Day X – September 12
Each fall, Apple unveils its major lineup, highlighting new smartwatches, computers, headphones, and tablets. Yet the centerpiece has always been the iPhone. This year’s event, expected to occur on September 12, is anticipated to showcase four iPhone 15 models: Standard, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max, with some observers already dubbing the top tier the iPhone 15 Ultra.
Across the range, the devices will feature 6.1- and 6.7-inch OLED displays, flagship-grade internals, larger batteries, upgraded cameras, and USB-C connectivity.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is projected to be Apple’s most expensive phone yet. It is rumored to sport a titanium chassis and a periscope camera, enabling new possibilities for photography and video on Apple devices.
What the iPhone 15 looks like
Design changes are expected to be modest. The base iPhone 15 and 15 Plus should resemble last year’s models with a few enhancements. Notably, the Dynamic Island feature will appear across all models, not just Pro versions, giving the entire lineup a unified look.
Another major shift is the switch from Lightning to USB-C across the whole family. This move is believed to be driven by an EU rule mandating USB-C charging by December 2024, a change that has been welcomed by many for improved accessory and charger compatibility.
There is a caveat, though. Early chatter suggests Apple may require users to buy branded or certified cables to achieve the fastest data transfer and charging speeds.
Rumors also point to slimmer bezels on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, shrinking from 2.2mm to about 1.5mm, along with a tougher titanium frame. A new programmable action button—similar to the one on the Apple Watch Ultra—could replace the current volume button layout.
Memory, camera, charger
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are expected to run on the 4nm Apple A16 Bionic chip, the same found in last year’s iPhone 14 Pro. The iPhone 15 Pro should introduce a more powerful A17 Bionic built on a 3nm process, delivering roughly a 10% speed boost and up to a 35% improvement in power efficiency. RAM remains at 6 GB across all models.
Bigger batteries are set to improve overall battery life. The iPhone 15 will see capacity grow from 3279 mAh to 3877 mAh, while the 15 Plus climbs from 4325 mAh to 4912 mAh. The iPhone 15 Pro battery is expected to rise from 3200 mAh to 3650 mAh, and the Pro Max from 4323 mAh to 4852 mAh.
The iPhone 15 Pro is anticipated to be the first in Apple’s lineup to support Wi‑Fi 6E, offering higher bandwidth, faster connections, and lower latency compared with Wi‑Fi 6.
On the camera front, all models are rumored to feature a 48‑megapixel main sensor and a 12‑megapixel ultrawide lens. The Pro and Pro Max are also said to include a 12‑megapixel telephoto with optical zoom—three times zoom on the Pro and up to six times on the Pro Max thanks to a periscope arrangement—enabling sharper long‑range shots.
USB‑C standard may arrive with USB‑C version 2.0 in the iPhone 15 lineup, without changes to charging or data rates. The iPhone 15 Pro could support modern USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3, enabling file transfers up to 20–40 Gb/s and charging up to 35W, compared with 27W on the prior generation.
iPhone 15 price and release updates
Prices for several iPhone 15 variants are expected to rise. The base model and the 15 Plus would stay at $799 and $899, while Pro models may fetch $1099 for the 15 Pro and $1199–$1299 for the Pro Max. The higher price is attributed to premium materials, the removal of entry‑level storage options, and stronger hardware components.
Industry sources note that it is difficult to confirm local availability in certain markets until after the official launch, with reliable details awaiting the company’s announced timeline. Analysts, however, anticipate a global rollout that aligns with Apple’s usual cadence, followed by region‑specific pricing considerations. One prominent analyst suggested the Pro Max could begin at a higher price point, reflecting its cutting‑edge features, while the standard models promise broad appeal. Retailers near major markets expect early stock to appear shortly after the global unveiling, with additional stock arriving in the days that follow.
According to a well‑regarded tech journalist, the iPhone 15 family is expected to be introduced on September 12. In the United States, pre‑orders typically start within a few days, with general availability often occurring about two weeks later. Observers in other regions project the same general timeline, with regional pricing influenced by currency, logistics, and demand. Market watchers in Canada and the United States will be looking at a similar release pattern, with carrier and retailer partnerships shaping early availability.