iPhone 15: Everything you need to know

Apple's big September showcase is finally here. We now what all the details about the new iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. If you're not sure where to start when it comes to Apple's latest 'best iPhone ever' then we've got you covered.

Here's the low-down on everything you need to know about every iPhone 15 model this year, when you can get your hands on them and how much they will cost in Australia. 

• USB-C: USB-C 2 on iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, USB-C 3 on iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max
• A17 Pro in iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max and A16 Bionic in iPhone 15 and 15 Plus
• Action Button replacing the silent switch on iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max
• Dynamic Island on all models
• Titanium build on iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max

If you're after the short version, it's that this year's iPhone 15 lineup has all the obvious upgrades. The shape and size of Apple's ever-popular line of smartphones isn't changing this year, but the hardware is getting a timely tune up. Regardless of whether you opt for the cheaper standard model or one of the pricey Pro-grade ones, you can expect a better processor, a camera with a bigger sensor and a shiny new USB type-C port.

This time around, the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are also getting the Dynamic Island that was previously exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro Max will offer a premium photography experience by a hair, thanks to its 5x telephoto lens, 5x optical zoom and 25x digital zoom.

Even if they closely resemble their predecessors on most fronts, this year's iPhone 15 series promises to be more powerful when and where it counts.

There was no shortage of rumors in the lead-up to any Apple event, but it's rare for every single one to work out. This time around, rumors that Apple may have been looking to replace the Pro Max with a new Apple iPhone 15 Ultra fell into the latter category. Maybe next time.

Another no-show here was any sort of iPhone 15 equivalent to the iPhone 13 Mini. It's now been two years since Apple showed off a new pocket-friendly version of its flagship smartphone. Time will tell whether this is hiatus is a short-lived or permanent one.

We now have official Australian pricing for the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. This year, the entry cost for the 15 Pro Max is a little higher since Apple ditched the 128GB variant on this year's primo Pro Max. Here's the starting price for each model. 

• iPhone 15: From $1,499
• iPhone 15 Plus: From $1,649
• iPhone 15 Pro: From $1,849
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: From $2,199

The iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are available now in Australia.

When it comes to the entry-level iPhone 15, there are a few big improvements that those considering an upgrade might want to keep in mind. The most visible one is that the iPhone 15 now features the Dynamic Island introduced by last year's Pro Models. It also inherits the same A16 Bionic processor found in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, which promises to give it a performance edge over its 2022 counterparts.

Beyond that, the other big advantage that this year's cheapest iPhone 15 has over its predecessors is the addition of a larger 48MP camera sensor and a USB Type-C port. Depending on who you are, one of these improvements is probably going to make a much bigger difference than the other.

Here’s how much the iPhone 15 costs outright in Australia:

• iPhone 15 128GB: $1,499
• iPhone 15 256GB: $1,699
• iPhone 15 512GB: $2,049

The iPhone 15 Plus is primed to pick up where last year's iPhone 14 Plus left off. Like the name might indicate, what's here is pretty much just an iPhone 15 with a bigger screen.

You're getting the same A16 Bionic processor, the same camera (with a larger 48MP sensor), the same level of water resistance and the same storage variants. You're also getting the same Dynamic Island and USB Type-C port. All that said, if all you're after is an iPhone with a bigger screen than the 6.1-incher seen on the standard iPhone 15, this will do the trick a hell of a lot cheaper than the iPhone 15 Pro Max. 

Here’s how much the iPhone 15 Plus costs outright in Australia:

• iPhone 15 Plus 128GB: $1,649
• iPhone 15 Plus 256GB: $1,849
• iPhone 15 Plus 512GB: $2,199

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus might get the Dynamic Island treatment, but Apple has again locked a few premium features to the Pro range. Exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are ProMotion (Apple's version of adaptive 120hz refresh rates), the impressive processing bump courtesy of the A17 Pro Chip, advanced USB-C 3 charging and data transfer, a tidy Titanium build and the new customisable Action Button, which replaces the typical Silent switch.

Here’s how much the iPhone 15 Pro costs outright in Australia:

• iPhone 15 Pro 128GB: $1,849
• iPhone 15 Pro 256GB: $2,049
• iPhone 15 Pro 512GB: $2,399
• iPhone 15 Pro 1TB: $2,749

Screen size isn't the whole story this time around In previous years, Apple's largest and most expensive iPhone has sometimes held a slight edge over the other Pro-grade models when it comes to photography. In addition to all the Pro extras listed above, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the only handset offering a 5x telephoto lens with a 5x optical zoom and 25x digital zoom. 

This year, the iPhone 12 Pro Max also won't be available in the 128GB variant, instead starting at 256GB. 

