Is the iPhone 15 Worth the Upgrade? How It Compares to Older iPhones
The iPhone 15 is a leap forward compared with older iPhones, but it can still be difficult to decide whether it’s worth upgrading.
After using the iPhone 15 for the past couple of weeks as my primary phone, I can say it feels like a big step up from my ageing iPhone 12. Now that I’ve had more time with the iPhone 15, I’ve been able to further test the battery, performance, and new features like Precision Finding, and my initial takeaways still hold true.
The addition of USB-C and the Dynamic Island make the iPhone 15 feel more convenient in a lot of ways. You no longer have to carry multiple cables to charge your phone and your non-Apple devices, and the Dynamic Island makes it easier to see time-sensitive information, like your Uber’s ETA, without flipping between apps. The new 48-megapixel camera also takes more detailed photos, and the iPhone 15’s fresh design has a matte finish that’s more resistant to fingerprint smudges.
While these changes come together in a way that makes the iPhone 15 feel truly new, iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 owners should hold off on upgrading. Both phones still have plenty of life left in them, so the differences in general performance and camera quality won’t feel as monumental as they would coming from an older phone.
If you are upgrading, be sure to see if you’re eligible for any carrier discounts. Some carriers are offering up to $1,000 off the prices of Apple’s new phones, although you have to meet very specific conditions to take full advantage of those discounts. That includes opening a new line of service, and carriers sometimes apply the payment as monthly credits rather than a lump sum.
Below, I compare the iPhone 15 to the last five generations of the standard iPhone. This doesn’t include comparisons to the Pro, which is intended for a more camera-centric audience that’s willing to pay a higher price for better zoom quality and other extras that may be too niche for the average consumer.
For more advice on how to decide which iPhone in Apple’s current lineup is right for you, check out CNET’s guide to the best iPhones. And if you’re eyeballing the iPhone 15 Pro, read our guide comparing it to previous generations of the iPhone Pro.
iPhone 15 vs. Older iPhones
| iPhone 15 | iPhone 14 | iPhone 13 | iPhone 12 | iPhone 11 | iPhone XS | iPhone XR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display size, tech, resolution | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixels | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixels | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixels | 6.1-inch LCD Liquid Retina; 1,792×828 pixels | 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED; 2,436×1,125 pixels | 6.1-inch LCD Retina Display; 1,792×828 pixels |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 460 ppi | 460 ppi | 460ppi | 326ppi | 458 ppi | 326ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 2.82 x 5.81 x 0.31 in | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 in | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.3 in | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.29 in | 5.94×2.98×0.33 in | 5.7×2.8×0.3 in | 5.9×3.0x0.33 in |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 71.6 x 147.6 x 7.8 mm | 147 x 72 x 7.8 mm | 147 x 72 x 7.65 mm | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 150.9×75.7×8.3 mm | 143.6×70.9×7.7 mm | 150.9×75.7×8.3 mm |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 171 g (6.02 oz) | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 174 g (6.14 oz) | 164 g (5.78 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 177 g (6.2 oz) | 194 g (6.8 oz) |
| Mobile software (at launch) | iOS 17 | iOS 16 | iOS 15 | iOS 14 | iOS 13 | iOS 12 | iOS 12 |
| Camera | 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | Dual 12-megapixel wide camera with telephoto lens | 12-megapixel |
| Front-facing camera | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel | 7-megapixel | 7-megapixel |
| Video capture | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Processor | A16 Bionic | Apple A15 Bionic | Apple A15 Bionic | Apple Bionic 14 | Apple A13 Bionic | Apple A12 Bionic | Apple A12 Bionic |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 256GB, 512GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Expandable storage | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
| Battery | Undisclosed; Apple claims up to 20 hours of video playback (16 hours streamed) | Undisclosed; Apple claims 20 hours of video playback | Undisclosed; Apple lists 19 hours of video playback | Undisclosed; Apple lists 15 hours of video playback | Not disclosed, but Apple claims it will last 1 hour longer than iPhone XR | Not disclosed, but Apple claims it will last 30 min. longer than iPhone X | Not disclosed, but Apple claims it will last 90 min. longer than iPhone 8 Plus |
| Fingerprint sensor | None (Face ID) | None (Face ID) | None (Face ID) | None (FaceID) | None (Face ID) | None (Face ID) | None (Face ID) |
| Connector | USB-C (USB 2.0) | Lightning | Lightning | Lightning | Lightning | Lightning | Lightning |
| Headphone jack | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
| Special features | Dynamic Island; 5G (mmw/Sub6); MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; eSIM; satellite connectivity | 5G (mmw/Sub6); MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; eSIM; satellite connectivity | 5G; MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM) | 5G; MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM) | Water resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging | Water-resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging | Water-resistant: IP67, dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging |
