Editor’s Notice
• Authentic evaluate date: September 2023
• Launch worth: $999 / £999 / AU$1,849
• Goal worth now: $999 / £949 / AU$1,849
Replace – March 2024: Argubaly the unsung hero of the iPhone 15 line, the iPhone 15 Professional stays top-of-the-line telephones in the marketplace proper now, particularly in case you’re in search of a compact smartphone with high-end specs; handily outpacing newer rivals, like Samsung’s Galaxy S24. Whereas Professional iPhone pricing at all times takes some time to begin falling, since launch it is began to creep down within the UK, whereas retailers within the US and Australia have not but budged on unique pricing.
As for the consumer expertise, Apple has since pushed out new options to iOS 17, particularly in choose markets just like the EU, the place sideloading is now on the desk. Past these minor changes, nonetheless, the remainder of this evaluate stays as beforehand revealed.
Alex Walker-ToddSenior Telephones Editor
iPhone 15 Professional: Two-minute evaluate
Apple’s newest crop of iPhones bear acquainted titles, however this 12 months, its new Professional and Professional Max gadgets are separated by extra than simply show measurement and battery capability.
By missing the 5x optical zoom telephoto digital camera of its bigger sibling (3x optical zoom stays), the iPhone 15 Professional might look like Apple’s ‘semi-flagship’ iPhone of 2023. However dubbing it that might be a disservice to this premium powerhouse, which is not in any other case wanting for different flagship specs or options.
Certainly, the hole between the iPhone 15 Professional and the usual iPhone 15 stays vital. Each mannequin on this 12 months’s iPhone lineup has benefited from a design refresh that splits the distinction between the curvy iPhone 11 and final 12 months’s iPhone 14 Professional. However the iPhone 15 Professional will get a titanium body that is serves up a better strength-to-weight ratio than the stainless-steel you may discover on different iPhone 15 fashions (and each iPhone that is come earlier than).
USB-C ports now function throughout the board, too, and Apple’s latest Professional fashions additionally boast an Apple Watch Extremely-style Motion button rather than the standard mute change (a easy however surprisingly helpful substitution). This new toggle can set off varied actions, providing a quick approach to entry your favourite apps and instruments with out swiping by house screens and menus.
Different upgrades to the iPhone 15 Professional embody the brand new A17 Professional chipset, which proves to be on the high of the category, in addition to facilitating considerably quicker knowledge switch speeds, which be sure that Apple’s newest 6.1-inch marvel dethrones its predecessor on our checklist of the very best telephones cash can purchase.
Even with out the 15 Professional Max’s 5x telephoto, the 15 Professional nonetheless serves up a wonderful digital camera expertise that is dependable and now comes bolstered by upgrades aimed toward skilled content material creators, with recording at as much as 4K/60fps in ProRes to exterior storage and seize in Log, with ACES compliance.
(We even have a full iPhone 15 evaluate, iPhone 15 Professional Max evaluate, and an iPhone 15 Plus evaluate if you need the entire iPhone 15 image)
iPhone 15 Professional evaluate: Worth and availability
- Similar US pricing as iPhone 14 Professional
- Cheaper than predecessor within the UK
- Barely pricier than predecessor in Australia
The iPhone 15 Professional was formally unveiled alongside the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, and iPhone 15 Professional Max at Apple’s September 2023 Occasion on Tuesday, September 12. Pre-orders began on Friday, September 15, with the all fashions beginning to ship as of September 22.
The iPhone 15 Professional is obtainable in 4 storage variants – 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. No different iPhone 15 has this a lot storage selection; even the Professional Max dropped the 128GB possibility, which makes the entry worth for that mannequin about $100 dearer year-on-year.
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| Storage | US worth | UK worth | AU worth |
| 128GB | $999 | £999 | AU$1,849 |
| 256GB | $1,099 | £1,099 | AU$2,049 |
| 512GB | $1,299 | £1,299 | AU$2,399 |
| 1TB | $1,499 | £1,499 | AU$2,749 |
Within the US, the iPhone 15 Professional begins at $999 (for the 128GB model), $1,099 for the 256GB possibility, $1,299 for the 512GB tier and $1,499 for the highest 1TB capability mannequin – the identical pricing because the 14 Professional sported one 12 months prior.
After a painful worth hike final 12 months, UK pricing has fortunately dropped again down barely, mirroring the US costs numerically; with the 4 storage variants costing £999, £1,099, £1,299 and £1,499 respectively. Australian pricing is, sadly a bit of larger this 12 months, at AU$1,849, AU$2,049, AU$2,399 and AU$2,749. As to why the pricing outdoors of the US fluctuates a lot, Apple defined to me that the variation in every year’s iPhone outdoors of the US is immediately reflective of change charges on foreign exchange, relative to US pricing.
