Apple iPhone 15 and 15 Plus Gets Dynamic Island, USB-C, A16 Bionic, and More
Apple’s highly anticipated event showcased an impressive lineup, featuring not only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max but also the vanilla iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models. While the Pro variants steal the spotlight with their groundbreaking innovations, the non-Pro iPhones have received significant upgrades as well. In this article, we’ll dive into the key highlights of the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models.
Apple iPhone 15 and 15 Plus
USB-C Integration and Dynamic Island
One notable change across the entire iPhone 15 series is the inclusion of USB-C, a shift likely influenced by EU regulations, although Apple hasn’t explicitly stated this as the reason. This universal connector promises faster data transfer speeds and improved versatility.
Additionally, the Dynamic Island feature, previously exclusive to the Pro models, has made its way to the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. This interactive feature enhances user experience by offering quick access to various functions.
Display Brilliance and Design Elegance
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus boast impressive displays with up to 2,000-nit peak outdoor brightness, a significant improvement over their predecessors. Apple touts this as double the brightness of the previous generation, ensuring exceptional visibility even in bright sunlight.
These non-Pro models feature a textured matte finish, complemented by a contoured edge on the aluminum frame. Apple promises “all-day battery life,” a crucial aspect of modern smartphones, and a choice of five captivating colors to match your style.
A16 Bionic Chipset and Camera Enhancements
Under the hood, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are powered by the A16 Bionic chipset. While this chipset may not be the latest, it still delivers impressive performance, ensuring smooth operation and responsiveness for everyday tasks and applications.
The camera system on the iPhone 15 series has seen substantial improvements. The main camera boasts a 48 MP sensor, although it’s worth noting that it is smaller than the cameras found in the Pro models. However, Apple assures users that it can capture “optical-quality” 2x telephoto shots, a noteworthy feature for photography enthusiasts. The default resolution is set at 24 MP, striking a balance between image quality and file size.
These cameras enable the capture of “next-generation portraits” with enhanced detail, vivid colors, and improved low-light performance. Notably, there’s no need to switch to Portrait mode anymore. The new iPhone series automatically captures depth information when a person, dog, cat, or focus point is detected in the frame, allowing users to transform any image into a portrait later and adjust the focus point. Night Mode and Smart HDR have also received significant enhancements, benefitting not only Apple’s native camera app but also third-party applications.
Enhanced Safety Features
Apple continues to prioritize user safety. Emergency SOS via satellite is now available in 14 countries, with plans to expand further. In a significant addition, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus offer Roadside Assistance via satellite in the United States through AAA. This service is complimentary for the first two years after purchasing your phone, featuring an intuitive interface that streamlines assistance requests by collecting essential details about your situation.
Pricing and Availability
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models offer excellent value, with prices starting at RM4,399 / $799 for the iPhone 15 and RM4,899 / $899 for the 15 Plus, both equipped with 128 GB of storage. Pre-orders will commence on September 15, with the official release scheduled for September 22. For Malaysia, pre-orders will begin on September 22 instead, with availability starting on September 29. These devices will be available in a vibrant array of colors, including pink, yellow, green, blue, and black.
Full List of Prices for All Variants
iPhone 15
- 128GB = RM4,399 / $799
- 256GB = RM4,899 / $899
- 512GB = RM5,899 / $1,099
iPhone 15 Plus
- 128GB = RM4,899 / $899
- 256GB = RM5,399 / $999
- 512GB = RM6,399 / $1,199
Pokdepinion: I was under the belief that it would be better to go for the 14 Pro rather than this but now, I’ve changed my mind. If you’re coming from anything older than the 14 series, or not even an iPhone, go for the 15 or 15 Plus at least. It’s pretty worth it given the price.
