iPhone 15 Pro Softer, lighter, more versatile

iPhone 15 Pro Softer, lighter, more versatile

Hands-on with the New iPhone 15: A Closer Look at the Design, Performance, and Accessories

For tech enthusiasts, attending an Apple event can be a chaotic experience. As soon as the projection at the Steve Jobs Theater ends, journalists are scrambling to get their hands on the new devices. But fear not, dear readers, I took on this tough job for you this year. In this frenzied environment, it took me a few minutes to appreciate the design changes on Apple’s new iPhone 15 lineup – the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. From afar, they may appear similar to last year’s models, but you need to feel them in your hand to truly spot the differences.

All four phones now sport curvier edges, making them a lot nicer to hold. The metal and glass combination feels familiar, but the new edges offer a softer touch. Notably, the Pro models are significantly lighter than their predecessors due to the use of titanium, which replaced the stainless steel chassis. I had the chance to hold the old iPhone 14 Pro Max in one hand and the new iPhone 15 Pro Max in the other, and the difference was noticeable (240 grams vs. 221 grams). While not groundbreaking, this slight reduction in weight may sway those who previously found Apple’s largest iPhone too heavy.

The iPhone 15 lineup also introduces a new button on the left side, replacing the mute toggle switch – the Action button. This button can be customized to perform various functions, thanks to the Shortcuts feature. One particularly useful function is setting the Action button to activate the flashlight. To check its setting, you lightly press the button, and to actually perform the function, you hold it for half a second. While I would prefer the action to occur with a simple press, we’ll see how it feels with more time spent using the device.

Performance is challenging to judge in such a short time, but the new iPhones do feel extremely snappy. The camera, with its most interesting feature being the ability to capture Spatial Video for the Vision Pro, will be available later this year. However, I did have the opportunity to try out the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 5x zoom feature, and it indeed zoomed impressively. Further testing will be required to determine the overall quality of photos taken with this setting.

During the keynote, Apple placed a significant emphasis on its accessories, which no longer include leather variations. Instead, cases, wallets, and watch bands are now made from a new material called FineWoven. I had the chance to touch it, and I must say, it feels really nice – like a softer version of alcantara. An added bonus is that the FineWoven cases are incredibly lightweight. Though official weight figures were not provided, they felt lighter than last year’s leather variants. This reduced weight, particularly for case-touting individuals, adds to the overall lighter feel of the phones.

And let’s not forget about USB-C. Over time, users will appreciate the benefit of this change as it allows for consolidation of chargers and cables across all their devices. No longer will you need separate chargers for different devices – it’s a step towards a more streamlined and convenient future.

These are just my initial impressions of the new iPhone 15 lineup. I look forward to spending more time with these devices and sharing more insights. For now, while the changes may seem fairly small, they do add up, making the iPhone 15 series an exciting choice for Apple fans.