The 2023 special Apple Event,
September 12th, 6 pm UK time.
Post-Launch Update:
Confirmed iPhone 15 features!
UPDATE AS OF 19/09/23: So, it’s all out in the open! The latest iPhone 15 has been revealed in all its glory. This year’s rumours were surprisingly accurate, and you can view all of them here. But first, here are all of the confirmed features for this new series:
iPhone 15 & Plus Features:
Pro & Pro Max Exclusive Features:
RELEASE DATE: 22/09/2023
See the full list of Phone 15 specs, or view all of the built-in apps here.
Last month’s rumours:
The annual Apple Event is now OVER… but, if you’re interested, we’ve left last month’s anticipated updates for this flagship phone. Here’s a look at all of the pre-launch rumours and changes we expected from the iPhone 15:
iPhone 15 Design
One of the biggest changes coming to the iPhone 15 is a new design. Much like every model, we expect the overall shape and style of the 15 Series to stay similar to previous generations, save for a few updates…
Dynamic Island on all models
Last year, Apple replaced the notch that had been a staple of the iPhone since the iPhone X with the Dynamic Island…but only on the Pro models. However, it is believed that even the basic iPhone 15 models will also carry the new Dynamic Island this year.
New Titanium Frame
The iPhone 15 Pro models are also rumoured to have a titanium frame, which would make them more durable and lighter than the current stainless steel models, coupled with rounded edges!
Action button
Another big design feature update for the iPhone 15 Pro models is the new action button. The action button is expected to replace the mute switch on the current iPhone models. It is rumoured to be a programmable button that can be used to perform a variety of tasks:
Here are some of the possible uses for the action button:
- Launch the camera:
A quick press of the action button could launch the camera app, making it easy to take a quick photo or video. - Take a screenshot:
A long press of the action button could take a screenshot, without having to fumble with the power and volume buttons. - Activate Siri:
We imagine double pressing the action button will activate Siri, making it easy to get things done hands-free. - Control music playback:
The action button could be used to control music playback, such as skipping tracks or adjusting the volume. - Adjust the volume:
The action button could be used to adjust the volume, without having to reach for the volume buttons.
Thinner Bevel & Colour Options
Finally, we expect to see an even thinner bevel this year and potentially a more curved glass in the Pro models. Potential colours include Dark Pink, Light Blue, Black, White, and Product (RED), amongst other mainstream colour options.
Display
This year, the iPhone 15 is expected to get a significant display upgrade. We believe all four models will have ProMotion technology, which allows for a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz.
The standard model alongside the “Plus” is rumoured to have a 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch OLED display, with a resolution of 2532 x 1170px and 2778 x 1284px, respectively.
“Pro” models are also rumoured to have a 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2556 x 1179px and 2796 x 1290px, respectively.
Camera Upgrades
The iPhone 15 is rumoured to have a major camera upgrade, with all four models getting a 48-megapixel main sensor. The most exciting speculation this year is around the iPhone 15 Pro models which are rumoured to be getting a new periscope telephoto lens with 6x optical zoom.
Samsung has boasted a periscope lens since the 2020 release of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra. This will be a welcome upgrade for iPhone lovers who, until now, have only been able to achieve 3x optical zoom.
New Chipset
The iPhone 15 is expected to be powered by Apple’s next-generation A17 Bionic chip. It is probable that the A17 Bionic will be manufactured using TSMC’s 3nm process, which will make it even faster and more efficient than the A16 Bionic chip that powers the iPhone 14.
All of this supports faster 5G speeds, improved coverage, and lower latency. The Pro models are expected to feature the Qualcomm X70 chip, providing better power efficiency and AI processing capabilities.
RAM
The 15 Pro models are rumoured to get an increase in RAM to 8GB. This would be a significant improvement over the 6GB of RAM that is currently standard on the 14 Pro models.
iPhone 15 Battery
The iPhone 15 is rumoured to have a slightly larger battery than the previous generation. This would be welcome news for users who have been complaining about the poor battery life of the iPhone 14. The new OLED display driver chip will also require reduced power consumption thus improving battery life.
Other iPhone 15 rumours & features
The iPhone 15 is also rumoured to get a few other new features, including:
1. USB-C support across iPhone 15 models:
The European Union recently mandated that all smartphones sold in the EU must have a USBC-C port by 2024. Apple has already confirmed that it will be switching from the familiar lightning port to a USB-C port.
