iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: What the rumors say is coming out this fall

AppleInsider

Apple is a few weeks away from introducing the iPhone 15 to the public. Here's what rumors and speculation claim Apple will release in the fall.

iPhone 15 Pro could come in blue

As usual, rumors have ramped up heading into Apple's fall event cycle. It is expected to reveal new products like the iPhone 15 lineup, and rumors have only increased in frequency as it gets closer to event day.

Based on the speculation from analysts and claims of various leakers, here's what everyone thinks Apple will be introducing for the iPhone this fall.

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A regular September thing

One almost definite thing about the iPhone 15 is that it will undoubtedly launch sometime in September. We know this because Apple is exceptionally regular when it comes to launching the iPhone.

Year after year, Apple's iPhone introductions habitually take place in September. While hardware releases to the public could be delayed into October instead of September, the actual unveiling to the public always happens in September itself.

The usual quartet

Much like the release timing, Apple's actual iPhone releases have become somewhat habitual. In recent years, it has elected to use the same device tier structure and naming conventions across the range.

Once again, Apple is expected to be bringing out four iPhone 15 models, consisting of two iPhone 15 Pro variants and two standard editions. Just like the iPhone 14, Apple is anticipated to bring out handsets in pairs, consisting of the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

There has been some speculation that the naming convention of the Apple Watch Ultra could be employed by the iPhone, turning the iPhone 15 Pro Max into the "iPhone 15 Ultra," though there are also claims that Ultra models won't arrive until the iPhone 16 in 2024.

Apple will announce new iPhones, new colors

While the names may be different, the general sizes and types of device being launched are likely to remain the same as before. CAD models, as well as 3D-printed mockups and metal versions all agree that the same 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screen sizes will be used.

Though seemingly similar, the models also showed some slight variations compared to the existing iPhone 14 designs, including minor dimensional variances. In the case of turning the models into physical objects, this could just be small errors or distortions in their creation, but it's also entirely plausible that Apple could make the models marginally different in width, length, and thickness.

Changes could be made to the Pro lineup at least, with claims of a slightly more rounded edge design and a body produced from titanium instead of steel. The move could help reduce the weight of the Pro models considerably.

Meanwhile, the lack of claims relating to the iPhone 15 indicates it should be made using the standard aluminum construction.

Display

Apple does occasionally make changes to the display technology it uses in its hardware. For the iPhone 15 family, it probably won't go to that effort.

In April, a report claimed the OLED displays in the iPhone 15 will use the same materials as the iPhone 14, with changes expected for the iPhone 16. The material, sourced from Samsung, consists of a variety known as M12 for the Pro models, while an earlier M11 will be put onto the standard editions.

Though the general size and dimensions should remain the same, Apple is seemingly going to make more practical use of the display space itself. In April, a leak claimed to show the bezels for the front glass of the iPhone 15 Pro Max to be extremely thin, which other rumor sharers have also alluded to.

Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro

One big change for the non-Pro models is the addition of the Dynamic Island, borrowing the feature from the Pro tier and replacing the contentious front notch. Multiple rumors have pointed to this change for a while, and it would be a reasonably low-effort design win for Apple to adopt it in the standard iPhone.

The Pro version may not be left alone, as there has been the claim the proximity sensor in the Pro model display will move to within the Dynamic Island area, instead of being underneath the display.

Despite gaining Dynamic Island, the iPhone 15 probably won't get Pro features like ProMotion or Always-On capabilities. It is reckoned that they will remain exclusive to the Pro tier for the moment.

Color theories

Apple tends to include a few special color options for each generation, making them effectively exclusive for that particular device range. Rumors have even spread about what they could be for 2023.

Rumors point to blue and red options

One forerunner is for Apple to include a deep red color option for the iPhone 15 Pro, which first spread in February but resurfaced in July. The exact shade is apparently a little lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro's purple, a leaker claimed.

