Ever picked up a new phone only to realize it‘s too big for your pocket or too small for your Netflix binges? Size matters when it comes to smartphones, and the iPhone 15 lineup offers four distinct options to fit different hands, pockets, and preferences.
The 2023 iPhone 15 family maintains Apple‘s now-standard four-model approach, with two regular models and two Pro models spanning different size categories. But beyond the simple screen size numbers, there‘s a lot more to consider about how these devices will feel in your daily life.
Let‘s dive into the exact dimensions of each iPhone 15 model, compare them side-by-side, and help you figure out which size fits your lifestyle best.
iPhone 15 Size Specifications at a Glance
Before we get into the details, here‘s a quick comparison of all four iPhone 15 models:
| Model | Display Size | Height | Width | Depth | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 | 6.1" | 5.81" (147.6mm) | 2.82" (71.6mm) | 0.31" (7.8mm) | 171g |
| iPhone 15 Plus | 6.7" | 6.33" (160.9mm) | 3.06" (77.8mm) | 0.31" (7.8mm) | 201g |
| iPhone 15 Pro | 6.1" | 5.77" (146.6mm) | 2.78" (70.6mm) | 0.32" (8.25mm) | 187g |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | 6.7" | 6.29" (159.9mm) | 3.02" (76.7mm) | 0.32" (8.25mm) | 221g |
How Big Is the iPhone 15
The standard iPhone 15 serves as the foundation of the lineup, balancing screen size with portability.
Screen Size and Display Specs
The iPhone 15 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display (measured diagonally), which translates to 15.54 cm. This screen offers:
- 2556 × 1179 pixel resolution at 460 ppi
- 19.5:9 aspect ratio
- Screen-to-body ratio of approximately 86%
- HDR display with 1600 nits peak HDR brightness
- True Tone display technology
- P3 wide color gamut
- Haptic Touch feedback
Detailed Dimensions
- Height: 5.81 inches (147.6 mm)
- Width: 2.82 inches (71.6 mm)
- Depth: 0.31 inches (7.8 mm)
- Weight: 171 grams (6.03 ounces)
- Volume: 82.7 cubic centimeters
Physical Design Elements
The iPhone 15‘s physical dimensions are complemented by several design elements that affect how it feels in hand:
- Contoured edges that flow into the aluminum frame
- Color-infused back glass with a textured matte finish
- Dynamic Island replacing the notch (new for non-Pro models this year)
- Slightly more rounded corners compared to iPhone 14
- USB-C port at the bottom (replacing Lightning) measuring 8.4mm × 2.6mm
How It Feels in Hand
The iPhone 15‘s dimensions make it ideal for one-handed use. Most people can reach across the entire screen with their thumb while holding the phone in the same hand. Its sub-3-inch width is a sweet spot for comfortable grip without feeling cramped when typing or gaming.
At 171 grams, it‘s substantial enough to feel premium but light enough for extended use without fatigue. The aluminum frame and color-infused back glass contribute to its lightweight feel compared to the Pro models.
How Big Is the iPhone 15 Plus
For those who want more screen real estate without stepping up to Pro pricing, the iPhone 15 Plus offers a significant size increase.
Screen Size and Display Specs
The iPhone 15 Plus features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display (17.00 cm measured diagonally) with:
- 2796 × 1290 pixel resolution at 460 ppi
- 19.5:9 aspect ratio
- Screen-to-body ratio of approximately 87.4%
- HDR display with 1600 nits peak HDR brightness
- True Tone display technology
- P3 wide color gamut
- Haptic Touch feedback
Detailed Dimensions
- Height: 6.33 inches (160.9 mm)
- Width: 3.06 inches (77.8 mm)
- Depth: 0.31 inches (7.8 mm)
- Weight: 201 grams (7.09 ounces)
- Volume: 97.5 cubic centimeters
Physical Design Elements
The iPhone 15 Plus shares the same design language as the standard model but scaled up:
- Identical contoured edges and aluminum frame
- Same color-infused back glass with textured matte finish
- Dynamic Island at the top of the display
- USB-C port with identical dimensions
- Larger surface area for improved thermal management
How It Feels in Hand
The iPhone 15 Plus requires two-handed operation for most users. Its 3.06-inch width stretches beyond what most hands can comfortably grip with one hand, but that extra screen space pays dividends when watching videos, playing games, or multitasking.
