iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15: is it worth the upgrade?

iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15: specs comparison

*Prices as of Oct 2023 as listed on Apple.com - subject to change

**Estimated new retail price based on popular retailers as of Oct 2023 (no longer sold on Apple.com)

Design Differences

Apple announced the iPhone 15 at their annual September event, which is always surrounded by anticipation for a new iPhone design, added features and improved software. This year, the reveal felt very lackluster (yet again).

Aside from their colors, the iPhone 14 series and the iPhone 15 series are remarkably similar in terms of design, featuring many of the same elements, from their dimensions and shape to the aluminum frame that provides structure and durability to the 14 (iPhone 15 and 15 Plus use the same aluminum structure).

The design differences between the two generations are relatively slight. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have titanium frames rather than aluminum ones. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have “color-infused” glass backs instead of the clear glass over a colored back on the iPhone 14.

Display Differences

There is really no difference in the displays on the two generations of phone. They all come with a Super Retina XDR display, which is essentially a special OLED screen. In both the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 15, it is either 6.1 inches or 6.7 inches, depending on whether you opt for the base or Pro models or the Plus or Pro Max models.

Performance Differences

Where the iPhone 15 rises above its predecessor is in its performance. While Apple’s A16 Bionic chip was previously reserved for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models, customers are now able to have its speed and efficiency in the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, while the 15 Pro and Pro Max benefit from Apple’s new A17 Pro chipset.

Thus all iPhone 15 models are a bit faster, more efficient, and offer better graphics processing than their corresponding iPhone 14 models. The increase isn’t huge, but it is significant, and means that the 15 series can handle more processing-intensive applications and offer smoother, better graphics.

Standout Features

The most prominent features of the iPhone 15 series are the titanium frame on select models; the upgraded, 48 MP camera; the improved processors on the Pro and Pro Max; and the USB-C connector and charging cable. These are all changes from the iPhone 14 series.

The titanium frame on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max certainly looks cool, and it helps make these the lightest Pro models yet.

The iPhone 15 camera upgrade chiefly lets you take far more detailed photos with the standard and Plus models than you could with the corresponding 14 and 14 Plus. This is, however, only really noticeable when zooming in or printing large-format photos.

The USB-C connector means that iPhone users will be able to use generic chargers and cables rather than proprietary (and expensive) Apple-designed ones. It also means that on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, data transfer will be much faster, as these models are USB-3 compatible.

Price and Availability

As always, Apple’s iPhones are expensive. The lowest-end iPhone 15 will run you $799–as much as an average-quality laptop–and if you want the Pro Max with 1 TB of internal storage, you’ll have to shell out $1,599 (which is enough to buy a 13-inch MacBook Pro).

Now that the iPhone 14 has become last year’s model, it is ever so slightly more affordable than its successor, starting at $699 for a base model and $799 for the 14 Plus (Just $100 off of their original prices in 2022). The 14 Pro and Pro Max are no longer available on Apple’s website; you’ll have to find them refurbished or at “authorized” retailers.

Direct differences: predecessor vs successor

iPhone 14 vs 15

We’ve noted the key differences between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 series above, so there is little else to point out here. The base model iPhone 15 is a bit of an upgrade from the base iPhone 14, as it features Apple’s newest chipset and a higher-resolution camera. Storage space options are the same, and the operating system is the same, too, so there is little real need to upgrade, especially now, when the iPhone 15 is still brand new and the iPhone 14 is barely a year old.

iPhone 14 Plus vs 15 Plus

The Plus models of both iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 are simply larger versions of the baseline model. The differences between the two are the same as the differences between the 14 and the 15–they just feature a larger, 6.7-inch display.

iPhone 14 Pro vs 15 Pro

Just like with the base and Plus models, there isn’t a great deal of difference between the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro. An upgraded processor in the 15 Pro, somewhat increased memory (8 GB versus 6), and a titanium frame are the main changes. Not much to write home about, and probably not worth upgrading unless you have a lot of money to spare.

iPhone 14 Pro Max vs 15 Pro Max

Biggest difference here is the improvement in the iPhone 15 Pro Max titanium frame vs the aluminum frame used in the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The "upgrade" isn't otherwise notable.

Final thoughts

As I've mentioned earlier in the article, Apple’s new iPhone 15 is technically an upgrade from last year’s iPhone 14, but nothing in particular stands out as an upgrade 'must-have.' The only major reason might be if you really wanted the extra-detailed photo capacity of the iPhone 15’s 48 MP main camera, but if you have an iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max, you already have this. In this writer’s opinion, it’s not worth the trade-in unless you have a generation under the iPhone 12, in which case, you're better off saving money and buying an iPhone 13 or 14.

That said, if you really must have the latest Apple smartphone and you want to save a bit of money, wait a few months after launch until refurbished models start becoming available on Back Market. Our technicians clean, repair, test, and certify every refurbished phone we sell, and offer not only a full one-year warranty but also 30 days to decide whether you really want the device. You’ll have peace of mind knowing you got an excellent phone for a good price.