The iPhone 15 and 15 Pro have landed and include some welcome upgrades. The biggest change might be the adoption of USB-C. Depending on who you ask, Apple is either finally catching up with the times or caving to government pressure. Previously, Apple used its own proprietary Lightning connector.
By 2020, more than half of smartphones were using USB-C, but Apple still held out. Rumors swirled for years that Apple would ditch Lightning, but ultimately the European Union forced their hands with requirements that all smartphones and tablets must use a USB-C charger. It's good news for consumers, who won't have to carry around as many chargers for various devices.
The iPhone 15 lineup isn't just about ports, of course. The new models ditch the infamous "notch" found at the top of older models' screens. Instead, Apple has opted for a "Dynamic Island." This pill-shaped cutout rolled out on the 14 Pro models and is now being adopted across the whole lineup. The Dynamic Island can interact with various apps, making the cutout less of a hindrance.
The basic design cues and footprint for the iPhone 15 are similar to the 14 models. The Pro models, however, are getting new, slightly trimmed titanium bodies. The larger iPhone 15 Pro Max will also feature a periscope zoom camera. Apple is sticking with the same price for the base configuration for most models. However, if you're eying the Pro Max, be prepared to fork over an extra $100.
The new phones will also pack updated chips, but unless you're a power user, you may not notice a difference between the 15 models and other recent generation iPhones.
So, is the iPhone 15 worth an upgrade? If you want the latest and greatest or your current phone is becoming obsolete, sure. But if you're happy with your current phone, the 15 models may not offer enough compelling upgrades to justify the investment.
