Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 15 models in 2023. Instead of the Lightning port, they will feature USB-C and will come equipped with new camera technology and enhanced features. Although the iPhone 15 is still months away, information about the upcoming models has already leaked due to suppliers involved in the manufacturing process. Apple is expected to release four iPhone 15 models, including two 6.1-inch and two 6.7-inch models. The standard iPhone 15 will be one of the 6.1-inch models, while the other 6.7-inch model will be an iPhone 15 “Plus.” The remaining 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch models will be more expensive “Pro” models, with the best features reserved for the latter.
According to rumors, the upcoming iPhone 15 lineup is expected to feature a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port. Additionally, the Dynamic Island display will be available for all iPhone 15 models, including the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. This means that the notch, which has been a feature of Apple’s flagship iPhone lineup since the iPhone X, will be removed.
To power the new devices, Apple plans to use Qualcomm modem chips as their own modem chips are still in development. The standard iPhone 15 models will be upgraded with the A16 chip found in the iPhone 14 Pro models, while the iPhone 15 Pro models will feature even faster and more efficient 3-nanometer A17 chips. It is expected that the Pro models will have titanium frames, slimmer bezels, and minor design changes with curved edges. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is also rumored to include periscope lens technology for improved zoom capabilities.
Pricing on the iPhone 15 models is expected to remain the same, with the standard entry-level 6.1-inch device starting at $799 and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus starting at $899.
Design
According to rumors, the upcoming iPhone 15 models will have a similar appearance to the iPhone 14 models. However, there will be a change in the pill-and-hole cutout, which will now feature in the entire iPhone 15 lineup. This means that there will be no notch in any of the iPhone 15 models, and instead, they will adopt the Dynamic Island feature introduced in the iPhone 14 Pro models. Apple will still offer four models, including the 6.1-inch iPhone 15, 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Max, and 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max. The “Pro” models will come with advanced features and a higher price tag, while the standard iPhone 15 models will be more affordable.
Furthermore, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models will have a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port, and the notch will be replaced with the Dynamic Island. A leaked image purported to be of the iPhone 15 Pro showed the USB-C port for the first time.
One rumour is that the iPhone 15 will be 6.2 inches rather than 6.1 inches, however it is unclear why Apple would make this modification. The data was based on a CAD drawing used by case makers to produce cases for the new devices, and it is probable that some of the data was incorrect because such a minor difference would not have an influence on case design.
Along with the Dynamic Island, all iPhone 15 models may be equipped with a more power-efficient OLED display driver chip made on a 28nm process, allowing for lower power usage and, ultimately, longer battery life.
Despite the switch to the Dynamic Island, the basic iPhone 15 models will not contain ProMotion or always-on display technologies. Apple will keep these features exclusive to Pro devices.
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro Dynamic Islands are likely to have a revised design with an integrated proximity sensor, however this upgrade will not result in significant changes to the Dynamic Island’s aesthetic or functionality. It will affect component costs and may be an attempt by Apple to reduce device costs.
Colors
The iPhone 15 models could come in dark pink and light blue colours. Apple frequently provides regular iPhone models in a variety of vibrant colours, and this year is no different.
The vivid pink and blue shades will almost certainly be offered alongside the traditional black, white, and PRODUCT(RED) colour options.
iPhone 15 Pro Exclusive Design
While all iPhone 15 models are going to adopt the USB-C port, there are some design changes that are exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
The iPhone 15 Pro variants, according to rumours, would have narrower, more curved bezels than the iPhone 14 Pro models, as seen in renders of the gadget made based on circulating details. The iPhone 15 Pro models will have deeper curves, while the iPhone 15 models will have smoother edges, an aluminium frame, and a glass front and back like the iPhone 14 models.
Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro series is believed to have more curved front glass that blends into the frame, and the chassis is expected to be made of titanium rather than stainless steel.
Frosted Glass?
According to an unverified Weibo rumour, the iPhone 15 models may have a frosted glass back, which has previously been a design detail reserved for the Pro models. Standard variants are usually glossy black, with frosted glass reserved for more expensive ones.
If reports are correct, both the basic iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Pro will have frosted glass on the rear of the device.
Iphone 15 Case
Minor modifications to the iPhone 15 lineup’s dimensions will prevent most cases from fitting, while the iPhone 15 Plus can fit inside an iPhone 14 Plus. The larger back camera housing of the Pro models, as well as the more curved shape and tweaks to the buttons, preclude iPhone 14 Pro cases from working properly.
