In the ever-evolving world of technology, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max have emerged as game-changers, offering a plethora of improvements that set them apart from their predecessors. After five days of rigorous testing, it was the simple act of photographing a bodega cat named Kit Kat that highlighted the truly innovative features of these phones, such as the ability to convert any photo into a portrait mode photo. This seemingly minor detail is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the advancements Apple has incorporated into the Pro models, including a lighter build, a new shortcut button, and the world’s smallest processor – all while maintaining the classic iPhone aesthetic.

However, such refinement comes with a hefty price tag. The 15 Pro matches the 2017 iPhone X’s price at $999, while the 15 Pro Max takes it a notch higher, retailing at $100 more than last year’s model. Apple has also eliminated the cheapest 128GB storage option, making the $1,199 model with 256GB of storage the new baseline. Despite these financial considerations, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max stand as one of the most compelling releases from Apple in recent years, offering a host of features that rival even Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra.

iPhone 15 Pro Max: A Compelling Release by Apple

Apple’s latest offerings, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, pack a handful of significant improvements that make them one of the most compelling releases in years. With a refreshed lighter build, a new shortcut button, the world’s smallest processor, and the option to convert any photo into a portrait mode photo, these phones are brimming with enhancements.

Embracing Changes: iPhone 15 Pro Design

The new titanium body of the iPhone 15 Pro is a delight to hold, thanks to its slightly rounded edges. It feels less bulky compared to the straight-edged 12, 13, and 14 series. The design combines the curved sides of the X, XS, and 11 families with the blocky sides of recent years, creating a perfect middle ground.

Major changes include the inclusion of a USB-C port, replacing the Lightning port of previous models. It’s not a radical change, but it does provide the convenience of a universal charging cable. Additionally, the volume buttons feel more springy compared to previous models, providing a comfortable user experience.

Goodbye Mute Switch, Hello Action Button

The traditional mute switch has been replaced by an action button, which can be customized to perform various functions like turning on the flashlight, recording a voice memo, or opening the camera. This action button can only trigger one feature at a time, which might seem limiting, and hopefully, Apple introduces the ability to program multiple presses and taps to trigger different presets in the future.

iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 5x Zoom & Enhanced Portraits

The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a new 5x telephoto camera made with multiple prisms and clever engineering. Both Pro models have a larger 48-megapixel sensor on the main camera, which enhances performance in low light conditions. The addition of portraits in photo mode lets users take a regular photo and change it to a portrait mode pic after the fact for certain subjects.

The iPhone 15 Pro as the Next Gaming Console

The new A17 Pro chip on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max enables support for full console games like Resident Evil Village. This feature showcases the impressive processing and graphics performance of the A17 Pro chip, indicating that high-end games can be expected to come to the iPhone.

iPhone 15 Pro: Home for iOS 17

iOS 17, the new operating system, introduces small quality improvements throughout. StandBy mode, custom stickers from photos and live photos in Messages, and advanced autocorrect on the keyboard are a few of the enhancements that breathe new life into the iPhone.

Takeaways

In conclusion, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are impressive releases from Apple. They are recommended for anyone using a 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, or older. The 5x telephoto on the Pro Max is a compelling feature for those who take a lot of zoomed-in photos, but if that’s not a priority, sticking with the smaller Pro size might be best. Also, a number of trade-in discounts should be considered if you’re planning to make a purchase. The phones do come at a hefty price, but the enhancements and new features certainly make them worth considering.