2022 In September, Apple released the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro models, but we've been hearing rumors about the iPhone 15 since long before the latest iPhones were available for purchase. Now that the launch is nearing, the rumors are increasing and we know a lot about what to expect this year.
Apple is planning to launch a total of four iPhone 15 models in the same sizes as the iPhone 14 models, including two 6,1-inch iPhones and two 6,7-inch iPhones. One of the 6,1-inch iPhones will be the standard iPhone 15, while one of the 6,7-inch models will be an iPhone 15 "Plus." The other 6,1-inch and 6,7-inch models will be higher-end, more expensive "Pro" models, and could be even more expensive this year.
As with the iPhone 14/14 Pro line, the best features will be reserved for iPhone 15 Pro models so that the extra cost is worth it.
Some "safe" iPhone 15 news
Rumors so far suggest that we may expect a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port on all iPhone 15 models, and Dynamic Island will be available for iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, in addition to the Pro and Pro Max. That means Apple will remove the notch it's used since the iPhone X for the flagship iPhone line for a sleeker, less intrusive design.
Apple plans use Qualcomm modem chips for the new devices, as their own modem chips that are in development aren't ready, plus we're expecting new UWB chips for integration with the Vision Pro headset. Standard iPhone 15 models will get an upgrade to the A16 chip that was in the iPhone 14 Pro models, while Pro models will use faster and more efficient 17-nanometer A3 chips.
It is also expected that Pro models see an upgrade to Titanium frames, slimmer bezels and some minor design changes with more curved edges to the device, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max is also expected to receive periscope lens technology to improve zoom capabilities.
The prices of the iPhone 15 models are expected to remain the same, but we'll see…
It is also believed that the iPhone 15 models will look similar to the iPhone 14 models, but would no longer have the cutout at the top of the front and instead adopt the Dynamic Island introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro models.
There will be almost no design changes
Since there are no major design changes in the store, Apple will continue to offer four models– The 6,1-inch entry model, the 6,1-inch Pro, the 15-inch 6,7 Max, and the 15-inch 6,7 Pro Max. The "pro" models will have higher-end features and will be more expensive, while the standard iPhone 15 models will be cheaper.
For the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, design differences will include the USB-C port instead of a Lightning port and the transition from the notch to the dynamic island.
Along with the Dinamyc Island, all iPhone 15 models could be equipped with a chip to drive the more energy-efficient OLED display that is manufactured in a 28nm process, enabling reduced power consumption that could ultimately lead to better battery life across the board.
Standard iPhone 15 models will not include ProMotion technology or Always On Display technology, despite the change in the Dynamic Island. Apple will continue to reserve these features for Pro devices.
The iPhone 15 and Pro Dynamic Island are expected to feature an updated design with an integrated proximity sensor, but this change will not result in any noticeable changes to the look or functionality of Dynamic Island. Will change component costs, and it could be a move Apple is making to bring down the costs of the devices a bit.
Color options
iPhone 15 models could be available in options of dark pink and light blue. Apple often offers standard iPhone models in a range of bright colors, and this year is no exception.
Bright pink and blue hues are likely to be available alongside the standard color options of black, white and PRODUCT(RED) that have been made available in previous years.
Exclusive design of the iPhone 15 Pro
While all iPhone 15 models They are going to adopt the USB-C port, there are some design changes that are exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
Rumors suggest that the iPhone 15 Pro models will feature slimmer, more curved bezels than the iPhone 14 Pro models, which can be seen in renders of the device created based on circulating details. These deeper curves will be limited to the Pro models, with the entry models continuing to resemble the iPhone 14 models with flatter edges, an aluminum frame and a glass front and back. We don't expect the same thinner bezels for the standard iPhone 15 models.
The iPhone 15 Pro lineup is expected to Apple have more curved front glass that disappears better into the frame, and Apple is expected to use titanium instead of stainless steel for the chassis. Pro models They will also have an “Action” button» which will replace the mute switch, and you will be able to do different things like activate shortcuts, turn on the camera, turn on the flashlight, enable silent mode and more.
Frosted glass on the back
An unconfirmed Weibo rumor has suggested that iPhone 15 models could have a frosted glass back, which has previously been a design detail Apple has limited to Pro models. Standard models typically feature a glossy black, while that frosted glass is reserved for the most expensive models.
