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Is the iPhone 15 Pro Worth the Upgrade? How It Compares to Older iPhones

If you have a phone that’s at least 3 years old, such as the iPhone 12 Pro or earlier, the answer is likely yes.

With every new iPhone, especially the Pro models, Apple promises faster performance and better cameras. And according to my colleague Patrick Holland, who reviewed the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, Apple delivers on those pledges.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth upgrading to the latest models. Those improvements don’t come cheap, with the iPhone 15 Pro starting at $1,000 and the iPhone 15 Pro Max beginning at $1,199. Those prices become easier to swallow with carrier trade-in deals, but such discounts often require you to meet very specific circumstances, such as opening a new line or exchanging a relatively new phone.

Similar to the regular iPhone 15, the Pro model is best suited for those coming from an older model, like the iPhone 12 or earlier. There’s plenty that’s new with the iPhone 15 Pro, like the titanium body and new Action button, that make the phone feel fresh and different compared to the iPhone 14 Pro. But if you’re coming from a device that’s several years old, you’ll likely find the longer battery life and performance improvements to be the driving factors behind your decision to upgrade.

Take a look at the comparisons below to decide whether it’s the right time to upgrade to the iPhone 15 Pro. If you’re considering the standard iPhone 15 instead, check out our separate upgrade guide.

iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro

Purple iPhone 14 Pro on a red pillow

The iPhone 15 Pro brings numerous improvements compared to the iPhone 14 Pro, including a lighter titanium build, the Action button for programming shortcuts, a USB-C port for universal charging and a camera that can capture photos at 24 megapixels by default. Apple also claims the new A17 Pro processor can run console-grade games.

As is the case with previous Pro models, the iPhone 15 Pro also includes some extras for mobile photographers and filmmakers. Videographers, for example, may appreciate the option to shoot in the log video format, which makes it easier to match footage from other devices for projects shot on more than one camera. The iPhone 15 Pro Max also has a 5x telephoto zoom, enabling it to capture closer shots than the 3x option on the iPhone 14 Pro.

Since the iPhone 15 Pro has Apple’s second-generation ultra wideband chip, you can use your iPhone to more easily pinpoint another user’s location in the Find My app. But this feature only works with other iPhone 15 owners since it requires Apple’s new hardware. Ultra wideband is the proximity-detecting tech found in the iPhone 11 and later that makes it easier to AirDrop files to other devices and use your phone as a digital car key. 

Most of these changes further separate the iPhone 15 Pro from the regular iPhone 15 and make Apple’s premium phone a more appealing option for those who want faster performance and a more capable camera. That said, you don’t necessarily need to upgrade if you already have an iPhone 14 Pro. 

While these tools are helpful, they’re niche and may not impact the daily experience all that much, especially if you don’t use your phone for film projects. While the Action button is useful, it’s also a bit limiting in its current form since it can only trigger one feature at a time. As mentioned in CNET’s iPhone 15 Pro review, there’s potential for the Action button to bring more to the iPhone experience in the future, particularly if Apple makes it possible to program multiple types of shortcuts. 

The A17 Pro is another example of a new feature that will likely grow more appealing over time as more games are optimized for it. The console versions of Resident Evil Village, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Death Stranding and Assassin’s Creed Mirage will be available for the iPhone 15 Pro, and I can see the iPhone 15 Pro becoming more appealing for gamers once it supports more than a few titles.

The bottom line: Don’t upgrade to the iPhone 15 Pro just yet. Performance and battery life are likely still going strong, meaning there’s plenty of life left in your phone. Some of the iPhone 15 Pro’s most exciting new features, like the A17 Pro processor and Action button, will probably get better over time, meaning it’s fine to wait for the next model, or even the one after that. Unless you can essentially get the iPhone 15 Pro for free through a trade-in deal, it’s worth waiting

iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro

A light blue iPhone 13 Pro against a purple and pink background.

The iPhone 13 Pro is only 2 years old, which means it’s probably still running smoothly and battery life is long enough to get you through the day without concern. Since it has a relatively recent camera and processor, photos taken with this phone will look sharp and colorful enough for posting on your Instagram feed, sharing with friends and even printing small copies to hang on your wall. 

