Everything We Know About the Next Apple iPhone
Apple held its annual fall launch event, unveiling new Series 9 Apple Watches and iPhone 15 phones despite analysts expecting higher costs. Prices were kept competitive.
All models feature A16 Bionic for powerful performance and will meet EU regulations with respect to USB-C ports and an ultra-wideband chip, enhancing the Find My feature to locate friends accurately.
Camera
The premium iPhone 15 Pro models distinguish themselves from their counterparts with new camera features, including a 48MP Main camera and optical zoom option. A Portrait mode lets you focus on one person out of a group photo while automatically gathering depth information so everyone appears their best in every photo taken.
The iPhone 15 camera also boasts Smart HDR, which optimizes contrast and lighting in every image taken, yielding brighter highlights, darker shadows, richer colours and more true-to-life skin tones. Night mode takes multiple images over several seconds in order to reduce noise in extremely low-light situations and allow users to take photographs in extremely low-light environments.
Kuo anticipates that Apple will introduce two rear cameras with improved zoom and wide-angle capabilities and 3D depth sensors to enable new augmented reality features in its iPhone 15 series, along with more advanced Face ID functionality and an "app pill-shaped cutout" for notifications and apps.
The iPhone 15 features two 12MP rear cameras as well as a 12MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls, supporting 4K recording at 60fps in Cinematic mode and offering fast USB-C port access of up to 10Gbps, gigabit LTE connectivity and high dynamic range gyroscope and dual-core accelerometer capable of measuring up to 256Gs of force for crash detection. Other specifications include fast USB-C connectivity supporting up to 10Gbps bandwidth transfer rates, fast Gigabit LTE connectivity options, and fast USB-C port support of up to 10Gbps for charging purposes - while key specs also include fast USB-C port support supporting up to 10Gbps speeds as well as support for up to 10Gbps USB-C ports with support for fast USB-C ports support; USB Type-C port support of 10 Gbps; fast USB Type-C port support (support for 10 Gbps data transfer rates); high dynamic range gyroscope/accelerometer measuring forces up to 256 Gs for crash detector; additionally features such as high dynamic range gyroscope/accelerometer capable of measuring forces up to 256 Gs for crash detector.
The iPhone 15 will be the first model to support wireless charging using a power delivery protocol that operates over both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. In addition, it will feature an efficient quad-core processor and up to 1TB of storage in its Pro variant; its battery can last for 14 hours on one charge.
Display
Apple will unveil four new iPhone models this year, similar to previous years' releases: two middle-range models and two higher-end Pro options. One of those Pro options may become the largest ever; reports indicate it could be called iPhone 15 Pro Max instead of Ultra when launched later this week.
The Pro model features an all-new display with an incredible 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio. In order to accommodate Face ID technology, they have revised the notch at the top of the screen with a pill-shaped cutout for TrueDepth camera insertion and Face ID support. This design takes up less space while offering more viewing area; additionally, it will automatically detect ambient lighting conditions to adjust the white balance accordingly for optimal visibility.
Another significant change will be that new phones will no longer utilize Lightning ports in favour of USB-C connections - in response to European legislation mandating newer, safer charging technology. Apple will provide a USB-C to Lightning adapter, but you won't be able to charge older devices using it.
Other features include an advanced "Ceramic Shield," made up of nano-ceramic crystals to increase clarity while remaining tough and strong compared to glass phones. It uses nanotechnology-enhanced clarity while remaining stronger than its predecessors. It can withstand scratches and wear and tear better than previous glass phones; in fact, Apple offers these devices in Black, White, Blue and Natural Titanium colours. Pro models will support Log encoding so filmmakers can capture more accurate colours in video recording sessions. Apple will offer their models in Black, White, Blue or Natural Titanium colours; some countries will support dual eSIM cards while other Pro models will support physical SIM card slots or both types simultaneously - however, both will support physical SIM card support but will not support physical SIM card use at all.
