Rejoice, all you Apple fans: the iPhone 15 has arrived. Maybe you’ve seen some commercials for it, and you’ve found them enticing. If you have an iPhone 14 at the moment, though, is it worth it to trade it in and upgrade to the new one? We’ll discuss that in the following article.
About the iPhone 15
The iPhone 15 has several new features, as is true with each new iteration of this device. We’ll talk about some of the more noteworthy ones a little later. This is the fifteenth generation of Apple’s worldwide bestselling smartphone.
iPhone 15 Model Breakdowns
There are four different versions of the iPhone 15 that Apple released on September 12, 2023. We’ll run down each model’s specifications right now.
The iPhone 15
The starting price on the Apple website: is $799 for the model with 128 GB of storage, or 24 monthly payments of $33.29. You can also get one with 256 GB of storage for $899 on the Apple website, or 24 monthly payments of $37.45. You have one additional option, a version with 512 GB that costs $1099. You can also get that for 24 monthly installments of $45.79.
This basic model comes with a 6.1-inch screen. The color choices are yellow, blue, pink, green, or black. The iPhone 15 comes with a USB-C charging cable.
The iPhone 15 Plus
The iPhone 15 Plus comes with a 6.7-inch screen rather than a 6.1-inch one. You can get one with 128 storage GBs on Apple’s website, or you can pay 24 monthly installments of $37.45. You have the 256 storage GBs option for $999, or $41.62 per month for 24 months. The last version gives you 512 GB of storage for $1199. You can also pay $49.95 per month for 24 months.
The colors for this model are the same, pink, green, black, blue, or yellow. You get a USB-C charging cable with this one as well.
The iPhone 15 Pro
You get a 6.1-inch screen with the iPhone 15 Pro. The 128 GB version will cost you $999 if you pay all at once, or you can do 24 monthly payments of $41.62 instead. You can upgrade to the 256 storage GBs version for $1099, or $45.79 per month for 24 months. A third option is the one with 512 storage GBs for $1299, or you can do 24 monthly payments of $54.12 instead.
You have a fourth option with this one, 1TB of storage space. That once’s pricier, costing you $1499 or $62.45 for 24 months.
The iPhone 15 Pro has different color options. You can choose blue titanium, black titanium, white titanium, or natural titanium. This one also comes with the USB-C charging cable.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max
This is the fanciest of the new iPhone models. It comes with a 6.7-inch screen. The most basic version comes with 256 storage GBs, and it costs $1199 or 24 monthly payments of $49.95. You can get one with 512 GBs of storage for $1399 or $58.29 for 24 months. The 1 TB of storage option is also available. That one costs $1599 per month, or you can choose to pay $66.62 per month for 24 months.
You get the same color options as with the iPhone 15 Pro, blue titanium, black titanium, white titanium, and natural titanium. The USB-C charging cable comes with this one as well.
iPhone 15 Standout Features
- Dynamic Island: All four iPhone 15s have Dynamic Island. This is a feature that enhances a user’s live activities. When you use an app on your phone, you’ll get more details on what’s happening with it in real time than you did before. You can use it while establishing an Airdrop connection, playing music, using maps, etc.
- USB-C Charging Capabilities: All four versions of the iPhone 15 have changed from the lightning port to a USB-C charging port. That is a change from the previous generations. It makes the new iPhones compatible with any USB-C cable. You won’t need a separate cable for your new iPhone 15.
- New Portrait Capability: Any of the new iPhone 15s have better portrait-taking capability. You won’t have to switch to portrait mode to get better low-light performance, sharper detail, and more vibrant colors.
- The A16 Bionic Chip: The new iPhones have A16 bionic chips. These render faster processing times than older models. You’ll notice less lag time with non-native apps and website loading, and you’ll get more vivid graphics as well.
- Satellite Roadside Assistance: The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have a satellite Roadside Assistance feature. You can contact AAA using it if you have car trouble. It’s usable even in areas with no cellular connectivity or Wi-Fi coverage.
Exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max
- New Titanium Design: The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have an aerospace grade titanium design. This is the alloy that NASA uses for Mars missions. The titanium makes these two phones lightweight due to an excellent strength-to-weight ratio.
Should You Switch from the iPhone 14 to 15?
Anyone considering switching from their iPhone 14 to the new iPhone 15 might find some compelling reasons for doing so. Let’s talk about some of the differences between the two models that might convince you to make this move.
The New Colors
Maybe you like the variety of colors you can get with the iPhone 15 versus what you can get with the 14. With the 14, you could choose red, starlight, midnight, blue, yellow, and purple. The iPhone 15 features black, blue, pink, green, and yellow. You also have the exclusive black titanium, white titanium, natural titanium, and white titanium.
The Dynamic Island
A version of the Dynamic Island feature was available with the iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max. If you have an iPhone 14 or 14 Plus, you might want to switch to any of the iPhone 15s because of that, since this new feature has become standard.
The versions of the iPhone 14 that didn’t have Dynamic Island might not feel as vibrant and exciting. This feature generates a pill-shaped cutout on the screen that lets you track timers, follow sports scores live, and control music playback. You can also use it as a phone call interface.
Faster Performance
There’s no denying that any of the iPhone 15s will give you faster performance than what you can expect with the iPhone 14s. That’s because of the A16 bionic chip that we mentioned earlier.
You should notice the faster processing time immediately. The websites will load faster. You’ll have crisper graphics, and any non-native apps should function better than they did with the iPhone 14. Gamers in particular should enjoy what the A16 bionic chip delivers.
A Better Photography Experience
Apple has focused on improving their cameras for the past several generations of the iPhone. The iPhone 14’s cameras aren’t bad by any means, but what you’ll get with an iPhone 15 still represents a significant upgrade.
With any version of the iPhone 15, you get a 48-megapixel sensor. That is four times the number of pixels you got with the iPhone 14. You can shoot professional-quality pics with the iPhone 15, even the base model. You’ll get sharper images and better overall performance either at night or during the daytime.
The USB-C Charger
Apple switching to the USB-C charger wasn’t done on a whim. The company did it as a direct response to some consumers complaining about the lightning port and cable.
Most modern cell phones, and also tablets, desktop computers, and modern cameras, have USB-C connectivity. Apple using proprietary technology to make their older iPhone models different was a calculated risk, and changing over to USB-C seems to be a concession by the company.
The iPhone 14s have the lightning port, and if you’re one of those consumers who has no issues with that, you might not bother switching to the iPhone 15. If you couldn’t wait to have an iPhone with a USB-C port, though, now is your chance to trade your old model in and get one.
A Lighter iPhone
Not all of the new iPhone 15s have a lighter weight than the various iPhone 14 models. That’s only true with the iPhone 15 Pro and the Pro Max that have the titanium composition.
If you think your iPhone 14 is too heavy, you might feel compelled to switch to the iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max for this reason alone. If you find your iPhone 14 cumbersome, the advent of a newer version that won’t weigh down your shorts or sweatpants while you’re on the go might appeal. Plus, you might like the appearance of the sleek titanium finish.
The Roadside Assistance Feature
If you drive a lot for work or take long road trips for recreation frequently, this feature may convince you to trade in your iPhone 14 for an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max. The fact that this feature works even when you’re in a remote location with no Wi-Fi connectivity or cellular service makes this a potential lifesaver.
Who Should and Shouldn’t Make the Switch from the iPhone 14 to the iPhone 15?
Let’s recap who might want to make the switch from the iPhone 14 to the iPhone 15, and also who might want to stick with their current phone.
Who Should Make the Switch?
- Anyone Who Doesn’t Like the Lightning Port: Any consumer who wants to switch from the lightning port to the USB-C connection should do the upgrade.
- Anyone Who Wants Better Photographic Capability: The iPhone 15 gives you the best photographic capabilities of any former iPhone, including the 14s. Professional photographers should seriously consider switching.
