When Apple revealed its Vision Pro headset at WWDC 2023, many members of the iMore staff shared two sentiments:
That thing looks awesome
There’s no way I’m going to wear that on my head all day long
Both are valid points! Apple Vision Pro is the culmination of years of research and development by Apple, the company’s next big hope as it looks to dominate the next two decades of computing in the same way its iPhone and Mac do now. And it has some incredible power to reach that goal, from a Mac-grade chip to a photo-real screen and innovative input tracking methods. There’s loads to be excited about.
(Image credit: Apple)
I couldn’t help but be sceptical of Apple’s overarching goal, however: Positioning Vision Pro as something not only for recreational use but also a work-and-play-and-communication-and-fitness and everything else inbetween tool. Even if the company didn’t explicitly say so, it has to be picturing the Vision Pro — and its inevitable successors — as something that you’d spend several hours each day using. To justify its price tag ($3,499), and drum up revenue through on-device software and services purchases, people will need to rely on it and reach for it with the same readiness they do their iPhones.
(Image credit: Apple)
And as anyone that has used a VR headset like the Valve Index or Meta Quest knows, that’s not always an attractive proposition. Even with its socially-conscious EyeSight mode, and as lightweight a design as Apple can build against the compromise of the tech packed within, any bulky headset like the Vision Pro will be fatiguing and a barrier to long-term regular use. The dream of a virtual working world may be an exciting one, but the physical reality can be less alluring.
Could that dream ever be a reality? Is there any way we could ditch our MacBooks and monitors, and spend all day inside a device like Vision Pro?
With a headset… probably not. But with something more like traditional spectacles? I’m ready to argue yes, having spent the last week with the TCL RayNeo Air 2 smart glasses. They’re not perfect, as my full review reveals. But they do offer a tantalizing view of a future where lightweight glasses are at the core of our computing experience, and virtual screens replace the TVs and monitors in our homes.
My time with the smart glasses
The TCL RayNeo Air 2 aren’t the first smart glasses I’ve tried, and like other rival devices in the category, they too have their flaws. Legibility at the extremities of the microOLED displays can be difficult, and they have only the most rudimentary AR features — not a patch on what even Apple’s brief Vision Pro demo teased.
But they’re still the best smart glasses I’ve tried, even removed from the fact that the current competition isn’t that hot. Their 1080p virtual display, appearing to hover in front of your face through the transparent lenses of the glasses, is incredibly sharp and vibrant (at least when centered correctly). And the lightweight design, powered not by an onboard battery but by the USB-C device you hook them to, meant I could feasibly wear them for hours on end without issue.
(Image credit: Gerald Lynch / Future)
With a simple, single-cable connection to my devices of choice, I was quite happy to reach for the RayNeo Air 2 and use them in lieu of the host device’s own screen. And the transparent display, plus the familiar industrial design that apes a pair of Wayfarers more than a Lawnmower Man prop, meant I could interact with the world around me without taking them off, or feeling tethered by a cumbersome weight on my noggin.
Portable enough to take in bed, with discreet speakers to prevent annoying my better half, I even managed to play a few games late at night without disturbing my bedmate, while they’re light enough to take out with me on-the-go with little hassle, and no noticeable extra strain on my backpack straps
(Image credit: Gerald Lynch / Future)
They’re basic in many respects — essentially just a screen-mirroring device, rather than full-blown augmented reality providers. But they perfectly prove the concept: One day, something like this could easily replace the screens we currently depend upon. They’re a solid example of the potential rewards such a future could offer.
Baby steps to an Apple AR future
Now, I know comparing the TCL RayNeo Air 2 to the Vision Pro is like arguing the merits of apples and oranges — similar families, but vastly different in the experiences they deliver. In fact, it’s more like comparing apples to raisins — the Vision Pro, as its price tag suggests, is set to be on a whole other level than what the relatively affordable ($379) RayNeo Air 2 offers.
But even with the gulf in functionality, I can’t help but feel that from an industrial design point of view, the RayNeo Air 2 is a more likely vision of what the AR future needs to look like than Apple’s model.
Apple is aware of this, of course; rumor has it that the original intention (and likely one that persists in an R&D lab somewhere) was for the Vision Pro to be smaller and more reminiscent of traditional glasses than the goggle-like product it’s set to launch next year. But for Apple, floating screens are only part of the experience, and more physical, literal space is needed in its device to fit the powerful chips, sensors, cameras and screens it needs to sell its vision of a ‘Spatial Computing’ future.
(Image credit: Apple)
I’m sure Apple is tirelessly looking to miniaturize the tech in Vision Pro to this very end. But that’s a ways off into the future, if possible at all — Moore’s Law’s diminishing returns are already upon us, and even Apple’s own silicon won’t eventually be immune to it, unless Apple has some sort of quantum computing breakthrough.
I wonder then, if in the meantime if not as a total alternative, a halfway house can’t be found? The TCL RayNeo Air 2 showed me that, if made correctly, I’d quite happily wear glasses to work with, provided the screen quality was high enough, comfort was paramount, setup convenient and legibility not a concern. If Apple made a simple pair of screen-mirroring spectacles to the same exacting standards as its other tech, chopped that Vision Pro price tag in half, made it ready to plug into a Mac… OR! a screenless portable Mac — a battery powered Mac mini, half a MacBook, however you want to cut it — offload the processing to another unit and let me just wear a pair of innocuous specs with that half-eaten Apple logo on it, I’d bite. Perhaps not quite as futuristic as the single device Vision Pro ideal. But more practical? More affordable? Maybe.
It wouldn’t be the giant leap for mankind that Apple’s hoping the Vision Pro will be. But perhaps baby steps will do while we’re still learning to walk the AR path.
If you’re picking up a brand-new M3 Max 14-inch MacBook Pro you won’t only be getting the most powerful Apple laptop money can buy right now, you’ll also be getting one with a new feature that actually lets you use that power all the time.
That feature, dubbed High Power Mode, was previously only available to buyers of the 16-inch MacBook Pro that had the M1 Max or M2 Max chips inside. But with this latest round of updates Apple has brought the feature down the lineup, adding it to the 14-inch model for the first time.
But what is High Power Mode and what does it mean for people who use their Mac laptops on the road, in the office, and at home?
All the power
High Power Mode is detailed in an Apple support document which explains exactly what it does. It begins by saying that “by default, your Mac is set to Automatic mode to balance energy use and performance.” It goes on to say that the optional “Low Power Mode reduces energy use to increase battery life.” That all makes plenty of sense and you’re probably already starting to guess what High Power Mode might do as a result.
“High Power Mode allows the fans to run at higher speeds,” Apple’s explanation starts. “The additional cooling capacity may allow the system to deliver higher performance in very intensive workloads.” Specifically, Apple says that “High Power Mode can improve performance in graphics-intensive workflows such as color grading 8K ProRes 4444 and 8K DNxHR video. In video editing and 3D applications, you may experience smoother playback and faster exports in High Power Mode.”
But it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Those who use High Power Mode can expect their MacBook Pro’s fan to run at a higher speed which obviously means it’s more likely to be heard. And while the feature can be enabled even when running on battery power, you can bet your bottom dollar that the battery life will take a considerable hit when it’s used.
But does that really matter?
(Image credit: iMore)
Just like Apple’s Game Mode which seeks to improve gaming performance when needed, High Power Mode is designed to give people the full benefit of that powerful M3 Max when they need it. While macOS Sonoma can be left to its own devices and will choose when to ramp up the CPU and GPU speeds to meet demand, there are times when MacBook Pro owners just need to know that their laptops are working at full pelt. If that happens on the go, and the battery life takes a hit, so be it — giving photographers and videographers the chance to ensure their Mac is as performant as possible at all times could be exactly what they need, especially when on a deadline.
