Apple is expected to launch the next-generation iPhone 15 series this September. Rumor mills claim that the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models will further widen the gap between the standard and the Pro iPhone models.
Here are all the alleged iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max related rumors: finish, display, features, price, colors, and more.
- Update on periscope lens; May 17, 2023: Information on the redesigned rear camera layout is added in the Camera section.
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Update on bezels; May 8, 2023: The first real-world look at the iPhone 15 Ultra and its slim bezels is added in the Design section.
Expected features in the new 2023 iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
Processor
- Apple will power the Pro models with an A17 Bionic chip built on TSMC’s 3nm process. It is reported that 3nm chips would focus on power efficiency, not processing power, and will require 35% less power.
- The new ultra-low energy microprocessor would power certain features to stay functional even when the smartphone has run out of battery or is turned off.
Design
- iPhone 15 Pro models will feature a glass back and a new titanium design. Currently, standard iPhone models come in aluminum and Pro iPhone models come in stainless steel casings. Titanium casing will be more durable and lighter than stainless steel.
- This year, Apple will introduce a redesigned display with thinner bezels. It is also reported that iPhone 15 Pro Max will feature the thinnest bezels in smartphone history to give users an all-screen display experience.
- Apple might also introduce a new high-end model iPhone 15 Ultra which will replace the iPhone 15 Pro Max model. It will feature two front cameras, USB-C connectivity, and an ultra-low energy microprocessor.
- A dummy unit shared by the YouTube channel Unbox Therapy gives us the first real-world look at the iPhone 15 Ultra. As we can see from the image below, Apple will likely retain the current layout of the iPhone 14 Pro display but the bezels of the device will be thinner.
- Rounded back edges like iPhone 5C are expected to make their comeback, replacing the squared edges. 9to5Mac provided images which showcase the alleged design changes in the upcoming pro models, titanium casing with rounded edges, and protruding rear-camera bumps.
- Physical volume buttons will be replaced with a single solid-state button with haptic feedback. Apple leaker @ShrimpApplePro shared CAD images of iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max which reveal that both models will feature a unified or single solid-state volume button. Currently, iPhones feature two separate buttons to increase and decrease volume.
- Retracting from his previous claim, tech analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple will not debut solid-state buttons in the new iPhone 15 Pro models because of “unresolved technical issues before mass production” and will feature physical volume buttons.
- Having said that, he added that Apple might redesign the physical buttons and might introduce a single elongated volume button instead of featuring two separate buttons.
- Refuting Kuo, anonymous Apple leaker @analyst941 states that upcoming Pro models will feature haptic volume, power, and action buttons. It is speculated that the new Mute button will be customizable like the Action button on Apple Watch Ultra.
Note: iPhone 15 Pro models are still by far on track to receive capacitive/haptic volume, “action”, and power buttons — contrary to recent contradicting rumors.
— 941 (@analyst941) April 12, 2023
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- Corroborating with Kuo, Apple leaker @Unknownz21 says that the tech company will not use the solid-state buttons design for volume and mute buttons in the new iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. The source also added that Apple will use the current two-button design for volume buttons instead of the unified design.
- Apple’s supply chain partner, Cirrus Logic told shareholders that its HPMS will not be used this year as planned. HPMS components are high-performance mixed-signal chips that feature haptic drivers for iPhone’s Taptic Engine. Last year, the company said that it was in discussion with a “strategic customer” to use a new HPMS component in smartphones coming out in 2023. Barclay’s analysts speculate that the American manufacturer was referring to the alleged solid-state buttons for the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro models.
Even though the haptic buttons are not happening on the 15 Pro, these renders are still an interesting look at what could have been, were it not for the abrupt cancellation. pic.twitter.com/nGPvH3Fwbw
— Unknownz21 🌈 (@URedditor) April 13, 2023
- According to leaker @analyst941, the mute switch will be replaced with a customizable mute button which will work like the Apple Watch Ultra “Action button”. Users will be able to use it to take photos and record videos.
- Apple might remove the SIM card slot completely from the new iPhone 15 Pro models to offer e-SIM-only variants. iGeneration reports that Apple could launch eSIM-only models in France this year. This means other eSIM-only iPhones might be available in other European countries as well because Apple usually launches the same model for the whole region. Apple debuted e-SIM only iPhone 14 series in the United States in 2022.
Camera
- Researcher @Unknownz21 shared on Twitter that the new iPhone 15 Pro Max will only feature the new periscope lens in the rear camera for improved zoom. He also added that the new camera system will see under-the-hood changes; repositioning the flash and LiDAR sensor to make room for the periscope lens.
On a related note – the camera arrangement has changed, compared to the 14 Pro / Pro Max.
The Ultra Wide and Telephoto cameras have swapped positions – so the camera between the flash and LiDAR sensor is the one with periscope lens on the 15 Pro Max (regular telephoto on 15 Pro) https://t.co/J0QYdPsNH7
— Unknownz21 🌈 (@URedditor) May 16, 2023
- iPhone 15 Pro Max will feature a periscope lens with up to 5x or 10x optical zoom.
- Tech analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the rear camera system will be upgraded with new periscope tech to enable 5x – 6x optical zoom. Currently, the latest iPhone 14 Pro models max out at 3x optical zoom. Therefore, the double optical zoom in the upcoming Pro models will enhance image quality and reduce blurriness.
Features
- Brighter display with 2,500 nits.
- Always-On display with 120Hz refresh rate will continue to be exclusively available on the Pro models this year as well.
Port
This year Apple is finally expected to switch to USB-C charging port and bid farewell to Lightning. After the EU passed a new rule for all manufacturers of portable devices to equip laptops, smartphones, tablets, wearables, and others with USB-C connectors by 2024, it was speculated that USB-C ports will debut in 2023 iPhones.
A report that only Apple MFi-certified USB-C headphones and cables would be compatible with the new iPhone 15 series substantiated that claim.
It is also claimed that only the USB 3.2 port on Pro models will support faster data transfer speeds.
Connectivity
Advanced Wi-Fi 6E will debut in 2023 iPhone 15 Pro models. It is the next-generation wireless connection that offers faster connectivity speeds, lower latency, and more capacity.
Storage
New iPhone 15 Pro models will support 8GB of RAM. More RAM will improve the multitasking experience on smartphones by keeping more apps open in the background without reloading them.
Colors
A new deeper and darker burgundy-red color option is expected to launch this year.
Price
All the new hardware upgrades might cause an increase in the price of new iPhone 15 Pro models. A tech analyst at Haitong International Securities, Jeff Pu believes that the upcoming Pro models will be more expensive than the current iPhone 14 Pro models which start from $999.
As we will keep updating it as new details surface, do not forget to revisit to get the latest.
