New Features to Expect in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max
Apple is set to unveil four new iPhone models in 2023, including the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. As with previous Pro models, the iPhone 15 Pro lineup is expected to offer additional features not found in the standard iPhone 15 models.
Rumors suggest that the iPhone 15 Pro will come with a 6.1-inch display, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max will feature a 6.7-inch screen, matching the size of the iPhone 14 Pro models. The iPhone 15 Pro models are also expected to have a redesigned look, with curved and thinner bezels, and a new titanium chassis. In addition, Apple is reportedly replacing the current mute switch with a redesigned button that could double as an Action button, similar to the Apple Watch Ultra.
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will feature an upgraded 3-nanometer A17 chip, while the iPhone 15 models will come with the same A16 chip found in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. All models will come equipped with the Dynamic Island feature and transition from Lightning to USB-C. However, the iPhone 15 Pro lineup will feature an upgraded USB-C port with USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3 transfer speeds. It is also expected that more RAM will be available for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
All models will use the same 5G Qualcomm modem chip for connectivity. The telephoto camera lens will be a major differentiating factor between the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, with both models featuring telephoto lens technology as part of their three-camera array. The iPhone 15 Pro Max will come with a periscope lens, allowing for 6x optical zoom, a significant improvement over the 3x zoom found in the iPhone 14 Pro models.
Leaks and Renders of Parts
In February, a photograph surfaced showing an iPhone 15 Pro featuring a USB-C port, giving us a glimpse of the device's design. Dummy models followed in April, and various renders have also emerged.
The USB-C port on the iPhone 15 Pro looks similar to the Lightning port found in the current iPhone 14 Pro lineup. The image showcases a deeper curve that Apple is expected to implement on the iPhone 15 Pro models, and it appears to have a brushed metal finish, which could be the rumored titanium chassis.
Leaked front glass panels that were designed for the iPhone 15 Pro models provide us with some insight into the thinness of the bezels. There is a visible difference in size, and thinner bezels will only be available on the iPhone 15 Pro models, with no changes for the standard iPhone 15 models.
Initially, rumors indicated that the iPhone 15 Pro models would feature a unified volume button design, but this is no longer the case. The updated design was linked to solid-state button technology, which Apple is not using, so the company is returning to the standard two-button design used for the iPhone 14 Pro. Renders and leaks depicting a single button are now outdated.
While the volume buttons will remain relatively unchanged, Apple is expected to replace the mute switch with a mute button, which has been accurately depicted in renders.
Based on renders created from CAD drawings of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the device may be slightly thicker than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, with minor reductions in height and width. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to be 8.25mm thick, which is 0.4mm thicker than the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
The camera bump on the iPhone 15 Pro Max may be slightly thinner than that of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, and as shown in renders of the iPhone 15 Pro, the edges are anticipated to be more curved. Bezels will also be somewhat thinner in comparison to the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Design Details
According to rumors, the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will have similar appearances to the current iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. Both models are said to feature OLED displays with a Dynamic Island cutout for the camera and Face ID hardware, with the iPhone 15 Pro having a 6.1-inch display and the Pro Max having a 6.7-inch display.
Reports suggest that there could be some changes to the chassis design of the two Pro models. Leaker ShrimpApplePro has indicated that the iPhone 15 Pro models may have thinner and more curved bezels compared to the iPhone 14 Pro models. Despite the slimmed-down edges, the displays are expected to remain flat, similar to the design of the Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8.
If the rumors are correct, the iPhone 15 Pro will have bezels measuring only 1.55mm, which would make it the smartphone with the thinnest bezels to date. By comparison, the iPhone 14 Pro has 2.17mm bezels.
Titanium Chassis
According to rumors, Apple may switch from stainless steel to titanium for the frame of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Titanium is a lighter and stronger material but is also more expensive due to its difficulty in handling.
Assuming no other significant changes, using titanium in the frame would result in a lighter iPhone compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 14 Pro. However, the actual weight will depend on the titanium alloy that Apple uses, as pure titanium won't be used for the devices.
Titanium is already used in the Apple Watch lineup, and Apple may choose to use the same natural silver and space black color options or create new shades for the iPhone 15 Pro models. The finish of titanium is also different from stainless steel, with a matte texture that is less prone to fingerprints.
While titanium is stronger and more resistant to dents and bending than stainless steel, it may be more susceptible to scratches due to its easily damaged oxide layer.
Color
According to reports, Apple is considering using titanium instead of stainless steel for the frame of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. While titanium is stronger and lighter, it is also more challenging to work with, making it more expensive.
