Apple iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Is it worth the upgrade?

The iPhone doesn’t change too much from year to year, but if your iPhone 15 Pro is looking a little long in the tooth then you might be wondering if this year’s iPhone 18 Pro is worth the upgrade. The two devices still share a lot when it comes to both software and hardware, so it’s hard to know where to start when it comes to comparing them. It's a similar story for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, which is basically the same as the iPhone 18 Pro but features a larger screen, a bigger battery, and a steeper price-tag.

If you're on the fence, we're here to help run through everything you need to know about the iPhone 18 Pro before you decide if it’s going to be worth paying the premium for. 

To start, let’s compare the specifications of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro:

iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Price

In Australia, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at $2,099. Here’s the outright price that you’ll pay for each model variant of the iPhone 18 Pro, including the Max if you're after a larger screen:

While the iPhone 15 Pro has been discontinued since 2024, it launched at a recommended retail price of $1,849. These days, you might be able to acquire one through a merchant selling refurbished iPhones.

Compare the cheapest iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max plans below.

• iPhone 18 Pro
• iPhone 18 Pro Max

iPhone 18 Pro 256GB Plans

#1	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $97.30/mth Min. cost $2,137.80 Go to Site	$97.30/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,137.80	Go to Site
#2	Vodafone	Vodafone $58 Small Plan 65GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices 36 mths device payments Deal: Incl. $13/mth off plan fees for first 12 months + Get $200 Bonus Trade-in Credit. T&Cs apply $103.30/mth Min. cost $2,143.80 Go to Site	$103.30/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,143.80	Go to Site
#3	Telstra	Telstra $74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan 50GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices 36 mths device payments Deal: Order the new iPhone 18 Pro and get $300 bonus trade-in credit. Ends 09.10.26. T&Cs apply. $132.30/mth Min. cost $2,172.80 Link not supplied	$132.30/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,172.80	Link not supplied

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iPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB Plans

#1	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $102.86/mth Min. cost $2,337.96 Go to Site	$102.86/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,337.96	Go to Site
#2	Vodafone	Vodafone $58 Small Plan 65GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices 36 mths device payments Deal: Incl. $13/mth off plan fees for first 12 months + Get $200 Bonus Trade-in Credit. T&Cs apply $108.86/mth Min. cost $2,343.96 Go to Site	$108.86/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,343.96	Go to Site
#3	Telstra	Telstra $74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan 50GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices 36 mths device payments Deal: Order the new iPhone 18 Pro Max and get $300 bonus trade-in credit. Ends 09.10.26. T&Cs apply. $137.86/mth Min. cost $2,372.96 Link not supplied	$137.86/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,372.96	Link not supplied

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iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Camera

While the camera on the back of the iPhone 15 Pro was no sloucher, you don’t have to ponder the details for too long to determine how the iPhone 18 Pro has the advantage.

The front of the iPhone 15 Pro features a 12MP selfie camera. Meanwhile, the back is host to a 48MP main camera, a 48MP ultrawide camera and a 12MP telephoto camera. 

The iPhone 18 Pro ups the ante here, thanks to a new 48MP main camera with variable aperture. This primary sensor comes accompanied by a 48MP ultrawide camera and a 48MP telephoto camera. The iPhone 18 Pro also features the upgraded Centre Stage selfie camera introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro.

For power users, the device also comes with new Pro Camera controls that let you get more out of the hardware as needed. In addition, the more recent iPhone also benefits from improvements to the image processing pipeline that are only found with the newer A20 Pro processor. 

iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Connectivity

The iPhone 18 Pro is a natural upgrade when it comes to connectivity. Both it and the iPhone 15 Pro come with 5G connectivity, via a single physical nano SIM slot as well as eSIM. The newer device also boasts WiFi 7 connectivity, compared to the WiFi 6e connectivity found on the older device. 

iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Design

The iPhone 18 Pro comes with an updated design that offers better durability and additional functionality not found in the iPhone 15 Pro. The newer device features a dedicated camera control button on the side, aluminium edges, and a camera plateau on the back. 

For comparison, the sides of the iPhone 15 Pro are titanium. Meanwhile, the front comes protected by Apple’s Ceramic Shield glass. 

The newer model also promises to hold up better over the long run, thanks to Ceramic Shield 2 glass on the front and the older Ceramic Shield on the back. Despite the name, the former is actually the third generation of the technology. It offers both better drop and scratch resistance as well as additional glare reduction.

iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Display

The screen on the iPhone 18 Pro is both larger and more versatile.

The iPhone 15 Pro is built around a 6.1-inch Super XDR Retina Display clocked at 120Hz and a Dynamic Island. By comparison, the iPhone 18 Pro features a larger 6.3-inch Super XDR Retina display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an upgraded Dynamic Island that can handle more activations at once.

