iPhone 15 users - how are you getting on with them?

Pixel phone, ... 500 quid for a second hand phone is just silly.

I just picked up a refurb 12 mini on Back Market for £300. It looks new. The difference in spec to a 15 doesn't really have anything to attract me and I wanted a small phone. So maybe you should look at another 13 mini?

I upgraded from an 11 to a 15 pro, worthy upgrade. The camera is incredible, they’re quick, nice size and screen is excellent too. 

Apple rubbish. Just buy a pixel and catch up. My pixel is leaps ahead of my previous apple phones. Oh and the leads aren't 30 quid a pop. My kids reakon iPhones and Facebook are for. Old farts

It's not just USB-C that's different. According to https://www.apple.com/uk/iphone/compare/?modelList=iphone-14,iphone-15,iphone-14-plus

You get a sharper screen, dynamic island (surprisingly good feature IMO) and a better camera*. Dunno if you'd notice the faster processor but maybe useful for future proofing. That may or may not be worth the extra money for you.

* Actually, really brilliant camera. Night mode in particular is great.

My pixel is leaps ahead of my previous apple phones.

I also think new phones are better than old phones.

Original question is about whether it’s worth going one generation older than latest to save the money. Most years I’d have said yes. This time not… the base iPhone 15 is like an iPhone 14 Pro in a lighter build… I’d skip 14.

As I’m on O2’s step-up programme, I upgrade every year now, I went from an iPhone 11 to a 14 Pro Max and now to a 15 Pro Max, and along with iOS 17 it’s a much better phone in lots of ways. I’ve alway liked the Lightning connection, I’ve had significant issues with USB-C on Samsung tablets I was issued at work, but so far it’s been a lot better.

“Oh and the leads aren’t 30 quid a pop.”

Well, there’s an x-ray photo of several different USB-C cable connectors, and the Apple one is crammed with circuitry, the next one, a cheaper quality one has less, and a cheap mass produced one had virtually nothing inside it bar connectors. It’s worth bearing in mind that the iPhone can charge at fairly high speeds, which requires power, so unless you want to wake up to find your bedroom on fire because the cheap pos cable has shorted and burst into flames, you do not take the advice of some idiot on the internet, you pay attention to tech people who will always tell you to buy a quality cable from a known brand, not necessarily Apple. Why else are there so many fires being caused by cheap Chinese chargers?

Not only that, but there’s a wide range of interpretations of USB-C, and they’re not clearly defined, you could easily buy a cable that will charge, but not carry data, for example, and that’s true if it’s connected to an android device as well, so the whole point of Apple’s MFi certification program means that a connector or device means it will work properly, and not be a piece of cheap junk. The USB-C compatibility issue is well documented and was a problem right from the beginning, Apple’s involvement in its development didn’t seem to get much further than technical design, connectivity and compatibility was a typical committee clusterphuque.

I use the cable supplied with my phone, and so far I’ve only needed a second one to connect to my car for the satnav integration, I only need to charge it every other night, and that second cable is a quality one from Belkin, IIRC - it was certainly cheaper than an OEM  one.

Having got 6 years out of my last phone, I went for the smaller ‘Pro’. I’d planned to go for a 13 or a 14 but, well, reviews all pointed out a much better camera on the 15 (although the smaller phone has less zoom). More than I’d planned to spend although I got a bit off buying while passing through Dubai. Very happy, especially with the camera,  but it’s just an iPhone. 

Upgraded from an SE to the 15 Pro. It’s a lovely thing with a significantly better all round speed & camera which you’d expect for twice the price.

I like the iOS ecosystem and find Android a bit glitchy. The better half has a Pixel 8 Pro and it’s very good as well, just not for me.

Apple rubbish. Just buy a pixel and catch up.

