Was the iPhone 15 worth the hype? Apple fans give their verdict

Resounding success, or missed opportunity?

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Apple’siPhone 15handsets began shipping exactly one month ago today, so now seems as good a time as any to take stock of this year’s iPhone offering and ask: was the iPhone 15 really worth the hype?

You’ll find our own answers to that question in ouriPhone 15 review,iPhone 15 Plus review,iPhone 15 Pro review, andiPhone 15 Pro Max review– but what about Apple fans more generally? Has the iPhone 15 proven a hit with the public, or left users feeling cold (or perhapstoo hot)?

Well, Apple fan account AppleTrack has sought to shed light on that very question, having asked its 260,000 followers (viaX) for their thoughts on Apple’s newbest iPhones.

One month later: was the iPhone 15 WORTH the hype ⁉️ pic.twitter.com/ECWfBncBbaOctober 20, 2023

Perhaps unsurprisingly, many of the responses to AppleTrack’s post are resoundingly positive – at least to begin with.

“Yes, it’s an incredible product. Best iPhone ever,” readsone reply, whileanotherreads, “The 15 Pro Max is the best iPhone I’ve ever owned!”

One Xusertalks up the iPhone 15’s inevitable longevity – “reliable phone for sure” – andanothercommends its design and camera credentials: “Love mine. The weight reduction and camera improvements make it worth it to me, as it’s a device I’m using daily. The investment makes sense.”

So far, so good – and we’re inclined to agree. The weight reduction on theiPhone 15 Pro Max, in particular, is significant, with Apple’s new titanium design making its latest and greatest phone a much more practical proposition than the heftyiPhone 14 Pro Max.

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The 48MP camera on the standard iPhone 15 marks a monumental upgrade over the 12MP sensor used by its predecessor, too; if you’re not fussed about telephoto zoom, then this new main camera essentially closes the photographic gap between Apple’s standard and Pro iPhones.

But some responses to AppleTrack’s post are more critical. “No [it’s not worth the hype],” writesone X user. “It breaks more easily than any other iPhone before it, the 14 had a better, crispier feel in the hand, and it’s overheated a lot, causing permanent damage.”

Anotheruserlaments the lack of changes versus previous iPhone generations: “No. Except for the weight [reduction] on the Pro series and Dynamic Island on the 15 series.”

Again, both points stand. TheiPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max suffered from significant overheating issuesat launch – though thesehave now been fixed– and despite the addition of titanium sides on both phones,iPhone 15 Pro drop testshave suggested that it’s not as durable as theiPhone 14 Pro.

Others have expressed criticism – or rather, indifference – towards the Action button (“I kinda forget it’s there,” writesone user). However, we suspect that this feature will grow in utility as both Apple and third-party app developers make good on its potential in the coming months.

As usual, then, the general consensus seems to be that Apple’s new iPhone upgrades are impressive, welcome, and useful – but potentially too few in number. Still, there’s no denying that all four phones rank among thebest iPhones(perhaps even thebest phones, period) ever made.

If you’re interested in picking up an iPhone 15 for the best price available, head over to our dedicatediPhone 15 dealspage.

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Axel is TechRadar’s UK-based Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site’s Mobile Computing vertical. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and FourFourTwo, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion. 

Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining TechRadar in 2020, where he then earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.

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