I’ve been using the iPhone 15 Pro as my daily driver for the past few months, and after extensive use, I can confidently say this might just be the perfect iPhone—or at least, almost perfect. At its current price, using this phone in 2025 feels like cheating because of how much value you get compared to its initial launch price and even the latest iPhone models.

Price and Value

Right now, you can pick up the iPhone 15 Pro for anywhere between $900 and $1,100, which is a significant drop from its original $1,500 price tag. When you compare this to the latest iPhone, the value becomes even more evident. You’re getting nearly the same experience, build quality, and features at a much lower cost.

Design and Build Quality

The iPhone 15 Pro looks and feels like the latest iPhone. It still boasts premium materials, including the same matte-finished glass back and titanium frame, which is both lighter and stronger than the stainless steel used in the iPhone 14 Pro. The ceramic shield glass on the front adds durability, and the phone retains all the essential features: USB-C, wireless charging, MagSafe, and the new Action Button replacing the old mute switch.

Display and User Experience

The front of the phone features a 6.1-inch OLED display with a peak brightness of 2,000 nits and a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s sharp, color-accurate, and performs exceptionally well both indoors and outdoors. The Dynamic Island, while not a feature I personally use often, is still an improvement over the old notch. The always-on display is a welcomed addition, and the bezels remain impressively thin. Interestingly, the iPhone 15 Pro is slightly more compact than the iPhone 16 Pro, making it easier to hold and use with one hand.

Performance and Longevity

Has the iPhone 15 Pro slowed down over time? Not at all. Performance remains stellar, making the idea of upgrading to the 16 Pro unnecessary for most users. Phones from the last two or three years are so powerful now that performance differences are barely noticeable for everyday tasks like calling, texting, browsing, watching videos, and social media. Even for gamers and content creators, the A17 Pro chip ensures smooth performance without compromise.

What truly matters in terms of performance is longevity. Apple’s five-to-six-year software update promise means this phone will remain relevant until at least 2028. While most users won’t keep their phone for that long, having extra power ensures smooth performance for years to come.

Battery Life

The iPhone 15 Pro packs a 3,349mAh battery, slightly smaller than the 16 Pro’s. However, real-world battery performance remains solid. I typically get around five to six hours of screen-on time, with 20-30% battery remaining at the end of the day. On heavy-use days, I can push it to seven hours before needing a charge. If battery life is your top priority, the 16 Pro might be a better option, but for most users, the 15 Pro delivers a reliable experience.

Heat Management

Back in 2024, many users complained about overheating issues, especially while charging. Personally, I haven’t experienced this issue—perhaps because I live in Canada, where temperatures are much cooler. If you live in a hot climate, this might be something to consider, but for most users, it’s not a major concern.

Camera System

One of the most exciting aspects of the iPhone 15 Pro is its camera system. It features four cameras:

• 48MP Main Camera – Produces sharp, vibrant images with excellent dynamic range. The ability to shoot at different focal lengths (24mm, 28mm, and 35mm) without quality loss is a fantastic addition.
• 12MP Ultra-Wide Camera – While not as sharp as the main sensor, it still delivers solid images and includes autofocus for macro photography.
• 12MP 3x Telephoto Camera – Great for zoomed-in shots, though Apple sometimes crops into the main camera in low-light situations.
• Selfie Camera – Features autofocus, making it a worthy upgrade for those coming from older iPhones.

For those into photography and videography, this phone supports ProRAW photos, Log video recording, and even high-quality video production. In fact, I’ve used this phone to shoot content for my channel, and the results were impressive.

Should You Upgrade?

The only real difference between this and the iPhone 16 Pro is the new camera button—which, in my opinion, isn’t worth paying hundreds of dollars more for. All the additional camera features in the 16 Pro are software-based anyway, meaning the 15 Pro remains just as capable.

At its current price, the iPhone 15 Pro feels like a cheat code. You’re getting almost everything the latest iPhone offers but at a significantly lower cost. If you’re considering upgrading and this fits your budget, I’d highly recommend it.