Ben Shun, a longtime editor for 9to5Google, recently released a detailed critique of the iPhone 15 Pro, presenting a balanced view tailored to everyday Android users who are curious about how Apple’s flagship stacks up in real-life scenarios. The piece delves into practical strengths and potential irritants, painting a picture of how this device fits into the daily rhythms of a typical smartphone owner.
Among the standout improvements, Shun highlights the inclusion of a USB-C port as a major turning point. He argues that this change simplifies cable chaos across the home and on the go, reducing the need to carry multiple chargers and adapters. The singular port is framed not just as a feature but as a simplification of daily tech chores, a win for households that value fewer cables and more straightforward charging options. The shift also aligns the iPhone with the broader ecosystem’s expectations, making cross-device charging and connectivity more seamless for users who juggle multiple gadgets in Canada and the United States.
The reviewer also praises the new action button, calling it a clever and practical upgrade that offers quick, tactile shortcuts for common tasks. He notes that this kind of thoughtful hardware control is not yet mirrored by many Android devices, making the iPhone’s physical interaction feel refreshingly efficient. This emphasis on tactile utility resonates with users who prefer hardware cues over layered on-screen menus when managing tasks on the fly.
Beyond hardware, the critique covers software touches that matter in daily use. Shun commends iMessage on iOS 17 for its reliability and the frictionless experience of installing apps from the App Store. He also points to improved password autofill, which streamlines onboarding and daily logins compared to Android systems. These software refinements are framed as small but meaningful accelerators that improve the overall user experience, especially for people juggling multiple apps and services across devices in North America.
On the flip side, the editor flags several drawbacks centered on the iPhone’s home screen and desktop behavior. He notes that new apps tend to populate the home screen in a somewhat chaotic manner, which can feel less organized than some Android setups where users have more control over initial placement. He also misses a configurable bottom dock that would offer at-a-glance access to frequently used utilities, a feature many Android users rely on for speed and efficiency. The absence of an immediate option to customize wallpaper directly from the home screen, without diving into settings, is another point of friction in his view. These points collectively point to a balance sheet that weighs polish against flexibility, especially for power users who crave quick customization.
Shun’s hands-on testing of Always On Display (AOD) on the iPhone reveals another nuance. Unlike Android devices, where AOD often dims or reconfigures wallpapers, iPhones keep their colorful backgrounds visible even with the display in a low-power state. This design choice sparked a practical concern for the journalist: the constant visibility of a wallpaper could blur into a nagging reminder to lock the screen. The observation underscores a broader tension between battery savings and a user’s peace of mind when leaving the device unattended, a topic that resonates with many busy smartphone owners who value both style and practicality.
The evaluation also touches on the built-in keyboard in iOS, where Shun expresses disappointment with the home screen’s punctuation availability. He suggests that the current setup feels less convenient for users who frequently type, especially when punctuation needs quick access. While this may seem a minor quirk, for many, a smooth typing experience is a daily baseline expectation, and it can color the perceived efficiency of the entire device.
Throughout the piece, the journalist reiterates that his impressions will evolve as the iPhone 15 Pro ages in daily service. He promises to update the pros and cons as long-term reliability, software updates, and battery health continue to shape the device’s value for everyday users. This forward-looking stance invites readers to revisit the review over time, acknowledging that initial impressions are just one chapter in a longer ownership story.
In a separate note, a public health authority in another region recently made headlines by cautioning that excessive use of mobile devices can impact health. This reference sits outside the core device critique, serving as a reminder that technology choices intersect with wellness considerations in ongoing public discourse. [citation: health authority statement]