The iPhone 15 models and the Pro models may seem to have the same main cameras, but there are some differences to note. The iPhone 15 Pro features a 1/1.28-inch 48MP sensor with 1.22µm-sized pixels, while the iPhone 15 has a 1/1.56-inch sensor with 1.0µm pixels.

A larger sensor has its advantages as it can gather more light due to its larger surface area. This is especially beneficial in low-light conditions. Similarly, a larger pixel can allow more light to pass through.

Thanks to the repair experts at iFixit, we can get a closer look at the internals, including the cameras of these new phones. In a video they shared, we can clearly see that the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro Max have significantly different-sized main cameras despite both having 48MP sensors. According to the video, the iPhone 15 has around 22 percent smaller quad-pixel buckets compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This means that it may not perform as well as its premium counterpart in low-light situations.

Apart from the size difference, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max’s main camera also offer different focal lengths for shooting, such as 24mm (1x optical zoom), 28mm (1.2x), and 35mm (1.5x). On the other hand, there is one area where the iPhone 15’s main camera seems to excel over the iPhone 15 Pro. The iPhone 15 has a larger aperture opening of f/1.6, which is more suitable for capturing photos in low-light conditions. In comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro has an aperture opening of f/1.8.

Ultimately, while the iPhone 15 Pro’s larger main camera sensor increases its potential to be the best camera phone of 2023, the iPhone 15’s primary sensor is still quite impressive.