Using a titanium frame would make the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max lighter than the previous models. However, the weight will depend on the specific titanium alloy used by Apple. Apple may also use the same natural silver and space black color options used in the Apple Watch lineup, or they may introduce new shades.
Titanium has a matte texture that is less susceptible to fingerprints than stainless steel. However, titanium's oxide layer is easily damaged, which may make it more prone to scratches, despite its strength and resistance to dents and bending.
Volume Buttons
Apple is reportedly considering using titanium instead of stainless steel for the frame of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. While titanium is lighter and stronger than stainless steel, it is also more difficult to handle and therefore more expensive.
If Apple uses titanium, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will be lighter than their predecessors, but the weight will depend on the specific titanium alloy used. Apple may also choose to use the same natural silver and space black colors used in the Apple Watch lineup or introduce new shades.
Titanium has a matte texture that is less prone to fingerprints than stainless steel. However, its oxide layer is easily damaged, which could make it more vulnerable to scratches, despite its durability and resistance to dents and bending.
Action Button?
According to reports, Apple is planning to replace the current mute switch on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max with a physical button design. The volume buttons will remain unchanged. A source from the MacRumors forums has speculated that the new button could be an "Action" button similar to the Apple Watch Ultra's Action button.
The Ring/Silent switch, which is currently located near the volume buttons, will be replaced by the Action button. It is not yet clear what functions the new button will be able to perform, but it is expected to be customizable like the Apple Watch Action button. Possible uses for the button may include activating Do Not Disturb, turning on Low Power Mode, activating the Camera app, and other features.
Display
Reports suggest that all models of the upcoming iPhone 15 may feature a more energy-efficient OLED display driver chip that uses a 28nm manufacturing process. This could result in reduced power consumption, leading to better battery life.
Case Fit
An analysis of 3D printed models of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro has revealed that previous-generation iPhone 14 cases will not fit the new iPhones due to slight changes in dimensions. While the iPhone 15 Plus can fit inside an iPhone 14 Plus case, the larger rear camera housing of the Pro models and changes to the button placement prevent iPhone 14 Pro cases from functioning properly. The iPhone 15 lineup's more curved design also plays a role in preventing older cases from fitting.
Dynamic Island Updates
The upcoming Dynamic Island on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro is expected to have an integrated proximity sensor, although it won't result in significant changes in the look or functionality of the feature. However, it may reduce component costs and could be a way for Apple to lower device costs.
Naming - Will It Be the iPhone 15 Ultra?
With the introduction of the Apple Watch Ultra and rumors suggesting that the improvements to the iPhone lineup will be limited to the high-end iPhone 15 Pro Max, there has been speculation that the new iPhone will be called the iPhone 15 Ultra.
In September, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman raised this possibility, stating that Apple might unveil an iPhone 15 "Ultra." However, in February, he retracted his statement. According to Gurman, Apple is indeed working on a higher-end and more expensive iPhone model that may be marketed as "Ultra," but it is likely to be launched in 2024 as part of the iPhone 16 lineup.
Fast USB-C
Apple is reportedly planning to include a USB-C port on all of its upcoming iPhone 15 models, replacing the Lightning port. This move is believed to be due to EU regulations that mandate the use of a universal charging port for all devices sold in Europe. Rather than designing a separate iPhone version for Europe, Apple has decided to introduce the USB-C port globally.
One advantage of this change is that the same charger and cable can be used across multiple devices such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs, and other USB-C compatible products. For those who already have USB-C devices, the transition will be convenient.
While all iPhone 15 models will feature USB-C, only the iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to support higher-speed data transfers. These models will support USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3 transfer speeds, providing a minimum of 20Gb/s or up to 40Gb/s if Thunderbolt is supported. In contrast, standard iPhone 15 models will be limited to USB 2.0 transfer speeds of up to 480Mb/s. Faster data speeds will enable faster wired transfers of photos, backups, and other information, as well as device-to-device transfers that utilize a USB-C to USB-C cable.
It is also possible that the switch to USB-C will enable faster wired charging speeds than are currently possible with Lightning.
USB-C Limitations
According to a rumor from the Chinese social networking site Weibo, Apple may introduce some restrictions on the use of USB-C ports on the upcoming iPhone 15 models. This would mean that the ports may not work with unauthorized accessories, similar to the restrictions that exist on Lightning ports.
To achieve this, Apple could add an integrated circuit interface to the USB-C chip. This move would encourage customers to use only genuine iPhone accessories, and protect against counterfeit and potentially unsafe charging cables and adapters.
Leaker ShrimpApplePro has also claimed that the iPhone 15 models will only support USB-C accessories that are certified by Apple's Made for iPhone (MFi) program. Allegedly, Foxconn is producing MFi certified accessories, such as EarPods and cables with USB-C connectors.
