Apple is expected to release the iPhone 15 series in September 2023, and thanks to a slew of leaks, most details surrounding the iPhone 15 Pro have already been revealed. The iPhone 15 series is expected to consist of four models: the vanilla iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Although all models are expected to get a USB-C port and the Dynamic Island, it looks like Apple will reserve the major upgrades for the iPhone 15 Pro models.
Over the past few months, several tipsters and publications have posted various details about the iPhone 15 Pro. It seems that the Pro models will get a powerful new chipset, a versatile camera setup, and some minor design changes, among other features. Before diving into the expected iPhone 15 Pro features, it’s important to note that none of these details have been officially confirmed, and some could change closer to launch.
7 Titanium Chassis
In 2022, the biggest change to the iPhone 14 Pro’s design came in the form of the Dynamic Island for the display. Given that Apple tends to stick with a design element for a few years before making changes, this year’s iPhone 15 Pro models are also expected to sport the same pill-shaped notch. However, there could be some changes to the build quality. Tipster ShrimpApplePro suggests that instead of stainless steel, Apple will use titanium for the chassis of the Pro variants, giving them a more premium feel. In addition, the models could also have slightly curved edges.
6 Even Thinner Bezels
In 2023, most smartphone manufacturers are heading toward thin bezels, but the iPhone 15 Pro Max could set a new benchmark. Popular tipsters Ice Universe believe that the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max will feature 1.51mm bezels, breaking the record for the thinnest bezels on any smartphone. Whether this would change the screen’s aspect ratio is unclear, but it should elevate the overall look of the iPhone. Currently, the Xiaomi 13 holds the record for the thinnest smartphone bezels which measure 1.81mm.
5 Wi-Fi 6E For Faster Wireless Connectivity
Information from multiple sources, including TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, suggests that the iPhone 15 series could support the Wi-Fi 6E standard. However, a follow-up by MacRumors suggests that only the Pro models will come with this feature. Compared to Wi-Fi 6, which works with 2.4GHz and 5GHz routers, Wi-Fi 6E can connect to 6GHz routers and provide faster download/upload speeds. This could be another way to create a significant difference between the standard and Pro iPhones.
4 Multi-Purpose Action Button
Another widely discussed addition to the iPhone 15 Pro lineup is a pressure-sensitive action button. Recently, a tipster who goes by the username analyst941 on Twitter has claimed that the action button will have multiple uses, including force-restarting the iPhone, turning it off, and focusing/capturing a photo in the camera app. Previous rumors had suggested that Apple would use solid-state buttons for the next-gen iPhones, but analyst Ming-Chi Kuo now claims that technical issues have forced Apple to drop the idea for the iPhone 15 Pro.
3 Periscope Lens For Greater Optical Zoom
Periscope lenses comprise mirrors that reflect light on the primary sensor, acting as a miniature system of telephoto lenses that help zoom in on a subject. Although the iPhone currently provides up to 3x optical zoom, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra has a dedicated 10x periscope lens. Several sources, including Ming-Chi Kuo, claim that Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max will feature a periscope lens for more optical zoom than the 3x telephoto sensor on the iPhone 14 Pro Max. iPhones have some of the most consistent camera systems on smartphones, and with the added zoom capability, they will be even more useful.
2 USB-C Port With Faster Transfer Speeds
After the EU’s approval of the common charger directive, several analysts have suggested that the upcoming lineup of iPhones will switch from the outdated Lightning Port to the modern USB-C port, a long-awaited feature. However, only the Pro models will support higher transfer speeds. ace per Kuo, the more expensive iPhones will come with at least USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3 protocols, which are much faster than the current Lightning cables that come with the iPhone. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will also get a USB-C port, but the transfer speeds will be limited to USB 2.0 standards.
1 3nm A17 Bionic Chipset
With the iPhone 14 Pro models, Apple introduced the A16 Bionic (4nm) chipset. This year, the company is expected to roll out the A17 Bionic (3nm) chipset for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. The upgraded processor will not only offer more power, but since it is based on a 3nm architecture, it should also be more power-efficient. Citing TSMC’s chairman Mark Liu, Bloomberg reported in December 2022 that the new chipset would use 35 percent less energy while providing better performance. The new chipset should also improve other aspects of iPhone 15 Prosuch as photography and battery life.