iPhone 15 vs iPhone 15 Plus
If you’ve already settled on this family, the last step is deciding between the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus. Scoring each area separately, the iPhone 15 Plus comes out on top 1 times out of 5. Its lead is sharpest in battery & charging. Here’s where the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus part ways, and where they don’t.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Tie
- Battery & Charging iPhone 15 Plus wins
- Price iPhone 15 wins
- Display2.6
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera1.7
- Battery & Charging1.9
- Display2.6
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera1.7
- Battery & Charging3.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The iPhone 15 Plus has 6 h more rated video playback
Big gap, real consequences. The iPhone 15 Plus’s 26 h versus the iPhone 15’s 20 h changes how the two compare in daily use. Lab ratings rarely match real life exactly, but comparing them between two phones is still a useful endurance hint.
-
The iPhone 15 has a 1.06 oz lighter build
The iPhone 15 Plus is clearly behind on weight (7.09 oz against 6.03 oz), and that’s one of its biggest weak spots in this matchup. A few grams won’t matter, but bigger gaps add up in a pocket or a small bag over a full day.
-
The iPhone 15 Plus has a 0.6-inch larger screen
A difference, but not a ranking: 6.7 in for the iPhone 15 Plus, 6.1 in for the iPhone 15. A bigger screen makes reading, video and maps more comfortable, while a smaller one is easier to use with one hand and slips into more pockets.
-
The iPhone 15 Plus has
The iPhone 15 sits lower on height at 5.81 in; the iPhone 15 Plus lists 6.33 in. Think about which suits your habits. Neither is better in general: taller suits media and reading, shorter suits one-handed use and small pockets.
-
The iPhone 15 Plus has
Numbers like 3.06 in against 2.82 in only tell you which is larger (here, the iPhone 15 Plus), not which is better. Width affects grip more than any other dimension: a narrower phone is easier to wrap one hand around.
Design & Size
- iPhone 15 5.81 in × 2.82 in × 0.31 in
- iPhone 15 Plus 6.33 in × 3.06 in × 0.31 in
The iPhone 15 Plus simply takes up more room than the iPhone 15, whether that’s on a desk, in a bag or in a parking space. The iPhone 15 is 1.06 oz lighter, making the iPhone 15 Plus the heftier of the two.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 15 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 6.33 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.31 in |
| Weight | 6.03 oz (winner) | 7.09 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
Too close to call
Evenly matched is the fairest summary of the display section. If display was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
Screen size
iPhone 15: 6.1 in iPhone 15 Plus: 6.7 in A larger display also means a larger phone overall, so this is as much about your hands and pockets as it is about the picture.
Performance
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on performance; the numbers are close throughout. On performance alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
If memory & storage matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. The takeaway: memory & storage is not where these two differ.
Camera
Too close to call
There’s no meaningful winner in the camera section; the two are too close to separate. Treat camera as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 15 Plus leads
On battery & charging, the gap between these two is wide, and it favors the iPhone 15 Plus. On the iPhone 15 Plus, you get 6 h more rated video playback. More rated playback suggests the iPhone 15 Plus lasts longer on a long flight or an evening of streaming. For battery & charging, the iPhone 15 Plus is the one to beat.
Rated video playback
iPhone 15: 20 h iPhone 15 Plus: 26 h Rated video playback is the manufacturer’s own endurance figure, so it reflects efficiency as well as battery size.
Software & Updates
We don’t score this area directly, because the software & updates specs are labels rather than measurements. The table shows what each lists.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 15 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 in | 6.7 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | OLED (Super Retina XDR) |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 2796 x 1290 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,000 nits |
| Always-on display | No | No |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 15 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A16 Bionic | A16 Bionic |
| CPU cores | 6 | 6 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 4 nm |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 15 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 15 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 2 |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 4K60 Dolby Vision |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 15 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 20 h | 26 h (winner) |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C (USB 2) | USB-C (USB 2) |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 15 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 17 | iOS 17 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 15 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 6.33 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.31 in |
| Weight | 6.03 oz (winner) | 7.09 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 15 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 (winner) | $899 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
With just $100 between them at launch, the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus are priced as near equals. The iPhone 15 Plus’s premium of $100 isn’t just for the name; it brings 6 h more rated video playback.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked September 2023. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 15 if…
- you want the lighter phone (6.03 oz vs 7.09 oz)
- you don’t need the extras that cost $100 more
- you like a phone that takes up less room
Choose the iPhone 15 Plus if…
- you want the longer rated endurance (26 h vs 20 h)
- you prefer a larger phone and have the room for it
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 15 or the iPhone 15 Plus?
For most people, the iPhone 15 Plus is the stronger choice, unless having a 1.06 oz lighter build matters more to you than the rest.
Which has better battery life, the iPhone 15 or the iPhone 15 Plus?
Going by the official figures, the iPhone 15 Plus leads: 26 h versus 20 h for rated video playback. Screen use, settings and efficiency will shape your own results.
Which is larger, the iPhone 15 or the iPhone 15 Plus?
The iPhone 15 Plus is the larger of the two. It measures 6.33 × 3.06 × 0.31 in, compared with 5.81 × 2.82 × 0.31 in for the iPhone 15.
Is the iPhone 15 cheaper than the iPhone 15 Plus?
The iPhone 15 is the cheaper option, launching at $100 less than the iPhone 15 Plus (launch prices as of September 2023).
Which weighs less, the iPhone 15 or the iPhone 15 Plus?
Going by the official figures, the iPhone 15 weighs 1.06 oz less than the iPhone 15 Plus.
Executive Summary
If you’ve settled on this lineup, the iPhone 15 or the iPhone 15 Plus is the last call to make. Here’s mine. Practically speaking, the iPhone 15 Plus’s biggest advantage is 6 h more rated video playback. Fairness check: the iPhone 15 does come with a 1.06 oz lighter build.
Match the strength to your habits (portability for the iPhone 15, battery & charging for the iPhone 15 Plus), and you won’t go far wrong.
My pick: the iPhone 15 Plus gets my vote, but the iPhone 15 is the right call if you need a 1.06 oz lighter build, which only the iPhone 15 offers.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.