One location for all iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro rumors and leaks.
We're keeping tabs on all the speculations and leaks regarding the new iPhones because the iPhone 15 is expected to include some significant improvements in terms of style and functions.
As an illustration, it appears that Apple will finally use USB-C charging and abandon the Lightning socket. In order to make Apple's new phones more comfortable to carry, the iPhone 15 may possibly have a more rounded form. Perhaps there will also be improvements to the chipsets and cameras.
Additionally, rumored features imply that Apple intends to maintain a significant gap between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Both the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are anticipated to have a titanium-sided construction, a potent new 3nm A17 Bionic CPU, and a new periscope zoom lens on top of that.
Here's a detailed look at what we currently know about the iPhone 15 series. to view every distinction between the new models.
iPhone 15 release date predictions
This early iPhone 15 rumor is the most predictable of any of them. The iPhone 14 went on sale on Friday, September 16, having debuted on Wednesday, September 7. If Apple followed a similar trend, the iPhone 15 might debut on September 6 and go on sale on September 15.
Apple has only once in the past ten years made its new flagship devices available outside of September. That was the iPhone 12 series in October 2020, during a pandemic that occurred only once every generation and caused supply networks for gadgets to be interrupted and orders to be placed from homes.
As a result, the release of the iPhone 15 in September 2023 is very likely. Pre-orders typically go live a week before the phone's official release date, with Apple typically announcing new phones roughly ten days beforehand. According to one source, the iPhone 15 could go on sale particularly on September 22 or 23.
But there's a little wrinkle now. According to reports, the iPhone 15 lineup's trial manufacturing started in January, one month earlier than in the past. This doesn't seem to be a sign that Apple would release an iPhone earlier than normal, but we can't completely rule it out either. It may be related to Apple's ambitions for mass production in China and India.
Similar to this, display manufacturing for the iPhone 15 is scheduled to begin next month - earlier than usual - and will concentrate on panels for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Instead of aiming to introduce this year's iPhone early, Apple may be using this technique to prevent stock shortages at launch.
So, unless someone can persuade us otherwise, we should anticipate the iPhone 15's release in September.
iPhone 15 price speculation
There was a lot of talk that the iPhone 14 would come with a 15% price rise, but if you reside in the US, this proved out to be false. While prices in other places significantly increased, in the US the cheapest "mini" model was eliminated.
Accordingly, the 128GB entry-level iPhone 14 costs $799 / £849 / AU$1,399, while the 1TB iPhone 14 Pro Max costs $1,599 / £1,749 / AU$2,769 at the moment. This time around, we would anticipate something similar, but it's also likely that the iPhone 15 may see the price increase that the United States missed out on in 2022.
As it occurs, the iPhone 15 Pro is expected to increase in price by $100. Analyst Jeff Pu thinks an increase in the price of the iPhone 15 Pro is likely because the next-generation iPhone may include more sophisticated capabilities. If the $100 estimate is correct, the iPhone 15 Pro would cost more than $1,000, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max would cost the same as a Galaxy S23 Ultra, which retails for $1,199. It's unclear whether the U.K., Australia, or other nations will be affected by this price increase.
An alternate viewpoint asserts that Apple could increase the cost of manufacturing an iPhone 15 by at least 12% from last year, which would logically result in Apple transferring some of the increased cost onto consumers. Although it is hoped that the retail price won't climb by quite that much, it seems as though some sort of increase is unavoidable.
On the other hand, the Korean leaker yeux1122 suggests that due to weak iPhone 14 Plus sales, Apple may decide to reduce the price of the iPhone 15. The thought is that Apple might change its prices to make its less expensive iPhones more appealing to consumers searching for a good deal.
iPhone 15 possible models
Apple discontinued the iPhone small for its 2022 releases and instead unveiled the iPhone 14 Plus. That made the decision easier: whether you went Pro or not, you could choose between a 6.1- or 6.7-inch screen. We've got further information on why the iPhone 15 mini won't likely be back this autumn.
The iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max are most likely to be included in the iPhone 15 lineup when it does appear. These titles were recently used in a TrendForce study to highlight anticipated iPhone 15 features, so it appears that sticking with the current naming scheme is a definite possibility.
However, given that only the Pro models are expected to include the new A17 Bionic chip and titanium body, we might see significant variations between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro this year. Additionally, a recent rumor claims that the iPhone 15 Pro Max would include a periscope zoom camera, which is also likely to appear on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max the following year. This makes us suspect that Apple may be ignoring the standard iPhone 15.
An iPhone 15 Ultra model had been mentioned, especially by the dependable tipper Mark Gurman. However, Gurman later revised his prediction, stating that an iPhone Ultra won't be released until 2024, with the hope that it will do so concurrently with the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Evidently, the iPhone 16 Plus might be the victim of the firing squad. However, by discussing 2024 when the phones for 2023 have not yet been released, we might be getting ahead of ourselves.
Check out our iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max comparison for a breakdown of the key improvements in Apple's top-tier model.
iPhone 15 design rumors
The iPhone 11 Pro Max was the last iPhone to have a curved-edge display. Even though leakers claim that the display will remain flat, a number of design leaks for the iPhone 15 point to the possibility that the phone's curved shape may return. In fact, mockups for the conceivable iPhone 15 models depict gadgets with rounded sides that are identical to present iPhones' size and design.
The bezels on all iPhone 15 models might also be smaller and curved.
Similar to this, the iPhone 15's camera bump may have a new look. However, beyond the fact that it is bigger and thicker than previously, the speculations have not yet explained how. The iPhone 15 Pro might experience the biggest improvement, as preliminary renders indicate that each lens has increased in size from the previous model.
There doesn't seem to be anywhere near as significant an increase expected for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Its lenses protrude less than those on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, according to leaked blueprints, which would corroborate reports that the Pro Max would have a new periscope zoom lens.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, all iPhone 15 models will feature the Dynamic Island. This allegation is supported by reported real-world images of the basic iPhone 15. This might encourage other developers to create applications that accommodate the morphing camera cutout/display capability, expanding its capabilities.
Given that Apple is reportedly rearrange some of the sensors inside the phone, it may also be a new form of Dynamic Island.
However, don't anticipate the ProMotion adaptive refresh rate to be available on the basic iPhone 15 model. Ross Young asserts that the LTPO panels won't be available on the basic models until at least 2025, despite the fact that they were initially introduced on the iPhone 13 Pro.
This would be a little disappointing because many of the top Android smartphones currently feature displays that run at 90Hz to 120Hz. Additionally, we believe that the iPhone 15 could address the issue of a 120Hz display as standard, but we won't be holding our breath.
The notch seen on the iPhone 14 Plus has been replaced with a Dynamic Island in renderings for the iPhone 15 Plus, which is said to be based on CAD files. The Lightning port has also been swapped out for USB-C.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max's dimensions are displayed in certain CAD-based renderings; it features slightly thicker edges but a smaller overall camera module. A different set Apple renders for the iPhone 15 Pro depict a larger camera along with thinner bezels and capacitive buttons. The iPhone 15 Pro is expected to feature 1.55mm bezels as opposed to 2.1mm for the iPhone 14 Pro, according to more leaked renders, which seem to validate the lower bezels.
iPhone 15 and new Action button
Two iPhone 15 variants, according to an initial Ming Ching Kuo prediction, would have solid-state buttons akin to the home button on devices like the iPhone SE. Another assertion by Barclays analysts, who predict that the iPhone 15 Pro will feature solid-state buttons, and analyst Jeff Pu, who added that Apple will use more Taptic Engine vibration motors to provide input for these buttons, gave more credence to this.
Such a design would have the advantage of having less moving parts exposed to the outdoors, potentially making the iPhone more robust, while yet providing a tactile button feel via haptics.