For comparability with its most outstanding rival – the Samsung Galaxy S23 line – the 15 Professional begins at $200 greater than a baseline 128GB 6.1-inch display-toting Galaxy S23. In the meantime, the bottom Galaxy S23 Plus mannequin – which sports activities a 6.6-inch show and double the bottom storage of the entry iPhone 15 Professional (at 256GB) – begins on the identical $999 within the US because the iPhone. The highest-tier iPhone 15 Professional Max-rivalling Galaxy S23 Extremely prices from $1,199, which just like the Professional Max begins 256GB of storage.
- Worth rating: 3.5 / 5
iPhone 15 Professional evaluate: Specs
Try the iPhone 15 Professional’s full specs beneath:
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| Header Cell – Column 1 | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions: | 146.6 mm x 70.6 mm x 8.25mm |
| Weight: | 187g |
| OS: | iOS 17 |
| Display measurement: | 6.1 inches |
| Decision: | 2556 x 1179 pixels |
| Chipset: | Apple A17 Professional |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage: | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Rear Cameras: | 48MP extensive, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto w/ 3x optical zoom |
| Entrance Digicam: | 12MP |
iPhone 15 Professional evaluate: Design
- Titanium body lowers weight and improves consolation
- USB-C: dangerous for Lightning accent house owners however in any other case welcome
- Motion button is a strong new {hardware} addition
- Class-leading IP68 mud & water resistance
Aesthetically talking, the iPhone 14 Professional was a near-replica of the iPhone 13 Professional. Nonetheless, Apple has given the Professional line’s most recognizable design parts (by its personal requirements, a minimum of) a big remodeling for 2023; for causes each out and in of its management.
In relation to telephones, only a millimeter right here and a level there could make a notable distinction to how a cellphone feels and that is very true with the alterations made throughout the 15 sequence. The obvious visible change is the burnishing away of the earlier generations’ sharp edges, that means the 15 Professional has a notably totally different (and extra nice) really feel.
The iPhone 15 Professional (as with the remainder of the road) nonetheless sports activities flat sides that wrap across the fringe of the cellphone, however there’s now refined rounding the place there was as soon as an virtually zero-degree radius. Extra importantly, the Professional line includes a new titanium body that makes the iPhone 15 Professional considerably lighter than its stainless-steel predecessor (Apple’s newest flagship weighs 187g, whereas the iPhone 14 Professional clocks in at 206g) whereas retaining a good diploma of power.
Apple’s Professional iPhones have at all times been heavy for his or her display screen measurement, so this 19-gram discount throughout each the iPhone 15 Professional and 15 Professional Max is revelatory for the sequence. The advantages are arguably extra outstanding on the Professional Max. However contemplating all that Apple’s managed to suit contained in the 15 Professional, including a weight discount (making this the lightest Professional mannequin ever) on high is nonetheless welcome.
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One other massive change has to do with the cellphone’s 6.1-inch show. The bezels operating round its boundary at the moment are uniformly thinner (in comparison with the 14 Professional), which paired with that titanium alloy body, imply the peak and width of this era’s Professional have additionally been decreased too. All this helps with the cellphone’s really feel, pocketability and ease of use. Apple’s dream of a bezel-less iPhone is inching ever-closer, it appears.
Each the Dynamic Island and rear subtle glass panel return from final 12 months’s gadget, with the latter now extra simply replaceable, drastically lowering the price of restore in comparison with the earlier era (within the US, what would have value $499 to exchange, now prices a relatively minor $199).
Past these primarily visible, arguably superficial design upgrades, Apple has additionally launched a handful of updates that dramatically alter the performance of the iPhone 15 Professional versus its predecessor.
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The primary is an Apple Watch Extremely-style Motion button, which arrives rather than the standard, bodily mute change on this 12 months’s Professional fashions solely. This customizable button permits you to set off as much as 9 totally different actions.
However earlier than I dive into all that, let’s simply take a second to pay our respects to the iPhone’s ubiquitous silent/ring change, which now solely stays on the usual iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, and can possible fade from the corporate’s telephones totally come the iPhone 16 sequence’ launch subsequent 12 months; appears to be like prefer it’s as much as you now OnePlus…
The change to the Motion button does change the way you verify whether or not the cellphone is about to ring or silent, with an on-screen indicator and haptic suggestions changing the glanceable design of previous. The Motion button is a lot greater than that although. The supply of a customizable {hardware} button appears uncharacteristic of Apple however I am not one to complain.
