The iPhone 15 Pro continues Apple’s history of innovation with a number of new features such as Dynamic Island, A16 Bionic Chipset, MagSafe, and Ceramic Shield. There have also been other improvements not unique to Apple, such as an upgraded 48 MP camera and USB-C charging.
Along with these improvements, there are quite a few new and somewhat hidden features that can improve the functionality and longevity of your iPhone 15 Pro. We’ll go through the five most useful hidden features, and explain how to activate each of them.
Activate the Action Button
By default, the Action Button functions as a mute button, similar to previous generations. However, by going into settings and finding the Action Button, you can program it to perform a variety of other functions including launching the camera, activating do not disturb, or turning on the flashlight.
If you really want to get creative, you can delve into the iPhone 15 Pro’s custom Shortcuts, enabling you to use the Action Button to open particular apps, app folders, or custom lists of shortcuts. You can also make the actions dependent on time of day, location, or even device orientation.
Use Your iPhone 15 Pro to Charge Other Devices
While the iPhone 15 Pro doesn’t have wireless power sharing like many Android phones, there is the ability for it to charge other devices via USB-C cable. It can be used to charge AirPods, your Apple Watch, or any other small USB-C device capable of power delivery up to 4.5 watts. This can come in especially handy if your AirPods give out on a long flight.
Display Advanced Battery Stats
The iPhone 15 Pro can also display advanced, in-depth information about your battery’s health, usage, charge cycles, and original manufacture date. This can be especially useful for people who have bought a second-hand or refurbished iPhone 15 Pro. To view this information, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. This information is also helpful for tracking down “battery hog” apps.
Change Focal Lengths with the Camera
A very useful feature for the photography buff is the ability to change between 24, 28, and 35 mm focal lengths on the iPhone 15 Pro. This can be useful for creating portrait effects with softer backgrounds. To adjust the focal length (it’s 24 mm by default) open the main camera and tap the 1 button, or hold it down for a slider. Switching between 1, 1.5, and 2 effectively changes the focal lengths between 24, 28 and 35 mm. You can also customize default focal lengths in Camera settings.
Take Uncompressed Photos in RAW and HEIF Formats
The ability to capture high-resolution, uncompressed photos on mobile phones has been a game-changer. I have thoroughly enjoyed this feature on my Samsung Galaxy. RAW and HEIF format photos can be almost infinitely altered with post-production applications like Adobe Lightroom. It allows more experienced photographers to change camera settings after the picture is taken, allowing for dramatic changes to lighting, exposure, focus, etc.
While there are a few other hidden features out there, these appear to be the most useful for the average iPhone 15 Pro user. However, there’s usually no harm in digging around in Settings and finding new tricks and shortcuts of your own. Just make sure you know what the button does before you press it.
About the Author
Andrew Lazzara is a lifelong aficionado of all things tech and entertainment. He writes for Total Apex about sports, entertainment, and gaming. Andrew writes for Total Apex Sports about the Saints, the NFL in general, and the world of golf. For Total Apex Entertainment, Andrew writes about movies, TV, books, and entertainment news. He writes for Total Apex Gaming about the gaming industry, new technology, and game strategy. Follow Andrew on X @Andrew_Lazzara and to see more of his work, click here.
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