Across both models, the screens are LTPO OLED, which means that they come with superior power efficiency and the ability to dynamically change the refresh rate when needed. Still, a few extra inches do give the newer iPhone 18 Pro a natural advantage.

iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Performance

On paper, the iPhone 18 Pro is a natural upgrade over the iPhone 15 Pro with a more powerful processor, larger storage options, and other performance optimisations.

As you’d expect, the new iPhone 18 Pro comes kitted out with the A20 Pro processor. Given that this silicon is three years younger than the A17 processor found in the iPhone 17 Pro, the expectation is that the newer device will offer better performance when it comes to games, multitasking, and more. In addition, the new iPhone 18 Pro comes with a vapour chamber that promises to prime it for even better performance relative to older models.

When it comes to storage options, the iPhone 15 Pro starts at 128GB and is available in as much as 1TB of storage. By comparison, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at 256GB but is also available in 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB variants. While the higher base capacity does come with a higher price-tag, we're going to give this one to the iPhone 18 Pro.

As for memory, the math is a little hazier. Thanks to teardowns published post-launch, we know that the iPhone 15 Pro came with 8GB of RAM. However, since Apple doesn’t disclose memory specs, we won’t know for sure how the newer iPhone 18 Pro compares until it gets the same treatment.

iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Battery

Size isn't everything but if we're going by the numbers then the iPhone 18 Pro is a clear upgrade on the iPhone when it comes to battery life.

Apple doesn’t usually disclose battery sizes, but teardowns of the iPhone 15 Pro at launch soon revealed that 2023’s Pro-grade device featured a 3274mAh battery on the inside. 

Thanks to the European Union's new requirement that Apple publish energy labels on its product pages, we also know that the iPhone 18 Pro comes with a 4056Mah battery while the iPhone 18 Pro Max comes with a larger 5,319mAh battery to match the bigger screen. 

The iPhone 15 Pro supports wireless charging via MagSafe of up to 15W. The iPhone 18 Pro will offer faster speeds of up to 25W.

According to Apple, the iPhone 18 Pro delivers up to 36 hours of video playback per charge while the iPhone 15 Pro offers just 23 hours of video playback per charge.

Is the iPhone 18 Pro worth the upgrade? 

While Apple’s iPhone doesn’t change too much from year to year, a series of small tweaks can quickly add up to a more meaningful upgrade, and that’s largely the case when it comes to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro.

If you’re at all interested in the advantages that a better processor, an upgraded camera setup and action keys offer, then an upgrade to the newer iPhone 18 Pro is definitely worth considering.

Looking to ditch your internet service provider?

These are the most popular NBN plans with speeds of 50Mbps or higher:

Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo FTTP, HFC Editor's Pick nbn500 Unlimited Plan FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/48 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $30/mth discount for 6 months based on the standard price $92.99/mth*. Ends 08.12.26. T&Cs apply. $62.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.99/mth Min. cost $62.99 Go to Site	$62.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.99/mth Min. cost $62.99	Go to Site
Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom FTTP, HFC Speedy Max NBN 500/50 FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/42.5 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $33/mth off for the first 6 mths, $59.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.90/mth. Ends 30.10.26 $59.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.90/mth Min. cost $59.90 Go to Site	$59.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.90/mth Min. cost $59.90	Go to Site
amaysim	amaysim FTTP, HFC NBN500 FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/43 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $40/mth off for the first 6 months ($30 NBN Sale + $10 Standard Intro Offer), then $90/mth. Ends 20.10.26 $50/mth for first 6 months, then $90/mth Min. cost $50 Go to Site	$50/mth for first 6 months, then $90/mth Min. cost $50	Go to Site
Belong	Belong FTTP, HFC NBN Fast – Unlimited FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/40 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $36 off for 6 months - $59/mth for first 6 mths, then $95/mth (Offer ends 04.11.26) + Free $80 Mobile SIM $59/mth for first 6 mths, then $95/mth Min. cost $59 Go to Site	$59/mth for first 6 mths, then $95/mth Min. cost $59	Go to Site
Superloop	Superloop FTTP, HFC Family Max nbn500/50 FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/45 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $21/mth off for 6 mths! $74/mth for 6 mths, then $95/mth + Bundle & Save $74/mth for first 6 mths, then $95/mth Min. cost $74 Go to Site	$74/mth for first 6 mths, then $95/mth Min. cost $74	Go to Site

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_{Note: Plans with speeds over 100Mbps are only available to premises with FTTP and HFC connection types.}

Fergus Halliday

Digital Content Editor

Fergus Halliday is a journalist and digital content editor at WhistleOut Australia. He’s written about technology, telecommunications, gaming and more for over a decade. He got his start writing in high school before interning at magazines like CRN Australia and freelancing for publications like the AU Review, Gizmodo, Kotaku, GamesHub, Press Start, ScreenRant, Superjump, Nestegg, and more.

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