Hands-On With the New iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro Models

Following today's keynote event that saw Apple introducing the new iPhone 15, ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus, ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro, and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max, Apple allowed members of the media in attendance to spend some hands-on time with the new devices. MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera was at Apple Park for the event, so he's able to give us an early look at the ‌iPhone 15‌ lineup, as well as his first thoughts.


The ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro models are made from titanium, and they are noticeably lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro models. There are contoured edges that improve the feel of the ‌iPhone‌ in the hand, and the Pro models are overall much more comfortable to hold. Apple also cut down on bezel size for even more display than ever, and the Action Button that replaces the Mute Switch is super convenient.

Apple added a 5x zoom lens to the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max and at its 120mm focal length, you can get great portrait shots. There are options on both Pro models to change the focal length of the Main camera, which you can do just by tapping. It can be set to 24mm, 28mm, or 35mm, and the ability to change focal length is useful for pro photographers.

As for the standard ‌iPhone 15‌ models, they're more Pro-like than ever with the addition of the Dynamic Island and the new matte glass back. Apple say it is using back glass that has color infused throughout the material, and it's a nice look, especially with the pastel color options.

For more on what Dan thought of the ‌iPhone 15‌ models, make sure to check out his full video, and for more of our coverage, visit our 2023 Apple Event hub.

Related Roundup: iPhone 15
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here's What We Know

Friday April 18, 2025 5:16 am PDT by
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...
iphone 17 air dummy unbox therapy

iPhone 17 Air's Extreme Thinness Demoed in New Video

Tuesday April 22, 2025 10:22 am PDT by
Apple plans to release an all-new super thin iPhone this year, debuting it alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. We've seen pictures of dummy models, cases, and renders with the design, but Lewis Hilsenteger of Unbox Therapy today showed off newer dummy models that give us a better idea of just how thin the "iPhone 17 Air" will be. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be ...
iphone 16 pro models 1

17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17

Thursday April 17, 2025 4:12 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you skipped the iPhone...
ipad air windows 11 arm

M2 iPad Air Runs Windows 11 ARM via Emulation, Thanks to EU Rules

Tuesday April 22, 2025 5:01 am PDT by
A developer has demonstrated Windows 11 ARM running on an M2 iPad Air using emulation, which has become much easier since the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulations came into effect. As spotted by Windows Latest, NTDev shared an instance of the emulation on social media and posted a video on YouTube (embedded below) demonstrating it in action. The achievement relies on new EU regulatory...
maxresdefault

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Sunday April 13, 2025 7:52 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and ...
iOS 18

iOS 18.5 Includes Only a Few Changes So Far

Monday April 21, 2025 11:00 am PDT by
Apple seeded the third beta of iOS 18.5 to developers today, and so far the software update includes only a few minor changes. The changes are in the Mail and Settings apps. In the Mail app, you can now easily turn off contact photos directly within the app, by tapping on the circle with three dots in the top-right corner. In the Settings app, AppleCare+ coverage information is more...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Triad

Apple's 20th Anniversary iPhone May Finally Go All Screen

Tuesday April 15, 2025 6:31 am PDT by
Apple is preparing a "bold" new iPhone Pro model for the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. As part of what's being described as a "major shake-up," Apple is said to be developing a design that makes more extensive use of glass – and this could point directly to the display itself. Here's the case for Apple releasing a truly all-screen iPhone with no...
CarPlay Hero

Apple Releases Wireless CarPlay Fix

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:28 am PDT by
If you have been experiencing issues with wireless CarPlay in your vehicle lately, it was likely due to a software bug that has now been fixed. Apple released iOS 18.4.1 today, and the update's release notes say it "addresses a rare issue that prevents wireless CarPlay connection in certain vehicles." If wireless CarPlay was acting up for you, updating your iPhone to iOS 18.4.1 should...

Top Rated Comments

Born Again Avatar
21 months ago
most people won’t be feeling that titanium once it’s in the case.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rijc99 Avatar
21 months ago
They should make the action button single press, double press or long hold.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RLRabb Avatar
21 months ago
Dan is wrong about the data transfer speeds on the Pro model. He indicated that only the Pro Max gets USB-3 speeds, but the standard Pro model gets that speed also. Only the non-Pro 15 models are limited to USB-2.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Populus Avatar
21 months ago
Really disappointed with the Action Button, if it, indeed, is only capable of one configurable action.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macsplusmacs Avatar
21 months ago

They should make the action button single press, double press or long hold.
Me: Triple click -> shortcut -> mood lighting -> fake fireplace turns on -> Barry White music starts playing....


Ah yeah......
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Denzo Avatar
21 months ago
I’m just so disappointed.
I remember with the 6, then 6s, 7 then 8.. I’m like, this is the same shape for way too many years in succession.
Then they started repeating the use of the head processor, recycling last years, increase prices and the innovation this year is a button and more zoom. It’s just ridiculous - take the charger, take the memory card and audio jack - make cable back ups a nightmare to force iCloud I’m just so wanting a legitimate innovation.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)