Apple launched the iPhone 15 series on September 12, 2023, at its “Wonderlust” event, and of the lineup, the iPhone 15 Plus was the bigger brother to the regular iPhone 15. Continuing the tradition of the “Plus” series, it offers a big screen, lengthy battery life, and many of the high-end features without commanding the Pro models’ higher cost.
In this in-depth review, we’ll tell you everything you want to know about the iPhone 15 Plus—from design and display to performance, camera system, battery life, software, and overall value.
Design and Build Quality of iPhone 15 Plus
The iPhone 15 Plus has a 6.7-inch form, which makes it perfect for people who like using large-screened smartphones. The design ideology still sticks to Apple’s penchant for minimalism: minimalist lines, a rugged build, and color options that look fashionable yet elegant.
Back and Frame: Apple employed a color-enriched matte glass back complemented by an aerospace-grade aluminum frame, providing a high-end feel in hand. The glass is less fingerprint-prone than the glossy backs of previous models.
Colors: The iPhone 15 Plus arrived in five colors—Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, and Pink. These colors are light and pastel in nature and will be of interest to younger people and those who do not want something bold but something stylish instead.
Durability: Being IP68 rated, the phone is dust-resistant and can survive being submerged in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes.
All in all, the iPhone 15 Plus finds a good balance between strength and beauty, and it’s both a fashion statement and a workhorse.
Display—Larger and Better
The largest selling factor for the iPhone 15 Plus is its 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display.
- Resolution: 2796 × 1290 pixels
- Pixel Density: ~460 ppi
- HDR Support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
- Brightness: 2000 nits peak outdoor brightness, twice that of the iPhone 14 Plus.
The screen is sharp, colorful, and silky smooth to view and great for media consumption, reading, gaming, and productivity. While the 15 Plus lacks ProMotion (120 Hz refresh rate) like the Pros, its 60 Hz screen remains silky smooth for the average user.
Apple also substituted the notch with the Dynamic Island, which debuted on the iPhone 14 Pro range. This pill-shaped cutout adjusts to display notifications, live activities, timers, music playback, and navigation, merging functionality and form.
Performance – A16 Bionic Power
The iPhone 15 Plus is fueled by the A16 Bionic chip, previously reserved for the iPhone 14 Pro range. This chip is based on a 4 nm process and provides:
- CPU: 6-core (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores)
- GPU: 5-core to improve graphics performance
- Neural Engine: 16-core for AI and machine learning operations
Paired with 6GB RAM, the device performs multitasking, games, and demanding applications smoothly. Day-to-day use is silky smooth, and heavy hitters like Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, and Call of Duty Mobile are run without interruption.
The iPhone 15 Plus comes with iOS 17, which adds features like Contact Posters, Live Voicemail, NameDrop for AirDrop, and improved widgets. Apple also guarantees long-term software support (5–6 years), so the phone stays up-to-date and secure.
Camera System – Great Leap
The camera system is where the iPhone 15 Plus makes the biggest jump over the iPhone 14 Plus.
Rear Cameras
- 48MP Main Camera (f/1.6)
- Uses a quad-pixel sensor to grab amazing detail.
- Captures default 24MP photos (trading detail for smaller file sizes).
- 2x telephoto zoom through sensor crop without sacrifice in quality.
- 12MP Ultra-Wide Camera (f/2.4, 120° FoV)
- Excellent for landscape, architecture, and group photos.
- Preserves sharpness throughout the frame.
Front Camera
- 12MP TrueDepth Camera with autofocus
- Great for selfies, video chats, and Face ID.
Features
- Smart HDR 5: Improved dynamic range in challenging lighting.
- Photonic Engine: Takes low-light photos to the next level.
- Portrait Mode: Now automatically activated when detecting a person, pet, or object.
- Cinematic Mode: 4K HDR recording.
Overall, the iPhone 15 Plus provides professional-level photography for a non-Pro model, ranking among the top smartphone cameras at this price range.
Battery Life—All-Day Champion
Battery life has always -Day the strengths of the “Plus” devices, and the iPhone 15 Plus does not deviate from that tradition.
- Battery Capacity: ~4,383 mAh
- Video Playback: Up to 26 hours
- Audio Playback: Up to 100 hours
Charging options are:
- USB-C Fast Charging: 50% in ~30 minutes using a 20W adapter.
- MagSafe Wireless Charging: Up to 15W.
- Qi2 Support: Broadens compatibility with third-party chargers.
For heavy users—streaming, gaming, social media, and work—the iPhone 15 Plus is easily capable of lasting a full day and a half on a single charge.
Connectivity and Safety Features
Apple equipped the iPhone 15 Plus with upgraded connectivity:
- 5G Support: Sub-6GHz and mmWave (in specific areas).
- Wi-Fi 6 & Bluetooth 5.3: Even faster, more reliable wireless connectivity.
- Dual eSIM Support: In the US, the iPhone 15 Plus is eSIM-only, but other countries still have a physical SIM tray.
New safety features are:
- Emergency SOS via Satellite: Assists in sending texts when out of cell range in remote locations.
- Roadside Assistance via Satellite: Get help directly when your vehicle breaks down, even without a network connection.
- Crash Detection: Deploys motion sensors to sense dangerous crashes and call emergency services automatically.
Pricing and Storage Options
When it was launched, the iPhone 15 Plus came in three storage options:
- 128GB – $899 (₹89,900 in India)
- 256GB – $999 (₹99,900 in India)
- 512GB – $1,199 (₹1,19,900 in India)
Even with so many advancements, Apple maintained the same base price as the iPhone 14 Plus, making it an improved value option in 2023–24.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Specification |
| Display | 6.7-inch OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| Resolution | 2796 × 1290 pixels (460 ppi) |
| Chipset | A16 Bionic |
| RAM | 6 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB / 256GB / 512GB |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP Main + 12MP Ultra-Wide |
| Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Battery | ~4,383 mAh |
| Charging | USB-C, MagSafe, Qi2 |
| OS | iOS 17 |
| Water Resistance | IP68 |
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Large 6.7-inch display with Dynamic Island.
- Massive battery life, one of the best within the iPhone range.
- 48MP main camera with 2x zoom.
- The A16 Bionic chip provides smooth performance.
- Emergency SOS and roadside assistance with satellite.
- New USB-C port with universal compatibility.
Cons
- Still capped at a 60 Hz refresh rate (no ProMotion).
- No telephoto or LiDAR scanner like the Pros.
- Heavier than iPhone 15 (201 g vs 171 g).
- The USB-C port is USB 2.0 speed (not the faster 3.0 like the Pros).
Conclusion—Who Should Buy iPhone 15 Plus?
The iPhone 15 Plus is designed for users who want a big-screen iPhone with exceptional battery life, strong cameras, and powerful performance—without paying the premium price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
If you’re someone who:
- Watches a lot of movies or plays games,
- Travels often and needs a long-lasting battery.
- Wants the latest iPhone experience but doesn’t care about ProMotion or a telephoto camera,
…the iPhone 15 Plus is an excellent choice.
At $899, it’s in that perfect spot between the lower-end iPhone 15 and more expensive Pro phones, one of the best-balanced iPhones Apple has ever put out.