However, Kuo and Pu have subsequently altered their minds and now assert that Apple won't actually be including solid-state buttons on the iPhone 15 Pro, citing the feature's complexity. Instead, the iPhone 16 Pro in 2024 might be the next device to use solid-state buttons.
According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple is forgoing solid-state buttons for the iPhone 15 Pro. The author lists "manufacturing complexity, higher associated costs, and software integration issues." A report from Cirrus Logic, one of Apple's manufacturing partners, is added to this, stating that it won't be developing a new High-Performance Mixed-Signal (HPMS) chip for a significant company, which prior reports suggest would have been the impetus for the reported haptic solid-state buttons.
The possibility of both iPhone 15 Pro models having a "action button" akin to the Apple Watch Ultra is suggested by a more credible rumor. The action button on the iPhone 15 Pro would reportedly be programmable and serve as a mute button. In certain CAD renderings of the iPhone 15 Pro, the action button and the enlarged camera for the Pro and Pro Max are also visible.
iPhone 15 and USB-C
The biggest rumor surrounding the design of the iPhone 15 is that Apple will eventually stop using the Lightning connection on its devices in 2023. Not only has the corporation adopted the connection for its laptops and tablets, but the European Union has also formally demanded that all phones utilize USB-C by the year 2024, so this isn't entirely unexpected.
For USB-C iPhones, the real question is when, not if. The only thing left to consider is whether Apple will include the modification in the iPhone 15 to beat the 2024 deadline or if it will wait until the next year's smartphones.
Images of a test iPhone 15 unit that were leaked appear to have further corroborated this. The port in these photographs is clearly distinguishable from the Lightning port on earlier iPhone models.
Additionally, it would appear that Apple began testing USB-C iPhone 15 prototypes in March 2022. However, the new connector hasn't always been a lock for the iPhone 15. Lightning-ported variants were initially being considered. However, a leaker believes that Apple's bulk production of USB-C accessories has begun, indicating that the switch to USB-C will occur this fall.
However, according to Ming-Chi Kuo, the type of USB-C used may vary between Pro and non-Pro devices. According to him, only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max would benefit from quicker data transfer rates due to their USB-C connections, while the normal iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus could continue to have the same data transfer rates as current Lightning iPhones.
Another speculation said that these speeds could be of the Thunderbolt 3 sort. That would result in a significant improvement in data transfer rates and display capabilities, such as the ability to project live video from an iPhone onto a different monitor.
Another potential complication is that, as a continuation of its Made For iPhone program for Lightning accessories, Apple may limit some USB-C functionality to products it authorizes, according to a report on the Chinese website Weibo. One theory is that only Apple-approved gadgets would be able to transport data at quicker rates.
Leaking ShrimpThese assertions have been supported by ApplePro, and Ming-Chi Kuo also believes that Apple will want certification for USB-C accessories. Analyst941, on the other hand, thinks Apple won't do this, resulting in an unusual difference of opinion among the top rumor mongers.
A member of the European Parliament has urged Apple to explain its plans after claiming that reducing the speeds of accessories that aren't certified would be "a direct violation of the law." If Apple does not just permit specific USB-C accessories to function correctly with the phone, a second member has threatened to block the sale of the iPhone 15.
The iPhone 15 may also support Qi2 wireless charging; according to at least one report, Qi2 charging speeds will even match those of MagSafe (15W).
iPhone 15 colors
There haven't been many rumors about the colors Apple will offer with the various iPhone 15 versions yet. According to the most well-known rumor from 9to5Mac, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be available in a dark red shade.
Apple reportedly considered light blue and pink as color options for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, according to the same rumor. According to a later Weibo post, the two models will also be available in cyan (or green).
