Apple iPhone 15 Plus Review: Large Display and Powerful Performance

1. Introduction

Launched in September 2023, the Apple iPhone 15 Plus brings flagship-grade performance, a stunning 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, and advanced photography features in a large but elegant package. It is designed for users who want a larger screen experience than the base iPhone 15 without stepping up to the Pro models. The iPhone 15 Plus continues Apple’s tradition of premium design, paired with the powerful A16 Bionic chip for excellent speed and efficiency, and introduces USB-C charging for the first time in the iPhone series. With iOS 17 out of the box and a robust camera system, it remains a strong contender in the large-screen premium smartphone segment in 2025. To explore Apple’s current iPhone lineup and ecosystem, you can visit the official Apple iPhone 15 page.

2. Design & Build Quality

The iPhone 15 Plus features a sleek aerospace-grade aluminum frame combined with a color-infused glass back created using a custom dual ion-exchange process, making it highly durable and resistant to scratches. It sports a Ceramic Shield front that Apple claims is tougher than any smartphone glass. Weighing 201 grams, it is ergonomic yet sturdy, with dimensions of 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm, making it comfortable in hand despite its large display. Apple offers fresh color options including Black, Blue, Green, Pink, and Yellow. The device is IP68 rated for water and dust resistance, ensuring protection up to 6 meters deep for 30 minutes. A new Action Button replaces the traditional mute switch, customizable to simplify key functions.

Apple iPhone 15 Plus Key Features Table

3. Display

The iPhone 15 Plus boasts an expansive 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2796 x 1290 pixels, delivering 460 pixels per inch for sharp, vivid visuals. It supports HDR content with up to 1,600 nits peak brightness (typical 1,000 nits) for stunning contrast and vibrant colors, enhanced by True Tone and P3 wide color gamut technologies. The display features Dynamic Island for interactive notifications and multitasking. With a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio and fingerprint-resistant coating, the screen offers superb clarity, even outdoors, combined with smooth haptic touch interaction. However, it continues to use a 60Hz refresh rate rather than the ProMotion 120Hz available on the Pro models, which may affect animation fluidity for some users. Overall, it excels in media consumption, gaming, and productivity.

4. Performance

Under the hood is the Apple A16 Bionic chip, a proven powerhouse built on a 4nm process with a 6-core CPU (2 high-performance cores and 4 efficiency cores), a 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. This setup delivers blazing-fast performance optimized for efficiency, powering everything from intensive gaming to multitasking and advanced machine learning tasks like computational photography. The iPhone 15 Plus’s 6GB RAM supports smooth app management and future-proofing for forthcoming iOS updates. Together with iOS 17, the device offers a polished, responsive experience, with secure Face ID facial recognition and tight integration across Apple’s ecosystem and apps.

5. Cameras

The iPhone 15 Plus is outfitted with a versatile dual-camera system comprising a primary 48MP wide sensor with sensor-shift optical image stabilization (OIS), capable of capturing ultra-high-resolution photos with vibrant colors and excellent detail. The 12MP ultra-wide lens features a 120° field of view for expansive shots, and the 12MP 2x telephoto enabled by a quad-pixel sensor allows optical zoom-in and zoom-out with 4x optical zoom overall and up to 10x digital zoom. The device leverages Apple’s Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, and Smart HDR 5 for enhanced image processing. The front camera is a 12MP TrueDepth camera with Night mode support and Dolby Vision video recording. The iPhone 15 Plus supports cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30fps, slow motion, time lapse with stabilization, and other creative camera functionalities ideal for photography enthusiasts and content creators.

6. Battery Life

Equipped with a 4,383mAh battery, the iPhone 15 Plus delivers excellent battery endurance, reportedly lasting up to 2.5 days under moderate use scenarios, outperforming even some flagship competitors in web browsing and gaming tests. It supports 20W fast charging via USB-C and Qi wireless charging, simplifying cable clutter and improving convenience. Apple’s efficient power management, combined with the highly optimized A16 chip and refined iOS 17 software, contribute to its long-lasting operation on a single charge, suitable for heavy media consumption, productivity, and gaming without frequent recharging.

