iPhone 15 Specs · Charger · Cable · Repair & Reviews

The iPhone 15 turned up in Counterpoint Research’s top 10 for 2025, two years after launch, so it is still one of the most common phones around. This page collects Apple’s documented specifications and iFixit’s repair information, and explains what they mean for the cable and charger you need. Every figure is traced to a source listed at the bottom of the page.

Key specs

Two blanks are deliberate. The wired charging row is empty because Apple gives a fast-charge claim tied to a 20W adapter, not a maximum wattage. The refresh rate row is empty because Apple lists no ProMotion or refresh rate for this model.

Where does the iPhone 15 fit?

Apple introduced the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus with the Dynamic Island, a 48MP Main camera and the A16 Bionic chip. Pre-orders began Friday, September 15, 2023, with availability from Friday, September 22. The iPhone 15 started at $799 in the US with 128GB, 256GB and 512GB of storage, though Apple notes that pricing included a $30 connectivity discount that requires activation with AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon. Apple lists five colors: pink, yellow, green, blue and black.

Counterpoint Research’s full-year 2025 ranking, reported by AppleInsider, places the iPhone 15 eighth in the world. It is not on Apple’s main iPhone lineup page any more, which now lists the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17e and iPhone 16, so we mark it as discontinued; carriers and retailers may still stock it. See the Apple hub for current models, including the iPhone 16.

What cable does the iPhone 15 use?

The iPhone 15 has one USB-C connector. Apple’s specifications list charging, DisplayPort and USB 2 data transfer at up to 480Mb/s, and the box includes a 1 m USB-C charge cable that Apple says supports fast charging and works with USB-C power adapters and computer ports. Apple’s newsroom post for the phone lists USB-C among its headline features.

Because the data speed is USB 2, a faster cable will not speed up transfers, since the USB-IF says USB products run at the lowest common speed; see the USB speed guide. Our USB-C explainer covers the connector. If you have Lightning accessories from an older phone, our Lightning page summarizes what Apple says about its USB-C to Lightning adapter, and cable buying safety covers choosing a new cable.

What charger does the iPhone 15 need?

Wired. Apple lists the iPhone 15 as fast-charge capable: up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with a 20W adapter or higher (available separately) paired with a USB-C charging cable. The phone does not include a power adapter, and Apple encourages you to use any compatible USB-C power adapter. See the wattage guide and USB Power Delivery.

MagSafe. Apple lists MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W. Apple’s MagSafe page groups the iPhone 15 with models that reach up to 15W with a 20W or greater USB-C power adapter (9V/2.22A or 9V/2.56A or higher) and a MagSafe Charger with part number A2140, and says charging is limited while USB-C or Lightning accessories are connected.

Qi2 and Qi. Apple lists Qi2 wireless charging up to 15W and Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W; see Qi2 explained, Qi explained and the wireless charger guide. For a checklist, read which charger is safe for my phone.

The screen, explained

The iPhone 15 has a 6.1-inch all-screen OLED display, branded Super Retina XDR, at 2556-by-1179 pixels and 460 ppi, with Dynamic Island. Apple lists 1000 nits typical maximum brightness, 1600 nits peak for HDR and 2000 nits peak outdoors. OLED means each pixel makes its own light, which is why dark areas can be very dark; see OLED explained. Apple lists no ProMotion or adaptive refresh rate for this model, so our table leaves the refresh rate blank; the refresh rate guide explains the numbers on other iPhones. Apple does not use the term LTPO on the pages we checked; see LTPO OLED.

Performance, cameras and battery

The A16 Bionic chip has a 6-core CPU, a 5-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine, according to Apple’s specifications. The camera system is a 48MP Main camera (26 mm, f/1.6, sensor-shift optical image stabilization) and a 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.4, 120-degree field of view), with a 12MP 2x telephoto enabled by the Main camera’s quad-pixel sensor. Apple lists 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out and a 4x optical zoom range.

For battery life Apple lists up to 20 hours of video playback, up to 16 hours of streamed video and up to 80 hours of audio playback. These are manufacturer figures.

Build and durability

The iPhone 15 has an aluminum design with a Ceramic Shield front and a color-infused glass back. Apple’s announcement calls the color-infused back glass an industry first for a smartphone. It is rated IP68, with a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes under IEC standard 60529. It measures 5.81 inches tall, 2.82 inches wide and 0.31 inch deep and weighs 171 grams. It supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 and 5G on sub-6 GHz and mmWave bands.

How it compares with the iPhone 16

Apple’s pages show the iPhone 16 as a modest step. Both have a 6.1-inch OLED display with Dynamic Island and USB 2 at up to 480Mb/s, and neither lists ProMotion. The iPhone 16 moves to the A18 chip, adds Wi-Fi 7 against Wi-Fi 6, lists up to 22 hours of video playback against 20 hours, and lists MagSafe and Qi2 at up to 25W against 15W here. Both launched at $799. If you own an iPhone 15, the wireless charging speed is the clearest published difference.

What is in the box

Apple’s specifications list the iPhone, a 1 m USB-C charge cable and documentation, and say the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus do not include a power adapter or EarPods. Apple encourages you to use any compatible USB-C power adapter.

Getting the most from MagSafe

Apple’s MagSafe guidance applies to the iPhone 15. Apple says the system adapts to conditions and that the power actually delivered depends on the iPhone model, the wattage of the power adapter and system conditions, so 15W is a peak, not a constant. It stresses plugging the charger into power before placing the phone on it, so MagSafe can verify it is safe to deliver maximum power; if you placed the phone on the charger first, remove it, wait three seconds and put it back. Apple also says that for the iPhone 15 and earlier, charging while USB-C or Lightning accessories such as headphones are connected is limited to 7.5W to comply with regulatory standards, and that the 15W figure needs the older MagSafe Charger with part number A2140 rather than the newer 25W model.

Repair overview

iFixit’s device page for the iPhone 15 shows a repairability score of 7 out of 10 and lists guides for the back glass, battery and other parts. We link to the device page and never copy iFixit’s text.

Read our repair overview for the iPhone 15, battery replacement basics, screen replacement basics and how to read repairability scores. Apple says a professional provider using genuine parts is the safest route for most battery repairs.

Video reviews

We have not verified individual review videos for this phone, so we do not list any. You can browse more video reviews of the iPhone 15 on YouTube.

Compatible accessories

Categories to look at: MagSafe cases, 20W chargers and screen protectors. We do not have affiliate links yet; when we do they will be marked as paid links.

See the accessories hub, chargers and power banks, which have airline rules.

Who should buy it, and who might skip it

Facts that help you decide:

• You want USB-C at a lower price on a used or refurbished phone. It launched at $799 with a USB-C port.
• You want repair information. iFixit scores it 7 out of 10.
• You want faster wireless charging. Apple lists up to 15W here, against 25W on the iPhone 16.
• You want a smooth 120Hz screen. Apple lists no ProMotion for this model.
• You want a charger included. None is in the box.
• You want a phone Apple still lists. It is not on Apple’s main lineup page.