As is customary with major Apple releases, numerous new features are rumored for both standard iPhone 15 models and the Pro series. These include a USB-C port, an Action button, an improved camera array, and more.
Below, we summarize key anticipated changes for the iPhone 15 lineup. To delve into Apple’s potential plans for the upcoming event, explore our roundup of expected September product unveiling.
Action button
Rumors suggest Apple intends to replace the mute switch on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max with a modern solid-state ‘action button.’ This button will maintain the ringer toggling function while allowing customization for tasks like activating Do Not Disturb or Low Power Mode.
The iPhone 15 release is imminent, fueled by a constant stream of rumors. An upcoming Apple event, potentially on September 12 or 13, marks the launch. History suggests the phones will follow shortly after.
This change could signal a shift in smartphone design, potentially bidding farewell to the mute switch, present since the original iPhone’s 2007 launch. Gradually, other manufacturers, including Apple, have phased out similar components, similar to the removal of headphone jacks and 30-pin chargers.
Considering the ongoing buzz about Apple’s plan to replace iPhone buttons with advanced solid-state options, this anticipated switch aligns with their direction.
USB-C charging
In the iPhone 15 series, Apple is anticipated to replace its exclusive Lightning port with the universal USB-C port. This transition aligns with new EU regulations requiring all phone manufacturers to adopt USB-C by 2024.
Recent leaks revealed the iPhone 15’s USB-C port features Thunderbolt connectivity, offering potential data transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps. This surpasses Lightning’s 480Mbps and USB-C’s 10Gbps speeds, facilitating swift large file transfers for iPhone users.
It’s uncertain if Thunderbolt will span all four iPhone 15 models or remain exclusive to high-end variants, as observed with the iPad Pro, Macs, and MacBooks. While the leaked USB-C design is consistent, only the iPhone 15 Pro was previously hinted to support Thunderbolt 3 leaks.
See Also: iPhone 15: Unveiling the Much-Awaited Release Date, Price, Cameras, and Extraordinary Features
Dynamic island for all models
The Dynamic Island, a fresh and innovative iPhone feature, replaces the notch, offering an efficient way to access notifications and mini-players. Initially limited to the iPhone 14 Pro models, it might expand its reach.
Reports and photos suggest the Dynamic Island will extend to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, alongside the Pro variants. This shift could bring a cohesive appearance to the iPhone 15 series, enhancing screen space and features provided by Dynamic Island.
Periscope Zoom Camera
Rumors hint at an exclusive feature for the iPhone 15 Pro Max: a periscope telephoto camera, offering double the optical zoom of the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Insiders suggest the periscope mechanism will enable up to 5x or 6x magnification by fitting a potent zoom lens in the slim iPhone body. Another leak proposes a hybrid lens design for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, enhancing image quality through glass and plastic components, without compromising the slim form.
Meanwhile, the smaller Pro iPhone is expected to retain the 3x telephoto zoom seen in recent Pro iPhone generations.
Stacked battery system
Lastly, in terms of battery, the iPhone 15 series is set to offer some of the market’s longest-lasting phones. This is notable given the iPhone 14 Pro Max was the sole flagship to secure a top-five spot in our best phone battery life list, boasting an impressive 13 hours and 39 minutes on Tom’s Guide’s battery test.
Rumors suggest larger batteries across all iPhone 15 models. The standard iPhone 15 may feature a 3,877 mAh battery, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max could reach 4852 mAh. The anticipated battery life of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max owes some credit to a novel stacked battery system, leveraging technology akin to that found in electric vehicles.
Furthermore, with the potential inclusion of the A17 Bionic chip, Apple’s debut chip using the 3-nanometer manufacturing process, slated for the Pro models, we could witness up to a 35% enhancement in power efficiency, translating into improved battery life.