Technologies

Is the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Worth it Compared to iPhone 15? Here’s Our Take

Beyond the camera, here’s what each phone offers.

On Tuesday at its «Wonderlust» event, Apple unveiled the latest batch of iPhones alongside updates to the Apple Watch. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro are here, and you may soon be facing a decision whether to shell out the extra money for a Pro model when the phones hit stores on Sept. 22.

On last year’s models, the new Dynamic Island was the main differentiator between the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro, but this feature has now trickled down to the regular iPhone 15, leaving the entire iPhone 15 line notchless. Still, there are important differences to consider when deciding between the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro. Bear in mind we’re yet to review the new iPhones, so this analysis is based on our hands-on impressions and their specs — let’s get to it.

iPhone 15 vs. 15 Pro: Display and enclosure

Both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro feature the same size screen — a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with a 2,556×1,179-pixel resolution. The Pro’s display, however, features ProMotion technology, which is Apple’s way of saying it has a variable refresh rate between 10Hz and 120Hz. It should result in smoother motion in videos, games and just scrolling through web pages compared with the fixed 60Hz refresh rate of the iPhone 15. When you aren’t watching YouTube or gaming on your phone, the Pro will lower the refresh rate to conserve battery life.

The iPhone 15 Pro also has an always-on display that keeps it on and dimmed when charging so you can use StandBy mode. You don’t get an always-on display with the iPhone 15.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Pro are made from different materials. The iPhone 15 has an aluminum enclosure with a color-infused glass back, and the iPhone 15 Pro is made from titanium with a textured matte glass back.

More colorful options are available for the iPhone 15, where you can get it in pink, soft yellow, light green, pale blue or black. The iPhone 15 Pro is available in more staid hues: black, white, dark blue and natural titanium that looks beige.

In terms of overall size, the iPhone 15 is ever-so-slightly larger but lighter than the iPhone 15 Pro. Titanium is lighter than aluminum, but the iPhone 15 Pro weighs more than the iPhone 15, in large part because it has a third camera. The iPhone 15 weighs 6.02 ounces (171 grams), and the iPhone 15 Pro weighs 6.6 ounces (187 grams). The iPhone 15 Pro has ultrathin bezels and shaves a millimeter off the width and height of the iPhone 15’s dimensions while also being a fraction of a millimeter thinner.

One last difference between the two enclosures is the introduction of the Action button on the iPhone 15 Pro. It replaces the mute switch that’s still on the side of the iPhone 15. By default, a long press on the Action button will mute and unmute, but you can customize it to trigger a number of shortcuts like turning on the flashlight, recording a voice memo or opening the camera app and snapping a photo.

Action button on the side of the Apple iPhone 15 Pro

iPhone 15 vs. 15 Pro: Cameras

As with previous iPhone lines, the iPhone 15 features two cameras on the back, and the iPhone 15 Pro has three. You get a 48-megapixel wide lens and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens with either model, and the iPhone 15 Pro adds a 12-megapixel telephoto lens that has a 3x optical zoom that lets you get closer to your subject.

Both models support night mode, but only the iPhone 15 Pro lets you take night mode shots in portrait mode.

Three cameras on the back of the iPhone 15 Pro

iPhone 15 vs. 15 Pro: Components

Inside, the iPhone 15 has an A16 Bionic chip, while the iPhone 15 Pro has an A17 Pro chip. Both models ought to be plenty fast; each processor is a six-core CPU with two performance and four efficiency cores. The iPhone 15 Pro is better suited for graphics and gaming; the A17 Pro Bionic processor has a six-core GPU to the A16 Bionic’s five-core GPU.

Both models are available in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB capacities, and the iPhone 15 Pro offers a 1TB option.

iPhone 15 vs. 15 Pro: USB-C speeds

The new models introduce USB-C charging, but only the iPhone 15 Pro supports the faster 10Gbps speeds of USB 3. You’ll need to supply your own USB-C 3 cable for a 15 Pro since Apple ships a USB 2 cable with both phones, but the iPhone 15 supports only USB 2 speeds of 480Mbps.

iPhone 15 vs. 15 Pro: Price

Finally, we arrive at the difference in price. No surprises here: As in past years, Apple charges an extra $200 for the iPhone 15 Pro compared with the iPhone 15. The iPhone 15 starts at $799 (£799, AU$1,499), while the iPhone 15 Pro starts at $999 (£999, AU$1,849).

