Apple has formally declared that the iPhone 15 launch event will take place on September 12. Speculations circulating a few weeks ago about this date have proven true, as the company verified today.
At 10 AM PT on September 12, Apple will unveil the iPhone 15 lineup, comprising the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max (possibly bearing the name iPhone 15 Ultra). The event will be accessible via online streaming on apple.com and the Apple TV app, following the customary practice.
With approximately two months remaining until its expected launch in September, the iPhone 15 is already generating a great deal of excitement. As is customary, Apple has not officially acknowledged the existence of its forthcoming flagship phone until the actual launch event. Nevertheless, there is a wealth of credible rumors circulating about the iPhone 15 that we can delve into.
Let's begin with the basics. It is anticipated that there will be four devices in the lineup: the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Ultra (rumored to replace the Pro Max model). Noted display analyst Ross Young suggests that all four models will feature a Dynamic Island cutout, as reported by MacRumors. Additionally, Apple's marketing chief, Greg Joswiak, has hinted at a potential switch from Lightning to USB-C for the next iPhone, aligning with new EU regulations set to take effect in 2024.
While no official details have been released yet, the iPhone 15 is expected to bring significant improvements over its predecessor, the iPhone 14, including the possibility of enhanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. While we await official confirmation and launch date, here is a roundup of everything we currently know about Apple's next-generation iPhone 15.
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iPhone 15 Launch Date and Pricing
Based on the traditional September launch pattern, it is likely that the iPhone 15 models will be released in September 2023.
According to analyst Jeff Pu, the iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to be higher in price compared to the iPhone 14 Pro models. Pu suggests that the starting price of the iPhone 15 Pro could be around $1,099, a rise from the $999 starting price of the iPhone 14 Pro. If these forecast hold true, the iPhone 15 Pro Max could start at $1,199. There haven't been any rumors indicating a similar price increase for the standard iPhone 15 models, which are expected to continue starting at $799.
Here's a glimpse of the latest price rumors for the iPhone 15:
- iPhone 15: Expected to start at $799.
- iPhone 15 Plus: Anticipated starting price of $999.
- iPhone 15 Pro: Rumored to start at $1,099.
- iPhone 15 Ultra: Speculated starting price of $1,299.
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iPhone 15 rumors around the corner
There are expected to be two standard iPhone 15 models and two iPhone 15 Pro models.
The Pro Max model is rumored to be renamed the Ultra.
All iPhone 15 models may feature Dynamic Islands, a new display design.
The iPhone 15 lineup could switch from Lightning to USB-C charging.
An upgraded periscope zoom system may result in a larger camera bump.
The predicted starting price for the iPhone 15 is around $799 / £849 / AU$1399.
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iPhone 15 Design
The iPhone 15 is anticipated to bear a resemblance to its predecessor, the iPhone 14, with a few notable adjustments. Respected display analyst Ross Young suggests that Apple will expand the 'pill-shaped' Dynamic Island feature to all four models of the iPhone 15, as reported by MacRumors. Young specifically mentions that Dynamic Island is expected to be present on the "standard models" of the iPhone 15.
However, Young also mentions that he doesn't anticipate the inclusion of a 120Hz LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) display on the standard models, citing limitations in the supply chain. This implies that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are unlikely to feature Apple's always-on display with ProMotion support, which might disappoint some users.
According to leaked renders, the iPhone 15 Pro is expected to feature slimmer bezels compared to the iPhone 14 Pro. There are further leaks suggesting that the iPhone 15 Ultra will have the slimmest bezels of any phone, potentially surpassing the Xiaomi 13's record of 1.81mm (source: Iceuniverse via MacRumors).
The renders also reveal other design changes, including a transition from the Lightning port to a USB-C port, capacitive volume buttons instead of physical ones, a slightly more curved design, and a thicker camera bump on the back.
Apple is reportedly making this shift to USB-C in order to comply with upcoming European regulations aimed at reducing electronic waste, effective from December 2024. Apple's marketing chief, Greg Joswiak, acknowledged the need to comply with these regulations during an event, although he did not specifically mention the iPhone 15.