The move to bring the feature to the M3 Max running in the 14-inch MacBook Pro is an interesting one, and I do wonder why it wasn’t there in the previous iterations. It’s possible that there’s a cooling consideration here and that Apple believes the 3nm M3 silicon can run cooler even when pushed to its limits. The 14-inch chassis is obviously smaller, but that means its cooling capabilities are also lessened. Perhaps the M1 Max and M2 Max were simply too warm for High Power Mode in such a small enclosure.
Regardless, it’s great to see Apple giving the smaller MacBook Pro the same capabilities as the bigger one. Choosing between Apple’s two best Mac laptops should be a case of picking the right screen size, and nothing more.
It’s an unfortunate fact of life that some people will buy themselves a shiny new Mac, like the excellent 15-inch MacBook Air for example, and then almost immediately break it by pouring some sort of liquid into it. They don’t do it on purpose, of course. But that’s what makes it all the more tragic.
However, some of those people might be tempted to take their new Mac back to the Apple Store and claim that it simply stopped working. And they might get away with it — assuming they don’t have macOS Sonoma 14.1 installed, that is.
That’s because the latest version of macOS appears to have a new feature that collects information on the moisture found within a Mac’s USB-C ports just ready to snitch on anyone whose computer gets wet.
Finger-pointing software
This is all according to a 9to5Mac report which notes that “macOS Sonoma 14.1 includes a new system daemon named ‘liquiddetectiond,’ which, as the name suggests, can identify when the computer has been exposed to liquids.”
That daemon runs in the background and monitors to see whether any liquid is detected inside a USB-C port in the Mac on which it’s running. It’s apparently described as a “Liquid Detection and Corrosion Mitigation Daemon” which is similar to something already present in other Apple devices. The iPhone 15, taking just one example, has technology that can detect when its USB-C port is wet so as to warn the user not to plug a cable in. We’ve seen that in older iPhones as well — including my iPhone 13 Pro Max after making the ill-fated decision to take some underwater videos during a Spanish vacation last year. Spoiler — it didn’t seem to like it and never reliably charged via Lightning again, but we digress.
In the case of the Mac, it doesn’t seem that Apple intends to warn people in the same way as it does with the iPhone which means that the daemon does little more than collect information and then store it for later use. But where could it be used?
No warranty for you
The most obvious use for information on whether a Mac got wet is at an Apple Store or repair center. If a user sends a Mac back for repair claiming the infamous “it just stopped working” and the machine knows it once found itself under attack from a misplaced bottle of Pepsi, that’s the kind of information Apple might want to know.
I might be doing Apple a disservice here, and this information might not be used for anything of the sort. But frankly, if it isn’t, it probably should be. Apple already has Liquid Contact Indicators, or LCI, inside Macs and other devices that do much the same thing. But that information is nowhere near as complete as something like this daemon could collect. Apple will know exactly which part of the Mac got wet, and more importantly, when. I also suspect it could log when it stopped detecting liquid as well.
If some people do miss out on warranty repairs they shouldn’t have had, so be it. My iPhone 13 Pro Max’s water damage was my own fault — although I did get some great shots of my kids, so I’d argue it was worth it — and I owned it.
Although I can imagine someone might feel differently if they have to go and buy a new Mac because they knocked their favorite beverage into it one day, completely by accident. The lesson of the story? Don’t keep liquids near your Mac.
If you’re a cyclist, it’s useful to know you can use your Apple Watch to record a whole bunch of useful metrics, as well as map your rides. Whether you want to log your favorite routes so you can ride them again with your friends or you’re looking to get serious by training for a triathlon, your Apple Watch is a handy tool to help you.
If you’re on watchOS 10 and iOS 17, you can use your Apple Watch and a clip to attach your phone to your handlebars to turn your phone into a basic cycling computer. The Watch can beam your workout details to your phone live, so not only can you see your stats at a glance, but you can adjust and pause your workout without faffing around with your Watch. The ability to connect other cycling sensors like smart trainers and power meters is the icing on the cake.
Below, you’ll find all the information you need to get started using your Apple Watch for cycling workouts. These tips generally apply to both indoor and outdoor cycling workouts, so don’t feel left out if you’re just keen to hop on the exercise bike at your local gym.
What you’ll need
An Apple Watch Series 5 or later, running watchOS 10.
iPhone X or later, running iOS 17.
A bike or stationary bike, with a clip to hold your iPhone on your handlebars.
How to record a cycling workout with your Apple Watch
(Image credit: Future / Matt Evans)
Access your Apple Watch and open the Workout app
You’ll see a list of activity profiles to select. Tap Outdoor Cycle or Indoor Cycle
Tap the three dots on the top right of the activity profile to choose a goal: Open (a bike ride with no fixed goal, which lasts until you stop the workout), Time, Distance, or Calories
If you’ve picked one of the latter three, you can adjust your goal. For example, if you choose Distance, you could choose 20km
(Image credit: Future / Matt Evans)
Tap Start Workout
While you’re cycling, you can choose to use your iPhone as a cycling computer. After you’ve started a cycling workout on your Apple Watch, a live activity widget should show up on your iPhone. Tap the live activity to create a full-screen view
Your iPhone is now essentially a full-screen cycling computer, showing various metrics including heart rate, time, distance, calories, cadence (if you’ve connected a cadence sensor to your watch), and power (if you’ve connected a power meter)
Tap the Pause/Resume icon on your iPhone or your Apple Watch to pause or resume the workout
How to connect cycling accessories to your Apple Watch
A cadence tracker and power meter, which can connect to your Apple Watch. (Image credit: Sunny)
If you’re getting more serious about your cycling, you may want additional information on your rides, such as cadence or power. These metrics are already estimated natively on the watch for runners, but cyclists require additional gadgets to calculate how much power they’re generating, and how fast they’re turning the pedals in relation to the distance traveled. The more power a cyclist can generate and the fewer revolutions their feet are making, the more efficiently they’re riding.
These sensors can attach to your bike in a variety of places, from pedals to crankshaft, but all of these Bluetooth-enabled sensors can be attached to your Apple Watch to beam the metrics to your watch (and by extension, your phone) as it’s being collected. Here’s how to pair these devices.
(Image credit: Future / Matt Evans)
Ensure the cycling trainer, cadence sensor, or power meter’s Bluetooth is enabled
Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch
Tap the Bluetooth option
Scroll down to the Health Devices option. It will be searching for new devices in the vicinity
Once the Apple Watch is finished searching, you will be able to see a list of health devices in the Apple Watch’s vicinity able to connect to the Watch via Bluetooth. Tap the sensor you want to connect
Tap the i icon to ensure you’ve got the right crank length and wheel size for your bike, to ensure accurate metrics.
Tap Set Up Device
How to set up Power Zones on your Apple Watch
(Image credit: Future / Matt Evans)
If you’re using a power meter, you can see your Power Zones in the Workout app or the Live Activity Apple Watch widget. Power Zones are based on an estimate of your Functional Threshold Power, or FTP, which is a value representing the highest effort you could sustain for one hour. Like an electric socket’s power output, it uses watts as a unit of measurement and is calculated using a combination of metrics
In practice, it’s a little bit like Heart Rate Zones, so you can easily see how much effort you’re putting in at a glance, but a little more accurate
Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch
Tap Workout
Tap Cycling Power
Tap Custom
Tap FTP and enter your FTP estimate. You can calculate this with a dedicated 20-minute workout (an FTP test) using your cycling power meter. At the end of this test, you will be given an estimated FTP value
Under Power Zones, choose the total number of Power Zones you want to measure, between five and eight
If you want to tinker with the thresholds of each power zone, you can tap a zone to adjust its upper and lower limits (in watts)
It’s great to be back in the wonderful world of iPad mini.