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However, a later rumor said the iPhone 15 Pro would have a new shade of blue, with an alleged gray undertone to it.

For the iPhone 15, it is believed a mint green colorway will be introduced this fall.

Earlier reporting mentioned light blue and pink as potential color options, but they now seem fairly unlikely, given the more recent reports.

Chips

For the iPhone 14 generation, the A15 Bionic was used in the standard edition, while the newer A16 Bionic was brought in for the Pro models. It seems that Apple could end up doing the same thing for the iPhone 15.

While the A16 Bionic is pretty much a known quantity, the A17 will be a bit different in that it will use chip partner TSMC's 3-nanometer manufacturing process rather than a 4-nanometer version. This should bring speed improvements and other benefits to the table.

Even so, Apple could end up making another change to A17 mid-run. There has been a claim that Apple could switch processes for the A17 in 2024 to a variant that's more cost-efficient to produce.

Cameras

Apple's camera system is a key selling point for the iPhone, and for the iPhone 15, changes may make the range more attractive to photographers.

First, it is believed that the 48-megapixel sensor of the iPhone 14 Pro will be expanded to the entire iPhone 15 generation. All models will apparently get the upgrade for the sensor.

That said, the Pro models will still get some advantages over the standard iPhone here.

iPhone 14 Pro camera bump

The ever-criticized camera bump may be a bit bigger on the Pro Max model, and for good reason. The largest model is anticipated to include a periscope lens arrangement.

A periscope lens system uses several lenses as well as a prism or mirror to increase the available depth the system has to play with without excessively thickening the device or the camera bump. As a result, this can help considerably increase the optical zoom capabilities of the onboard camera.

It seems, based on rumors, that this will be limited just to the Pro Max model, though it may easily become available on others down the road.

Batteries, USB-C, and buttons

Apple's battery improvements in the iPhone 14 range were relatively minor compared to what is rumored for the iPhone 15. A Weibo leaker believes that the gains for 2023 range between 3,50mAh and 600mAh across the board.

USB-C is coming to iPhone

This could result in an iPhone 15 Pro Max having a 4,852mAh battery versus the 4,323mAh in the iPhone 14 Pro Max and an iPhone 15 growing from 3,279mAh to 3,877mAh. The end result would be potential improvements to battery life.

As for recharging, there's the usual MagSafe to consider, but also the port. After years of Lightning connections, Apple is thought to be finally embracing USB-C on the iPhone after slowly shifting the iPad range over to it.

The connection has allegedly appeared in images, though as probable renders rather than photographs. But even so, there's enough noise elsewhere to point to it actually happening.

USB-C accessories like EarPods will be needed if Apple changes the iPhone's port

For example, the Made For iPhone program is apparently going to continue despite moving away from Lightning. A Made for iPhone certification will allegedly be required for accessories to get full access to USB-C on the iPhone 15.

Apple has also apparently worked on making USB-C EarPods specifically for the iPhone 15.

The side buttons are reportedly going to have some changes, including a unified button for the volume control, and even discussion of a solid-state "Action button" on the side. However, a letter to shareholders from supplier Cirrus Logic has practically confirmed that there won't be solid-state button changes.

That doesn't mean there won't be any side button changes for the new iPhone. Apple could introduce a new Action Button in place of the Mute Switch, which could be programmed with Shortcuts actions based on Focus modes and apps.

iPhone 15 Pro release and price

Some rumors point to a price increase, at least for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Updates, including the periscope camera and new chipset, may warrant the higher price.

Prices could go up for the iPhone 15 Pro

Apple tends to announce its new iPhone lineup during a September event. Customers will be able to preorder the devices with shipments beginning before the end of September.

Some release cycles have pushed certain models back a few weeks into October, though no rumors point to such a disruption in 2023. However, supplies will be constrained like any other iPhone launch, and the iPhone 15 will be back ordered for weeks.

