08/15 update below. This post was originally published on August 12th
New leaks of Apple’s iPhone 15 series revealed multiple updates, including images of new USB-C ports, bezels and a possible surprise upgrade for older iPhone generations as well.
First, a pair of images have been released showing the alleged USB-C component that Apple will be using across the iPhone 15 range sporadic sources. While the sources are new, an Unknownz21 insider commented: “Upon closer inspection – key details match up perfectly, this appears to be the real deal.”
USB-C is a big deal for iPhone users. While Apple is being forced to change by upcoming international legislation, the move will enable iPhone owners to finally carry a single cable to charge their iPads, iPhones, and MacBooks. iPhone and Android owners will also be able to share cables for the first time.
Less discussed is that the move also opens up the possibility of Apple providing faster data and charging speeds to iPhones, which have lagged behind Android competitors for some time. Early leaks claimed that the iPhone 15 Pro models may ship with Thunderbolt 4 performance (40,000 Mbit/s), which is a significant upgrade over current USB 2.0 speeds (480 Mbit/s). Either way, the option is now open for speeds like these.
Next, the famous insider Majin Bu shared upcoming screen protectors for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, which highlight the ultra-thin bezels. It is expected to be just 1.5mm thick, breaking the record set by Xiaomi 13 (1.81mm). It’s also roughly 20% and 30% thinner than the Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro edges, respectively.
While Apple is already under fire for the lack of innovation in this year’s models, this is a truly impressive feat of engineering. It is also set to pave the way for larger screens in the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max in 2024.
Finally, in an eye-catching development, Apple has apparently confirmed the existence of its iPhone 15 lineup, as well as new versions of the iPhone 14 in its tvOS 17 beta code.
discover before @aaronp613, the symbol indicates iPhone15,4, iPhone15,5, iPhone16,1, iPhone16,2. Apple version numbers refer to their chip generation rather than their model number, so the iPhone15, x uses the A16 chip (iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max) and the iPhone16, x is the A17 (iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max).
Why is Apple updating the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max a year after launch? One reliable theory is that Apple will release the line with USB-C ports, since they will likely go on sale when EU sales are banned. Apple has also used USB-C in all of its Pro-branded products, other than the iPhone, for some time now, so it’s going to achieve consistency in ranges.
In addition to these leaks, iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max buyers are expected to see upgrades to the titanium body, a new solid-state action button, and an upgraded UWB. Standard iPhone 15 models will move to the Dynamic Island design, and the entire lineup tends to adopt smarter, cooler stacked battery technology.
Significant price increases may put some buyers off, but since stock is limited at launch, anyone eager to upgrade will still have to move quickly.
Update 08/14: Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max redesign plans seem to be dropping into the entry-level iPhone much sooner than expected.
in a new way mail Over the weekend, Unknownz21 revealed the major design changes Apple is planning for the iPhone SE4 in 2024:
- Design based on iPhone 14
- USB-C
- face id
- start button
While the first couple were expected, the last two are real surprises. Face ID is much more expensive to produce than the Touch ID fingerprint sensor used in current iPhone SE models, while the inclusion of an action button means Apple’s budget iPhone will get it while the more expensive iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus don’t.
Apple is known for tickling high-end tech in its cheaper models, but certainly not so quickly, showing the late move away from the iPhone 8’s iPhone SE-inspired design. However, there has been speculation that the action button coming to the iPhone 15 Pro models will save costs compared to the existing physical mute switch, and the possibility of increased durability and water resistance will bring more savings to Apple.
So why isn’t Apple offering an action button for all iPhone 15 models? The most reasonable answer would be scale. iPhones sell on an unprecedented scale, and as a new manufacturing process, introducing the entire iPhone 15 range is a risk. As it stands, any problems will only affect half of the models.
So why take a risk with the pros? Apple really doesn’t have a choice because the company will have to justify adding a new feature only to the standard iPhone 15 models. This will also de-gloss the upgrade and make it look like a cost-cutting exercise that will later be attached to iPhone Pro models.
Update 08/15: More iPhone 15 components leaked online from Majin Bu. dropout to publish New images, including packed slide details.
“You can see the packaged chip in the iPhone 15 series. The model is 3LD3. Because it is a self-designed chip, the function cannot be judged by the model. Judging from the same type of plastic chip packaged in the past, this may be the transmission encryption setting.”
Rumors about encryption have been circulating for some time, with fears that Apple may be looking to seal off the iPhone 15 range’s USB-C port to Apple-certified cables, bypassing the reason for open standards being imposed by regulators, such as the European Union. Actually, Apple has it already warned about these practices prior to release.
Majin Bu does point out that the cables “must be compatible with all USB-C cables by law, so I think there’s no doubt from that point of view”, but the question isn’t whether it will work, but whether Apple will restrict features Such as fast charging or higher data transfer rates to certified cables.
Surprisingly, at this point, details about the performance of the USB-C implementation remain murky. Leaks have claimed that the iPhone 15 Pro models may do this Output to 4K displays It operates at Thunderbolt 3 speeds (40Gbps). In contrast, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are claimed to be stuck with current light speeds of just 480Mbps (0.48Gbps). However, these details have not been leaked again in recent months, so there is some doubt about their inclusion.
A similar argument can be made for fast charging. USB-C supports much higher charging rates than Lightning, but whether Apple will take advantage of this (whether for all iPhone 15 models or just the pros) remains unclear. In recent years, iPhones have fallen far behind Android competitors in this regard, but just a month after launch, nothing has been leaked to suggest that Apple will look to bridge the gap.
However, what is beyond doubt at this point is that USB-C is coming for all iPhone 15 models. For years, this has been one of the most requested changes from iPhone customers, and now it’s coming — even if it appears to require international legislation to make the transition.
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