When Apple announced its “Scary Fast” event, it was obvious that the event would be focused around the Mac. Apple made that painfully obvious by even including the Finder icon in the teaser for the event. However, there was a late rumor that the company — in addition to unveiling new chips and new Macs — might also mention an update to the iPad mini.
While the M3 chips, new MacBook Pro, and new iMac all came true, a new iPad mini unfortunately didn’t. I was disappointed. I have been holding on to my 5th generation iPad Air for a while now, knowing that I wanted to make the switch to the iPad mini instead. But, after thinking through it, I decided to make the leap anyway and traded my iPad Air in for the current 6th generation iPad mini.
Here’s why.
I’ll get that sweet screen when it’s ready
(Image credit: iMore)
When I think about what I was hoping for in a 7th-generation iPad mini, an upgrade to the display was at the top of my list. Specifically, I’ve been hoping that Apple would finally upgrade the mini from an LCD display to an OLED one.
I’m a sucker for OLED. After buying my first OLED television a few years ago, I’ve been completely sold on the incredible contrast, colors, and true blacks that you get from an OLED. LCD displays, especially when trying to show darker colors, have been completely ruined for me. I love having an OLED display on my iPhone 15 Pro, so I’ve been hoping the company would bring the display technology to the iPad mini as well.
Don’t get me wrong. I will be immediately upgrading to a new iPad mini if it comes with an OLED display. That one thing will get me to upgrade. However, I’m not losing any display quality by switching from the Air to the mini right now anyway. I’m just getting a smaller display which is part of the whole point.
What I want from an iPad has changed
(Image credit: iMore / Future)
When I bought the iPad Air, I had an older MacBook Pro and had bought into this idea that I would use the iPad to do a lot of work — like writing — especially since Apple makes that really sweet Magic Keyboard. I was going to try living in that weird “what’s a computer” world and the iPad would become my primary device.
For me, that experiment failed — especially after I bought my M2 MacBook Air. I found myself barely ever using the iPad Air and Magic Keyboard to do anything productive. Whether it be work-related or personal, I found myself using my iPhone and my Mac as my main devices. The iPad Air started to sit, encased in the Magic Keyboard, slowly draining battery life.
In fact — most of the time — the iPad would be dead when I finally thought up a reason to use it. That made it pretty easy to know that the iPad’s role in my life had changed. When I thought about what I wanted to do that my Mac and iPhone were great at, I came to a very quick conclusion: reading.
I love reading and even subscribe to Apple News+ through my Apple One subscription, but I found myself barely using any device to read news, books, or magazines — even my iPad Air felt weird since it felt huge. I missed reading all of these things, so the decision became very easy for me.
There was one area of my life that wasn’t solved by my iPhone or my Mac, but there was an iPad that could solve it: the iPad mini.
I’m loving living with mini
(Image credit: Adam Oram / Future)
I’m about a week into the switch now and can confidently say that I made the right call for myself here. The iPad mini is perfect as a reading device and I’m already finding myself reading more news from Apple News, magazines from Apple News+, and books from Apple Books. I’m also using the device to watch YouTube or Twitch while I’m working on something at my desk, which has been a nice addition.
The real test will be when I fly. I can’t deny that the iPad Air with the Magic Keyboard was a fantastic laptop replacement for flying, so this will be the one area in which I will lose some previous functionality. However, if I’m being honest, it wouldn’t be the end of the world if I used that time to relax and read rather than find another way to keep working.
While time will tell, I think the iPhone, MacBook Air, and iPad mini are the perfect setup for me.
The best iPhone for photographers changes every year, depending on the new models that Apple announces and also how much you can spend.
While the latest iPhone 15 Pro Max introduces a new lens for a more detailed zoom, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 are available if you’re looking for a cheaper upgrade. iPhone cameras have come a long way in the past five years, from being able to shoot at night thanks to Night Mode, to shooting a 4K-resolution video in a Cinematic mode where it blurs almost everything out but focuses on the main subject.
So, if you have an iPhone X and it’s starting to show its age, it might be best to look into one of the more recent iPhones to take advantage of what some of these cameras can offer you. From nighttime photography to shooting a video, there’s plenty you can do with the iPhone lineup currently available in 2023.
With this in mind, we’ve listed the best iPhones to buy in 2023 to help you take the best shot wherever you may be.
The quick list
Here’s a quick look at the iPhones we’ve picked to take the best photos with. There are a bunch of choices below to fit almost every need. If you want to find out more about any of the iPhones, just click to jump down to our in-depth impressions.
The best regular iPhone for shooting photos and videos
The regular iPhone 15 still packs a punch with features lifted from last year’s iPhone 14 Pro, such as the 48MP main camera, which ups the resolution by 4x for photos. You can also now take photos in 24MP, which is double the amount from iPhone 14.
Released in 2021, the iPhone 13 Pro comes with Cinematic Mode, which is essentially Portrait Mode bokeh for video. There’s an improved Night Mode from the iPhone 12 series, too.
The last of the mini iPhone, but it came with all the features that a regular iPhone 13 did, just enclosed with a 5.4-inch display. You get the A15 Bionic chip which can help with photos taken in Night Mode, alongside a Sensor-shift optical image stabilization feature that can help for those shaky moments.
Best camera on the market — and a great iPhone too
Reasons to buy
+
Superb zoom camera
+
SmartHDR 5 for better exposure
+
Action Button can be a Camera option
+
New 24MP default for shooting images
+
Brand new lenses to choose from in the Camera app
Reasons to avoid
–
Could be awkward to hold when shooting
–
Focus can be slow at times
–
Macro mode is hit-and-miss
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the best iPhone Apple has ever made — and that’s not just because of its new design. Apple introduced USB-C data transfer and charging, a 5x optical zoom camera, a customizable Action button, and a weight-saving titanium design to its ultra-high-end model this year. It’s the ultimate upgrade, even if you currently own a model as recent as the iPhone 13 Pro.
The Action button is one of the two big standouts this year. Replacing the mute switch above the volume buttons, you can customize it to launch a Shortcut, an Accessibility feature, and much more.
But one important option is to open the Camera app. So, no matter what you’re doing, one long press of the Action button will launch the Camera app instantly.
This leads to improvements in the Camera system for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The new 5x optical zoom is a step up from the 3x that’s been present since the iPhone 7 Plus, so you can get crisper photos as you try to snap the right shot of that squirrel or airplane in the distance.
But it goes more than that. Using the new 48MP main lens, you can take photos in JPEG or ProRAW, but also in HEIF (High-Efficiency Image Files). This means that you can use apps like Adobe Photoshop to edit them how you like, as photos in these formats are taken without the post-processing effects that the A17 Pro chip does.
24MM, 28MM, and 35MM can be toggled in the Camera app, too, to frame the right shot. Night Mode feels faster, too, and the 24MP shots are a big jump from the 12MP we’ve become accustomed to for many years on iPhone, which goes as far back as the iPhone 6S in 2015.
Plus, there’s a new ‘nanoscale’ coating that aims to reduce lens flare, so there’s less chance of seeing those dots in some photos.
Overall, it’s the ultimate iPhone for photos in 2023. From the new 5x optical zoom lens to many improvements to the other lenses, it’s the phone that Android devices will attempt to overtake for the next year.
