The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are smartphones that were developed and marketed by Apple. They are the seventeenth-generation flagship iPhones, succeeding the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.
The devices were unveiled alongside the lower-priced iPhone 15 and 15 Plus during the Apple Event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, on September 12, 2023. Pre-orders began on September 15, and the devices were made available to the public on September 22. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max were discontinued on September 9, 2024, following the announcement of the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max.
Similar to the iPhone 15, the 15 Pro replaced the proprietary Lightning connector with USB-C. They also support Apple Intelligence, which was introduced with iOS 18.
Design The iPhone 15 Pro marks the first significant redesign of the device's outer shell since the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020, with soft contours added to the flat sides. Additionally, the enclosure of the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max is made of grade 5 titanium, unlike the stainless steel frame of previous Pro models. The display bezels have also been reduced from 2.2mm to 1.55mm. The phone is available in four colors: natural titanium, blue titanium, white titanium, and black titanium. It is also the first premium iPhone since the iPhone X to not come in the gold color option.
Color Name Natural Titanium Blue Titanium White Titanium Black Titanium
Specifications Hardware Like the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max replace the proprietary Lightning connector with USB-C to comply with the European Union mandating the use of this connector in smartphones with Directive (EU) 2022/2380 in 2022. Apple had already started to introduce USB-C to its handheld devices beginning with the third generation iPad Pro, released in 2018.
The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max support AV1 video hardware decoding.
In iOS 18, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are the first iPhones to be capable of supporting the new Apple Intelligence AI features, due to the increased amount of DRAM in these models and their fast 35 trillion-operation-per-second Neural Engine.
Chipset The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max feature the Apple A17 Pro system on a chip (SoC). It is built on TSMC's N3B fabrication process. It features a redesigned Apple graphics processing unit (GPU) which adds hardware-accelerated ray tracing; during the reveal event, Apple announced that games such as Death Stranding, Resident Evil Village and Assassin's Creed Mirage (all games originally designed for consoles and PCs) would come to iOS in the future.
Charging and transfer speeds The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max use USB-C supporting USB 3.2 capabilities with transfer speeds (est. up to 10 Gbit/s or 1.25 GB/s), an improvement over the iPhone 14 Pro or 14 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 or 15 Plus base models which only have USB 2.0 transfer speeds (est. up to 480 Mbit/s or 60 MB/s).
Video output All iPhone 15 models have support for DisplayPort Alternate Mode over USB-C video output with HDR up to 4K resolution.
Action button The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max feature an Action button, replacing the mute switch that was present on every iPhone before it, as well as the standard iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. The function of the Action button can be configured by the user, but by default, the Action button toggles to silent mode. Other options include: opening a desired app, recording a voice memo, toggling a focus mode, and actively translating speech.
In 2025, Apple revealed that the ability to trigger Visual Intelligence via the action button would be added to the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max through the iOS 18.4 update.
Software
The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max launched with iOS 17 and can be upgraded to iOS 27 via over-the-air update (OTA).
Apple announced that the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are compatible with Apple Intelligence released with iOS 18.1 in October 2024.
Consistent with the UK Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure regulations, it will continue to receive major software updates for a minimum of five years to at least 2028.
Prior to the launch of iOS 18.4, Apple added the Visual Intelligence support for the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. The users of the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max can open the Visual Intelligence by customizing the Action button or Lock Screen, or opening Control Center.
Detailed specs ModeliPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 15 ProPictureInitial release operating system iOS 17.0Latest release operating system DisplayScreen Size (diagonal) (diagonal)Backlightcolspan=2 Multi-touchcolspan=2 TechnologySuper Retina XDR Display edge-to-edge OLEDResolution2796 x 12902556 x 1179Pixel Density (ppi) 460Aspect Ratio~19.5:9Typical Max brightness ( )1000 nitsHDR Max brightness ( )1600 nitsOutdoor Max brightness ( )2000 nitsContrast ratio (typical)2000000:1Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coatingcolspan=2 Full sRGB Displaycolspan=2 Wide Color Display (Display P3)colspan=2 True Tone Displaycolspan=2 Night Shiftcolspan=2 colspan=2 Always-On Displaycolspan=2 HDR Displaycolspan=2 HDR 10 Contentcolspan=2 Dolby Visioncolspan=2 Dynamic Island colspan=2 TapticHaptic TouchProcessorChipApple A17 ProTechnology NodeTSMC N3B (3 nm)Total Cores6High Performance Cores2High Efficiency Cores4Clock Speed3.78 GHzBit64-bitMotion CoprocessorEmbedded in SoCBus width64-bitGraphics ProcessorSeventh generation Apple designed 6-core GPUNeural EngineSeventh generation Apple designed 16-core Neural Engine (35 TOPS)Storage256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TBStorage TypeNAND Flash driven by NVMe-based controller that communicates over a PCIe connectionRAM8 GBRAM TypeLPDDR5 3200 MHzConnectorUSB-CConnectivityWi-Fi (802.11)Wi-Fi 6E (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/6)MIMOcolspan=2 NFCcolspan=2 Express