When the Apple iPhone 15 range was released in September 2023, reviewers were pleased with its upgrades and features: a fresh titanium frame, Dynamic Island on the standard models, across-the-board USB-C and a better 48MP camera.

Yet despite some undeniably attractive features, the release wasn’t all smooth sailing for Apple. Common iPhone 15 issues started making headlines.  With the iPhone 15 models now available on the refurbished market, you may be wondering if it’s safe to buy an ex-demo iPhone 15 or if problems with the iPhone 15 persist.

For starters, just about every new smartphone model is bound to have a few issues. The four iPhone 15 models – the standard, Plus, Pro and Pro Max – have sold as highly as any other Apple product, and millions of people have used them without any issues. Plus, many common iPhone 15 issues can be solved by a software update, with the iOS 17.0.3 update credited for fixing overheating and other complaints.

If you’ve heard of the bugs but aren’t familiar with the details, this article touches on some common iPhone 15 issues.  We’ll tell you whether the problems with the iPhone 15 have been fixed and if it’s safe to buy an ex-demo iPhone 15. 

Common Issues With The iPhone 15 Since Release

Since the iPhone 15 range came out, Apple users have reported some fairly common issues. The ones that have gained media attention include:

Overheating

Many iPhone users reported overheating of the iPhone 15, especially the 15 Pro and Pro Max models. Days after the iPhone 15 range went on sale, users started sharing stories online of their phones getting excessively hot during normal, rather than heavy or prolonged, usage.

Apple responded with some reasons for the overheating and a resolution. The company said that while the device can feel warmer during the first few days due to increased background activity, the most common cause is a bug in the iOS 17 software update. The iOS 17.3.1 update was designed to fix overheating as well as other issues, including a typing bug with duplicating and overlapping text. 

Charging problems

Charging problems are also among the most common iPhone 15 issues. Some users have reported difficulties such as slow charging, no charging, or unexpected reboots while charging. Sometimes, a restart, reboot or simple change of charger is enough to solve the problem. The overheating was another common culprit behind the charging issues and one that the iOS 17.3.1 update addressed.

Auto-switching camera

While the 48MP sensor is one of the 15’s most acclaimed features, some users have reported it suddenly switching to ultra-wide when you get too close to your subject. The iPhone 15 is far from the first iPhone model to have this problem; however, you can address it by going to Settings > Camera > Record Video > Lock Camera.

USB-C port problems

The new USB-C port is another one of the iPhone 15’s best features. It lets you charge your iPhone quickly, connect to your iPad or Mac or charge other devices like your Apple Watch or AirPods using your iPhone. However, using a power bank for charging can cause issues.

Some users have said their power bank failed to charge the iPhone 15, while others said their iPhone 15 would charge the power bank instead. This issue doesn’t have an easy fix. But while results can differ depending on the brand of power bank, using the USB-A port has been proposed as a solution.

Constant notifications

Some iPhone 15 users have reported notification alerts that linger even after they’ve read the message or e-mail or checked the call log. To fix this issue, you can try going to Settings > Notifications and toggling off the notifications before restarting the phone and turning it on again. 

Setup freezing

A few days after the iPhone 15’s release, Apple admitted there was a bug affecting the set-up process. The problem affected users who wanted to transfer data from their previous iPhones to their new devices. This was the stage at which some iPhone 15 screens would get stuck on the Apple logo. The fix for this is to connect your iPhone to your computer and put it in recovery mode. Quickly press and release the volume up button followed by the volume down button, then press and hold the side button until the image of a computer and cable replaces the Apple logo. Use your computer to find your new iPhone in Finder or iTunes and click ‘Restore’.

Laggy iOS

One of the most common iPhone 15 issues was an iOS that users found slow and laggy. Fortunately for Apple fans, this was a software problem rather than a hardware one, fixed by an iOS update.

Too delicate

Some users have found the iPhone 15 to be less durable than its predecessor. A drop test video by AppleTrack’s Sam Kohl showed the iPhone 15 breaking upon an impact that the iPhone 14 survived. 

Wi-Fi problems

Some users complained about Wi-Fi problems with the iPhone 15, including slow or fluctuating speeds. Many reported success with simply restarting or toggling the Wi-Fi off and on before Apple addressed the issue in an update.

Face ID issues 

Some iPhone 15 users have said they couldn’t find the Face ID or Passcode options in the Settings menu. The fix for this is to Settings > Screen Time > Content and Privacy Restrictions > Passcode. This needs to be enabled and set to ‘Allow’ for you to access the feature. 

Refurbished iPhones offer massive savings plus other benefits like warranties. They’re more sustainable and better for the environment, too. Yet you might wonder: is it safe to buy a refurbished or ex-demo iPhone 15, or will you still come across these common iPhone 15 issues?

Does A Refurbished iPhone 15 Have Any Issues?

A refurbished iPhone is an iPhone that a professional has thoroughly checked, repaired if necessary, and restored for resale. This includes erasing the previous owner’s data and making sure every part of the phone still works. Refurbished smartphones come in different grades, and some, known as ex-demo phones, have only been removed from their boxes to be displayed in retail stores.

So, do common iPhone 15 issues persist in refurbished iPhones?

No smartphone model is perfect, but many of the well-known problems with the iPhone 15 can be solved with a quick fix or two or have been solved by Apple’s iOS updates. Some, like how well the iPhone 15 withstands falls compared to its predecessor, come down to whether you’re willing to compromise for the benefits of its other features.

As time has passed and because new updates have emerged since the release date, you’re unlikely to come across many of the problems that were so prevalent in the months after the iPhone 15 first arrived on the scene.

Better yet, by buying refurbished, you have a guarantee of quality that simply isn’t assured through a regular used smartphone sale. Refurbished iPhones are put through such a rigorous testing process that any issues with performance, hardware or software, including battery life, are picked up on before the device goes on sale.

For the highest chance of a new device that avoids common iPhone 15 issues, choose refurbished.

Buy a Refurbished iPhone 15 at OzMobiles

It’s definitely safe to buy an ex-demo iPhone 15 from OzMobiles. All of our devices are put through a 72-point checking process to make sure they’re fully functional with 80% battery health. Our professionals work very hard to make sure these phones meet high Australian standards of quality. To back it up, we sell them with 12-month warranties and 30-day money-back guarantees.

Check out our refurbished iPhone 15 series and other refurbished iPhones to find the right iPhone for you. If you have any questions, get in touch with the OzMobiles team!