The iPhone 15 Pro isn’t a necessary upgrade for iPhone 13 Pro owners, but there are plenty of new features for those who do decide to make the jump. You’ll be able to charge the iPhone 15 Pro with the same cable you probably use for other non-Apple products since it has USB-C. The camera has a higher-resolution sensor, which means you can capture more detail at 48-megapixels or 24-megapixels compared to the 12-megapixel sensor on the iPhone 13 Pro. And then of course, there’s the new titanium design and Action button. 

But keep in mind you’re also getting everything that came with last year’s iPhone 14 Pro, such as the Dynamic Island and always-on display. Taken together, these changes along with the Action button could make it easier to multitask without jumping between apps. You’ll also get car crash detection and the option to contact emergency services via satellite if you’re in a remote area, since both features arrived on last year’s iPhone 14 Pro.

The bottom line: The iPhone 15 Pro isn’t an upgrade that you need, but it might be one that you want coming from an iPhone 13 Pro. Apple’s 2-year-old iPhone still has a lot going for it, so don’t upgrade yet if you’re still happy with it. But if you do splurge on the iPhone 15 Pro, it’ll feel like more than just a refreshed version of your current phone. Be sure to see if you’re eligible for a trade-in discount.

iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 12 Pro

iphone-12-pro-max-product-promo-hoyle-2021

The iPhone 12 Pro is very similar to the iPhone 13 Pro, so the same general advice applies. However, there’s a stronger case for upgrading since the iPhone 12 Pro’s processor is older, meaning it might be starting to slow down. 

Battery life will also likely see a dramatic boost considering the iPhone 12 Pro is now 3 years old. One of the iPhone 13 Pro’s biggest changes was longer battery life, and Apple has made further improvements since then. Compared to the iPhone 12 Pro’s estimated 17 hours of video playback, the iPhone 15 Pro is said to get 23 hours. 

The display is brighter on Apple’s new phone, meaning it’ll likely be easier to see outside in bright sunlight. The iPhone 12 Pro also lacks ProMotion, which is Apple’s branding for displays that can boost their refresh rate, which should make scrolling feel smoother on the iPhone 15 Pro. 

Apple has also thrown in some new photography features between generations, such as macro mode and Photographic Styles, which lets you customize a specific look for how the camera should capture photos. There’s also cinematic mode for capturing footage with a shallow depth of field.

But those are just some of the aspects that separate the iPhone 12 Pro from the iPhone 13 Pro. Don’t forget, you’re also getting everything else Apple has added over the years, from the Action button to the Dynamic Island, a lighter titanium build, car crash detection and emergency SOS via satellite. 

The bottom line: The iPhone 15 Pro is a worthwhile upgrade coming from the iPhone 12 Pro, but you should really only upgrade if you’re starting to feel performance and battery life slowing down. 

iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 11 Pro

an iPhone 11 Pro face down on a table

The iPhone 11 Pro is now 4 years old, meaning it’s a good time to upgrade if you’re feeling like your phone isn’t what it used to be. Aside from jumping from a 4-year-old processor to Apple’s brand-new A17 Pro, just about everything else will feel new — from the screen to the camera.

Perhaps most importantly, the iPhone 11 Pro doesn’t support 5G, meaning you may be missing out on faster connection speeds. Apple didn’t add 5G compatibility to its phones until the iPhone 12 launched in 2020. 

The iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max have smaller screens than the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, so you’ll get some extra real estate for watching videos, reading the news and browsing email. The 11 Pro has a 5.8-inch display, while the 11 Pro Max has a 6.5-inch display, compared to the iPhone 15 Pro’s and Pro Max’s respective 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screens. There’s a lot more that’s new about the iPhone 15 Pro’s screen; size is just the start. You’ll also gain the Dynamic Island, ProMotion, always-on mode and increased brightness.

Camera quality is another area where you’re bound to see a lot of improvements. Since the iPhone 11 Pro’s camera is four generations old, you’re getting the culmination of all the photo and video improvements Apple has added over the years. 

