They are closely matched: Apple iPhone 17 Pro scores 79/100 and Apple iPhone 15 Plus scores 78/100 in our overall comparison — within 1 point. Neither is a clear winner overall, so the decision comes down to the specific features and price that matter most to you.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Apple iPhone 15 Plus are closely matched overall (within 3 points).
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro stands out on Memory RAM capacity: 12 GB, Storage capacity: 256 GB, Display Refresh rate: 120 Hz.
- Apple iPhone 15 Plus counters with Display Size: 6.7 in, Display Resolution: 1290 × 2796 px, Display Screen-to-body ratio: 88%.
- Best value: Apple iPhone 15 Plus (from $899) — the strongest score-per-dollar of the two.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Apple iPhone 15 Plus are closely matched
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
81
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
78
Where Apple iPhone 17 Pro stands out
- Memory RAM capacity: 12 GB
- Storage capacity: 256 GB
- Display Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Where Apple iPhone 15 Plus stands out
- Display Size: 6.7 in
- Display Resolution: 1290 × 2796 px
- Display Screen-to-body ratio: 88%
In-depth analysisAI
AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Jun 2026.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
The iPhone 17 Pro is designed to be Apple's most advanced smartphone, targeting power users and professionals who require exceptional performance and camera capabilities. It is equipped with the A19 Pro chip and an immersive display intended for high-workload activities.
Best for professional photographyBest for high-end content creationBest for power users
Pros
- Boasts a heat-forged aluminum unibody structure, maximizing durability while maintaining a lightweight design.
- Features the A19 Pro chip, which uses vapor cooling to sustain high performance even during intensive processing tasks.
- The camera system is highly advanced, featuring 48MP rear lenses and an enhanced 'Center Stage' capability for improved video framing.
- Includes essential pro features like a customizable Action button and optimized Super Retina XDR displays with ProMotion up to 120Hz.
Cons
- The inclusion of advanced chips and specialized thermal systems suggests potentially high cost expectations.
- Some key hardware features, such as the exact battery capacity or specific RAM measurements, are not detailed beyond general performance claims.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
The iPhone 15 Plus is a full-featured smartphone from Apple designed for reliability and long battery life. It features a larger screen and expanded physical dimensions than its standard counterpart, making it ideal for users who prioritize display size and streaming media consumption.
Best for media consumptionBest for photographers needing large screen real estateBest for all-day battery longevity
Pros
- Offers the large edge-to-edge viewing experience of a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display.
- Incorporates advanced connectivity features including USB-C, which improves compatibility compared to previous models.
- Provides an exceptionally substantial maximum battery capacity (4383 mAh Li-ion).
- Maintains robust water resistance rated at IP68 for enhanced durability.
Cons
- The screen refreshes at a 60Hz rate, which may appear less smooth than modern high-refresh-rate competition.
- While retaining many advanced features, it does not include the specialized Action Button found on higher-tier models.
- Overall dimensions and weight make it a large phone to handle for some users.
Value for Money
Which is the better deal for the price
Pre-filled with launch prices where known — enter today's price for an up-to-date check. Use the same currency for both.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Performance
Higher benchmark score = faster
Apple iPhone 17 Pro1,600,000
Apple iPhone 15 Plus1,450,000
Benchmark score — a measured indicator of raw performance, not a guarantee of real-world speed.
Battery capacity
Larger cell — a hardware spec, not battery life
Apple iPhone 17 Pro3,998 mAh
Apple iPhone 15 Plus4,383 mAh
Capacity is the raw battery size. Real-world battery life depends just as much on the processor, software and display.
Physical Comparison
Weigh them up, then compare real dimensions in 3D
Apple iPhone 17 ProApple iPhone 15 Plus
Apple iPhone 15 Plus is 11 g (6%) heavier than Apple iPhone 17 Pro.
Review Videos
Hand-picked expert reviews for each product
Detailed Specifications
The full spec sheet, side by side
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 15 Plus comparison
Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Apple iPhone 15 Plus are compared side by side above across every spec in the smartphones category — including performance, features and design — each scored 0–100 so you can see exactly where one leads the other. Our overall scores are 79/100 for Apple iPhone 17 Pro and 78/100 for Apple iPhone 15 Plus.
At launch, Apple iPhone 15 Plus was the more affordable option ($899) versus Apple iPhone 17 Pro ($1099). Weigh that against the overall scores (79/100 vs 78/100) and the value-for-money meter above to judge whether the higher-rated model justifies its price for your needs. Current retail prices vary — check the retailer.
It's close — Apple iPhone 17 Pro (79/100) and Apple iPhone 15 Plus (78/100) score almost the same. Pick based on price and the individual specs that matter most to you; the comparison above shows where each one pulls ahead.