Apple recently launched its new flagship smartphone, the iPhone 15, along with its more powerful variant, the iPhone 15 Pro. The new devices claim to offer a number of features that make them superior to the previous generation and the competition.
However, not everything is perfect with the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Pro. Here are three reasons why you might want to skip the iPhone 15 or the iPhone 15 Pro.
1. USB-C port on the iPhone 15 is only USB 2.0
One of the most noticeable changes in the iPhone 15 is the switch from the Lightning port to the USB-C port. This might seem like a good thing, as USB-C is more universal and compatible than Lightning.
However, there is a catch: the USB-C port on the iPhone 15 is only USB 2.0, which means that it has a maximum data transfer speed of 480 Mbps. This is much slower than the USB 3.1 or USB 4 standards that are available on other devices, such as the iPad Pro, the Mac, and some Android phones. This means that you will not be able to enjoy the full benefits of USB-C, such as faster data transfer and charging speeds, with the iPhone 15.
The iPhone 15 Pro, on the other hand, has a much faster USB 3, which offers 10 gigabits per second (Gbps).
2. Marginal upgrades if coming from the previous model
The iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Pro might look impressive on paper, but they are not that different from the previous models, especially if you are coming from the iPhone 14 or the iPhone 13. The design, display, battery life, and performance of the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Pro are very similar to those of the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 13.
The main differences are in the camera system, which has some improvements but not enough to justify an upgrade, and in some minor features, such as the dynamic island and the titanium build, which are more cosmetic than functional. If you already have an iPhone 14 or even an iPhone 13, you might not notice much difference with the iPhone 15 or the iPhone 15 Pro.
And of course, there’s Apple’s “fast charging”. Apple said the iPhone 15 can get up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with a 20W adapter or higher. Meanwhile, reports say the iPhone 15 Pro maxes out at 27W. However, this may not be enough to compete with mid-range Android phones that offer much faster charging speeds, such as 100W.
3. Expensive
The iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Pro are not cheap devices. And with gas and food prices soaring, your money might be best served elsewhere.
The starting price of the iPhone 15 is ₱56,990 ($799) for the base model with 128GB of storage, while the starting price of the iPhone 15 Pro is ₱70,990 ($999) for the base model with 128 GB of storage. These prices can go up to ₱75,990 ($1,099) for the iPhone 15 with 512GB of storage and an eye-watering ₱108,990 ($1,499) for the iPhone 15 Pro with 1TB of storage.
For comparison, you can get an Android phone with similar or better specifications for much less money.
The iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Pro are not for everyone. They might appeal to some hardcore Apple fans or tech enthusiasts who want to have the latest and greatest devices. However, for most people, they might not be worth it. You might want to wait for a price drop, a better deal, or a more significant upgrade before getting the iPhone 15 or the iPhone 15 Pro.
You might also want to check out our article on the “Five reasons to get the iPhone 15” if you’re on the other side of this conversation and need a little more convincing.
