iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15
Last updated
Specs from Apple.com
Category Scorecard
Size Comparison
Scaled at 1.2px per mm. Difference is negligible — the same cases do not fit due to camera module changes.
Full Specifications
| Specification | iPhone 14 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch year | 2022 | 2023 |
| Display | 6.1-inch · OLED · 60Hz | 6.1-inch · OLED · 60Hz |
| Display type | OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2532x1170 | 2556x1179 |
| PPI | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness | 800 nits typical; 1,200 nits peak HDR | 1,000 nits typical; 1,600 nits peak HDR; 2,000 nits peak outdoors |
| HDR display | Yes | Yes |
| True Tone | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on display | No | No |
| Notch style | Classic notch | Dynamic Island |
| Chip | A15 Bionic; 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine | A16 Bionic; 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine |
| Main camera | 12MP, f/1.5, OIS | 48MP, f/1.6, OIS |
| Ultrawide camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Telephoto camera | Not published | No dedicated telephoto; 2x optical-quality Telephoto option is enabled by the 48MP Main sensor |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Video max | 4K/60fps | 4K/60fps |
| Battery (video) | Up to 20 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Apple fast-charge adapter requirement | 20W-or-higher adapter for Apple's fast-charge claim; maximum device draw not published | 20W-or-higher adapter for Apple's fast-charge claim; maximum device draw not published |
| MagSafe charging | Yes, 15W | Yes, 15W |
| Connector | Lightning | USB-C (USB 2, up to 480Mb/s) |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Crash Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite SOS | Yes | Yes |
| Dynamic Island | No | Yes |
| Camera Control | No | No |
| Action Button | No | No |
| Night Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Intelligence | No | No |
| Apple lineup status | No longer sold by Apple, checked 2026-09-14 | No longer sold by Apple, checked 2026-09-14 |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
| Frame / back | aluminum / glass | aluminum / glass |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.8 mm | 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm |
| Weight | 172 g | 171 g |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Launch price | $799 | $799 |
Dynamic Island, 48MP, and USB-C from iPhone 14 to iPhone 15
For buyers coming from an iPhone 12 or older, the iPhone 15 adds a 48 MP main camera with a 2x optical-quality crop and replaces Lightning with USB-C. If you already own an iPhone 14, upgrade when Dynamic Island, the camera crop, or USB-C matters to you; otherwise the two phones' 6.1-inch OLED displays and 12 MP ultrawide cameras remain similar.
Display
Both phones use a 6.1-inch OLED panel at 460 ppi — the sharpness is identical. The meaningful difference is brightness: the iPhone 15 hits 1,000 nits in typical outdoor use versus 800 nits on the 14. In direct sunlight, the 15 is visibly easier to read. The iPhone 15 also swaps the classic notch for Dynamic Island, a pill-shaped cutout that doubles as a live notification space for timers, music, and navigation.
Performance
The iPhone 15 runs Apple's A16 Bionic, a generation ahead of the 14's A15 Bionic. For everyday tasks — messaging, browsing, social media — the gap is effectively invisible. Where A16 shows its edge is sustained workloads: rendering a long video, running a demanding game at high settings, or using computation-heavy photo processing. The 15 also stays cooler under load. Neither phone will feel slow in 2026, but the 15 provides a newer hardware baseline for demanding apps and current features.
Camera
This is the sharpest difference between the two phones. The iPhone 14's main sensor is 12MP; the 15 jumps to 48MP. In practice, that means the 15 captures roughly four times the raw data, which lets you crop into a photo without it turning into mush. The 15 also uses the center portion of that sensor to create a 2x optical-quality zoom — something the 14 can't replicate. Both have a 12MP ultrawide and no dedicated telephoto. Low-light results are improved on the 15 as well, largely due to the larger pixels available in full-sensor mode.
Battery
Apple rates both phones at 20 hours of video playback, and real-world use backs that up — they are essentially tied. Both use a 20W-or-higher adapter for Apple's fast-charge claim (maximum device draw is not published) and 15W MagSafe. The switch to USB-C on the 15 means you can use the same cable as your MacBook or iPad.
Design & Build
On paper these phones are nearly the same size: the 15 is 0.9mm taller and 0.1mm wider, undetectable in hand. Both use aluminum frames and glass backs with IP68 water resistance. The connector change from Lightning to USB-C is the most practical design shift — one less cable type to carry. Dynamic Island on the 15 replaces the static notch with an interactive live area, which some people love and others barely notice. At 171g, the 15 is 1g lighter than the 14's 172g.
Value
Both phones launched at $799. Compare current listings with matching storage, condition, and warranty terms. If you are on a tight budget, the 14 remains capable; if you are buying new, the 15’s camera and USB-C improvements may justify a higher live price and offer a newer hardware baseline.
Who Should Buy Which: the iPhone 15 refresh versus iPhone 14 value
Buy the iPhone 14 if…
- You're upgrading from an iPhone X or 11 and want a larger upgrade at a lower price
- You have a large existing collection of Lightning accessories and cables you'd rather not replace
- You're buying for a teenager or secondary user who doesn't need the best camera
- Budget is the primary factor and you find one much cheaper
Buy the iPhone 15 if…
- You shoot photos regularly and want the ability to crop in tight without losing sharpness
- You've already moved to USB-C elsewhere and want a single cable ecosystem
- You work outdoors in direct sunlight where those extra 200 nits of brightness matter
- You plan to keep this phone 4+ years and want the newer chip for demanding apps and current features
Case Compatibility
iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 cases are not compatible. The camera module shape changed between generations, and Dynamic Island vs. the classic notch means the top cutout is a completely different shape. Don't assume a case that fits one will fit the other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do iPhone 14 cases fit iPhone 15?
No. The iPhone 15 has a different camera module shape and uses Dynamic Island instead of a notch, meaning the top cutout is completely different. Cases are not interchangeable between these two models.
Is the iPhone 15 camera noticeably better than iPhone 14?
Yes, meaningfully. The jump from 12MP to 48MP means you can crop a photo to 2x without it falling apart. The 15 also gains a 2x optical-quality zoom mode that the 14 simply doesn't have. In low light, the larger pixel data captures more shadow detail. Side-by-side, the difference is obvious in anything other than bright daylight.
Should I upgrade from iPhone 14 to iPhone 15?
Probably not unless the camera or USB-C matters to you specifically. The 14 is still fast and still takes good photos; check current iOS compatibility before buying. If you shoot a lot and want that extra detail when cropping, or you've been waiting for USB-C to consolidate your cables, the 15 is worth it. Otherwise, wait for a bigger generational jump.