Nearly 16 months after its launch, the iPhone 15 Plus remains a compelling choice in the smartphone market, especially with the recent update to iOS 18. This review explores its key features and performance.

Design and Display

The iPhone 15 Plus showcases a refined aluminum build with Ceramic Shield front and textured matte glass back. The device comes in five colors: Black, Blue, Green, Pink, and Yellow. Its 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display boasts 2796 x 1290 pixels resolution at 460 ppi, with impressive peak brightness reaching 2,000 nits. The Dynamic Island feature cleverly integrates notifications and app controls without disrupting the viewing experience.

Operating System

iOS 18 brings exciting additions like enhanced AirDrop that continues transfers over internet when devices move out of range. Users enjoy improved privacy settings, smarter notifications, and better app management. The update delivers smoother performance with intuitive multitasking and a refreshed interface that integrates seamlessly with Apple’s ecosystem. Going by its record, Apple provides operating system updates and security patches for five to six years after the first sale of a device.

Processor

The A16 Bionic chip powers the iPhone 15 Plus, featuring a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU that deliver impressive processing speeds for demanding apps and graphics-intensive tasks. While not the latest chip available, its 16-core Neural Engine enhances machine learning capabilities for features like real-time photo processing and gaming, providing robust performance for most users.

Camera

The iPhone 15 Plus’s camera system continues to impress with its dual-lens setup, featuring a 48MP main sensor and 12MP ultra-wide lens. The main sensor excels in challenging lighting conditions, producing images with striking detail and natural color reproduction. Low-light photography benefits from advanced computational techniques, resulting in clear, noise-free shots even in dimly lit environments. The new 2x telephoto option compensates for the lack of a dedicated zoom lens, offering surprisingly good results for moderate zoom requirements.

Video capabilities are equally strong, with Cinematic mode enabling professional-looking depth effects. ProRes recording caters to serious content creators, while improvements to Smart HDR and Night mode ensure consistent quality across various shooting scenarios. The camera’s user-friendly interface makes it accessible to casual users while offering enough manual controls to satisfy photography enthusiasts. Whether capturing family moments or creating content for social media, the camera system delivers reliable, high-quality results that often rival those from more expensive smartphones.

RAM and Storage

With 6GB of RAM, the device handles multitasking effortlessly. Storage options include 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB variants, though expandable storage isn’t available.

Sound

The stereo speakers deliver impressive audio quality for both music and calls. Spatial audio support enhances the experience with compatible headphones, while the USB-C port handles both charging and audio output.

Battery

The device offers up to 26 hours of video playback, though charging speeds lag behind competitors. Both fast charging via USB-C and wireless charging options are available, with full charging taking about 90 minutes.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Vibrant Super Retina XDR display with exceptional brightness
• Powerful A16 Bionic chip performance
• Advanced computational photography capabilities
• Extended battery life
• Universal USB-C charging support

Cons

• No storage expansion options
• Relatively slower charging speeds
• Missing dedicated telephoto lens
• Premium pricing

Market Buzz

Amazon and Flipkart users praise the phone’s performance, display quality, and battery life. While the camera system receives positive feedback, some users note the absence of a higher refresh rate and dedicated telephoto lens.

Pricing

• 128GB: ₹62,999
• 256GB: ₹76,499
• 512GB: ₹93,900

Final Verdict

The iPhone 15 Plus strikes an excellent balance between features and value, offering premium capabilities without Pro model pricing. Despite minor drawbacks in charging speed and storage options, it remains a solid choice for most users seeking a reliable, high-performing smartphone.