Best regular iPhone
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
iPhone 15
Best pick for non-Pros
Reasons to buy
+
Smart HDR 5 to better manage bright photos
+
A new 48MP main camera
+
Also shoots at 24MP as the new default
Reasons to avoid
–
5x telephoto zoom reserved for Pro Max model
–
Has A16 Bionic chip from last year
–
Still no ProMotion
The iPhone 15 redesigns the top-end regular iPhone design into a streamlined handset this year. It adds USB-C for charging and now has a bunch of camera features taken from last year’s iPhone 14 Pro.
This year, the iPhone 15 offers a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with Dynamic Island for the first time. Battery life is now up to 20 hours for video playback and 80 hours for audio. It’s still reasonable for a phone like this, and if you’re going to be mainly using the camera, expect to get at least a day out of using it before you reach for the charger.
All of this factors into the camera, which gets a big boost this year, mainly thanks to inheriting features from the iPhone 14 Pro. For the first time in a dual-lens camera system, you can now take photos in 0.5x, 1x, and 2x modes.
You can also take photos in Portrait Mode without having to choose the option. Now, iPhone 15 will take these automatically, and you can switch the effect off when editing a photo if you wish.
Camera-wise, the iPhone 15 is a great step up from the iPhone 14. If you don’t want to spend more for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, this is still a fantastic camera to use for most moments.
The best budget Pro iPhone
(Image credit: iMore / Karen S. Freeman)
Our ‘Pro’ budget pick
Reasons to buy
+
A still-great A15 Bionic chip
+
LiDAR and Wide, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto cameras
+
Macro mode, Apple ProRAW, ProRes video
Reasons to avoid
–
ProRes video is not supported on 128GB
–
No 5x Zoom
–
No Always-On Display
The iPhone 13 Pro is the best iPhone on a budget for most users out there in 2023.
Released in 2021, the iPhone 13 series came with a new, less-rounded design that also features a 120Hz ProMotion display. This was something brand new for iPhones, while iPad Pro had this since 2018.
But it was the cameras that made the biggest impact here. Sensor-shifting would arrive to help stabilize those moments when you couldn’t hold the iPhone steady when taking a shot. Before it was stabilized with software in iOS – here, it’s all done with the camera system directly.
A 44mm Sensor also means that the iPhone 13 Pro can take in a lot more light than previous iPhones could. This would result in more detailed images of certain objects.
All in all, you’re still getting a great camera here, regardless of the iPhone 13 Pro’s age.
The best, mini iPhone on a budget
(Image credit: Future)
iPhone 13 mini
Our mini pick
Reasons to buy
+
Fantastic size for one-handed use
+
A still-great dual-lens camera system with Sensor-shift OIS
+
A great price
Reasons to avoid
–
No telephoto lens or LiDAR
–
No 5x Zoom
–
No ProRes recording or ProMotion display
If you want something compact and affordable, much like a cheap camera, then iPhone 13 mini will be the best iPhone on a budget for avid photographers. However, if you’re looking to take your photography to new levels and money is less of an object, selecting a Pro model is probably the better option at this point.
Released in 2021 alongside the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max, this model was the last ‘mini’ phone to be released by Apple. Allegedly due to poor sales, this was scrapped in favor of the iPhone 14 Plus in 2022.
Being the smaller phone of the lineup, it has a bright 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR display. This also has a Ceramic Shield, which offers four times the drop performance of older iPhones.
Being given the same A15 Bionic chip as the rest of the iPhone 13s, meant that the dual-lens camera system was just as good as its bigger iPhone 13 model. There’s a 12MP wide and 12MP ultra-wide camera here, with a Sensor-shift optical image stabilization taken from iPhone 12 Pro Max. This means that any shaky moments as you’re trying to take a photo will be stabilized by the sensor, resulting in clearer photos for those moments.
Alongside these new features, you get an improved Night Mode, HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps, and Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control.
For a mini iPhone, it packs a powerful camera, even for 2023. If you’re planning on taking a backup camera for a vacation, the iPhone 13 mini will be able to fill that need for you easily.
Beautiful choices
(Image credit: Apple)
If money is no object, and you want the biggest and best iPhone possible, then go with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. From its great camera to the bigger battery life, it has it all.
But if you want (almost) everything that the Pro Max has but want a smaller design, the iPhone 15 Pro is your choice. But you won’t get the 5x zoom with this slight downgrade.
If you’re on a budget, the iPhone 13 Pro is the next best choice. You still get a great camera for a two-year-old iPhone, and for $644 on Amazon, especially as we approach Black Friday in November, it’s a great deal on a great iPhone.
But do keep in mind, that there isn’t a wrong choice here. It simply comes down to how much you have to spend, and which iPhone you’re upgrading from.
The Series 9 Apple Watches are lovely. Filled with some new features, new chips, and, well… not much more than that. If you don’t mind that you’ve got an older watch, no one will know that yours is the older one — they look exactly the same. And, at the moment, the slightly older Series 8 from last year has a massive discount, which will see you paying the same for the Cellular model as you might for the GPS model previously.
There’s a $100 discount on the Cellular model of the Apple Watch Series 8, bringing it within $20 firing distance of its previous lowest price. Crucially, that makes the more useful mobile version the same price as the Apple Watch Series 9 with GPS.
Don’t go new: Save some money
The Apple Watch Series 8 is still a fantastic smartwatch. Not only does it look the exact same as the Series 9, but It’s also got all the sensors you need, like a temperature sensor, heart rate monitor, and more. Show it off in the pub with your friends, and they’ll be none the wiser that you saved $100 over the newest one.
Bear in mind that there are only a couple of colors that have been reduced here — the Starlight and Product Red versions. The other two colors, the Midnight and the Silver are both a little more expensive. If you don’t mind too much about the color, you’ll be fine.
The two size options are also reduced, so you’ll save whether you want a big watch or a smaller one — worth clicking around to ensure you find the watch for you at the price you want to pay.
Every so often, you see a pair of upgraded in-ear headphones that justify their existence with some new features, or drastically improved sound quality — despite their larger cousin’s inability to be anything but underwhelming, the Beats Studio Buds Plus are just those headphones. They’re small, sound great, and block plenty of noise for your commute — and cost less than most of the competition while they do it.
Now, that price has gotten even lower, with a healthy $40 discount at Amazon. That brings the Buds Plus down to $129, returning to their lowest price ever.
Bring back clear tech
Remember those incredible Xbox controllers in the early 2000s, and the transparent Macs of the late 90s? Well, Beats has brought the finish back with the Beats Studio Buds +, with a very cool, slightly misty translucent version of the buds. It lets you see the internals of the buds as well as the case, showing you the circuitry, batteries, and if you look really closely, the audio hardware itself.
Beyond that cool color (that, alas, we weren’t sent — we got the also very fetching Ivory version) the Studio Buds + had a litany of other updates, such as improved sound quality and noise canceling. I can attest to both these things, being the one who tested them, and stacking them up against the old version the difference is both immediately noticeable and impressive. I came to really like them over my testing period — and this deal makes them one of the best pairs of in-ear buds under $150. One not to be missed.
Worried that they’ll get bested by the best Apple Black Friday deals? We can’t see these prices dropping too much over the sale, so you should be safe grabbing a pair of these.
The AirPods Pro 2 are currently the very best Bluetooth earphones Apple makes and the addition of USB-C charging makes them pair with the new iPhone 15 even better. With impressive Active Noise Cancelling, Transparency Mode, and great sound quality, $60 off is just the cherry on top.
Black Friday is just around the corner but this matches the lowest ever price so we can’t see them going lower any time soon. If you’re looking for an excuse to get a new pair of AirPods, now is the perfect time.