Despite having the same screen size as the Pro Max, the Plus model is actually slightly taller and wider. The aluminum frame helps keep the weight at 201 grams—still hefty, but notably lighter than the Pro Max model.
How Big Is the iPhone 15 Pro
The iPhone 15 Pro packs flagship features into a more compact body compared to the Pro Max.
Screen Size and Display Specs
Like the standard iPhone 15, the Pro model features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display (15.54 cm diagonally) but adds ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz:
- 2556 × 1179 pixel resolution at 460 ppi
- 19.5:9 aspect ratio
- Screen-to-body ratio of approximately 87%
- Always-On display capability
- ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz
- HDR display with 1600 nits peak HDR brightness and 2000 nits peak outdoor brightness
- True Tone display technology
- P3 wide color gamut
- Haptic Touch feedback
Detailed Dimensions
- Height: 5.77 inches (146.6 mm)
- Width: 2.78 inches (70.6 mm)
- Depth: 0.32 inches (8.25 mm)
- Weight: 187 grams (6.60 ounces)
- Volume: 85.3 cubic centimeters
Physical Design Elements
The iPhone 15 Pro introduces several design changes that affect its physical presence:
- Grade 5 titanium frame replacing stainless steel
- Brushed finish on the frame that resists fingerprints
- Thinner bezels around the display (1.5mm vs 2.2mm on iPhone 15)
- Action Button replacing the mute switch
- Textured matte back glass
- Larger camera bump to accommodate improved camera system
- USB-C port with USB 3 speeds (up to 10Gbps)
How It Feels in Hand
Interestingly, the iPhone 15 Pro is slightly smaller in both height and width than the standard iPhone 15, despite having the same screen size. This can be attributed to the Pro‘s slightly smaller bezels.
The titanium frame—new for the 15 Pro series—makes the phone slightly thicker at 0.32 inches compared to the standard model‘s 0.31 inches, but the premium material helps offset some weight. At 187 grams, it‘s heavier than the standard iPhone 15 but still manageable for one-handed use.
How Big Is the iPhone 15 Pro Max
The iPhone 15 Pro Max represents Apple‘s largest and most feature-packed smartphone.
Screen Size and Display Specs
The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display (17.00 cm measured diagonally) with ProMotion and Always-On capabilities:
- 2796 × 1290 pixel resolution at 460 ppi
- 19.5:9 aspect ratio
- Screen-to-body ratio of approximately 88%
- Always-On display capability
- ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz
- HDR display with 1600 nits peak HDR brightness and 2000 nits peak outdoor brightness
- True Tone display technology
- P3 wide color gamut
- Haptic Touch feedback
Detailed Dimensions
- Height: 6.29 inches (159.9 mm)
- Width: 3.02 inches (76.7 mm)
- Depth: 0.32 inches (8.25 mm)
- Weight: 221 grams (7.81 ounces)
- Volume: 100.2 cubic centimeters
Physical Design Elements
The Pro Max shares the same premium design elements as the Pro model:
- Grade 5 titanium frame with brushed finish
- Thinnest bezels in the iPhone lineup
- Action Button replacing the mute switch
- Textured matte back glass
- Largest camera bump in the lineup to accommodate the periscope telephoto lens
- USB-C port with USB 3 speeds (up to 10Gbps)
How It Feels in Hand
The Pro Max is a two-handed device by any standard. While its dimensions are actually slightly smaller than the iPhone 15 Plus (despite having the same screen size), the titanium frame and additional camera hardware make it the heaviest model at 221 grams.
This is a phone for those who prioritize screen size and battery life over portability. Despite being large, the titanium frame actually makes it about 19 grams lighter than last year‘s iPhone 14 Pro Max, which weighed 240 grams.
