iPhone 15 Hands On - a Photographer's Perspective

iPhone 15 is the latest iteration from Apple which brings many updates that will be highly welcomed by anyone wanting the absolute finest smartphone on the market. In addition to many new features in iOS 17, the new iPhone lineup give us some key hardware updates to not only the camera system, but connectivity as well as processing power with the new A17 processor chip featuring a new 6 core GPU. From raytracing graphics to image processing, this is the best iPhone that Apple has released to date.
Thanks to Apple for the loaner phones and for inviting me to Cupertino for the announcement event. Accommodations were paid for by me personally. This video is not sponsored.
Watch more iPhone reviews: • Smartphone Reviews
Sign up to the mailing list for weekly updates theartofphotography.tv/list
My Adobe Lightroom and Capture One Presets theartofphotography.tv/presets/
AoP T-Shirts aop.threadless.com/
Need a website? squarespace.com/aop
On my channel you will find videos about photography, cinematography, post processing tutorials for Capture One, Lightroom and Photoshop, photo assignments that YOU can participate in, the Artist Series and more. The Artist Series is an ongoing set of videos I produce as documentaries on living photographers. I am extremely passionate about photography and video and my goal in making these videos is to share my passion and enthusiasm with you! Don’t forget to subscribe and make sure to hit the like button and share this video if you enjoyed it!
Ted Forbes
The Art of Photography
2830 S. Hulen, Studio 133
Fort Worth, TX 76109
US of A

[@brenolad]

The greatest innovator on the Apple team was the EU.

[@cre8509]

😂

[@graxxor]

lol

[@ky314]

I suppose if you ignore the fact the Apple has been moving its product lines over to USB-C since 2015, you could suggest that.

[@tonyhawk123]

Apple innovated the concept of inserting a charging connector either way around. You're welcome!

[@dextermorgan4093]

Apple fan boy says “this is such a great upgrade”. Droid fan boy says “umm we had that on Samsung 4 years ago.

[@codygiron7814]

There are several things that distinguish you from the massive pack of tech reviewers. First, you’re able to get through a fairly long review without annoying jump cut after jump cut. In fact, I can’t remember another KZbin video that was anywhere nearly as smooth as yours. Secondly, EVERY SINGLE OTHER iPhone reviewer seems to need to remind us that Android had such and such a feature 2,000 years before Apple. I don’t need to know about Android or Windows …other than what I already know; neither of these platforms are for me. You’re my new go-to!

[@scottwallace1]

Amen. If you like Android or Windows, great. Support them with your business. But I'll take Apple's ease of use and intuitive nature combined with what is usually either state of the art or competitive with state of the art performance across a host of categories any day. I'm not a fanboy (another lazy insult the Android Windows crowd like to lob our way), I just like cool stuff that works well. Is it perfect? Of course not. But having what would have been an advanced super computer not all that long ago that fits in your pocket and does all that it does? I mean, they're poisonously addictive. But,...I get it.

[@Tobe1Kanobee]

Yep,,,,, what you said :)

[@IsaacNYC212]

I truly feel like many people take for granted the engineering that goes into our devices.

[@blessdarah1256]

Exactly! A lot of people look for reasons to complain all the time without really knowing the thought process and the dedication it takes to produce such a wholesome device.

[@TwistedShrapnel]

NPC: hurpdurp looks the same. must be the same.

[@thishandleisntavailable.]

well said

[@duderu4real94]

When you say our devices, what role do you play at Apple 🤔

[@buxz777]

@@duderu4real94 some of you will argue over red being red Our devices … the devices we use … it’s really not hard to grasp is it lol 😂

[@dwylhq874]

The thing most people are missing about the Action Button (which could/should have been available 10 years ago!) is that it allows you to activate the camera with gloves or wet hands. I’ve lost count of number of times I’ve missed great family shots at the beach/pool due to my iPhone not unlocking.

[@ChillydontCap]

What does wet hands/gloves have to do with Face ID unlocking your phone?

[@enellive]

they mean you currently have to slide the screen to open the camera, which is something thats difficult to do with gloves or wet hands. Now you have a physical button, so you don't have to rely on the touch screen to turn the camera on.@@ChillydontCap

[@SETHBRUNDLEFLY]

You can trigger the camera with a tap gesture to the back of your phone fyi

[@marquezdennis]

You still have to activate the camera somehow, by swiping or long pressing, but with wet hands / gloves you can't do that. You don't need FaceID to activate the camera. @@ChillydontCap

[@enellive]

ahh completely forgot about that. thanks for the reminder!@@SETHBRUNDLEFLY

[@karlquint]

Thank you, Ted, for this wonderful video. That’s what I was missing from the media, a photographer focused review on the new phones. A pleasure to watch it.

