iPhone 15: These Eight Features Are Currently Being Discussed

The iPhone 15 is expected to bring more innovations than was the case with the iPhone 14—including some features that Apple fans have been wanting for years. We summarize for you which features and functions are currently being discussed. When it will come is more or less clear; everything else about the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro is presently still speculation.

However, since the first rumors about the upcoming Apple smartphones already existed before the iPhone 14 was released, it is worth taking a look at the new features that are likely to come. Even if one or two features could, of course, be added before the official unveiling in September 2023.

Possible Name Change

Apple introduced four iPhone models: the iPhone 14, the iPhone 14 Plus, the iPhone 14 Pro, and the iPhone 14 Pro Max. We expect four different models again for the coming year, one with a new name. According to Bloomberg editor Mark Gurman, a name change is planned for the flagship model.

The most expensive and best-equipped model will appear as the “iPhone 15 Ultra,” in line with the name of the top smartwatch model, the Apple Watch Ultra. With an Ultra in the title, Apple supposedly wants to describe the exclusive features planned for the flagship.

Display Sizes

However, we don’t expect anything new when it comes to display sizes. Even if the top model has a different name, it will still appear with a 6.7-inch display, as will the iPhone 15 Pro. For the standard models, the display diagonal should remain at 6.1 inches. There are likely to be minor design changes in the coming year.

Dynamic Island For All Models

In 2023, buyers of the standard models will likely be able to look forward to a feature introduced with the Pro models in 2022: Apple’s Dynamic Island. This interactive area at the top of the display, which is available on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, with a cutout for the front camera and Face ID sensors, displays information such as the charging status of paired AirPods, the Apple Maps route, or incoming calls displayed. When playing music, the Dynamic Island becomes a media player. Many more apps are expected to support this feature by the time the iPhone 15 is released.

Solid State Instead Of Mechanical Buttons

The iPhone 15 could also appear without mechanical buttons. As analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims via Twitter, Apple wants to equip the next generation of smartphones with so-called solid-state buttons for switching on and off and for volume control. 

These virtual buttons are likely to be reminiscent of the Mac trackpads or the home button on the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8. They cannot be pressed mechanically but offer haptic feedback through a short vibration. The big advantage of the solid-state buttons is that this allows the housing to be better protected against the ingress of water. So, the iPhone 15 could get a higher IP certification.

USB-C Instead Of Lightning

Goodbye Lightning port: Since the EU has passed a law requiring USB-C as a charging port for all new electronic devices in 2024, Apple has to act. The switch from Lightning to USB-C, which has been planned for a long time, will likely take place with the iPhone 15 next year.

In the future, all current Macs, iPads, and iPhones will have the same charging port and can be charged with the same plug. It is still being determined whether Apple will only make this change with special iPhone models for the EU or worldwide. Theoretically, the manufacturer could stick to the Lightning port in other markets or only equip all iPhones with wireless charging technology.

3 Nanometer A17 Chip

The A16 Bionic chip, which is equipped with the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, will be followed by the A17 Bionic for the iPhone 15 Pro. According to rumors, Apple only wants to equip the Pro models with a new chip next year; the standard models will probably have the A16 on board.

The upcoming A17 chip is said to be the first chip manufactured by Apple supplier TSMC using the 3-nanometer process. The chipset is said to offer a performance upgrade of 10 to 15 percent and consume up to 30 percent less energy than the A16 Bionic, which is manufactured using the 4-nanometer process.

More RAM

When it comes to RAM, there will probably be differences again between the standard and pro models. Only the more expensive Pro versions should get a RAM upgrade to 8 GB. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, on the other hand, are expected to come with 6 GB of RAM. Like the use of different processors, this would fit with Apple’s plans to emphasize the differences between the standard and Pro versions more clearly in the future.

Camera With Periscope Technology

For the same reason, only the Pro models, or even just the iPhone 15 Pro Max, aka iPhone 15 Ultra, are likely to get the feature that has been speculated about for several years: a periscope camera. Cameras with periscope technology offer better options for optical zoom without compromising photo quality as with digital zoom.

There are already some Android smartphones with periscope cameras, and Apple could follow suit in 2023. A periscope camera with five or even ten times optical zoom is being discussed for the iPhone 15 Ultra. The current iPhone 14 currently only has a 3x optical zoom with its telephoto lens.

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