When you’re completely happy switching between ring and silent by way of on-screen controls, the button can as an alternative function a approach to enter predefined Focus modes, soar straight into the digital camera app, activate the flashlight, report a voice memo, provoke translate (coming submit launch by way of software program replace), open the magnifier, set off a selected accessibility shortcut. Or maybe strongest of all, hearth off any shortcut of your personal creation from Apple’s Shortcut app; assume smarthome routines, your favourite playlist, Shazam or opening any app of your selecting.
The second main change is a USB-C port, which replaces Apple’s proprietary Lightning port on each mannequin within the iPhone 15 lineup. Whereas I is perhaps sentimental concerning the lack of the ring/silent change, I welcome the lengthy overdue soar to USB-C.
USB-C is the newest common customary for the wired connection of good gadgets. When you purchase a wise gadget in 2023 – be it top-of-the-line Android telephones, finest laptops, or finest good audio system – it’ll possible function a pill-shaped reversible port to assist USB-C charging and knowledge switch, and Apple has opted to adorn its newest crop of iPhones with these ports following a latest EU regulation.
As for a way this transition from Lightning to USB-C impacts the performance of the iPhone 15 Professional, it does not affect charging pace, sadly, however does allow USB 3.2 Gen 2 knowledge switch speeds of as much as 10Gbps. Think about connecting the iPhone 15 Professional on to your MacBook Professional, taking ProRes pictures, and having them seem virtually immediately in your Mac – this was a demo I noticed first-hand at Apple’s Battersea HQ and is a kind of demos that appears purpose-built to point out why this cellphone deserves its ‘Professional’ suffix.
For a extra sensible instance, my face lit up once I realized I used to be in a position to plug the Professional immediately into my automotive’s USB-C adapter-laden aux wire to play tunes; a cable as soon as explicitly reserved for my Android telephones, as I used to be unwilling to purchase a Lightning to three.5mm adapter.
One cable to cost all of your gadgets is clearly the dream. Nonetheless, the iPhone 15 sequence falls foul of being the transitionary era, which is to say the one which will get the blame for all of the eWaste Apple has simply created by rendering long-time iPhone customers’ assorted Lighting-laden equipment out of date with out using hard-to-come-by male Lightning to feminine USB-C adapter.
- Design rating: 4.5 / 5
iPhone 15 Professional evaluate: Show
- 6.1-inch ‘Retina Tremendous XDR’ OLED panel
- Protected by Ceramic Defend
- Dynamic Island (now on all iPhone fashions)
- Wonderful always-on show implementation
The iPhone 15 Professional retains its predecessor’s wonderful 6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR OLED display screen, with Apple’s ProMotion know-how – which varies the refresh charge between 1Hz and 120Hz, relying on the content material displayed – returning, too.
As talked about, the Dynamic Island digital cutout can also be current – although this notch is now a function of each mannequin within the lineup – and the iPhone 15 Professional’s bezels are largely non-existent. It is once more protected by the corporate’s Ceramic Defend: a clear materials containing ceramic crystals for further safety (though earlier experiences with the 14 Professional Max highlighted to me that the fabric’s scratch resistance is nowhere close to as spectacular as its affect resistance).
It’s nonetheless a stunning and responsive display screen (additionally shiny, reaching a max 2,000 nits – like its predecessor). The tinier bezel immediately makes it a extra immersive show too and I might say it solely suffers when positioned subsequent to the bigger and equally fairly iPhone 15 Professional Max’s 6.7-inch Tremendous Retina XDR show, particularly if streaming media and gaming are excessive in your checklist of priorities with a brand new cellphone.
I additionally must help to Apple as soon as once more for its wonderful implementation of always-on show know-how. Together with negligible affect on battery life, the 14 Professional and 15 Professional line are the one telephones that serve up a full-screen always-on expertise with as a lot depth and glanceable info. It is a function I miss when transferring to different gadgets; even those who supply their very own implementation of an always-on show.
Put merely, that is the type of show you’d anticipate finding strapped to one of many finest telephones in the marketplace, and Apple hasn’t messed with a profitable formulation right here and truly improved it only a tiny bit, because of these bezels.
- Show rating: 5 / 5
iPhone 15 Professional evaluate: Software program
- Runs iOS 17 out the field
- New options embody Verify In, NameDrop and extra
- No less than 5 years of OS updates
With my colleague Philip Berne having already dug into the newest launch of Apple’s cellular software program in his in-depth iOS 17 evaluate, I will provide the highlights primarily based on the important thing additions the discharge brings to the desk and which features felt significantly nice throughout my time reviewing the iPhone 15 Professional.