Both the standard iPhone 15 models and the Pro models will use frosted glass for the back of the device.
A set of 15D-printed iPhone 15 and iPhone 3 Pro models offer an idea of how previous-generation iPhone 14 cases will fit together, and it looks like older cases will not work with newer iPhones.
Small changes to the dimensions of the iPhone 15 line will prevent the cases from fitting for the most part, although the iPhone 15 Plus can still fit inside an iPhone 14 Plus. The larger rear camera housing on the Pro models prevents the iPhone 14 Pro cases from working properly, as do the more curved design and changes to the buttons.
They also confirm that the new models will feature slightly repositioned power and volume buttons, with the buttons slightly lower than on the iPhone 14 Pro models. The cases feature a larger cutout at the bottom to accommodate the USB-C port.
The cases have a cutout for the action button that will replace the mute switch. Since it doesn't need to be gripped like a switch, it requires a smaller cutout.
No Touch ID
Although there have been ongoing rumors suggesting that Apple has considered bringing Touch ID back to its flagship iPhones using an under-display solution, iPhone 15 models are not expected to include Touch ID and they will continue to use Face ID.
Apple is working on an under-display Face ID feature, but it won't be ready until at least 2025.
iPhone 15 to switch from Lightning to USB C in 2023 feature
Apple is swapping out the Lightning port on iPhone 15 devices for a USB-C port, which will allow you to comply with the new regulations implemented in Europe. These regulations require Apple to produce iPhones with USB-C ports in Europe, so Apple needs to do a worldwide design swap or develop special iPhones for sale in Europe.
Reliable sources including Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and others have said that Apple is going to make the switch, adopting a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port for charging purposes.
With this transition, Mac, iPhone and iPad will charge using USB-C, which will allow Apple customers to charge their devices with a charging standard.
USB-C data transfer speeds
iPhone 15 Pro models with USB-C ports will support higher-speed data transfers, while standard iPhone 15 models will still have USB 2.0 speeds, the same as Lightning, giving Pro models an edge.
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, iPhone 15 Pro models will support "at least" USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3. With the update, iPhone 15 Pro models could transfer video and other types of files at much faster speeds. USB 2.0 transfer speeds are limited to 480Mb/s, while USB 3.2 supports speeds up to 20Gb/s. If Apple offers Thunderbolt 3 support for Pro models, data transfer speeds could be up to 40 Gb/s.
USB-C limitations
Leaker ShrimpApplePro has said that iPhone 15 models will only be officially compatible with USB-C accessories certified by the Apple Made for iPhone (MFi) program. Apple supplier Foxconn is reportedly producing accessories like EarPods and cables with USB-C connectors that are MFi certified.
MFi USB-C certification could be used to limit features like fast charging and high-speed data transfers to Apple-approved accessories. ShrimpApplePro says that cables without MFi certification will be limited in data and charging speeds. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also suggested that Apple will require Made for iPhone certification for USB-C chargers that can fast charge the iPhone.
Wireless charging and battery
iPhone 15 models will support both MagSafe charging and the new Qi2 standard, enabling 15W charging with third-party accessories other than MagSafe. That will enable faster wireless charging even from accessories that aren't officially MagSafe compatible, as long as those accessories use Qi2.
camera updates
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will adopt a 48-megapixel camera, technology that Apple introduced in the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max. A new stacked sensor design will allow the lens captures more light to improve camera performance in low light. Analyst Jeff Pu has also said that upcoming standard models of iPhone 15 will use the 48-megapixel lens.
A second rumor has it that the iPhone 15 will pack a hybrid glass and plastic lens with an f/1.7 aperture. The lens will reportedly feature a single glass element and six plastic elements, and while the f/1.7 aperture would be an improvement over the f/1.79 aperture used on the iPhone 14 Pro models, it would be a slight downgrade compared to the f/1.5 aperture featured on the iPhone 14 Plus, but a bump in megapixels if rumored
Although the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models are expected to adopt the same 48-megapixel sensor that Apple used in the iPhone 14 Pro models, they could still have a smaller sensor. According to a rumor posted on Weibo, the 48-megapixel camera upgrade won't include the same sensor, and standard iPhone 15 models may still have a smaller stacked CMOS image sensor than the Pro sensor, but it will be an improvement over it. to the sensor on iPhone 14 models.
sony sensors
Apple is expected to adopt the latest image sensors from Sony for some of the iPhone 15 models. Compared to standard sensors, Sony's image sensor doubles the saturation signal in each pixel, allowing it to capture more light to reduce burn-out and burn-out. The sensor will enable improvements in portraits and other images, even when strong backlighting is an issue.
