September is upon us, and for tech enthusiasts worldwide, that can mean only one thing: Apple’s next flagship smartphone is on the brink of unveiling. The much-anticipated iPhone 15 is ready to take centre stage, promising a range of exciting features and innovations. As we prepare for its grand debut, let’s delve into what we know so far about this groundbreaking device.
On September 12th, Apple CEO Tim Cook will grace the stage at Apple Park, Cupertino, California, to livestream the grand launch of the iPhone 15. While Apple has kept information about the event secret, enthusiasts have found a mysterious promotional image code-named ‘Wanderlust’ intriguing. It showcases an elegant powder grey design with the Apple logo.
In the world of technology, anticipation runs high as fans eagerly await the announcement. Despite Apple’s silence, rumours have been swirling, and leaks have been the lifeline for those hungry for details. Now, let’s dive into everything we’ve managed to uncover about the fifteenth generation of Apple’s iconic smartphone.
Announcement
The official confirmation came recently, with Apple setting the date for its autumn unveiling event on Tuesday, September 12. The livestream presentation is scheduled to kick off at 10 a.m. Pacific Time (6 p.m. BST). Although the promo card on Apple’s website doesn’t explicitly mention a new iPhone, Apple’s history suggests that a new release is imminent. For devoted Apple enthusiasts, a year without a new iPhone would be akin to a year without Christmas.
As for the release date, industry insider Mark Gurman suggests that the iPhone 15 will hit the shelves less than two weeks after the event, on September 22. This strategic timing will allow Apple to capitalize on a week of iPhone 15 sales in its fiscal fourth quarter.
How Many iPhone 15 Models Will There Be?
Apple plans to introduce four variants of the iPhone 15, catering to a diverse range of consumer preferences. These variants include the standard model, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and possibly the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which may undergo a name change to ‘iPhone Ultra.’ While the high-end models will feature some exclusive features, the entire iPhone 15 family will enjoy the most significant design enhancements.
How Will the iPhone 15 Differ from the iPhone 14?
Mark Gurman asserts that the upcoming iPhone 15 represents the most significant update in three years, since the launch of the iPhone 12 in 2020. The standout feature of this year’s release is the new charging port – the USB-C, a departure from the Lightning design. EU legislation is driving this transition, with the aim of standardizing charging interfaces and reducing electronic waste.
iPhone 15 will also boast faster charging speeds, potentially offering a full charge in just one hour, a boon for users on the go. Design-wise, expect curvier edges, titanium frames, and a matte glass back, signalling a departure from polished glass. The bezel around the screen will shrink to 1.5 millimetres, bringing Apple closer to its vision of an ‘all-screen’ iPhone.
Innovative Features Await
Dynamic Island, previously exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, is rumoured to grace all four iPhone 15 models. This unique feature, a pill-shaped notch at the top of the screen, conceals the front-facing camera while dynamically adjusting its size to display important alerts and notifications.
The camera system will see significant improvements, with a thicker camera bump and protruding lenses for enhanced zoom capabilities. The ‘iPhone 15 Ultra’ is expected to include a periscope camera lens, which will offer an impressive 10x optical zoom, marking a first for Apple.
Additionally, the iPhone 15 Pro and Max models will benefit from the A17 Bionic chip, elevating performance and enhancing AI capabilities, all while extending battery life. In addition to introducing a new charging port, the iPhone 15 is set to impress with its enhanced charging capabilities, potentially delivering up to 35W more power compared to the iPhone 14, which boasts a charging speed of a modest 20W. This exciting advancement means that the upcoming smartphone has the potential to charge from 0 to 100 per cent in just one hour, a game-changing feature that will undoubtedly save valuable time for users, especially when they’re on the go and in need of a quick recharge.
Cost
Price speculations are rife, with Apple analyst Jeff Pu indicating that the two iPhone 15 Pro models will come with a higher price tag, justified by substantial hardware upgrades. While exact prices remain undisclosed, it’s worth noting that the previous iPhone 14 Pro models started at £1,099/$999 and £1,199/$1,099, respectively.
Tim Long, an analyst at Barclays, echoes the sentiment, predicting price hikes for the premium models, while the standard and Plus models are likely to maintain last year’s pricing. Apple CEO Tim Cook has already hinted at the justification for these price increases, emphasizing the iPhone’s integral role in people’s lives and the pursuit of excellence in this category.
In a twist, a report from Taiwan’s United Daily News suggests an eye-popping price of RMB 20,000 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, equivalent to $2,900 or £2,300. However, it’s important to note that some have contested this price rumour as a potential propaganda campaign initiated by Apple’s rivals.
All eyes will be on the livestream event on September 12th, where we’ll discover whether Apple can set a new record for smartphone pricing.
