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Apple’s iPhone 15 Event Recap: New Phones, New Watches, and USB-C

Published September 12, 2023

Apple’s annual fall product-launch event brought few surprises but still delivered big news: The company unveiled four iPhone 15 models—which trade in Apple’s proprietary Lightning charging port in favor of USB-C—two new Apple Watches, and a fresh AirPods Pro pair that also moves to USB-C. Here’s everything that Apple announced at its Wonderlust event.

iPhone 15 and 15 Plus

The new 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus run on Apple’s A16 processor, which allows for faster performance and better multitasking in comparison with last year’s models, but the most obvious difference at first glance is the addition of the Dynamic Island display cutout, which was limited last year to the pricier iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.

The Dynamic Island houses the iPhone’s camera and depth sensors. There you’ll also find your active calls, audio playback, and other interactive elements, and the area expands to show relevant information as needed. This is mostly a neat visual feature rather than a functional one, but we found it useful enough in last year’s premium iPhones.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus also get an improved, f/1.6 48-megapixel main camera and a 12-megapixel telephoto camera with up to 2x optical zoom. Apple is introducing its tougher Ceramic Shield display to the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, as well, and the screen will feature an increased peak display brightness of up to 2,000 nits.

However, the biggest—and most potentially controversial—change is the iPhones’ charging cable. Say goodbye to the Lightning port and all of your old Lightning cables, because Apple is finally switching to USB-C, bringing the iPhone in line with the rest of its devices.

Apple has also partnered with AAA for iPhone-based roadside assistance via satellite, which comes included with each new iPhone for two years. In addition, Apple is continuing to push its sustainability initiatives ; the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus’s frames consist of 75% recycled aluminum, while their internals use 100% recycled copper and the battery uses 100% recycled cobalt.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will come in pink, yellow, green, blue, and black color options made of aluminum with color-matched back glass. The lineup starts at $800 for the 128 GB iPhone 15 and $900 for the 128 GB iPhone 15 Plus, and they will be available for preorder starting on September 15. The phones go on sale September 22.

iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max

Apple also took the wraps off the titanium-framed iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max . The shift to titanium from stainless steel was designed to make the Pro models lighter, and titanium is more resistant to fingerprint smudges. The titanium models come in four shades: black, white, blue, and a “natural” finish.

The new Pro models also sport a thinner bezel, which provides more screen area than on the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max despite basically identical dimensions of 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches, respectively.

The iPhone 15 Pro models reimagine the classic ring/silent switch, turning it into an action button. You can now press and hold the button to turn on the volume or toggle it off, but the button can also trigger customizable actions such as launching the camera, starting a voice memo, or further personalizing the action button with the Shortcuts app.

The 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max run on Apple’s custom A17 Pro chip, which Apple calls “the fastest chip ever on any smartphone.” It delivers faster USB 3 transfer speeds and hardware-accelerated ray tracing for playing games on your iPhone, which will enable games to come to the iPhone 15 Pro that were previously available only on consoles, including newer titles such as the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Mirage .

Many people upgrade to an iPhone Pro model because Apple typically saves its best camera features for the priciest iPhones, and that hasn’t changed with the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. The Pro camera lenses have a new coating to reduce lens flare, and you can choose custom focal-length defaults in the Pro Camera app. The 15 Pro Max offers 5x optical zoom in its telephoto lens plus up to 120mm focal length, and the ultra-wide camera lens provides improved night-mode and macro photography.

And, like the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are switching from Apple’s proprietary Lightning charging port to the more common USB-C standard.

To make Apple’s forthcoming headset, the Apple Vision Pro, more compelling, Apple is enabling a new video feature that lets you shoot “spatial videos” later this year on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.

The iPhone 15 Pro starts at $1,000, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $1,200 with 256 GB of storage. That represents a $100 price bump over last year’s model, but that Pro Max came with 128 GB of storage. The iPhone 15 lineup is available to preorder Friday and will go on sale September 22.

Apple Watch Series 9

The Apple Watch Series 9 runs on the new S9 watch chip, which Apple promises will make animations “super smooth.” Siri requests are also now processed on the watch itself instead of in the cloud, which Apple says will produce faster responses. You can also ask Siri for your health stats or input your health info with your voice in a new feature rolling out later this year. Battery life remains unchanged at 18 hours.

The Series 9 has a second-generation ultra-wideband chip that will help you track down your iPhone when you misplace it (if it’s nearby). This feature will work only if you have a 2023 Apple Watch and an iPhone 15, however.

The Series 9 has a much brighter screen that can go much dimmer—from 2,000 nits to 1 nit. That’s double the brightness of the Series 8. Apple is also introducing a new double-tap feature with the Series 9, which activates when you tap your thumb and index finger together twice; the gesture triggers actions such as answering or ending a phone call. The feature will be available next month, Apple said.

The Series 9 comes in five shades of aluminum, including a new pink, as well as stainless steel.

Apple also announced that it’s phasing out leather in all of its accessories, starting today. The company introduced a FineWoven material for Apple Watch bands that is made of 68% recycled materials and has a suede-like feel. Apple is working with Hermès and Nike to make new bands in more eco-friendly materials.

The Apple Watch Series 9, which starts at $400 for the Bluetooth/GPS model and $500 for the cellular version, will be available to buy on September 22. You can preorder it today .

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Like the Apple Watch Series 9, the newly announced Apple Watch Ultra 2 gets the advanced S9 chip and features such as the new double-tap gesture, on-device Siri, and the new ultra-wideband chip for precision-finding your iPhone. It features an even brighter display, capable of up to 3,000 nits. You’ll also find a new Modular Ultra watch face and new cycling features.

The Ultra 2 has the same battery life as the first-generation model, 36 hours of regular use and 72 hours in low-power mode. The design remains unchanged.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 starts at $800 and is available to preorder today . The watch goes on sale September 22.

USB-C AirPods Pro

Apple is also introducing a new version of the second-generation AirPods Pro earbuds with a carrying case that has a USB-C port instead of Lightning. (The AirPods Max and the cheapest AirPods are not yet making the jump to USB-C.) In addition, Apple is updating its classic wired EarPods so that those headphones connect through USB-C rather than a Lightning port.

This article was edited by Jason Chen.

Further reading

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Apple event 2023 recap: iPhone 15 price, colors announced; Apple Watch Series 9 unveiled

Apple unveiled its latest products, including the new iPhone 15 models and Series 9 Apple Watch , during its annual September event in Cupertino, California, on Tuesday.

The standard iPhone 15 will start at $799, while the larger 15 Plus starts at $899. The iPhone 15 Pro starts at $999, and the larger iPhone Pro Max starts at $1,199.

All four iPhone models will be available for preorder Sept. 15 and available in stores Sept. 22.

The Series 9 watch will also go on sale Sept. 22 and be priced at $399.

The keynote presentation, which was called "Wonderlust," was held on Apple’s campus at the Steve Jobs Theater. The event has become an annual staple on the tech calendar, dating back to the debut of the original iPhone in 2007.

Here's what was announced at Apple's 2023 event:

iPhone 15 price, features

Apple debuted the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max Tuesday.

The standard iPhone 15 will start at $799, while the 15 Plus will start at $899. The iPhone 15 will have a 6.1-inch display, and the 15 Plus will have a 6.7-inch display. 

The phones will have Dynamic Island, a redesigned notch at the top of the screen that takes up less visual space. The feature was first added to the iPhone 14 Pro models last year as a tool to track ongoing activity, like directions or the music you're listening to. 

The iPhone 15 base models will get the A16 chip used in the iPhone 14 Pro models.

What does the iPhone 15 look like?

Iphone 15 release date.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will be available for preorder on Sept. 15, and they will be available online and in stores on Sept. 22.

iPhone 15 camera

The standard iPhone 15 models will have an improved camera system that will allow for greater optical zoom, switching from a 12-megapixel main camera sensor to a 48-megapixel version. 

The new camera has the same resolution as the camera on the iPhone 14 Pro.

iPhone 15 colors

The iPhone 15 will debut in five colors – black, blue, pink, white and yellow.

iPhone 15 Pro price, features

The iPhone 15 Pro starts at $999, while the iPhone Pro Max starts at $1,199.

The iPhone 15 Pro will have titanium sides, which replaces the stainless steel used since the iPhone X. The iPhone 15 Pro models will also have the faster A17 chip that the company claims will improve the mobile gaming experience.

iPhone 15 Pro camera

The iPhone 15 Pro models will have three cameras, similar to previous models, and a 48-megapixel main camera sensor.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max camera will have several new and updated features, including 5X optical zoom.

iPhone 15 Pro colors

The iPhone 15 Pro models will come in black, dark blue, dark gray and light grey.

Apple Watch Series 9 price, 'double-tap'

Apple also announced the newest model for the Apple Watch: the Series 9.

The primary upgrade comes from a new processing chip, called the S9 SiP, which the company claims will be faster than the one introduced in 2020.

The Series 9 will look similar to previous models, but it will have updated colors including pink, starlight and silver.

The Series 9 will also have a new feature called "double tap." The feature allows users to answer a call or control any number of actions in an app by tapping their index finger and thumb together, twice.

The watch will go on sale Sept. 22 and be priced at $399.

More about Apple Watch: How to get it

Apple Watch Ultra 2 price

Similar to the Series 9, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will also have the "double tap” feature and have the S9 SiP processor.

The Ultra 2 will have on-device Siri, enabling faster, more accurate responses thanks to the S9 SiP.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be $799.

APPLE WATCH ULTRA SERIES 2: OUTDOOR SMARTWATCH BUGALOO

Apple USB-C charger

Apple confirmed that its phones will move away from the company's Lightning charging system to a USB-C port . The changes will begin with the iPhone 15 line and AirPod charging case.