The AirPods Pro 2 make a splash with their 30 hours of use out of a single charge of the case and its many smart features. It helps that the splash is easier to make with great water resistance. The AirPods Pro 2 also benefit from Spatial Audio that can create sounds to suit the unique groove of your ears and combines this with head tracking to place sound all around you.
They also have a huge range of controls with on-device touch controls and thanks to the Apple ecosystem you can connect it to your iPhone or MacBook in mere seconds. If you are someone who likes to listen to music in person, Conversation Awareness dynamically lowers or heightens your volume depending on whether someone is chatting with you. You can listen to your music full blast without the worry of accidentally ignoring those around you. Regardless of how you listen to music, the AirPods Pro 2 are an excellent choice made even better by a $60 discount.
Why Apple?! You should be killing off Lightning with every chance you have!
On Monday night, Apple hosted its “Scary Fast” event where the company unveiled the entire M3 chip family with the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max processor. It also announced new versions of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro and a new version of the iMac.
Since Apple was quite obvious about tonight being about the Mac, many people started to hope that Apple would update something outside of the Macs themselves: the Magic accessories. The Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse all still come with a Lightning connector.
(Image credit: Apple)
Since Apple is also being quite obvious about switching its devices completely over to USB-C now since the launch of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, many people hoped it would announce new versions of those Mac accessories and kill Lightning on those products as well. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.
If you were hoping to get rid of some Lightning accessories and continue to make the switch to USB-C with all of your Apple products, tonight was not the night for you. The Apple Store is still selling the current version of the Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse with that pesky Lightning connector.
(Image credit: Future)
While we aren’t getting new USB-C Mac accessories just yet, we can still enjoy the fact that we have a full lineup of new Mac chips — at least one of which will likely be coming to the iPad lineup in the future.
It’s also been nice to see the iMac finally get an update, even if it has only to do with getting the newest processor. The iMac strangely skipped getting the M2 so it’s been overdue for an upgrade. And, of course, we’ll always take new MacBook Pro models.
So, chins up everyone! We will wait a while longer in this Lightning world.
There’s an Apple Event right around the corner, and we have what may be a last-minute leak about it. The Halloween event is likely to be heavily Mac-focused, with the MacBook Pro set to get the second refresh of the year. With the refresh so close to the last one, there’s a lot of speculation about what would set these new models apart.
Apparently, it may not be the battery capacities. MacRumors has spotted regulatory filings for batteries for the upcoming MacBook Pro, along with an upcoming iPad mini and Magic Keyboard, and the listed battery capacities for these refreshes seem to be the exact same as existing models.
iPad mini 7 and refreshed Magic Keyboard also likely to retain battery sizes
The report says that Apple has resubmitted filings to Chinese regulatory database for existing Apple products, which likely suggests that these are for the refreshed models that may not get too many changes.
The models in question include Apple’s best MacBooks, the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, set to be refreshed at the upcoming Apple Event. The filings also included the iPad mini, which is set for a March 2024 refresh, and the Magic Keyboard.
The filings are resubmitted with October 2023 issue dates. They were initially submitted in 2021 or earlier. Logically, there wouldn’t be a reason to resubmit them, unless we’re looking at minor refreshes with minimal changes, which the lack of change in battery capacities is pointing to.
Of course, we’re expecting not much more except for an M3 family chip refresh for these models. Don’t worry about battery life, though, as it is likely that there will be an improvement in those because of the improved efficiency of the new M3 chips.
The iPad mini doesn’t seem to be accompanied with any other iPad here, which could either mean that those refreshes will be more extensive, or that we have more time to see the filings pop up as the potential refresh is a few months away. Could it mean that we’ll see a surprise iPad mini refresh at the October event? Unlikely, but you can hold out hope anyway.
When Resident Evil Village was first shown back at the Apple Event in September I was excited but equally a little cautious. The idea of a phone being able to run a console-level experience feels almost too good to be true yet, after spending a week with it, it makes me more excited for what’s to come next.
Despite my excitement for the future, Resident Evil Village is far more than just a tech demo for where mobile gaming could go — it’s a fully-fledged experience complete with graphics modes, DLC, and more. Resident Evil Village is a game I’m familiar with and one of the older console-level games to test out that A17 Pro chip with on my iPhone 15 Pro Max.
We’ll have to wait a few more months for the most impressive ports, but so far, the signs for console-quality games on Apple devices is looking good. Perhaps even, far better than it ever has been.
What makes Resident Evil Village on iPhone work?
(Image credit: Future / Apple)
Though Resident Evil Village is technically playable with touch controls, they make the Resident Evil Village experience significantly worse. I kind of love this.
It represents what Village is — a game designed to be played with multiple buttons at once. It isn’t stripped back and gutted to make it more palatable for mobile audiences. In a purely technical sense, Resident Evil Village is relatively inaccessible as you need a controller, and preferably some earphones, to get the best experience.
When I pick up my iPhone 15 Pro Max, I don’t feel talked down to by CAPCOM, given the ‘kids’ version of the base experience. It is the exact same game I played in 2021, flaws and all. You can talk to someone who played the game on PC and share the same stories — the same experience.
The mobile gaming problem
(Image credit: Activision)
I’ve never really paid reverence to mobile gaming as much as I should. It has some wonderful experiences like Monument Valley and ports of games like Genshin Impact and Stardew Valley perform very well. The best iPhone games have managed to cram experiences conceptualized on console and PC into the tiny frame of modern phones and these games manage to work in their own right.
However, there’s a complexity that users expect out of modern console gaming experiences that, due to their lack of buttons and limited screen space, mobile phones just can’t access. Stardew Valley is good because of its slow pace and Genshin Impact works as there’s only a handful of buttons you need.
Though Call of Duty Mobile admirably adapts the formula to mobile phones, it’s not as impactful or fun as playing on a nice console setup. I may not have believed this beforehand but Resident Evil Village proves mobile games are capable of more than that.
What’s next?
(Image credit: Capcom)
So far, we know that Resident Evil 4 Remake, Death Stranding: Director’s Cut, and Assassin’s Creed Mirage are all due to hit the iPhone 15 Pro over the next year. Resident Evil Village doesn’t have this ability but the rest of the games can be purchased once with your Apple ID and will also be playable on your Mac and iPad, which makes that price of $59.99 seem a little more reasonable.
Resident Evil 4 Remake only launched at the start of the year on consoles and PC, while Assassin’s Creed Mirage came out in September. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is just over one month old so it’s not inconceivable to think that new games could launch simultaneously on mobile, something nearly unprecedented.
However, every one of these games can also run on PS4 and Xbox One — consoles that are now a generation old. We haven’t yet seen a port for a game only on current consoles. This will be the next hurdle for the iPhone 15 Pros but, if they struggle to make it over that hurdle, this move into gaming will still be a success to me.
It’s not that previous mobile devices haven’t had the power to run games of this caliber but that they’ve been missing the support to take advantage of it. Apple is supporting gaming in a big way with macOS Sonoma’s gaming mode and these brand-new phones. Resident Evil Village doesn’t feel like a flash in the pan for Apple but the start of something much bigger.
Apple’s fourth iPhone, beyond the regular 6.1-inch iPhone and the Pro lineup, has been something of a problem child in the iPhone lineup. For two years we had the cute but unpopular “mini” iPhone. However, due to a lack of interest and poor sales, Apple ditched it last year for the iPhone 14 Plus. The “Plus” model brings with it all of the features of Apple’s 6.1-inch iPhone, packed inside a larger 6.7-inch chassis. It’s got a much larger display and a much larger battery too. From what I’ve read, it seems like it has generally been more well-received than the iPhone mini of old.
