Apple’s iPhone 15 is shaping up to be a big update thanks to rumors of a major redesign, new features, and the arrival of USB-C, a brand new charging port for the iPhone that we’ve been waiting a long time for.
Beyond charging, there could be some other big changes for the iPhone, including the first major design overhaul since the iPhone 12 brought us the squared-off edges and polished design we’ve come to love over the past few years.
Here’s everything you need to know about Apple’s second-best iPhone.
iPhone 15: Release date
First, when will the iPhone 15 be launched? And when will you be able to buy it?
If Apple sticks to tradition, we can expect the iPhone 15 lineup to be announced in the first week or so of September, with pre-orders beginning a few days later. Then the new iPhones should go on sale the following Friday.
For reference, Apple announced the iPhone 14 series on September 6 and made them available for pre-order on September 9. They then went on sale on September 16. An educated guess for 2023 would peg the launch of the iPhone 15 on September 5, with a September 15 release date. Apple could also go the following week, announcing the device on September 12th and bringing it to stores on the 22nd. We have no reason to believe that the iPhone will not be unveiled in its usual September window this year.
iPhone 15 processor
If Apple follows the same path it set out on with the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, we can expect the iPhone 15 to use the same A16 Bionic as the iPhone 14 Pro. However, the iPhone 15 Pro is likely to benefit from an all-new A17 chip, continuing the differentiation between Pro and non-Pro models.
These A17 chips are expected to use new 3nm chips from longtime chip supplier TSMC, likely improving power consumption and reducing the amount of heat they generate during use. The 3nm process offers chips with speed increases of up to 15% using the same amount of power, or power savings of 30% at the same speed as 5nm.
Alongside the A17, reports have indicated that the iPhone 15 Pro line could get a major upgrade with 8GB of RAM.
iPhone 15 screen and sizes
September 2022 rumors have Apple bringing Dynamic Island to all iPhone 15 models, not just the Pro as was the case with the iPhone 14. That’s according to DSCC analyst Ross Young, who usually has a good track record with these things .
However, this does not mean that the base iPhone 15 models will get a 120Hz refresh rate or an Always-On Display. For that, you want the iPhone 15 Pro.
If Apple follows precedent with the iPhone 14 series, we can expect a 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro to be joined by a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Based on the remaining technical challenges for sub-panel cameras to meet the quality demands of discerning brands as well as the cost demands of panel makers, I still think this roadmap makes sense for the iPhone. pic.twitter.com/3ck5X3sVcL10 May 2022
iPhone 15 design
An insider says that the iPhone 15 could actually get a new design that will bring a more rounded back and new edge design, perhaps akin to the old iPhone 5C. It may be the first step away from the square design language that began with the iPhone 12.
Introducing the iPhone 15 Ultra with a flat glass back that’s curved at the edges to meet the new titanium chassis for a light, premium feel. Packs a new periscope 6x optical lens camera.Twitter users see here first. @Shaileshhari03 More renders 👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/8mA13TD3sUDecember 7, 2022
Recent leaks from an insider seem to confirm that the new iPhone 15 will have curved edges, thinner bezels and a flat display that curves from the bezel. It would be a significant change compared to the current, completely square design.
In a huge development, Apple has confirmed that it will have to comply with EU laws requiring USB-C chargers on its iPhone. The question is, will it happen next year, or in 2024, when the rules come in?
Both Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo have suggested a shift is coming, with the EU and potentially even Brazil set to mandate a common plug for all phones and similar accessories, including AirPods.
“Apple Inc. is testing future iPhone models that replace the current Lightning charging port with the more common USB-C connector, according to people with knowledge of the situation, a move that could help the company comply with looming European regulations,” says Gurman.
Although USB-C will make charging easier, better data transfer speeds can be reserved for the Pro models. Ming-Chi Kuo reports that the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will get USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3 for high-speed wired transfers. However, the iPhone 15 is expected to retain the same USB 2.0 speeds as the old models despite the USB-C port.
Previous rumors about the return of Touch ID appear to be unfounded, at least with regard to the iPhone 14. It may make a return in the future, but Face ID is expected to be the only biometric authentication system offered in 2023.
