Apple’s official U.S. launch prices for the iPhone 15 lineup ranged from $799 to $1,599 before tax, trade-in credits, financing costs, or carrier promotions. The iPhone 15 started at $799, the iPhone 15 Plus at $899, the iPhone 15 Pro at $999, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max at $1,199.
These are September 2023 launch prices, not verified current prices for 2026. Apple’s advertised $799 and $899 prices for the standard models also included a $30 connectivity discount tied to eligible carrier activation and financing.
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Quick answer: iPhone 15 launch prices
| Model | Base storage | U.S. launch price | Advertised monthly price |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 | 128GB | $799 | $33.29/month |
| iPhone 15 Plus | 128GB | $899 | $37.45/month |
| iPhone 15 Pro | 128GB | $999 | $41.62/month |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | 256GB | $1,199 | $49.95/month |
Apple announced the iPhone 15 family on September 12, 2023. Preorders opened September 15, and the phones became available September 22, 2023. The launch announcements are available for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus and the iPhone 15 Pro models.
Full iPhone 15 price table by storage
The following is the reported U.S. launch-price matrix. Prices are before sales tax and are not current-price quotes.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. ProMotion technology. Always-On display. Titanium with textured matte glass back. Action button
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A17 Pro chip with 6-core GPU
- Pro camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide| Telephoto. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. Up to 10x optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 29 hours video playback. USB-C, Supports USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers. Face ID
| Model | 128GB | 256GB | 512GB | 1TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 | $799 | $899 | $1,099 | — |
| iPhone 15 Plus | $899 | $999 | $1,199 | — |
| iPhone 15 Pro | $999 | $1,099 | $1,299 | $1,499 |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | — | $1,199 | $1,399 | $1,599 |
The storage prices were reported by iMore’s contemporaneous launch coverage, with additional launch reporting from 9to5Mac. Apple’s official announcements confirm the starting prices and available storage ranges.
What Apple’s “starting at” price really meant
For the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, Apple’s U.S. announcement included a $30 connectivity discount. To receive the advertised price, customers had to select AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon during checkout and use an eligible installment-financing route.
- The advertised price was not an unconditional, carrier-independent cash price.
- Carrier activation and installment eligibility could be required.
- Sales tax and other charges were extra.
- Credit approval and financing terms could apply.
- Carrier bill credits are not the same as an immediate price reduction.
The monthly figures likewise should not be confused with the total purchase price. A carrier may advertise a phone at $0 per month only when the customer meets conditions such as an eligible trade-in, qualifying plan, activation, and continued installment billing. Those offers are not the same as receiving a free phone with no obligations.
Rank #2
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. ProMotion technology. Always-On display. Titanium with textured matte glass back. Action button
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A17 Pro chip with 6-core GPU
- Pro camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide| Telephoto. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. Up to 10x optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 29 hours video playback. USB-C, Supports USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers. Face ID
Apple financing and unlocked phones
Apple stated at launch that an iPhone purchased with Apple Card Monthly Installments was unlocked and that customers could switch carriers, subject to the applicable financing terms. That launch-era statement should not be generalized to every carrier financing plan or later retailer purchase. Carrier financing and Apple financing are separate arrangements.
Trade-in credits at launch
Apple said U.S. customers could receive $200 to $650 in credit when trading in an iPhone 11 or later toward an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max. The actual value depended on the phone’s model, configuration, condition, and Apple’s assessment.
Those figures were launch-era promotional information. They should not be used as current 2026 trade-in values. To estimate a current credit, use Apple’s Apple Trade In calculator.
Rank #3
- 6.1" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1179x2556px, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM), 19.5:9 ratio, 3274mAh Battery
- 256GB 8GB RAM, Apple A17 Pro (3 nm), Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz), Apple GPU (6-core graphics), iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 17.6.1, planned upgrade to iOS 18
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 12MP, f/2.8 (telephoto) 3x optical zoom + 12MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9 (wide)
- 2G: 850/900/1800/1900, 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/46/48/53/66/71, 5G: 1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/77/78/79/258/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
Which iPhone 15 model offered the best fit?
iPhone 15: lowest entry price
The 128GB iPhone 15 was the least expensive way into the lineup at $799. It used the A16 Bionic chip, a 6.1-inch display, USB-C, Dynamic Island, and a 48MP main camera. It was the practical choice for buyers who wanted the lowest launch price and a smaller phone.
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iPhone 15 Plus: larger screen for $100 more
The iPhone 15 Plus started at $899 and paired the standard-model features with a 6.7-inch display and the larger form factor associated with longer battery endurance. The extra $100 made sense for buyers who valued a bigger screen for reading, video, or gaming.
iPhone 15 Pro: entry-level Pro features
The iPhone 15 Pro began at $999, or $200 above the standard iPhone 15. Its price reflected features including the A17 Pro chip, titanium construction, an Action button, a more advanced camera system, USB 3 data-transfer support over USB-C, and additional photography and video capabilities.
Rank #4
- 6.1" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1179x2556px, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM), 19.5:9 ratio, 3274mAh Battery
- 256GB 8GB RAM, Apple A17 Pro (3 nm), Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz), Apple GPU (6-core graphics), iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 17.6.1, planned upgrade to iOS 18
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 12MP, f/2.8 (telephoto) 3x optical zoom + 12MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9 (wide)
- 2G: 850/900/1800/1900, 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/46/48/53/66/71, 5G: 1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/77/78/79/258/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
iPhone 15 Pro Max: higher price, more base storage
The iPhone 15 Pro Max started at $1,199, but its base capacity was 256GB rather than the 128GB offered by the Pro. It also had the Pro Max-exclusive 5x Telephoto camera at launch. There was no 128GB iPhone 15 Pro Max configuration.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.iPhone 15 Pro versus Pro Max: was the $200 difference justified?
The Pro Max cost $200 more at entry, but the comparison was not simply 128GB versus 128GB. The Pro Max included twice the starting storage, a larger form factor, and the exclusive 5x Telephoto camera. Buyers who wanted maximum zoom reach or expected to store substantial photos and videos could receive more practical value from the Pro Max; buyers who preferred a smaller phone or did not need those features could save $200 with the Pro.
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The phone price was only part of the ownership cost. A buyer may also need to budget for:
Best Value
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
- Sales tax, which is generally not included in the advertised U.S. price.
- A compatible USB-C power adapter if one is not already available.
- A protective case.
- AppleCare+ or another protection plan.
- Monthly cellular service.
- A storage upgrade.
Apple’s launch announcement listed iPhone cases at $49 and FineWoven cases and wallets at $59. These accessories were sold separately, not included with the phone. Current accessory and protection-plan prices should be checked directly on Apple’s accessories page and AppleCare+ page.
Launch dates and historical-price note
- Announcement: September 12, 2023
- Preorders: September 15, 2023
- iOS 17 release: September 18, 2023
- Retail availability: September 22, 2023
This article documents Apple’s official U.S. launch pricing from 2023. Prices, inventory, carrier promotions, and Apple’s own sales channels may have changed by 2026. Used, refurbished, and carrier prices are separate from Apple’s original launch prices. For current listings, check Apple’s Buy iPhone page and its Certified Refurbished store.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
