Upgrade to iPhone 15? Here's how it compares to older iPhones (2024)

Considering buyingiPhone 15? If your phone is still in good condition, it can be difficult to decide whether it's worth upgrading or keeping your current device.

Last fall I used the iPhone 15 as my primary phone for weeks. At the time, I thought it was a huge step up from my aging iPhone 12 - as I wrote in my first review and myone month follow-up.

The addition ofUSB-Cand Dynamic Island makes the iPhone 15 feel more convenient in many ways. You no longer have to carry multiple cables to charge your phone and non-Apple devices, and Dynamic Island makes it easier to see time-sensitive information (like your Uber's ETA) without having to switch between apps. The new 48-megapixel camera also takes more detailed photos, and the iPhone 15's fresh design has a matte finish that's more resistant to fingerprints.

While these changes come together in a way that makes the iPhone 15 feel truly new, iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 owners will have to hold off on upgrading. Both phones still have plenty of life left, so the differences in overall performance and camera quality won't feel as stark as they would with an older phone.

See this:iPhone 15 review: A big upgrade for older iPhone owners

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If you're upgrading, check your eligibilitydiscounts for operators. Some carriers are offering the iPhone 15 essentially for free, although you'll need to meet very specific conditions to take full advantage of these discounts. That includes opening a new service line, and carriers sometimes apply the payment as a monthly credit instead of a lump sum. It is also important to consider the timing of your purchase. Apple typically releases new iPhones in September, so it's best to avoid buying the latest models right before then.

Below I compare the iPhone 15 with the last five generations of the standard iPhone. This does not includecomparison with Pro, which is aimed at a more camera-centric audience willing to pay a higher price for better zoom quality and other extras that may be too niche for the average consumer.

For more advice on deciding which iPhone in Apple's current range is right for you, check out CNET's guideby beste iPhones. And when you see the iPhone 15 Pro,read our guidecompared to previous generations of iPhone Pro.

iPhone 15 versus iPhone 14

The iPhone 15 brings several upgradesiPhone 14, making it a bigger jump than the jump from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 14.

A new USB-C charging port replaces the Apple-specific Lightning connector, the main camera sensor has a significantly higher resolution, and the Dynamic Island sits where the notch used to be. In addition, you will receive an upgrade for thisA16 Bionic processorcan be found in the iPhone 14 Pro, and the iPhone 15 has a striking new design with a matte finish. The screen is also brighter compared to last year's iPhone 14.

However, since the iPhone 14 is only a year old, I recommend waiting to upgrade. While a universal USB-C charging port and Dynamic Island certainly add more convenience to the iPhone, they aren't enough to convince most people to upgrade.

The new 48-megapixel camera is a step up from the 12-megapixel system on the iPhone 14, but the improvements will be more noticeable from a phone that's more than two years old. If you primarily view and share photos on your phone rather than printing them or displaying them on a larger screen, the previous generation's 12 megapixel camera will do just fine.

Dynamic Island, USB-C, and the upgraded camera are the iPhone 15's biggest changes. But for most people, these features probably aren't enough to justify spending $799. Carrier deals can reduce that price significantly, but these discounts are often only available under certain conditions, such as adding a new line.

In short: You can hold on to your iPhone 14 for now. While it's great to see more dramatic upgrades than last year, there's still plenty of life left in the iPhone 14. This is especially true if you have an iPhone 14 Pro. The iPhone 15 has a lot in common with the iPhone 14 Pro and lacks the Pro's special telephoto lens, the Always On Display, the stainless steel casing and the high refresh rate.

iPhone 15 versus iPhone 13

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OfiPhone 13have a lot in common with the iPhone 14, from the A15 Bionic processor they share to the 12-megapixel camera system found on both phones. The biggest differences between the two devices are the iPhone 14's car crash detection, satellite connectivity for emergency communications, and subtle camera improvements, like Apple's improved image processing pipeline and Action mode for steadier video recording.

Therefore, the same general advice applies to iPhone 13 owners. While there's a lot about the iPhone 15 that will feel new, like the Dynamic Island, the 48-megapixel camera, and USB-C connectivity, these changes probably don't warrant a $799 upgrade if you're currently happy with your device. The fact thatApple is still selling the iPhone 13is also a good sign, indicating that it will be supported for a while with new software updates.

It comes down to:If you have an iPhone 13, you can probably wait another year before upgrading. Even if you have a lot to gain from the iPhone 15, your iPhone 13 is probably still in good shape. Unless you can upgrade essentially for free through a carrier trade-in deal, you might feel comfortable holding on to your iPhone 13.

iPhone 15 versus iPhone 12

If you own oneiPhone 12, the decision about whether to upgrade or not is more complicated. Phones older than the iPhone 12 are a no-brainer upgrade, and newer models are worth hanging on to for a little while longer (unless you can get a good trade-in). But the iPhone 12 falls in the middle. You can get more mileage out of it, but it's also old enough to warrant an upgrade.