Battery
The iPhone 15 models won't see major upgrades this year, but they do boast some welcome changes. Notably, USB-C charging support for second-gen AirPods Pro can now be utilized, while Dynamic Island can help turn your phone into a wireless charger for another device (like an Apple Watch or Mac ).
New phones provide users with the option of setting a maximum charging duration time limit when connected to power sources, helping to preserve battery life if desired. You'll find this setting within the Settings app with options allowing two hours or ten hours as possible settings.
The phones will also feature faster wireless networks, support MagSafe and Qi2 wired and wireless charging, respectively, and come equipped with an Emergency SOS via Satellite feature that lets users summon emergency services such as AAA from anywhere around the globe - though this service will only be available for two years, with active membership or per-use fees required to avail itself of it.
Keep in mind that the rumour mill has been far from reliable when predicting the exact specifications of Apple's next iPhones. Some sources indicate a major upgrade in battery capacity, while others describe minor enhancements over previous generations. We will have to wait for actual tests and teardown videos before coming to any definitive conclusions about how things may pan out.
Wireless Charging
The iPhone 15 models support Qi wireless charging at 7.5W, with additional boost available with Apple MagSafe chargers or other MagSafe-certified accessories (up to 15W). In addition, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS location services for navigation will all work seamlessly together with one piece of coloured glass moulded into an ergonomic slight contour on its back for a soft feel in hand. Apple says its manufacturing process uses less material.
One key change from last year's iPhone 8 lineup is the transition away from Lightning port charging and sync for Macs and iPads to USB-C. This could be a game-changer, as most existing cables feature Lightning ports as standard features.
Smart HDR, an innovative new feature from Nikon cameras, recognizes faces within an image and optimizes contrast, lighting and colours to help everyone appear their best. In addition, there is now Night mode, which combines multiple images for improved results in low-light environments.
Apple boasts that its cameras feature upgraded sensors, providing better colour reproduction and more natural skin tones, and its processor has a new graphics engine with Machine Learning (ML) capabilities to boost performance. Furthermore, new Photographic Styles allow for the selective application of filters such as Vibrant (which boosts colours), Rich Contrast, Warm, Cool or AutoFocus effects when taking photographs.
These new phones will run iOS 13 and feature Face ID to unlock their devices, provide access to passcode-protected apps, authenticate Apple Pay payments and more. In the Pro models, this replaces the notch on display with a dynamic island that includes software elements connecting its various parts - an oval-shaped cutout for camera placement with dot protector support is featured along with software elements connecting its dots in pill form.
Design
Apple has used the same basic design for their iPhone 15 lineup: metal frame and glass front. While slightly larger than previous generations, with one model sporting a 6.1-inch screen and the largest featuring 6.5 inches. There are two Pro versions with additional features, such as a 48MP main camera and a 5x optical zoom lens (exclusive to Pro Max).
All iPhone 15 phones utilize a new process for crafting matte colour backs that should prove more durable and meet Apple's recycling goals by using 100% recycled cobalt in their batteries and 75% recycled aluminium enclosures; additionally, these phones are free from mercury, PVC, beryllium and other potentially hazardous chemicals.
Apple has also introduced several other improvements across its range, such as Smart HDR, which automatically recognizes one or more people in a frame and optimizes contrast, lighting and skin tones accordingly. Furthermore, Portrait mode has been updated for sharper details, improved low-light performance and more natural-looking skin tones.
Other upgrades aim to enhance your iPhone experience, from being able to unlock it using Face ID even while wearing gloves or in the dark to an enhanced Siri that can recognize more languages and translate phrases instantly on demand. There's also an improved haptic feedback system which vibrates when pressing the Home button, as well as machine learning-powered Voice Clarity mode that improves phone calls by making the voice sound clearer.
The iPhone 15 comes equipped with an exclusive X70 modem that provides faster wireless downloads, LTE data connections, VoLTE for voice over IP (VoIP), and Emergency SOS via Satellite feature that provides roadside assistance should an accident or lost phone occur - though its usage is limited to two years before you must pay a subscription fee to continue its usage.