<br />These threads always bring out the haters 🙄. Both the latest Google Pixel and iPhones are great phones with similar features. By now, you’re normally in one eco system or the other  

My personal phone is a 14 Pro, work phone 15 Pro Max. Outside of a case, the 15 is a lot more comfortable to hold, in a case they are the same.  I prefer USB C, the camera is a bit better (but 14 Pro is great too) and the new Max are a bit smaller than the old ones - and I much prefer the bigger phone. 14 Pro vs 15 then isn’t much different imo  

If it’s non-Pro we’re talking about, and the camera is important, then go 15 for that reason alone. The main camera jumped to 48Mp  you also get the Emergency Assist via satellite free for two years if you’re off grid, and the Dynamic Island (very cleverly done, if not earth shattering functionality)

I’ve gone from 14 to 15, both of pro max variety. Not a great deal of difference between the two. Both are excellent, camera is seriously impressive but it already was on the 14. USB C is handy but otherwise kind of hard to tell the phones apart. 

The camera on the 15 is outstanding if you like that sort of thing. 48 mega pixel. The Pro is better still but even sillier money. 

How much would a comparable stand alone camera cost?

14 > 15 = big jump

14 pro > 15 pro = smaller jump

OP is looking at base models with those prices. And the 15 has a great main camera on a par with the 14 pro, and gains much of its features (while also weighing much less). Strikes me as a good cycling phone.

Second hand base 14 would need to be a lot cheaper than £500 for me.

How much would a comparable stand alone camera cost?

Probably a good bit less, but I’d then only have a camera.

mattyfez
Full Member

Pixel phone, … 500 quid for a second hand phone is just silly.

They're both good phones, however I know that it's easy to get the battery replaced by Apple for only £85. How easy is it to do so on a pixel? Looks like EE stores might be able to do it, but do they have to send it away or is it done while you wait?

Google won't seem to tell me how it works or the price without putting in a valid IMEI to their website.

but I’d then only have a camera

…sat at home in a drawer when you suddenly feel the use for it out and about.

Thanks for the advice and comments everyone. I've managed to snag a 14 refurb on a decent deal, so I'm going with that for now. Master OTS's phone is also showing signs of giving up the ghost, so I'll probably stump for the 15 when that opportunity comes in the next few months.

Apple do pretty good prices on upgrades. We got £500 for an old 13 and £350 for a very knackered old 12. Certainly takes the edge off the cost of a new iPhone. 

I hold onto my tech for as long as possible - I'm currently using an iPhone X, and will continue to do so as long as it gets updates. It's still working well, and does more now than when I bought it.
When it's time to replace I've always gritted my teeth and bought the newest, flashiest, most expensive option. This way it lasts me for ages, and I reckon it saves money in the end.

Having said that I think that when I next replace (I don't think I'll be getting any more updates on my current phone) I might go for an Apple refurb. You get a pretty good deal on last years models

I hold onto my tech for as long as possible – I’m currently using an iPhone X, and will continue to do so as long as it gets updates.

Me too, The refurb 12 mini I have just bought replaces a 5S(!!) and that was simply because apps wouldn't update and eventually wouldn't run at all. So you can probably guess the amazing camera on the 15 wasn't a particularly strong draw for me.

I still use my old 5S as a music player and alarm clock 🙂

I bought MrsJ a 15 Pro for Xmas - does anyone have any recommended YouTube videos so she can see what's new over her old X ?

iPhone 15 Pro is OK.

Got it because bigger screen than my old 12 mini.

An older phone. And an older used phone will be cheaper than a new one of course.

Check out some of the phone + SIM deals. I typically bought phones and got SIM only. This time it was cheaper to get a deal.

Likes
‘Dynamic island’ surprisingly handy and effective.
Now I’m used to the always on screen it’s helpful.
Multiple lenses
Titanium finish
Battery life

Dislikes
iOS 17 flakier than expected (mostly camera->film roll glitches)
Heavy
Thick (seems significantly thicker than my SO’s iPhone X max)

The 15 is a big (big) camera upgrade to the 14 which was worth it to me, that’s the only difference though

the 14 is still an amazing camera though…

Dislikes
Heavy

15 Pro is significantly lighter than the 13 and 14 Pro, so although you might not like it the weight, it's an improvement for most people upgrading.

Yup I agree my 15pro is much lighter than the 13 pro it replaced.And really like the Island doodad too👍🏼