09/11 Update below. This post was originally published on September 9
Leaks have exposed almost every detail of Apple’s imminent iPhone 15 launch, but with just days to go, new secrets have been revealed.
In a comprehensive report, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has detailed the size, weight, design changes, battery life and camera capabilities of various iPhone 15 models. Let’s break them down.
Size – Gurman claims that the iPhone 15 Pros’ new titanium chassis will result in a 10% weight reduction. While this doesn’t sound like a lot, it means the iPhone 15 Pro could weigh just 185g, down from 206g, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max would clock in at 216g, down from 240g. Having the iPhone 15 Pro Max weigh little more than the iPhone 14 Pro is a massive difference.
Design — Gurman also reveals that the Pro’s titanium chassis will have a brushed finish to reduce fingerprints, and smooth, rounded corners replace the hard edges of their predecessors. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max displays also look noticeably larger due to a one-third reduction in their bezel sizes. All iPhone 15 models will have a more repairable design, with Apple recently backing California’s right-to-repair bill.
Battery Life & Charging – While not providing numbers, Gurman claims the iPhone 15 Pros’ A17 Bionic chip will deliver more battery life than the 23-29 hours offered by the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, respectively. Wireless charging will also be faster for all iPhone 15 models.
Connectivity – a new ‘U2’ ultra wideband chip will come to all iPhone 15 models, upgrading the chip for the first time since it was introduced in the iPhone 11 Pro in 2019. The U2 will have improved location tracking (to help it find what it’s looking for? Sorry, couldn’t resist).
Branding – The iPhone 15 Pro Max will not change its name to the ‘iPhone 15 Ultra,’ despite numerous rumors. Industry observers claim the switch is now expected to occur with the iPhone 16 lineup in 2024.
Cameras – For the first time, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will have telephoto (zoom) and ultra-wide cameras with more than 12 megapixels. However, Gurman doesn’t provide a number. The Pro Max’s exclusive periscopic zoom lens will deliver up to 6x optical zoom.
Gurman also backs several previously reported leaks for the range: the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will have the iPhone 14 Pro’s A16 Bionic chip, 48-megapixel camera and Dynamic Island design. While the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will have more RAM, something recently confirmed by TrendForce.
At this point, we know almost everything about the iPhone 15 lineup, including Apple’s higher prices for Pro models. Perhaps the only question left is whether the troubled iPhone 15 Pro Max will be released at the same time as the rest of the range or fall victim to widely expected delays.
09/11 Update: Apple’s iPhone 15 launch is going to have consequences for fans of smaller phones, according to new information by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
Gurman posts that Apple has allowed stock of the iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 13 Mini and Pro models to run low/out ahead of the iPhone 15 launch on September 12. The same is true for the Apple Watch Ultra, watch bands, leather cases and MagSafe wallets. Apple is also tipped to discontinue all silicon accessories.
Ahead of launches, Apple has historically reduced the stock of devices and accessories it no longer plans to sell. That said, Gurman notes that this will coincide with a “merchandise reset on evening of Sept. 12 with manager call set for after event. Uncharacteristic for event days.”
What has motivated this change is unclear, but it will be a sad day for fans of smaller iPhones, with the iPhone 13 Mini being the last premium small form factor iPhone the company sells.
Sales of the iPhone SE will continue for now, but it has lower-end specs and uses a much older design. A refresh is expected in 2024, but it is said to be based on the notch design of the iPhone 14 with a larger 6.1-inch display.
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