Unleash Your Gaming Potential with the iPhone 15 Pro: Is it Worth the Hype?

Key Takeaways

Apple's iPhone 15 Pro offers console-grade gaming experiences with its new A17 Pro system-on-chip and GPU redesign.

The A17 Pro enhances game graphics and performance with hardware-accelerated ray tracing and MetalFX upscaling. Nevertheless, iPhone gaming still falls short when compared to conventional gaming platforms.

Despite the current limitations of gaming on an iPhone, Apple's continuous progress in chip technology indicates a bright future for iPhone games.

Apple is determined to provide console-quality gaming experiences for iPhone 15 Pro users, highlighting their ambitious plans for gaming on the device. Therefore, one might wonder if Apple's high-end smartphone is a wise choice for gaming enthusiasts.

Why the iPhone 15 Pro is a Big Deal for Gamers

The GPU redesign in the revision saw an increase in core count from five to six, compared to the previous A16 Bionic chip. Apple claimed a 20% performance boost, which benchmark tests like Geekbench Metal support. Furthermore, Apple implemented new features, such as hardware-accelerated ray tracing, to enhance gaming and provide a more immersive console-like experience.

The utilization of ray tracing allows for the generation of enhanced and lifelike lighting effects, particularly in the realms of shadows, reflections, and global illumination. By simulating the propagation of light rays within a scene, graphics can be rendered with heightened authenticity. Furthermore, developers can reap the advantages of ray tracing by minimizing the necessity for laborious attempts at replicating the intricacies of natural lighting.

The new A17 Pro can utilize MetalFX upscaling, similar to modern Apple Silicon-powered Macs. Upscaling improves image quality by rendering a lower-resolution image for better performance, and then upscaling it to a higher resolution. This is comparable to NVIDIA’s DLSS or AMD’s FSR, but with an Apple twist.

Enhancements have been made to the A17 Pro to enable developers to optimize mesh shading. This results in a more efficient geometry pipeline, leading to improved overall performance. As a result, gameplay will be smoother in the future.

Apple

In addition, Apple has asserted that the chip in question is more efficient, thereby potentially improving battery life for 3D applications. Furthermore, the iPhone 15 Pro retains the familiar features that have long been available, such as a vivid and stunning OLED display, support for variable refresh rates, a sleek design, and the ability to connect with a wide array of game controllers.

Some Games Will Require an iPhone 15 Pro (or M1 iPad)

The following titles stand out: Resident Evil Village, Resident Evil 4 (Remake), Assassin's Creed Mirage, and Death Stranding. The initial release will be Resident Evil Village, accompanied by the Winter's Expansion DLC, coming on October 30, 2023.

This marks a shift from Apple's previous approach to mobile gaming, demonstrating a stronger emphasis on gaming within its ecosystem. This shift is exemplified by the introduction of macOS Game Mode in macOS Sonoma. While only four titles have been confirmed as exclusive to the A17 Pro, it is likely that more will be announced.

The Downsides of Gaming on an iPhone

Apple's move effectively paves the way for a gaming future on its mobile platforms that closely resembles the console gaming experience, featuring high-profile "AAA" releases typically associated with PC and traditional consoles. It exemplifies the remarkable advancements made in the technology housed within our smartphones. As these chips, along with their successors, gradually become accessible to a wider range of devices in the coming years, this elevated level of gaming content will have a broader appeal on mobile platforms.

When it comes to using an iPhone, whether it's for gaming or making calls, you can expect the same quality. However, the iPhone is not primarily designed for gaming, so there are some disadvantages when it comes to gaming on it. Firstly, you're paying for a device that offers much more than just gaming capabilities.

Gaming on a mobile device can sometimes feel fragmented. Even though you can set Focus modes to minimize distractions, you will still be interrupted by incoming calls and notifications by default. This is why many mobile games are designed to be played in short bursts, allowing you to enjoy them during brief moments of free time.

