Apple unveiled its latest smartphones last September. Unlike the iPhone 15, the iPhone 15 Pro has been significantly updated. But what are the actual differences between the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro?
The difference between the standard and pro versions is greater than ever this year. According to Apple, the 15 Pro has a Pro design, Pro cameras, Pro display, Pro performance and still a Pro price starting at € 1229! Because this is not exactly cheap, you will probably think twice before purchasing a new device. We have listed everything so that you get a good idea of ​​the differences.
Renewals iPhone 15 Pro â–¸ iPhone 14 Pro
In the overview below we briefly summarize the iPhone 15 Pro innovations compared to the iPhone 14 Pro. This means that the options, capabilities and hardware below are only available on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. At the bottom of this overview we explain some of the differences in detail, so that you get a good idea.
- Customized design made of titanium, which is more scratch and shock resistant
- Rounded side for better grip
- Lighter design thanks to the titanium housing
- Multifunctional action button instead of sound switch
- Thinner screen bezels
- A17 Pro 3 nanometer processor and equipped with 6-core GPU
- iPhone 15 Pro: Advanced camera system (48MP main camera, 12MP ultra-wide angle and 12MP telephoto lens) with optical zoom up to 3x; up to 15x digital zoom for photo and up to 9x digital zoom for video
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: Pro camera system (48MP main camera, 12MP ultra-wide angle and 12MP tetraprism telephoto lens) with optical zoom up to 5x; up to 25x digital zoom for photo and up to 15x digital zoom for video
- Record up to 4K ProRes video at 60 fps with external storage
- Record spatial video for Apple Vision Pro
- Record log video
- Academy Color Encoding System
- Smart HDR 5 for photos
- Latest generation portraits with focus and depth control
- Change focus of portraits afterwards
- U2 chip for ultra wideband with accurate people search
- Roadside assistance with SOS emergency notification via satellite (US only)
- USB-C with USB 3 support (up to 10 Gb/s)
- Thread network technology
- WiFi 6E support
- Available in titanium colors natural, black, blue and white
- Standard 128 GB storage space for the iPhone 15 Pro
- Standard 256 GB storage space for the iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Price: iPhone 15 Pro from € 1229 | iPhone 15 Pro Max from €1479
- Extensive information about the iPhone 15 Pro
Renewed titanium design
For the high-end iPhone 15, Apple has changed the material of the more expensive iPhone from stainless steel to titanium for the first time since 2017. This material is relatively hard and strong. This not only provides good protection, the material has the advantage that it scratches less quickly. In addition, titanium is lighter than stainless steel, making the iPhone less heavy compared to the previous generation.
Always on display
Just like the iPhone 14 Pro (Max), the new premium model is equipped with a Dynamic Island with Always on display. The iPhone 15 Pro has a 120Hz Super Retina 460 ppi. Both iPhone models have a Max. brightness 1000 nits (standard), with HDR content it can reach 1600 nits and in direct sunlight 2000 nits.
For the Pro models, Apple has reduced the black border around the screen and the bezels are less visible. This results in a slightly smaller iPhone, where the screen dimensions are retained.
Multifunctional action button
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have received a brand new button. Apple has replaced the mute switch with a multi-function action button. Pressing and holding the button starts an action, just like with the Apple Watch Ultra.
By default, the action button is set so that you can turn the sound on and off. But you can also change the action. For example, you have the choice to open an app, turn on the camera, start Siri Command, activate magnifying glass, etc.
A17 Pro chip with 3nm processor
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max run on the A17 Pro chip, the first 3-nanometer chip, which delivers professional performance and capabilities. This is an advanced manufacturing technology used to make semiconductor chips. 3nm means that the transistor gate is only 3 nanometers wide.
The size of the transistor gate is important because it determines how many transistors can be placed on a single chip. The smaller the transistor gate, the more transistors fit on the chip. This leads to chips that are faster, more efficient and more powerful than chips produced using larger processes. The previous generation of Apple chips used a 5nm process.
The new CPU is 10% faster thanks to improvements in microarchitecture and design. The Neural Engine is up to 2x faster. The Pro-class GPU is up to 20% faster and enables completely new experiences with the new 6-core design that boosts peak performance and is more energy efficient.
Pro camera system with 48 megapixels
The iPhone 15 Pro (Max) still has a triple camera system with all lenses renewed. The camera system of the iPhone 15 Pro and Max are no longer the same this year. For example, the Max model has a tetraprism telephoto lens, while the pro uses a standard telephoto lens.
Camera iPhone 15 Pro
- 48MP main camera: 24mm, aperture Æ’/1.78, 2nd generation optical image stabilization with sensor shift, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super high resolution photos (24 MP and 48 MP)
- 12MP ultra-wide angle: 13mm, aperture ƒ/2.2 and 120° angle of view, 100% Focus Pixels
- 12-MP 2x telephoto lens (possible thanks to the quad-pixel sensor): 48 mm, aperture Æ’/1.78, second-generation optical image stabilization with sensor shift, 100% Focus Pixels
- 12‑MP 3x telephoto lens: 77mm, aperture ƒ/2.8, optical image stabilization
- 3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 6x optical zoom
- Up to 15x digital zoom for photos
- Up to 9x digital zoom for video
Camera iPhone 15 Pro Max
- 48MP main camera: 24mm, aperture Æ’/1.78, 2nd generation optical image stabilization with sensor shift, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super high resolution photos (24 MP and 48 MP)
- 12MP ultra-wide angle: 13mm, aperture ƒ/2.2 and 120° angle of view, 100% Focus Pixels
- 12-MP 2x telephoto lens (possible thanks to the quad-pixel sensor): 48 mm, aperture Æ’/1.78, second-generation optical image stabilization with sensor shift, 100% Focus Pixels
- 12‑MP 5x telephoto lens: 120mm, aperture ƒ/2.8, optical 3D image stabilization with sensor shift and autofocus, tetraprism
- 5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 10x optical zoom
- Up to 25x digital zoom for photos
- Up to 15x digital zoom for video
Software camera functions
Not only has Apple improved the hardware, the camera software also provides new possibilities. The options below are only available on the iPhone 15 Pro (Max).
- Changing the focus of a portrait photo afterwards
- Take better portrait photos of pets
- Shortcut to take portrait photos in the Camera app
- Smart HDR 5
- Improved Night Mode
- Ability to record Spatial videos for Apple Vision Pro.
Switching from an iPhone 14 Pro or 13 Pro
Do you own an iPhone 14 Pro? Then it is a difficult choice to switch to the new iPhone 15 Pro (Max). Of course, the innovations are a bonus, but the price is high despite the price reduction. Apple has tried to make the update as interesting as possible and compared to previous years, the list of innovations is considerably longer.
The design of the iPhone 15 Pro is beautifully designed and the lighter material will appeal to many iPhone Pro users. The action button may be a useful addition and the always-on screen with the Dynamic Island still works well.
The new camera system is excellent. The tetraprism telephoto lens on the 15 Pro Max model in particular is a new feature that will be popular with professional photographers. Storing images on an external hard drive is also a plus.
If you own an iPhone 14 Pro, it may not be worth switching now. This is different for the iPhone 12 Pro and older generations. This is a doubtful case with the iPhone 13 Pro, the switch to the 15 Pro provides a significantly better and more advanced camera system with an always-on display.
Order iPhone 15 Pro
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have been available since September 22, 2023. You can order the new iPhones via the Online Apple Store, your favorite webshop or provider. This is possible, among other things Odido, KPN, Vodafone, Coolblue, Media Markt, Amazon, Bol.com and Mobiel.nl.