iPhone 15 Review: Welcome to the Club!
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Promos
iPhone 15 is not new. But that doesn't mean it isn't good. MKBHD Merch: shop.mkbhd.com Tech I'm using right now: amazon.com Outro track: youtube.com Playlist of MKBHD Intro music: goo.gl Phone provided by Apple for review. 0:00 Intro 0:59 "All new" design 3:04 Let's get real about 60Hz 6:08 Performance and Heat/Battery 7:24 USB-C 8:09 Things that are actually new 10:11 Underrated camera upgrade 12:26 Verdict ~ twitter.com @MKBHD @MKBHD
The iPhone 15 Review: Welcome to the Club emphasizes that this year’s model leans into refinement rather than a dramatic overhaul. The reviewer repeatedly notes that Apple’s strategy is to take existing ideas and deliver them with the signature Apple polish, creating what feels like a refined, more comfortable device rather than a radical redesign. On the exterior, the iPhone 15 borrows from the iPhone 14 in silhouette but introduces a softer, more comfortable grip thanks to rounded edges and a satin glass back that resists fingerprints. The display is brighter and visually appealing outdoors, reaching up to 2000 nits, yet the baseline specification still centers on a 60 Hz panel, which the reviewer flags as a meaningful paradox for a device marketed as modern and premium. The camera system gets meaningful but not revolutionary upgrades, including a 48 MP main sensor with a 24 MP default output through pixel-binning and improved depth data, while the ultra-wide also receives a boost. In practical terms, the device ships with last year’s A16 Bionic in the base model and USB-C for universal charging and connectivity, which the reviewer frames as a core upgrade that will affect everyday use far more than surface-level spec bumps. Throughout, the reviewer underscores how subtle improvements,battery efficiency, improved heat management via iOS updates, and software features like Standby mode and advanced audio effects,collectively push the iPhone 15 into “better phone” territory for most users while keeping the path of upgrade reasonable for owners of older iPhones. The verdict suggests that if you’re on an iPhone 14 or older, upgrading to the iPhone 15 makes sense for a well-rounded experience, but if you’re already on an iPhone 13 or 14 Pro, the incremental gain may feel quieter yet still meaningful given the USB-C transition and ongoing improvements in software and battery life.
Topics · tech reviews · smartphones · hardware design · display technology · camera systems · operating system · usb-c connectivity
Questions answered
- What is the core upgrade that defines the iPhone 15 for most users?
- The shift to USB-C for charging and accessories, combined with refined build quality, improved battery life, and a brighter display, defines the core upgrade for most users.
- Why does the reviewer say the iPhone 15 feels like a better phone even if not dramatically new?
- Because Apple stacks subtle improvements,better battery life, heat management via iOS updates, software enhancements like Standby mode, and improved cameras,into a cohesive, more capable device.
- Should someone with an iPhone 14 upgrade to the iPhone 15 according to this review?
- Yes, if they want a well-rounded upgrade with USB-C and improved features, though those using iPhone 13 or older may see a more noticeable difference.