Apple iPhone 15 series first impressions, from USB-C charging to zoom camera upgrade on Pro Max model that rivals best Android handsets

The titanium-framed iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are powered by the 3nm Apple A17 Pro chip, and the Pro Max gets a 5X zoom camera to match the best Android phones

Both they and the new iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus run on new iOS 17 with improved Airdrop. The biggest change is swapping Lightning for USB-C charging ports

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The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (pictured) will draw power users with its new 5X zoom camera. The top-of-the-line model, and other iPhone 15s, come with Apple’s newest operating system, IOS 17, and, in a big change, USB-C charging ports instead of Lightning. Photo: Ben Sin

Published: 12:45pm, 13 Sep 2023Updated: 4:33pm, 28 Sep 2023

Apple introduced four new iPhones on Wednesday, featuring new cameras, chips and, for the first time in over a decade, a new charging solution.

While Apple fans are going to find plenty to like with any of the four new models, a pickier phone enthusiast will be more drawn to the largest Pro Max model, as that is the device that saw the most upgrades.

The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have screens that are the same size as last year’s models (6.1 inches and 6.7 inches respectively), but each device is 19g lighter than its direct predecessor as the new models have a titanium frame instead of a stainless steel one.

Apple says titanium, though lighter than stainless steel, produces stronger frames. Apple also subtly rounded the edges where the frame meets the front and back glass panels, making for a more comfortable in-hand feel.

The Apple iPhone 15 series phones have subtle rounding of the edges where the frame meets the glass display and rear panels. Photo: Ben Sin

The new iPhone Pro models also get the newest Apple A17 Pro chip built on cutting-edge 3nm architecture – the first of its kind. The chip features a six-core CPU with a 16-core neural engine, and should outpace competing chips from Qualcomm.