If Apple adopts MFi USB-C certification, it could potentially limit features like fast charging and high-speed data transfers to only Apple-approved accessories. According to ShrimpApplePro, cables without MFi certification will have restricted data and charging speeds.
Periscope Camera
The iPhone 15 Pro Max will feature a new periscope camera technology for its telephoto lens, allowing for 6x optical zoom compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max's 3x optical zoom. This technology, which uses an angled mirror or prism to reflect light 90 degrees towards a secondary lens that sends it to the image sensor, is typically housed sideways inside the phone, taking up valuable space.
Apple may be limiting the periscope technology to the larger 6.7-inch Pro iPhone due to the internal space needed for the hardware. The telephoto lens will likely need to be square-shaped to accommodate the directional shift of light, but the camera cutout can still be circular. To avoid blurriness and movement, Apple will need to build optical image stabilization into the system for crisp photos at higher zoom levels.
Samsung has been using periscope lens technology for a few years and supports up to 10x optical zoom with up to 100x digital zoom through its "Space Zoom" technology. Apple may not advertise the lens as a "periscope" lens but will likely promote increased optical zoom for the telephoto lens of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Other Camera Improvements
According to reports, the iPhone 15 Pro lineup will come with an upgraded rear-camera LiDAR scanner developed by Sony. The scanner will incorporate Sony's VCSEL (vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser), which is expected to have lower power consumption compared to the current version. This could result in either better performance at the same power level or a more power-efficient LiDAR scanner, potentially improving the device's battery life.
A17 Chip
The upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will be powered by Apple's latest A17 chip, which is anticipated to be the first A-series chip manufactured using a 3-nanometer process. The A15 and A16 chips used in the iPhone 14 models were produced using a 5-nanometer and 4-nanometer process, respectively. The transition to the new process will result in smaller chip sizes, thanks to the enhanced transistor density.
TSMC has been diligently developing the 3-nanometer process technology, which is anticipated to boost processing performance by 10 to 15 percent while also decreasing power consumption by up to 30 percent. However, due to the higher manufacturing costs, the A17 chip will be exclusive to Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models in 2023.
RAM
The upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are anticipated to come with an increased RAM capacity of 8GB, as compared to the 6GB RAM in the present iPhone 14 Pro models.
Wi-Fi 6E and 5G
The upcoming iPhones in 2023 will incorporate Qualcomm's next-gen X70 chips, which will offer improved AI for faster processing speeds, better coverage range, increased power efficiency, and reduced latency.
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models are predicted to exclusively support the faster Wi-Fi 6E specification. Compared to Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E offers higher bandwidth that enables faster connectivity speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity. The 6GHz band in Wi-Fi 6E provides an additional 1.2GHz of spectrum, allowing for whole-home gigabit coverage, multi-gigabit connectivity for venues, and higher data streams for AR and VR experiences.
SIM Card Plate
Apple with the send off of the iPhone 14 models eliminated the SIM card plate in gadgets sold in the US. With the send off of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Genius models, the SIM plate could be eliminated in extra nations.
Bits of hearsay right currently propose that it will be killed in France, and assuming that is the situation, it very well may be eliminated in iPhones sold in different nations sold in Europe like Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the UK.
Pricing
The iPhone 15 Expert and Ace Max could be more costly than the iPhone 14 Master and Ace Max, as indicated by tech examiner Jeff Pu. Pu accepts that there will be a cost increment because of the titanium outline, A17 chip, and that's just the beginning, yet he didn't give an expectation on what costs could be expanded to.
The iPhone 14 Expert and Ace Max are estimated beginning at $999 and $1099, separately, and Apple has not changed its very good quality iPhone valuing since the send off of the iPhone 12 Genius models.
Beyond the iPhone 15 Pro
One year from now, Apple might change the iPhone setup, adding an "iPhone Ultra" to be sold close by iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Ace, and iPhone 16 Master Max models. The iPhone Ultra could highlight extra camera upgrades, a quicker chip, a bigger presentation, and a portless plan without Lightning or USB-C.
It is normal to be more costly than the Master Max iPhones that Apple offers, which have generally been valued at $1,099.
There have likewise been tales that Apple could execute under-show Face ID innovation when 2024, expanding the usable presentation region, yet this is a component that Apple might not have prepared until 2025.
Qualcomm Chief Cristiano Amon has said that he accepts Apple could present a 5G modem chip for the iPhone when 2024, which would see Apple remembering it for the 2024 iPhone models. Apple investigator Ming-Chi Kuo says it is "dubious" whether Apple's iPhone 16 models will incorporate an Apple-planned modem chip.
