by There’s almost a year left until we get new iPhone 15 models in September 2023, but we’ve been hearing rumors for months now. It looks like the iPhone 15 models could get more notable updates than the ones we saw for the iPhone 14, including features that many iPhone users have wanted for years.
We’ve rounded up some of the best iPhone 15 features we’ve heard so far MacRumors readers know what to expect.
USB-C port
2023 is expected to mark the end of the Lightning port for the iPhone, with Apple moving to USB-C. That means you’ll be able to charge your modern Mac, iPad, and iPhone with the same connector.
Apple isn’t exactly switching to USB-C to make your life easier, it’s making the switch because the European Union requires it. iPhones sold in Europe must have USB-C ports by 2024, so Apple must either make a global design change or create special iPhones for Europe.
Apple has confirmed that it will comply with local regulations and rumors indicate that Apple will make the change in 2023.
Solid-state volume and power buttons
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently said that Apple may add solid-state volume and power buttons to the iPhone 15 rather than physical buttons, which would be similar to the trackpad on the Mac and the iPhone 7 home button. Haptic feedback would mimic the feel of a solid button press, replacing mechanical button pressure.
Using solid-state buttons would likely protect against water ingress and could allow Apple to offer better water resistance. Using haptic feedback for buttons would require Apple to add new Taptic Engines.
Dynamic island for all models
Apple introduced Dynamic Island for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, while the cheaper iPhone 14 models continue to use a notch. Along with the iPhone 15, the entire line should get the Dynamic Island, so if you want access to Dynamic Island but don’t want to shell out for an iPhone Pro, wait for the iPhone 15.
Same sizes
We haven’t yet heard any rumors of any notable design changes for the iPhone 15 lineup, so it looks like we’re going to be getting the same sizes. The iPhone 15 and 15 Pro will measure 6.1 inches, and the iPhone 15 Plus and Pro Max will measure 6.7 inches.
Periscope lens technology
We’ve been hearing about Apple’s work on periscope lens technology for years now, and 2023 could be the year it’s introduced. Periscope lenses, which are already used by some Android smartphone manufacturers, have optical zoom capabilities that exceed the zoom range available with a standard telephoto lens.
With a periscope lens, Apple could offer 5x or even 10x optical zoom, compared to 3x in the current iPhone 14 Pro models.
A name change?
BloombergMark Gurman has said that Apple may replace the “Pro Max” version of the iPhone 15 with a new high-end “Ultra” model. This would be in line with the Apple Watch Ultra, and it could give Apple an excuse to limit certain features to the higher-end iPhone, like periscope lens technology.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has previously said that the periscope lens may be limited to the larger iPhone.
A17 3 nanometer chip
The iPhone 15 Pro models could be the first to feature a 3-nanometer chip from Apple vendor TSMC. The 3nm chip technology is expected to increase processing performance by 10-15%, while reducing power consumption by up to 30%.
If Apple uses a 3nm A17 chip, that would be a noticeable improvement over the A16. Only the Pro models got the A16, which is built on a 4nm process, and the A17 is also expected to be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro. Standard iPhone 15 models may see an upgrade to the previous generation A16.
More RAM
The iPhone 15 Pro models could get 8GB of RAM, up from 6GB, possibly to support new features like periscope lens technology.
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