We put the Apple iPhone 15 through our rigorous DXOMARK Display test suite to measure its performance across six criteria. In this summary of results, we will break down how it fared in a variety of tests and several common use cases.
Overview
Key display specifications:
- 6.1-inch AMOLED Retina XDR (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio)
- Dimensions: 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm (5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches)
- Resolution: 1179 x 2556 pixels (~460 ppi density)
- Aspect ratio: 19.5:9
- Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Scoring
Sub-scores and attributes included in the calculations of the global score.
Apple iPhone 15
140
display
125
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Best: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (164)
164
Google Pixel 8
Best: Google Pixel 8 (165)
143
Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
Best: Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon) (163)
133
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Best: Google Pixel 7 Pro (164)
Position in Global Ranking
27
th
2. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
155
7. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
151
11. Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
149
12. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (Snapdragon)
148
15. Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus (Snapdragon)
147
15. Samsung Galaxy A55 5G
147
17. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
146
20. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
144
21. Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
143
23. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
142
23. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
142
27. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
140
31. Honor Magic4 Ultimate
138
41. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon)
135
41. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus 5G
135
46. Samsung Galaxy S22+ (Exynos)
134
49. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
133
49. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos)
133
49. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Snapdragon)
133
49. Vivo X80 Pro (MediaTek)
133
54. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos)
132
59. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
131
59. Vivo X80 Pro (Snapdragon)
131
63. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
130
63. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
130
63. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon)
130
74. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
129
78. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
127
82. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
126
102. Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
122
102. Motorola Edge 40 Pro
122
106. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
120
112. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
114
114. Motorola Razr 40 Ultra
113
117. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
108
123. Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
82
Position in Premium Ranking
4
th
3. Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
149
8. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Snapdragon)
133
9. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos)
132
11. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon)
130
17. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
126
Pros
- Readable in most tested lighting conditions
- Colors in photos are more vivid than in earlier models
- Almost no frame drops in video playback
Cons
- The 60 Hz refresh rate adversely affects smoothness when scrolling and playing games
- Midtones in HDR10 videos lack contrast
- An orange cast impacts color rendering and skin tones in photos and videos
The Apple iPhone 15’s brightness is readable in nearly all tested conditions and is particularly well suited for HDR10 content. Colors are more vivid than with previous models, but a visible orange cast impacts color rendering for both still photos and HDR10 videos. Frame drops are rare, and motion blur is well managed. Although corners can be hard to touch, and some smoothness is lacking, the device is reactive and accurate when zooming in the gallery and when playing video games.
Compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 14, the iPhone 15’s display can reach more than 2000 nits in outdoor conditions, compared to around 1000 nits for the older model. As with the iPhone 14, the iPhone 15 does a good job with all kinds of videos, showing no judder and almost no frame drops. On the downside, the 15’s refresh rate of 60 Hz is the same as the 14’s, and this affects smoothness when scrolling and playing games, especially when compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, whose refresh rate is 120 Hz.
Test summary
About DXOMARK Display tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone and other display reviews, DXOMARK engineers perform a variety of objective and perceptual tests under controlled lab and real-life conditions. Note that we evaluate display attributes using only the device’s built-in display hardware and its still image (gallery) and video apps at their default settings. (For in-depth information about how we evaluate smartphone and other displays, check out our articles, “How DXOMARK tests display quality” and “A closer look at DXOMARK Display testing.”
The following section gathers key elements of our exhaustive tests and analyses performed in DXOMARK laboratories. Detailed performance evaluations under the form of reports are available upon request. Do not hesitate to contact us.
Readability
125
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
How Display Readability score is composed
Readability evaluates how easily and comfortably users can read still content (photos & web) on the display under different real-life conditions. DXOMARK uses its Display Bench to recreate ambient light conditions ranging from total darkness to bright sunlight. In addition to laboratory tests, perceptual analysis is also made in real-life environments.
Luminance under various lighting conditions
Readability in an indoor (1000 lux) environment
From left to right: Apple iPhone 15, Apple iPhone 14, Samsung Galaxy S23, Honor Magic5 Pro
(Photos for illustration only)
Readability in an outdoor (20 000 lux) environment
From left to right: Apple iPhone 15, Apple iPhone 14, Samsung Galaxy S23, Honor Magic5 Pro
(Photos for illustration only)
Readability in a sunlight (>90 000 lux) environment
From left to right: Apple iPhone 15, Apple iPhone 14, Samsung Galaxy S23, Honor Magic5 Pro
(Photos for illustration only)
Luminance uniformity measurement
This graph shows the uniformity of the display with a 20% gray pattern. The more visible the green color, the more uniform the display.
Color
164
Google Pixel 8
Google Pixel 8
How Display Color score is composed
The color attribute evaluates the capacity of the device to accurately reproduce colors. The measurements taken are for fidelity, white point color, and gamut coverage. We perform color evaluations for different lighting conditions to see how well the device can manage color in the surrounding environment. Colors are measured using a spectrophotometer in a controlled lighting environment. Perceptual analysis of color rendering is against the reference pattern displayed on a calibrated professional monitor.
