Is the iPhone 15 nonetheless value shopping for in 2025? The reply is difficult

For some time now, a part of Apple’s modus operandi for making iPhones inexpensive (comparatively talking) has been to maintain not less than one older mannequin on sale. The result’s that whereas there are 4 variations of the

iPhone 16
accessible, together with the

iPhone 16e
, you’ll be able to nonetheless purchase the iPhone 15 and

15 Plus
, which initially shipped in 2023. They could be tempting for some consumers, provided that Apple tends to assist its telephones for a very long time, and the 16e is not actually meant to be a flagship — it is a alternative for the budget-priced iPhone SE.

Do you have to really drop money on an iPhone 15 in 2025? You have in all probability already acquired an inclination, however the reply is a bit more complicated than you is perhaps imagining. And even in order for you one, you might want to consider carefully about how, the place, and once you purchase it.

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How does the iPhone 15 stack up towards the iPhone 16 and 16e?

Efficiency

The most important distinction is, in fact, processor energy. Whereas each iPhone 16 is provided with some model of Apple’s A18 chip — the 16e having a four-core GPU, as an alternative of the common 16’s five-core unit — each the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are caught with the A16. Meaning they’re incapable of operating

Apple Intelligence
, together with every thing from notification summaries to Visible Intelligence and

ChatGPT integration
. It is not a giant deal in the intervening time (I hardly ever use ChatGPT myself) however AI will inevitably turn into an even bigger and larger a part of iOS, so you might miss out on key options as iOS 19 and its successors roll out.

In any other case, the A16 continues to be a really succesful processor. There are few video games that may tax the A16 to its limits, and most different apps must be silky clean. Certainly, since upgrading to an iPhone 16 Professional, I have been stunned at how hardly ever the A18 is (noticeably) higher than the A15 chip in my outdated iPhone 13. Issues set up quicker, and navigation apps are snappier, however the A18 does not make a lot distinction to apps like Cronometer or Reddit.

It must be famous that the iPhone 15 solely has 6GB of RAM, versus 8GB with the iPhone 16 sequence, however the enhance between generations is usually for the sake of Apple Intelligence. It might make a distinction in another areas — notably high-end 3D video games like Resident Evil: Village — however Apple’s {hardware} and software program is so tightly optimized that you simply in all probability will not discover more often than not.

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Digicam tech

Functionally, the iPhone 15 digital camera system is nearly similar to the iPhone 16 lineup. The usual 16 does have benefits like macro pictures, Visible Intelligence, and assist for spatial images and movies you’ll be able to expertise with a

Vision Pro
, however it nonetheless makes use of a 48-megapixel predominant digital camera and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide, identical to the 15. Most images and movies ought to look similar below comparable situations, except maybe you resolve to experiment with the expanded Photographic Kinds on the 16 and 16 Plus.

The iPhone 15 really has an edge over the 16e. There is no ultra-wide digital camera on the 16e, so if you happen to’re a fan of taking pictures vistas, structure, or tight areas, the 15 is a greater possibility. The 16e additionally lacks Focus Management — which lets 15 and 16 house owners change a portrait’s point of interest after the actual fact — in addition to another options, like Motion (stabilization) and Cinematic (shallow depth-of-field) modes for video. There is no wind noise discount on the 15, thoughts, or any

smart audio mixing
choices.

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Battery life, wi-fi charging, and different options

One space the place the bottom iPhone 15 is soundly trounced is battery life. You will get about 20 hours out of it based mostly on Apple’s testing, whereas the usual 16 will get 22 hours, and the 16e will get 26 hours, only one wanting my iPhone 16 Professional. In apply, nobody makes use of a cellphone the way in which Apple does, and you will be charging all of those units in a single day — however the 16e may very well be preferable for vacationers or different individuals who usually discover their machine operating on fumes.

The 15 Plus matches the 16e, so that could be the way in which to go in order for you each glorious battery life and a bigger 6.7-inch display screen with out spending on a 16 Plus. Each different cellphone on this comparability (excluding my iPhone 16 Professional, in fact) has a 6.1-inch show.

When it comes to wi-fi charging, the iPhone 15 sits within the center. It does have MagSafe, which robotically places it above the torpid 7.5W Qi speeds of the 16e, but it is capped at 15W versus the iPhone 16’s 25W. You will get the perfect speeds from USB charging anyway, so this can be a moot level if you happen to’re anxious about charging in a rush. MagSafe is a giant deal for different causes too. It is usually one of the best ways of mounting an iPhone, or attaching equipment like wallets and exterior batteries. You’ll be able to stay with out it, naturally, however it’s frankly superb that Apple felt it may very well be sacrificed, given the cash it makes from the accent market.

One other factor the 16e lacks is Dynamic Island multitasking. That will really be extra important than MagSafe for some individuals, because it makes it simpler to regulate media playback, change apps, and hold tabs on Reside Actions like timers and meals deliveries. I take advantage of it daily. There aren’t too many different variations to level out, however it’s value noting that solely the common 16 helps

Wi-Fi 7
, and that the 16e does not assist the quickest type of 5G, generally known as mmWave. For those who’ve acquired a wise residence, neither the iPhone 15 nor the iPhone 16e have a Thread radio for suitable equipment. The iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16e have a customizable Motion button rather than a hoop/mute change.

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Do you have to get an iPhone 15 in 2025?

Perhaps, however it is time to go discount searching

As you’ve got seen, the iPhone 15 holds up surprisingly properly, if largely as a result of iPhone (and app) evolution has come to a crawl. You would possibly get jealous of the battery life on new fashions, and ultimately remorse the absence of Apple Intelligence, however even these issues will not matter a lot if you happen to’re simply attempting to get to work or browse social media. It is really a better option than the 16e if you happen to care about digital camera tech, MagSafe equipment, and Dynamic Island controls.

I might strongly suggest towards shopping for a 15 from Apple, nonetheless. Official costs begin at $699, which is not value it for a base-spec iPhone that is almost two years outdated. As of this writing, you will get a refurbished one on Amazon for $508, and the 15 Plus is just barely {dollars} extra. For those who’re prepared to purchase a used however non-refurbished machine from eBay, you could find an unlocked 15 Professional for round $600.

There’s additionally a time window at play, for the reason that

iPhone 17
is anticipated to launch in September. The iPhone 16 will drop to the iPhone 15’s present value, and manufacturing of the 15 will cease fully. The excellent news on that entrance is that the iPhone 15 will proceed to be a related machine — simply relegated to the used/refurbished market, presumably at even decrease price. That is perhaps the chance to strike if value trumps all different elements.

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