iPhone 15 handily beats iPhone 14 in 5G download speed tests

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iPhone 15 Series handsets released in September smoke iPhone 14 handsets by up to 54% in 5G download speeds, new tests released Wednesday showed.

Given the modem chipset upgrade in the newer models, the results aren’t surprising. But it’s always reassuring when the new gear performs as advertised.

5G download speeds: iPhone 15 models trounce iPhone 14 handsets

New test results issued by Oookla showed all four iPhone 15 models sport significantly faster 5G download speeds than iPhone 14 models in the United States. Performance improvements notched even higher there than in other countries tested, other than Spain.

Here’s how Ookla noted its SpeedTest Intelligence results:

Speedtest Intelligence showed the iPhone 15 Plus had a 54% better download speed than the iPhone 14 Plus, the iPhone 15 had a 45% better download speed than the iPhone 14, iPhone 15 Pro Max had a 27% better download speed than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, and iPhone 15 Pro has a 25% better download speed than the iPhone 14 Pro.

Upgraded Qualcomm chip

The result aren’t a shock, given that Apple upgraded the iPhone 14 Series’ Qualcomm X65 modem chip to the X70 in iPhone 15 handsets. Ookla’s test results essentially confirmed the improved 5G download performance.

All four ‌iPhone 15‌ models also beat out Samsung devices Ookla tested, including Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Z Flip5.

Apple expects to use versions of the Qualcomm 5G chip through at least 2026, according the companies’ current agreement. But some analysts predict Apple will start putting its own 5G chip in iPhones and other devices as soon as 2025. It has been working on developing its own chip since 2018.

Your mileage may vary

It’s worth noting that Ookla’s tests in the United States take the median of testing across the country, so your mileage may vary. And that’s especially true given that performance can change based on your cellular carrier, your exact location relative to cell towers and how far you are from a big city.

Ookla also showed 5G download speeds improving in not just the U.S., but also Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, India, South Korea, Spain, the UK and the UAE.

The company collected iPhone data for tests between September 22 and October 30.

And here’s Ookla’s resulting recommendation: “Upgrades for all this holiday season!”