White point under D65 illuminant at 1000 lux
Color rendering indoors (1000 lux)
Clockwise from top left: Apple iPhone 15, Apple iPhone 14, Samsung Galaxy S23, Honor Magic5 Pro
(Photos for illustration only)
Color rendering in sunlight (>90 000 lux)
Clockwise from top left: Apple iPhone 15, Apple iPhone 14, Samsung Galaxy S23, Honor Magic5 Pro
(Photos for illustration only)
Color fidelity measurements
Apple iPhone 15, color fidelity at 1000 lux in the sRGB color space
Apple iPhone 15, color fidelity at 1000 lux in the Display-P3 color space
Each arrow represents the color difference between a target color pattern (base of the arrow) and its actual measurement (tip of the arrow). The longer the arrow, the more visible the color difference is. If the arrow stays within the circle, the color difference will be visible only to trained eyes.
Color behavior on angle
This graph shows the color shift when the screen is at an angle. Each dot represents a measurement at a particular angle. Dots inside the inner circle exhibit no color shift in angle; those between the inner and outer circle have shifts that only trained experts will see; but those falling outside the outer circle are noticeable.
Video
143
Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
How Display Video score is composed
Our video attribute evaluates the Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR10) video handling of each device in indoor and low-light conditions. We measure tone mapping, color gamut, brightness and contrast of the display. We perform perceptual analysis against our professional reference monitor (Sony BVM-HX310) to ensure that the rendering respects the artistic intent.
Video brightness at 10% APL in the dark ( < 5 lux)
Video rendering in a low-light (0 lux) environment
Clockwise from top left: Apple iPhone 15, Apple iPhone 14, Samsung Galaxy S23, Honor Magic5 Pro
(Photos for illustration only)
Clockwise from top left: Apple iPhone 15, Apple iPhone 14, Samsung Galaxy S23, Honor Magic5 Pro
(Photos for illustration only)
Gamut coverage for video content
The primary colors are measured both in HDR10 and SDR. The extracted color gamut shows the extent of the color area that the device can render. To respect the artistic intent, the measured gamut should match the master color space of each video.
How Display Motion score is composed
The motion attribute evaluates the handling of dynamic contents. Frame drops, motion blur, and playback artifacts are scrutinized using games and videos.
Video frame drops
These long exposure photos present the number of frame irregularities in a 30-second video. A good performance shows a regular pattern (either a flat gray image or a pull-down pattern).
Touch
133
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Google Pixel 7 Pro
How Display Touch score is composed
To evaluate touch, DXOMARK uses a touch robot and a high-speed camera to play and record a set of scenarios for smoothness, accuracy and response-time evaluation.
Average Touch Response Time Apple iPhone 15
This response time test precisely evaluates the time elapsed between a single touch of the robot on the screen and the displayed action. This test is applied to activities that require high reactivity, such as gaming.
How Display Artifacts score is composed
Evaluating artifacts means checking for the performance, image rendering and motion flaws that can affect the end-user experience. DXOMARK measures precisely the device’s reflectance and the presence of flicker, and assesses the impact of residual aliasing when playing video games, among other characteristics.
Average Reflectance (SCI) Apple iPhone 15
SCI stands for Specular Component Included, which measures both the diffuse reflection and the specular reflection. Reflection from a simple glass sheet is around 4%, while it reaches about 6% for a plastic sheet. Although smartphones’ first surface is made of glass, their total reflection (without coating) is usually around 5% due to multiple reflections created by the complex optical stack.
Reflectance (SCI)
Measurements above show the reflection of the device within the visible spectrum range (400 nm to 700 nm). It includes both diffuse and specular reflection.
PWM Frequency Apple iPhone 15
480 Hz
Bad
Good
Bad
Great
Displays flicker for 2 main reasons: refresh rate and Pulse Width Modulation. Pulse width modulation is a modulation technique that generates variable-width pulses to represent the amplitude of an analog input signal. This measurement is important for comfort because flickering at low frequencies can be perceived by some individuals, and in the most extreme cases, can induce seizures. Some experiments show that discomfort can appear at a higher frequency. A high PWM frequency (>1500 Hz) tends to be less disturbing for users.
Temporal Light Modulation
This graph represents the frequencies of lighting variation; the highest peak gives the main flicker frequency. The combination of a low frequency and a high peak is susceptible to inducing eye fatigue. Displays flicker for 2 main reasons: refresh rate and Pulse Width Modulation. This measurement is important for comfort because flickering at low frequencies can be perceived by some individuals, and in the most extreme cases, can induce seizures. Some experiments show that discomfort can appear at a higher frequency. A high PWM frequency (>1500 Hz) tends to be safer for users.
Aliasing
Apple iPhone 15
(Photo for illustration only)
English
中文
Camera
Audio
Battery
DXOMARK encourages its readers to share comments on the articles. To read or post comments, Disqus cookies are required. Change your Cookies Preferences and read more about our Comment Policy.