The change comes on the heels of regulations passed by the European Union to standardize the charging ports for electronic devices sold on the continent.

New iPhone 15 will use USB-C chargers: What to know about Apple's charging cord switch

Apple events through the years

More than 30 million people watched Apple’s 2022 event on YouTube.

Apple  unveiled the iPad in 2010 , the  Apple Watch in 2014  and the  AirPods in 2016 .

With more than 1.2 billion iPhones sold, Apple has “become a core part of people's lives around the world," Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives told USA TODAY. 

Apple generated more than $394 billion in net sales last year, and since its January 2007 unveiling of the first iPhone, the company's share price has risen more than 5,000%.

Apple: 16 years after the iPhone's launch, why Apple continues to play a huge role in our lives

• International

Apple unveils new iPhone lineup

By Samantha Kelly, Aditi Sangal , Clare Duffy , Catherine Thorbecke and Jennifer Korn , CNN

Apple unveils AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case

From CNN's Catherine Thorbecke

It’s not just the iPhone: Apple has started selling AirPods Pro second generation models that are supported by a USB-C-powered charging case. 

They became available to order online on Tuesday and will be available in stores beginning September 22.

Olivia Rodrigo releases music video shot on the new iPhone 15 Pro

From CNN's Jennifer Korn

Olivia Rodrigo released the music video for her new song “get him back!” minutes after Apple’s "Wonderlust" iPhone 15 event. The Grammy-winning recording artist’s video was shot on the iPhone 15 Pro, using the newly unveiled 5x telephoto camera.

Apple touted the top-end iPhone's new camera as the longest optical zoom the company ever built for a smartphone.

Apple’s now selling a USB-C to Lightning adapter for $29

In the wake of Apple unveiling its latest iPhone lineup, a new accessory appeared for sale on its website Tuesday: a $29 USB-C to Lightning adapter.

The dongle lets people connect their Lightning accessories to a USB-C-enabled iPhone or iPad to charge or share data. 

The new accessory comes as Apple ends its 11-year run of the Lightning port and charger and switches its devices over to the USB-C charger. 

From the event: USB-C you later, Lightning port

From CNN's Samantha Kelly in Cupertino, California

After Apple's annual keynote event ended, the in-person audience — mostly members of press and Apple staffers — flooded the product viewing area for a first look at the new devices introduced Tuesday.

Apple executives are mingling with members of the press, who try on the new watches and test out new iPhone features. Crowds are particularly drawn to the Apple Watch demo table.

The titanium Pro models are incredibly light, as promised.

The Lightning ports are no more.

And the Ultra 2 watch display is bright.

Here is the latest pricing for iPhone 

Apple said Tuesday that the iPhone SE will start at $429. 

The iPhone 13 will start at $599.

The iPhone 14 will start at $699.

The iPhone 15 will start at $799, and iPhone 15 Pro will start at $999. 

Apple introduces 2 new iCloud plans

From CNN's Aditi Sangal in New York

There was a loud applause in the audience in Cupertino, California, as Apple introduced two new iCloud plans.

Starting next week, iCloud+ will offer 6TB and 12 TB storage plans.

iCloud allows you to share photos and automatically backup your iPhone, and with family sharing, everyone in a household can get the benefits of iCloud+.

iPhone 15 Pro includes major updates for photographers

The iPhone 15 Pro brings a slew of new updates to its camera system, including a more-advanced 48 megapixel main camera featuring a larger sensor than on iPhone 15.

The camera also includes a “nanoscale coating” meant to reduce lens flares, Apple said, and bring higher resolution to everyday photos. It also boasts better low-light performance for portraits and night mode.

The latest iPhone can also shoot high-resolution photos in 24, 28 and 35-millimeter focal lengths.

Apple unveils iPhone 15 with "all new design"

By CNN's Samantha Kelly

The company announced its next-generation entry-level iPhone 15s, which now feature an expanded "Dynamic Island" tool that is home to alerts, notifications and other controls, in place of the notch. The feature was previously only available on the iPhone 14 Pro.

The iPhone 15 phones include updated image stabilization for taking photos and videos, 2x optimization and updated portraits with richer color and better low-light performance. It also includes 4K cinematic mode.

The iPhone 15s ship with the A16 bionic processor — the same chip used in the iPhone 14 Pro — with a neural engine that handles more complicated tasks, such as live voicemail transcriptions on device, according to the company.

The iPhone 15 has an Ultra-Wideband chip so it can connect with other devices nearby, such as better finding friends who share their location in crowded locations, or power some of iOS 17 features.

The iPhone 15 comes in 5 colors (white, black, pink, green and yellow) and in two sizes: A 6.1-inch screen for the iPhone 15 and 6.7 inches for iPhone 15 Plus.

Apple introduces the action button, ditching the ring silencer for the first time since the iPhone debuted in 2007

by CNN's Jennifer Korn

Apple unveiled an action button in the iPhone 15 Pro, the first change made to the ring silencer since the toggle switch debuted in the original iPhone in 2007.

Now a pressable button, the action button still silences alerts by default -- but it can also be programmed to carry out a whole host of commands, from recording a voice memo to taking a picture to activating an accessibility feature like live speech.

All action button commands are accompanied with visual feedback from the Dynamic Island bar at the top of the screen.

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Watch CBS News

Apple event reveals new iPhone 15. Here are the biggest changes — and its surprising new price.

By Aimee Picchi

Edited By Alain Sherter

Updated on: September 12, 2023 / 4:33 PM EDT / MoneyWatch

Apple unveiled its latest iPhone lineup today at the company's annual launch in Cupertino, California, where the tech giant also introduced a new Apple watch.

The event is an important showcase for Apple, which wants to spur consumers to upgrade their older iPhones in favor of its latest devices. This year is especially important given that the company is struggling to break out of a slump that's led to a sales drop in three consecutive quarters. 

"These are the best and most capable iPhones we've ever made," Apple CEO Tim Cook said at the Tuesday event.

Here's what to know about today's event. 

What is new about the iPhone 15? 

Here are some of the changes announced by Apple on Tuesday:

• The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will come in five colors: Pink, yellow, green, blue and black 
• The iPhone 15 Pro models will come in black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium or a natural titanium finish
• The Pro includes an A17 bionic chip that will improve speed and performance, according to Apple
• All models iPhone 15 models have the "Dynamic Island" for app notifications — a look that was introduced with last year's Pro and Pro Max devices
• The phone comes in two sizes: Either a 6.1-inch base model or 6.7-inch screen Plus model
• The iPhone 15 has an improved, 48 megapixel camera

When will the iPhone 15 be available for purchase?

The Apple iPhone 15 will be available for preorder on Friday, September 15, and will be on sale in stores on September 22.

What will the iPhone 15 cost?

Apple is keeping the price of many iPhone 15 models the same as the 14. 

• The iPhone 15 will start at $799, while the 15 Plus will start at $899, with 128GB of internal storage. That's the same price as for current iPhone 14 models
• The iPhone 15 Pro will start at $999, which is the same price as the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple said
• The Phone 15 Pro Max starts at $1,199, up $100 from the 14 Pro Max

Apple also said it will have "excellent offers" for consumers who want to upgrade, including up to $800 off when you trade in an iPhone 11 or newer.

Is the iPhone charger moving from Lightning? 

Apple is phasing out its Lightning port cables, which were rolled out in 2012 with the iPhone 5, because of a mandate from European regulators that all phones use the USB-C charging port starting in late 2024. 

Apple said its iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will have USB-C ports, but can also be charged with MagSafe, which is a magnetically attached power connector. 

The transition may not be too inconvenient for most consumers. That's because USB-C cables already are so widely used on a range of computers, smartphones and other devices that many people may already own them. 

The shift to USB-C cables may even prove popular since that standard typically charges devices more quickly and also offers faster speeds for data transfers.

What is new with the Apple Watch?

Besides its new iPhones, Apple introduced the new Apple Watch — a product that made its debut nearly a decade ago. 

The Apple Watch Series 9 starts at $399, while the Apple Watch SE starts at $249, Apple said on Tuesday.

One new Apple Watch feature is something called "double tap," a command users can deploy to answer calls or play or pause music with one hand. By tapping your index finger and thumb twice on your watch hand, the watch will respond to the gesture, Apple said.

The double tap gesture could be useful for someone walking their dog or carrying items, allowing them to send commands to their Apple Watch with one hand, the company said.

Should I upgrade my iPhone?

About 25% of Apple's 1.2 billion iPhone users haven't upgraded their phones in four years, according to Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives. Some of those 300 million people with older iPhones may be wondering if it's time to open their wallets and get a new device this year. 

Still, it can be tough to determine when it's time to retire your old phone and switch to the latest iPhone. Much of that decision could depend on what type of handset you currently use, with owners of newer models having less of a reason to upgrade, Olivier Blanchard, a research director at tech research firm The Futurum Group, told CBS MoneyWatch

"The company's products remain amazing, but with the innovation curve of the whole smartphone category flattening there just isn't much the company can do to distinguish each generation of iPhone from its predecessors when it comes to technical features, making price the critical variable in driving sales," Wall Street analyst Adam Crisafullo of Vital Knowledge told investors in a report.

But if you have a smartphone that's older than the iPhone 12, the iPhone 15's new chip, improved camera features and USB-C port could be a big step up. 

—With reporting by the Associated Press.

Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports.

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What to expect from Apple’s iPhone 15 event

The launch of the iphone 15 is right around the corner — here’s what you should know..

By Emma Roth , a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO.

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Apple is holding its next big event in September to take the wraps off the iPhone 15, new Apple Watches, and more.