Another big change coming to the iPhone is reportedly the end of physical buttons. A report claims that Apple will do away with buttons in favor of Taptic Engines like those on its current iPhone SE Home Button for both volume and power.
iPhone 15 Ultra?
While Apple has so far used the Pro Max name for its high-end model, new rumors have it changing in 2023.
Following the launch of the Apple Watch Ultra, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman believes that Apple could rename the iPhone 15 Pro Max to the iPhone 15 Ultra. It’s not clear what other changes we could expect, but there are suggestions that the high-end iPhone 15 will have a new camera system – one with a periscope as detailed below.
iPhone 15 5G modem and Wi-Fi chip
We’ve heard for years that Apple would switch to 5G modems designed in-house around 2023, but it now looks like that won’t happen in time for the iPhone 15. A new report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple’s The 5G modem “may have failed,” meaning it will stick with Qualcomm in 2023. Further reports from analyst Jeff Pu confirm that, with Qualcomm parts now expected to be used in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16.
Kuo goes on to say that Apple will continue to work on getting its own 5G modem ready with the aim of eventually replacing Qualcomm.
The iPhone 15 is also expected to upgrade from the Wi-Fi 6 chip that comes in the iPhone 14 series to Wi-Fi 6E. Due to its ability to take advantage of the 6GHz band, the latest generation of Wi-Fi is faster, more reliable and capable of covering greater distances than its predecessors. It’s currently unclear whether the more modern chip will make it to both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, but since it’s currently consistent across the iPhone 14 lineup, it would be surprising for Apple to limit it to its Pro models .
iPhone 15 cameras
We don’t yet know everything there is to know about the iPhone 15 cameras, but we’re told to expect Apple’s first periscope camera in at least the Pro models — possibly just the iPhone 15 Pro Max. That comes via analyst Jeff Pu, who claims the switch would allow for 5x optical zoom. However, it is possible that the technology could allow even 10x zoom.
Companies like Samsung already use periscope cameras in their flagship phones to offer increased zoom capabilities. Periscope cameras work by increasing the distance between the camera’s lens and sensor, which works in much the same way as a periscope in a submarine. Having the two components so far apart in a traditional configuration would require the iPhone 15 to be significantly thicker, something Apple doesn’t want and a periscope design counteracts.
At least one sensor in the new iPhone 15 is expected to be a new state-of-the-art sensor from Sony that will double the saturation signal in each pixel, capture more light and reduce underexposure and overexposure in certain settings. This will be especially important for enhanced portrait and headshots.
iPhone 15 colors
We don’t know much about what the iPhone 15 colors will be, but we can use previous iPhones as an idea of what to expect.
If Apple sticks to the form, you can expect the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max to have more sedate colors, like in some of black or gray, with silver and gold as well. An additional color is likely to join them – for the iPhone 13 Pro it was Sierra Blue. For the iPhone 14 Pro, it was Deep Purple.
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will probably get the better colors in some eyes. That means vibrant colors including a (Product) RED option that always looks great no matter what iPhone it’s on.
iPhone 15 storage
Apple’s inventory plans will likely depend on various things, not least the price of parts as we get closer to a release.
The real question is whether the lower end setting will change. Expect that to be largely driven by data-hungry camera features added to the new models, while a 2TB option at the top is a possibility.
iPhone 15 price
We are still far from Apple announcing the prices of the iPhone 15, but we can expect the numbers to be on par with previous high-end iPhones. That means a starting point of around $1,000 for the Pro models and a low end of around $800 for the standard models.
However, we’ll know more as we get closer to release, where changing economic situations and inflation could potentially affect Apple’s plans. The company did not raise the price of the iPhone 14 over the iPhone 13, at least in the US. However, the international markets saw a price increase due to local exchange rates against the dollar.
There are currently no reputable rumors suggesting that the price of the iPhone 15 will increase compared to previous models.
iPhone 15 flip?
We know Apple is is working on a foldable iPhone, and we know the company appears to have settled on a clamshell design (pictured). Don’t expect a foldable iPhone this year, though. Word on the street is that the foldable iPhone flip is still a few years away.