The Weibo image also claimed that the iPhone 15's glossy back would be replaced with a frosted glass back. Before you discount that assertion out of hand, consider that it comes from the same source who correctly predicted the release of the iPhone 14 in yellow.
iPhone 15 camera
One of the first iPhone 15 rumors mentions a potential update to a new camera. A new iPhone may eventually include a periscope camera for greater long-range shooting and zoom capabilities, reportedly along with enhanced lenses for higher-quality pictures, after upping the megapixels threshold to 48MP on the iPhone 14 Pro versions. It would be wonderful to see Apple eventually provide this, as Android phones on our list of the best camera phones already do. However, as again, if it debuts in 2023 at all, we'd be very astonished if it wasn't first Pro only.
Nomura analysts predict that the entry-level iPhone 15 will get a camera similar to the Pro this time. They state in a note, "They will feature main cameras (wide) improved to 48MP with image sensor size at 1/1.5" (slightly lower than the 48MP sensor size of the iPhone 14 Pro, but far superior to i14's 12MP one)".
According to analyst Jeff Pu, the ordinary iPhone 15 models will have 48MP cameras, similar to the iPhone 14 Pro. Additionally, a novel "three-stacked" sensor for improved light intake may be used.
Speaking of "Pro" difference, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that Apple would give its Pro models some exclusive features in an effort to outsell its smaller models and upsell its larger 6.7-inch handsets. At this point, it's simply speculation as to what they might be, although it's plausible that a periscoping variable zoom camera might only be available on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
This new periscope zoom for the iPhone 15 Pro Max may provide two times as much zooming power, or up to a six-fold optical zoom. Maximum zoom for the iPhone 14 Pro Max was 3x. Unknownz21, a leaker, recently confirmed this rumor.
Kuo has stated that the previously speculated new 8P, or eight element lens, for the iPhone 15 Pro's primary camera is not likely to materialize. According to reports, the iPhone 15 Pro will continue to use a 7P lens. A lens with more elements would allow for greater light absorption and less picture distortion, which may be crucial for wide-angle lenses.
According to a Nikkei story, Apple and Sony will collaborate on the iPhone 15's primary camera. The Cupertino phone manufacturer supposedly chose Sony's new "state-of-the-art" sensor, possibly a new model that measures roughly an inch across and should produce photographs that are brighter and more vivid.
However, according to a different report, the iPhone 15 Pro Max's main camera will be the same as the one in the iPhone 14 Pro Max. This claim is supported by another leaker.
The LiDAR sensor on the iPhone 15 Pro may soon receive another improvement. Apple has reportedly changed suppliers for the auxiliary sensor used in the AR and portrait modes, which should result in improved effectiveness or performance for those particular camera settings.
iPhone 15 displays
We had thought Apple will follow tradition and release four variants with screens measuring 6.7 inches for the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro Max and 6.1 inches for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, respectively.
However, things might change slightly because the iPhone 15 might have a 6.2-inch screen. According to recent reports, all four models in the family will have slightly curved bezels, and the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will have Dynamic Islands in place of notches.
A 2,500-nit display has been predicted for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This could be the brightest panel ever on a phone and would be far brighter than the iPhone 14 Pro Max's stated 2,000 nits. This information was obtained over Twitter from ShrimpApple Pro and OreXda.
According to a different source, Apple will replace the display driver chip in the iPhone 15 series with a smaller (and more effective) model. This might result in longer battery life overall without the need to use larger batteries.
Even worse, it appears like Apple will continue to use 60Hz displays with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. This is not really shocking, but it is a serious drawback for both models given that almost every other smartphone on the market today has a refresh rate of 90Hz or greater.
It may be best to hold off on switching iPhones for a few more years if you want a larger display update. Apple's predicted switch to micro LED displays won't happen for a time, as the Apple Watch Ultra wristwatch is expected to be the first product to use them.
iPhone 15 expected specs
Although it is still early, two rumors have surfaced. The first seems very likely, whilst the second might just be wishful thinking.
Adoption of the A17 processor would have formerly seemed certain, starting with the "likely," but only the iPhone 14 Pro models benefited from a brand-new chipset, while the standard iPhone used a slightly improved version of the A15. Assuming that this is the new norm, the iPhone 15 Pro handsets may receive the A17, while the standard iPhone 15 may have an improved A16.