Compared to the iPhone 12, the iPhone 15 Dynamic Island, a processor two generations newer, has a much improved camera with a higher resolution main sensor, longer battery life, car accident detection, emergency SOS via satellite, a brighter screen, additional camera modes, double the base-level storage, and longer battery life. That's a lot.

If you're happy with your iPhone 12 and don't want to part with it until absolutely necessary, that moment hasn't come yet. Since iPhone 12 supports 5G and is compatible with new software upgrades like iOS 17, you can keep it for a little longer.

But if you bought your iPhone 12 at launch, it will probably feel sluggish and the battery life will probably drain faster. As an iPhone 12 owner, I can say that I experience these symptoms myself. The upgrades to overall performance and camera quality are also very apparent when moving from the iPhone 12, as I wrote in my review. What really stood out was the amount of detail I was able to capture when taking portraits on the iPhone 15 compared to the iPhone 12.

In short: It's worth upgrading to the iPhone 15 if you have an iPhone 12. The updates go beyond new technologies such as Dynamic Island and USB-C; you also get a noticeable upgrade in everything from overall performance to battery life and camera quality. But if you don't want to upgrade yet, Apple is still supporting the iPhone 12 with new software updates.

iPhone 15 versus iPhone 11

Call the iPhone 15 a valuable upgradeiPhone 11is an understatement. In addition to the iPhone 15's new features, basic components like the processor, storage, and battery have also come a long way since the iPhone 11 debuted in 2019. The iPhone 11 also lacks 5G support, so you may miss out on faster data. speeds.

Aside from the iPhone 15's key features (like Dynamic Island and the 48-megapixel camera), almost every part of the iPhone experience should feel new and improved. The A13 chip in the iPhone 11 is three generations old, which means it may feel slow, and it has only half the number of neural cores compared to the iPhone 15. That means features that rely on artificial intelligence and machine learning , such as language translation, voice dictation, photography and Face ID will definitely feel faster and improved on the iPhone 15.

The iPhone 11 also has a dimmer LCD screen compared to the iPhone 15's brighter OLED screen, which provides better contrast. If you bought the cheapest iPhone 11 model, you may also run out of storage space. The base model of the iPhone 15 comes with twice the storage, starting at 128 GB instead of the iPhone 11's 64 GB. Because the iPhone 12 was the first generation to support MagSafe, Apple's magnetic system for attaching accessories, you also have the option to purchase accessories that click more easily on the device. The iPhone 11's front camera also lacks night mode, which could be important to consider if you're taking group selfies at events that take place in a dark environment, like a restaurant or theater.

These are finer details, but details that have a big impact on the way you use your phone together. And keep in mind that these are just the features that the iPhone 11 lacks compared to the iPhone 15. Keep in mind the new capabilities of the iPhone 15, such as the ability to take higher resolution photos, the compatibility with USB -C charging cables and more. handy Dynamic Island that replaces the notch and you have an attractive upgrade.

In short: The answer is a clear yes. If you have an iPhone 11, upgrading to the iPhone 15 will bring many improvements that will make your phone more reliable and comfortable to use. Almost everything will feel new on the iPhone 15 from the 4-year-old iPhone 11.

iPhone 15 versus iPhone XS

OfiPhone XSis five years old and the age shows. Upgrading to the iPhone 15 not only means you get access to new features, but you'll also experience significantly longer battery life, a larger screen and 5G network speeds.

The iPhone But on top of that, the iPhone iPhone 15) ) and no night mode for taking photos in the dark.

The iPhone XS has a dedicated telephoto camera, unlike the iPhone 15, which instead has an ultra-wide lens as a secondary camera. But it's a worthy sacrifice, considering you get all the other camera upgrades Apple has added to the iPhone in recent years that will certainly make a difference. If I noticed a big improvement from iPhone 12, I can say with certainty that the difference between iPhone 15 and iPhone XS will be significant.

Night mode is just the beginning. You also get a big boost in overall image quality thanks to the improved image processing that comes from Apple's new chips, along with an ultra-wide-angle camera for wider shots, Action mode for improved video stabilization, Cinematic mode, which captures video with a shallow depth of field , and much more.

And that's just the camera. Overall performance will likely seem faster and battery life will last longer. On top of that, you also get Dynamic Island and USB-C.

The iPhone XS generation is also the oldest iPhone to support iOS 17, which means there's a chance your phone won't support next year's upgrade. The same advice applies if you're upgrading from the iPhone XR, which launched alongside the XS in 2018 and shares many of its features, including the old A12 Bionic processor. The iPhone XR was essentially the budget version of the iPhone

In short: Yes, it's definitely worth upgrading if you have iPhone XS or iPhone XR. Apple has significantly upgraded the iPhone in almost every way over the past five years.