[@lifeinthemiddle55]

If you want an honest review, watch Tony and Chelsea Northrup. They give you the actual details and break the facts down.

[@marmot201]

I appreciate this review. One feature that I’ve really appreciated as a photographer on my Pixel 7 is being able to double click the power button to instantly open the camera. Then take pictures or video with the volume button. This enables me to take a lot of action shots on a bike or when I’m constrained somehow. I don’t even have to look at the phone. Good to see the iPhone 15 Pro now has a similar ability now.

[@candanceswaim7893]

Now this is what I needed to choose this phone from a photography standpoint! I so needed this review! Thank you for taking the time to give a detailed explanation of what it can do!

[@ThoughtFission]

I think it's important to note that Apple didn't switch to USB C through the goodness of their heart, to give the customer a better experience. They did it because the EU forced them to.

[@Weather_Nerd]

People say that, and yet they had it on other devices for years. Anyone who thinks they wouldn’t EVENTUALLY head in that direction with their phones is just not using their goopy head organ

[@Weather_Nerd]

So thanks EU for likely ensuring it happened 1-3 years sooner. Technically, Apple could have waited one more iPhone iteration before going this route but yeah

[@innosanto]

@@Weather_NerdEU forced them. They made money with thr other pne which was proprietory and they got money from gadget manufacturers

[@shmvon]

Makes you wonder how many other functionality they haven't released yet because consumers are happy with incremental updates and this way it sells more stuff. Who cares about the environment?

[@cib777]

I don't think that is important at all. Just because they were commercially 'forced' doesn't change the engineering and modifications apple have chosen to make.

[@mcmasterphoto]

Ted, I can always count on you for an awesome review! Thank you so much.

[@gwgrote5]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I'm not the type of person who needs the latest and greatest Apple products. I have an iPhone 8 and after watching your video, I am contemplating getting the iPhone 15. This is one of the greatest reviews of what the iPhone can do. Thx!

[@winedemonium]

What got my attention here was the depth map function. Reminds me of the Lytro light field camera. Really cool to have that on a phone! Log video and tethering, etc, all pretty amazing too.

[@bolttracks]

The “Focos” app has actually had the feature for a while and even allowed cinematic video way before Apple included it by recording a live feed of depth data alongside video 🤯

[@gLOWbalx]

​@@bolttrackseven worked on the XR

[@jackangus7592]

Your discussion was beyond excellent. The amount of information regarding iPhone 15 was a micro tutorial. I see this iPhone is an opportunity to enhance our skills within the creative field of photography. Without carrying the weight and burden of a conventional camera system, new doors have been opened to focus our eyes in more appreciative ways.

[@JohnKahler]

Yup, been shooting pro video for decades, just got the 15 pro max a couple of weeks ago and starting to learn it, this was helpful.

[@chrisfoster8770]

Great video Ted!! Can’t wait to get mine in hand to check out all the great new camera features! Hope to see you again one of these days!

[@TW1Nspin]

Great review and summarization of the nuance details that do not get discussed often. Thank you!! 👌🏼

[@mantykarhu]

Great video. Probably the best I've seen for the iPhone 15 and what it does in relation to photography.

[@bolttracks]

Great review! Log encoding is what finally won me over into getting the pro model this time around! Are you planning on measuring how many stops of dynamic range you can get out of Log ProRes footage? Would loooove to know!

[@espressodisplays]

Outstanding video. We love the detail you have provided - especially for folks who create content. Your explanation about focal length is spot on. Our team is so thrilled that the usb-c means our products work with these new iPhones. Also, price is a big debate amongst our team, with a few of us split between the Pro and Pro Max.

[@wataworks6478]

I’ve been following your channel for some years now. I like how you review cameras. Now you’re reviewing iphones which makes me believe that iphones are now great alternative to cameras. May be not for professional used but for daily recordings. Thanks!

[@DeaconuDanAndrei]

Just a quick note at 11:58, MP4 is a container not a codec. iPhones use the h.264 and h.265 codecs along with the new ProRes option. Aside from that, great job on the review!

