There are speculations about several features that might be included in the upcoming models, including two sizes measuring 6.1 and 6.7 inches, a Dynamic Island feature that may be available across all models, a periscope zoom lens, the addition of a USB-C port, and the integration of a Qualcomm modem chip.
The 2023 iPhone 15
In September 2022, Apple released the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro models, but even before their release, rumors about the iPhone 15 had been circulating. Although the iPhone 15 is several months away, it’s difficult for Apple to keep details under wraps because of the numerous suppliers involved. The iPhone 15 lineup will consist of four models with the same sizes as the iPhone 14 models, including two 6.1-inch and two 6.7-inch models. Two of these will be standard iPhone 15 models, while the other two will be more expensive higher-end “Pro” models. As with the iPhone 14, the iPhone 15 Pro models will have the best features.
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According to current rumors, all iPhone 15 models will have USB-C and the Dynamic Island will expand to the standard iPhone 15. Apple will use Qualcomm modem chips for the new devices, as its own modem chips are not yet ready. The standard iPhone 15 models will have an upgrade to the A16 chip, while the iPhone 15 Pro models could use improved 3-nanometer A17 chips. The Pro models may also have titanium frames and periscope lens camera technology for better zoom.
Pricing for the iPhone 15 models is expected to remain the same, with the entry-level 6.1-inch device starting at $799 and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus starting at $899. This roundup provides an overview of what we know so far about the iPhone 15, but for more details on the higher-end iPhone 15 Pro models, check out our separate roundup for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Design
According to rumors, the iPhone 15 models will bear a resemblance to the iPhone 14 models, but the pill-and-hole cutout will be expanded to the entire lineup. This means that all iPhone 15 models will have no notch and instead adopt the Dynamic Island feature that was introduced in the iPhone 14 Pro models.
As there are no significant changes in design, Apple will continue to offer four models: The 6.1-inch iPhone 15, the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro, the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Max, and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max. The “pro” models will have high-end features and be more expensive, while the standard iPhone 15 models will be cheaper.
For the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, design differences will include a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port and the transition from the notch to the Dynamic Island. A leaked image purportedly of an iPhone 15 Pro provided our first look at the USB-C port.
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There is a rumor that the iPhone 15 could be slightly larger at 6.2 inches, rather than 6.1 inches, but the reason for this change is unclear. The information was based on a CAD drawing used by case makers to create cases for the new devices, and some of the data may have been inaccurate, as such a small difference would not affect case design.
In addition to the Dynamic Island, all iPhone 15 models may be equipped with a more power-efficient OLED display driver chip manufactured on a 28nm process, which could lead to reduced power consumption and improved battery life.
Color Options
It is rumored that the iPhone 15 models might come in dark pink and light blue color options. Apple has a history of offering standard iPhone models in a variety of bright colors, and it appears that this year will be no different.
The bright pink and blue hues are expected to be available alongside the usual black, white, and PRODUCT(RED) color options.
iPhone 15 Pro Exclusive Design
Although all iPhone 15 models are said to adopt the USB-C port, some design changes are expected to be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
According to circulating details, rumors suggest that the iPhone 15 Pro models will feature thinner and more curved bezels than the iPhone 14 Pro models, as seen in renders of the device. These deeper curves will be unique to the iPhone 15 Pro models, while the iPhone 15 models will look like the iPhone 14 models, with flat edges, an aluminum frame, and a glass front and back.
Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro lineup is expected to come with more curved front glass that better blends into the frame, and Apple is anticipated to use titanium instead of stainless steel for the chassis.
In addition, button design is expected to be modified in the Pro models, with Apple incorporating solid-state volume and power buttons that are similar to the Home button in the iPhone 7 and the Force Touch trackpad on MacBooks. Currently, iPhones have mechanical buttons that physically depress, but the solid-state button would use haptic feedback to mimic the feel of a button press.
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If Apple adds solid-state buttons, the iPhone 15 Pro models could come with two additional Taptic Engines on the left and right sides of the device. These two new Taptic Engines would join the existing Taptic Engine.
Part Leaks and Renders
Numerous rumors regarding the iPhone 15 have been confirmed by leaked images of the device, including the implementation of the Dynamic Island and the USB-C port. These images display the Dynamic Island, which will now be present in all iPhone 15 models in 2023, and indicate that the iPhone 15 will have a design akin to the iPhone 14 with minimal changes.
Notable updates include the shift to USB-C and the substitution of the Dynamic Island for the notch present on the iPhone 14. Additional design changes, such as a more profound curve at the edges and a titanium frame, will be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro models. Nevertheless, leaked renders suggest that there might be a small alteration to the display size, with the 9to5Mac renders based on CAD drawings indicating a 6.2-inch display, up from 6.1 inches.
Apple is using the same body design and camera setup, with no other notable design modifications. The 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus, according to renders, will feature some minor design changes, including a Dynamic Island, slimmer bezels, and slight size and thickness alterations compared to the iPhone 14 Plus. It is expected to have a thicker camera bump and potentially have rounded edges with a more curved design for a seamless front-to-back transition.
No Touch ID
Despite rumors that Apple may reintroduce Touch ID to its high-end iPhones via an under-display solution, the upcoming iPhone 15 models are not expected to include Touch ID and will continue to rely on Face ID.