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charlesn

Most boring iPhone Pro update ever? it's beginning to look that way. Assuming the blank machined bodies that AI got its hands on are correct, the design looks identical to the 14 Pro except for incremental differences--I'm not seeing any sign of curved edges that would have softened the slabby appearance and given it a more polished, premium look. To no one's surprise, there's USB-C thanks to the EU gun pointed at Apple's head, which will be a bit more interesting if the Pro models get Thunderbolt speeds at the port. Otherwise... Zzzzzzzz. The Pro Max will (finally) get a better optical zoom range with its periscope lens, but hard to get all that excited about "new" features that other premium phones have had for a few years. And then, of course, there will be a new processor that will double (of whatever) iPhone speed so that what used to take 1/50th of a second will now take 1/100th of a second, which will be great news for those whose to-do lists are broken out in fraons of a second. Maybe we'll get Wifi 6E? And then the latest "special color" rumor is blue with a gray undertone because apparently Apple believes that video/photography creatives who are big buyers of the iPhone Pro don't want anything resembling an actual color. 

None of the above is bad, per se, it's just a snoozefest, and even the rumor mill doesn't suggest otherwise. 

lorca2770

charlesn said:

Most boring iPhone Pro update ever? it's beginning to look that way. Assuming the blank machined bodies that AI got its hands on are correct, the design looks identical to the 14 Pro except for incremental differences--I'm not seeing any sign of curved edges that would have softened the slabby appearance and given it a more polished, premium look. To no one's surprise, there's USB-C thanks to the EU gun pointed at Apple's head, which will be a bit more interesting if the Pro models get Thunderbolt speeds at the port. Otherwise... Zzzzzzzz. The Pro Max will (finally) get a better optical zoom range with its periscope lens, but hard to get all that excited about "new" features that other premium phones have had for a few years. And then, of course, there will be a new processor that will double (of whatever) iPhone speed so that what used to take 1/50th of a second will now take 1/100th of a second, which will be great news for those whose to-do lists are broken out in fraons of a second. Maybe we'll get Wifi 6E? And then the latest "special color" rumor is blue with a gray undertone because apparently Apple believes that video/photography creatives who are big buyers of the iPhone Pro don't want anything resembling an actual color. 

None of the above is bad, per se, it's just a snoozefest, and even the rumor mill doesn't suggest otherwise. 

Oh! Great, it is up to me to make it exciting. A matter of imagination to offset the boredom of some
Amen jayyyzzzuuuzzzzz

slow n easy

If the rumors are true, then I will likely skip an upgrade for the first time in a few years. I get pretty bummed out when the Pro max gets stuff that the Pro misses out on. 

fred1

I just hope there are enough of the new products at release time. The waiting times for items like the iPad Mini 6 and the AirPods Pro 1 were terrible. 

thedba

designr said:

charlesn said:

Most boring iPhone Pro update ever? it's beginning to look that way. Assuming the blank machined bodies that AI got its hands on are correct, the design looks identical to the 14 Pro except for incremental differences--I'm not seeing any sign of curved edges that would have softened the slabby appearance and given it a more polished, premium look. To no one's surprise, there's USB-C thanks to the EU gun pointed at Apple's head, which will be a bit more interesting if the Pro models get Thunderbolt speeds at the port. Otherwise... Zzzzzzzz. The Pro Max will (finally) get a better optical zoom range with its periscope lens, but hard to get all that excited about "new" features that other premium phones have had for a few years. And then, of course, there will be a new processor that will double (of whatever) iPhone speed so that what used to take 1/50th of a second will now take 1/100th of a second, which will be great news for those whose to-do lists are broken out in fraons of a second. Maybe we'll get Wifi 6E? And then the latest "special color" rumor is blue with a gray undertone because apparently Apple believes that video/photography creatives who are big buyers of the iPhone Pro don't want anything resembling an actual color. 

None of the above is bad, per se, it's just a snoozefest, and even the rumor mill doesn't suggest otherwise. 

