Rumored Features of iPhone 15

• 6.1 and 6.7-inch sizes
• Dynamic Island for all models
• Periscope zoom lens
• USB-C port
• Qualcomm modem chip

The 2023 iPhone 15

The iPhone 14, iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Pro models were announced by Apple in September 2022, while the iPhone 15 has long been a subject of rumors.

There are still many months before the release of the iPhone 15, so nothing is certain, but USB-C, periscope camera technology, and a Qualcomm modem chip have all been mentioned. This summary summarizes all of the information we currently know about the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, however it is still early in the development cycle, so Apple’s intentions are subject to change.

iPhone 15 Ultra?

Apple might eventually replace the iPhone 15 “Pro Max” model with a new “Ultra” model, claims Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Ultra in 2022, and it has also given the M1’s most expensive model the moniker “Ultra.”

It makes sense that the highest-end iPhone currently on the market—often referred to as the “Pro Max”—could be dubbed the iPhone 15 Ultra.

Design

The iPhone 15 models, according to rumors, will resemble the iPhone 14 models, but the pill-and-hole cutout will be present on every model. Thus, the Dynamic Island first seen in the iPhone 14 Pro models would be used by all iPhone 15 models in place of the notch.

Apple will probably continue to offer four models: the 6.1-inch iPhone 15, the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro, the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Max, and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max. This is because no significant design changes are anticipated. The ordinary iPhone 15 models will cost less, while the “pro” models will cost more and include additional high-end capabilities.

Titanium Chassis and Curved Edges

Shrimp, a Twitter leaker According to Apple Pro, the 2023 iPhone 15 would have a titanium frame with curved back borders in favor of the current squared-off design.

According to rumors, the device’s back edges will be rounded off, just as the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models from 2021.

Solid-State Volume and Power Buttons

Similar to the iPhone 7’s Home button, the iPhone 15 Pro models may have solid-state volume and power buttons. The solid-state button would use haptic feedback to simulate the feel of a button press rather than the mechanical button that iPhones currently employ.

The iPhone 15 Pro variants might include two more Taptic Engines on the left and right sides of the smartphone if Apple decides to include solid-state buttons. The present Taptic Engine would be joined by the two new Taptic Engines.

The volume and power buttons would likely need to be physically accessible at all times in order for a solid-state architecture to provide water ingress protection.

No Touch ID

The iPhone 15 models are not anticipated to contain Touch ID and will instead continue to use Face ID, despite persistent speculations that Apple has contemplated bringing Touch ID back to its top iPhones utilizing an under-display method.

Although Apple is developing an under-display Face ID function, it won’t be available until 2025. The Dynamic Island, which Apple may decide to extend to all models rather than just the Pro models, will instead be used by the iPhone 15 in 2023.

USB-C

In order to meet with upcoming European rules, Apple is thinking about replacing the Lightning port on the iPhone 15 models with a USB-C port. Due to these laws, Apple would have to create iPhones in Europe with USB-C connections, necessitating either a global design change or the creation of unique iPhones for the European market.

This is currently a very likely scenario because reputable sources like Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo have claimed that Apple will make the switch. Apple’s ambitions could, of course, alter.

Data Transfer Speeds

While the normal iPhone 15 models will continue to utilize USB 2.0 rates, the same as Lightning, the iPhone 15 Pro models with USB-C connectors will support faster data transfer speeds. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that the iPhone 15 Pro variants will “at least” feature USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3. The update would enable faster file transfers for video and other file formats for iPhone 15 Pro models. While USB 3.2 enables speeds up to 20Gb/s, USB 2.0 is only capable of 480Mb/s of data transfer. Data transfer rates of up to 40Gb/s would be possible if Apple provides Thunderbolt 3 capability for the iPhone 15 Pro variants.

Periscope Camera Lens Technology

The development of “periscope” telephoto lenses by Apple has been the subject of numerous rumors; these lenses are expected to appear in the iPhone 15 Pro variants in 2023. The periscope camera lens will only be available on the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, therefore it’s probable that it will only be available on the most expensive and high-end model.

The optical zoom capabilities of periscope lenses are greater than those attainable with normal telephoto lenses, enabling 5x or even 10x optical zoom. The iPhone’s zoom capabilities would be greatly improved with a periscope lens as the current Pro models are only capable of 3x zoom.

Samsung, an Apple rival, has released smartphones with periscope lens technology, which allows for up to 100x digital zoom and 4x to 10x optical zoom. According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, when Apple adopts the periscope lens, it would incorporate 6x optical zoom capability.

Camera Sensors

For the iPhone 15 models, Apple is anticipated to use Sony’s most recent “state of the art” image sensors. Sony’s image sensor doubles the saturation signal in each pixel when compared to ordinary sensors, enabling it to capture more light and reduce underexposure and overexposure. Even when intense illumination is a problem, the sensor will enable improvements in portraits and other photographs.

In order to accommodate additional photodiodes, Sony uses semiconductor architecture that separates photodiodes and transistors into different layers. It is unclear if the new sensor technology will be used by all iPhone 15 models or if Apple will reserve it for the more expensive “Pro” models only.

Qualcomm Modem Chips

For the 2023 iPhone 15 series, Apple will continue to use Qualcomm’s 5G modem processors, as it has since the launch of 5G iPhones. Apple was rumored to be using its own internal modem chips as early as 2023, but the technology is not yet ready for that.

The modem chips that Apple is developing are still experiencing heat-related problems, so they won’t be ready for use in iPhones until at least 2024.

The Qualcomm X70 chip, which has superior AI for quicker processing speeds, higher coverage range, improved signal, lower latency, and up to 60% increased battery economy, is anticipated to be included in the iPhone 15.

A-Series Chips

The iPhone 15 models may be the first to use an A-series processor manufactured using TSMC’s third-generation 3-nanometer node, an Apple supplier. The use of 3nm chip technology is predicted to result in processing performance increases of 10 to 15% and power savings of up to 35%.

After losing an order from Intel, Apple chip maker TSMC is said to be reducing its plans for 3-nanometer chips. The 3nm A17 chips likely to be utilized in the iPhone 15 models are being produced by TSMC, although it is unclear whether the disruption will affect Apple’s 3nm chip production.

RAM

According to Taiwanese research company TrendForce, the iPhone 15 Pro versions may include an additional 8GB RAM. 6GB RAM is available in current iPhone 14 Pro variants.

Release Date

If Apple sticks to its usual September release schedule, the iPhone 15 models will most likely be available in September 2023.