Take a Resident Evil title, for example. The prospect of immersing oneself in a 12-hour-long first-person adventure, utilizing touch controls, may not hold much allure when compared to the captivating experience one can have on a PC or console. Naturally, it is feasible to connect controllers to an iPhone, but doing so necessitates the purchase of controller clips (alongside a controller) or considering alternatives like the GameSir X2 to transform your iPhone into a device akin to the Nintendo Switch.

Corbin Davenport

Furthermore, the overall size and shape of the iPhone Pro models should be taken into consideration. Despite their impressive display, these devices are still limited to 6.1 and 6.7 inches. Handheld gaming undoubtedly has its merits, as evidenced by the success of the Nintendo Switch and Valve’s Steam Deck. However, the form factor of these consoles may be better suited for certain types of gaming experiences. Sitting comfortably at a distance from your TV with a controller in hand is a viable option. The Switch can be connected to a television for home gaming, while the Steam Deck can synchronize with Steam, allowing you to access your saved games on a PC.

In addition, the iPhone faces challenges when it comes to power and heat management. Battery life is a perpetual concern when gaming on a portable device, especially one that simultaneously handles various digital tasks. Moreover, the iPhone lacks active cooling mechanisms, meaning that excessive heat buildup could result in a rather uncomfortable and sweaty gaming experience.

Your Money May Be Better Spent Elsewhere

Charging and playing simultaneously can pose a significant problem, particularly for your iPhone. Although it may not be fatal for your device, heat can be detrimental to the wellbeing of batteries and various other components. While some gamers have adopted this practice, it is advisable that we refrain from making it a daily habit.

The starting price for the iPhone 15 Pro is $999, while the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max with a 6.7-inch display starts at $1199. Instead of spending that amount on a phone, you could opt for purchasing an Xbox Series X and a PlayStation 5, both of which you can enjoy on your existing TV. Alternatively, if you prefer to save $500, you could purchase just one console and utilize the remaining amount to invest in games, a Game Pass subscription, or a PlayStation Plus subscription.

Hannah Stryker

The performance will improve, providing a more immersive experience without any disruptions from spam callers and SMS scammers. Additionally, there is the concern of how much Capcom plans to charge for Resident Evil 4 (Remake) on your iPhone, as the App Store lists a $59.99 unlock fee.

This may be a challenging proposition even for avid mobile gamers. Even for those who already own the iPhone 15 Pro, the value of a portable Resi title is questionable. It seems like a compromised experience at a higher price point. In contrast, a similarly-priced small-format gaming PC like the ROG Ally offers various storefront options for more flexibility in shopping.

A Promising Future for iPhone Games

Despite the limitations associated with gaming on your iPhone, Apple's progressive approach towards its chips is indeed commendable. The forthcoming iPhone models, anticipated within the next few years, are expected to offer a noticeably superior Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) compared to what you are accustomed to. These enhanced GPUs will support advanced functionalities such as hardware-accelerated ray tracing, enabling the seamless execution of high-end games with remarkable power.

Apple has integrated the A16 Bionic chip from the iPhone 14 Pro into the upcoming iPhone 15, set to be released in 2023. If Apple continues this trend in the future, both their flagship iPhone and the one targeted at a larger audience will be equipped to handle the demanding graphics of Assassin's Creed. This development is significant, regardless of whether or not one is interested in exploring ninth-century Baghdad for an extensive duration of time.

It means that more casual mobile gaming experiences will be able to take advantage of better hardware, and that’s exciting.

Step Up Your iPhone Gaming with Apple Arcade

Priced at $60, a phone game may seem expensive, but playing games on an iPhone doesn't have to put a strain on your wallet. If you haven't explored Apple Arcade lately, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the incredible value it offers for just $4.99 per month.

Apple Arcade boasts a diverse selection of genres, featuring improved editions of popular App Store classics, remastered and reimagined games, all without any bothersome micro-transactions or advertisements. Additionally, you have the option to play with a controller, on a Mac, or even on your Apple TV.