Apple will unveil the iPhone 15 next week on September 12 (Tuesday). Normally, the company puts the products under wraps before a big event, but since these are high-demand devices, there have been many leaks. Here’s what we know (and think) about the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.
Lightning Dead, Long Life USB-C
Wait for Tim Cook. We can tell you all about the benefits of USB-C over the proprietary Lightning port, but don’t expect them to even mention the European Union, the real reason for this change. Apple will lose revenue from the MFI certification program, and according to Mark Gurman, this threatens to create a crack in the walled garden (users will now have accessories compatible with Android phones).
Goodbye Lightning, hello USB-C
Still, iPads use USB-C, Max USB-C, it’s time for iPhones to follow suit. The transition may be painful for some users, but Apple includes high-quality USB C-C cables in the retail package.
For the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro duo, the cables support up to 60W (USB PD 3.0, 20V at 3A), but the phones only work at 20W (same as the current models). That cable is used to charge laptops.
Also, the cables will be USB 2.0 only, but that’s normal even for Android flagships. Best of all, the USB-C port itself sticks to USB 2.0, just like the younger Lightning ports.
Big batteries
Just a quick note, insiders say that all models in the iPhone 15 series will have larger batteries. We don’t have exact numbers, but the 15 Pro Max and possibly the 15 Plus are expected to be around 5,000mAh (the 14 Plus and 14 Pro Max have 4,323mAh in their tanks). This pairs well with the fast charging on the Pro model.
A dynamic island for everyone
These are the last of Apple’s more extensive steps, at least on the main series (who knows what the next SE will be). The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus match their siblings with the Dynamic Island, Apple’s marketing term for the pill-shaped punch hole that houses the FaceTime camera and FaceID hardware.
All iPhone 15 models will have a flexible island
That will be the main display upgrade for vanilla phones this year, with 120Hz mode (promoted) not coming anytime soon. This means no LTPO panels, which can help with power consumption at a maximum of 60Hz (what makes LTPO interesting is the lower end of the refresh rate).
48 MP cameras all around, with a twist
The iPhone 14 Pros are the first to go above 12MP, even the vanilla models. This year, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus upgrade to a 48MP main sensor (with an f/1.6 lens), which promises better low-light performance. The ultra-wide camera remains at 12MP and there’s no telephoto lens (but the new main camera will be better with zoom).
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will have stacked 48MP sensors.
The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max will have the same 48MP camera as last year’s 1/1.28-inch Sony IMX803. This allows the vanilla models to leapfrog in this department – Ming-Chi Kuo writes that they use stacked sensors, which could be really advanced (the Pros will get stacked sensors next year).
Advantages go to titanium, but vanilla phones stay on aluminum
The iPhone X was the first to use stainless steel instead of aluminum, and Apple has continued that on the Pro side ever since. Now, after gaining some experience with titanium, launching the Apple Watch Ultra, the company is ready to change the material it chooses for the iPhone Pro frame.
This makes them lighter, which is the case with older models (for example, the 2022 Pro Max weighs more than some foldables). Vanilla phones are now stuck with aluminum, so don’t expect major changes in their construction.
Dummies have revealed the color options available for the Vanilla and Pro series at launch. They seem mostly dull and untouched, but there are two that stand out.
Maybe Apple A16 chipsets
Apple reportedly owns 90% of TSMC’s 3nm capacity this year. The same part is expected to have 6 CPU cores (2+4) to run the Apple A17 Bionic chipsets and set a new clock speed record on mobile – up to 3.7GHz for performance cores.
As for the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, they’ll be a year behind the Pros and will get 2022’s A16 chipset (remember, last year’s vanilla phones had the A15).
RAM capacity may remain the same, 6GB LPDDR5 (all iPhone 14 models had 6GB). There’s a chance we’ll see 8GB on the Pros, but the 15 and 15 Plus are likely to be included in this update.
Still change on the ship
While the two Pro phones use a function button inspired by the Apple Watch Ultra, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus keep switching. Like Dynamic Island, this could be reserved for the two vanilla phones as an upgrade for next year.
Outlook
Analysts expect the periscope lens to make the iPhone 15 Pro Max the most popular model in the series, accounting for 35-40% of all iPhone 15 handset orders. This is based on an advanced chipset that is expected to boost demand for both Pro models.
Apple is reportedly facing problems, however, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max launch could be delayed in October as Sony struggles to produce enough sensors for the Periscope module. The three iPhone 15 models are expected to go up for pre-order immediately after the reveal (probably a few days later).
When the pros are up, the vanilla models can sink. There are reports that Apple has reduced production from 83 million to 77 million units for the entire series. This is partly due to the production issues mentioned above, but low demand is also expected.
We’ll see how things shake out. The price of the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus is expected to remain the same, while the iPhone 15 Pro should increase by $100. The iPhone 15 Pro Max will have a price increase of $100 or $200.
Image source: Apple Hub
That’s it for now, check back with us next week for full coverage of the iPhone 15 launch list.