The iPhone 15 is expected to bring significant changes in terms of design and features, and we’re keeping track of all the rumors and leaks about the new iPhones.
For instance, it appears that Apple will finally adopt USB-C charging and abandon the Lightning port. Additionally, the iPhone 15 might feature a more curved design to enhance the comfort when holding one of Apple’s new phones. Upgrades to the cameras and chipsets are also rumored to be in development.
There are indications that Apple intends to maintain a substantial distinction between the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Pro. Both the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are anticipated to include a powerful new 3nm A17 Bionic chip and a titanium-edged design, with the Pro Max potentially introducing a new periscope zoom lens as well.
Here’s an in-depth exploration of everything we currently know about the iPhone 15 series. If you want to compare the new models and understand all the differences, you can refer to our iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max comparison.
iPhone 15 news (Updated May 30)
- Dummy units of the iPhone 15 provide us with a fairly accurate preview of the expected designs for this year’s phones.
- The iPhone 15 Pro Max may incorporate the same primary camera sensor as the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
- The iPhone 15 is likely to support the new Qi2 wireless charging standard inspired by MagSafe, enabling charging at speeds of up to 15W, just like MagSafe itself.
iPhone 15 Probable Release Date
Among all the early iPhone 15 rumors, this one is the easiest to predict. The iPhone 14 was launched on Wednesday, September 7, and its release date was Friday, September 16. If Apple follows a similar pattern, we might witness the iPhone 15 launch on September 6, with a release date of September 15.
Over the past decade, Apple has only announced its new flagship smartphones outside of September once. That exception was the iPhone 12 series in October 2020, during an extraordinary pandemic that led to stay-at-home orders and disrupted tech supply chains.
Hence, it is highly likely that the iPhone 15 will arrive in September 2023. Typically, Apple announces its phones around ten days before the release date, and pre-orders begin a week prior to the launch. One source suggests that the iPhone 15 might specifically go on sale on September 22 or 23.
However, there is a small complication now. Trial production allegedly commenced for the iPhone 15 lineup in January, a month earlier than in the past. This appears to be related to Apple’s plans for mass production in India and China, rather than an indication that we will see an earlier-than-usual iPhone. Nonetheless, we cannot completely rule out that possibility.
Similarly, display production for the iPhone 15 is scheduled to start earlier than usual, next month, with a focus on panels for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Perhaps Apple is adopting this strategy to avoid stock shortages during the launch, rather than aiming for an earlier release this year.
Therefore, until someone presents convincing evidence to the contrary, expect the iPhone 15 to be unveiled in September.
iPhone 15 Price Speculation
When it came to the iPhone 14, there were strong speculations of a 15% price increase, but that turned out to be incorrect, at least in the United States. While other regions experienced a significant price hike, the only change in pricing in the US was the removal of the cheapest ‘mini’ model.
Currently, prices range from $799 / £849 / AU$1,399 for the entry-level 128GB iPhone 14 to $1,599 / £1,749 / AU$2,769 for the 1TB iPhone 14 Pro Max. We can anticipate something similar this time, but there’s a possibility that the iPhone 15 might experience the price increase that the US didn’t witness in 2022.
Interestingly, there have been suggestions of a $100 price increase for the iPhone 15 Pro. This could be attributed to the introduction of more advanced features in the next-generation iPhone, which is why analyst Jeff Pu believes a price hike for the iPhone 15 Pro is probable. If the $100 figure is accurate, the iPhone 15 Pro would surpass $1,000, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max would be priced similarly to the $1,199 Galaxy S23 Ultra. It’s unclear whether this price increase would apply to the UK, Australia, or other regions.
On the other hand, there’s an alternative viewpoint suggesting that the cost for Apple to manufacture an iPhone 15 might increase by at least 12% compared to last year. In such a scenario, it would be logical for Apple to pass on some of the additional costs to consumers. Hopefully, the retail price won’t rise to that extent, but it seems likely that some degree of increase is inevitable.
Contrarily, a Korean leaker, yeux1122, raises the possibility of Apple reducing the costs for the iPhone 15 in response to weaker sales of the iPhone 14 Plus. The idea is that Apple might adjust the pricing to make its more affordable iPhones more appealing to value-conscious customers.