This year was my first chance to get hands-on with the iPhone 15 Plus and I have to say that I really like it. The new iPhone 15 is a really excellent upgrade this year, and the Plus benefits from all those fancy new features including a new camera, USB-C, the Dynamic Island, and more. There is one fatal flaw, however, that you can probably guess. So what’s holding the iPhone 15 Plus back? Read on to find out.
iPhone 15 Plus: Price and Availability
Apple’s iPhone 15 Plus was released in September and is available around the world from all the usual carriers and outlets. The iPhone 15 Plus starts at $899 from Apple, $100 more than the regular iPhone 15. For that, you get a phone, a cable, and 128GB of storage. 256GB will set you back $999, and 512GB is $1,199. The iPhone 15 Plus is also available from a host of other retailers including Amazon, Verizon, AT&T, Target, Best Buy, and more. Pricing remains in line with Apple’s pricing for the regular model in previous years.
iPhone 15 Plus: At a glance
48MP camera – the big sensor from the iPhone 14 Pro is here to deliver larger and more detailed photos than ever before.
USB-C – the iPhone 15 Plus now charges with a USB-C port and cable
Updated design – this year brings a lovely frosted glass upgrade to the rear and rounder edges
Brighter display – the iPhone 15 Plus is good for 1000 nits max brightness, 1600 nits peak (HDR), and 2000 nits peak outdoors
Dynamic Island – The Dynamic Island from the iPhone 14 Pro arrives, replacing the notch
iPhone 15 Plus: Specs
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iPhone 15 Plus: specs
Category
iPhone 15 Plus
Operating System
iOS 17
Display
6.7 inches, 2796 x 1290 (460 ppi) resolution, Super Retina XDR OLED display (iPhone 15 Plus)
USB-C wired charging, Qi wireless charging up to 15W, MagSafe
Water Resistance
IP68
Dimensions
147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80mm, 171g (iPhone 15) | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.80mm, 201g (iPhone 15 Plus)
Colors
Black | Blue | Green | Pink | Yellow
iPhone 15 Plus: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Right out of the box, the iPhone 15 Plus stands head and shoulders above last year’s iPhone 14 in terms of design. I’ve used the iPhone 14 for an entire year, alongside the iPhone 14 Pro, and the former’s design has always really irked me. Its edges are too sharp and uninviting, and the back attracts more fingerprints than an Agatha Christie anthology.
This year, Apple has given us something it calls a “color-infused” glass back. It’s a frosted, matte-feeling finish that absolutely screams premium and is a massive upgrade over the previous year. Apple says the glass “is strengthened with an optimized dual-ion exchange process before being polished with nanocrystalline particles and etched to create a luxurious, textured matte finish,” this isn’t just PR waffle, they’ve actually done it.
Seriously, this one change should be the only reason you need to upgrade from an older non-Pro iPhone. But there’s devil in the detail this year too. Apple has filed down those harsh edges to give us something much more rounded that feels delightful in the hand. The aluminum edges feel much softer and inviting than last year too, and even though it’s the same material I can’t help but feel Apple has done something different this year in the finish. The camera housing rises from the frosted sea of goodness as a single clear piece of glass that looks way better than last year’s, too.
On the front, you get the same Ceramic Shield as last year, which is tough to shatter and crack but will scratch more easily. My 14 Pro really suffered last year but I’ve yet to see any telltale hairline scratches in my 15 Plus. The 15 Plus retains the same splash, dust, and water resistance rating as last year, IP68. That’s technically good for submersion in up to 6 meters of water for up to 30 minutes. In reality, that means it’ll be okay if you drop it in water, but you won’t want to take it swimming.
(Image credit: Future)
The iPhone 15 Plus is 0.1mm taller than last year’s model but is ever so slightly narrower. It’s also the same thickness as last year and weighs just 201 grams. It’s certainly not a heavy beast by any means, and I was surprised by how little I noticed the jump to the larger size this year. It’s probably not a phone for people with small hands, but it is gloriously comfortable to hold and use thanks to this year’s design update. In truth, I think I actually prefer the design of the 15 Plus and its aluminum finish to the titanium of my iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Other familiar faces include a lock button, two volume controls, and the mute switch, which remains in this year’s regular lineup despite being displaced by the Action Button in the Pro lineup. Inside, Apple says the internal design improves “ease and affordability of repairs”. Back glass replacements are the same price as last year at $199, however, so this is likely a benefit felt on internal work only.
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus both come in five new colors this year, black, blue, green, yellow, and pink. These are “new” in the sense we’ve never seen them in this color-infused form before. We’ve got the green here, and honestly, it might as well be white. The tinge to the aluminum frame is impressive, but the rear color is so muted that it looks like an off-white or a pale grey. I imagine that only the black delivers a really solid color, although my colleague John-Anthony tells me the pink is gorgeous. If you want a really colorful iPhone though, this might not be the one for you.
The final design change is, of course, USB-C, but this is an exclusively functional change we’ll cover in more detail later.
iPhone 15 Plus: Display
(Image credit: Future)
The iPhone 15 Plus has the same Super Retina XDR 6.7-inch display as the previous model. Pixel density is up ever so slightly with a resolution of 2796-by-1290-pixel resolution at 460 ppi (last year’s was 2778-by-1284-pixel resolution at 458 ppi.) Otherwise, it still offers HDR, 2 million:1 contrast, True Tone, Wide color display (P3), and haptic touch.
The main improvement this year is brightness. Typical brightness is up to 1000 nits (from 800), while peak outdoor brightness is now 2000 nits. The HDR peak of 1600 nits is the same as it was last year. That peak brightness is considerably more than last year’s model, which didn’t even have an outdoor brightness reading spec. In reality, this means your iPhone 15 Plus will be easier to see and read outdoors, especially in direct sunlight or well-lit rooms. For the most part, brightness is set by the user, but at full tilt, the 15 Plus has a noticeable advantage over last year’s model.
The Dynamic Island debuts in the regular iPhone lineup for the first time this year. Having used it for a year on my 14 Pro, I can confirm it remains a stellar upgrade that users will simultaneously love and yet not notice. When you replace the notch with the Dynamic Island, the latter becomes a seamless part of the iPhone’s operating system in a flash, and you forget that the notch ever existed, or is no longer there. The Dynamic Island remains somewhat unloved by a lot of third-party developers, but Apple’s uses are enough to make it a fun experience. Some personal favorites include Now Playing, and the interface that shows when you’re on a call. There are still a few great third-party options though, including United Airlines, Uber Eats and Uber, Flighty, CARROT weather, NFL, and Box Box Club for F1 fans. The Dynamic Island is a huge differentiator between the 14 Plus and this year’s model, and certainly one key reason users might want to consider upgrading. Alternatively, if you’ve avoided the iPhone previously because of the notch, the Dynamic Island is the upgrade you’ve been waiting for.
(Image credit: Future)
Display discussion brings us to the main difference between the iPhone 15 Plus and the 15 Pro Max, and sadly the one fatal flaw in the cheaper models. The iPhone 15 Plus lacks the ProMotion 120Hz display and Always-On from the premium models, and having used both, it’s a huge miss. I understand that the iPhone 15 Plus has to lack some features in order to justify its cheaper price, but I just don’t think 60Hz can cut it in 2023. When you consider that the Google Pixel 8 offers a 120Hz AMOLED refresh rate, the Galaxy S23 offers 120Hz OLED, and even last year’s Pixel 7 offered 120Hz, the iPhone 15 Plus really gets shown up here.