Welcome to a mature product category. The evolution and innovation have been slowing for years. It's the nature of the beast. The fact is Apple doesn't really need to make each year's update so compelling to attract last year's iPhone buyers. They just need to keep evolving and people a couple of generations (or more) behind will eventually upgrade and some Android users might convert.

That’s exactly it. I will be getting this new iPhone 15 Pro, whether it has a USBC or not. Whether is has a periscope lense or not.

Why? Because my current iPhone XS is starting to get old and I am quite certain that there are tens of millions of customers like myself who will be upgrading as well.

So like in previous years, Apple does not need to attract last year’s iPhone buyers to the upgrade party.

M68000

charlesn said:

Most boring iPhone Pro update ever? it's beginning to look that way. Assuming the blank machined bodies that AI got its hands on are correct, the design looks identical to the 14 Pro except for incremental differences--I'm not seeing any sign of curved edges that would have softened the slabby appearance and given it a more polished, premium look. To no one's surprise, there's USB-C thanks to the EU gun pointed at Apple's head, which will be a bit more interesting if the Pro models get Thunderbolt speeds at the port. Otherwise... Zzzzzzzz. The Pro Max will (finally) get a better optical zoom range with its periscope lens, but hard to get all that excited about "new" features that other premium phones have had for a few years. And then, of course, there will be a new processor that will double (of whatever) iPhone speed so that what used to take 1/50th of a second will now take 1/100th of a second, which will be great news for those whose to-do lists are broken out in fraons of a second. Maybe we'll get Wifi 6E? And then the latest "special color" rumor is blue with a gray undertone because apparently Apple believes that video/photography creatives who are big buyers of the iPhone Pro don't want anything resembling an actual color. 

None of the above is bad, per se, it's just a snoozefest, and even the rumor mill doesn't suggest otherwise. 

I kind of look at the positives,  such as we continue to have really reliable devices year after year, model after model.    I do kind of miss the rounded styling they used to have.

Graeme000

thedba said:

designr said:

charlesn said:

Most boring iPhone Pro update ever? it's beginning to look that way. Assuming the blank machined bodies that AI got its hands on are correct, the design looks identical to the 14 Pro except for incremental differences--I'm not seeing any sign of curved edges that would have softened the slabby appearance and given it a more polished, premium look. To no one's surprise, there's USB-C thanks to the EU gun pointed at Apple's head, which will be a bit more interesting if the Pro models get Thunderbolt speeds at the port. Otherwise... Zzzzzzzz. The Pro Max will (finally) get a better optical zoom range with its periscope lens, but hard to get all that excited about "new" features that other premium phones have had for a few years. And then, of course, there will be a new processor that will double (of whatever) iPhone speed so that what used to take 1/50th of a second will now take 1/100th of a second, which will be great news for those whose to-do lists are broken out in fraons of a second. Maybe we'll get Wifi 6E? And then the latest "special color" rumor is blue with a gray undertone because apparently Apple believes that video/photography creatives who are big buyers of the iPhone Pro don't want anything resembling an actual color. 

None of the above is bad, per se, it's just a snoozefest, and even the rumor mill doesn't suggest otherwise. 

Welcome to a mature product category. The evolution and innovation have been slowing for years. It's the nature of the beast. The fact is Apple doesn't really need to make each year's update so compelling to attract last year's iPhone buyers. They just need to keep evolving and people a couple of generations (or more) behind will eventually upgrade and some Android users might convert.

That’s exactly it. I will be getting this new iPhone 15 Pro, whether it has a USBC or not. Whether is has a periscope lense or not.

Why? Because my current iPhone XS is starting to get old and I am quite certain that there are tens of millions of customers like myself who will be upgrading as well.

So like in previous years, Apple does not need to attract last year’s iPhone buyers to the upgrade party.