- Anyone Intrigued by the New Dynamic Island Feature: Those who have the iPhone 14 or the iPhone 14 Plus don’t have Dynamic Island. If you were intrigued by the description, you should switch.
- Anyone Who Takes Long Road Trips: Getting the iPhone 15 gives you Roadside Assistance, which the iPhone 14 doesn’t have.
- Anyone Who Wants a Lighter iPhone: The unique titanium design of the iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max makes it a lighter smartphone than the iPhone 14.
- Anyone Who Wants Different Colors: The iPhone 15 has some available color choices that you couldn’t get with the iPhone 14.
- Anyone Who Wants Faster Performance: The A16 bionic chip promises to deliver a faster and more streamlined cell phone performance than you got with the iPhone 14. Gamers in particular should take note of this.
Who Shouldn’t Make the Switch?
- Anyone Who Doesn’t Mind the Lightning Port and Cable
- Anyone Who Doesn’t Care Much About Taking Pictures
- Anyone Strapped for Cash
- Anyone Who Doesn’t Care About the Dynamic Island Feature
- Anyone Who Doesn’t Need Roadside Assistance
- Anyone Who is Satisfied with the Weight and Color of Their Current iPhone
- Anyone Who is Satisfied with Their Current iPhone Speed and Performance
Which iPhone 15 Model is the Best Choice for You?
- The iPhone 15: The iPhone 15 is suitable for anyone who wants the new Dynamic Island feature. It’s good for those who want this new tech but want to pay the least amount of money for it. If you’re upgrading for the better camera quality alone, you should be fine with the base model of the iPhone 15. You’ll get the USB-C connection with the base model. You’ll also get the A16 bionic chip that comes with all four iPhone 15 versions.
- The iPhone 15 Plus: Everything that comes with the iPhone 15 comes with the iPhone 15 Plus. The only real difference is the screen size. You get the 6.7-inch screen with the iPhone 15 Plus, while the iPhone 15 gives you the 6.1-inch screen. Anyone with a visual impairment might want this version for that reason.
- The iPhone 15 Pro: The iPhone 15 Pro comes with everything you get with the iPhone 15 and the Plus. However, the phone is lighter, and you get the different color options. You can also get up to 1 TB of storage space, which is more than you can get with either the iPhone 15 or the Plus.
- The iPhone 15 Pro Max: The Pro Max gives you everything the Pro does. The difference is the screen size. Those who want the larger 6.7-inch screen and the additional features of the Pro should go with the Pro Max.
How to Fund Your Upgrade
Carrier Trade-In Programs
You can approach a cellular service provider and see if they’ll let you trade in your iPhone 14 for an iPhone 15. Many of them have deals that will let you do that. For instance, AT&T will let you trade in an iPhone 14 for a 15, but doing so will lock you into a service contract with them.
If you go this route, be sure to shop around and see which carrier in your area has the best deals. Make sure to check the fine print and understand all the contract’s intricacies before you sign it.
Free iPhone Deals
You might see free iPhone 15 deals online. We recommend avoiding these. They are almost always scams.
Apple Trade-In
You can do a trade-in directly on the Apple website. You can mail them your iPhone 14 and they will send you a new one.
The site will ask about your current phone’s condition. The newer it is and the better condition it’s in, the more value you will get for your trade in. You can also take your iPhone 14 to an Apple store and do the trade in there if there’s a physical location near you.
Buyback Boss
Several online entities will accept your used iPhone 14, and you can put the money you get toward purchasing the iPhone 15 model of your choice. This is ideal if you’re not enrolled in a carrier trade-in program. You can sell a broken iPhone 14 this way as well.
Buyback programs are also great if you want to sell multiple devices at once (for an even bigger payout!).
If this is appealing to you, use Buyback Boss. We will give you more money for your used iPhone 14 than any other site. You send the phone to us through the mail, and we’ll cut you a check or send you the cash via PayPal – whichever you prefer.
Conclusion
Now you know what the iPhone 15 offers and whether you should trade in your old iPhone 14 for one. If you make the switch, then hopefully you will enjoy your new smartphone and all the exciting features that it offers.