Regardless of a cavalcade of latest options, in comparison with iOS 16, iOS 17 does not really feel like fairly as seismic an replace by comparability. Even so, the polish on new options – like Contact Posters and NameDrop – is simple and reside as much as Apple’s ‘it simply works’ slogan. Having the ability to pull in stickers from any media is a enjoyable new contact and extra useful quality-of-life enhancements, like enhanced autocorrect, recent ringtones and extra responsive haptics aren’t to be sniffed at both.
There are another parts of the iPhone 15 Professional’s particular fusion of software program and {hardware} which are price shouting about too. Take the slick interface Apple has included for the brand new Motion button, for instance; it is not like anything inside iOS’ settings and is each visually stimulating and clear in its intent. The Dynamic Island additionally continues to spotlight Apple’s skill to show a bodily limitation (the necessity for front-facing digital camera and FaceID parts to be embedded within the show) right into a promoting level; I simply want Apple had finished extra with it natively, after a 12 months in the marketplace.
A particular shout-out additionally has to go to StandBy, which provides but extra worth to the Professional’s already-excellent always-on show expertise.
Then there’s the software program replace roadmap to think about. Apple continues to prepared the ground, and whereas rivals like Samsung and OnePlus are catching up (and there is speak of Google’s Pixel 8 sequence narrowing the hole too), the 15 Professional will possible get the identical 5 years of OS updates (though Apple by no means confirms up entrance) that its predecessors have. And in case you’re fortunate, that would stretch to 6 (or past, relying on how beneficiant the corporate feels).
- Software program rating: 4.5 / 5
iPhone 15 Professional evaluate: Cameras
- 48MP most important, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP 3x telephoto
- Now helps ProRes at 4K/60fps w/ exterior storage
- Log video now supported
With regards to cameras, the iPhone 15 Professional doesn’t stray too removed from its predecessor’s (admittedly wonderful) triple-sensor setup. On its again, the cellphone boasts a 48MP most important, 12MP ultra-wide and a 12MP 3x telephoto sensor.
By reserving the 5x optical zoom telephoto digital camera for the iPhone 15 Professional Max, Apple has created a notable technological hole between its newest Professional and Professional Max iPhones this 12 months, much more pronounced a disparity than the introduction of sensor-shift OIS (optical picture stabilization) on the iPhone 12 Professional Max, which was absent on the usual 12 Professional. That doesn’t imply the iPhone 15 Professional isn’t one of many finest digital camera telephones round, nonetheless.
On the entrance, the iPhone 15 Professional sports activities the identical 12MP TrueDepth digital camera because the iPhone 14 Professional, which is without doubt one of the higher selfie snappers within the business, with true-to-life colours, assist for among the iPhone’s extra superior portrait nonetheless and video options, and boasting tight integration with social apps and filters discovered on the likes of Snapchat.
For all of the similarities the digital camera setup has, in contrast its predecessor although, it does diverge in some significant methods, specifically by using picture processing tips not current on earlier entries within the sequence.
Facilitated by the 48MP decision of the primary sensor on all 4 iPhone 15 fashions (though the 15 and 15 Plus use a smaller, lesser sensor, in comparison with the Execs) – is the brand new default picture seize decision of 24MP (up from 12MP, which provides a few third to every picture when it comes to file measurement).
To achieve that magic quantity, the 15 Professional fuses a 12MP picture that is already run by the cellphone’s imaging pipeline, with a 48MP full-resolution shot, to maximise element, shade depth, dynamic vary and so forth. Talking of depth, now you can seize portrait pictures after the very fact, that means you now not have to change to portrait mode so as to add extra pronounced bokeh on stills, serving to to deliver your topic to the fore whereas blurring every part round them.
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This function is not a binary both, with the flexibility to edit the quantity of bokeh and even the choice to faucet to refocus between parts within the foreground and background after the very fact, straight from the Photographs app; supplied the cellphone was in a position to detect a portrait-worthy topic to start with.
Apple defined to me that, proper now, the function can detect individuals, canines and cats; so anticipate to snap some upgraded imagery of your furry buddies in case you decide up a brand new iPhone anytime quickly. And for these on the Android facet of the fence, whereas telephones just like the Galaxy S23 may pull off comparable variable bokeh and refocusing tips, attributes like edge detection aren’t anyplace close to as correct and the pictures should be captured within the devoted portrait mode to start with for the post-capture options to be accessible.
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