Almost a year to go until we have new iPhone 15 models in September 2023, but we have been hearing rumors for months. It looks like the iPhone 15 models could get more notable updates than we saw for the iPhone 14including many features iPhone users have wanted for years.
We’ve rounded up some of the best features of the iPhone 15 that we’ve heard of so far. MacRumors readers know what to expect.
USB-C port
2023 is expected to mark the end of the Lightning port for the iPhone, with Apple transitioning to USB-C. That means you’ll be able to charge your modern Mac, iPadand iPhone all with the same connector.
Apple isn’t exactly switching to USB-C to make your life more convenient, it’s making the switch because the European Union requires it. iPhones sold in Europe must have USB-C ports by 2024, so Apple must make a global design change or create special iPhones for Europe.
Apple has confirmed it will fulfill with local regulations, and rumors indicate that Apple will make the change in 2023.
Solid state volume and power buttons
apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo recently said that Apple could add solid-state volume and power buttons to the iPhone 15 instead of physical buttons, which would be similar to the trackpad on the Mac and the home button on the iPhone 7. Haptic feedback would mimic the feeling of pressing a button on the solid button, replacing the pressure of the mechanical button.
Using solid state buttons would likely protect against water ingress and could allow Apple to provide better water resistance. Using haptic feedback for buttons would require Apple to add new Taptic engines.
Dynamic island for all models
Apple introduced the dynamic island For him iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, while the cheaper iPhone 14 models continue to use a notch. With the iPhone 15, the entire lineup is expected to get Dynamic Island, so if you want access to Dynamic Island but don’t want to pay for an iPhone Pro, wait for the iPhone 15.
same sizes
We haven’t yet heard any rumors about any notable design changes for the iPhone 15 lineup, so it looks like we’ll be getting the same sizes. The iPhone 15 and 15 Pro will be 6.1 inches, and the iPhone 15 Plus and Pro Max will be 6.7 inches.
periscope lens technology
We’ve been hearing about Apple’s work on periscope lens technology for years now, and 2023 could be the year it shows up. Periscope lenses, already used by some Android smartphone manufacturers, have optical zoom capabilities that exceed the zoom range available with a standard telephoto lens.
With a periscope lens, Apple could offer 5x or even 10x optical zoom, up from 3x on the current iPhone 14 Pro models.
A name change?
Bloomberg‘s gurman brand has said that Apple could replace the “Pro Max” version of the iPhone 15 with a new high-end “Ultra” model. That would be in line with apple watch ultraand it could give Apple an excuse to limit certain features to the higher-end iPhone, like periscope lens technology.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has already said that the periscope lens could be limited to the largest iPhone.
3 nanometer A17 chip
The iPhone 15 Pro models could be the first to feature a 3-nanometer chip from Apple supplier TSMC. The 3nm chip technology is expected to increase processing performance by 10 to 15 percent, while reducing power consumption by up to 30 percent.
If Apple uses a 3nm A17 chip, it would be a marked improvement over the A16. Only Pro models got the A16, which is based on a 4nm process, and the A17 is expected to be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro. Standard iPhone 15 models may see an upgrade to the previous generation A16.
More RAM
iPhone 15 Pro models could get 8GB raminstead of 6GB, perhaps to support new capabilities like periscope lens technology.
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