The iPhone 15 series arrived with one of its most notable changes in recent years — the long-anticipated move from Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector to the more universal USB-C. While this shift promises easier cable compatibility and aligns Apple with broader tech standards, questions remain about whether the company has also improved battery life and charging performance across the range. The answer, however, is not as clear-cut as many had hoped.

Battery Life Across the iPhone 15 Line-Up

Starting with the standard iPhone 15, the phone features a 3,300mAh battery. Although that might appear modest compared to most Android devices, it performs reliably in real-world usage. Tests suggest the iPhone 15 comfortably lasts through a full day, with no major concerns over endurance. The iPhone 15 Pro offers similar day-long usability, though its high-refresh-rate display may cause slightly quicker battery drain.

For those seeking even more staying power, the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro Max are better equipped. The Plus model provides notable gains in battery longevity, and the Pro Max tops the chart, offering the best endurance within the series.

Apple’s official figures indicate that the standard iPhone 15 can deliver up to 20 hours of local video playback, or 16 hours when streaming online. The iPhone 15 Plus, with its larger battery, extends those times to 26 hours and 20 hours, respectively.

However, these numbers mirror those of the iPhone 14 series. Apple appears to have made no significant enhancements in battery capacity or efficiency, meaning users upgrading from last year’s models are unlikely to notice a difference in day-to-day use.

The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max follow the same pattern. According to Apple, the 15 Pro offers 23 hours of video playback, while the Pro Max reaches up to 29 hours — identical to last year’s iPhone 14 Pro equivalents.

Titanium Design but the Same Battery Gains

One key change in the iPhone 15 Pro models is the switch to a titanium frame, making both Pro handsets around 10% lighter than their predecessors. While this makes the phones more comfortable to hold, it doesn’t appear to have any impact on battery life.

This is somewhat surprising given that the iPhone 15 Pro is powered by Apple’s new 3nm chipset, which is expected to offer improved energy efficiency. Additionally, rumours hinted at the introduction of advanced stacked battery technology, but this innovation has not made it into the final product. We may have to wait another generation to see meaningful changes on this front.

Charging Speeds: USB-C in Name Only?

With the switch to USB-C, many hoped Apple would finally embrace faster charging. Android manufacturers like Samsung and Motorola already support charging speeds that fully top up a phone in under an hour. Even Apple’s own MacBooks benefit from fast charging via USB-C.

Despite this, charging speeds for the iPhone 15 series remain unchanged. Apple still recommends a 20W or higher charger. This allows the device to reach 50% battery in 30 minutes — exactly the same rate seen in the iPhone 14 series. However, a full charge takes around 90 minutes, leaving Apple behind many of its Android competitors in terms of charging performance.

The same is true for the iPhone 15 Plus and Pro models. Despite their larger batteries, they offer no improvements in speed. They too reach 50% in 30 minutes, but still require roughly 100 minutes for a full charge.

Wireless Charging: First with Qi2, But Not Faster

The iPhone 15 series is also the first to officially support the Qi2 wireless charging standard. While this may sound impressive, users shouldn’t expect any practical benefits — at least not yet. Charging speeds via MagSafe remain capped at 15W, while regular Qi charging still maxes out at 7.5W. Future Qi2 accessories might unlock faster wireless charging, but there’s no confirmed advantage at launch.

Conclusion: Familiar Performance, New Connector

In summary, the iPhone 15 series introduces a long-awaited hardware change in the form of USB-C, aligning it with the rest of the tech industry. However, this upgrade doesn’t bring the improvements in battery life or charging speeds that many were hoping for. While the phones still offer reliable all-day usage and respectable performance, they fall short when compared to the rapid charging innovations seen elsewhere in the smartphone market.