Apple Iphone 15 Plus

Apple iPhone 15 Plus Expert Review

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus is Apple’s large-screen flagship for users who want premium features, impressive battery life, and a vibrant display-without the price tag of the Pro models. Released in September 2023, the iPhone 15 Plus builds on the foundation of its predecessor with meaningful upgrades to design, camera, and performance, while retaining Apple’s signature ease of use and ecosystem integration.

Design and Display

The iPhone 15 Plus features a sleek aluminum frame with a glass back, available in a range of soft pastel colors. Its standout feature is the expansive 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering a resolution of 2796 x 1290 pixels and a sharp 460ppi density. The screen supports HDR10, Dolby Vision, and boasts a typical brightness of 1,000 nits, peaking at 2,000 nits for outdoor visibility. The Dynamic Island-previously exclusive to Pro models-replaces the notch, enabling more interactive notifications and controls.

Despite its size, the iPhone 15 Plus is relatively slim (7.8mm) and weighs 201 grams, but its large footprint may not suit users seeking a compact device.

Performance and Software

Powered by the Apple A16 Bionic chip (the same as the iPhone 14 Pro), the iPhone 15 Plus delivers flagship-level performance for everyday tasks, gaming, and demanding apps. It comes with 6GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB. While it doesn’t match the raw power of the A17 Pro in the 15 Pro models, the A16 Bionic ensures smooth multitasking and future-proofing for years to come.

The device launched with iOS 17 and continues to receive regular updates, ensuring the latest features and security enhancements.

Camera System

The iPhone 15 Plus sports a dual rear camera setup:

• 48MP main wide sensor with sensor-shift optical image stabilization
• 12MP ultra-wide lens

This marks a significant upgrade in photo quality, especially in low light, and introduces 2x optical-quality zoom using the main sensor’s high resolution. Features like Night mode, Deep Fusion, Photonic Engine, Smart HDR 5, and next-generation Portraits with Focus and Depth Control are present, along with 4K Dolby Vision video recording and Cinematic Mode. The front-facing 12MP TrueDepth camera supports 4K video, Night mode, and advanced portrait features.

Battery Life and Charging

One of the iPhone 15 Plus’s biggest strengths is its battery life. Thanks to its larger size, it houses a bigger battery than the standard iPhone 15, offering up to 26 hours of video playback and up to 100 hours of audio playback-outperforming even the 15 Pro in endurance. Charging is handled via the new USB-C port (USB 2.0 speeds), supporting 20W fast charging, MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W, and Qi2 wireless charging.

Connectivity and Features

• 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and Ultra Wideband chip for spatial awareness
• Face ID for secure authentication
• Emergency SOS and Crash Detection
• IP68 water and dust resistance (up to 6 meters for 30 minutes)
• Dual SIM (nano-SIM + eSIM, or dual eSIM in some regions)

Real-World Experience

The iPhone 15 Plus is praised for its massive, high-quality display-ideal for streaming, gaming, and productivity-and its exceptional battery life, which easily lasts a full day or more. The upgraded main camera delivers sharp, detailed photos and versatile video capabilities, making it a solid choice for content creators and everyday users alike. While it lacks the telephoto lens and ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate of the Pro models, it offers a flagship experience at a more accessible price point.

Criticisms

Some users have reported overheating issues, particularly during intensive use, though Apple has addressed these concerns with software updates. The phone’s large size may also be unwieldy for some, and it does not include features like ProRAW, ProRes video, or a LiDAR scanner, which remain exclusive to the Pro lineup.

Summary Table

Expert Verdict

The iPhone 15 Plus is a superb choice for users who want a big, beautiful display, outstanding battery life, and Apple’s hallmark ecosystem reliability, without splurging on the Pro models. It delivers flagship performance, a much-improved camera, and the convenience of USB-C, making it one of the most well-rounded large-screen smartphones in its class.

Pros:

• Expansive, bright OLED display
• Excellent battery life
• Powerful A16 Bionic chip
• Significant camera improvements
• USB-C charging and MagSafe support

Cons:

• No 120Hz refresh rate
• No telephoto camera or Pro features
• Large size may not suit everyone

The iPhone 15 Plus is ideal for those who want a premium Apple experience with a focus on screen size and longevity, without the added cost or complexity of the Pro series.