Aside from the new 48-megapixel sensor and aforementioned features like cinematic mode and the ability to turn almost any photo into a portrait, you can also take portraits in night mode and capture night mode images with the front camera. You’ll also get a closer optical zoom (3x on the 15 Pro, 5x on the 15 Pro Max) compared to the iPhone 11 Pro’s 2x zoom. Apple’s image processing pipeline has also improved over the years, so you should see a step up in general image quality too. 

The iPhone 11 Pro also lacks a lidar sensor, which isn’t a deal breaker but could be important depending on what you use your phone for. The lidar sensor’s depth-sensing capabilities can help the camera focus faster, improve performance in augmented reality apps and enable accessibility features like People Detection, which can help blind users tell when other people are nearby.

You’ll also be able to use MagSafe accessories, like cases and wireless chargers that snap more easily to the back of your phone, with the iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max. And don’t forget about all the other features Apple has introduced in the last two years, such as the Action button, satellite connectivity for emergencies and car crash detection. 

The bottom line: If you have an iPhone 11 Pro, it’s definitely worth upgrading. From 5G to a brand-new processor, larger screen, multitasking features like the Action button and Dynamic Island, and a superior camera, everything about this phone will feel new. If you bought the cheapest version of the iPhone 11 Pro at launch, you’re also probably struggling to store photos and videos since the entry-level model only came with 64GB of storage compared to the 128GB found on newer iPhones. 

iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone XS

iphone-xs-6

The iPhone has come a long way in the last five years, and that shows when comparing the 2018-era iPhone XS to the iPhone 15 Pro. The iPhone XS lacks a couple of features that are considered standard in many of today’s phones, namely 5G support and an ultrawide camera for taking broader shots. 

By upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro, you’ll gain all of the features mentioned above in our comparison with the iPhone 11 Pro. That includes 5G support, a much sharper camera, more camera modes, MagSafe compatibility, a depth-sensing lidar sensor, and a larger and brighter screen (5.8 inches versus 6.1 inches for the regular Pro, 6.5 inches versus 6.7 inches for the Pro Max).

But Apple added a handful of new capabilities starting with the iPhone 11 that the iPhone XS family also lacks, making an even stronger case for upgrading. The most notable is night mode for the camera, which means you’ll barely have to use your camera’s flash when taking photos in dark environments. There’s also the previously mentioned ultrawide camera, a sharper front-facing camera (7 megapixels versus 12 megapixels) and the ultra wideband chip. 

This, of course, just scratches the surface, considering there’s a lot more that’s new in the iPhone 15 Pro, from significantly longer battery life to the Dynamic Island and the 48-megapixel camera. 

The bottom line: If you have an iPhone XS or XS Max, it’s time to upgrade. Apple’s 5-year-old phone lacks staple features like 5G, and performance and battery life will likely start to dwindle soon if they haven’t already. The iPhone XS is also the last generation to get new iOS version updates, meaning you’ll be missing out on new features come next year. 