Here, we’ll go over how and when you can watch the event, along with the new product announcements we’re expecting to see from Apple.

When is the iPhone 15 showcase?

The iPhone 15 event will take place on September 12th, 2023, at 1PM ET / 10AM PT. As shown in the invite sent out by Apple, the company has named the event “Wonderlust.” It will take place live from Apple Park in Cupertino, California.

How to watch Apple’s iPhone 15 event

As is the case with past events, Apple will likely stream the iPhone 15 showcase on its website and YouTube channel . You can also watch it from the livestream embedded at the top of this article.

The Verge is also live blogging the event. Our team is at Apple’s HQ in Cupertino and will be covering the announcements with up-to-the-second updates right here .

• iPhone 15 event live blog: all the news from Apple’s keynote

An iPhone 15 lineup that’s finally compatible with USB-C

One of the biggest changes coming to this year’s iPhone lineup is the addition of USB-C. For the first time, the iPhone 15 is expected to come with the widely used port instead of Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector. This doesn’t come as a surprise, as Apple confirmed last year that it would make the change to USB-C to comply with the European Union’s incoming regulations.

Although reports indicate that all phones in the iPhone 15 lineup will get the USB-C port, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says only the Pro and Pro Max will benefit from higher data transfer rates. Both premium models will come with “at least” USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3, while the base iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will support USB 2.0, according to Kuo. Either way, 9to5Mac reports that all iPhone 15 models should have faster 35W charging rates thanks to the switch.

Additionally, supply chain analyst Ross Young reported last year that all models of the iPhone 15 will come with the Dynamic Island . That’s a change from what Apple currently offers, as it only includes the pill-shaped cutout on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max . The entire iPhone 15 lineup is expected to get an ultra wideband chip, too.

This time around, the most significant changes coming to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are reported to be a titanium frame, thinner bezels, and a more repairable aluminum chassis that we first saw with the iPhone 14 , according to Bloomberg ’s Mark Gurman . The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max might also have a faster A17 chip built using the 3nm process, while the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will likely come with the A16 chip included in the iPhone 14 Pro.

Both premium models may come with an Action Button similar to the one on the Apple Watch Ultra, as reported by MacRumors and 9to5Mac . This button is supposed to replace the mute toggle and could allow you to assign shortcuts to different apps and utilities. You can see how the Action Button may look in leaked photos and a video of upcoming iPhone 15 Pro cases. And while early rumors suggested that Apple will replace the volume rocker and the power button on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max with solid-state toggles, recent reports from Kuo and leaker Unknownz21 suggest they’ll stay the same for now.

There have been rumors about an iPhone 15 Pro Max rebranding as well. While Gurman reported last year that Apple could change the name to the “Ultra,” he recently reversed that prediction, saying it will keep the Pro Max moniker. Oh, and there is one change that the iPhone 15 Max — or Ultra — may exclusively get: a periscope lens with up to 6x optical zoom . All those updates could result in a potentially more expensive price. Wedbush analyst Dan Ives predicts the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will cost $1,099 and $1,199 respectively, marking a $100 price increase for both models.

We also may see some changes to the colors Apple includes in its iPhone 15 Pro line as well. According to 9to5Mac , Apple could swap its gold finish for a “titan gray.” The company may reveal a new dark blue option as well, which it might be teasing with the color scheme it included in its event invite. In addition to dark blue and gray, the iPhone 15 Pro is also expected to come in black and white. Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 15 is rumored to feature black, blue, yellow, white, and pink variants.

An incremental update to the Apple Watch lineup

In addition to the iPhone 15, Apple is also likely to reveal its latest smartwatch lineup — and so far, we’re not expecting many major changes. Not much is known about the update to the premium Apple Watch Ultra besides that it will reportedly retain its 49mm size and come with a new darker titanium case . But other rumors indicate that the Watch Series 9 will come with an updated S9 processor.

According to Gurman , the S9 chip is based on the A15 processor that Apple introduced with the iPhone 13. This could allow for more efficiency and better battery life when compared to its predecessor, which comes equipped with the S8 chip that’s based on the same tech as the processors in the previous two Watch models. Gurman also predicts that Apple’s watch lineup could come with an ultra wideband chip, along with “various sensor and internal component upgrades,” such as an updated optical heart rate sensor.

Other smaller updates expected to come with the Watch Series 9 include a pink color option and the option of a band with a magnetic buckle . Additionally, some are speculating that Apple will use 3D-printed materials in some of its upcoming smartwatches. We likely won’t see a new Watch SE during this year’s event, as the product appears to be on a two-year refresh cycle and was just updated last year.

AirPods Pro with a USB-C-equipped charging case

The iPhone 15 isn’t the only Apple device that’s expected to get the USB-C treatment. Gurman reports that Apple plans on releasing a pair of AirPods Pro with USB-C during its event in September.

That tracks with a prediction from Kuo last year, who said Apple would launch AirPods with a USB-C charging case in 2023. It’s not clear whether Apple will actually make any updates to the AirPods Pro themselves , however — it may just update its charging case.

In January, Kuo said Apple could ship its fourth-gen AirPods in the second half of 2024 or the first half of 2025, along with a second generation of its over-the-ear AirPods Max — both of which may also come with USB-C . Other rumors suggest Apple may launch a new pair of cheaper $99 AirPods as well. If that’s the case, we’re a full year or more away from big updates.

However, the AirPods Pro are still set to get some new features through an upcoming software update. That includes Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and better automatic device switching.

More info on iOS 17, macOS Sonoma, and more

With a new iPhone and watch coming, we’ll probably get the release dates for iOS 17 and watchOS 10 during Apple’s upcoming event. As for iPadOS 17 and macOS Sonoma, we might not see them until later this fall, in line with Apple’s recent pattern of launching them in October.

But the betas for each of these operating systems have been out for some time now, giving us a peek at what we can expect. While iOS 17 comes with a number of small but meaningful upgrades, including StandBy mode , voicemail transcriptions , and a Journal app , macOS Sonoma adds widgets , a game mode, and profiles on Safari .

As for iPadOS 17, Apple is adding personalized lock screens , interactive widgets, the Health app, and support for external USB webcams and cameras . Apple is launching an update to Stage Manager as well, which finally lets you customize the sizes and orientations of each window on your screen.

Lastly, watchOS 10 will also incorporate widgets (seeing a trend yet?) that should give you quick access to various apps. There are also new topographic mapping features, mood logging, and a couple of new watchfaces.

Is there anything else?

There are a few other things Apple is rumored to be working on that likely won’t make an appearance at its iPhone 15 event. That includes some new Macs and iPads, which Apple usually holds an event for in October.

This fall, we’re expecting a new iMac, a 13-inch MacBook Air, and a 13-inch MacBook Pro powered by Apple’s new in-house M3 chip. On the iPad side of things, rumors suggest that we might see the release of the seventh-gen iPad Mini .

But even with all these exciting launches on the horizon, all eyes are still on the $3,499 Apple Vision Pro , which is set for release early next year. We’re likely to see some updates in the months leading up to its launch.

In the meantime, make sure to stay tuned to The Verge ’s coverage of Apple’s iPhone 15 event.

Update August 30th, 8:17AM ET: Added a rumor about AirPods with USB-C.

Update September 5th, 1:30PM ET: Added Apple’s link to the livestream.

Update September 7th, 9:38AM ET: Added iPhone 15 Action Button and pricing rumors.

Update September 8th, 9:52AM ET: Added iPhone 15 and Apple Watch rumors.

Update September 11th, 4:54AM ET: Added an Apple Watch design rumor.

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Julian Chokkattu

Apple’s iPhone 15 Marks a New Era

Every new iPhone in the past few years may have felt like an iterative upgrade—slightly better camera here, slightly better performance there. But Apple's new iPhone 15 lineup is getting a few once-in-a-decade changes that make them stand out in a sea of visually similar iPhones. The company announced the new iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max at its annual September event in Cupertino, California. From the addition of USB-C to the removal of the ill-famed notch, here are all the top features of the new iPhone .

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There's a new port on every new iPhone. After 11 years of the Lightning charging port, its time has come to an end. Replacing it is USB-C , the reversible charging port that's available on Apple MacBooks , iPads , Android phones , Windows laptops , and many more types of devices across various categories. Often dubbed as the “universal connector,” its primary benefit here is that you can finally use the same cable to recharge most of your devices. 

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By Julian Chokkattu

The new port also adds the capability for faster data transfer. However, for the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, Apple is limiting the data transfer speeds to the current 480 megabits per second. Upgrade to the iPhone 15 Pro models and you're able to unlock up to 10 Gigabits per second thanks to USB 3 support. The company is including a braided and color-matching USB-C to USB-C cable in the box, though this cable is limited to the baseline 480 Mbps transfer speeds. If you want to unlock the full potential of the Pro models, you'll need to buy your own capable cable . 

Unfortunately, while USB-C could have opened the door to faster charging, Apple did not announce any improvement in charging speeds. On the company’s spec page, the official charging speed is still limited to 20 watts. 

Apple has been adding USB-C to many of its own devices since 2015, but it has been collecting licensing fees for the Lightning port, which may partly be why the iPhone has been the longest holdout. However, last year the European Union ruled that USB-C must be on all new phones, tablets, and cameras by the end of 2024, and so here we are. 

Along with USB-C, all four new iPhone models now have the Dynamic Island, which was first introduced and restricted to last year's iPhone 14 Pro models . This is the pill-shaped cutout at the top of the display housing the TrueDepth selfie camera. Gone is the notorious notch that debuted on the iPhone X . But the Dynamic Island, as its name suggests, is adaptive, almost acting like a second screen. If you're waiting for an Uber ride, the driver's arrival time will show up in the Dynamic Island. You can also see passive information from alarms, timers, flight information, and live sports game scores without ever having to hop into an app itself. 