Cardscolspan=2 BluetoothBluetooth 5.3Ultra Wideband chip for spatial awarenesscolspan=2 CellularGSM/EDGE/UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA/Gigabit-class LTE/5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave (US models))VoLTEcolspan=2 Assisted GPScolspan=2 GLONASS/GNSScolspan=2 BeiDoucolspan=2 SIM card form-factorDual SIM with one Nano-SIM and one eSIM, supports dual eSIMNo physical SIM card form factor in U.S. modelsDual Nano-SIM in mainland China, Hong Kong and MacauSecure AuthenticationTouch IDcolspan=2 Face IDcolspan=2 SafetyEmergency SOScolspan="4" Crash detectioncolspan="2" SensorsLiDAR sensorcolspan="2" Proximity sensorcolspan="2" Three-axis gyroscopecolspan="2" Accelerometercolspan="2" Ambient light sensorcolspan="2" Barometercolspan="2" Rear cameraCamera48 MP Main12 MP Ultra Wide12 MP 2x Telephoto (Enabled by Quad-pixel)12 MP 5x Telephoto48 MP Main12 MP Ultra Wide12 MP 2x Telephoto (Enabled by Quad-pixel)12 MP 3x TelephotoAperturef/1.78 (Main and 2x Telephoto)f/2.2 (Ultra Wide)f/2.8 (5x Telephoto)f/1.78 (Main and 2x Telephoto)f/2.2 (Ultra Wide)f/2.8 (3x Telephoto)Pixel Size for main camera1.22 μm (48 MP)2.44 μm (Quad-pixel 12MP)Sensor Size for main camera1/1.28"Optical image stabilizationAuto image stabilizationcolspan="2" Element LensSeven-element lens (Main and 2x Telephoto)Six-element lens (Ultra Wide and 5x Telephoto)Six-element lens (Ultra Wide and 3x Telephoto)Night Modecolspan="2" Deep Fusioncolspan="2" Photonic Enginecolspan="2" Apple ProRAWcolspan="2" Macro modecolspan="2" Photographic Stylescolspan="2" Optical Zoom0.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x0.5x, 1x, 2x, 3xDigital ZoomUp to 25xUp to 15xAutofocusPanoramaUp to 63 MPPortrait Modecolspan="2" Portrait Lightingcolspan="2" Lens CoverSapphire crystal lens coverBurst Modecolspan="2" FlashAdaptive True Tone flashLive Photoscolspan="2" Wide Color Capturecolspan="2" HDR for photoscolspan="2" Video Recording4K at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps1080p HD at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fpsCinematic video recording with shallow depth of fieldcolspan="2" Extended Dynamic Range Videocolspan="2" Dolby Vision HDR Videocolspan="2" ProRes Videocolspan="2" Optical image stabilization for videoAction Modecolspan="2" Optical Video Zoom0.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x0.5x, 1x, 2x, 3xDigital Video ZoomUp to 15xUp to 9xSlow-motion video1080p at 120 fps or 240 fpsAudio Zoomcolspan="2" QuickTake Videocolspan="2" Time-lapse video with stabilizationcolspan="2" Cinematic video stabilizationcolspan="2" Stereo Recordingcolspan="2" Front CameraCamera12 MP TrueDepthAperturef/1.9Autofocuscolspan="2" Portrait Modecolspan="2" Portrait Lightingcolspan="2" Night modecolspan="2" Deep Fusioncolspan="2" Photonic Enginecolspan="2" Photographic Stylescolspan="2" Animoji and Memojicolspan="2" Live Photoscolspan="2" Wide color capturecolspan="2" Retina Flashcolspan="2" Video Recording4K at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps1080p HD at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fpsSlow-motion videocolspan="2" Extended Dynamic Range Videocolspan="2" Dolby Vision HDR Videocolspan="2" ProRes Videocolspan="2" HDR for photoscolspan="2" Cinematic video stabilizationcolspan="2" Auto Image Stabilizationcolspan="2" FaceTimecolspan="2" AudioPlaybackSpatial AudioDolby Atmoscolspan="2" 3.5 mm Jackcolspan="2" HAC RatingM3, T4Compatible with Made for iPhone Hearing aidscolspan="2" Live Listencolspan="2" MaterialsFrontBlack glass frontBackGlass backSideTitanium grade 5Colors Fast Chargingcolspan="2" Wireless Chargingcolspan="2" Resistantcolspan="2" DimensionsHeightWidthDepthWeightAnnounced DateSeptember 12, 2023Released DateSeptember 22, 2023Discontinued DateSeptember 9, 2024Unsupported DateSupported
Hardware issues reported
Overheating Some owners claimed that their iPhones were suffering from overheating issues, reportedly reaching temperatures as high as . Apple has also said that the phone's titanium frame "does not contribute to the heating issue." In addition, Apple stated the cause of iPhones overheating was a software bug. Apple has attempted to address the overheating issue with iOS 17.0.3 update.
Power bank reverse charging Some owners have found that power banks designed for USB-C devices are not working correctly with the iPhone. Some banks will not charge the iPhone at all or the iPhone will attempt to charge the power bank instead.
NFC Some owners of BMW vehicles using its wireless charging system with the iPhone have found that the NFC chip in charge of Apple Pay and also digital car keys can stop working correctly. Apple has attempted to fix these issues with iOS 17.1.1 and 17.2 updates.
Durability A durability test video for the iPhone 15 Pro Max showed that the back glass was more prone to cracking after the content creator JerryRigEverything applied pressure on the back glass, which caused it to crack, saying that it was unexpected. A later video, published by the same YouTuber, cited that the possible reason for this was that the back glass is no longer glued to a metal plate; this change, and the hollow spots on the phone, may cause the back glass to crack if pressure was applied on those hollow spots; on the durability test video, in some angles, the glass is noticeably caved in to the phone, further proving that it broke due to a hollow spot on the phone. Additional testing by Consumer Reports found that the durability of the iPhone 15 Pro Max was generally excellent, with the back glass not breaking after 50 drops.
Repairability A September 2023 report by iFixit found that repairability on the new iPhones was much worse compared to the 14 series due to various software locking issues, forcing people to buy new parts and repair machines specifically by Apple.
Release and critical reception The devices were unveiled in 2023, alongside the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus during the September 12 Apple Event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. Pre-orders began on September 15, and the devices were made available to the public on September 22. The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max were discontinued on September 9, 2024, following the announcement of the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max.