Apple’s next iPhone model is only a few weeks away from being released and available for purchase.
The iPhone 15 is scheduled to be unveiled at Apple’s Cupertino, California headquarters on Sept. 12 or 13, with the next phone going on sale around Sept. 22.
The iPhone 15 could include some of the most significant design changes for an Apple smartphone in recent years, such as a redesigned charging connector.
It will follow the company’s first-ever augmented reality headset, which is slated to be delivered in the United States in the first few months of 2024.
Here’s everything we know about the iPhone 15, including its design, release date, and price.
Apple is likely to reveal four iPhone 15 variants: the base model, the iPhone 15 Plus, the iPhone 15 Pro, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
According to certain sources, Apple has renamed the iPhone Pro Max – the highest-end model – the “iPhone Ultra.”
Whatever it’s called, it’s still one of the two ‘Pro’ variants (which means it’ll have more power and capabilities, as well as a higher price tag).
A few features may be reserved for higher-end models, but the most significant design changes will be available to the whole iPhone 15 family.
Newly revealed iPhones can be disappointing since they aren’t significantly different from the previous year’s model – but the iPhone 15 is shaping up to be an exception.
According to leaked information and dummy units (exact replicas provided to third parties), the new flagship will have significant design modifications.
For starters, the iPhone 15 will have an entirely different charging connector, despite the fact that Apple was virtually compelled to make this design modification.
Unlike its predecessors, the iPhone 15 includes a USB-C charging port, which is routinely used by Android phones, rather than an Apple-designed Lightning port.
Because of new European legislation aiming to make a single charging design, the common norm – and ultimately reduce electrical waste – Apple was forced to transition from Lightning to USB-C.
Dan Barbera, a YouTuber, gained access to an iPhone 15 dummy device that plainly displayed a port with a USB-C charger.
In fact, the fake was so precise that he could insert his USB-C charging cable into its charging port.
‘You get that sense of comfort that we’re finally going to carry one cord for practically all current electronics,’ added the YouTuber.
According to Barbera, all four iPhone 15 models have curvier corners compared to the iPhone 14 models, which makes it more comfortable in the hand.
The sides of the iPhone 15 are also more ‘dull, brushed’ than the dazzling metal edges of the iPhone 14 models, thanks to the usage of titanium rather than stainless steel, and the back is matte glass rather than polished glass.
While Apple does not expect to increase the size of the iPhone’s screen this year, it will reduce the ‘bezel’ that surrounds the edge.
According to Mark Gurman, a US leaker, and Apple specialist, the border size around the display will be 1.5 millimeters, down from roughly 2.2 millimeters on current iPhones.
Long term, he says, Apple aims to introduce an iPhone that is ‘truly all-screen,’ with no borders around the display and no cutouts for cameras or sensors – and the iPhone 15 is a move in that direction.
Meanwhile, Dynamic Island, which was released last year with only the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, is expected to be available on all four iPhone 15 models.
The Dynamic Island is a pill-shaped notch at the top of the screen that conceals the front-facing camera while also changing size to display crucial warnings, notifications, and activities, blurring the line between hardware and software.
Meanwhile, according to 9to5mac, the camera bump on the back will be thicker, possibly to house more powerful image sensors, and the lenses will be ‘protruding’ further, likely for higher zoom capabilities.
Previous reports stated Apple was working on touch-sensitive buttons for the iPhone 15, but Gurman claims they have been scrapped.
‘The buttons wouldn’t physically press in, allowing new software tricks and reducing the number of breakable components on the device,’ he said.
‘The enhancement, codenamed Bongo, was canceled after a slew of engineering problems.
‘There also were concerns about the cost increase compared with regular buttons.’
A top-of-the-range chip called A17 Bionic for the iPhone 15 Pro and Max models will also improve performance, including AI capabilities and battery life.
According to Apple analyst Jeff Pu based in Hong Kong, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be more expensive than previous Pro models.
Apple has raised the prices for the two Pro models this year due to big hardware updates, including the titanium frame and the A17 Bionic chip, he claims.
Although Pu didn’t reveal exact price tags, it’s worth noting that last year’s iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max started at £1,099/$999 and £1,199/$1,099, respectively.
Tim Long, an analyst at Barclays, also expects price hikes for the two more expensive iPhone 15 models, while the standard and Plus models will be about the same as last year.
iPhone 14’s standard model was £799/$849, while the iPhone 14 Plus was £949/$899.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has already fueled speculation that this year’s models will be pricier than any iPhone predecessors.
During an investor call in February, he suggested that a price increase would be justified.
‘The iPhone has become so integral into people’s lives,’ the CEO said.
‘I think people are willing to really stretch to get the best they can afford in that category.’
Apple usually announces a new flagship iPhone during a live event in the first two weeks of September, and 2023 is set to be no different.
Last year, the iPhone 14 was unveiled on a Wednesday (September 7), while the year before that the iPhone 13 arrived on a Tuesday (September 14).
That suggests iPhone 15 will be launched on one of four days in September 2023 – Tuesday 5, Wednesday 6, Tuesday 12, or Wednesday 13.
Apple has been quiet so far about any unveiling event for this autumn, although teaser promos and invites will likely drop this month.
Fans will be hoping Apple won’t have to delay the unveiling until October due to manufacturing issues, as claimed by one US analyst.
Apple already had to postpone the iPhone 12’s debut in 2020 due to supply chain disruption brought on by the Covid pandemic.
