iPhone 15 vs iPhone 14 – here are all the major differences
Are you planning to buy a new mobile phone and are torn between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14? Here, we go through all the major differences that you need to be aware of before opening your wallet. Our straightforward overview makes it easier to make an informed decision.
The basic details
Here's a quick overview of the key specifications that distinguish all the models in both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 series.
iPhone 14
- Screen:
6.1-inch OLED (base models)
6.7-inch OLED (Pro models) - Refresh Rate:
60 Hz (base models)
120 Hz (Pro models) - System Chip:
A15 Bionic (base models)
A16 Bionic (Pro models) - Storage Space:
128GB, 256GB, 512GB (all models)
1TB (Pro models) - Rear Cameras:
12 megapixel main camera (base models)
12 megapixel ultra-wide (all models)
48 megapixel main camera (Pro models)
12 megapixel 3x telephoto lens (Pro models) - Selfie Camera:
12 megapixel (all models) - Charging Port:
Lightning port
See all the mobile phones in the iPhone 14 series here.
iPhone 15
- Screen:
6.1-inch OLED (base models)
6.7-inch OLED (Pro models) - Refresh Rate:
60 Hz (base models)
120 Hz (Pro models) - System Chip:
A16 Bionic (base models)
A17 Pro (Pro models) - Storage Space
128GB, 256GB, 512GB (all models)
1TB (Pro models) - Rear Cameras:
48 megapixel main camera (all models)
12 megapixel ultra-wide (all models)
12 megapixel 3x telephoto lens (Pro model)
12 megapixel 5x telephoto lens (Pro Max model) - Selfie Camera:
12 megapixel (all models) - Charging Port:
USB-C port
See all the mobile phones in the iPhone 15 series here.
Screen and Design
- All iPhone 15 models now feature Dynamic Island on the screen.
- The iPhone 15 Pro models have a titanium frame instead of aluminum.
- A quick button replaces the sound on/off switch in the iPhone 15 Pro models.
The appearance is almost identical between the two series. The new iPhone 15 phones are very reminiscent of last year's models, but there are some minor differences to keep an eye on.
The major differences for the iPhone 15 series are that all four models have Dynamic Island, the Pro models have a titanium frame instead of aluminum, and the edges on the back have a more rounded shape compared to the iPhone 14 models.
If you buy a phone from the iPhone 14 series, you'll need to get a Pro model if you want Dynamic Island. The frame for all four models is made of aluminum, and you don't get the rounded edge on the back.
The screens essentially use the same OLED panel, with the major difference being that the iPhone 15 models achieve a higher brightness. While the iPhone 14 series can handle up to 1,200 nits, the iPhone 15 series boasts up to 2,000 nits under specific conditions.
ProMotion with a 120 Hz refresh rate and Always-on is included in all four Pro models. If you opt for the cheaper models, you'll have to settle for the most basic screen that only supports 60 Hz.
Cameras
- The iPhone 15 series has improved cameras with a 48-megapixel camera in all models.
- The A17 Pro chip in the iPhone 15 Pro models is better at optimizing image quality.
- The iPhone 15 Pro Max features an entirely new camera with 5x optical zoom.
With the iPhone 15 series, Apple introduces significant improvements to the camera system. It's not revolutionary for those who already own an iPhone 14 Pro or 14 Pro Max, but the leap from older models is substantial.
The biggest news is that all four models now have the same 48-megapixel camera that the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max received last year.
What stands out particularly with the iPhone 15 series is that the Pro Max model features an entirely new, enhanced telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. This equates to a focal length of a full 120 millimeters and is made possible thanks to a new optical system that only fits in the Pro Max phone.
The base models of the iPhone 15 series also have an additional level of optical zoom at 2x, which the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus lack.
The 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera can be found in all models as usual, just like the front-facing selfie camera, which has the same resolution as the ultra-wide lens.
Performance
- iPhone 15 Pro & Pro Max use the A17 Pro, which is a much more powerful system chip.
- Hardware-accelerated ray tracing with A17 Pro – capable of running certain graphics-intensive PC games
- iPhone 15 & Plus use the A16 Bionic, which was last year's flagship chip.
Apple continues its trend of only giving the Pro models the new and improved system chip for the new year's models.
With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, you get the A17 Pro – the next generation system chip with much higher performance and new gaming features that make it possible to run PC games on the mobile phone.
The processor is up to 10 percent faster, and the graphics chip is up to 20 percent faster than the A16 Bionic. Moreover, energy efficiency is much better thanks to the 3-nanometer manufacturing process, so you get better performance without an increase in power consumption.
Add extra RAM (8 GB instead of the 6 GB found in the iPhone 14 Pro & Pro Max), enhanced AI features for graphics, and support for hardware-accelerated ray tracing as additional bonuses.
With the iPhone 15, it's the previous year's A16 Bionic that's in play, with all the advantages that chip has over the A15 Bionic.
Battery and Charging Port
- The iPhone 14 series uses Lightning.
- The iPhone 15 series uses USB-C.
- No difference in battery life.
There's no official difference in battery life between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 series. Apple's figures indicate identical battery life when comparing iPhone 14 models to their respective counterparts in the iPhone 15 series.
The charging time is also said to be exactly the same. Charging up to 15 watts with MagSafe and up to 27 watts with a charging cable is possible. However, the phones differ in a few other ways.
All iPhone 15 phones use USB-C instead of Lightning. This means, for instance, that you can charge your Watch and AirPods Pro case (USB version only) from an iPhone 15 phone.
You can even charge another iPhone if you wish, or use an Android phone with USB-PD to charge your own mobile phone.
Another detail is that the iPhone 15 series appears to support the second generation of wireless Qi charging. If the phones are certified for Qi2, it could mean faster wireless charging even without MagSafe.
Where to buy the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14
Where to buy the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 14 Plus
Where to buy the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro
Where to buy the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max
Text: Daniel Haaf
Published: 26 September 2023
Updated: 26 September 2023
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