Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 15
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is the flagship option here, offering a stunning 6.3" display with a peak brightness of 3000 nits, which is perfect for outdoor use. If you're looking for something more budget-friendly, the Apple iPhone 15 packs a solid punch with its 6.1" display and still impressive 2000 nits peak brightness. In real-world usage, the iPhone 17 Pro's battery lasts up to 33 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 15 offers 20 hours. That extra battery life means fewer charges during your busy day, making it a no-brainer for heavy users or anyone who frequently watches videos on the go. Key specs: Display: 6.3" vs 6.1" and Refresh: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
Why compare these? The Apple iPhone 17 Pro (premium flagship) and Apple iPhone 15 (mid-range) represent different approaches to smartphones. While they may appeal to different budgets, many buyers consider both options. This 2026 comparison helps you decide if the differences justify the price gap.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Apple iPhone | Apple iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.8★ (108 reviews) | 4.8★ (951 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor) | High-resolution 48MP main camera with useful 2x optical-quality crop |
| Main Drawback | Charging requires purchasing a 40W+ adapter separately for max speed | Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion 120 Hz) |
| Market Position | ✓Flagship | Mid-range |
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
Apple iPhone 15
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A16 Bionic chip (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic)
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 15
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 15
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 17 Pro | Apple iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(108)Best Buy | ★4.8(951)Best Buy |
Operating System | iOS | iOS |
Software Support | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades |
Processor | Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing) | Apple A16 Bionic chip (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) |
Graphics | Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro) | Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic) |
RAM | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) | 6 GB (LPDDR5) |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe) | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe) |
Display Size | 6.3" (6.27" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | 6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED |
Resolution | 2622 x 1206 pixels (460 ppi) | 2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display | 60 Hz |
Peak Brightness | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor) |
Main Camera | 48MP Fusion Main (24 mm, f/1.6), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) | 48MP Main (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.4, 120° field of view) |
Telephoto Camera | 48MP Fusion Telephoto (100 mm, 4x, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus; enables 12MP optical-quality 8x zoom (200 mm equivalent) | No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP quad-pixel sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS |
Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x optical-quality zoom steps (16x optical zoom range) | 0.5x, 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (4x optical zoom range) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 40x | Up to 10x |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps (Fusion Main); ProRes up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps |
Front Camera | 18MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps |
Battery | 4252 mAh (Li-ion, eSIM model); Up to 33 hours video playback (30 hours streamed) | 3349 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 20 hours video playback (16 hours streamed) |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W | MagSafe up to 15W; Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); NFC with reader mode |
USB | USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output | USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield 2 front; Ceramic Shield back; Aerospace-grade aluminum unibody (with internal vapor chamber) | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front; Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused glass back |
Dimensions | 5.89" x 2.81" x 0.32" (149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25 mm) | 5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm) |
Weight | 7.27 oz (206 g) | 6.02 oz (171 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
Extras | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite | Dynamic Island; Ring/Silent switch; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. | Check Price on Amazon→ | Check Price on Amazon→ |
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
12 GB (LPDDR5X)
256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe)
Pros
- Brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor)
- Triple 48MP camera system with new 4x tetraprism telephoto
Cons
- Charging requires purchasing a 40W+ adapter separately for max speed
- No physical SIM tray (eSIM only in US models)
Apple iPhone 15
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A16 Bionic chip (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic)
6 GB (LPDDR5)
128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)
Pros
- High-resolution 48MP main camera with useful 2x optical-quality crop
- Bright, color-accurate OLED display (up to 2000 nits outdoor)
Cons
- Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion 120 Hz)
- USB-C port limited to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds (480 Mb/s)
Which one is better?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is the better buy for most people - its 4252mAh battery crushes the iPhone 15's 3349mAh, giving you extra hours of use. That said, grab the iPhone 15 if you want to save money while still enjoying a great display and camera features.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 17 Pro if: you watch videos frequently, need the brightest display available, or want the best camera performance. (6.3" display, 120 Hz refresh)
Choose the Apple iPhone 15 if: you want to save money, prefer a lighter device, or don't need top-tier battery life. (6.1" display, 60 Hz refresh)
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 951 reviews vs 108
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Brightest 6.3-inch display Priority
Brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor)
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Bottom line: Both products share a 4.8★ rating, making this comparison particularly close. Your decision should come down to which specific features matter most to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Apple iPhone 15?
Apple iPhone 17 Pro is the better choice if you prioritize brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor). Apple iPhone 15 wins if you value high-resolution 48mp main camera with useful 2x optical-quality crop. Both are rated highly (4.8★ vs 4.8★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Apple iPhone 15?
Key differences: Apple iPhone 17 Pro offers brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor), while Apple iPhone 15 stands out with high-resolution 48mp main camera with useful 2x optical-quality crop. Consider that Apple iPhone 17 Pro charging requires purchasing a 40w+ adapter separately for max speed. Meanwhile, Apple iPhone 15 display limited to 60 hz (no promotion 120 hz). Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 27, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
Affiliate disclosure
PageBen uses Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports independent content for US shoppers.