I'm in the same boat with a XS. I would have upgraded last year, however I was/am waiting for usb-c. Apple really just needs to keep pushing it along slightly better so we don't stray to anything else.

namethespruce

Works out great for me with my new (refurbished) iPhone 13 mini. Maybe they'll bring back the mini with the 16? Only time will tell, but I love my small powerhouse phone.

bluefire1

I have the 14 Pro and would trade it in and get the 15 Pro if the periscope lens is included. However, if the periscope lens is only on the Max/Ultra, I’ll wait for the 16 Pro. 

anonymouse

So, according to this article, there will be nothing to see here, maybe a periscope camera for the Max, otherwise, as others have mentioned, a snoozefest.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and predict there will be something more than hinted at here, that this won't be the most boring iPhone update ever.

6ryph3n

It does sound like a boring update… but I’ll probably get it anyway. My 11 Pro is aging (mainly the battery and the cracked screen). I’d be happy with the 14 but USB-C might make the difference just so that I can stop looking for different cords. 

ddawson100

6ryph3n said:

It does sound like a boring update… but I’ll probably get it anyway. My 11 Pro is aging (mainly the battery and the cracked screen). I’d be happy with the 14 but USB-C might make the difference just so that I can stop looking for different cords. 

Same on all that including my slightly cracked screen. Incremental or not, it would be a big jump for me anyway and the new connector would be a relief.

HirsuteJim

I’m I the only person who wishes that they would OFFSET the power button from the volume buttons?

It has been YEARS and I’m still turning off my screen when I try to adjust the volume … OR … taking a screenshot when I try to invoke Siri‼️

fred1

HirsuteJim said:

I’m I the only person who wishes that they would OFFSET the power button from the volume buttons?

It has been YEARS and I’m still turning off my screen when I try to adjust the volume … OR … taking a screenshot when I try to invoke Siri‼️

I agree with you 100%. This has been annoying me for years. 

harry wild

Apple should just use current chip design and cripple the non Pro iPhone model SOC using software!

canucklehead

“As a result, this can help considerably increase the optical zoom capabilities of the onboard camera.”

Since when has any iPhone had ANY optical ZOOM capabilities? The current and best camera of the iPhone 14 Pro has three fixed focal lenses and any zoom capability is digitally created. Why is it so hard to understand?

if a periscope lens is available, it will be the first time optical zoom will have ever existed in an iPhone.

paraeeker

fred1 said:

HirsuteJim said:

I’m I the only person who wishes that they would OFFSET the power button from the volume buttons?

It has been YEARS and I’m still turning off my screen when I try to adjust the volume … OR … taking a screenshot when I try to invoke Siri‼️

I agree with you 100%. This has been annoying me for years. 

I couldn’t agree more. Even a preferences option that requires a hold down to take a screenshot would help. 

I can’t believe that this hasn’t come up repeatedly in focus groups, or hasn’t frustrated Apple’s management people, who I’m hoping use the same iOS as the rest of us. 

Please, Apple, add a preferences option!

M68000

canucklehead said:

“As a result, this can help considerably increase the optical zoom capabilities of the onboard camera.”

Since when has any iPhone had ANY optical ZOOM capabilities? The current and best camera of the iPhone 14 Pro has three fixed focal lenses and any zoom capability is digitally created. Why is it so hard to understand?

if a periscope lens is available, it will be the first time optical zoom will have ever existed in an iPhone.

The specs have shown iphones have had optical zoom for years,  you can go online and compare iphones on Apple website and you will find both digital and optical zooms in the specs.

Granted,  there is only so much that can be done in phones compared to real cameras and real lenses.

HirsuteJim

paraeeker said:

fred1 said:

HirsuteJim said:

I’m I the only person who wishes that they would OFFSET the power button from the volume buttons?

It has been YEARS and I’m still turning off my screen when I try to adjust the volume … OR … taking a screenshot when I try to invoke Siri‼️

I agree with you 100%. This has been annoying me for years. 