The 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus retain the same size as their predecessors. They come in black, blue, green, yellow, and pink. Outside of the Dynamic Island and USB-C, these two models aren't too different. 

They still only have 60-Hz OLED screens when nearly every other phone at their price has smoother, more fluid 120-Hz refresh rate screens . They're powered by the A16 chipset, the very same that powered last year's iPhone 14 Pro models, and they're also stealing the 48-megapixel primary camera from the Pro, enabling them to capture more detail than ever before. The 12-megapixel ultrawide camera is largely the same. Apple, as usual, has announced improvements to its Photonic computational photography engine, so you should expect nicer photos overall, but time will tell.

Apple has saved many more of the upgrades for the Pro models to make them more worthy of the moniker. They are powered by the new A17 Pro chipset, which promises 10 percent faster performance cores, and a 2X faster neural engine. 

Apple says the graphics processor unit is also the “biggest redesign in the history of Apple GPUs,” citing a 20 percent speed bump over its predecessor. Apple says this new GPU can create more detailed environments in mobile games while drawing less power, and it now has hardware-accelerated ray tracing , which is 4X faster. Because of all this, Apple says you can play console games like Resident Evil: Village on the iPhone 15 Pro, and games like the upcoming Assassin's Creed Mirage will have an iPhone version alongside console and PC versions. It'll be interesting to see how the fidelity of these AAA games matches up to their console counterparts.

Nice brushed finish.

You still get the 120-Hz ProMotion screen on the Pro, but Apple has refined the design to slim down the bezels around the display and, more importantly, added a titanium frame. Instead of stainless steel, the titanium 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro and 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max are now much lighter and more durable, which should make the latter easier to wield with one hand. 

The big new camera change here is the addition of a periscope zoom camera exclusively for the iPhone 15 Pro Max model. This technology isn't new—Samsung famously has had a 10X optical zoom camera in its Galaxy Ultra phones for a few years, and last year's Google Pixel 7 Pro uses a 5X optical periscope zoom camera. Here, Apple says it enables 5X optical zoom, allowing you to capture subjects at a distance in high quality. The smaller iPhone 15 Pro is, sadly, still stuck at 3X zoom. 

Another exclusive for the Pro models is the Action Button. If this sounds familiar, it's the same name Apple gave to the extra customizable button on the Apple Watch Ultra , except on the iPhone, it's replacing the classic mute switch that has been on every iPhone since 2007. You can customize this button to trigger certain actions, like muting the phone, turning on the flashlight, or taking a photo with the camera open. 

Apple placed an emphasis on sustainability throughout its September event and announced that it was moving away from leather cases and straps for its devices. It announced a new sustainable fabric material called FineWoven, and it declared that its going to be phasing out leather in favor of recycled and plant-based materials. 

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus remain at the same price of $799 and $899, respectively. The iPhone 15 Pro stays at the same price of $999, but the iPhone 15 Pro Max is getting a price increase to $1,199, a $100 jump from their predecessors. However, you now get 256 GB of storage on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and this is the same price as the 256-GB iPhone 14 Pro Max. These phones will be up for preorder on Friday, September 15, and will officially launch on September 22. Stay tuned for our review soon. 

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Apple Events

Apple event.

Introducing the unbelievably thin and portable iPad Pro with Apple M4 chip, the redesigned iPad Air in two sizes, and the all-new Apple Pencil Pro.

Video replay of today’s event will be available shortly.

Watch the event Watch our ASL recap

Here’s what we announced.

It’s the thinnest Apple product yet — and more powerful than ever. Incredibly portable in a stunning new design. Ultra Retina XDR, the world’s most advanced display. Outrageous performance and game-changing graphics with the Apple M4 chip. And all-day battery life.

Now available in an 11-inch and all-new 13-inch model with stunning Liquid Retina display. Supercharged performance with the Apple M2 chip. New landscape front camera and all-day battery life.

Apple Pencil Pro

Engineered for limitless creativity to bring ideas to life like never before. Intuitive and precise control with advanced features like squeeze, barrel roll, and haptic feedback. And now with Find My for easy location in the Find My app.

View recent Apple events

Apple event october 30, 2023.

Introducing the new MacBook Pro 14” and 16” and the new iMac. Now supercharged by the M3 family of chips.

Apple Event September 12, 2023

Introducing iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and a major step toward making all our products carbon neutral by 2030.

WWDC June 5, 2023

Introducing Apple Vision Pro, the new 15‑inch MacBook Air with M2, Mac Studio with M2 Max and M2 Ultra, Mac Pro with M2 Ultra, and previews of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma, and watchOS 10.

Apple Event September 7, 2022

Introducing an all-new iPhone lineup, rebuilt AirPods Pro, three new Apple Watch models, and an exciting update to Apple Fitness+.

WWDC June 6, 2022

Introducing the new MacBook Air, 13‑inch MacBook Pro, iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, and watchOS 9.

Apple Event March 8, 2022

Introducing the all-new Mac Studio and Studio Display, new iPad Air, new iPhone SE, and iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro in two new shades of green.

View all Apple events

• Performance and display
• 'Pro' features
• Battery life and charging
• Should you buy it?

iPhone 15 review: After long-term testing, we conclude it's the top iPhone for most people

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Most new iPhone releases offer incremental upgrades, but after testing and using the iPhone 15 over the months since its release, its upgrades are clearly more substantial. It might not look like it from the outside, but the iPhone 15 represents one of Apple's biggest updates to the base iPhone since the iPhone 12 from 2020. 

More so than any base iPhone in recent memory, the iPhone 15 doesn't make you feel like you're missing out by not buying the Pro version. It dips its toes in the exclusive waters of Apple's iPhone Pro models with more trickle-down features than we've seen before, like a high-megapixel camera, Dynamic Island, and super-bright displays that can handle the sunniest days. And, the iPhone 15 heralds a subtly refreshed design, which we haven't seen in three generations, as well as a USB-C port that brings Apple's ecosystem of devices closer to harmony for charging. 

To be sure, the iPhone 15 Pro models are technologically superior, and Apple is keeping a clear distinction between its base and Pro models. Though the iPhone 15 comes with major upgrades, it might still not be enough for those who typically go for the iPhone Pros. The iPhone 15's display still runs at a 60Hz refresh rate that's becoming stale and outdated in 2024. And only the iPhone 15 Pro models receive Apple's latest iPhone processor, the new Action Button, and a dedicated zoom camera. 

Still, the iPhone 15 is a darn good phone for most people, and considering all its upgrades relative to its price, it's the  best iPhone  we've seen in years.

The iPhone 15 offers the best balance of performance, features, user experience, and price in Apple's current lineup. While it isn't the most advanced iPhone, its pro-like attributes will more than satisfy most people.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Dynamic Island
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. USB-C for common charging standard
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 48MP main camera
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. iPhone upgraders may need to invest in new USB-C accessories, like a charger
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. USB-C data transfer is limited to USB 2.0 speeds
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No always-on display

Performance and display: A powerful processor that's still matched with a dated screen

Whichever way you look at it, the iPhone 15 , running on Apple's A16 Bionic processor, is a powerful and fast phone. Sure, it's not as powerful as the iPhone 15 Pro models running on the newer A17 Pro, but it's still a generational leap over the iPhone 14 , which ran on the iPhone 13 Pro's A15 Bionic processor. 

In everyday use, during the iPhone 15's first year and perhaps its second, you're not going to notice much of a difference whether you're comparing it to the iPhone 15 Pro models or the iPhone 14 (and the iPhone 13 series, for that matter). The iPhone 15's performance gap between the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 14 will perceivably widen over the years when iOS and apps become more advanced.

Benchmark test results suggest the iPhone 15 Pro could last a year longer than the iPhone 15 before apps start to take longer than you'd like to open and run. The same is true for the iPhone 15, which should last a year longer than the iPhone 14. 

It's a shame the iPhone 15's power isn't mated with a 120Hz display — it would accentuate the phone's performance with smoother animations. It's not a dealbreaker by any means, and it doesn't hold you back, but my eyebrows raise higher and higher with every new iPhone release that still has a 60Hz display. 

I could argue that a smooth 120Hz refresh rate is a standard expectation on phones these days, especially those starting at $800. Android phones have had 120Hz displays since 2020, starting with the Samsung Galaxy S20 series. And thinking about the $500 Pixel 8a with a 120Hz display, I'd even expect high refresh rates at lower price ranges. With that in mind, the iPhone 15's 60Hz display makes it feel dated.

The iPhone 15's simple 60Hz display also means it doesn't support an always-on display, which is another convenient feature reserved for the iPhone 15 Pro series. 

Still, the iPhone 15's brighter display is an unmistakable improvement, as it's noticeably brighter than previous generation base iPhones for better outdoor viewing on sunny days. Colors, especially, pop   

Design: A subtle leap

The iPhone 15 is slightly more comfortable and forgiving in the hand thanks to subtly softer edges compared to the harsher and sharper edges introduced with the iPhone 12 series through to the iPhone 14 series. It still looks like a modern iPhone with its flat edges, and not like the iPhone 11 and earlier generations with the fully rounded sides.

The rear glass on the iPhone 15 has a smooth, frosted matte texture compared to the clear glass from previous base iPhone generations. Whether you like the aesthetics is up to you (I personally prefer it), but it's undeniably less grippy than clear glass. As a result, it's easier to adjust the iPhone 15 in your hand, especially one-handed. Despite less grip, I never felt like the phone was more likely to stumble out of my hands.