Here’s how much the iPhone 15 Pro Max costs outright in Australia:

• iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB: $2,399
• iPhone 15 Pro Max 512GB: $2,549
• iPhone 15 Pro Max 1TB: $2,899

When it comes to the more standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, what's old is new.

Both devices feature screens with a similar size and resolution to that of their predecessors. If you're not keeping track, that means two models with 6.1-inch displays and two models with 6.7-inch displays.

However, where the 2022 lineup required consumers to opt for the premium Pro models to take the new Dynamic Island for a spin, the story this time around is that Apple's LED landmass will be available across the entire range.

The other big design change here is that Apple's entire iPhone 15 roster is making the jump from Lightning to USB Type-C. Back in 2022, the European Parliament ruled that all new phones, tablets, and cameras sold in the European Union would have to use USB-C by late 2024.

Ports aside, all four new iPhones feature thinner bezels while the Pro and Pro Max are trading away the iconic mute toggle for a larger "Action" key that can be customised to suit different needs.

Under the hood, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are running on the A16 Bionic processor. This processor was first seen in last year's iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. 

Meanwhile, the new iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max ship with the new A17 Pro processor. 

Storage-wise, the iPhone 15 range will available in all the usual storage variants, going from as little as 128GB to as much as 512GB. If you want even more than that, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are both available in a larger 1TB size. This year, however, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has ditched the smaller 128GB variant, now starting at 256GB and a higher starting price as a result. 

As for battery size, we'll have to wait and see. Apple typically doesn't disclose battery sizes. It's usually up to the enthusiast community to tear the phones apart and find out, so we won't find out for sure until the iPhone 15 and the rest of the range are out in the wild. Apple's battery life claims haven't changed much from last year, with 20 hours of video playback in the iPhone 15, 26 hours in the 15 Plus, 23 hours in the iPhone 15 Pro, and 29 hours in the iPhone 15 Pro Max. 

The rumors are true. While the iPhone 15 isn't changing up the number of lenses, it will see Apple move into the the megapixels arms race previously dominated by the likes of Motorola and Samsung.

In addition to a 12MP ultrawide lens, all four iPhone 15 models now also feature a 48MP main camera sensor. While this particular spec is rarely the whole story when it comes to smartphone photography, it's still a fairly significant change of pace for Apple. In the past, the company have opted to keep the megapixel count low, but gotten more and more out of that hardware with impressive feats of computational photography.

The iPhone 15 Pro raises the stakes with the addition of a 12MP telephoto lens that's capable of 3x optical zoom. Meanwhile, those who opt for the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max will nab the first iPhone with a 5x telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom and 25x digital zoom.

It's relatively rare for a new Apple device to ditch features that the previous model had, so it's no surprise that the iPhone 15 will have the same level of 5G connectivity as the iPhone 14.

Of course, you'll need to have both a 5G mobile plan and be located in an area with coverage in order to actually make use of this feature.

To see where is 5G available in Australia, use the 5G coverage map below. Click the big orange button, select your desired network provider from the dropdown (e.g. Telstra, Optus or Vodafone).

To find out if you have 5G coverage in your area, use the (+) and (-) icons in the top-left corner of the map to navigate to your area. For example, if you want to search for 5G broadband coverage in Sydney, zoom right in and drag the map with your cursor to zero in on your address.

Telstra, Vodafone and Optus are all ranging the iPhone 15 in some capacity. Here's a quick summary of what to expect from each of the big three.

For those looking to pick up the iPhone 15 for as little as possible are probably going to be looking to pick the device up on a plan through Vodafone. While this provider doesn't have the same level of coverage as Telstra or Optus do, it does come at a cheaper price. You get the same excess-charge free data, plus $5 per day international roaming when you need it.

For a snapshot of your options, check out the round-up of Vodafone mobile plans (paired with this year's iPhone 15) below.

If you need better coverage than Vodafone can vouch for but don't want to deal with the higher prices that Telstra commands, then Optus might be the best bet for picking up the iPhone 15 on a plan.

Assuming that this year's lineup matches that of last year's, the iPhone 15 will be available on either 12, 24 or 36 month plan. Each of the eligible postpaid plans will come with excess-charge free data, a discounted rate on Optus Sport and the ability to save on your monthly subscriptions via SubHub.

For a snapshot of your options, check out the round-up of Optus mobile plans (paired with the iPhone 15) below.

Telstra's mobile plans are the most expensive of the big three, so it'll probably be the most expensive option for those looking to buy the iPhone 15 on a postpaid plan.

That said, that higher price does come with plenty of perks. Those who sign up for a iPhone 15 plan with Telstra should expect to be able to pay off their device over a 12, 24 or 36-month period and access to excess-charge free data for the lifetime of their plan.

For a snapshot of your options, check out the round-up of Telstra mobile plans (paired with the iPhone 15) below.