I couldn’t agree more. Even a preferences option that requires a hold down to take a screenshot would help. 

I can’t believe that this hasn’t come up repeatedly in focus groups, or hasn’t frustrated Apple’s management people, who I’m hoping use the same iOS as the rest of us. 

Please, Apple, add a preferences option!

I am convinced that there are NO POWER USERS amongst Apple’s C Suite Executives.  Let me rephrase that … there are NO ANAL RETENTIVE POWER USERS amongst Apple’s C Suite Executives.  I believe that Steve Jobs was the last person to hold that role. 

There are dozens, in not hundreds, of decisions that Apple makes today that I think Steve Jobs would not tolerate. A few examples:

• The conflicting placement of buttons that I noted above. 
• I can toggle the camera flash between OFF and AUTO by simply tapping on the flash icon. But to turn the flash ON, I have to do multiple swipes and taps. OBVIOUS and RIDICULOUS‼️ 
• In the News app the text/font size is stored INDIVIDUALLY AND SEPARATELY, FOR EVERY SINGLE NEWS SOURCE‼️ On what planet could this possibly make any sense at all? Why can’t I simply view ALL Apple News at a single font size?
• Why is caps lock ignored when I am dictating using Siri on my iPad⁉️ 
• The RIDICULOUS Camera Bump‼️  (Just have a simple smooth flow/rise across the width of the top of the back where the bump is SO THAT I CAN LAY THE PHONE DOWN ON A FLAT SURFACE and use it — I’m sure they could fill that space with something useful!)
• WHY did it take 12 YEARS for Apple to allow Siri to track multiple simultaneous timers?

I could go on for hours on this list. LOL 

M68000

HirsuteJim said:

paraeeker said:

fred1 said:

HirsuteJim said:

I’m I the only person who wishes that they would OFFSET the power button from the volume buttons?

It has been YEARS and I’m still turning off my screen when I try to adjust the volume … OR … taking a screenshot when I try to invoke Siri‼️

I agree with you 100%. This has been annoying me for years. 

I couldn’t agree more. Even a preferences option that requires a hold down to take a screenshot would help. 

I can’t believe that this hasn’t come up repeatedly in focus groups, or hasn’t frustrated Apple’s management people, who I’m hoping use the same iOS as the rest of us. 

Please, Apple, add a preferences option!

I am convinced that there are NO POWER USERS amongst Apple’s C Suite Executives.  Let me rephrase that … there are NO ANAL RETENTIVE POWER USERS amongst Apple’s C Suite Executives.  I believe that Steve Jobs was the last person to hold that role. 

There are dozens, in not hundreds, of decisions that Apple makes today that I think Steve Jobs would not tolerate. A few examples:

• The conflicting placement of buttons that I noted above. 
• I can toggle the camera flash between OFF and AUTO by simply tapping on the flash icon. But to turn the flash ON, I have to do multiple swipes and taps. OBVIOUS and RIDICULOUS‼️ 
• In the News app the text/font size is stored INDIVIDUALLY AND SEPARATELY, FOR EVERY SINGLE NEWS SOURCE‼️ On what planet could this possibly make any sense at all? Why can’t I simply view ALL Apple News at a single font size?
• Why is caps lock ignored when I am dictating using Siri on my iPad⁉️ 
• The RIDICULOUS Camera Bump‼️  (Just have a simple smooth flow/rise across the width of the top of the back where the bump is SO THAT I CAN LAY THE PHONE DOWN ON A FLAT SURFACE and use it — I’m sure they could fill that space with something useful!)
• WHY did it take 12 YEARS for Apple to allow Siri to track multiple simultaneous timers?

I could go on for hours on this list. LOL 

Sorry,  the camera bump is not RIDICULOUS,  some may say it looks cool and gives the obvious shape of a cellphone some character.  But really,  the bump helps keep the rest of the phone as thin and light as possible. If you are so concerned about laying the phone flat on a table, then get a case that will do that.