According to a TrendForce report, only the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max (or Ultra) will receive the expected A17 processor upgrade, while the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus would continue to use the A16 Bionic CPU.
According to yet another TrendForce report, Apple intends to increase the RAM's size and specifications with the iPhone 15. That might equate to 8GB total for the Pro variants. LPDDR5 may be the appropriate term for the iPhone 15. We must speculate because the report is vague.
That obviously doesn't tell us much about performance, but the A17 is anticipated to be the first chip produced using the 3nm manufacturing process, which might have significant effects on speed and efficiency. In particular, chip maker TSMC forecasts a 35 percent increase in power efficiency, which is encouraging for the iPhone 15 Pro's battery life.
It appears that the claimed Geekbench benchmarks for the A17 show this speed boost. Even compared to the current iPhone 14 Pro or competing Android phones, the results are significantly more remarkable.
According to a Digitimes article, additional chip manufacturers are debating whether to produce 3nm processors this year. If that's the case, it might provide devices like the iPhone 15 Pro a significant performance and power efficiency advantage. The iPhone 15 Pro models may end up being the most well-liked of Apple's next launches, according to suppliers who believe the A17 Bionic will spark a lot of demand among those looking to upgrade their phones.
An early iPhone rumor said that starting with its 2023 phones, Apple might be prepared to start manufacturing its own modems. In fact, there are indications that Apple is getting ready to someday manufacture its own modems. However, Apple's existing supplier Qualcomm claims that it expects to provide the "vast majority" of the modems for the 2023 iPhones, and one source claims that Apple has also recently placed a significant order with Qualcomm for 5G modems. Therefore, the Snapdragon X70 modem from Qualcomm is probably going to be included in the iPhone 15.
The iPhone 16 is expected to be released alongside the Apple modem. At the very least, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon does not anticipate that his business would offer any modems to Apple in 2024.
Another report claims that Wi-Fi 6E may be coming to the iPhone 15, albeit it may only be available on the Pro. This rumor is based on a Barclay analysis. Ming-Chi Kuo, an Apple analyst, has further supported this rumor.
While the vanilla and Plus models will continue to use the current 20W standard, the charging speeds for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max may increase from 20W to 27W. Whether Apple will include reverse wireless charging in the iPhone 15 is unknown. The first device with the necessary hardware for reverse wireless charging, albeit disabled, was the iPhone 11 Pro Max. According to a report from 9to5Mac, work on the feature is still in progress, although it's unclear whether and when it will be released.
iPhone 15 software
The iPhone 15 should arrive at the same time iOS 17 does. If Apple sticks to its well-known pattern for software updates, we'll get a sneak peek on June 5 at the Worldwide Developer Conference. Here's when we anticipate the release of the public beta for iOS 17: around the summer, ahead of a complete release in the fall.
The number of details about iOS 17 modifications is increasing, and the most popular rumors point to an upgrade to IMessage. Apple might potentially allow third-party app shops on the iPhone, however other speculations claim that decision will only apply to Europe.
Initial sources suggested that iOS 17 will be released with fewer modifications than recent releases, however it now seems that iOS 17 will bring about more significant changes. According to rumors, the Wallet and Health apps will be updated, and a new journaling app for the iPhone may also be coming.
iPhone 15 outlook
As summer temperatures increase, the iPhone 15 rumor season is going to intensify, but we've already heard a lot about its debut this fall. While the predicted improvements of the 3nm A17 CPU for the iPhone 15 Pro series should solidify the already dominating advantage Apple has over the finest Android phones in terms of sheer speed, the expected debut of USB-C could attract those who have yet to succumb to iOS's charms.
For the Pro and Pro Max, a potential price increase is a major concern, and we'd like to hear more concrete rumors about camera upgrades. However, with the iPhone 15's release date still several months away, there is still plenty of time for more intriguing rumors to surface.
