Apple is poised to release its newest iPhone models – the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. The company has declared these phones to be a “huge leap forward,” and by all accounts, they certainly live up to that description.
Iphone 15 – Purchasing Guide
Getting Started with an Iphone 15
With a sleek new design, a 48MP Main camera with 2x Telephoto, and USB-C charging capabilities, these phones offer a great deal for iPhone loyalists and prospective users to be excited about. Pre-ordering is available from September 15, with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus due for wide release on September 22. Apple’s tagline for the event is “New camera. New design. Newphoria.”
Indeed, if you’re poised to make the purchase, you may find yourself in such a state of ‘Newphoria’ that you can’t settle on which model best suits your needs, or even if you should upgrade your phone at all. With that in mind, here are some of the specifications of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus that may help you decide.
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus signify a return to the USB charging option of earlier models, with Apple retiring its lightning cable. The switch was, in part, initiated by the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union. In September 2021, the European Commission deemed the plan necessary for cutting down on electronic waste. By enabling you to reuse existing chargers, or ostensibly, one charger for each of your devices, the Commission hopes to drastically reduce the amount of obsolete chargers that wind up as e-waste. If you consider yourself eco-conscious, or are just tired of not being able to open your kitchen drawer because it’s so jammed up with useless cables and chargers, this should be a welcome change.
Apple is also covering new ground with the design elements of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. These models come in pink, yellow, green, blue, and black, with a color-infused glass back and a striking matte finish. If aesthetics are a consideration, these are as gorgeous as it gets. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models also feature a new contoured edge, which increases gripability in your hands without sacrificing comfort. Apple’s Ceramic Shield front cover is purportedly the most resilient smartphone glass on the market, adding an extra element of security.
The latest Apple iPhone models, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are available in two display sizes, 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches. They also offer the Dynamic Island, which iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max users are already familiar with. For the uninitiated, the Dynamic Island functions as a shortcut to apps that may be running in the background, as well as displaying essential information in an easily accessible way. It can show charging status, enable you to control phone calls, indicates when your AirPods are connected, and integrates with third-party apps to provide real-time notifications and alerts for rideshare apps, food delivery services, and more.
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus also offer a Super Retina XDR display for the premium streaming and gaming experience you’ve come to expect from Apple. For many users, a foremost consideration is the camera. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus boasts a 48MP main camera with a quad-pixel sensor and 100% Focus Pixels. Additionally, the 24MP super-high-resolution default ensures superb image quality while keeping file size manageable for easy sharing and storage. Furthermore, the 2x Telephoto option offers three optical-quality zoom levels: 0.5x, 1x, and 2x.
Different GB sizes
The Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will be available with multiple storage options: 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB. As a consumer, it can be difficult to ascertain how much storage is really necessary. While it is tempting to go ‘all in’, you may find you require less storage than you originally assumed. To get an accurate read on how much storage you require, Apple recommends checking the storage status on your current device. You can do this on an iPhone by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, which will show you how much storage you’re using, and how much remains. On other smartphones, you can assess this by navigating to Settings > Device > Storage.
Photos and videos consume a significant amount of storage, and you may benefit from a phone declutter. Although it can be tedious, going through the images and videos on your phone can be an illuminating experience when you see how much content you’ve stored that you’ve never looked twice at!
Size 1: 128GB
The minimum amount of storage, 128GB, will be sufficient for some users, particularly those who rely heavily on the cloud. Apple customers can take advantage of iCloud to reduce the physical storage space required on their devices. Every iCloud account comes with 5GB of storage space, and Apple offers multi-tiered iCloud+ capabilities. For instance, iCloud+ with 50GB of storage provides extra features like iCloud Private Relay, Hide My Email, Custom Email Domain, and HomeKit Secure Video support for one camera, and enables the user to share all the capabilities with up to 5 family members. With the next level up, iCloud+ featuring 200GB storage, you can enjoy all the aforementioned features, with HomeKit Secure Video support for up to five cameras. The highest level of iCloud coverage, iCloud+ with 2TB storage, allows you to access the above features and HomeKit Secure Video support for unlimited cameras.
Size 2: 256GB
That said, you may prefer to rely less on iCloud and more on the physical storage available on your device. You may have concerns about data security, or simply prefer to know exactly what images, videos, and documents you retain in your possession. Sticking to predominantly local storage can also help you to keep your documents, images, videos, and apps pared down and your digital life devoid of clutter.
Of course, you may not be so inclined to minimalism. You might prefer to keep everything possible, and don’t like the idea of potentially losing important stored memories. Or, you may treat your phone as a digital workspace, and require the space for large documents and the many apps that enable you to work on-the-go. Additionally, having ample storage space allows for the ability to download larger files, such as movies or music, which may be an indispensable part of how you use your phone. If you have any of these considerations, you’ll want to upgrade to 256GB of storage space, or beyond.
Size 3: 512 GB
In this case, the 512GB storage space option may feel like the safest bet, but the increased price consideration may cause you to balk. While the 128GB model starts at $799, and the 256GB at $899, the 512GB takes you into the thousands at $1099. With such a significant price jump, you may be going back and forth over whether it’s worth it, or if 256GB will be enough space.
Is 256 GB Enough for Iphone 15?
While it may be tempting to go for the largest storage option available, 256GB is plenty of space for most users.
Reason 1
If you’re unconvinced, check how much storage is in use on your current device. You may require much less than you think, particularly if you begin to engage in the practice of more frequent deleting unusued apps and photos, videos and documents that are no longer necessary to you.
Reason 2
It’s also notable that iPhone operating systems are designed to optimize storage space. As long as you keep the software up to date by always downloading the suggested upgrades, the operating system will take care of many of your potential storage issues by automatically clearing out temporary files and caches.
Reason 3
Lastly, the three tiers of iCloud options are affordable, and provide additional benefits, including iCloud Private Relay, Hide My Email, Custom Email Domain, and HomeKit Secure Video support. Overall, 256GB is more than enough storage for the average iPhone user, particularly with the three tiers of iCloud storage options available.
Final Thoughts
The release of a new iPhone model can feel like a frenzied moment for you as a customer. Between new colors, different display sizes, and storage capabilities, all so enticingly presented, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by choice. The temptation to automatically shell out for the most expensive model is understandable, but it’s well worth taking the time to really assess your storage needs and the available iCloud options before making your investment. For the vast majority of users, 256GB is more than enough space.