7. Connectivity & Other Features

Connectivity on the iPhone 15 Plus is comprehensive, including broad 5G support (multiple global bands including Band 40 for India), Wi-Fi 6E for fast, reliable wireless internet, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC for Apple Pay, and ultra-precise GPS with Galileo, GLONASS, and QZSS support. It uses a reversible USB-C port compliant with USB 2.0 and DisplayPort for versatile data and video output. Sensors include accelerometer, barometer, gyroscope, proximity, compass, and ambient light sensor. The customizable Action Button replaces the mute switch for quicker access to key functions, enhancing user experience and accessibility.

8. User Experience

Running iOS 17, the iPhone 15 Plus offers a refined interface with new features like StandBy Mode, enhanced Focus modes, live voicemail, and faster Siri responses. The Dynamic Island enhances multitasking by displaying notifications and live activities without disrupting work. Face ID provides fast and secure biometric authentication even in low light. The faithful Apple ecosystem ensures seamless integration with MacBooks, Apple Watches, AirPods, and iPads. The gesture-based navigation and crisp haptic feedback maintain smooth daily interactions. Overall, the 15 Plus is designed for users who want premium features in a large-screen format without stepping into the Pro price bracket.

9. Pros and Cons

10. Comparison

Compared to the base iPhone 15, the 15 Plus offers a noticeably larger display and better battery life, catering to media enthusiasts and power users preferring a bigger screen. Against the Pro and Pro Max models, it lacks higher refresh rates, advanced camera sensors (like LiDAR), and the latest A18 Bionic chip, but comes at a significantly more approachable price point. In contrast to Android rivals such as Samsung Galaxy S24 series or OnePlus 12, the iPhone 15 Plus excels in software optimization, ecosystem integration, and sustained update support, although competitors may offer higher refresh rates or faster charging.

11. Pricing, Variants & Availability

The iPhone 15 Plus was launched globally in September 2023, with Indian prices starting at approximately ₹72,490 for the base 128GB model. Storage variants include 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, combined with 6GB RAM. Available colors include Black, Blue, Green, Pink, and Yellow. It supports dual SIM (nano + eSIM) and is sold through Apple’s online store, official retail outlets, and partner carriers. Seasonal discounts and exchange offers may make the price more accessible.

12. Verdict / Conclusion

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus is an excellent choice for users looking for a large, premium smartphone experience without paying the Pro premium. It combines a beautiful, bright OLED panel, robust A16 Bionic performance, and a versatile camera array with long battery life and IP68 durability. It suits media consumers, professionals, and Apple ecosystem loyalists who favor size and power in one package but want to avoid the added Pro features they might not use. As of 2025, it delivers an outstanding balance of performance, design, and longevity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the major differences between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus?
The 15 Plus features a larger 6.7-inch display compared to 6.1 inches on the iPhone 15, along with a substantially bigger battery offering longer endurance. Both share the A16 Bionic chip and similar camera systems.

Q2: Does the iPhone 15 Plus support 5G and Wi-Fi 6E?
Yes, it supports ultra-fast 5G with a wide range of bands and Wi-Fi 6E for improved wireless performance and lower latency.

Q3: Can the iPhone 15 Plus be charged with a standard USB-C charger?
Yes, it adopts USB-C charging for the first time in the iPhone lineup, compatible with USB-C fast chargers (20W or higher recommended). Data transfer speeds are USB 2.0 standard.

Q4: How good is the camera on the iPhone 15 Plus?
With a 48MP main sensor with sensor-shift OIS, 12MP ultra-wide, and a 12MP telephoto, it offers outstanding photo and video quality, including Night mode, Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR, and Dolby Vision recording.

Q5: Is the iPhone 15 Plus water resistant?
Yes, the device has an IP68 rating, allowing immersion in water up to 6 meters for 30 minutes, providing excellent protection against spills and dust.