The iPhone 15 range is unlikely to arrive until fall 2023, but there are many questions about the next generation of iOS smartphones. Will the iPhone 15 have a USB-C port? Will Apple increase iPhone prices in 2023? Will it just be called “iPhone 15”? Nobody outside of the company is sure, but the rumors will surely pique our curiosity until they host the next keynote. Here are some of the biggest and most believable rumors we’ve seen so far to paint a picture of what we might see from the iPhone 15.
iPhone 15 design
A USB-C port
The loudest rumor to date concerns the iPhone connector, as the European Union has ruled that iPhones sold in the region must be upgraded to a USB-C connector by 2024. The question is whether Apple will switch all iPhone models to USB-C or only those sold in the EU. As with the iPhone 14, Apple is already changing the iPhone models regionally: the US version has an eSIM card, while the other variants keep the SIM card slot.
However, Techsponential analyst Avi Greengart believes Apple has good reason to move all iPhones to USB-C in the future. “With power/data connectivity, there are bigger ecosystem, security and accessory considerations, so I think on the iPhone 16 horizon, Apple will be more likely to transition all iPhones to USB-C to comply with European regulations,” Greengart said.
An iPhone 7 Plus with a Lightning connector on a Google Pixel 2 XL with a USB-C connector. Stephen Shankland/CNET
iPhones have had Lightning connectors since the iPhone 5, which was released in 2012. Android phones usually have the slightly larger USB-C connector.
The dynamic island for all models
Apple is expected to continue selling four iPhone models with the iPhone 15 lineup. Rumors point to a generally similar design for all models, with the exception of the iPhone 14 Pro’s Dynamic Island, which is expected to be extended to all models.
This rumor comes from analyst Ross Young, who also said in a tweet from September that he doesn’t expect the base models of the iPhone 15 to have a higher refresh rate like Apple’s iPhone Pros because the supply chain can’t support it.
Tactile buttons on the Pro versions
Noted Apple watcher Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at TF International Securities, expects Apple to further differentiate between its base and Pro models in the years to come. In particular, he expects the Pro models of the iPhone 15 to be used tactile volume and power buttons instead of the standard buttons found on current devices.
These controls, which Kuo says are similar to the home button on the iPhone SE and iPhone 7, mimic the feel of pressing a button through haptic feedback. The obvious advantage of this type of control is that it also protects against water ingress.
iPhone 15 camera: The periscopic telephoto lens is coming
Another prediction from Kuo has made the rounds, but this time it’s about the iPhone 15’s camera. The analyst predicts that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will get a periscopic telephoto lens. This type of telephoto lens allows for higher optical zoom levels, with Kuo predicting that a 6x optical zoom could be available on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. As a reminder, the optical zoom of the iPhone 14 Pro Max is limited to 3x.
Autonomy of the iPhone 15: better autonomy for the Pro
Next-generation chips from Apple’s partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) will be etched at 3nm. According to the founder, they will consume 30 to 35% less power compared to his 5-nanometer chips at the same speed. Also this year it could be that only the Pro versions are equipped with a new chip, which logically should be called A17 Bionic.
iPhone 15 price: a saltier addition
Prices have increased dramatically since the original iPhone launched in 2007. And it could happen again in 2023 with the iPhone 15, but not in the way you might think. According to analysts speaking to CNET.com, the iPhone 15’s price should remain unchanged.
However, the upper limit of the price range could be pushed back if the rumors about an iPhone 15 Ultra prove to be correct. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the rumored Ultra model could potentially replace the iPhone 15 Pro Max next year. This is consistent with Kuo’s predictions that who expects Apple Distinguish further between the iPhone Pro and iPhone Pro Max models. Prices in France currently range from 1,019 euros for the entry-level iPhone 14 (128 GB) to 2,129 euros for the top-of-the-range iPhone 14 Pro Max with 1 TB of storage.
Continue reading : What Apple might do with iPhone 15 prices in 2023
iPhone 15: launch plan
Apple holds its annual iPhone event in September almost every year, so we can assume the timing for the iPhone 15 will stay the same. It sometimes happens that Apple pushes back the release dates of certain models, especially when it comes to presenting a new design or size. It is therefore possible that the iPhone 15 range has more than one release date.
Here’s what we know:
- Apple tends to hold its events on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Apple’s iPhone 14 event was held on Wednesday, September 7th, while the iPhone 13 event was held on Tuesday, September 14th.
- iPhone release dates are usually set a week and a half after Apple’s announcements.
- New iPhones usually come out on a Friday, around the third week of September.
If you’re looking to buy an Apple smartphone now, here’s our pick of the best iPhones.
CNET.com article adapted and enriched by CNET France