I tested the standard iPhone 15, and I don't want the iPhone 15 Pro at all

There is something to rejoice about with the new iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. Apple is finally giving its entry-level iPhones (if this term still has a meaning at Apple, however) the treatment they deserve.

The result? Two new smartphones that look great, are pleasant to the touch and offer performance worthy of a high-end smartphone. Even during the presentation of the keynote, starting with the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus, then moving on to the expensive iPhone 15 Pro plus models, the company gave the impression that the latter are a little less impressive.

Indeed, no matter which iPhone model you buy, you get curved edges, thinner form factors, matte-textured back covers and a Dynamic Island display. The standard models of the iPhone 15 are therefore, more than ever, the iPhones that most people should buy.

Less fingerprints on the iPhone

Following Apple’s “Wonderlust” presentation on Tuesday, I spent the afternoon testing the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus. First formal verdict: if you like pastel tones, the new generation of iPhone is for you. And if you like less bright colors, buy the black variant – and only the black variant. Personally, it was the yellow iPhone that impressed me the most. It reminded me of the 24-inch iMac, which shines in a similar shade and is customizable without giving the impression of being a show-off.

The iPhone 15 Plus (left) and the iPhone 15 (right) have the same screen size as last year. June Wan/ZDNET

But what really struck me with the new iPhones are not so much the colors as the more refined designs, with edges just contoured enough to give a secure grip without sinking too much into the palm of the hand. This change is subtle and easy to understand on paper. This is one of the main reasons why I am optimistic about this year’s non-Pro models.

The new textured matte finish, “optimized by a double personalized ion exchange process” and “polished with crystalline nanoparticles”, as Apple elegantly puts it, is another highlight. The atmosphere of the Steve Jobs Theater gave the impression that I had just woken up in an alien spaceship (read: it was brightly lit), but somehow the iPhone 15 made it possible to minimize the fingerprints of hundreds of journalists. For product photos, it was great not to need microfibers before each shot.

June Wan/ZDNET

Dynamic Island for everyone!

About Dynamic Island: I’m still not convinced by the name, but the idea of exposing more users to a new way of multitasking and staying on top of their most common applications and services is exciting. For enthusiasts who follow Apple’s every move, this addition will be less significant. For people like my parents and my friends from college, seeing the music player and the alarm app blend seamlessly into what was previously the notch will be exhilarating.

My limited but intimate experience of the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus has left me with a very positive vision of these two models. For the first time in a long time, buying a standard iPhone does not mean that you have to settle for an inferior design or less interesting software features.

We will have the opportunity to look at many other points when we have received the devices for long-term tests. If you would like to know more about a particular point, do not hesitate to share your opinion with us in the comments below.