Sony is using a semiconductor architecture that places photodiodes and transistors on separate layers, allowing for more photodiodes. It's unclear if all iPhone 15 models will use the new sensor technology, or if Apple will limit it to higher-end iPhone 15 "Pro" models.
Periscope lens technology for iPhone 15 Pro Max
You've probably heard rumors about Apple's plan to adopt a periscope zoom lens for the iPhone 15, but it will be limited to the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max. The 15 Pro model will have a standard zoom lens, and entry-level models will be limited to wide-angle and ultra-wide lenses.
Periscope lens technology offers optical zoom capabilities that exceed those possible with a standard telephoto lens, allowing for 5x or even 10x optical zoom. With a periscope lens, the iPhone's zoom capabilities would be significantly improved, as current Pro models are limited to 3x zoom.
With a periscope lens, light is reflected by an angled mirror toward the camera's image sensor. The change of direction allows a “folded” telephoto system to enhance optical zoom capabilities without the blurriness that comes with digital zoom.
Apple's competitor Samsung has come out with smartphones that use periscope lens technology that allows for 4x to 10x optical zoom and up to 100x digital zoom. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple will implement 6x optical zoom technology when it adopts the periscope lens.
Qualcomm modem chips
Apple will use Qualcomm's 5G modem chips for the 15 iPhone 2023 lineup, as it has done since models with 5G were introduced. There were rumors suggesting that Apple could use its own in-house modem chips as early as 2023, but the technology won't be ready until 2024 at the earliest.
All iPhone 15 and 15 Pro models will use the same Qualcomm modem chip, likely the X70. Qualcomm's X70 chip offers enhanced AI for faster processing speeds, better coverage range, improved signal, lower latency, and improved power efficiency of up to 60 percent.
SIM card tray
Apple, with the release of the iPhone 14 models, removed the SIM card tray on devices sold in the United States. With the release of the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro models, the SIM tray could be retired in other countries.
Rumors at the moment suggest that it will be removed in France, and if that's the case, it could be removed on iPhones sold in other countries sold in Europe such as Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the UK.
Wi-Fi 6E and UWB
Leaked schematics of the iPhone 15 Wi-Fi chip confirm that Apple is upgrading to Wi-Fi 6E, but it's a feature that will be limited to iPhone 15 Pro models. The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max will feature Wi-Fi. -Fi 6E, but standard iPhone 15 models will still use Wi-Fi 6.
Compared to Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E offers more bandwidth, providing faster connectivity speeds, lower latency, and higher capacity. Wi-Fi 6E provides 1,2 GHz more spectrum in the 6 GHz band, and can support whole-home gigabit coverage, multi-gigabit connectivity for venues, and has the bandwidth for higher data streams like those used for augmented reality and virtual reality experiences.
iPhone 15 models are expected to include a next-generation ultra-wideband chip that will integrate with the Vision Pro headset. The processor used for the chip will be upgraded to 7nm, a change that will allow for improved performance and/or reduced noise. energy consumption.
A-series chips
The iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to be the first to feature an A-series chip built on Apple vendor TSMC's next-generation 3-nanometer node. 3nm chip technology is expected to increase processing performance by 10 to 15 percent while reducing power consumption by up to 35 percent
The fastest chips will be limited to the Pro and Pro Max models, while the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will adopt the 16-nanometer A4 chip that was first used in the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are expected to have 6 GB of RAM.
Repairability
Both the entry models and the Pro versions will be easier to service this year. With the previous version, Apple added a redesign to the chassis that makes them easier to open to change the rear glass.
This change will persist on the iPhone 15 and Plus model, and rumors suggest that Apple will use the new chassis design for the Pro and Pro Max model. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, all models will be openable from the front and rear, resulting in lower repair fees for damaged rear glass.
Release date and prices
The entry models and Pro models are expected to be unveiled at a September event, which could be held on Tuesday, September 12, or Wednesday, September 13. With that timing, pre-orders would take place on Friday, September 15, with the release following on Friday, September 22.
As I said at the beginning of the article, a price increase is not expected for the iPhone 15, but we will have to wait to find out.