[@jeffdoria1376]

Love your video m, sir! No flash or gimmicks but straightforward info that is useful. I’m now convinced to upgrade. Thanks!

[@LimaGolf284th]

As usual, great video, thanks! I’ve ordered the 15 Pro, and am looking forward to, to putting it through its paces.

[@TheThaiLife]

Wow, this was great. Comprehensive and even seeing the actual Log footage and color graded result was very cool.

[@rep3e4]

Great review, thanks

[@oleg.petrov]

GREAT VIDEO! Thanks for this great and easy to digest info!💓💓💓

[@mike318ohioshrout6]

Thanks so much. I currently have a iPhone 12 max pro and was on the fence about upgrading to the 15 Pro Max Pro. Your review has help me with that decision to do the upgrade. I do quite a bit of photography with my current iPhone and this upgrade will improve what I can do.

[@MrSamPhoenix]

The way this guy explains the camera system is excelsior. I hope he posts another video on this subject.

[@graxxor]

Excelsior. Now there’s a word I haven’t heard in a looong time.

[@JohnKahler]

@@graxxorstrangely, it’s now on NY state license plates. Been meaning to find out that historical tidbit.

[@user-ew5mh3zb7u]

One of the things you mentioned in this video about being able to to adjust the f stop in post with photos taken in portrait mode, I noticed is not in fact an an iPhone 15 upgrade, however it was added with the IOS17 update. I was surprised and glad to see that when I went to edit a portrait photo on my iPhone 14 Pro Max. Great video as usual Ted thanks for the breakdown on all the other features.

[@jackmanning1117]

The new feature with iPhone 15 is that you can now change the f stop of a non portrait image and turn it into a portrait. Before you had to shoot in portrait mode itself, now you dont

[@cristobaljavier]

I've watched a lot of reviews and this one is exceptional. Congrats.

[@DanielUnterrainer]

Great review and awesome to get such a review from a photographer like yourself. Can't wait to get my hand on one of the Pro Max's.

[@nigelsmith721]

Great review. I'm almost in the upgrade window for my 13PM and was unsure about the next step - think this has helped me decide.

[@meslevres]

I learnt photography from your podcasts. Always thankful for very detailed contents.

[@TevfikFikretBakan]

Your reviews are very unique. Because you always tell us yesterday-today-tomorrow of the product story

[@dderrig]

Excellent review, thanks so much!

[@eric.ko.]

I was going to buy a dedicated camera to help capture some of my photography BTS and VLOGs. With the ability to shoot log on iPhone, it's a no brainer, I'll definitely be using the iPhone for this purpose. Great review!

[@TyRonKitzeRow]

Thank you for the great information. You do this so well.

[@MultiVisionProductionsTampa]

Great review....Thanks so much for getting so organized and not wasting my viewing time. Again....Really GOOD!!!

[@marcelfarge3641]

Thank you , excellent video !!!

[@johnsonmotors435]

Thank you for such an in-depth well thought out and detailed product video that is also a really amazing tutorial video!!! You are the man and as always your lighting in your videos is very enjoyable to view! Thanks again… I just upgraded from an 11 to the 15pro and it’s amazing!

[@raulmedina6223]

Now that was a great review!!! The upgrade is very minor but I’m still excited to get mine

[@WatchDSSID]

Thanks Ted, this is by far the best video about these products - it’s just incredible what can be achieved with a mobile phone :- )

[@ft6066]

Dude, you're amazing! Thank you a lot!

[@hoferp]

Thank you. Very helpful in allowing me to see what I have bought(a week ago). It will be fun exploring.

[@maf3695]

Apple made a excellent decision inviting you to their event. No one else would’ve been able to Xpress from a photographer point of view so eloquently.!

[@Ross-ei3iy]

This is a fabulous overview of the camera setup on the iPhone 15. Many thanks, as always you do not miss a beat. I now have the phone and just starting to kick the tires and do some test shots. This video has been very useful.

[@CashPeters-TheEnglishChannel]

Thank you, that was so helpful. I plan to get a 15 Pro as soon as Apple restocks. The question I have relates, not to the phone, though, it's to the sound quality on this video, which is outstanding. Would you please share what system you have for that? Many thanks.

[@ineszabe]

Loved it!! Thank you!

