If you're not too fond of the display cutouts, Dynamic Island may feel annoying
While the Dynamic Island helps users in terms of notification, monitoring charging and more, it may strike you as annoying when scrolling TikTok videos or playing games in portrait orientation, especially if you don't like cutouts on your display. That said, it's not that intrusive when watching Netflix and YouTube videos horizontally.
Also, Apple finally joined the USB-C party, a significant change thanks to pressure from European laws. Current iPhone fans may find it a hassle because they'd have to get a new USB-C charging adapter. A braided USB-C cable can be found in the box, but note that the iPhone 15 Plus' transfer speed is limited to 480Mbps as it's using USB-C v2.0 instead of USB-C v3.2 like the iPhone 15 Pro models.
Performance – Great photography and battery performance
As mentioned, the year-old A16 Bionic is still a powerful chipset and doing everything on the iPhone 15 Plus felt seamless. The motion display was smooth, and we certainly had no problems playing mobile games with it. But the most impressive feature was the battery performance, as it comfortably sat at 89% after three hours of non-stop usage. According to a popular tech YouTuber, the iPhone 15 Plus has the best battery life yet.
Geekbench 6 scores
3DMark scores
Mobile gaming on the iPhone 15 Plus is all good
Therefore, you won't have to worry about using the device for a long time without carrying a charger or power bank. The iPhone 15 Plus also remained in warm temperature conditions. But the phone didn't overheat during the three hours of usage, which indicates good heat dissipation. It should also be noted that the built-in stereo speakers are impressive, having balanced dynamic equalisation and sound quality without any crackling, even when turned up to maximum volume.
Turning to the cameras, the iPhone 15 series now has an improved portrait mode that automatically detects subjects with a seamless Bokeh effect. You don't need to press on the screen to make it happen anymore. With the Smart HDR technology, taking selfies produces better skin tones and textures. That said, taking portrait photos at night via the front camera is less than satisfactory as noise tends to appear. Anyway, take a look at a few of our photo samples below:
Selfies
Main camera
Portrait mode
Night mode
Conclusion – Worth upgrading to iPhone 15 Plus
Previous reports mentioned that the iPhone 14 Plus wasn't selling that well. But the iPhone 15 Plus seems like a much better improvement. It's almost like a Pro variant of last year's lineup, offering impressive performance, extensive battery life, great sound, and excellent cameras. Despite the disappointing portrait selfie mode, overall photo quality is good enough, so we think it's still suitable for content creators.
If you're using any older iPhone models, including the iPhone 14, we think the iPhone 15 Plus could be a worthy upgrade. With a starting price of RM4899, it may seem quite expensive considering the other Android flagships around that are more affordable. This includes the Xiaomi 13T (starting at RM1799), the HONOR Magic 5 (RM3499) and the Samsung Galaxy S23+ (prices from RM3899).
For those who want a smaller phone, Apple also offers the iPhone 15 at 6.1 inches starting at RM4399. It has almost all the same features as the iPhone 15 Plus. Now I wonder, what changes and upgrades will the standard version of the upcoming iPhone 16 series bring?
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