Get a Better Look at the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro

iphone 15 in five different colors from an angled view

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Apple iPhone 15 vs. Apple iPhone 15 Pro

	iPhone 15	iPhone 15 Pro
Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate, brightness	6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate; 1,000 nits	6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels; 120Hz adaptive refresh rate; 1,000 nits
Pixel density	460 ppi	460 ppi
Enclosure material	Aluminum with color-infused glass back	Titanium with textured matte glass back
Dimensions (inches)	2.82 x 5.81 x 0.31 in.	2.78 x 5.77 x 0.32 in.
Dimensions (millimeters)	71.6 x 147.6 x 7.8 mm	70.6 x 146.6 x 8.25 mm
Weight (grams, ounces)	171 g (6.02 oz)	187 g (6.6 oz)
Mobile software	iOS 17	iOS 17
Camera	48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)	48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel telephoto (3x optical)
Front-facing camera	12-megapixel	12-megapixel
Video capture	4K	4K
Processor	A16 Bionic	A17 Pro
RAM/storage	128GB, 256GB, 512GB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Expandable storage	None	None
Battery/charging speeds	Undisclosed; Apple claims up to 20 hours of video playback (16 hours streamed)	Undisclosed; Apple claims up to 23 hours of video playback (20 hours streamed)
Fingerprint sensor	None (Face ID)	None (Face ID)
Connector	USB-C (USB 2.0)	USB-C (USB 3.0)
Side button/switch	Mute switch	Action button
Headphone jack	None	None
Special features	5G (mmw/Sub6), IP68 rating, MagSafe (up to 15W), Qi wireless charging to 7.5W, Dynamic Island	5G (mmw/Sub6), IP68 rating, MagSafe (up to 15W), Qi wireless charging to 7.5W, Dynamic Island, 3x optical zoom
US price off-contract	$799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB)	$999 (128GB, $1,099 (256GB), $1,299 (512GB), $1,499 (1TB)
UK price	£799 (128GB), £899 (256GB), £1,099 (512GB)	£999 (128GB), £1,099 (256GB), £1,299 (512GB), £1,499 (1TB)
Australia price	AU$1,499 (128GB), AU$1,699 (256GB), AU$2,049 (512GB)	AU$1,849 (128GB), AU$2,049 (256GB), AU$2,399 (512GB), AU$2,749 (1TB)

Technologies

Verum Messenger Introduces Built-In Verum Chess

Verum Messenger has released a new update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, adding another feature to its growing ecosystem — Verum Chess. Users can now play chess directly inside the messenger without switching between different applications.

The new feature allows users to start a game in just a few taps while reinforcing Verum’s vision of a unified digital environment where communication and everyday services come together in a single platform.

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional ecosystem that combines secure chats and calls, AI tools, a built-in VPN, anonymous email, eSIM, financial services, cryptocurrency features, and offline communication. With the introduction of Verum Chess, the platform now also offers a new way for users to interact and spend time together without leaving the app.

The update is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop

Verum has officially released Verum Finance for macOS, bringing its financial platform to the Mac and expanding access to the Verum ecosystem across Apple’s devices. The launch allows users to manage their finances from desktop while enjoying the same secure and seamless experience available on iPhone and iPad.

The new Mac version includes the full range of Verum Finance features, including balance management, instant transfers to other Verum users, debit card management, Apple Pay support, asset exchange, and transaction history — all optimized for the macOS experience.

Verum Finance can be used as a standalone application or alongside Verum Messenger. Users who sign in with their Verum Messenger account automatically synchronize their balances, settings, and account data across devices, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the Verum ecosystem.

The macOS release further strengthens Verum’s vision of creating an integrated digital platform where communication and financial services work together. Verum Messenger, which is also available for Mac, complements the ecosystem with encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN, eSIM, anonymous email, AI-powered tools, offline communication capabilities, and cryptocurrency features.

With both Verum Messenger and Verum Finance now available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can access secure communication and financial services wherever they work.

Verum Finance for Mac is available now through the Mac App Store.

Verum Finance for macOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im