Possible iPhone 15 model
In its 2022 releases, Apple discontinued the iPhone mini and introduced the iPhone 14 Plus instead. This simplified the choices, offering a 6.1- or 6.7-inch screen for both Pro and non-Pro models. We have more information on why the iPhone 15 mini is unlikely to make a comeback this autumn.
When the iPhone 15 lineup is unveiled, we are likely to see four models: the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. A recent report from TrendForce used these names to highlight the expected features of the iPhone 15, so it is highly possible that Apple will stick to the same naming conventions.
However, we might see significant differences between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro this year, as only the Pro models are rumored to include the new A17 Bionic chip and a titanium design. Additionally, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to feature a periscope zoom camera, a rumor that has resurfaced recently (with the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max rumored to receive it the following year). This leads us to speculate that Apple may be focusing less on the regular iPhone 15.
There were discussions about an iPhone 15 Ultra model, primarily from reliable tipster Mark Gurman. However, Gurman later updated his forecast, stating that the iPhone Ultra won’t appear until 2024, with expectations that it would be launched alongside the iPhone 16 Pro Max. It seems that the iPhone 16 Plus may be the one getting phased out. Nonetheless, it’s premature to discuss 2024 when the phones for 2023 have yet to be released.
For a detailed breakdown of what to expect from Apple’s highest-end model, you can refer to our comparison of the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max, which highlights the major upgrades.
iPhone 15 Design Rumors
The last iPhone to feature a curved-edge display was the iPhone 11 Pro Max. Various design leaks for the iPhone 15 suggest that it might bring back the curved design of that phone, even though leakers claim that the display will remain flat. Indeed, dummy units of the presumed iPhone 15 models showcase devices with rounded edges that match the size and shape of the current iPhones.
Furthermore, it is speculated that all iPhone 15 models could have thinner, curved bezels.
Likewise, the camera bump on the back of the iPhone 15 could have a new design. The rumors have yet to provide specific details, except that it would be larger and thicker than before. The iPhone 15 Pro may see the most significant increase, as early renders depict individual lenses that have doubled in size compared to the previous generation.
On the other hand, the iPhone 15 Pro Max does not seem to have as significant of an increase planned. Leaked designs indicate that its lenses protrude less than those of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which aligns with rumors suggesting that the Pro Max could feature a new periscope zoom lens.
According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, all iPhone 15 models are expected to feature the Dynamic Island, a feature supported by alleged real-life photos of the standard iPhone 15. This could encourage developers to create apps that adapt to the changing camera cutout/display feature, enhancing its capabilities.
It’s possible that the Dynamic Island could be a new type, as leaks suggest Apple is rearranging some of the sensors inside the phone.
However, don’t anticipate the standard iPhone 15 model to include the ProMotion adaptive refresh rate. Despite its initial introduction on the iPhone 13 Pro, Ross Young claims that the standard models won’t receive the smooth LTPO displays until at least 2025.
This could be slightly disappointing, considering that many top Android phones now boast 90Hz to 120Hz displays. A standard 120Hz display is something we believe the iPhone 15 could address, but we shouldn’t get our hopes up.
Renders based on CAD files for the iPhone 15 Plus reportedly showcase the aforementioned changes, with a Dynamic Island replacing the notch found on the iPhone 14 Plus, and the Lightning port being replaced by USB-C.
CAD-based renders for the iPhone 15 Pro Max reveal the phone’s dimensions, featuring slightly thicker sides but a smaller overall camera module. Another set of renders for the iPhone 15 Pro display a larger camera but smaller bezels and capacitive buttons. Additional leaked renders further support the notion of smaller bezels, with the iPhone 15 Pro likely to have 1.55mm bezels compared to the 2.1mm bezels of the iPhone 14 Pro.
iPhone 15 Action Button
Initially, Ming Ching Kuo suggested that two iPhone 15 models would feature solid-state buttons, similar to the home button found on the iPhone SE. This was supported by Barclays analysts, who also predicted that the iPhone 15 Pro would have solid-state buttons. Analyst Jeff Pu added that Apple would utilize additional Taptic Engine vibration motors to provide feedback for these buttons.