Having said all this, none of it will matter much if you typically use a case. 

Colors are subjective, and Apple went with a pastel variety of blue, pink, yellow, green, and black.

'Pro' features: Dynamic Island, but no Action Button

Apple's Dynamic Island , a feature introduced with the iPhone 14 series and reserved for the iPhone 14 Pro models, has trickled down to the base iPhone 15 . Dynamic Island delivers a nice boost in functionality — it's a clever way to view and interact with notifications, alerts, and app shortcuts without covering the entire screen, and it's proven useful whether you're actively doing something on the phone or not. 

Apple's latest functional convenience upgrade, the Action Button, didn't make it to the base iPhone 15 and is reserved for the iPhone 15 Pro models. For reference, the Action Button replaces the signature silent switch and offers customizable functions, like toggling the flashlight, opening the camera app, switching focus modes, and, yes, enabling silent mode. 

Cameras: 'Pro' quality trickles down

Since Apple released the iPhone 6s in 2015, most standard iPhones have had 12MP main cameras. The iPhone 15 introduced the biggest upgrade to the base iPhone camera since then with a 48MP camera, which was first introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro models. It's not exactly the same camera as the iPhone 14 Pro, but it's still a nice trickle-down feature that comes with some benefits.

One of those benefits is capturing more detail. It's not perceivable when you're casually flicking through photos, but it does let you zoom farther into a photo after it's been taken to reveal clearer details.

Here's a 12MP photo compared to a 48MP when fully zoomed out, showing the entire photo's contents on a screen. Apart from the cat in the 12MP, the photos are basically identical in quality:

Here's the same 12MP and 48MP photos zoomed in to show the cherub's details:

To save your iPhone's storage space, the iPhone 15 takes 24MP photos by default, which is a happy medium between 12MP and 48MP. It captures visibly more detail than a 12MP photo while using up significantly less storage:

Another benefit of the iPhone 15's 48MP camera is that it enables 2x zoom shots at 12MP with optical quality, and without the quality degradation from digital zooming. Essentially, it crops a quarter of the camera's sensor from the center, resulting in a photo that appears to be 2x zoomed when expanded on a screen.

Here's a photo taken with the iPhone 15's main camera with no zoom:

And here's a photo taken with the iPhone 15's main camera at 2x zoom: 

iPhone 15 photos follow Apple's signature safe and solid approach, which produces reliably excellent photos with well-balanced lighting, contrast, and colors. But, as with most phones, generational camera improvements only become apparent the older your current model is.

In low light, the iPhone 15 takes noticeably sharper photos than the iPhone 14, despite the fact that the iPhone 15's photos were taken at the same 12MP resolution as the iPhone 14. Improved sharpness was expected thanks to the iPhone 15's larger sensor that can capture more light. However, it didn't result in faster night shots — both phones prompted us to stay still for three seconds to take the test shots. 

The iPhone 15 records video up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, and video quality is reliably excellent, so there's no major upgrade here. However, the iPhone 15's larger 48MP sensor affords up to 6x digital zooming compared to the iPhone 14's 3x, and zoomed footage at any range looks significantly better as a result. 

Battery life and charging: USB-C brings harmony, but not faster charging speeds

The iPhone 15's battery life is comparable with that of the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 15 Pro, which is to say, it's very good and expected for a phone with a 6.1-inch display. If you already have experience with phones that have a similar display size, you'll find the iPhone 15 will provide similar battery life relative to your typical daily usage. Compared to an older phone with a battery that's degraded over time, the iPhone 15's battery life will be refreshing.

It won't change any daily charging habits you've built up over time based on your typical usage — only the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro Max have the potential to do that with their larger batteries and stunning battery lives.   

So, nothing new with battery life, but the way you charge the iPhone 15's battery, at least with a cable, has dramatically changed with the new USB-C port that replaced the Lightning port. 

The move is a triumph for some, as it standardizes the cables you'd need for electronics. USB-C is the common standard for nearly everything with a rechargeable battery these days, from laptops, tablets, and wireless headphones to kids' toys. It also opens up a wider variety of accessories to the iPhone 15 that were previously more limited or unavailable due to the Lightning port. And a nice little party trick — you can charge another iPhone, or your own, with another iPhone with a USB-C-to-USB-C cable.

The iPhone 15 doesn't come with a charger, but it does come with a USB-C cable. Those celebrating the move to USB-C likely already have chargers they can use, even if they're not specifically designed for the iPhone — any USB-C charger that supports at least 25W will fully support the iPhone 15's charging speeds.

For others who are fully entrenched in the Lightning ecosystem, this change potentially means buying new cables, chargers , and adapters. And unless you already own USB-C accessories, the new port will be more of an inconvenience for those who have been living in a Lightning-only world.

Either way, iPhones moving to USB-C or perhaps a different standard altogether was only a matter of time, even if Apple was forced to do so . The inconvenience is also only temporary, just as it was when Apple introduced Lightning to replace the 30-pin connector with the iPhone 5. 

Technologically, the base iPhone 15's move to USB-C offers little advantage over Lightning. Charging speeds aren't notably faster, and it handles the same USB 2 speeds as Lightning. Only the iPhone 15 Pro models support USB 3 for significantly faster data transfers. It's a shame, as the USB-C port has more to offer than what's given in the base iPhone 15. 

Should you buy the iPhone 15?

The iPhone 15 is a clear choice for anyone looking for a solid, simple phone that easily and effectively covers the basics that most people need, whether they're entrenched in the Apple ecosystem or not. Anyone who consistently picks base iPhone models instead of Pro models should be very happy with the iPhone 15.

While the base iPhone 15 has inherited several iPhone Pro features, the 60Hz display, dual-lens camera, and previous-generation processor won't lure iPhone Pro users to the base model. However, they should still satisfy most people's daily needs. And, iPhone Pro users looking to spend less will find more value than ever in the iPhone 15. 

As an upgrade option, the iPhone 15 and its considerable array of new features especially reward those with older iPhones, like the iPhone 12 and older. Those who recently spent good money on a more recent model, like the iPhone 13 or iPhone 14, may also feel the iPhone 15's pull — with a good trade-in deal, the justification to upgrade is there, especially considering trade-in deals tend to be more favorable if your current model is more recent. 

With that said, I'm not saying you  need to update to the iPhone 15, even if you have an older iPhone. The iPhone 15 still delivers a very familiar everyday experience, and you shouldn't expect a major change in how you use your phone. Rather, the iPhone 15 gives you more reason to upgrade than the last two generations. 

In addition, the next iPhone release (iPhone 16) is cresting over the horizon at the time of writing, with a likely announcement in September. If you haven't picked up the iPhone 15 yet or don't need a new phone immediately, you can easily justify waiting less than half a year for the next release. It's possible Apple could add more trickled-down features to the iPhone 16 — the Action Button and faster USB-C, for example — and the iPhone 15 will get a predictable price cut, so it may be worth waiting if you can. But you won't go wrong getting the iPhone 15 now. 

If the iPhone 15 suits your needs, check our guides to the best iPhone 15 cases and best iPhone 15 screen protectors to guard the phone from damage and ensure its longevity. 

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here . Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

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Apple's latest consumer flagship iPhone lineup with USB-C, Dynamic Island, and more.

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• Should You Buy an iPhone 15?

Introduced in September 2023, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are two of Apple's current flagship iPhones, sold alongside the higher-end iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The new iPhones launched in September 2023, and they are about halfway through their product cycle. It is still a good time to buy an iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus , and new models won't come out until September 2024.

As the latest models, the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus will last for many years to come and will remain part of Apple's flagship lineup until September 2024, so you can rest assured that something newer and better is not right around the corner.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus start at $799 and offer a good balance between functionality, longevity, and price, but if cost is the major factor for you, Apple also offers the $429 iPhone SE with older technology and the prior-generation iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus with pricing starting at $699. The two-year-old iPhone 13 is also available starting at $599.

If you're looking for something more feature rich than the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, you can step up to the iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max . The respective screen sizes of the Pro models are the same, but they include a number of upgrades such as an Always-On display with ProMotion technology, a customizable Action button instead of a ring/silent switch on the side, a faster A17 Pro chip, an advanced camera system with telephoto, and more.

Choosing an iPhone is a major decision, so we have some buyer's guides that walk you through choosing the best device for you, and you'll also want to check out our iPhone deals post to get the best prices.

• iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 16: 15+ Rumored Upgrades Compared
• iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 16 Pro: 25+ Rumored Upgrades Compared
• iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Pro Buyer's Guide
• iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 15 Buyer's Guide
• iPhone 14 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro Buyer's Guide
• iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max Buyer's Guide
• iPhone 15 Plus vs. 15 Pro Max Buyer's Guide: 35+ Differences Compared
• iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Plus Buyer's Guide: 7 Differences Compared
• iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus Features Guide

Water and Dust Resistance

Dynamic island, a16 bionic chip, neural engine and isp, storage space, truedepth camera and face id, front-facing camera, dual-lens rear camera, video capabilities, portrait mode update, other camera features, battery life, 5g connectivity, emergency sos via satellite, crash detection, bluetooth, wi-fi, nfc, gps, and ultra wideband, iphone 15 pro and 15 pro max, beyond the iphone 15, iphone 15 roundup changelog, iphone 15 timeline.

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are Apple's consumer-focused flagship devices with prices starting at $799 . They are joined by the pro-focused iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone Pro Max, which come with additional capabilities and features and start at $999.

As with the iPhone 14 lineup last year, the iPhone 15 family includes a total of four models with two 6.1-inch iPhones and two 6.7-inch iPhones. The consumer lineup includes the standard 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus . The 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro and 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max represent the more expensive, higher-end models.

