The iPhone 15s have hit the market. If you have an iPhone 12, you are now three generations behind. Is now the right time to switch? We’ll discuss that right now.
About the iPhone 15
The iPhone 15 comes in four different versions, and it became available to the public on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. This is the fifteenth generation of Apple’s worldwide bestselling smartphone.
iPhone 15 Models
The iPhone 15
- 128 storage GBs: $799 on the Apple website, or 24 payments of $33.29 per month
- 256 storage GBs: $899 on the Apple website, or 24 payments of $37.45
- 512 storage GBs: $1099 on the Apple website, or 24 payments of $45.79
- These three versions of the iPhone 15 come with a 6.1-inch screen.
- Your color choices are pink, green, black, blue, and yellow.
- These phones come with a USB-C charging cable.
The iPhone 15 Plus
- 128 storage GBs: $899 on the Apple website, or 24 payments of $37.45 per month
- 256 storage GBs: $999 on the Apple website, or 24 payments of $41.62
- 512 storage GBs: $1199 on the Apple website, or 24 payments of $49.95
- The iPhone 15 Plus has a 6.7-inch screen, rather than the 6.1-inch one.
- Your color choices are yellow, blue, pink, green, and black.
- These phones come with a USB-C charging cable.
The iPhone 15 Pro
- 128 storage GBs: $999 on the Apple website, or 24 payments of $41.62 per month
- 256 storage GBs: $1099 on the Apple website, or 24 payments of $45.79
- 512 storage GBs: $1299 on the Apple website, or 24 payments of $54.12
- 1 storage TB: $1499 on the Apple website, or 24 payments of $62.45
- The four iPhone 15 Pro versions have a 6.1-inch screen.
- Your color choices are natural titanium, black titanium, blue titanium, and white titanium.
- These phones come with a USB-C charging cable.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max
- 256 storage GBs: $1199 on the Apple website, or 24 payments of $49.96 per month
- 512 storage GBs: $1399 on the Apple website, or 24 payments of $58.29
- 1 storage TB: $1599 on the Apple website, or 24 payments of $66.62
- These three versions have a 6.7-inch screen instead of a 6.1-inch one.
- Your color choices are black titanium, natural titanium, blue titanium, and white titanium.
- These phones come with a USB-C charging cable.
iPhone 15 Standout Features
- USB-C Charging Ability: The iPhone 15s no longer have lightning ports that connect to lightning cables. They have USB-C charging ports instead. That is different from previous models. These new phones are fully compatible with USB-C cables. You will no longer need a different cable for your iPhone 15.
- The Dynamic Island Feature: The new iPhone 15s have the Dynamic Island feature. It’s a mode that can enhance any phone user’s live activities. When you open an app on the iPhone 15, you’ll see additional details that reveal what’s happening with it in real-time. You can try it out while using maps, establishing an Airdrop connection, playing music from your library, etc.
- Better Portrait-Taking Tools: The new iPhone 15s have an improved capability to take portraits. You will no longer have to switch over to the device’s portrait mode for better low-light performance, sharper details, and vibrant colors.
- The New A16 Bionic Chips: The four new iPhone models have A16 bionic chips. They give you more vivid graphics, and you will see faster website loading and less lag time when you’re using non-native applications. The processing time with these chips is considerably faster than what you’ll get with older models.
- The Satellite Roadside Assistance Feature: The iPhone 15 models give users satellite Roadside Assistance for the first time. You can contact AAA with it if you have auto trouble. It works in places where there’s no cellular connectivity or Wi-Fi.
iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max Exclusives
- A New Titanium Design: The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max versions feature an aerospace-grade titanium design. This is the same alloy used by NASA for Mars missions. Titanium gives these cell phones a lighter weight because of a superior strength-to-weight ratio.
Who Should and Shouldn’t Make the Switch from the iPhone 12 to the iPhone 15?
Let’s do a quick breakdown of the iPhone users who will likely want to switch from the 12 to the 15, and also those who might hold onto their current model.
Who Should Consider Upgrading to iPhone 15
- Frequent Drivers: The iPhone 15s have a useful satellite Roadside Assistance feature that frequent drivers will likely enjoy. The iPhone 12 doesn’t come with that.