The advantage of such a design would be fewer moving parts exposed to external elements, potentially resulting in a more durable iPhone, while still delivering a tactile button feel through haptic feedback.
However, both Kuo and Pu have since changed their stance and now claim that Apple will not offer solid-state buttons on the iPhone 15 Pro after all, citing the complexity of the feature. Instead, solid-state buttons may be postponed to the iPhone 16 Pro in 2024.
Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has echoed these claims, stating that Apple is skipping solid-state buttons for the iPhone 15 Pro due to “manufacturing complexity, higher associated costs, and software integration issues.” Additionally, a report from Cirrus Logic, one of Apple’s production partners, states that it will not be producing a new High-Performance Mixed-Signal (HPMS) chip for a major company, which previous reports suggested would have been the driver for the rumored haptic solid-state buttons.
A more credible rumor suggests that both iPhone 15 Pro models could feature an ‘action button’ similar to that of the Apple Watch Ultra. According to reports, the iPhone 15 Pro’s action button would be customizable and also function as a mute button. Some iPhone 15 Pro CAD renders have been seen depicting this action button along with the camera bump for the Pro and Pro Max.
iPhone 15 and USB-C
The most significant iPhone 15 design rumor to date is that in 2023, Apple will finally abandon the Lightning port on its phones. This development isn’t entirely surprising, as the company has already adopted USB-C for its laptops and tablets. Additionally, the European Union has officially mandated that all phones must use USB-C by 2024.
It’s more a question of when, rather than if, USB-C will come to iPhones. Apple has already confirmed the change is coming, and the only decision left is whether it will be included in the iPhone 15 to meet the 2024 deadline or if Apple will postpone the transition to next year’s phones.
Leaked images of a test iPhone 15 unit seem to further confirm this change. The port in these images is unmistakably different from the Lightning port used in previous iPhones.
Moreover, it appears that Apple has been testing USB-C iPhone 15 prototypes since March 2022. Initially, there were versions being considered with the Lightning port, so the switch to USB-C wasn’t always a certainty for the iPhone 15. However, a leaker claims that mass production of USB-C accessories from Apple has begun, indicating that the transition to USB-C will happen this fall.
Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that the type of USB-C used may vary between the Pro and non-Pro models. He states that the regular iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus could have the same data transfer speeds as current Lightning iPhones, while only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max would experience faster speeds due to their USB-C ports.
Another rumor suggests that the faster data transfer speeds could be of the Thunderbolt 3 variety. This would represent a significant increase in data transfer speeds and enable display functionality such as live video output from an iPhone to an external monitor.
In a potential twist, a report from the Chinese site Weibo claims that Apple might restrict certain USB-C functions to approved accessories, similar to its Made For iPhone program for Lightning accessories. Speculation suggests that faster data transfer speeds would only be available with accessories certified by Apple.
Leaker ShrimpApplePro has supported these claims, and Ming-Chi Kuo also believes that Apple will require certification for USB-C accessories. However, analyst941 holds a different opinion, suggesting that Apple won’t impose such restrictions, creating a split in views among prominent sources of rumors.
One member of the European Parliament has stated that slowing down speeds for non-certified accessories would be “a direct violation of the law” and has asked Apple to clarify its plans. Another member has threatened a ban on iPhone 15 sales if Apple restricts compatibility to specific USB-C accessories.
There are also rumors of Qi2 wireless charging support coming to the iPhone 15, with some claims even suggesting it will match the 15W charging speeds of MagSafe.
iPhone 15 Colors
There haven’t been many rumors yet about the color options for the different iPhone 15 models. The most notable rumor, reported by 9to5Mac, suggests that the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will come in a dark red color.
The same report mentioned that Apple is considering light blue and pink as color options for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. Additionally, a post on Weibo suggests that a cyan (or green) color option is planned for these two models as well.