The adoption of USB-C in the iPhone 15 Pro models might enable support for Thunderbolt 3 data transfer speeds, reaching up to 40Gbps. This could make the Pro models compatible with 4K monitors, potentially appealing to creative professionals. Additionally, it is speculated that new USB-C accessories, including EarPods with USB-C connections, may hit the market alongside the new handsets.
According to Mark Gurman, the upcoming AirPods Pro 2 will feature a USB-C charging case, allowing for more convenient charging across multiple Apple devices with a single cable.
Recently, there have been resurfacing rumors regarding the inclusion of capacitive buttons on the iPhone 15. Leaker ShrimpApplePro shared a video demonstrating a potential design with elongated volume buttons and a transformed mute switch. The buttons are speculated to have a solid-state design, providing haptic feedback instead of physical movement, similar to the Home button on the iPhone SE or the Force Touch trackpad on MacBook laptops.
However, conflicting reports suggest that Apple might be experiencing technical challenges in implementing capacitive buttons and could postpone its introduction to a later iPhone model. On the other hand, CAD renders shared with 9to5Mac indicate otherwise, creating uncertainty about the accuracy of these rumors.
Renowned Apple analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman have both hinted that the iPhone 15 Pro Max might be renamed the iPhone 15 Ultra, aligning with the branding of the Apple Watch Ultra and creating a new top-tier designation within the iPhone lineup.
The potential iPhone 15 family could consist of the following models:
- iPhone 15: 6.1-inch display
- iPhone 15 Plus: 6.7-inch display
- iPhone 15 Pro: 6.1-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate
- iPhone 15 Ultra: 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate
MacRumors has obtained dummy models that incorporate most of these design changes, featuring slightly more rounded corners.
While rumors have suggested the inclusion of an under-display Face ID system in the iPhone 15, reliable sources like Ross Young and Ming-Chi Kuo have indicated that this technology will likely debut on the iPhone 16 Pro in 2024.
There are indications of a more consistent design across the range, with rumors suggesting that the non-Pro models could feature frosted backs akin to the current Pro models. New color options might also be introduced, including a cyan finish for the standard models and a dark red variant for the Pro models.
As for the rumored iPhone Fold, Apple has reportedly conducted prototype testing, including trials with folding e-ink displays. However, the release of an iPhone 15 Fold is uncertain, and it is advised not to set high expectations for such a device to rival products like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.
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iPhone 15: Naming Structure
Apple has a history of introducing new iPhone names, such as X, XS, Xr, Pro, Pro Max, and Plus, based on technological advancements. While there have been speculations about the potential introduction of the iPhone 'Ultra' in 2023, no official confirmation has been provided yet. Here's a chronological breakdown of iPhone names up until now:
2007 - iPhone
2008 - iPhone 3G
2009 - iPhone 3GS
2010 - iPhone 4
2011 - iPhone 4s
2012 - iPhone 5
2013 - iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c
2014 - iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
2015 - iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus
2016 - iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
2017 - iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X
2018 - iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max
2019 - iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max
2020 - iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max
2021 - iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max
2022 - iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max
2023 - iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Ultra (to be confirmed)
2024 - iPhone 16 (to be confirmed)
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iPhone 15: Final Thoughts
While official launch details on the iPhone 15 are not yet available, based on rumors and leaks, and considering the pattern of previous iPhone releases, it's reasonable to anticipate that the iPhone 15 will offer improved speed and intelligence compared to the iPhone 14. However, if you desire features like the rumored periscope zoom and state-of-the-art A17 chip, it may require opting for the potentially higher-priced iPhone 15 Ultra.
As time progresses, more rumors and leaks will likely surface, and we will continue to update this page with the latest information.
Until then, let's look forward to September and what Apple has in store for the iPhone 15.
In addition to the iPhones, there are anticipations of Apple introducing two fresh editions of the Apple Watch. The potential unveiling on September 15 might encompass a second-generation Apple Watch Ultra as well as the Apple Watch Series 9.
Furthermore, it is plausible that Apple will disclose the release date for iOS 17, in conjunction with various other operating system updates designed for its devices.
