The MacRumors Show: iPhone 15 Features We're Excited About and Should You Upgrade?

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On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Apple's new FineWoven accessories, some of our favorite iPhone 15 features, and who should consider upgrading.

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Apple's FineWoven material replaces leather across iPhone cases, AirTag accessories, and Apple Watch bands. Many early reviews of the FineWoven items have been negative, criticizing the material's feel, quality, and durability, so we talk over our early thoughts on the new accessories. The ‌iPhone 15‌ and iPhone 15 Pro introduce over 30 new capabilities and improvements, including USB-C and Dynamic Island across the lineup, as well as a new titanium design and Action button on the high-end models. We dive into some of our favorite standout features and weigh up who should consider upgrading to the latest devices.

Listen to The MacRumors Show in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castro, Google Podcasts, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player. Watch a video version of the show on the MacRumors YouTube channel.


If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, take a look back at our discussion with iJustine where we talk through our immediate reactions to the announcement of the ‌iPhone 15‌, ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for more episodes, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by exciting guests like Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Kevin Nether, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, Quinn Nelson, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Sara Dietschy, Luke Miani, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the show, and let us know what subjects you would like the podcast to cover in the future.

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Top Rated Comments

Menneisyys2 Avatar
Menneisyys2
8 months ago
For me, no compelling reason to upgrade from the 14PM. For example, the (apart from the 5x lens) SINGLE other alleged "improvement" on the 15P(M)'s cameras, the new lens coating, did NOT get rid of the major orbing problem. I bet the extent of the orb problem is the same as previously, in the 14P/M.

Basically, there are only software improvements camera tech-wise, nothing in hardware. The most underwhelming update for years. Prolly the 5s -> 6 upgrade was almost equally bad/underwhelming...

(And of course the vast majority of the new software features, except for writing ProRes videos right to an external SSD or other similar stolid-state memory, could be backported to the 14P(M). Of course it won't happen - except for the 48 Mpixel HEIFs, which are as badly oversharpened as the 12 Mpixel ones so they're pretty useless for anyone wanting natural-looking, quality images.)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wozmatic Avatar
wozmatic
8 months ago
I still use an iPhone 7 (not kidding)
And I'm still unsure if I need to upgrade...
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SkydiveGuy Avatar
SkydiveGuy
8 months ago
Can we go back to written articles? I cant always sit and watch videos or listen to podcasts.
I can always read, though.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tagbert Avatar
Tagbert
8 months ago

For me, no compelling reason to upgrade from the 14PM. For example, the (apart from the 5x lens) SINGLE other alleged "improvement" on the 15P(M)'s cameras, the new lens coating, did NOT get rid of the major orbing problem. I bet the extent of the orb problem is the same as previously, in the 14P/M.

Basically, there are only software improvements camera tech-wise, nothing in hardware. The most underwhelming update for years. Prolly the 5s -> 6 upgrade was almost equally bad/underwhelming...

(And of course the vast majority of the new software features, except for writing ProRes videos right to an external SSD or other similar stolid-state memory, could be backported to the 14P(M). Of course it won't happen - except for the 48 Mpixel HEIFs, which are as badly oversharpened as the 12 Mpixel ones so they're pretty useless for anyone wanting natural-looking, quality images.)
Most people upgrading to a 15 would be coming from older phones. My spouse just upgraded from an XR. It rarely has much impact if you are upgrading from a one year old phone. The year over year improvements aren't that large anymore as most of the hardware limitations of the early phones have been resolved. If you wait for 2-3 years then the cumulative improvements do feel like a significant jump.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4odomi Avatar
4odomi
8 months ago

If you have 14, maybe.
if you have 13, yes you want to.
if you have less than 13? What are you waiting for? iPhone will not suddenly change into iCar.
I have a 13 Pro & my a Partner a 12 Pro, neither of us see any compelling reasons to upgrade, especially after seeing the early reviews.....
I'm extremely underwhelmed by what Apple is coming out with in the last 2 years ?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gimarbazat Avatar
gimarbazat
8 months ago
If you have a solid working phone no need to upgrade until notch/pill is gone.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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