The Weibo source also mentioned that the iPhone 15 may replace the glossy back of the iPhone 14 with a frosted glass back. While this claim may initially be met with skepticism, it’s worth noting that this individual accurately predicted the arrival of the yellow iPhone 14 in the past.
iPhone 15 Camera
One of the earliest rumors surrounding the iPhone 15 involves a likely camera upgrade. After increasing the megapixel count to 48MP on the iPhone 14 Pro models, there is speculation that the new iPhone will finally introduce a periscope camera for improved long-range photography and zoom capabilities, along with enhanced lenses for better photo quality. This feature has been available on Android handsets in our list of best camera phones for some time, so it would be exciting to see Apple incorporate it. However, it is expected that this feature will initially be exclusive to the Pro models, if it is introduced in 2023 at all.
According to analysts at Nomura, the standard iPhone 15 will receive a Pro-like camera upgrade. They mention that the main cameras (wide) will be upgraded to 48MP with an image sensor size of 1/1.5″, slightly smaller than the iPhone 14 Pro’s 48MP sensor but much better than the iPhone 14’s 12MP sensor.
Analyst Jeff Pu also agrees with this claim, stating that the standard iPhone 15 models will have 48MP cameras like the iPhone 14 Pro, potentially featuring a new “three-stacked” sensor for improved light intake.
Regarding the “Pro” differentiations, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that Apple will provide unique features for its Pro models and may focus on upselling the larger 6.7-inch handsets with exclusive features not available on the smaller models. The exact details of these features are currently speculative, but it is possible that the periscope zoom camera could be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The rumored periscope zoom for the iPhone 15 Pro Max could offer double the zooming power, providing an optical zoom of up to 6x, compared to the 3x zoom of the iPhone 14 Pro Max. This rumor was recently supported by the leaker Unknownz21.
Kuo has stated that there won’t be a new 8P (eight-element) lens for the main camera of the iPhone 15 Pro, which was previously rumored. Instead, the iPhone 15 Pro is expected to retain a 7P (seven-element) lens. More elements in a lens would result in better light absorption and less distortion, which could be crucial for wide-angle lenses.
According to a report from Nikkei, Apple will collaborate with Sony for the main camera of the iPhone 15, with the Cupertino company supposedly opting for Sony’s new “state-of-the-art” sensor, potentially a new model that is nearly an inch in size, resulting in brighter and more colorful photos.
However, another rumor suggests that the Pro Max model will have the exact same sensor as the iPhone 14 Pro Max, with another leaker supporting this claim about an unchanged main camera for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Another potential upgrade could be on the horizon for the LiDAR sensor of the iPhone 15 Pro. Apple is reportedly changing suppliers for the AR/portrait mode auxiliary sensor, which is expected to lead to improved efficiency or better performance in those specific camera modes.
iPhone 15 Displays
We had assumed that Apple would follow its usual pattern and release four models that align with the current iPhone lineup, including 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models with OLED panels, as well as 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro Max models.
However, there might be a slight deviation from that plan, as the iPhone 15 could feature a 6.2-inch display. Additionally, both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are expected to have Dynamic Islands instead of notches, and all four models in the lineup will have slightly curved bezels, according to new leaks.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is rumored to have a 2,500-nit display, surpassing the rated 2,000 nits of the iPhone 14 Pro Max and potentially making it the brightest panel ever on a phone. This information comes from sources such as ShrimpApple Pro and OreXda on Twitter.
Another source claims that Apple will upgrade the display driver chip in the iPhone 15 series to a much smaller and more efficient process. This could result in improved battery life across all models without needing to increase the battery capacity.
In less favorable news, it appears that Apple will continue to use 60Hz displays for the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. While not unexpected, this is a significant drawback compared to most other smartphones available today, which offer a 90Hz refresh rate or higher.
For those anticipating a major display update, it may be worth waiting a couple more years. Apple’s rumored transition to micro LED displays is not expected to happen in the near future, with the company’s Apple Watch Ultra smartwatch likely to be the first device to feature this new type of panel.
iPhone 15 Specs
It’s still early days, but two rumors have surfaced regarding the upcoming iPhone 15. One seems highly likely, while the other remains speculative.
Starting with the more likely rumor, it was once expected that the A17 chipset would be adopted across all iPhone 15 models. However, only the iPhone 14 Pro models received an all-new chipset, while the regular iPhone used a slightly upgraded version of the A15. It’s reasonable to assume that this pattern will continue, with the iPhone 15 Pro handsets likely to feature the A17, while the regular iPhone 15 might come with an enhanced version of the A16.