Leaks
The switch to USB-C and the adoption of the Dynamic Island instead of the notch found on the iPhone 14 are major updates. Other design modifications, such as a deeper edge curve and a titanium frame, will be confined to iPhone 15 Pro versions. However, leaked renders have revealed that the display size may alter slightly.
he leaked photos depict the Dynamic Island, which will expand to all iPhone 15 models in 2023, and they also confirm that the iPhone 15 will have a design that is similar to the iPhone 14 with few changes.
The move from Lightning to USB-C and the adoption of the Dynamic Island instead of the notch found on the iPhone 14 are major updates. Other design modifications, such as a deeper edge curve and a titanium frame, will be confined to iPhone 15 Pro versions. However, leaked renders have revealed that the display size may alter slightly.
Renders of the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus show that it will have some modest design changes compared to the iPhone 14 Plus, such as the Dynamic Island, reduced bezels, and slight changes to the device’s size and thickness.
Camera
For the iPhone 15 models, Apple is rumoured to use Sony’s latest “state-of-the-art” image sensors. Sony’s image sensor, as compared to ordinary sensors, doubles the saturation signal in each pixel, allowing it to collect more light and reduce underexposure and overexposure. The sensor will enable for improvements in portraits and other photographs even when there is a lot of backlighting.
Sony uses semiconductor architecture that separates photodiodes from transistors, allowing for more photodiodes. It is unclear whether the new sensor technology will be used by all iPhone 15 models or if Apple will limit it to the higher-end “Pro” iPhone 15 devices.
Periscope Zoom Lens Technology for iPhone 15 Pro Max
You’ve certainly heard that Apple is planning to use a periscope zoom lens on the iPhone 15, but it will only be available on the larger-sized iPhone 15 Pro Max. The iPhone 15 Pro will include a regular zoom lens, whilst the iPhone 15 variants will only have Wide and Ultra Wide lenses.
Periscope lens technology provides optical zoom capabilities that outperform typical telephoto lens capabilities, allowing for 5x or even 10x optical zoom. The iPhone’s magnification capabilities would be considerably improved with a periscope lens, as the current Pro models are limited to 3x zoom.
Light is reflected by an angled mirror towards the image sensor in the camera when using a periscope lens. The directional shift enables a “folded” telephoto lens system for greater optical zoom without the blurriness associated with digital zoom.
Samsung, an Apple competitor, has released smartphones with periscope lens technology that allows for 4x to 10x optical magnification and up to 100x digital zoom. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that when Apple uses the periscope lens, it will use 6x optical zoom technology.
Qualcomm Modem Chips
Apple will use Qualcomm’s 5G modem chips for the 2023 iPhone 15 lineup, as it has done since 5G iPhones were introduced. There were rumors suggesting that Apple could use its own in-house modem chips as soon as 2023, but the technology won’t be ready until 2024 at the earliest.
All iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models will use the same Qualcomm modem chip, likely the X70. Qualcomm’s X70 chip offers improved AI for faster processing speeds, a better coverage range, improved signal, lower latency, and up to 60 percent improved power efficiency.
SIM Card Tray
Apple with the launch of the iPhone 14 models removed the SIM card tray in devices sold in the United States. With the launch of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models, the SIM tray could be removed in additional countries.
Rumors right now suggest that it will be eliminated in France, and if that’s the case, it could be removed in iPhones sold in other countries sold in Europe like Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the UK.
WIFI 6E for iPhone 15
Apple is upgrading to Wi-Fi 6E, according to leaked iPhone 15 Wi-Fi chip schematics, although it will be confined to iPhone 15 Pro versions. Wi-Fi 6E will be available on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, but Wi-Fi 6 will remain on the basic iPhone 15 models.
Wi-Fi 6E has greater bandwidth than Wi-Fi 6, allowing for quicker communication speeds, lower latency, and more capacity. Wi-Fi 6E adds 1.2GHz to the 6GHz band, and it can provide whole-home gigabit coverage, multi-gigabit connectivity for venues, and greater data streams such as those utilised for AR and VR applications.
A-Series Chips
The iPhone 15 Pro models will be the first to use an A-series chip manufactured by Apple supplier TSMC on its next-generation 3-nanometer node. 3nm chip technology is predicted to boost processing performance by 10 to 15% while lowering power consumption by up to 35%.
The faster chips will be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, while the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will adopt the 4-nanometer A16 chip that was first used in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Release Date
The iPhone 15 models will likely be released in September 2023 if Apple follows its traditional September launch timeline.
