Smartphones have come a long way since their inception, with each new model claiming to be “better” than the last. But as technology advances, the improvements from one generation to the next are becoming less dramatic. In recent years, it feels like smartphones have reached their peak, with little left to truly innovate. Despite this, the new iPhone models continue to boast faster processors, better cameras, and longer battery life—often in marginal increments. But how do these claims translate into the real world?
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the iPhone 5, one of Apple’s most iconic phones, and compare it to the latest iPhone 15 Pro. What does 11 years of technological progress look like when you pit two iPhones—separated by more than a decade—against each other?
The Box: A Tale of Two Eras
When unboxing the iPhone 15 Pro, the first thing you’ll notice is just how minimal the accessories are. The box is slim, with only a USB-C cable, a bit of paperwork, and a single Apple sticker. Contrast this with the iPhone 5’s packaging, which included two stickers, a proprietary charging cable, headphones, and a power brick.
Interestingly, it wasn’t until the iPhone 5s that the box size began to shrink significantly due to a reduction in charger size. Apple has since cut back on accessories, prioritizing a leaner approach that reflects their modern “environmental” priorities.
Performance: Speed and Efficiency in Action
Both phones run their original iOS versions—iOS 6.1.4 for the iPhone 5 and iOS 17.0.2 for the iPhone 15 Pro. As expected, the iPhone 15 Pro starts up significantly faster. But when it comes to the “real world” performance—how fast they unlock, load apps, and navigate iOS—things aren’t so clear-cut.
When it comes to unlocking the phone, the iPhone 5 surprisingly gets the edge. Its animations are quicker and more responsive, which gives the illusion of faster performance. However, when comparing stock apps, such as the Settings app, the iPhone 15 Pro is slightly more responsive, especially with the splash screens in newer iOS versions that make apps appear to open faster than they actually do.
In day-to-day tasks like opening apps, the difference between the two is minimal. Sure, the iPhone 5 lags behind when exiting apps or switching between them, but it’s a difference most people wouldn’t even notice unless they were looking for it.
Gaming and App Performance: A Blast from the Past
One of the most nostalgic aspects of revisiting older iPhones is comparing them on old games. Let’s dive into a few that were popular during the iPhone 5’s heyday.
Temple Run: The iPhone 5 had a slight edge here, launching the app faster. But when it came to actual performance within the game, the iPhone 15 Pro was clearly superior, with smoother graphics and faster load times. Interestingly, the iPhone 5 performed better in certain scenarios, such as launching games that hadn’t been optimized for newer hardware.
Subway Surfers: The iPhone 15 Pro outpaces the iPhone 5 in launch time. However, once the game loads, both phones perform equally well during gameplay. It’s a reminder that not every app requires the latest hardware to run efficiently.
Tetris: One of the most surprising results came when comparing the Tetris game from EA. While the iPhone 5 still ran the game perfectly (and without any internet connection), the same app was completely bricked on the iPhone 15 Pro, a reminder of how software and app updates can sometimes leave older apps in the dust.
What’s clear here is that while the iPhone 15 Pro has the advantage when it comes to modern gaming and app compatibility, the iPhone 5 still holds its ground when running older, less resource-intensive games.
The Camera: An Evolution of Photography
Perhaps the most significant difference between the iPhone 5 and iPhone 15 Pro is in their cameras. The iPhone 5 features a modest 8MP rear camera, which, for its time, was decent but nothing to write home about. The iPhone 15 Pro, on the other hand, boasts a triple-camera system with a 48MP primary sensor, telephoto lens, ultra-wide lens, and advanced image processing capabilities.
In real-world use, the iPhone 15 Pro offers better low-light performance, more detailed images, and a wider range of shooting modes—such as portrait, night mode, and cinematic video. However, the iPhone 5’s camera still holds up for casual shots, especially when paired with iOS 6’s vintage look and glassy icons.
While the camera upgrade is obvious, the iPhone 5 still feels “charming” in its simplicity. It’s a reminder of how far Apple has come in terms of mobile photography.
Why the iPhone 5 Still Holds Up
One of the most interesting aspects of using the iPhone 5 in 2025 is just how well it performs given its age. The phone runs the same iOS 6 software it shipped with, which means it hasn’t been slowed down by updates or additional features that demand more resources. The software is lightweight, and without constant background processes or security patches, the iPhone 5 still feels snappy in everyday use.
This contrasts with newer models, where updates and new features—while necessary for security and usability—often slow down older devices over time. It’s one reason why many users feel their phones seem to get slower as they age.
Conclusion: The Evolution of Smartphones
As we look at the iPhone 5 and iPhone 15 Pro side by side, it’s clear that Apple’s devices have improved dramatically in terms of hardware, screen quality, and camera technology. However, the speed and performance improvements haven’t been as revolutionary as we might expect. The iPhone 5 still holds up remarkably well, thanks to its efficient software, and it can easily handle many tasks that modern users perform on their devices.
While the iPhone 15 Pro offers a better experience in terms of speed, camera quality, and functionality, the iPhone 5 remains a nostalgic piece of technology. It was ahead of its time back in 2012, and it still manages to stand up to the latest devices, especially when you consider the massive difference in hardware and software over the past 11 years.
In the end, while the iPhone 5 may not be a contender in the modern smartphone race, it serves as a fascinating example of how far we’ve come—and how, sometimes, less really is more.