Using a 60Hz iPhone is noticeably less smooth and enjoyable compared to the iPhone 15 Pro range. Because it’s the display, it affects literally every aspect of using the device. Animations including simply unlocking your iPhone have a noticeable shudder to them. If you’ve never used a 120Hz display, this likely won’t bother you at all, but I have a 120Hz ProMotion MacBook Pro, and iPad Pro, and a snappy gaming PC, as well as an Xbox Series 6. Frames matter and I’d recommend treating anyone who says they can’t tell the difference with a good deal of suspicion. Interestingly, however, the one area you can’t tell the difference is gaming because lots of games tend not to run at the full chat of the 120Hz display. I’m not suggesting Apple should uncork 120Hz and ProMotion in the iPhone 15, but even 90Hz would be a really refreshing upgrade. Pun absolutely intended.
The lack of an Always-On display is less noticeable, but this is definitely another selling point for the 15 Pro and Pro Max. If visual fidelity is high on your list of priorities when buying a new iPhone, I’d certainly recommend making the leap to the Pro lineup. The iPhone 15 Plus excels when it comes to color, contrast, and brightness, and it’s a joy to look at, but users who’ve experienced 120Hz will likely not want to make the downgrade.
iPhone 15 Plus: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Any phone that can run Rome: Total War performs just fine in my opinion, and the iPhone 15 Plus packs the blistering A16 Bionic chip from the iPhone 14 Pro. That means you get two high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores, as well as a 5-core GPU featuring 50 percent more bandwidth than the iPhone 14’s A15. There’s also a new 16-core neural engine that can perform 17 trillion operations per second. What does this mean on paper? Any app you open on your iPhone is going to load in a flash, games will be smooth, and that new 48MP camera will be powered by stellar computational photography that can perform an eye-watering 4 trillion operations per photo. A cursory glance at Geekbench reveals the iPhone 15 Plus sits slightly ahead of both the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 14 Pro range in terms of performance, but these are abstract numbers that don’t portray real-world performance. For the iPhone 15 Plus, as with the iPhone 14 Pro, the A16 chip means that there is absolutely nothing you can throw at this iPhone that it won’t handle. It also means you’ll get good software updates for many years to come. My only gripe with the iPhone 15 Plus’ performance actually relates back to the 60Hz display, in menus and on the Home Screen, it’s clear that Apple’s screen can’t keep up with the processor powering the device, which lends to some of the day-to-day animations feeling sluggish and juddery.
While Apple hasn’t made any explicit changes to Wi-Fi in the iPhone 15 Plus, my 15 Plus was ever so slightly faster than my iPhone 14 in testing, maybe 10% more, which could be a benefit of the new processor. If you want Wi-Fi 6E which is definitely much faster, you’ll want to pick up a Pro model.
Another really cool internal change is the new second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, which trebles the range of the technology between two upgraded devices. Ultra Wideband powers short-range interactions including finding AirTags, so the iPhone 15 Plus is more useful than ever if you’ve lost something. It can also be used to find other iPhone 15 users in crowds by sharing your location. Finally, when paired with a new Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2, you can use your watch to locate your iPhone using Precision Finding.
iPhone 15 Plus: Camera
(Image credit: Future)
The camera is a headline upgrade in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus this year, as both inherit the excellent 48MP camera from last year’s iPhone 14 Pro. It features a quad-pixel sensor and 100 percent Focus Pixels. Thanks to that A16 chip, the more powerful computational photography means that users will be able to take 24MP super-high-resolution images by default, out of the box. Apple has also added a 2x Telephoto option, so you get three “optical-quality” zoom levels in 05x, 1x, and 2x.
The other major upgrades are “next-generation” portraits, which Apple say will deliver better detail, color, and low-light performance. There’s even a nifty new feature that will take a portrait without having to switch to portrait mode, automatically capturing depth information if there’s a person, dog, or cat in the shot. Apple has also boosted Night mode and added Smart HDR 5 for photos. The proof really is in the pudding, here’s how the iPhone 15 Plus performed in our camera tests.
Here are some of our shots in the “out of the box” mode: 24 MP 26mm f.16. This is the default setting on the iPhone 15 Plus, and I was really impressed with its point-and-shootability.
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24 MP 26mm f.16(Image credit: Future)
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Portrait mode in the new iPhone 15 Plus is still epic, although feisty swans definitely pushed it to the limit.
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(Image credit: Future)
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And here’s that impressive new 48MP mode, as you can see detail is pretty impeccable even on the horizon of the Edinburgh skyline.
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(Image credit: Future)
Users in the market for a great iPhone camera will need to decide between this and the iPhone 15 Pro Max this year. The latter boasts far more options in terms of versatility, but the 48MP camera was a major differentiating factor that no longer applies this year. The iPhone 15 Plus is certainly no slouch when it comes to photography, but there are more potent smartphone camera systems on the market.
iPhone 15 Plus: Battery, charging, and USB-C
(Image credit: Future)
The iPhone 15 Plus boasts a 4,383 mAh battery, ever so slightly larger than the iPhone 14 Plus. The iPhone 15 Plus is the biggest iPhone on the market but has fewer power-hungry features compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and as such is the best iPhone for battery life that you can buy. The “Plus” iPhone always tops iPhone battery tests such as the ones conducted by our friends at Tom’s Guide. The 15 Plus battery is rated for exactly the same battery life as the 14 Plus, and it certainly holds up to that in our testing. It retains its charge very well and you can easily expect a full day’s use unless you’re doing very intensive activities for long periods of time. As a daily smartphone, however, Apple’s larger devices should see you through a full day no bother. One thing I’ll be keeping an eye on is battery wear, as that was really quite bad in my iPhone 14 Pro last year. This is less problematic if you replace your phone frequently as I do, but some users who want a phone to last them years and years might be put off by last year’s performance. Naturally, this is something we can only test over time.
The headline upgrade this year is USB-C, which leads me to a confession. I have had both the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Plus since launch, and have plugged both of them in a sum total of once. Everyone said that USB-C would be more convenient, but I’ve resorted to exclusively charging my iPhones wirelessly rather than replacing the Lightning cables I have in my house. I’ve always preferred wireless charging generally and iOS 17’s StandBy feature means I now use my iPhone as a nightstand alarm clock every night, rather than connected to a cable. It was nice that the one time I did need to plug in my iPhone, I could use whichever cable I had lying around. Yet for me, it feels like the switch to USB-C has reduced, rather than enlarged the number of ways I can charge my iPhone, and I don’t know how I feel about that. As Apple analyst Neil Cybart noted on Twitter, in his house USB-C cables are in high demand because they’re used to charge MacBooks and iPads, whereas the Lightning cord was always reserved for the iPhone. What I will say is that the iPhone 15 Plus’ battery life is such that I have yet to find the need to charge it during the day. Whereas with my iPhone 14 Pro, I would often find myself scrambling for juice at four or five in the afternoon.
In my mind, USB-C is a much better upgrade for audio accessories and for file and data transfer. However, this is more keenly manifest in the iPhone 15 Pro range, which supports USB-C 3 speeds for moving those hefty images and videos it can shoot. The USB-C 2 support here is a tad disappointing, no faster than Lightning, but like 60Hz, this is a key feature Apple can use to distinguish between its cheaper and more expensive models.
iPhone 15 Plus: iOS 17
(Image credit: Future)
Apple’s iPhone 15 Plus ships with iOS 17, which will be the phone’s OS until iOS 18 next year. This is definitely the most refined and feature-rich iOS to date (you’d certainly hope so) and as is always the case with Apple’s iPhone, hardware and software blend together in perfect harmony to create a lively and fulfilling experience. I’ve mentioned a couple of features already, but communication in the Phone, Messages, and FaceTime apps are a lot better this year. The Phone app now features Contact Posters, and there are Live Voicemails that let you read a voicemail in real-time as its left, so you can pick up if you really want to. Messages has more search features, and FaceTime now features FaceTime voicemail messages.