Size Evolution: iPhone Through the Generations
To understand how iPhone sizes have evolved, let‘s look at the progression from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 series:
iPhone Size Evolution Table
| iPhone Model | Year | Display Size | Height (mm) | Width (mm) | Depth (mm) | Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original iPhone | 2007 | 3.5" | 115.0 | 61.0 | 11.6 | 135 |
| iPhone 4 | 2010 | 3.5" | 115.2 | 58.6 | 9.3 | 137 |
| iPhone 5 | 2012 | 4.0" | 123.8 | 58.6 | 7.6 | 112 |
| iPhone 6 | 2014 | 4.7" | 138.1 | 67.0 | 6.9 | 129 |
| iPhone 6 Plus | 2014 | 5.5" | 158.1 | 77.8 | 7.1 | 172 |
| iPhone X | 2017 | 5.8" | 143.6 | 70.9 | 7.7 | 174 |
| iPhone 12 mini | 2020 | 5.4" | 131.5 | 64.2 | 7.4 | 135 |
| iPhone 12 | 2020 | 6.1" | 146.7 | 71.5 | 7.4 | 164 |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | 2020 | 6.7" | 160.8 | 78.1 | 7.4 | 228 |
| iPhone 15 | 2023 | 6.1" | 147.6 | 71.6 | 7.8 | 171 |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | 2023 | 6.7" | 159.9 | 76.7 | 8.25 | 221 |
This data reveals several interesting trends:
- Display sizes have nearly doubled from 3.5" to 6.7" over 16 years
- Phone height has increased by about 39% (original to Pro Max)
- Width has increased by about 26% (original to Pro Max)
- Depth has actually decreased by about 29% (original to Pro Max)
- Weight has increased by about 64% (original to Pro Max)
The most dramatic size increase happened between 2012-2014 when Apple first introduced larger screen options with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
iPhone 15 vs. Competitors: Size Comparison
How does the iPhone 15 lineup compare to its main Android competitors? Let‘s look at the data:
Flagship Phone Size Comparison Table
| Phone Model | Display Size | Height (mm) | Width (mm) | Depth (mm) | Weight (g) | Screen-to-Body Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 | 6.1" | 147.6 | 71.6 | 7.8 | 171 | 86% |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | 6.7" | 159.9 | 76.7 | 8.25 | 221 | 88% |
| Samsung Galaxy S23 | 6.1" | 146.3 | 70.9 | 7.6 | 168 | 87% |
| Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | 6.8" | 163.4 | 78.1 | 8.9 | 234 | 89% |
| Google Pixel 8 | 6.2" | 150.5 | 70.8 | 8.9 | 187 | 86% |
| Google Pixel 8 Pro | 6.7" | 162.6 | 76.5 | 8.8 | 213 | 87% |
| Xiaomi 13 | 6.36" | 152.8 | 71.5 | 8.0 | 189 | 89% |
| Sony Xperia 1 V | 6.5" | 165.0 | 71.0 | 8.3 | 187 | 84% |
Key observations:
- The iPhone 15 is slightly larger than the Samsung Galaxy S23 despite having the same screen size
- The iPhone 15 Pro Max is more compact than the S23 Ultra despite having a similar screen size
- Sony maintains a uniquely tall and narrow form factor
- The iPhone 15 lineup has competitive screen-to-body ratios but not class-leading
- Apple‘s Pro Max model is lighter than Samsung‘s Ultra model
Size Impact on Internal Components
The physical dimensions of each iPhone 15 model directly impact what components can fit inside:
Battery Capacity by Model
| iPhone Model | Battery Capacity | Video Playback | Audio Playback |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 | 3,349 mAh | Up to 20 hours | Up to 80 hours |
| iPhone 15 Plus | 4,383 mAh | Up to 26 hours | Up to 100 hours |
| iPhone 15 Pro | 3,274 mAh | Up to 23 hours | Up to 75 hours |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | 4,422 mAh | Up to 29 hours | Up to 95 hours |
Thermal Management
The different sizes also affect how each phone manages heat:
- iPhone
