iPhone 15 vs 14 Pro: Detailed Comparison of Features and Specs

Recently, Apple introduced a new lineup of smartphones: we will compare the specifications and features of the iPhone 15 vs 14 Pro to identify the key differences between these models. With the arrival of new gadgets, Apple device owners are faced with the eternal question of whether to upgrade their last year's device to a newer one. Let's try to understand to what extent the basic smartphone of Apple in 2023 can compete with the premium model released in 2022.

Technical specifications

Design and Size comparison

Both models have nearly identical dimensions, and distinguishing them from the front is quite challenging. Yes, on paper, the old smartphone is slightly smaller in length, width, and height by tenths of millimeters, but feeling this difference in real User Experience is simply impossible. As for the weight, the iPhone 15 is 35g lighter than its predecessor because its frame is made of aluminum, not stainless steel like the iPhone 14 Pro.

On the rear side, it's more challenging to confuse the gadgets due to differences in the cameras. The iPhone 15 has a dual module, while the 14 Pro is equipped with a triple camera setup.

Both models share a matte surface on the back glass. This means that the chassis collects fewer fingerprints, but you'll only benefit from this feature if you don't use a case.

Both smartphones are water-resistant with an IP68 protection class. The IEC 60529 standard ensures that nothing will happen to the gadget when submerged at a depth of up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. However, it's better not to test it.

The base model this year offers five color options—users can choose from pink, yellow, green, blue, and black smartphones. Last year's flagship was available in four colors: dark purple, gold, silver, and black.

Display comparison

Last year, the famous “bangs” in the iPhone 14 Pro gave way to the functional Dynamic Island notch, which has now made its way to the base iPhone 15 as well. On this screen area framing the front camera and Face ID, indicators of user background activity are displayed. Additionally, you can answer calls, switch songs, or stop a timer right there.

As for the screen size, the smartphones are absolutely identical—both feature an OLED Screen panel with a resolution of 2556×1179 pixels and high image quality. The screen brightness is also the same, reaching 2000 nits in peak mode.

In other aspects, the new model falls short of the 14 Pro: it lacks a permanently on display and the adaptive ProMotion technology, which can adjust the screen refresh rate based on the displayed content.

Performance and Operating System

If you already own an iPhone 14 Pro, there's nothing surprising in terms of power with the 15th model. Both smartphones use identical hardware: the Apple A16 Bionic with a 6-core processor, 5-core graphics, and a 16-core neural engine. However, the capabilities of this chip are likely to be sufficient for several years, so if you prioritize power and gaming performance, it's unlikely you need to switch from the old model to the new one, especially not the base model.

The RAM capacity is also identical—6 GB. However, in terms of storage, the 14 Pro offers more options—with choices ranging from 128/256/512 GB to a version with a 1 TB storage capacity. Both smartphones feature Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth Connectivity 5.3 modules.

Out of the box, the iPhone 15 runs on the pre-installed iOS 17. As for the 14 Pro model, it has also been updated to the current version of the operating system. Moreover, Apple is known for its long-term support policy for devices, so both smartphones will continue to receive updates for a long time.

Camera comparison

If there is no significant difference in the design and performance of smartphones, the cameras here differ significantly.

The iPhone 15 features a dual camera setup with a 48 MP main sensor and a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle lens. The main sensor on the iPhone 15 has a wider aperture, resulting in slightly brighter photos, but that's where the advantages end.

The 14 Pro boasts a triple camera system. In addition to the sensors mentioned earlier, the smartphone includes a telephoto lens with a 12 MP resolution. This sensor is responsible for optical zoom without loss of quality and distortion of the subject.

Among the merits of last year's model are the adaptive flash, which activates based on changes in the scale of the photo, and the presence of a portrait night mode (absent in the iPhone 15).

However, the main advantages of the Pro model include the following features:

• ProRAW support. This mode is designed for photo editing and combines the iPhone's proprietary processing technology with the standard RAW format. It significantly expands the possibilities for adjusting exposure, color, and white balance.
• Availability of ProRes. This codec family enables video recording at resolutions up to 4K with a frame rate of 30 frames per second, both for the main and front cameras.

Combined with a more advanced stabilization system and the ability for macro photography in the iPhone 14 Pro, the verdict is clear. In this category of iPhone 15 vs iPhone 14 Pro, victory goes to last year's model. However, when comparing the iPhone 15 to the base models of the previous series, the camera has undoubtedly received a significant number of improvements.

Speaker test

Like the 14 Pro, the iPhone 15 is equipped with two stereo speakers supporting Dolby Atmos and spatial audio. One speaker is located at the top of the chassis, above the screen, and the second one is at the bottom right end.

Both smartphones have comparable high-quality sound, but in volume tests, the 14 Pro performed better than this year's flagship. The maximum volume of the iPhone 15 was 81.6 dB compared to 89.5 dB in the iPhone 14.

Considering recent reports that some owners of iPhone 15 have experienced issues with speaker performance, the advantage here also goes to the 14 Pro. Users reported crackling and distortion at volumes exceeding 80%. The company replaced affected smartphones under warranty, but has not officially commented on this situation.

Battery life

In this round of the iPhone 14 Pro vs 15 battle, the advantage also goes to last year's flagship. Despite the 15th model being equipped with a more capacious battery (3349 mAh vs. 3200 mAh), tests and official information on the Apple website indicate that its battery life is inferior to the 14 Pro.

For video playback, the manufacturer claims 23 hours for the 14 Pro versus 20 hours for the iPhone 15, and for online video streaming, it's 20 hours versus 16 hours, respectively. However, in the comparison of iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 14 Pro, these figures are the same.

Charging speed

Wireless and fast charging have become an undisputed must-have for any flagship, so here the smartphones are on par. Despite the difference in capacity, the battery in both models charges halfway in just half an hour, provided you use a 20W adapter. To fully charge the smartphones will take approximately the same amount of time—around 110 minutes.

Both models support wireless charging using the MagSafe "pad" and Qi standard charging devices. Of course, both of these need to be purchased separately. Additionally, the new smartphone has added the feature of reverse charging—now you can charge your watch or headphones from it.

Arguably, the most significant difference in this category of comparison is the port. The new model has adopted the universal USB-C instead of the proprietary Lightning port: European regulators did manage to push Cupertino developers. For users, this is more of a positive change—there are many more accessories with USB-C support.

Price & availability

The price of the new iPhone, which was released on September 22, starts at $799 for the model with the minimum storage version. For the configuration with 256 GB, you will need to pay $899, and for 512 GB, it's $1099.

As is customary for the premium version in its lineup, the 14 Pro had a higher starting price at launch:

• $999 for the 128 GB version;
• $1099 for 256 GB;
• $1299 for 512 GB;
• $1499 for 1 TB.

To avoid cannibalizing sales of the new models, the company took the expected step and discontinued the production of last year's Pro and Pro Max models.

Conclusions

Despite the fact that both smartphones share many features, the Pro version from the previous year has several advantages compared to the iPhone 15.

In the 14 Pro, there's a higher refresh rate of 120 Hz, a consistently enabled display, more storage configuration options, better cameras, and longer battery life. Meanwhile, the gadgets have a similar design, nearly identical screens, and performance.

In the iPhone 15 vs 14 Pro comparison, the base model understandably falls behind last year's top-tier device. If you already own an iPhone 14 Pro, it's unlikely worth purchasing the new smartphone just for the USB-C port and reverse charging feature.