It’s new iPhone season again, and Apple has just unveiled its latest creations: the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. These devices represent a significant leap forward in smartphone technology, boasting innovative design elements, advanced camera systems, and the powerful A16 Bionic chip. But that’s not all; they also come in a stunning array of colors, offer improved displays, and are built to last.
A Splash of Color and Durability
The 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus come in five vibrant colors: pink, yellow, green, blue, and classic black. The back glass is infused with color throughout and then meticulously crafted with nanocrystalline particles for a matte texture. The aerospace-grade aluminum frame now features a contoured edge, making it feel even better in your hands. And don’t forget about the Ceramic Shield front cover which has proven quite durable on my own iPhone over the past year.
The back glass is strengthened with an optimised dual-ion exchange process before being polished with nanocrystalline particles and etched to create a luxurious, textured matte finish. A new contoured edge on the aerospace-grade aluminium enclosure is designed to feel even nicer in your hands, and the Ceramic Shield front cover continues to be tougher than any other smartphone glass. With a water- and dust-resistant design and industry-leading durability features, iPhone should last a good long while.
Both iPhones now feature the Dynamic Island, which was previously exclusive to the Pro models of last year. Dynamic Island offers an innovative way to interact with important alerts and Live Activities. The elegant experience fluidly expands and adapts so users can see the next direction in Maps; easily control music; and, with third-party app integrations, get real-time updates on food delivery, ride sharing, sports scores, travel plans, and more.
The new Super Retina XDR OLED display has a peak HDR brightness that now reaches up to 1600 nits so HDR photos and videos look better than ever. And when it is sunny, peak outdoor brightness reaches up to 2000 nits — twice as bright as the previous generation.
Photography Elevated
The camera system is where iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus truly shine. The 48MP Main camera captures every detail with its quad-pixel sensor and lightning-fast autofocus. Computational photography of the Photonic Engine powers a new 24MP super-high-resolution default mode, delivering superb image quality in a practical file size. And, like the Pro models, the iPhone 15 gets a new 2x Telephoto option for three optical zoom levels – 0.5x, 1x, and 2x – a first for an iPhone dual-camera system.
Portraits have reached a new level. You can now take portraits without switching to Portrait mode. Your iPhone automatically captures depth information when there are people, dogs, or cats in the frame or when you tap to focus. And you can adjust the focus point after taking the shot. Night mode has also seen improvements, with sharper details and more vivid colors. The new Smart HDR ensures lifelike skin tones and vibrant highlights, even when sharing online.
A16 Bionic: Unmatched Performance
Under the hood, the iPhone 15 gets the A16 Bionic chip from last years iPhone 14 Pro models. That’s a good thing because it is a seriously powerful chip with two high-performance cores that use less power, while four high-efficiency cores handle intensive tasks. The 5-core GPU provides outstanding graphics performance that will run Genshin Impact without stuttering. And a new 16-core Neural Engine handles machine learning tasks at an astonishing speed. All while safeguarding your privacy and security.
Safety and Connectivity
After many rumors, we finally have USB-C charging and data transfer on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. Android phones have had this for ages but its good that Apple has finally caved in and given us this universal port. Now you can use the same cable to charge all your Apple devices – You can even charge your AirPods or Apple Watch directly from your iPhone.
iPhone 15 takes your safety seriously with features like Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite. This life-saving service is expanding to more countries, ensuring help is just a touch away. Connectivity reaches new heights with the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, extending the range for Precision Finding in Find My. Sharing your location with friends has never been easier, even in crowded places. These iPhones provide a superb 5G experience and improved audio quality during phone calls, even on FaceTime.
iOS 17: More Personal Than Ever
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus come with iOS 17, bringing new capabilities to your device. The Phone app introduces Contact Posters for customizing your appearance to your contacts and Live Voicemail, which transcribes voicemails in real-time. Messages get a boost with new stickers, powerful search, and audio message transcription. Plus, you can automatically notify friends and family when you’ve reached your destination with Check In.
Eco-Friendly Innovation
Apple continues its commitment to the environment with iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. These devices incorporate recycled materials like 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery and 100 percent recycled copper in various components. Apple is also phasing out leather in its products in favor of more sustainable alternatives. The new FineWoven Case and Wallet are both made from recycled materials with significantly lower carbon emissions compared to leather.
Pricing and Availability
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus start at RRP A$1499 inc. GST for the 128GB model. Apple offers trade-in options to help you upgrade, with the possibility of getting up to A$1255 in credit when trading in an iPhone 11 or later.
Pre-orders start on Friday, 15 September, and availability begins on Friday, 22 September. You can also get your hands on the FineWoven Wallet and Case, available in a range of colors.