USB-C adaptors are able to transfer data faster and charge phones fasters so this is a welcome change. The big bonus is that USB-C is significantly more versatile than the old lightning cables and they can be used for a variety of devices. Life will be much simpler!
2. Always-on display:
The iPhone 15 Pro models are believed to be getting an always-on display, which would allow users to see the time, date, and notifications without having to wake the phone up.
3. Reverse wireless charging:
It has been alleged that the new iPhone 15 will finally see reverse wireless charging (already available with Samsung). Wireless charging reverse allows users to charge other devices, such as the Apple Watch or AirPods, by placing them on the back of the phone.
These are just some of the rumoured improvements that are expected for the iPhone 15. It will be interesting to see what Apple officially announces when the phone launches later this year.
4. No Touch ID:
Despite ongoing rumours, Apple will not reintroduce Touch ID through an under-display solution in its iPhone 15 models. Instead, these models will maintain Face ID functionality. While Apple is developing “under-display” Face ID, its rollout is not anticipated until 2025 at the earliest. In 2023, the iPhone 15 will persist with the Dynamic Island technology, expected to be extended to all models, not just the Pro variants.
5. No SIM tray:
Last year, Apple removed the SIM card tray from iPhone 14 devices sold in the United States. With the forthcoming iPhone 15 / Pro releases, removal of the SIM tray, and rising popularity of eSIM technology, this could easily extend to more countries.
Current rumours indicate countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and even the UK could also see the SIM tray being eliminated.
6. Faster Wi-Fi 6E upgrade:
Leaked iPhone 15 Wi-Fi chip diagrams reveal Apple’s move to Wi-Fi 6E, exclusive to the “Pro” range. Both the iPhone 15 Pro and “Pro Max” will feature Wi-Fi 6E, while the standard models will retain Wi-Fi 6.
Wi-Fi 6E offers enhanced benefits compared to Wi-Fi 6, including increased bandwidth for faster speeds, reduced latency, and greater capacity. With an additional 1.2GHz spectrum in the 6GHz band, Wi-Fi 6E supports extensive home gigabit coverage and multi-gigabit connectivity for larger venues, making it suitable for demanding applications such as AR and VR experiences.
Additionally, the iPhone 15 lineup is expected to introduce an advanced Ultra Wideband chip integrated with the Vision Pro headset, utilizing a 7nm chip processor for improved performance and energy efficiency.
iPhone 15 Release Date
The iPhone 15 and “Pro” range are likely to debut at Apple’s event, anticipated for September 12th. If this holds, pre-orders could start as early as Friday, September 15, followed by the official release on Friday, September 22nd. We’re sure you can’t wait to finally get your hands on the latest release from Apple!
iPhone 14
From £35 per month
iPhone 14 Plus
From £38 per month
iPhone 14 Pro
From £43 per month
iPhone 14 Pro Max
From £46 per month
2023 Apple Event
The 2023 special Apple Event, September 12th, 6pm UK time.
Pricing
Lastly, there are rumours of an alleged price increase across the board for this new series. These potential price hikes stem from analyst Jeff Pu, who proposes that the “Pro” models might debut at ~£865, marking an increase from the iPhone 14 Pro‘s ~£785. Should Pu prove true, the iPhone 15 Pro Max could enter the market with a price tag of ~£935.
In contrast, no indications point towards pricing changes for the standard iPhone 15 models. The introductory variant is anticipated to retain its starting price of ~£630.
Benefits for Business
The faster modem chips and 5G capabilities ensure seamless connectivity for remote work, while the USB-C port allows for easy compatibility with various accessories commonly used in business environments.
Additionally, the performance improvements, such as the A17 chip and faster data transfer speeds, enable smooth multitasking and efficient app usage, benefitting professionals who rely on their iPhones for work.
Conclusion
The iPhone 15 is shaping up to be a significant upgrade over the previous 14. With a new design, improved cameras, a faster chip, and more RAM, the iPhone 15 is sure to be a popular choice for consumers when it launches later this year.
We expect it to prove a fairly significant shift over from previous iterations, particularly due to the new USB-C charging port and removal of touch ID.