iPhone 15 Pro vs. older iPhones

iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 11 Pro iPhone XS
Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate, brightness 6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels; 120Hz adaptive refresh rate 6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels; 120Hz adaptive refresh rate 6.1-inch OLED; 2,778×1,284 pixels; 120Hz adaptive refresh rate 6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixels 5.8-inch OLED; 2,436×1,125 pixels 5.8-inch OLED; 2,436×1,125 pixels
Pixel density 460 ppi 460 ppi 458 ppi 460 ppi 458 ppi 458 ppi
Dimensions (inches) 5.77 x 2.78 x 0.32 in 5.81 x 2.81 x 0.31 in. 6.33 x 3.07 x 0.3 in 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.29 in 5.67×2.81×0.32 in 5.7×2.8×0.3 in
Dimensions (millimeters) 70.6 x 146.6 x 8.25 mm 147.5 x 71.5 x 7.85mm 161 x 78 x 7.65 mm 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm 144×71.4×8.1 mm 143.6×70.9×7.7 mm
Weight (grams, ounces) 187 g (6.6 oz) 206 g (7.27 oz) 240 g (8.48 oz) 189 g (6.66 oz) 188 g (6.63 oz) 177 g (6.2 oz)
Mobile software (at launch) iOS 17 iOS 16 iOS 15 iOS 14 iOS 13 iOS 12
Camera 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel telephoto 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel(ultrawide), 12-megapixel(telephoto) 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (telephoto) 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide), 12-megapixel (telephoto) 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide), 12-megapixel (telephoto) Dual 12-megapixel (wide and telephoto)
Front-facing camera 12-megapixel 12-megapixel 12-megapixel 12-megapixel 12-megapixel 7-megapixel
Video capture 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K
Processor Apple A17 Pro Apple A16 Bionic Apple A15 Bionic Apple A14 Bionic Apple A13 Bionic Apple A12 Bionic
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 64GB, 256GB, 512GB 64GB, 256GB, 512GB
Expandable storage None None None None None None
Battery Undisclosed; Apple claims up to 23 hours of video playback Undisclosed; Apple claims 23 hours of video playback Undisclosed; Apple claims 22 hours of video playback Undisclosed; Apple claims 17 hours of video playback Undisclosed, Apple claims 18 hours of video playback Undisclosed, Apple claims 14 hours of video playback
Fingerprint sensor None (Face ID) None (Face ID) None (Face ID) None (FaceID) None (Face ID) None (Face ID)
Connector USB-C (USB 3.0) Lightning Lightning Lightning Lightning Lightning
Headphone jack No No No No No No
Special features 5G; Action button; always-on display; water resistant; MagSafe; Dynamic Island; 5x optical zoom on Max (120mm equivalent); satellite connectivity; crash detection;eSIM; Thread networking technology; 2nd-gen ultrawideband; lidar Dynamic Island; always-on display; 5G; satellite connectivity; crash detection; MagSafe; water resistant; e-SIM; ultra wideband; lidar 5G; MagSafe; water resistant; physical and e-SIM; ultra wideband; lidar 5G; MagSafe; water resistant; physical and e-SIM; ultra wideband; lidar Water resistant; physical and e-SIM; ultra wideband Water-resistant; physical and e-SIM

Technologies

Pope Francis’ Funeral: How to Stream Live or Watch the Replay

Here’s how to stream the pope’s funeral very early Saturday, and what you can expect to see during the service.

After a week of global mourning for Pope Francis, who died on Monday at age 88, the pope’s funeral will be celebrated on Saturday . Francis’ funeral will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. local time at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City (which is very, very early if you’re tuning in from the US or Canada), and he will be laid to rest at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. 

The Vatican will be livestreaming the papal funeral and procession, though not the burial, on its YouTube channel as it happens. The funeral will also be televised live on CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox, as well as on streaming services like Disney Plus, Hulu, Peacock and Paramount Plus. Due to the time difference, it seems likely that many interested North American viewers will catch it when it’s replayed later on Saturday. Numerous networks will rebroadcast the service later that day.

If you choose to stay up, or get up early, here’s when the live broadcast of the pope’s funeral will air in your time zone in the continental US on April 26:

  • ET: 4 a.m.
  • CT: 3 a.m.
  • MT: 2 a.m.
  • PT: 1 a.m.

The papacy of Pope Francis was notable for the progressive reforms he brought to the Roman Catholic Church. He appointed more than half of the current College of Cardinals and attempted to foster more positive attitudes toward members of the LGBT community and migrants worldwide.

What to expect from the funeral 

The funeral will follow many rituals, though not all traditional protocols will be followed. Most popes are buried in St. Peter’s Basilica or its grottoes, but the AP reports Francis chose the St. Mary Major Basilica to reflect his veneration of an icon of the Virgin Mary that is located there, the Salus Populi Romani (Salvation of the People of Rome).

His funeral will be less elaborate than those of other popes per his own wishes. Francis simplified papal funeral rites last year, permitting his burial outside the Vatican, and emphasizing his role as a bishop rather than as pope (the pope is also the Bishop of Rome).

