Written November 2025
Only option: iPhone 15 Pro Max (2023)
Key Specs:
- A17 Pro processor & 8GB RAM
- 6.1″ 2556×1179 460PPI 120Hz Super Retina XDR OLED display with 2000 nits of peak brightness, Ceramic Shield protection, 187g weight
- 48MP Wide + 12MP Ultrawide + 12MP 3× Telephoto + 12MP selfie camera
- 3274mAh battery with 20W wired charging and 15W MagSafe wireless charging
- iOS with software support until 2031
- IP68 dust and water resistance
Why did I say “Only Option” in the title of this recommendation? Well, that’s because there truly aren’t any other good options in this price range. The only other options in the $500-600 price range are the iPhone 16, the iPhone 16e, and the iPhone 15 Plus in Excellent/Open Box condition. The iPhone 16 is worse in almost every way other than its chip (which is only very slightly better), and the iPhone 16e and 15 Plus are significantly worse than the iPhone 15 Pro in just about every way (the 15 Plus has a bigger screen, and the 16e has better battery life, but that’s it).
Anyways, for the actual review, this phone is, as I said earlier, the best you can get for the price range and truly is a premium phone that retains all of the same fancy features found in the newer iPhone models. The iPhone 15 Pro has a premium titanium and aluminum build with a frosted glass back, and due to the titanium build, it is more lightweight and thin than the previous iPhone 14 Pro and more durable. Other physical features this phone has that put it on the same level as the newest iPhones are its USB-C charging, Dynamic Island, Action Button, and ProMotion Display. The iPhone 15 Pro’s camera delivers amazing quality photos and videos on all three of its cameras, and the 3x telephoto is a very nice feature to have, giving it yet another leg up over the other phones available at this price range. If you go for the 15 Pro Max, the larger version, you get a 5x telephoto, enabling even more zoom. This phone is an absolute powerhouse with its A17 Pro chip, being even more powerful than Snapdragon’s flagship 8 Gen 3 chip, combined with 8GB of RAM, making for a phone that will not slow down for anything. This phone also supports full-on Apple Intelligence, so you won’t be missing out on any features with this phone, either. Overall, this phone is a spectacular buy for $550-600, and it will not disappoint you.
| Cons: | -The battery life will still be great on this phone; however, the age of the battery can be felt, depending on the battery health percentage you end up with. |