- Avid Photographers: The camera you get with the iPhone 15 is much better than what comes with the 12. If you like taking lots of vacation pics or you take pictures for your work, consider upgrading.
- Consumers Who Are Tired of the Lightning Port: Smartphone owners who want USB-C connectivity finally get it with the iPhone 15. The iPhone 12 still used the lightning port and cable.
- Anyone Wanting a Lighter iPhone: The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are made of titanium. That makes them lighter than the iPhone 12.
- Anyone Who Likes the Sound of the Dynamic Island: The iPhone 15s come with Dynamic Island. You don’t get it with the iPhone 12.
- Anyone Wanting Faster Performance: You get the A16 bionic chip with the iPhone 15s, but not with the iPhone 12s. That means you will get better performance with non-native applications, and gamers should also see a notable improvement.
- Anyone Wanting New Color Choices: If you get an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, you can enjoy the sleek titanium colors. There are also some colors with the other two iPhone 15s that were not available with the iPhone 12.
Who Should Not Upgrade to iPhone 15
- Anyone Who Doesn’t Have Disposable Income for a Phone Upgrade
- Smartphone Owners Who Seldom or Never Use Their Device’s Camera
- Anyone Who Prefers an iPhone with a Lightning Port
- Those Who Still Feel Their iPhone’s Speed and Performance Are Fine
- iPhone Users Who Like Their Device’s Weight and Color
- Nondrivers or Anyone Who Has No Use for Roadside Assistance
- Anyone Who Doesn’t Feel the Dynamic Island is Worth Switching
If you have an iPhone 12, you might also think about upgrading to a new or used iPhone 13 or 14 now instead of the 15. With 15s being on the market, you can find less expensive 13s and 14s on the Apple website. You can also check Amazon and other purchase options if you’d like to upgrade, but you feel the cost of an iPhone 15 is a little too steep.
Should You Switch from the iPhone 12 to 15?
You’ll notice several differences between the iPhone 15s and the 12s. Is switching worth it, though? Let’s examine the question in greater detail.
Would You Like a Lighter Smartphone?
If you get an iPhone 15 Pro or a Pro Max, you’ll notice that it is lighter than the iPhone 12. The titanium components account for this. By contrast, the iPhone 12s are made of aluminum or steel, depending on the model type.
Titanium is noticeably lighter than either of these. Not everyone wants a lighter phone, but if you sometimes wear a jacket or pants with pockets and notice your phone weighing you down, you might feel a switch is worth it for that reason.
Is the Dynamic Island Enticing?
The Dynamic Island feature debuted with the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, but it’s standard with all versions of the iPhone 15. The iPhone 12, which is three generations older, doesn’t have it. Consumers who are curious about the latest smartphone technology Apple offers might see this as a reason to switch.
With Dynamic Island, you will see a pill-shaped cutout on your screen. You can use it for time tracking, following live sports scores, or you can interface with apps in a way you never could before. What this feature offers might intrigue you enough to upgrade.
New Color Options
If you are an iPhone user who doesn’t much care about your smartphone’s color, the new ones Apple offers with the iPhone 15 won’t matter much to you. Some people enjoy having phones that are particular colors, though. You can pick green, yellow, black, blue, or pink with the iPhone 15 and the 15 Plus. You can have blue titanium, natural titanium, black titanium, or white titanium with the Pro or the Pro Max.
The iPhone 12 colors included blue, green, purple, white, black, and red, so you have some different options if you upgrade to the 15. That might not be the only reason you’ll make the switch, but for some consumers it’s a consideration.
Would You Like to Have Roadside Assistance?
The iPhone 15 models give you Roadside Assistance with AAA. That doesn’t come with the iPhone 12. iPhone 12 owners who take lots of road trips for pleasure or work might find this to be a key feature and a worthy reason to do an upgrade. You will be glad you have it if you run into car trouble while in some remote location.
Improved Speed and Performance
iPhone 15 models have the A16 bionic chip, so you will see websites load faster than you would with an iPhone 12. If you get impatient waiting for sites to load, this should seem like a breath of fresh air.
Sharper graphics are a perk that comes with the A16 bionic chips, which should be appealing to avid gamers. You will also see better performance from your non-native apps if you switch from the 12 to the 15.
