Basic model of the iPhone 15 is gaining popularity among buyers
The iPhone 15 series has been available in stores since Friday. And the most popular model in the series is surprisingly the basic model.
Here is a chart from Counterpoint Research (via Bloomberg), that compares the wait time in days for each model in the U.S.
According to the above data, a buyer has to wait 10 days to get the basic model of the iPhone 15. Last year's iPhone 14 was available in just 6 days. The iPhone 15 Plus and Pro models have reduced wait times. But Apple seems to be running short on supplies for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, you may have to wait for 48 days to get your hands on one. That proves how popular the premium model is.
But let's focus on the basic iPhone 15 model, which finally seems to be picking up in terms of sales. A lot of iPhone users hold on to their older devices for years, because they don't want to spend another $800 on a new smartphone that is only slightly better than the one they have. Let's dive deeper to see why the iPhone 15 could be attracting buyers.
Should you buy the iPhone 15?
For the first time since the iPhone X which was launched in 2017, the basic model of the series does not have a notch. It's not just that, the design had been quite stagnant over the past four generations, from the iPhone 11 and upwards. Apple had reduced the notch size on the iPhone 12, and followed it with another substantial reduction on the iPhone 13. However, there was barely any difference between the iPhone 13 and 14, everything from the display, the processor, and the cameras on the phones were nearly identical, but for some minor improvements.
The basic model iPhone 15 changed this completely, it got rid of the notch, and introduced the Dynamic Island design, which was previously an exclusive hardware feature on the iPhone 14 Pro models. The iPhone 15 is powered by a better processor than the last two models, and the A16 Bionic is a solid upgrade.
While the display on the new phone is similar to the previous gen models, the iPhone 15's screen supports a peak brightness level of 2000 nits. That is mighty impressive if you compare it to the 1200 nits screens on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14. Apple finally moved away from the 12 megapixels camera to a 48 megapixels sensor on the iPhone 15, it even offers another level of optical zoom.
Thanks to the European Union's laws, Apple dropped the Lightning port, in favor of the USB Type-C port for charging and data transfers on the iPhone 15 series. This is an important feature for many people, as they could probably use their old charging brick and cable with their shiny new toy.
If you're coming from the iPhone 13 or older, you might appreciate the Emergency SOS via Satellite, Crash Detection, and Roadside Assistance via satellite which was introduced in iOS 17. Apple discontinued the iPhone Mini, and with the next-gen iPhone SE nowhere in sight, many buyers may consider the basic model of the new series as the best option to go for.
Which iPhone should you get?
The iPhone 15 costs $799, while the iPhone 15 Plus starts at $899. The iPhone 15 Pro has been priced at $999, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max carries a price tag of $1,199. If you are on a tight budget, you may want to consider picking up an older model. The iPhone 13 is now available for $599, the iPhone 14 costs $699, and the price of the iPhone 14 Plus has dropped to $799.
Personally, I think the iPhone 15 should be a no-brainer for most people who are looking to upgrade from an older model. The device has been priced reasonably well in the U.S., but it is quite expensive in other Countries, check our previous coverage to compare the prices of the new phones across the world.
Reasons to buy an iPhone 15
- No notch
- Dynamic Island
- Brighter display
- Better processor
- Upgraded Cameras
- USB-C
It is only when you compare it with the Pro models in the series that you may notice some downsides on the iPhone 15 basic model. The premium devices have a more powerful Apple A17 Pro Bionic processor and its 6-core GPU which is capable of playing console games like Assassin's Creed Mirage, Death Stranding, etc. The other advantages that the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers include a Telephoto Camera and LiDAR sensor, a bigger battery, a better screen that supports ProMotion Display (higher refresh rate). But are these features worth spending another $400 for?
