The new iPhone 15 has arrived and now is a great time to look back at how Apple has improved its flagship phone over the past four years. We're comparing the iPhone 15 to the iPhone 11 from 2019 to see how much has changed.
The iPhone 15 is similar to the iPhone 11 in many ways, but it has some notable upgrades. It's like the iPhone 11 in that it's a well-rounded device, but it has a more modern design with sharper edges. However, its display still has room for improvement.
Let's take a trip down memory lane and compare the iPhone 15 to the iPhone 11:
Better Performance: The iPhone 15 has significantly better performance.
Improved Display: The iPhone 15 has a sharper and brighter display with better colours and contrast.
No More Notch: The iPhone 15 replaces the notch with something called Dynamic Island.
Sharp Edges: Unlike the iPhone 11's curved edges, the iPhone 15 has sharp edges.
More Storage: The base storage of the iPhone 15 is higher at 128GB.
Enhanced Camera System: The camera on the iPhone 15 is vastly improved with new features.
Better Battery Life: The iPhone 15 has noticeably better battery life.
Faster Charging: It also charges faster and uses a USB-C port.
Design and Size:
The iPhone 11 had a smooth, pebble-like design with curved edges, while the iPhone 15 has a more boxy design with slightly less sharp edges. The back panel is now matte-textured glass, reducing fingerprint smudges. The most significant change is the move from a notch to the Dynamic Island, making the iPhone 15 look quite different. The camera lenses on the back have also become larger.
The transition from Apple's Lightning port to USB-C is another change, and the iPhone 15 comes with a braided USB-C to USB-C cable. In terms of size, the iPhone 15 is similar to the iPhone 14, with a slightly lighter build.
Display Differences:
The iPhone 11 lacked an OLED screen and had a lower resolution. However, the iPhone 15 features an OLED display, although it still falls behind some Android competitors due to its 60Hz screen refresh rate. It does offer significantly higher brightness levels compared to the iPhone 11.
Battery Life and Charging Improvements
Apple faced challenges with battery life in the iPhone 11 series. However, this changed dramatically with the iPhone 13 series, which set a new standard for battery performance.
Unquestionably, the iPhone 15 surpasses the iPhone 11 in battery longevity, even if you somehow come across a 2019 iPhone with 100% battery health in 2023. The A16 Bionic chipset in the new generation is significantly more power-efficient.
Additionally, the iPhone 15 offers slightly faster 20W wired charging, compared to the 18W charging on the iPhone 11. Wireless charging speeds show an even more pronounced difference, as the iPhone 15 supports MagSafe charging at up to 15W, while the older model can only reach 7.5W with regular Qi charging.
Summary and Final Verdict:
Over four generations, Apple has made substantial improvements to its iPhones. It's interesting to note that the iPhone 15, like the iPhone 11, still falls short in terms of display compared to its competition. However, it's a clear sign of the iPhone's evolution. If you own an iPhone 11 and are looking for an upgrade, the iPhone 15 is a solid choice.
But if your iPhone 11 is still serving you well, it can last for another year or two with software updates and security patches. You don't have to rush into buying a new phone, as your older flagship can still be reliable for some time.