While Apple is working on an under-display Face ID feature, it is not expected to be ready until 2025. Therefore, in 2023, the iPhone 15 will continue to use the Dynamic Island, which is anticipated to be extended to all models instead of being limited to just the Pro models.
USB-C
Apple will be replacing the Lightning port on its iPhone 15 devices with a USB-C port to comply with new regulations in Europe. The regulations require Apple to produce iPhones with USB-C ports in Europe. Therefore, Apple has decided to either make a global design switch or create special iPhones for sale in Europe.
According to reliable sources, including Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is going to adopt a USB-C port for charging purposes, replacing the Lightning port. This change will allow Mac, iPhone, and iPad users to charge their devices with one charging standard, making it more convenient for Apple customers.
USB-C Data Transfer Speeds
Apple’s upcoming iPhone 15 Pro models will have an advantage over the standard iPhone 15 models when it comes to data transfer speeds, as they will feature USB-C ports that support higher-speed data transfers.
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Renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that the iPhone 15 Pro models will support USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3, enabling faster transfer speeds for video and other file types. While USB 2.0 transfer speeds are limited to 480Mb/s, USB 3.2 supports speeds up to 20Gb/s, and if Thunderbolt 3 support is provided, data transfer speeds for the iPhone 15 Pro models could reach up to 40Gb/s.
Camera Updates
Reports suggest that Apple plans to use Sony’s latest “state of the art” image sensors for the iPhone 15 lineup. These sensors are said to have double the saturation signal of standard sensors, which enables them to capture more light and prevent overexposure and underexposure. The technology is expected to improve portrait photography and other images, even in situations where strong backlighting is present.
Sony’s sensors use a semiconductor architecture that separates photodiodes and transistors into distinct layers, allowing for more photodiodes. It is unclear whether all iPhone 15 models will feature this new sensor technology or if Apple will reserve it exclusively for the higher-end “Pro” models.
Periscope Zoom Lens Technology for iPhone 15 Pro Max
Reports suggest that Apple’s plan to adopt a periscope zoom lens for the iPhone 15 will be limited to the larger-sized iPhone 15 Pro Max. The iPhone 15 Pro is expected to have a standard zoom lens, while the iPhone 15 models will be limited to the Wide and Ultra Wide lenses.
The periscope lens technology offers optical zoom capabilities that exceed those possible with a standard telephoto lens. With the periscope lens, the iPhone’s zoom capabilities would be significantly enhanced, and the current Pro models’ 3x zoom would be surpassed. However, this technology will be limited to the higher-end models.
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The periscope lens reflects light by an angled mirror toward the image sensor in the camera. This directional shift allows for a “folded” telephoto lens system that provides improved optical zoom capabilities without the blurriness that comes with digital zoom.
Samsung, a major competitor of Apple, has already introduced smartphones with periscope lens technology that enables 4x to 10x optical zoom and up to 100x digital zoom. Reports suggest that Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple will implement 6x optical zoom technology when it adopts the periscope lens technology.
Qualcomm Modem Chips
Apple is expected to continue using Qualcomm’s 5G modem chips for its iPhone 15 lineup in 2023, as it has done since the introduction of 5G iPhones. There have been rumors that Apple might use its own modem chips as early as 2023, but it seems that this technology won’t be available until 2024 at the earliest.
Both the standard iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Pro models will feature the same Qualcomm modem chip, likely the X70. The X70 chip is designed to offer improved AI for faster processing speeds, a wider coverage range, better signal quality, lower latency, and up to 60% improved power efficiency.
Wi-Fi 6E
The leaked iPhone 15 Wi-Fi chip diagrams reveal that only the iPhone 15 Pro models will be upgraded to Wi-Fi 6E, while the standard iPhone 15 models will retain Wi-Fi 6. Wi-Fi 6E offers faster connectivity speeds, lower latency, and increased capacity compared to Wi-Fi 6, due to the additional 1.2GHz spectrum in the 6GHz band. This feature enables multi-gigabit connectivity for larger venues and whole home gigabit coverage, as well as support for higher data streams like those required for AR and VR experiences.
A-Series Chips
The upcoming iPhone 15 Pro models are anticipated to debut with a cutting-edge A-series chip manufactured on TSMC’s next-generation 3-nanometer node, making them the first to do so. This advanced technology is expected to provide a processing performance boost of around 10-15%, along with up to 35% lower power consumption.
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However, the faster chips will be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max versions, whereas the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will be powered by the A16 chip based on 4-nanometer architecture, which was previously used in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max.
Regarding memory, it is expected that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will retain the same 6GB RAM configuration as their predecessors, the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus.
Release Date
Assuming that Apple sticks to its customary September launch schedule, it is probable that the iPhone 15 models will hit the market in September 2023.
Beyond the iPhone 15
According to The Elec, Apple is reportedly planning to incorporate under-display Face ID technology in the iPhone 16 models set for release in 2024. This change is expected to provide a larger display area, with the TrueDepth Camera for Face ID remaining hidden underneath the screen when not in use.
Although the front-facing camera will still be necessary, the Dynamic Island feature is not likely to be removed. However, the periscope lens technology is expected to remain exclusive to the higher-end iPhone 16 Pro Max, as per Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, and will not be included in the standard iPhone 16 Pro.