A report from TrendForce also suggests that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will retain the A16 Bionic CPU, while only the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max (or Ultra) will be upgraded to the rumored A17 chipset.
Another TrendForce report claims that Apple plans to increase the capacity and specification of the iPhone 15’s RAM. For the Pro models, this could mean a total of 8GB of RAM, while the iPhone 15 might come with LPDDR5 RAM. The report does not specify, so we can only speculate.
Although this information doesn’t provide much insight into performance, the A17 is expected to be the first chip manufactured using the 3nm process, which could result in significant improvements in speed and efficiency. In particular, chip manufacturer TSMC predicts a 35 percent improvement in power efficiency, which is promising for the battery life of the iPhone 15 Pro.
This anticipated increase in speed is supported by alleged Geekbench benchmarks for the A17, which show much more impressive results compared to the existing iPhone 14 Pro and rival Android phones.
According to a Digitimes report, other chipmakers have yet to decide whether to produce their own 3nm chips this year. If this is true, it could give a significant advantage to devices like the iPhone 15 Pro in terms of performance and power efficiency. In fact, suppliers are now expecting the A17 Bionic to generate a lot of interest among consumers upgrading their phones, suggesting that the iPhone 15 Pro models could be the most popular among Apple’s upcoming releases.
There was an early rumor suggesting that Apple might start manufacturing its own modems, potentially starting with the 2023 iPhones. While signs indicate that Apple is moving towards developing its own modems, current supplier Qualcomm states that it expects to provide the “vast majority” of modems for the 2023 iPhones. Additionally, Apple has reportedly placed a large order for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X70 5G modem, indicating that the iPhone 15 is likely to feature Qualcomm’s modem.
The Apple modem itself is now expected to debut alongside the iPhone 16, according to rumors. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon does not anticipate providing modems to Apple in 2024.
There’s also a rumor based on an analysis from Barclays that suggests Wi-Fi 6E could be included in the iPhone 15, possibly as an exclusive feature for the Pro models. This rumor has been corroborated by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
As for charging speeds, one source suggests that the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max could see an increase from 20W to 27W, while the regular and Plus models will retain the existing 20W standard. It remains unclear whether Apple will introduce reverse wireless charging in the iPhone 15. The iPhone 11 Pro Max was the first model to have the necessary hardware for reverse wireless charging, although it was deactivated. A report from 9to5Mac indicates that development of the feature is still ongoing, but it’s uncertain when or if it will be implemented.
iPhone 15 Software
You would expect the iPhone 15 to be released alongside iOS 17. Following Apple’s usual pattern of software updates, we can anticipate a preview of iOS 17 at the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June, showcasing the new features. A public beta testing phase will likely take place during the summer, leading up to the full release in the autumn.
Details about the changes in iOS 17 are starting to emerge, and the most significant rumors point to an overhaul of iMessage. There are also suggestions that Apple may allow third-party app stores on the iPhone, although some rumors indicate that this change may be limited to Europe.
Initially, reports indicated that iOS 17 would have fewer major updates compared to recent years. However, it now seems that iOS 17 will include more substantial changes than initially anticipated. There have been reports of overhauls to the Wallet and Health apps, as well as the possibility of a new journaling app for the iPhone.
WWDC 2023 is scheduled to begin on June 5, so we can expect to get our first glimpse of the software that will run on the iPhone 15 during that event.
iPhone 15 Like Look
iPhone 15 rumor mill is set to heat up as we head into the summer months, and we’ve already heard a lot about what to expect from this autumn’s release. The potential inclusion of USB-C might entice those who haven’t yet been won over by the appeal of iOS, while the anticipated performance gains of the 3nm A17 chip in the iPhone 15 Pro series could solidify Apple’s dominant position in terms of raw speed, surpassing even the best Android phones.
One major concern is the possibility of a price increase for the Pro and Pro Max models, and we’re eager to hear more concrete rumors about improvements to the cameras. However, since we’re still several months away from the release of the iPhone 15, there’s ample time for more exciting speculations to emerge.