Do you have to purchase an iPhone 15 in 2025?

One of many issues I’ve realized as a tech journalist is a way of perspective. Firms like Apple are masters at drumming up publicity, making it appear to be each new iPhone is a revolutionary product that you’re going to remorse skipping. However inevitably, one yr’s flagship turns into the subsequent yr’s finances mannequin — and for those who look again, you marvel what all of the hype was about. As a lot as I get pleasure from my iPhone 16 Pro, the one factor that actually issues is what it could actually accomplish for me.

In case you’re new to smartphones, then, or have not upgraded shortly, it merely is smart to contemplate a few of the older iPhones Apple retains on sale, such because the iPhone 15. In case you scour third-party shops, you may probably observe down a used iPhone 15 Pro or Professional Max, however I’ll deal with a mannequin you can be assured to seek out at an inexpensive value. The truth is, as a spoiler, let me say that an iPhone 15 makes a whole lot of sense for budget-minded buyers — in the meanwhile.

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What are some great benefits of the iPhone 15 in 2025?

The iPhone 16 is not a serious leap

Naturally, the principle purpose to choose an iPhone 15 is that it is cheaper than a 16. The previous begins at $699 for a 128GB mannequin, $100 much less than the iPhone 16. That is not a lot, however for those who do not put the financial savings in the direction of issues like groceries or lease, they’ll nonetheless purchase you equipment, an iCloud+ subscription, or a storage improve. For some individuals, a 256GB iPhone 15 will routinely be extra sensible than a 128GB iPhone 16 — it could actually maintain extra apps, images, movies, and music. The value hole might even make a 512GB iPhone interesting, though few individuals want that a lot room except they’re taking pictures 4K video. It’d make extra sense to purchase an iPhone 15 Plus, which can get you a bigger 6.7-inch show and expanded battery life.

The iPhone 16 simply is not a serious improve in most respects. Each telephones share a 6.1-inch, 60Hz OLED show, and a 48-megapixel wide-angle digicam, the latter able to taking pictures Dolby Imaginative and prescient video in 4K60. You additionally get USB-C, free satellite tv for pc communications in emergencies, and Dynamic Island multitasking. The telephones are equally sturdy for essentially the most half, too, sporting Ceramic Defend show glass and IP68 water resistance to a depth of six meters (about 19.7 toes).

The iPhone 15 presents nearly every little thing an individual might need from a smartphone with regards to day-to-day actions. And it ought to run the newest model of iOS for years to come back — iOS 18, made for the iPhone 16, nonetheless runs on 2018 gadgets just like the iPhone XS.

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What’s the iPhone 15 lacking versus the iPhone 16?

No Apple Intelligence for you — come again in a yr

The most important gaps are processing energy and RAM. The iPhone 15 is provided with an A16 Bionic chip and 6GB of RAM, whereas the 16 makes use of a state-of-the-art A18 chip matched with 8GB of RAM. The iPhone 15 continues to be greater than highly effective sufficient for many duties, but it surely’s incapable of working Apple Intelligence, a collection of generative AI features like Writing Instruments, notification summaries, Visible Intelligence, and ChatGPT integration. It is not an enormous deal in the meanwhile, but major upgrades are in development, and you might remorse chopping your self off as soon as iPhone 16 house owners can use complicated, content-aware Siri voice instructions.

The iPhone 16 additionally sports activities a couple of minor digicam upgrades — above all, a Digital camera Management button that allows you to shoot images and movies with out touchscreen controls. You may even modify settings by half-pressing and swiping the button, though if you wish to get that granular, it is usually simpler to open the Digital camera app. Different adjustments embrace help for macro-photography and Apple’s newest Photographic Styles.

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The 16 additionally substitutes a hoop/mute swap for a customizable Motion Button, and delivers higher battery life, rated as much as 22 hours of video playback versus 20 for the iPhone 15. Your mileage will differ, since, after all, most individuals use their telephones for quite a lot of actions.

One potential benefit of the iPhone 16 is quicker MagSafe charging as much as 25W. That is depending on having a appropriate charger, nonetheless, paired with a wall adapter rated at 30W or increased. With out that setup, the cellphone would nonetheless cost at 15W, identical to the iPhone 15.

What concerning the iPhone SE?

Watch for the refresh, for those who can

A 2022 iPhone SE could also be tempting, because it begins at $429, however I might strongly advocate in opposition to it. Its design relies on 2017’s iPhone 8, which implies it is caught with issues like a 4.7-inch LCD, a Lightning port, a single 12-megapixel rear digicam, and Contact ID as a substitute of Face ID. Its A15 Bionic processor stays quick sufficient, however even which may be outweighed by a 15-hour battery.

Anticipate to spend greater than $429 on one. That entry value solely will get you 64GB of storage, which is simply too little for contemporary apps, by no means thoughts any images, movies, or music you would possibly need to save. You may have to pony up $479 for 128GB, or $579 for 256GB.

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When will Apple release the new iPhone SE?

The brand new iPhone SE is predicted to be launched quickly and will get a reputation change.

A new iPhone SE is predicted in spring 2025. Whereas its value might rise to $500, it is rumored to be modeled after the iPhone 14, with a 6.1-inch OLED show, Face ID, USB-C, a 48-megapixel rear digicam, and 128GB of default storage. It ought to characteristic the A18 chip discovered within the iPhone 16, which can really make it a greater deal than the iPhone 15, so long as you do not care about issues like an ultra-wide lens or a Digital camera Management button.

In case you’re making an attempt to save cash and want an iPhone proper now, the iPhone 15 could also be your most secure wager. Attempt to discover a refurbished one from a retailer like Amazon or Greatest Purchase, for those who can — there is no sense paying full value when you will get the identical specs for much less, full with guarantee protection.

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