As with the iPhone 14 lineup, the best features are reserved for the iPhone 15 Pro models to make the extra cost worth it, but the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are still very capable devices .

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are each available in five color options: pink, yellow, green, blue, and black . Perhaps the most significant change for the lineup is a move from the Lightning port that has been present on every iPhone for over a decade to a USB-C port , although data transfers on these models remain at the same USB 2.0 speeds that were available with Lightning.

New for the non-Pro lineup in 2023 is the Dynamic Island , which debuted in the iPhone 14 Pro lineup a year earlier. The Dynamic Island replaces the previous notch at the top of the display and houses the front-facing TrueDepth camera and other sensors. Software helps hide these physical components inside the black Dynamic Island, which fluidly adapts to display important information and allow for user interaction.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus use the same A16 Bionic chip that debuted in the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, using 20 percent less power and delivering improved performance and 50 percent more memory bandwidth compared to the A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus.

Camera improvements include a new 48-megapixel Main camera with a quad-pixel sensor that defaults to capturing 24-megapixel photos. The updated Main camera also allows for a new 2x Telephoto option intelligently cropped from the full camera capture.

Portraits no longer require switching Portrait mode, with the iPhone 15 automatically capturing depth information when a person, dog, or cat is detected in the frame. The new camera system also brings sharper detail, more vivid colors, and improved low-light performance to portraits, while Night mode sees similar improvements.

A second-generation Ultra Wideband chip delivers enhanced proximity-based functionality, allowing iPhones to connect to each other at three times the range as before. With Precision Finding in the Find My app, you can track down your friends even in a dense crowd.

Battery life remains the same on the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus compared to their predecessors, with video playback for up 20 hours on the iPhone 15 and 26 hours on the iPhone 15 Plus. As with the last several generations, the iPhone 15 models support 5G connectivity (both sub-6GHz and mmWave in the United States), and they use a new Qualcomm X70 modem. In the United States, iPhone models again ship without a physical SIM card as carriers now use eSIM.

Emergency SOS via satellite debuted with the iPhone 14 lineup, and this year it is expanding to include Roadside Assistance via satellite . Apple is partnering with service agencies such as AAA in the United States to allow users experiencing vehicle difficulties while out of cell signal range to request service, either as part of their AAA membership or on a fee basis.

The iPhone 15 models are available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities . In addition to wired charging via USB-C, wireless charging via MagSafe and Qi2 is also supported. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus support Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 .

Pricing on the iPhone 15 models remains the same as the previous models, with the standard 6.1-inch device starting at $799 and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus starting at $899 .

Note: See an error in this roundup or want to offer feedback? Send us an email here .

iPhone 15 pricing starts at $799 for the base model with 128GB of storage, while the iPhone 15 Plus has a starting price of $899 for the 128GB storage option. If you need more storage space, there are options to upgrade to higher storage capacities at an additional cost.

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are available for purchase from the online Apple Store, Apple retail stores, carriers, and other authorized third-party retailers.

The iPhone 15 received positive reviews, and most reviewers believe that the new iPhone 15 and 15 Plus provide a significant upgrade to the standard iPhone.

Apple is using a new matte glass for the back of the iPhone, which was universally popular thanks to its almost "soft-to-the-touch" finish, as was the new contoured design.

The swap to USB-C was seen as a positive change, though reviewers were not pleased with the limited USB 2.0 speeds that offer no improvements over Lightning. Changing to Lightning will also require tossing out all Lightning cables, but not having to carry multiple cables for Macs and iPads is a positive.

With the 48-megapixel camera for high-resolution photos and the 2x optical zoom option, the iPhone 15 camera is a major improvement that was praised by reviewers.

We have a dedicated review roundup with more iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus reviews for those who want additional information.

The 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus (measured diagonally at the display) have the same general design as the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, but with more contoured edges that change the feel of the devices in the hand and lend a more modern look that sets the new iPhones apart from last year's models.

Little has changed in terms of specific dimensions. The iPhone 15 measures in at 5.81 inches (147.6 mm) tall and 2.82 inches (71.6 mm) wide, while the iPhone 15 Plus measures in at 6.33 inches (160.9 mm) tall and 3.06 inches (77.8 mm) wide. Both models are 0.31 inches (7.80 mm) thick, with the iPhone 15 weighing 6.02 ounces (171 grams) and the iPhone 15 Plus weighing 7.09 ounces (201 grams).

The iPhone 15 models feature an all-glass front and a colorful, matte glass back that is framed by a color-matched aerospace-grade aluminum frame. Available colors include black, blue, green, yellow, and pink. This year, Apple used a new process to infuse color throughout the back glass, and it has been strengthened with what Apple describes as a "dual-ion exchange process." There is no (PRODUCT)RED model at the current time, and that's perhaps something we could see released next year .

Apple last year added a Dynamic Island to the iPhone 14 Pro, replacing the notch at the top of the display, and this year, the pill-shaped Dynamic Island has expanded to the iPhone 15 models. The Dynamic Island takes up less space than the notch, allowing for more viewable display area.

A set of antenna bands is located at the top and sides of the phone, and there is a power button on the right side and volume buttons and a mute switch on the left. Apple replaced the mute switch with an Action button in the iPhone 15 Pro models, but not the standard iPhone 15 models. Underneath the power button, there's a 5G mmWave antenna, but this is limited to iPhone 15 models sold in the United States.

Speaker holes and a microphone are located on the bottom of the iPhone 15 models, along with another major design change - a USB-C port. The USB-C port replaces the Lightning port as Apple has swapped to USB-C charging technology. In some countries, there is a SIM slot on the iPhone, but the physical SIM has been eliminated in the U.S.

The camera bump at the back of the iPhone is largely unchanged, and it features a diagonal lens setup for the Wide and Ultra Wide cameras along with a True Tone flash and a microphone.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have an IP68 rating for resistance to water and dust intrusion. The smartphones are able to withstand a depth of up to six meters (19.7 feet) for up to 30 minutes.

In the IP68 number, the 6 refers to dust resistance (and means the iPhone 15 can hold up to dirt, dust, and other particulates), while the 8 pertains to water resistance. IP6x is the highest dust resistance rating that exists. With the IP68 rating, the iPhone 15 can withstand splashes, rain, and accidental water exposure, but intentional water exposure should be avoided.

Water and dust resistance are not permanent conditions, according to Apple, and can deteriorate over time as a result of normal wear. Apple's standard warranty does not cover liquid damage, which means it's best to use caution when it comes to liquid exposure.

Compared to last year's iPhone models, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus have the same OLED Super Retina XDR display, but with improvements to brightness for better performance in the sunlight and better HDR. Typical max brightness is now 1000 nits (up from 800), while peak HDR brightness is 1600 nits (up from 1200). Apple also says that the iPhone 15 models can reach 2000 nits peak brightness outdoors, a display feature introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro model last year and expanded to the standard iPhone 15 models this year.

The iPhone 15 has a resolution of 2556 by 1179 with 460 pixels per inch, while the iPhone 15 Plus has a resolution of 2796 by 1290 with 460 pixels per inch.

There is a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (unchanged), and wide color support offers vivid, true-to-life colors, and True Tone matches the white balance of the display to the ambient lighting for a paper-like viewing experience that's easier on the eyes. There's also a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating and support for Haptic Touch, which provides haptic feedback when interacting with the display.

The display continues to be protected by a "Ceramic Shield" material that is made by infusing nano-ceramic crystals into glass. The ceramic crystals were manipulated to optimize for clarity while maintaining toughness, with the display created in partnership with Corning. According to Apple, Ceramic Shield is the toughest smartphone glass, with a dual-ion exchange process ensuring protection against scratches and everyday wear and tear.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus do not support the ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate or the Always-On display technologies available on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.

New to the iPhone 15 lineup this year is the Dynamic Island, which houses the TrueDepth camera sensor for Face ID and the front-facing camera. The proximity sensor for the setup is now under the display, and smaller cutouts are used for the camera, dot protector, and other components.

The display has a small circular cutout on the right side that's for the camera, and a pill-shaped cutout on the left side for the TrueDepth system for Face ID. Apple is using software to combine these two cutouts into one pill-shaped cutout that makes up the Dynamic Island.

Apple has turned the Dynamic Island into part of the iPhone's interface, and it is used as a front-and-center information hub for notifications and other at-a-glance information from apps and services. When you make an Apple Pay payment, for example, Dynamic Island expands into a square shape to confirm your Face ID scan, and when on a phone call, it expands so you have phone controls at your fingertips.

• Phone 15: What Dynamic Island Does and How to Use It

It can display everything from Maps directions to timers to Apple Music and the AirPods connection status. It integrates with Live Activities for tracking sports scores, Uber rides, and more right from the top of the iPhone's display without leaving the app you're in, plus it can collapse down or open up when tapped.

Apple is using the same A16 Bionic chip that was in the iPhone 14 Pro models for the iPhone 15 lineup. The A16 has two high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores, offering modest improvements over the A15 chip.

With its 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU, the A16 Bionic chip has earned a single-core score of 2522 on Geekbench and a multi-core score of 6397. It is second only to the A17 Pro chip in the iPhone 15 Pro models in terms of A-series chip performance.

There's an updated 16-core Neural Engine in the A16, and it is capable of nearly 17 trillion operations per second.

The A16 chip also includes an image signal processor that powers the photographic features of the iPhone 15 models, with up to four trillion operations performed per photo.

There is 6GB RAM in the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, the same amount of RAM that was in the iPhone 14 models.

Storage space starts at 128GB for the most affordable versions of the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, but 256GB and 512GB options are available at increased prices.

