The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max were unveiled at Apple’s annual fall event. As soon as I got my hands on them in the Steve Jobs Theater area, I could immediately tell that there were significant improvements compared to the previous Pro models. The new iPhones are made of titanium, which makes them much lighter compared to last year’s stainless steel iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.
Apple has a history of using its Pro models to introduce new technological advancements while retaining similar designs from the previous year to encourage upgrades to more expensive models. This trend continues with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, as they inherit the best features of last year’s 14 Pro. These new iPhones are truly Apple’s best yet, and rumors of an iPhone 15 Ultra have proven to be baseless.
Check this out: iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max: First look
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have a sturdy yet lightweight design that feels good in the hand. The front screen features thinner glass bezels, while the screen sizes remain the same as the previous models – 6.1 inches for the iPhone 15 Pro and 6.7 inches for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. These new iPhones come in four metal color options: black and white titanium, as well as blue titanium and “natural” titanium with a gray tone.
The starting price for the iPhone 15 Pro is $999 (£999, AU$1,849), while the iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $1,199 (£1,199, AU$2,199). Despite being more expensive than last year’s iPhone 14 Pro Max, the new iPhone 15 Pro Max offers double the internal storage, starting at 256GB. Pre-orders for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max begin this Friday, with availability in Apple Stores and online starting next Friday, Sept. 22.
iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max invitations
More from the Apple event
As rumored, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have switched from the Lightning port to USB-C for faster data transfer speeds of up to 10GB per second. Additionally, a new action button replaces the traditional silent mode switch, allowing users to customize its functionality for shortcuts like turning on the flashlight, taking memos, or opening the camera. I even used it as a shutter button while testing the camera app.
Check this out: Everything Apple announced at its iPhone 15 event
Better cameras, better zoom
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max boast a 48-megapixel camera with a large sensor. By default, the images are captured at 24 megapixels, and the added lidar scanning technology enhances low-light and night photography. These iPhones also feature a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera carried over from last year’s iPhone 14 Pro.
However, the standout feature this year is the enhanced photography capabilities, especially on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The Pro Max model comes with a 5x optical zoom, offering a significant improvement over the 3x zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro. I was able to zoom in up to 25x, which is remarkable for an iPhone.
Comparable high-end Android phones have offered similar zoom capabilities with their periscope cameras for years. However, Apple has made efforts to appeal to photographers by introducing additional features to the camera app’s interface. For instance, users can easily switch between different focal lengths, such as 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm, with the press of a button.
Read more: iPhone 15 Pro Max ‘Tetraprism’ Camera Means Better 5x Telephoto
The camera enhancements are not limited to photography but also extend to video capabilities. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max can shoot and edit high-quality ProRAW photos with the help of the fast USB-C cables, and they also support recording video in ProRes format directly to an external storage drive. Additionally, these iPhones are equipped with multiple cameras that can capture depth-of-field footage for a futuristic aerial videography experience, which will be compatible with Apple’s Vision Pro AR/VR headset.
Check this out: What the iPhone 15 Pro’s Spatial Video Feature Means for Vision Pro
Fast processor, many games
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are powered by the A17 Pro Bionic processor, a 3-nanometer chip with 19 billion transistors for faster performance. The new six-core GPU is up to 20% faster than the A16 GPU and supports ray tracing. These advancements make the iPhones highly capable gaming devices.
Apple has always prioritized mobile gaming on its iPhones, and this year is no exception. Developers from Ubisoft and Capcom showcased games like Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Resident Evil 8, and Resident Evil 4 Remake, which will be available on the iPhone 15 Pro. Death Stranding, developed by Hideo Kojima, will also be coming to the iPhone 15 Pro.
While Apple emphasizes gaming capabilities, the A17 Pro chip also supports virtual reality applications. The iPhone 15 Pro will come with iOS 17, which introduces new features like StandBy Mode and the ability to use widgets on the home screen. StandBy Mode activates when the phone is turned on its side or placed on a MagSafe stand, resembling a traditional desk clock.
