The MacRumors Show: iPhone 15 Features We're Excited About and Should You Upgrade?

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Apple's new FineWoven accessories, some of our favorite iPhone 15 features, and who should consider upgrading.


Apple's FineWoven material replaces leather across iPhone cases, AirTag accessories, and Apple Watch bands. Many early reviews of the FineWoven items have been negative, criticizing the material's feel, quality, and durability, so we talk over our early thoughts on the new accessories. The ‌iPhone 15‌ and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro introduce over 30 new capabilities and improvements, including USB-C and Dynamic Island across the lineup, as well as a new titanium design and Action button on the high-end models. We dive into some of our favorite standout features and weigh up who should consider upgrading to the latest devices.

Listen to The MacRumors Show in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castro, Google Podcasts, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player. Watch a video version of the show on the MacRumors YouTube channel.


If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, take a look back at our discussion with iJustine where we talk through our immediate reactions to the announcement of the ‌iPhone 15‌, ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for more episodes, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by exciting guests like Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Kevin Nether, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, Quinn Nelson, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Sara Dietschy, Luke Miani, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the show, and let us know what subjects you would like the podcast to cover in the future.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

New iPhone 17 Pro Details: Brighter Display, Best Battery Life, and More

Wednesday September 3, 2025 5:33 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors. According to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Prices Estimated Ahead of Apple Event Next Week

Tuesday September 2, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by
Just one week before Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series, an analyst has shared new price estimates for the devices. Here are J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee's price estimates for the iPhone 17 series in the United States, according to 9to5Mac: Model Starting Price Model Starting Price Change iPhone 16 $799 iPhone 17 ...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Coming Next Week: Eight Reasons to Upgrade

Thursday September 4, 2025 7:38 am PDT by
We're only days away from Apple's "Awe dropping" fall event scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 9 – and along with the new iPhone 17 series, we're going to get a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra for the first time since 2023. By the time the Ultra 3 is unveiled, it will have been two years since the previous model arrived. The intervening period has left plenty of room for...

Top Rated Comments

Menneisyys2 Avatar
26 months ago
For me, no compelling reason to upgrade from the 14PM. For example, the (apart from the 5x lens) SINGLE other alleged "improvement" on the 15P(M)'s cameras, the new lens coating, did NOT get rid of the major orbing problem. I bet the extent of the orb problem is the same as previously, in the 14P/M.

Basically, there are only software improvements camera tech-wise, nothing in hardware. The most underwhelming update for years. Prolly the 5s -> 6 upgrade was almost equally bad/underwhelming...

(And of course the vast majority of the new software features, except for writing ProRes videos right to an external SSD or other similar stolid-state memory, could be backported to the 14P(M). Of course it won't happen - except for the 48 Mpixel HEIFs, which are as badly oversharpened as the 12 Mpixel ones so they're pretty useless for anyone wanting natural-looking, quality images.)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wozmatic Avatar
26 months ago
I still use an iPhone 7 (not kidding)
And I'm still unsure if I need to upgrade...
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SkydiveGuy Avatar
26 months ago
Can we go back to written articles? I cant always sit and watch videos or listen to podcasts.
I can always read, though.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tagbert Avatar
26 months ago

For me, no compelling reason to upgrade from the 14PM. For example, the (apart from the 5x lens) SINGLE other alleged "improvement" on the 15P(M)'s cameras, the new lens coating, did NOT get rid of the major orbing problem. I bet the extent of the orb problem is the same as previously, in the 14P/M.

Basically, there are only software improvements camera tech-wise, nothing in hardware. The most underwhelming update for years. Prolly the 5s -> 6 upgrade was almost equally bad/underwhelming...

(And of course the vast majority of the new software features, except for writing ProRes videos right to an external SSD or other similar stolid-state memory, could be backported to the 14P(M). Of course it won't happen - except for the 48 Mpixel HEIFs, which are as badly oversharpened as the 12 Mpixel ones so they're pretty useless for anyone wanting natural-looking, quality images.)
Most people upgrading to a 15 would be coming from older phones. My spouse just upgraded from an XR. It rarely has much impact if you are upgrading from a one year old phone. The year over year improvements aren't that large anymore as most of the hardware limitations of the early phones have been resolved. If you wait for 2-3 years then the cumulative improvements do feel like a significant jump.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4odomi Avatar
26 months ago

If you have 14, maybe.
if you have 13, yes you want to.
if you have less than 13? What are you waiting for? iPhone will not suddenly change into iCar.
I have a 13 Pro & my a Partner a 12 Pro, neither of us see any compelling reasons to upgrade, especially after seeing the early reviews.....
I'm extremely underwhelmed by what Apple is coming out with in the last 2 years ?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gimarbazat Avatar
26 months ago
If you have a solid working phone no need to upgrade until notch/pill is gone.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)