Hands-On With the Apple iPhone 15 Pro

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro ships with iOS 17 and sports a new finish (titanium), super thin borders, an Action button, a USB-C port, and the A17 Pro chip. I've used the 15 Pro (1TB model) as my primary smartphone for the last week or so, and other than some initial confusion (I'm more accustomed to Android smartphones), I had a great experience.

Design and Display

The iPhone 15 Pro is a well-designed, lightweight titanium smartphone that comes in five colors: Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium.

The 6.1-inch display is coated in a type of glass known as Ceramic Shield, which Apple says offers four times the protection of rival smartphone glass, and it's only a touch bigger than the iPhone 14 Pro.

Like the 14 Pro, it has Apple's Dynamic Island, a pill-shaped box at the top of the screen that displays alerts and current activities (such as timers or Map directions).

What's New?

The most dramatic change is the switch from Lightning to USB-C ports for charging and accessories. You can also charge wirelessly using Qi-compatible chargers and Apple's MagSafe charging plate.

The Pro model also adds an Action button, which replaces the Mute switch on earlier models (and can still be found on the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus). It comes with the latest (as of 2023) Apple A17 Pro chip.

New to iOS 17 is Standby Mode, which lets you use your lock screen to display a widget, such as a giant clock, while charging on your bedside table.

Apple released four versions of the iPhone 15: the iPhone 15, the iPhone 15 Plus, the iPhone 15 Pro, and the flagship iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Performance, Features, and Cameras

The iPhone 15 is responsive even if you leave many apps open, and you can quickly switch between them. I expected FaceID to be challenging since it was my first time. (I prefer using my fingerprint, but that's not an option on the Pro.) Thankfully, I was wrong; the screen immediately unlocked at multiple angles without even trying.

The Action button is a neat new hardware feature I hope to see evolve in future software updates. By default, holding the button (located above the volume controls on the phone's left side) puts it in silent mode. However, you can program it for several tasks, including launching your flashlight, starting a voice memo, and activating a Shortcut.

I see future iterations allowing you to choose between a few actions (maybe through a short press or double press) rather than stick to one.

The trio of cameras on the iPhone 15 Pro include a 48MP primary camera, an ultra-wide lens, and a 3X zoom lens. (The 15 Pro Max sports a 5X periscope zoom lens.) You can now use Portrait Mode on photos you've already captured, which is an excellent addition. I'll update this review with some examples soon.

Final Thoughts

The iPhone 15 Pro is an impressive smartphone that is sure to please. I found it the perfect size to slip into a pocket and comfortably use with one hand.