Article updated January 9, 2023 Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman confirmed several rumors.
The iPhone 15 line probably won’t arrive until fall 2023, but there are many questions about the next generation of iOS smartphones. Will the iPhone 15 have a USB-C port? Will Apple Raise iPhone Prices in 2023? Will it only be called “iPhone 15”? No one outside the company is sure, but the rumors will certainly keep our curiosity piqued until they hold their next keynote. Here are some of the biggest and most credible rumors we’ve seen so far.
iPhone 15 design
One USB-C port
The loudest rumor to date concerns an iPhone port, given the European Union’s decision that iPhones sold in the region will have to switch to a USB-C port by 2024. The question is whether Apple will convert all iPhone models to USB-C or only those distributed in the EU. Apple is already changing iPhone models by region, as it did with the iPhone 14: the US version has an eSIM card, while other variants retain the SIM card slot.
But Techsponential analyst Avi Greengarth thinks Apple has good reasons to move all iPhones to USB-C in the future. “There are more important aspects of the ecosystem, security, and accessories associated with the power/data connector, so I think Apple will likely move all iPhones to USB-C on the iPhone 16 horizon to meet European regulations,” Greengarth said.
An iPhone 7 Plus with a Lightning port mounted on a Google Pixel 2 XL equipped with a USB-C port. Stephen Shankland/CNET
The iPhone has had Lightning ports since the iPhone 5 released in 2012. Android phones usually have a slightly larger USB-C port.
Dynamic island for all models
Apple is expected to continue to sell four iPhone models with the iPhone 15 lineup. Rumors indicate a generally similar design for all models, with the exception of the Dynamic Island iPhone 14 Pro, which is expected to roll out to all models.
This rumor comes from analyst Ross Young, who also said in a September tweet that he doesn’t expect base iPhone 15 models to have higher refresh rates like Apple’s iPhone Pro because the supply chain can’t support it.
Tactile keys in Pro versions
Prominent Apple watcher Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at TF International Securities, expects Apple to further differentiate its base and Pro models in the coming years. In particular, he expects the iPhone 15 Pro models to have tactile volume and power buttons instead of the standard keys found on current devices.
These controls, which Kuo says will be similar to the home button on the iPhone SE and iPhone 7, mimic the feel of pressing a button with haptic feedback. The undoubted advantage of this type of control is that it also protects against water ingress.
iPhone 15 camera: periscope telephoto lens is coming
Another prediction from Kuo goes around and around, but this time it’s about the iPhone 15’s camera. The analyst predicts that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will have a periscope telephoto lens. This type of telephoto lens offers a higher level of optical zoom, and Kuo predicts that 6x optical zoom could be available on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. As a reminder, the optical zoom of the iPhone 14 Pro Max is limited to 3x.
iPhone 15 battery life: best battery life for a Pro
Next-generation chips from Apple partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) are manufactured using a 3-nanometer process technology. According to the founder, they will consume 30-35% less power at the same speed compared to his 5nm chips. This year it could again be that only the Pro versions are equipped with the new chip, which logically should be called the A17 Bionic.
iPhone 15 price: a more solid addition
Prices have skyrocketed since the original iPhone came out in 2007. And it could happen again in 2023 with the iPhone 15, but not in the way you might think. According to analysts polled by CNET.com, the price of the iPhone 15 should remain unchanged.
However, the upper end of the price range could be pushed back if the iPhone 15 Ultra rumors turn out to be true. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the Ultra model in question could potentially replace the iPhone 15 Pro Max next year. This is in line with Kuo, who expects Apple to further distinguish between the iPhone Pro and iPhone Pro Max models. Prices in France currently range from €1,019 for the entry-level iPhone 14 (128GB) to $2,129 for the highest-end model, the iPhone 14 Pro Max with 1TB of storage.
Read more : What Apple can do about iPhone 15 prices in 2023
iPhone 15: launch schedule
Apple hosts its annual iPhone event in September almost every year, so we can expect the timing for the iPhone 15 to stay the same. Sometimes it happens that Apple pushes the release dates of certain models, especially when it comes to introducing a new design or a new size. Therefore, it is possible that the iPhone 15 lineup will have more than one release date.
Here’s what we know:
- Apple typically hosts its events on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Apple’s iPhone 14 event took place on Wednesday, September 7th, and the iPhone 13 event took place on Tuesday, September 14th.
- iPhone release dates are usually scheduled a week and a half after Apple’s announcements.
- Typically, new iPhones come out on a Friday, around the third week of September.
If you’re looking to buy an Apple smartphone right now, here’s our pick of the best iPhones.
CNET.com article adapted and updated by