An Improved Camera
Apple has emphasized cameras as one of the iPhone’s centerpieces, and what you get with the iPhone 15 is no exception. There is a significant upgrade from the photographic capability of the iPhone 12 to the 15.
With the iPhone 15, you get a 48MP camera, while the camera with the iPhone 12 is 12MP. That means you will get better details, richer colors, and sharper photos.
USB-C Charging
The USB-C charging capability that comes with the iPhone 15s is something that a segment of the smartphone-buying public has been clamoring for. Maybe you’re someone who hasn’t been bothered by the lightning port and cable, but if you were hoping for an iPhone that you could charge with a USB-C cable, the 15 is it.
The iPhone 12, meanwhile, still uses the lightning port and cable. If you’re ready to put that technology behind you, you’ll want to trade in your iPhone 12 for a 15.
Improved Screen Brightness
You get a brighter screen with the iPhone 15 than you would with a 12. The iPhone 15’s screen brightness in direct sunlight is 2000 nits. The number of nits tells you how bright a screen is capable of getting.
The iPhone 12’s screen could get up to 625 nits with the typical setting and up to 1200 with the HDR setting. That means you will notice a much brighter screen with the iPhone 15 than with the 12, and maybe that’s reason enough for you to switch.
Which iPhone 15 is Best for You?
- iPhone 15: The iPhone 15 gives you the A16 bionic chip and the USB-C connector. You’re also getting the Dynamic Island and an improved camera over older iPhone models. You get Roadside Assistance as well. You’re getting most of the features that Apple is emphasizing as improvements to the iPhone 15s, and it will cost you less than the Plus, Pro, or Pro Max.
- iPhone 15 Plus: Someone who doesn’t have the best eyesight may want to get the iPhone 15 Plus over the iPhone 15. The 6.7-inch screen rather than the 6.1-inch one should make for easier reading. You still get all the other features that the regular iPhone 15 offers.
- iPhone 15 Pro: The iPhone 15 Pro has everything the two cheaper versions do, but it also has different color options and a lighter titanium composition. You can also get one with 1 TB of storage, which is not an option with the iPhone 15 and the Plus.
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: The Pro Max has all the same features as the Pro, but you also get a 6.7-inch screen. If you want a phone loaded with new features and a bigger screen as well, this should be your top pick.
How to Fund Your Upgrade
Buyback Boss
Here at Buyback Boss, we will gladly take your old iPhone 12 off your hands and pay you cash for it. If you took great care of it, you’ll get a larger payout. It’s easy to ship your iPhone 12 to us through the mail. We will assess it, then either pay you via PayPal or cut you a check and mail it to you.
This will work best if you’re not currently involved in a carrier program, or you own your iPhone 12 outright and no longer have any payments on it. We’ll take broken cell phones if you have them, and we’ll also take multiple devices simultaneously. The cash we give you can fund your purchase of a new iPhone 15.
Click here to see how much your iPhone is worth.
An Apple Trade-In
A trade-in directly on Apple’s website is possible. You can mail your old phone to the company, and they’ll send you a brand-new iPhone 15.
You will be asked to describe your iPhone 12’s condition. If it’s in pretty good shape, you can expect more trade-in value. You can also take your iPhone 12 to a local Apple store if there is one in your neighborhood. There should be iPhone 15s available there now, and you can select the one you want.
Cellular Carrier Trade-In Options
Lots of cellular service providers will do a trade in for your older model iPhone in exchange for an iPhone 15. AT&T is one of those. You can trade in an iPhone 12 for a 15, but this kind of deal also usually involves locking you into a service contract.
If you don’t mind committing to a two or three-year service contract, then this might sound like the best way of getting the latest iPhone. You ought to shop around and see which carrier has the best-sounding deal, though.
Before signing anything, read through the whole contract carefully, including the fine print. There are sometimes clauses that might cause you to choose one carrier or plan over another.
Conclusion
Now you’re aware of the differences between the iPhone 15 models, their new features, and how they stack up against the iPhone 12. You also know who should be most inclined to make the switch and who should stick with their current smartphone. Consider what we’ve told you and decide accordingly.
