Should You Still Buy an iPhone 15 in 2025?
Amanz
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Every year, like clockwork, Apple launches a shiny new iPhone lineup. And every year, people wonder if the previous generations are still worth picking up.
Now that it’s late 2025, the iPhone 15 has been out for nearly two years. It’s already been replaced by the iPhone 16 lineup, which has now been overshadowed by the more powerful iPhone 17. Does that mean the iPhone 15 is no longer worth buying? Like always, there’s no one-size-fits-all type of answer.
Thanks to price drops, concurrent deals, and long-term software support, the iPhone 15 could still be one of the smartest iPhone purchases you can make in 2025. Of course, it’s not perfect, as some newer features are missing, and those who want the absolute latest innovations might prefer to get the iPhone 17 or even the iPhone 16.
Let’s see all the reasons you might still want to grab an iPhone 15 this year, as well as the reasons you might want to spend a little more money to get a more recent model.
Reasons to Still Buy an iPhone 15 in 2025
Great Value After Price Drop
When the iPhone 15 first launched in 2023, you could only get it at the usual price of $800. Fast-forward to 2025, and things look much different.
Apple no longer sells the iPhone 15 directly on its website, although it may pop up from time to time on Apple’s Certified Refurbished Store. As of this writing, only the iPhone 15 Plus and two iPhone 15 Pro models are listed there, at least in the US, but that could change.
However, while Apple’s refurbished iPhones are effectively as good as new, Apple also typically only offers 10–15% off. Other places may give you a better deal, including carriers, retailers, and certified refurbished programs.
The iPhone 15 was only discontinued last month when the new iPhone 17 came out, so plenty of places are trying to clear out their old stock at heavily discounted prices. Pair that with year-end sales and holiday offers, and you could probably get an even better deal.
For comparison, the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16e, both of which are still sold by Apple, start at $699 and $599, respectively. You’ll surely be able to find an iPhone 15 at a lower price than those.
This makes the iPhone 15 an excellent option for anyone who wants a premium iPhone experience without paying the extra money for a more modern device. If you’re okay with skipping a few of the bleeding-edge features, the savings are hard to ignore.
The USB-C Port
The iPhone 15 lineup was the first to ditch the Lightning connector in favor of a USB-C port, marking a huge change for Apple.
That change makes it far more convenient to charge and sync your iPhone in 2025. With USB-C, you can use the same cable that charges your iPad, MacBook, Nintendo Switch, or even any Android device.
For most people, this is a no-brainer that will make your life easier. No more carrying around a separate Lightning cable, and no more worrying about having the “wrong” charger.
Of course, not everything is good news, as data transfer speeds are still the same as on iPhones with a Lightning port. If you manage to get the iPhone 15 Pro, you will get USB 3 speeds when using the right cable.
If you still have an older iPhone, like the iPhone 14 or something older, this change will be significant. You’ll finally get an iPhone with a USB-C port that is still recent.
Dynamic Island Is Available on All Models
One of the biggest downsides of the iPhone 14 lineup was that the base models felt left behind. The Pro versions got the Dynamic Island, while the standard iPhone 14 still had the notch. With the iPhone 15, Apple leveled the playing field by giving all models the Dynamic Island.
Granted, the Dynamic Island has been a hit or miss for some people. However, it does bring a new look to the iPhone’s display, at least compared to the previous models. Not only that, but you also get some extra features, information, and interactive apps at the top of your iPhone.
With the Dynamic Island, you get quick access to timers, music controls, directions, and live sports scores without leaving the app you’re in. This makes the iPhone 15 feel much more modern than earlier non-Pro models.
Solid Camera Performance
Apple gave the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus a significant boost in photo quality by upgrading them to a 48-megapixel main camera system, which is the same resolution Apple reserved for Pro models the previous year. That’s a massive upgrade if you’re coming from an older iPhone with a 12 MP camera.
The extra detail is especially useful when cropping or using Apple’s 2x digital zoom mode, which still looks surprisingly sharp. If you’re going for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the addition of a 5x telephoto zoom made it one of the best phones for photography in 2023, and it still holds its own in 2025.
If you’re just getting started in photography or want great pictures without the extra benefits of the iPhone 17’s camera system, the iPhone 15 lineup is still a solid choice.
The iPhone 15 Lineup Is Still Pretty Fast
Performance was one of the iPhone 15’s strongest points, and it still holds up to this day. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus run on the A16 Bionic chip (the same chip found in the iPhone 14 Pro models), while the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max use the A17 Pro chip, Apple’s first 3 nm processor.
Both chips are more than capable of handling iOS 18 and iOS 26. Apps open instantly, multitasking feels smooth, and even demanding games run without hiccups. The A17 Pro, in particular, still outperforms most Android competitors in benchmarks in 2025.
With all of that said, it’s worth noting that the base iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus don’t get any Apple Intelligence support. This is unfortunate, but if you don’t care that much about this technology — which, let’s face it, not even Apple seems to at this point — then you can pick these iPhones and won’t miss anything.
