Apple iPhone 15
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until September 2030 · Buy-by September 2028
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~7-year update track record — on that basis the iPhone 15 should be supported until around September 2030. Buying it today still gets you about 4.3 years of safe use (Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years).
Source: Apple's documentation · last verified 2026-06-11 · how we compute this
TrueCost
Street price ÷ months of safe use remaining — the number that makes cheap short-lived phones expensive, and well-supported ones cheap.
33% cheaper than the $300–600 median ($12.54/mo, dying phones excluded)
Our verdict
The standard iPhone 15 brings USB-C, the 48MP camera and Dynamic Island to the affordable tier, but its 60Hz screen now feels dated.
Pros
- 48MP main camera delivers genuinely sharp, detailed photos for the price
- USB-C finally replaces Lightning, simplifying cables across devices
- A16 Bionic stays fast and smooth for everyday use and most games
- Dynamic Island and bright 2000-nit display feel modern and premium
- Long software runway with updates expected into 2030
Cons
- Display is stuck at 60Hz while rivals and Pro models offer 120Hz
- No telephoto lens, so zoomed shots rely on a digital crop
- Charging tops out around 20-27W, slower than many Android phones
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, Dynamic Island, up to 2000 nits peak |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 48MP — 48MP Fusion, 26mm, ƒ/1.6, sensor-shift OIS; 2x optical-quality crop |
| ultra-wide | 12MP |
| front | 12MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 3,349 mAh |
| Charging | Wired ~50% in 30 min with 20W+; MagSafe 15W wireless |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.80 mm |
| Weight | 171 g |
| Materials | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front |
| Water resistance | IP68 |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | iOS 17 at launch |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C |
| Update policy | ~7 years of updates (our estimate from Apple's track record — written minimum is 5 years) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
How long will the iPhone 15 get updates?
Apple does not publish a fixed promise, but its recent iPhones have received roughly seven years of iOS and security updates. On that basis the iPhone 15, released in September 2023, should get updates into about 2030, making it a safe long-term buy in 2026.
Is a used iPhone 15 worth it in 2026?
Yes, for most people. At a used price around 430 dollars it offers USB-C, a strong 48MP camera, the fast A16 chip and several more years of updates. The main compromise is the 60Hz screen, which is fine for everyday use but not as smooth as 120Hz panels.
Does the iPhone 15 have a high refresh rate screen?
No. The iPhone 15 uses a 60Hz Super Retina XDR OLED display. The smoother 120Hz ProMotion screen is reserved for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, so if buttery scrolling matters to you, consider a Pro model.
Can the iPhone 15 zoom optically?
Not with a dedicated lens. It has a 48MP main and 12MP ultra-wide camera but no telephoto, so 2x shots are a high-quality crop of the main sensor and further zoom is digital. For real optical zoom you need a Pro model.
Compare it
Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-11.