Do you have to purchase an iPhone 15 in 2025?

One of many issues I’ve discovered as a tech journalist is a way of perspective. Firms like Apple are masters at drumming up publicity, making it look like each new iPhone is a revolutionary product that you’re going to remorse skipping. However inevitably, one yr’s flagship turns into the subsequent yr’s funds mannequin — and should you look again, you marvel what all of the hype was about. As a lot as I get pleasure from my iPhone 16 Pro, the one factor that actually issues is what it will possibly accomplish for me.

When you’re new to smartphones, then, or have not upgraded shortly, it merely is smart to contemplate among the older iPhones Apple retains on sale, such because the iPhone 15. When you scour third-party shops, you may probably observe down a used iPhone 15 Pro or Professional Max, however I will give attention to a mannequin you can be assured to search out at an inexpensive worth. In reality, as a spoiler, let me say that an iPhone 15 makes quite a lot of sense for budget-minded customers — in the mean time.

Associated

Is Samsung’s AI Subscription Club a vision of tech’s future?

We may very well be headed in the direction of one subscription to rule all of your gadgets.

What are some great benefits of the iPhone 15 in 2025?

The iPhone 16 is not a significant leap

Naturally, the principle cause to choose an iPhone 15 is that it is cheaper than a 16. The previous begins at $699 for a 128GB mannequin, $100 much less than the iPhone 16. That is not a lot, however should you do not put the financial savings in the direction of issues like groceries or hire, they’ll nonetheless purchase you equipment, an iCloud+ subscription, or a storage improve. For some folks, a 256GB iPhone 15 will robotically be extra sensible than a 128GB iPhone 16 — it will possibly maintain extra apps, images, movies, and music. The value hole might even make a 512GB iPhone interesting, though few folks want that a lot room except they’re taking pictures 4K video. It would make extra sense to purchase an iPhone 15 Plus, which can get you a bigger 6.7-inch show and expanded battery life.

The iPhone 16 simply is not a significant improve in most respects. Each telephones share a 6.1-inch, 60Hz OLED show, and a 48-megapixel wide-angle digital camera, the latter able to taking pictures Dolby Imaginative and prescient video in 4K60. You additionally get USB-C, free satellite tv for pc communications in emergencies, and Dynamic Island multitasking. The telephones are equally sturdy for probably the most half, too, sporting Ceramic Defend show glass and IP68 water resistance to a depth of six meters (about 19.7 toes).

The iPhone 15 presents nearly every part an individual might need from a smartphone in the case of day-to-day actions. And it ought to run the most recent model of iOS for years to come back — iOS 18, made for the iPhone 16, nonetheless runs on 2018 gadgets just like the iPhone XS.

Associated

Is the iPhone 16 Pro worth buying for photographers and videographers?

Calling one thing Professional does not at all times make it skilled.

What’s the iPhone 15 lacking versus the iPhone 16?

No Apple Intelligence for you — come again in a yr

The largest gaps are processing energy and RAM. The iPhone 15 is supplied with an A16 Bionic chip and 6GB of RAM, whereas the 16 makes use of a state-of-the-art A18 chip matched with 8GB of RAM. The iPhone 15 remains to be greater than highly effective sufficient for many duties, but it surely’s incapable of working Apple Intelligence, a collection of generative AI capabilities like Writing Instruments, notification summaries, Visible Intelligence, and ChatGPT integration. It is not a giant deal in the mean time, but major upgrades are in development, and you might remorse chopping your self off as soon as iPhone 16 house owners can use complicated, content-aware Siri voice instructions.

The iPhone 16 additionally sports activities just a few minor digital camera upgrades — above all, a Digicam Management button that permits you to shoot images and movies with out touchscreen controls. You possibly can even regulate settings by half-pressing and swiping the button, though if you wish to get that granular, it is usually simpler to open the Digicam app. Different modifications embody help for macro-photography and Apple’s newest Photographic Styles.

Associated

The iPhone 16 Pro is now my gold standard for phone photography

Apple Intelligence remains to be lacking, however the Digicam Management button and Photographic types make for a worthy improve for photographers.

The 16 additionally substitutes a hoop/mute swap for a customizable Motion Button, and delivers higher battery life, rated as much as 22 hours of video playback versus 20 for the iPhone 15. Your mileage will fluctuate, since, after all, most individuals use their telephones for quite a lot of actions.

One potential benefit of the iPhone 16 is quicker MagSafe charging as much as 25W. That is depending on having a appropriate charger, nonetheless, paired with a wall adapter rated at 30W or greater. With out that setup, the telephone would nonetheless cost at 15W, identical to the iPhone 15.

What in regards to the iPhone SE?

Watch for the refresh, should you can

A 2022 iPhone SE could also be tempting, because it begins at $429, however I would strongly suggest in opposition to it. Its design relies on 2017’s iPhone 8, which implies it is caught with issues like a 4.7-inch LCD, a Lightning port, a single 12-megapixel rear digital camera, and Contact ID as an alternative of Face ID. Its A15 Bionic processor stays quick sufficient, however even that could be outweighed by a 15-hour battery.

Anticipate to spend greater than $429 on one. That entry worth solely will get you 64GB of storage, which is simply too little for contemporary apps, by no means thoughts any images, movies, or music you would possibly wish to save. You will must pony up $479 for 128GB, or $579 for 256GB.

Associated

When will Apple release the new iPhone SE?

The brand new iPhone SE is predicted to be launched quickly and will get a reputation change.

A new iPhone SE is predicted in spring 2025. Whereas its worth might rise to $500, it is rumored to be modeled after the iPhone 14, with a 6.1-inch OLED show, Face ID, USB-C, a 48-megapixel rear digital camera, and 128GB of default storage. It ought to characteristic the A18 chip discovered within the iPhone 16, which can truly make it a greater deal than the iPhone 15, so long as you do not care about issues like an ultra-wide lens or a Digicam Management button.

When you’re making an attempt to economize and wish an iPhone proper now, the iPhone 15 could also be your most secure guess. Attempt to discover a refurbished one from a retailer like Amazon or Finest Purchase, should you can — there isn’t any sense paying full worth when you may get the identical specs for much less, full with guarantee protection.

Associated

Apple’s subscription sharing is the money-saving lifehack you need

You possibly can reduce down on month-to-month prices so long as you understand just a few Apple followers.