[@beautifulnewzealandcom]

Great non stop video appreciate your overview and explanations mate 👍

[@samsonlevine1996]

Great presentation. I just ordered my new 15Pro as an upgrade to my old 12. Now you have explained why I did it. I was just going on the ATT upgrade bonus offer.

[@jackh1749]

Great review/explanations!! Thanks!!!

[@OzCapNWA]

Thanks for this! Looking forward to getting my 15.

[@RebelTurtle]

Thank you and great review

[@jaimel2037]

great insights as usual Ted, yes indeed these little power machines in our pockets are changing the way wo record content and for a lot of semi pro shooters even saving us money, As an owner of a Siny A1 that used to travel internaionally with it in my bag everywhere, well last year for the first time i just took my 14promax and left the camera and lenses at home to see how id cope...well i was very srprised at how much i didnt miss brining all the gear and just made me make more thoughtful effort when shooting with the iphone only...cant wait ti get the 15promax now....great to have only obe camera in the pocket of my shorts 😎

[@j-_-h]

Great review and love the lighting on your video

[@maryannmoran-smyth3453]

I got the Apple 15 pro, because it fits in my shirt pocket well. The promax was just too big for me but nevertheless, awesome. I’m not a photographer but with this phone I guess I am because having a great phone with a great camera system is just freaking awesome… Great review… Keep on rockin

[@AaronEichinger]

Thanks for your video! Loved it! And the end made me smile because I am gracious too for being able to have such an awesome device daily in my pocket!

[@bernovanderwal]

Great video review! Thanks

[@m.hreels9822]

Haven't watched your videos in a really long time.❤ I'm glad to be back 😊 👍🏻 yours where the first photography channel I watched on KZbin back in the day!

[@tylerlee2833]

Great content. Thank you.

[@brandon_wilson]

This is the best and most informative review I’ve watched I am now a huge fan!

[@Jacklewis1026]

Totally enjoyed your video. I would consider myself an amateur plus plus photographer, wanting more in my pictures but certainly not a pro. Traded my iPhone 12 to the 15. Couldn’t justify the cost of the Plus or pro..but the advanced features and 48 mp made my mouth water. I had an older IPad mini and my IPhone 12 to trade so my net cash outlay was only a few dollars. I was a happy camper from the moment I walked out of the store. Have the 15 about a month now, still learning but the quality of my photos have jumped. One of my rescue fur baby is truly a ham and I’ve been taking pictures of him daily. Recently set pictures side by side and totally blown away at the quality . Especially the closeups. Anyway I am getting off track. Thanks for the informative video.

[@greenlion6544]

I know very little about photography, so loved this video. Learned a lot!

[@bsmukler]

As always, yours and Chris and Jordan’s are the first sources I turn to regarding new photo tech. There is so much negative chatter on the internet about Apple’s event (Oh God, why isn’t there a black Apple Watch Ultra!!! How was Tim Apple’s interaction with Mother Nature?) with very little about what the new processors and camera systems actually offer. Frankly, I wasn’t even interested in updating my 14 Pro Max until I viewed your video, including the new functionality of the main camera and the stabilization of the telephoto camera. Up to now, I’ve just been using the main camera, in Raw, with no zoom-in. Great review!

[@frankdasilva]

Great review! Thank you 🤗👏

[@roygumpel8415]

thanks for the very good explanation!

[@FF-gg3nq]

One of the best reviews I’ve seen so far on the iPhone 15 subject.

[@harirao12345]

Very useful video! Thank you!

[@AbdullahBarasheed]

Best explanation…thanks a lot

[@JOJOROB55]

Great video Thank you

[@RetroBoxRoom]

Thank you for a great video.

[@billbauer8870]

Awesome presenter. Excellent job explaining the featues and providing supportive enthusiasm.

[@allinfun6113]

Thanks for your review, really helpful and enjoyable style. I am going from an iphone 8 Plus to the iphone 15 Pro Max. I'm looking forward with great enthusiasm to the new camera system. Delivery is already two to three weeks out from my order yesterday. It'll be interesting to see how the camera compares to my Leica SL2-S.

[@Ross-ei3iy]

A fabulous presentation of the iPhone 15 capabilities - thank you. I have one on order and following this review very much looking forward. I have a feeling my Leica Q2 may start gathering dust.

[@debbymiller8828]

Enjoyed this informative piece. My iPhone 15 Pro is ordered. Can’t wait to explore the camera features.