The iPhone 15 models are the first to feature a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port, allowing them to be charged with a USB-C cable. With this change, the same cord can be used for charging the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C charging case.

USB-C allows an iPhone to directly charge AirPods or an Apple Watch using a USB-C cable, and the iPhone is able to provide up to 4.5W.

On the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, the USB-C port is limited to USB 2 transfer speeds of 480 Mb/s, the same as Lightning. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max support faster USB 3 transfer speeds up to 10 Gb/s.

The iPhone 15 models continue to use Face ID, Apple's facial recognition system. Face ID is now baked into the Dynamic Island, which functions the same as the notch that was available on the iPhone 14 models.

Face ID is used across iOS for unlocking the iPhone, allowing access to third-party passcode-protected apps, confirming app purchases, authenticating Apple Pay payments, and more.

Face ID works through a set of sensors and cameras. A Dot Projector projects tens of thousands of invisible infrared dots onto the surface of the skin to create a 3D facial scan that maps the curves and planes of each face, with the scan read by an infrared camera.

The facial depth map is relayed to the A16 chip where it is transformed into a mathematical model that the iPhone uses to authenticate identity. Face ID works in low light and in the dark, and with hats, beards, glasses, sunglasses, scarves, masks, and other accessories that partially obscure the face.

The iPhone 15 models include the same 12-megapixel front-facing camera with an ƒ /1.9 aperture that was available in the iPhone 14 lineup. The front-facing camera has a built-in Retina Flash, and it supports almost all of the same features available in the rear cameras.

Apple has included selfie Night mode, improved Smart HDR 5 integration, Dolby Vision HDR recording, Deep Fusion to bring out fine details, a Photonic Engine that improves low-light performance, and next-generation Portrait mode that lets you take images and turn them into portrait shots later.

4K video recording, QuickTake video, slo-mo video, Portrait mode, Portrait Lighting, and the Photographic Styles feature for selectively applying edits are also supported on the front-facing camera.

Apple made major improvements to the dual-lens camera system used in the iPhone 15 models, introducing a new 48-megapixel Main camera that is notably better than the 12-megapixel Main camera used in the iPhone 14.

The camera features a 26 mm focal length with ƒ /1.6 aperture that lets in plenty of light for situations where lighting is not optimal. Apple added sensor-shift optical image stabilization for less movement and crisper photos and videos, with the lens supporting both 24-megapixel and 48-megapixel high-resolution images.

With the 24-megapixel option, every two pixels are combined into one pixel, allowing for high-resolution images that have impressive detail and low-light performance without too large of a file size. 48-megapixel images are also supported, and this year, can be saved in either RAW or HEIF format.

The upgrade to the 48-megapixel lens allowed Apple to add a 2x Telephoto option that uses the middle 12 megapixels on the sensor for full-resolution 2x photos with no digital zoom. There is no optical zoom lens on the iPhone 15, and this is the first time Apple has enabled any kind of optical zoom option on a standard iPhone.

Along with the 48-megapixel Main camera, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus have a 12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera with an ƒ /2.4 aperture and 120º field of view. It is identical to the Ultra Wide camera in the iPhone 14 models.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus offer up to 4K video recording at 24, 25, 30, or 60 frames per second. HDR recording, ProRes video, Cinematic mode, Action mode, slo-mo video, and time-lapse are all supported.

Apple overhauled Portrait mode with the iPhone 15 lineup, and there is no longer a need to specifically choose Portrait mode before capturing an image.

You can now snap a photo and if there is a person or pet, depth information is collected and Portrait mode is enabled automatically with a blurred background effect. This also works if you tap to focus on an area in an image, and you can turn it on or off in the Photos app.

The degree of background blur can be adjusted as usual, and you can also shift the focus between objects that are in the scene in the Photos app. Apple says that Portrait images feature more detail and richer color, even in Night mode.

There are several other camera bells and whistles that Apple has been adding to the iPhones over the years.

• Smart HDR 5 - Recognizes one or more people in a scene and optimizes contrast, lighting, and even skin tones for each person so everyone looks their best. Smart HDR was been upgraded in the iPhone 15 to deliver better color and more true-to-life skin tones.
• Photonic Engine - The Photonic Engine combines the best pixels from a high-resolution image and an image optimized for light capture, leading to a 24-megapixel image with detail drawn from an image twice the resolution.
• Photographic Styles - Smart, adjustable filters that can do things like boost or mute colors without affecting skin tone. Styles apply selectively to an image, unlike a filter that's applied to the entire image. Photographic Styles include Vibrant (boosts colors), Rich Contrast (darker shadows and deeper colors), Warm (accentuates golden undertones), or Cool (accentuates blue undertones). Tone and Warmth are customizable for each style, so you can get the exact look that you want.
• Night mode - Takes a series of images over a few seconds and aggregates them to allow for photography in extreme low lighting situations. Night mode scenes feature richer color and sharper detail with the iPhone 15.
• Deep Fusion - Works in mid to low lighting conditions and brings out the texture and detail in the image.
• Portrait Lighting - Changes the lighting of Portrait mode photos with effects that include Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, and High-Key Mono.
• True Tone flash - True Tone flash is the built-in flash, and it is designed to match the ambient lighting so it doesn't throw off the white balance of the photo when used. The iPhone 15 flash is brighter and it has more consistent lighting.
• Cinematic mode - A video mode that keeps the focus on the main subject that you're filming even as you move.
• Action mode - Enhances image stabilization to improve shaky handheld video.
• Panorama - Captures panoramic shots up to 63 megapixels.
• Burst mode - Allows a series of images to be captured all at once, which is good for high-action shots.

There is a 3,349 mAh battery in the iPhone 15, while the iPhone 15 Plus has a 4,383 mAh battery, both just a bit higher-capacity than the batteries from the respective prior-generation models. The iPhone 15 offers up to 20 hours of battery life for video playback, up to 16 hours for streaming video playback, and up to 80 hours for audio playback.

The iPhone 15 Plus offers up to 26 hours of video playback, up to 20 hours of streaming video playback, and up to 100 hours of audio playback. All iPhone 15 models are fast-charge capable and can charge up to 50 percent in 30 to 35 minutes with a 20W or higher power adapter.

iPhone 15 models show the battery cycle count for the first time, and there is also a built-in setting to prevent an iPhone from charging past 80 percent to preserve battery health.

• 18 Tips to Make Your iPhone 15's Battery Last Longer
• How to Check Battery Cycle Count on iPhone 15
• How to Prevent Your iPhone 15 Battery Charging Beyond 80%

The iPhone 15 models are equipped with a next-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon X70 modem that supports 5G connectivity. Qualcomm says that the X70 modem features the first 5G AI system in a modem system, using AI to enable faster 5G speeds, better coverage, lower latency, and improved power efficiency.

In the United States, iPhone owners can connect to both mmWave and sub-6GHz networks, while other countries are limited to sub-6GHz. mmWave 5G networks are the fastest 5G networks, but mmWave is short-range and can be obscured by buildings, trees, and other obstacles, so its use is limited to major cities and urban areas along with venues like stadiums, airports, and other places where a lot of people congregate.

Sub-6GHz 5G is more widespread and available in urban, suburban, and rural areas across the United States and other countries. For the most part, when you use a 5G network, you'll be using sub-6GHz 5G. Sub-6GHz 5G is typically faster than LTE, especially when mid-band spectrum is used, but it isn't always the blazing fast 5G that you expect.

5G tests have suggested that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus support 5G download speeds that are up to 54 percent faster than the download speeds available on the iPhone 14.

The iPhone 15 models in the United States support more than 20 5G bands. The following bands are supported:

• Sub-6GHz 5G - 5G NR (Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n53, n66, n70, n71, n77, n78, n79)
• mmWave 5G - Bands n258, n260, n261

The iPhone 15 models continue to offer Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO for connecting to LTE networks when 5G is unavailable. The following bands are supported:

• FDD-LTE - Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66, 71
• TD-LTE - Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 53

All iPhone 15 models can connect to satellites in emergency situations when cellular and Wi-Fi connections are not available. Apple has designed the new Emergency SOS via satellite feature to allow the iPhone's antennas to connect to satellites operated by Globalstar.

Satellite communications are available in emergency situations where you can't connect to Wi-Fi or a cellular tower, and the feature is designed to be used in open spaces with few trees so the iPhone can connect to a satellite that's in the sky.

Apple has a walkthrough interface that instructs you how to hold the iPhone to connect to a satellite, and the company has developed a compressed messaging protocol because sending data via satellite can take minutes. In an area with no trees, a short message to emergency services can send in as little as 15 seconds.

Emergency SOS via satellite provides a series of important questions that you answer when it is activated, with these questions aimed at getting necessary details to emergency personnel as quickly as possible. The answers that you provide are sent directly to emergency services if text communication is supported in your area, or sent to relay centers staffed by Apple-trained specialists who can call emergency services on the user's behalf.

Satellite connectivity is mainly designed to allow users to contact emergency services in dire situations, but it can also be used to update your Find My location if you're camping or hiking off the grid, giving your family and friends peace of mind about where you are.

• iPhone 14: How to Demo or Use the Emergency SOS via Satellite Service
• How to Share Your Location via Satellite With Find My

Emergency SOS via satellite is free for all iPhone 15 users for two years, and Apple has not yet provided details on what it will cost in the future.

Apple with the iPhone 15 also added Roadside Assistance via satellite, which allows U.S. iPhone users to contact AAA for help if they have car trouble in an area without cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity. There is no charge for the satellite usage with Roadside Assistance, but a AAA membership or one-time fee for the AAA help is required.