If you do want Apple Intelligence support, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max do support it and will most likely support upcoming new features that Apple might have in store for us.
Besides that, unless you’re a hardcore gamer looking for every ounce of performance, the A16 and A17 Pro chips make the iPhone 15 still feel fresh, and the latter will still let you play the latest AAA console games, like Assassin’s Creed Mirage.
Long-Term Software Support
One of Apple’s greatest strengths is its commitment to long-term software updates. The iPhone 15 launched with iOS 17, and in 2025, it’s already running iOS 26 without a hitch. Based on Apple’s history, it’s safe to assume that you’ll get software updates for at least three more years, and even after the major iOS releases stop, Apple will continue providing security updates. After all, Apple released iOS 15.8.5 last month for the ten-year-old iPhone 6s.
This makes it a smart purchase for anyone who plans to keep their phone for several years. You won’t have to worry about security patches or missing out on major features anytime soon.
Reasons You Might Want to Wait or Skip the iPhone 15
Newer iPhones Bring More Performance and Camera Upgrades
Of course, as you can expect, a more modern iPhone will give you a better camera and more power. For instance, the iPhone 16 lineup made some noticeable improvements. It added better thermals for gaming and heavy use, expanded the Action Button beyond just the Pro models, and improved cameras across the board.
For photography lovers, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max brought more advanced image processing and pushed zoom capabilities further. While the iPhone 15 cameras still hold up, Apple’s improvements in the 16 lineup make it a tempting alternative for those who want the best now.
Additionally, with the release of the iPhone 17, the iPhone 16 is cheaper than ever. As we mentioned, you can get it from Apple at $699 for the base model. This is a good deal, but you’ll surely find even bigger discounts in other stores, especially if you’re willing to opt for it as part of a carrier plan.
The Base iPhone 17 Is One of the Best Upgrades We’ve Seen in a While
Apple launched the new iPhone 17 lineup a few weeks ago, and while the company expected the new iPhone Air to steal the show, the base iPhone 17 is the real winner this year.
The cheaper iPhone in the lineup brought a lot of great improvements. Not only did it get a new Center Stage front-facing camera, which makes taking group selfies even better, but you also get a feature that’s been exclusive to the Pros for a couple of years now: ProMotion.
The iPhone 17 can finally reach a refresh rate of 120 Hz, or go as low as 1 Hz for the Always On display.
If you don’t like the 60 Hz refresh rate on the base iPhones, your only option is to get an iPhone 15 Pro or go for the iPhone 17, which will probably cost around the same.
Limited Apple Intelligence Support
As we mentioned before, only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max support Apple Intelligence. The base iPhone 15 and 15 Plus don’t have what it takes to use this technology.
Of course, not everyone likes Apple Intelligence, and fewer even use it in their daily lives. But it will probably be a more prominent feature in the future.
If AI tools are a priority for you, the iPhone 15 won’t cut it. From text rewriting and summarization to image generation and the promise of a smarter Siri, Apple Intelligence could become a big part of how iPhones work going forward. Without it, the base iPhone 15 may age faster than expected.
No Wi-Fi 7 or Latest Connectivity
The iPhone 15 sticks with Wi-Fi 6, while the Pro models support Wi-Fi 6E, which is still fast but is already being surpassed.
The iPhone 16 and 17 models support Wi-Fi 7, which makes connecting to the internet faster and more secure than ever.
If you’re a power user who needs the fastest internet connection possible, the iPhone 15 is not future-proof enough for you. In that case, you should opt for at least an iPhone 16 model, which supports Wi-Fi 7, or go with the iPhone 17, which will also give you bleeding-edge Bluetooth 6.0 support.
So, Should You Still Buy an iPhone 15 in 2025?
The iPhone 15 is still a fantastic device in 2025, especially if you can find it at a discount. With strong cameras, a powerful chip, a USB-C port, Dynamic Island, and years of software updates ahead, it remains a great, budget-friendly way to get into Apple’s ecosystem.
With that said, it’s not for everyone. If you care about AI features, a ProMotion display, or want a future-proof iPhone, you might be better off with the iPhone 16.
Overall, if you want a premium iPhone experience at a lower cost, don’t need every cutting-edge feature, and want a device that will last years with Apple’s software updates, you should get the iPhone 15.
On the other hand, if you care most about your iPhone’s future capabilities, display technology, or can afford a more modern iPhone, you should skip the iPhone 15 and go for something newer.
Which is the Best iPhone to get?
All in all, while the iPhone 15 is still a solid smartphone, most people would be better off getting the iPhone 16 instead. It’s cheaper now, and you’ll still get a powerful device that’s more capable of handling and future features or software updates.
And if you can afford it, the iPhone 17 is the best choice. Even if you can get a more expensive device, the base iPhone 17 brings a lot of new features that we hadn’t seen on a base iPhone before, making it a huge upgrade this year.