My new favorite feature is StandBy, which I use every night to turn my iPhone into a stealthy bedside alarm clock. It’s much less distracting than just having my phone resting by my bed, and the night mode that turns the display red is also very cool.
Another big deal is interactive widgets, which means you can now actually use widgets you place on your Home Screen. For example, the Home Widget now features actual switches you can press to turn your lights or plugs off and on with a simple tap. My only gripe with iOS 17 so far is that Autocorrect is much less intuitive and accurate than it used to be. I don’t know what’s gone wrong, but iOS seems even worse when it comes to correcting words, even once you’ve rejected a suggestion or are trying to retype it. On multiple occasions, I’ve also seen iOS change a word when I hit send on a message, despite having rejected the suggested correction.
Overall iPhone users will love iOS 17, however, and its perfect fusion with Mac, iCloud, AirPods, and beyond continues to provide a harmonious experience.
iPhone 15 Plus: The competition: iPhone 15 and beyond
(Image credit: Future)
As is often the case, the iPhone 15 Plus competes with other iPhones more than it does any alternative Android hardware. If you are on the fence between the two, the Google Pixel 8 is a good iPhone 15 alternative, and the Pixel 8 Pro is a larger 6.7-inch device that matches the Plus for size, however, it is more expensive. There’s also Samsung’s S23 Plus and the S23 FE.
The obvious iPhone alternative is of course the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which dominates in terms of specs thanks to its 120Hz ProMotion, Always-On display, A17 Pro chip, and heftier camera system. However, I prefer the design of the Plus and the battery life is going to be better too. If you’re set on a big phone, your biggest consideration should be price. The iPhone 15 Plus is considerably cheaper than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, especially since it now starts at 256GB, not 128GB. If you are undecided on screen size, the iPhone 15 will offer all the same features as the Plus and will be easier to hold in your pocket or in hand.
On reflection, I think the best alternative device is actually the iPhone 14 Pro Max, it has the same chip and camera as the Plus, but with more lenses and shooting modes, and it offers a better display. If you can find one at a good price then that’s the most serious option you should consider. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus mark a significant leap over last year’s regular iPhone 14, so I wouldn’t consider either that or the 14 Plus to be a viable competitor.
Should you buy the iPhone 15 Plus?
Buy the iPhone 15 Plus if…
You want the biggest iPhone, but not the best
This is the biggest iPhone you can buy without forking out for an iPhone 15 Pro Max.
You want the best iPhone for battery life
With its massive battery but no 120Hz, the iPhone 15 Plus is the king of battery life.
You’ve been waiting for USB-C and the Dynamic island
If USB-C or the Dynamic Island are deal breakers, this is the regular iPhone you’ve been waiting for.
Don’t buy the iPhone 15 Plus if…
You want the best iPhone Apple offers
Apple’s best iPhone is the iPhone 15 Pro, which offers a much better display and significantly more powerful cameras. It also has a better processor and that fancy titanium design.
You want the best iPhone display
The iPhone 15 Plus can’t hold a candle to the Pro model’s 120Hz ProMotion technology, Always-On is also a noticeable absence.
You want the best iPhone for photography
The iPhone 15 Plus takes great photos but is overshadowed by the iPhone 15 Pro Max thanks to 5x Zoom, Apple ProRAW photos, Macro mode, and more.
iPhone 15 Plus: Verdict
(Image credit: Future)
I absolutely love the iPhone 15 Plus, and it’s a valiant upgrade over last year’s very disappointing iPhone 14 lineup. The inherited processor is very snappy, the new design is delightful, and new features abound in USB-C and the 48MP camera. The Dynamic Island is also a considerable upgrade over the notch. Overall, my experience so far has been tremendously enjoyable, but the lack of a better refresh rate on the display does dampen the experience somewhat.
Bottom line: Apple’s iPhone 15 Plus is a stellar improvement on last year’s model and the one to buy if you’re all about battery life. The 48MP camera is excellent, as is the chip and the new design, just watch out for that 60Hz display.
A new report from Apple insider and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that the likelihood of an Apple Watch Ultra 3 coming next year is decreasing, citing reports that Apple has yet to start developing the third iteration of its rugged wearable.
Apple first unveiled the Apple Watch Ultra last year to much fanfare and updated this year with a very capable second generation. Apple Watch Ultra 2 delivers all the same potency of Apple’s regular watch lineup in a rugged exterior shell designed to survive the harshest of environments, whether that’s running on the trail, climbing, diving, or anything in between.
This year’s release seemed to confirm that Apple was embarking on a yearly upgrade cycle for the foreseeable future, but Kuo’s comments have poured some water on that prospect.
Don’t give up hope on Apple Watch 3 just yet – iMore’s take
“As of now, Apple has yet to kick off the Apple Watch Ultra 3 development officially. It is unusual given the product development schedule,” Kuo wrote in a blog post on Medium Thursday.
Kuo warns that if Apple doesn’t start the process by December, we might not see a new Apple Watch Ultra in time for 2024. Kuo states that he believes Apple needs more time to “develop innovative health management features” and “address issues related to Micro LED production.”
Apple is expected to debut Micro LED technology in Apple Watch sometime in the near future. DSCC’s Ross Young stated that this would be in 2025, so that could line up with what Kuo is predicting here. A MicroLED Apple Watch Ultra could sport an even larger and brighter display than its predecessors, with a 2.1-inch screen size touted as the possible dimensions. Yet the Ultra’s display is already massive and the OLED Ultra 2 puts out 3,000 nits of brightness at its peak, which begs the question of why Apple would need to upgrade either.
Kuo warns that if Apple misses the 2024 boat with Ultra 3, “the shipments of the Apple Watch Ultra are expected to decline by 20–30% YoY in 2024, and the total Apple Watch shipments will decline by 10% YoY in 2024 to about 35 million units.”
While historically, Kuo has offered stellar insight into Apple’s future plans and products, his track record of late has been chequered, to say the least. Most recently he stated there were no MacBook or iPad launches on the cards for 2023, days before Apple announced its October 30 event. The company is expected to unveil new M3 Apple silicon chips and new Mac models.
What’s more, December is still weeks away, and plenty of time for Apple to get its act together and start developing the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which would definitely be the best Apple Watch to date.
Apple’s entire AirPods lineup is getting ready for an overhaul, according to a new report. No corner of that lineup will be left untouched, with new AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max all on the way.
If the report is correct it will take around two years for the refreshed models to arrive on store shelves around the world, but it could be worth the wait. New features and a new look are touted, with a whole new model added to the mix.
The report hints that the first of these revamped AirPods will arrive in 2024, although you’ll need to wait until 2025 for some.
Music to our ears
The report comes via Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, citing unnamed sources who are familiar with Apple’s plans but preferred to remain anonymous for obvious reasons.
Gurman says that things will kick off with new AirPods, adding that Apple intends to ditch the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 in favor of two new fourth-generation models.
“Apple plans to phase out both the second-generation and third-generation AirPods later next year,” Gurman says, citing people familiar with the matter. “They’ll be replaced with two fourth-generation AirPods that are priced similarly to the current versions but are more differentiated.” He adds that the two new models will look like a cross between AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro, with shorter stems used. One will be an entry-level earbud while the other will gain active noise-cancellation technology like that found in the AirPods Pro. Support for Find My alerts via a built-in speaker is also coming, we’re told. USB-C ports will be used throughout.
As for the AirPods Pro, they’ll get a new design in 2025 with Apple continuing to work on health features.
Finally, the AirPods Max are slated to get an update next year with a new USB-C charging port and new colors, but we shouldn’t expect “many other changes” according to the report.
