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

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

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.


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.

Popular Stories

TMRS 211 Duo Debate Thumb

The MacRumors Show: Is the iPhone Duo Actually Worth It?

Friday September 18, 2026 9:15 am PDT by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we revisit the iPhone Duo debate, early impressions of the AirPods 5, and the merits of Apple's latest iPhone and Apple Watch upgrades. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Apple's first foldable iPhone continues to divide opinion, with much of the discussion centering on whether its larger inner display justifies the...
TMRS 213 Welcome Home Event Thumb

The MacRumors Show: Apple's Smart Home Products Are Coming

Friday October 9, 2026 8:36 am PDT by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we look ahead to Apple's recently announced October 13 event and its expected push into the smart home market, including a dedicated home hub, the HomePod mini 2, and a new Apple TV. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Apple is expected to introduce its first smart home hub, a new HomePod mini, and an updated Apple TV...
TMRS 212 18 Pro Cameras Thumb

The MacRumors Show: Tyler Stalman Talks iPhone 18 Pro's Camera

Friday September 25, 2026 8:58 am PDT by
Photographer and videographer Tyler Stalman joins us on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show to examine whether the iPhone 18 Pro's camera is a compelling reason to upgrade, how its new features affect everyday shooting, and what photographers gain or give up with the iPhone Duo. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos The iPhone 18 Pro's Main camera combines a...

Top Rated Comments

wozmatic Avatar
40 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)
40 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)
40 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)
40 months ago
If you have a solid working phone no need to upgrade until notch/pill is gone.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
40 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)
40 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)
Latest Stories
Touchscreen MacBook Pro Could Launch on November 6
Touchscreen MacBook Pro Could Launch on November 6
35 minutes ago
New Withings Users Must Pay $99/Year for Apple Health Syncing
New Withings Users Must Pay $99/Year for Apple Health Syncing
37 minutes ago
Meta and Apple Bring Muse Spark Open AI Model to Mac Studio
Meta and Apple Bring Muse Spark Open AI Model to Mac Studio
2 hours ago
iPad Mini 8: Apple Has Tested Both 60Hz and 120Hz ProMotion Displays
iPad Mini 8: Apple Has Tested Both 60Hz and 120Hz ProMotion Displays
2 hours ago
Apple TV 4K 2022 vs. 2026 Buyer's Guide: All Differences Compared
Apple TV 4K 2022 vs. 2026 Buyer's Guide: All Differences Compared
4 hours ago
Apple CEO John Ternus on Early Foldables: 'Kind of Cheap and Crappy'
Apple CEO John Ternus on Early Foldables: 'Kind of Cheap and Crappy'
4 hours ago
Greg Joswiak Says Apple Isn't Focused on Making AI for 'Lunatic Fringe'
Greg Joswiak Says Apple Isn't Focused on Making AI for 'Lunatic Fringe'
5 hours ago
Amazon Offers $120 Discount on AirPods Max 2, $50 Off AirPods Pro 3
Amazon Offers $120 Discount on AirPods Max 2, $50 Off AirPods Pro 3
6 hours ago
Apple CEO John Ternus Featured on Cover of TIME Magazine: 'New Era'
Apple CEO John Ternus Featured on Cover of TIME Magazine: 'New Era'
6 hours ago
Apple Announces Deadline to 'Get Ready' to Pre-Order the iPhone Duo
Apple Announces Deadline to 'Get Ready' to Pre-Order the iPhone Duo
7 hours ago
MKBHD is 'Not Convinced' About Apple's New HomeView, Here's Why
MKBHD is 'Not Convinced' About Apple's New HomeView, Here's Why
7 hours ago
Apple's Wall-Mounted HomeView Ships Without a Power Adapter
Apple's Wall-Mounted HomeView Ships Without a Power Adapter
7 hours ago
Rare Apple-1 With Steve Jobs Letter Sells for $1.15 Million
Rare Apple-1 With Steve Jobs Letter Sells for $1.15 Million
8 hours ago
Apple Now Inviting Media to October 28 'Launch Experience'
Apple Now Inviting Media to October 28 'Launch Experience'
9 hours ago
iPhone Duo's A20 Pro Chip Benchmarked Ahead of Launch
iPhone Duo's A20 Pro Chip Benchmarked Ahead of Launch
19 hours ago
10 HomeView Features You Might Have Missed
10 HomeView Features You Might Have Missed
21 hours ago
Apple Becomes Second Company to Close Above $5 Trillion
Apple Becomes Second Company to Close Above $5 Trillion
21 hours ago
Which Apple Home Devices Get Siri AI, and When
Which Apple Home Devices Get Siri AI, and When
22 hours ago
Apple's Long-Delayed HomeView Was Already Being Tested in 2024
Apple's Long-Delayed HomeView Was Already Being Tested in 2024
23 hours ago
Apple Intelligence Coming to China in December With iOS 27.3
Apple Intelligence Coming to China in December With iOS 27.3
23 hours ago
Apple Invites App Updated With Two New Features
Apple Invites App Updated With Two New Features
23 hours ago
OpenAI Says Ex-Employee Showed Its Device Plans to Apple
OpenAI Says Ex-Employee Showed Its Device Plans to Apple
1 day ago
Discover the Best Cases and Screen Protectors for Your New iPhone Duo
Discover the Best Cases and Screen Protectors for Your New iPhone Duo
1 day ago
Apple Store Near Los Angeles Closed Due to 'Events Beyond Our Control'
Apple Store Near Los Angeles Closed Due to 'Events Beyond Our Control'
1 day ago
No, HomePod Mini 1 Won't Support Siri AI as CNET Reported
No, HomePod Mini 1 Won't Support Siri AI as CNET Reported
1 day ago
iPhone Duo Compromises: Everything You Have to Give Up
iPhone Duo Compromises: Everything You Have to Give Up
1 day ago
Apple HomeView Has These 15 Apps, Some CarPlay Apps and Widgets Also Supported
Apple HomeView Has These 15 Apps, Some CarPlay Apps and Widgets Also Supported
1 day ago
iPhone Duo: Apple Charging $49 for New Cover Layer, $229 for Battery
iPhone Duo: Apple Charging $49 for New Cover Layer, $229 for Battery
1 day ago
iPhone Duo: Skipping AppleCare+ Could Be $1,499 Mistake
iPhone Duo: Skipping AppleCare+ Could Be $1,499 Mistake
1 day ago
Ready for HomeView? Don't Miss These Smart Home Accessory Deals
Ready for HomeView? Don't Miss These Smart Home Accessory Deals
1 day ago