Depending on when you read this article, Apple will have announced the iPhone 16 series. One of the biggest aspects of a new iPhone launch, especially in a price-sensitive market like India, is how much more attractive the older iPhones become. The iPhone 15 series and previous models are expected to receive a price drop following the iPhone 16’s launch. This is why iPhone 16 launch day might be the best time to revisit the iPhone 15 Plus.
I reviewed the iPhone 15 Plus back in October 2023 and have been using it as my primary phone ever since. Back then, I praised the iPhone 15 Plus’s battery life above all, calling it “the best in any iPhone yet.” Now, the iPhone 16 (Plus?) might just take the crown, but until we review that one, let’s just say the iPhone 15 Plus still holds the title. But the iPhone 15 Plus gets a few more things right, and maybe a couple of misses. So let’s talk about what still works for the iPhone 15 Plus and what doesn’t, one year later.
What works for the iPhone 15 Plus
Stellar battery life…still
Out of the box, the iPhone 15 Plus delivered terrific battery life, offering around 7 hours of screen-on time back in October. It has the second-biggest battery in the iPhone 15 series, marginally smaller than the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Since October 2023, the battery life has remained consistently great for me. I make sure not to leave the phone charging overnight, as doing so can quickly affect battery health. I typically charge the phone to about 80 to 90 percent, and the iPhone 15 Plus’s battery health has only dropped 4 percent, leaving it at 96 percent at the time of writing this article.
Even at 96 percent battery health, the iPhone 15 Plus’s battery life is excellent, lasting a full day after charging to 80 to 90 percent. On days with lighter usage, it can stretch to a day and a half. My average screen-on time is close to 5 hours, which isn’t bad at all for a year-old iPhone.
A16 Bionic chip ages well
The A16 Bionic chipset, though now two years old, has aged well. I’ve barely noticed any performance issues during day-to-day use, even after using 2024 flagship Android phones like the Vivo X100 Pro (review), OnePlus 12R (review), and Galaxy S24 Plus (review). These MediaTek Dimensity and Snapdragon-powered phones were exceptionally fast, so trust me when I say that the iPhone 15 Plus holds up well in terms of general usage.
That said, there are occasional stutters and lags when switching between apps, but nothing that can’t be dealt with. Even the thermals have been surprisingly well-controlled during prolonged camera use.
Cheaper than before, even more affordable during festive sales
If you’ve been holding off on buying an iPhone or upgrading from your iPhone 14 or older, now might be a good time to consider the iPhone 15 Plus. The iPhone 15 Plus will almost certainly get an official price drop following the iPhone 16 series launch. Originally priced at Rs 89,900, it could officially drop to Rs 79,900 (it’s already selling at Rs 79,900 on Amazon). While still pricey, upcoming festive sales could make it more attractive.
With festive sale discounts and potential bank offers, the iPhone 15 Plus’ price could dip below Rs 70,000, or even under Rs 60,000. Not a bad deal for a year-old iPhone, especially if the iPhone 16 or 16 Plus feels out of budget.
What doesn’t work for the iPhone 15 Plus
No Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence, Apple’s new AI push to compete with Gemini and ChatGPT, offers features like summarising pages, proofreading and rewriting texts, smart replies, and priority notifications, all with a greater sense of privacy. Unfortunately, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus won’t be getting these Apple Intelligence features – only the iPhone 15 Pro models and the iPhone 16 series will have them.
For those excited about Apple’s new AI features, the iPhone 15 Plus missing out might be a disappointment. However, if AI isn’t a priority for you, the iPhone 15 Plus should still meet your needs.
60Hz refresh rate hurts
It’s becoming harder to defend Apple’s decision to stick with a 60Hz refresh rate on its non-Pro iPhones. We’ve been living in a 120Hz world for a few years now, and many users have grown accustomed to smooth scrolling on their devices. While the iPhone 15 Plus still offers smooth animations despite the 60Hz panel, users switching from a 120Hz Android phone will notice the difference. If you’re upgrading from an older iPhone, this might not bother you as much – especially if the new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models continue with the 60Hz display.
Cameras feel lacking
The iPhone 15 Plus’s dual rear cameras are still great, delivering reliable daylight and nighttime photos. I’ve captured nice portraits over the past year. However, compared to flagship Android phones like the Vivo X100 Pro (arguably the best camera phone of the year), the iPhone 15 Plus feels a bit lacking. Features like telephoto lenses, multi-focal modes, ZEISS-style portrait effects, and high-resolution wide-angle cameras are just some of the ways Android flagships have pushed the envelope, and the iPhone 15 Plus feels wanting in comparison.
Overall, the iPhone 15 Plus remains a solid device one year later and is worth buying for anyone looking for a good iPhone without burning a hole in their pocket. Considering the iPhone 16 series will be on the expensive side without any decent bank offers for the foreseeable future, the iPhone 15 Plus makes sense for people looking to upgrade to a newer iPhone that offers a terrific battery life, Type-C connectivity, and smooth performance. If you’re looking for Apple Intelligence, you would be wise to go for either the iPhone 15 Pro models or the iPhone 16 series.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus Images