[@victorcarmelo8606]

Another great review video, thanks. You mention the new lens requires a lot of light, have you used in low light such as twilight and if you did what were the results? Assume when you use it in low light you can use the f setting to compensate or use the night mode? Thanks again for sharing.

[@Skymeter]

Absolutely nailed for explaining properly the camera technology in this model. Bravo.

[@ItzSi]

I have an 11 pro and now it’s time for an upgrade cheers buddy nice one

[@goldenarrowpictures]

Just got the pro max and shot a cinematic hand held video walking last week, and the stabilization was impressive. The camera is definitely a big upgrade from my 13 pro max.

[@cabie58]

ty great stuff

[@MrKlawUK]

if the action button is set to camera, it’d be nice if apple let the volume keys change between the different zoom modes.

[@johnaheywood]

Great review! thanks for sharing...waiting on my order :)📱

[@thomparks2575]

What a clear and comprehensible presentation for those of us who are not expert photographers. Your eloquence is incredible. Will order an iPhone 15 now.

[@mhouslay7281]

What a super useful, clear, beautifully presented and erudite video. Thank you ! New to channel and just subscribed. Can’t wait to get my 15PM Great stuff 🙏

[@Cheryl407]

I am so excited. I travel for wildlife and always regret missing the footage between sitings, this will change that.

[@krazywabbit]

have the iPhone 12. Also invested in a Lumix G9 for wildlife. With that said, I do use my phone to shoot video for my channel and still use it for on the go shooting. For me, the upgrade will be big and a nice addition to the tool box.

[@MrSamPhoenix]

Indeed, and which of the colors are you getting.

[@krazywabbit]

@@MrSamPhoenix if available, the Titanium. You?

[@Satineviolet]

You’re amazing best video yet

[@IScreamer]

Thank you! Without doubt, the clearest and most comprehensive explanation and comparison of the cameras and associated features in the iPhone 15 suite. Did I say “thank you”? Thank you!

[@DaM.1]

You love going to apple events, we get it. Being actually serious now, I do think its impressive what they have done over the years, and with video they so above the competition.

[@julianbolt]

Stunning! As a photographer considering an iPhone 15 Pro - this is streets ahead of anything else I have watched (a lot), so thank you very much!

[@ThePalePatriot]

If the regular 15 was only a camera, how much would just that cost? What about the PRO and PRO Max?

[@alexguitarwatson3215]

It’s nice to see cam technology evolving so much in recent years. It makes those compact cams pretty much obsolete. I used to use a Sony RX100 II when I was on vacation but the quality was not that much better than shooting with my iPhone 10x. And after all - what’s the best camera? It’s the one you have with you.

[@wokeupandsmellthecoffee214]

Outstanding review just what I needed to understand my wife's new iPhone 15 pro, subbed you and regards from the UK.

[@pudsboi5203]

Very well explained 👍

[@LF-fl9go]

Such an organized and well spoken description of the phones.

[@dopamine814]

I just saw 20 seconds of your video,its quality is amazing.

[@chris-mcneal]

What is your audio source? It's super clear! Also love the natural lighting... Great review of the iPhone!

[@bahatika]

..the first professional who knows, understands and appreciate the capabilities of the apple creation in iPhone 15 while still remembers the whole journey it took to get here, yet humbly acknowledges lastly what’s essentially an iPhone accomplishes for us in just a day.. thanx to the team that give their very best to make these devices that add value to life like capturing those magical moments to storing our memories and enabling us to create and connect , we really adore the usb-c, the telephoto lens and the aerospace grade Titanium used in its build.. this is a serious mobility tool.

[@JerelMcCollum]

Awesome video!

[@trmbtrmb]

Ted your reviews are always very informative and honest. I've been following you from the start of your youtube days basically and trust that you provide great honest fact based info. Thanks again. I think I will update from the 13pro to 15pro for the log capability and usbc.

[@theartofphotography]

I appreciate that! Thank you!

[@Randuski]

Love the new changes, but, with the stock app, even with ProRes, and log, you still can’t manually set settings. You can’t lock in the 180° shutter, which means the video won’t look right. It’ll end up choppy. So anyone who would use ProRes and log, would just use a third party app, which have had log profiles already for years

[@drnick40]

The modern smartphones are the pinnacle of the technology. Fantastic!

[@gyanibastola6729]

Very useful information 👌