Previous popes were buried in three coffins: one of cypress, one of lead and one of oak. Francis requested to be buried in a single wooden, zinc-lined coffin and not to be placed in an elevated bier as other popes were.

The coffin will be taken from St Peter’s Basilica and placed on a dais in St Peter’s Square, where Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will lead the service. After the service, the coffin will return to St Peter’s Basilica before it is carried across the River Tiber and to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major for burial. The ceremony is estimated to end around 2 p.m. local time, or four hours after it begins.

Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will be the first of nine Masses held daily at St. Peter’s until May 4. This is an ancient tradition of the Catholic Church that observes nine days of consecutive mourning. According to Vatican News, a different group of mourners will participate each day, though the Eucharistic celebrations are open to everyone.

Who will attend Pope Francis’ funeral?

Hundreds of people, including world leaders and royals, are expected to attend Pope Francis’ funeral. 

US president Donald Trump confirmed on his Truth Social Platform that he and first lady Melania Trump will be at the funeral. This will be Trump’s first foreign trip in his second term. He is expected to have a seat in the third row, though the Vatican has yet to release an official seating chart. It is tradition for the first row of seats to go to Catholic royalty, and the second row to non-Catholic royals.

Prince William, who is attending on behalf of King Charles, will sit in the second row, which is reserved for non-Catholic royals. Former president Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, devout Catholics, will also attend the funeral.

Conclave: What happens next to choose the new pope

After Pope Francis’ funeral, the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church will vote on his successor in an assembly of cardinals known as a conclave.

There are many matters for the cardinals to settle before the conclave begins, but once it does, it can take days or even weeks to conclude. Two-thirds of the cardinals’ votes are required to elect the next pope. The conclave occurs behind closed doors and the vote tally is never made public.

Read more: Where to Watch Conclave, the Vatican Thriller About Electing a New Pope

Look for the white smoke

The ballots are burned after each round, and chemicals are added to the flames to produce black smoke if there’s no majority. When a new pope has been selected, the chemicals will be added to the flames so they produce white smoke. Crowds gather in St. Peter’s Square to watch for the results.

If you’re fascinated by the process, you can watch a dramatized version of the events in 2024 film Conclave.

In the movie, Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, who spearheads the election of the next pope while investigating rumors about potential candidates. The film is based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris and is completely fictional — though it does represent some of the events of how actual papal conclaves take place. In March, the film won the Academy Award for best adapted screenplay.

You can stream Conclave on Amazon Prime Video, or rent it for $6 on Apple TV, Fandango at Home, YouTube or Google Play Movies.

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for April 26, #685

Hints and answers for Connections for April 26, #685.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.


Today’s Connections puzzle features a lot of short words, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. That purple category requires a lot of thinking — probably most people will solve it only by solving the other three and having four words left over. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Rainbow.

Green group hint: San Fernando ____.

Blue group hint: Think Robert.

Purple group hint: Mixed-up hue words.

Answers for today’s Connections groups

Yellow group: Tint.

Green group: Valley.

Blue group: Bobs.

Purple group: Color anagrams.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is tint. The four answers are color, hue, shade and tone.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is valley. The four answers are dale, dell, glen and hollow.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is Bobs. The four answers are Dole, Hope, Marley and Ross.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is color anagrams. The four answers are Dre (red), Gary (gray), genre (green) and lube (blue).

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for April 26, #215

Hints and answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, No. 215, for Saturday, April 26.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.


Connections: Sports Edition is tough today. The purple category theme threw me because of one phrase I didn’t know. And let’s hope you’re familiar with college coach surnames. Read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That’s a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can continue to play it free online.  

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Try to achieve.

Green group hint: Move through it.

Blue group hint: Sideline bosses.

Purple group hint: Like a carton.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: What one strives for.

Green group: Room to run.

Blue group: College football coaches.

Purple group: Box ____.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is what one strives for. The four answers are aim, goal, objective and target.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is room to run. The four answers are gap, hole, opening and space.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is college football coaches. The four answers are Day, Lanning, Smart and Stoops.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is box ____. The four answers are lacrosse, office, score and seat.

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