There's a high dynamic range gyroscope and a dual-core accelerometer capable of detecting G-force measurements of up to 256Gs in the iPhone 15 models, and paired with other iPhone sensors like a barometer that can detect cabin pressure changes caused by deployed airbags, this hardware enables a Crash Detection feature.

The iPhone 15 models can detect a severe car crash and automatically dial emergency services when the car's occupants are seriously injured or unable to reach their phones. The GPS in the iPhone is able to detect speed changes, and the microphone is able to recognize loud sounds associated with severe car crashes. Crash Detection is also available on the Apple Watch, and the iPhone and Apple Watch work together to contact emergency services when an accident occurs.

• How Crash Detection Works and How to Turn It Off

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 4x4 MIMO, and Bluetooth 5.3. There's an NFC chip with reader mode, and a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip. The new Ultra Wideband chip provides improved spatial awareness, allowing iPhone 15 models to more precisely locate other Apple devices with an Ultra Wideband chip. The chip allows two iPhones to connect to each other at three times the range as before.

The Ultra Wideband chip can be used for precision tracking, such as when locating AirTags. It is also used for directional AirDrop and for interactions with the HomePod mini, plus Apple has added a Precision Finding feature for locating friends with an iPhone 15 in a crowded area.

As for GPS, the iPhone 15 models support GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou location services.

There continue to be MagSafe magnets at the back of the iPhone 15 models, with those magnets able to connect to the MagSafe charger and other magnetic accessories. Official MagSafe chargers from Apple and authorized third parties can wirelessly charge the iPhone 15 models at up to 15W.

Second-generation Qi-based charging is also available, but it still maxes out at 7.5W and does not support faster charging.

Apple is selling the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus alongside the more expensive iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, which are quite an upgrade this year.

Compared to the iPhone 15 models, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max feature a lighter, more durable titanium frame, a faster and more efficient A17 Pro chip built on a new 3-nanometer process, ProMotion display technology, an Always-On display, and 3x and 5x Telephoto camera lenses, respectively.

More information about the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max can be found in our roundup .

Apple is already working on the iPhone 16 lineup, which will arrive in 2024. As with the iPhone 15 lineup, many of the most cutting-edge changes will be aimed primarily at the iPhone 16 Pro models. We are expecting larger display sizes, a faster A18 chip, Wi-Fi 7 support, and a new 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera.

The standard iPhone 16 models could see camera improvements, the A17 chip, and the Action Button. New 5G chips and a "Capture Button" for spatial video are expected across the lineup.

More information on what's coming to future iPhone models can be found in our dedicated iPhone 16 roundup .

• April 19 - Updated Buyer's Guide information.
• February 21 - Added iPhone 16 comparison guide.
• November 15 - Included 5G speed test compared to iPhone 14.
• October 24 - Updated buying information, added Dynamic Island how to.
• October 11 - Added a guide on maximizing iPhone 15 battery life.
• October 4 - Updated issues section with info about possible problems with wireless charging pads in BMW vehicles.
• September 29 - Included issues section with details about problems with CarPlay and power banks.
• September 25 - Qualcomm X70 modem confirmed, info added.
• September 22 - Launch info and reviews added.
• September 19 - Roundup filled out with all new iPhone 15 details.
• September 15 - Pre-orders are now live.
• September 13 - Roundup overhauled with finalized details post-launch.

And so it starts: the iPhone 15 Pro could be the cut-off for iOS 18's best AI features

AI could be Apple's next iPhone upgrade ploy, but don't worry yet

When it comes to AI-powered features on iPhones, there's good news and bad news. On the plus side, it seems the tech is likely to power several useful new features in iOS 18 . But unfortunately, new rumors predict that some of the best ones will be restricted to the iPhone 15 Pro (and rumored iPhone 16 series).

Bloomberg's reliable reporter Mark Gurman has now predicted that "many of the on-device AI capabilities will require an iPhone 15 Pro or later to work". While he doesn't specify which AI features these will be, the latest rumors are predicting that a smarter Siri (including hands-free app control) and AI photo editing will be among the key on-device upgrades.

The likely technical reason for this is the iPhone 15 Pro's A17 Pro chip , which isn't in the base iPhone 15 and offers some major performance boosts, including being able to execute twice as many operations per second as the A16 Bionic. The iPhone 16 is also rumored to be packing an A18 Pro chipset with an upgraded neural processing unit (NPU) .

Of course, the wider benefit for Apple is a new feature that could help tempt current iPhone owners to buy a new model. As Gurman states, "Apple is betting that the new AI features for the iPhone will encourage users to upgrade their devices".

This will also be the case, to a lesser extent, for Macs and iPads. Gurman says that Apple's laptops and tablets "will need at least an M1 chip" to run the company's on-device AI features. But given that the first devices with an M1 chip were the Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) and the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) , the upgrade urgency could be much lower for those than for iPhone owners.

Analysis: A minor concern, for now

Apple doesn't commonly ring-fence major features for certain iPhone models, but it has happened increasingly in recent years. 

For example, the iPhone 15 received an 80% charge limit option and 24MP photos, which weren't on the iPhone 14 series. The option of shooting Apple ProRaw and ProRes was also restricted to Apple's recent 'Pro' models, from the iPhone 14 Pro Max onwards.

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It seems like AI-powered features in iOS 18 could take this trend to the next level, in order to spark an iPhone upgrade cycle that has dwindled in recent years. But there's also evidence that it could take a few years before it becomes a major upgrade factor, at least on the same level of Apple's iPhone cameras.

For a start, these model requirements shouldn't apply to off-device AI features. The ChatGPT app, for example, is supported by any iPhone running iOS 16.1 or later, which goes all the way back to the iPhone 8 from 2017. 

It isn't clear exactly how Apple's rumored deal with OpenAI might integrate the chatbot into iOS 18, but there'll be plenty of off-device AI options for those running older iPhones. Also, the rumored AI features for iOS 18 don't currently sound so powerful that they'll leave older iPhones behind.

With most features for apps like Notes and Voice Memos sounding like minor quality-of-life upgrades, it could be a while before on-device AI becomes a major reason to upgrade – but the process will likely start with iOS 18.

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Mark is TechRadar's Senior news editor. Having worked in tech journalism for a ludicrous 17 years, Mark is now attempting to break the world record for the number of camera bags hoarded by one person. He was previously Cameras Editor at both TechRadar and Trusted Reviews, Acting editor on Stuff.tv, as well as Features editor and Reviews editor on Stuff magazine. As a freelancer, he's contributed to titles including The Sunday Times, FourFourTwo and Arena. And in a former life, he also won The Daily Telegraph's Young Sportswriter of the Year. But that was before he discovered the strange joys of getting up at 4am for a photo shoot in London's Square Mile. 

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iPhone 15 Pro

You might need apple’s latest iphone 15 pro to use all the ai features in ios 18.

In a little over a week’s time, Apple will unveil iOS 18 and its other new operating system versions, with a heavy focus on bringing AI features to its customers at a system level.

Apple is expected to use a combination of on-device and cloud for AI processing. But customers might need the latest and greatest to be able to use these new features. Mark Gurman writes that many of the upcoming on-device artificial intelligence will require the latest high-end, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max .

That would mean that to use every new iOS 18 feature, customers would be expected to own the latest high-end ‘Pro’ iPhones with the A17 Pro chip. (Note that the cheaper iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus released last fall, are powered by the older A16 chip.)

The A17 minimum requirement is probably partly a result of product marketing segmentation with Apple increasing the appeal of higher-end models, and partly a result of technical requirements. The A17 features significantly faster CPU and GPU cores, and a new 16-core Neural Engine capable of 35 trillion operations per second. The integrated RAM on the chip also increased from 6 GB to 8 GB.

By the time iOS 18 ships to the public, likely in September, the iPhone 15 Pro series will be a year old and Apple will have unveiled the 2024 iPhone 16 lineup — which will undoubtedly support all the iOS 18 features, and maybe even have additional AI exclusive capabilities.

Expected system requirements for Mac and iPad seems a bit more inclusive, with Gurman suggesting that the cutoff may be the M1 chip. That would date back to the 2020 Apple Silicon Macs and the 2021 iPad Pro, or later models.

With the M1 cutoff, all iPad and Mac models would have at least 8 GB RAM available, which may turn out to be the primary limiting factor. If the power of the Neural Engine was the bottleneck, only the newer M3 or M4 chip sport a Neural Engine as powerful as the one found in the iPhone 15 Pro.

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Benjamin develops iOS apps professionally and covers Apple news and rumors for 9to5Mac. Listen to Benjamin, every week, on the Happy Hour podcast. Check out his personal blog . Message Benjamin over email or Twitter .

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Updated June 2: article originally posted June 1

Apple CEO Tim Cook at an iPhone 15 launch event at the Fifth Avenue Apple Store (Photo by Alexi ... [+] Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

Next week, Apple will hold its annual Worldwide Developer Conference, where it will introduce several AI-based tools that will power the iPhone 16 family when the handsets are launched in September. Many of these tools will be available to older iPhones, but only the iPhone 15 Pro will make full use of them.

Update: Sunday June 2: Writing for Bloomberg’s Power On newsletter , Mark Gurman raises a worrying detail about Apple’s push to integrate AI with the iPhone 16 family and iOS 18. It won’t be ready for the new iPhone launch in September.

"Though Apple plans to push out several AI features this fall with iOS 18, the upgraded Siri capabilities won’t arrive until sometime next year. Still, they provide a good idea of how broad Apple is thinking about AI — and how deeply it hopes to integrate the technology into its products."

While it does give us a look at Apple’s thinking on this issue, even a generous January launch of the new AI features will see the iPhone pick up the basic table stakes of what consumers see as AI some 15 months after Google debuted them on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro,12 months after Samsung debuted its system on the Galaxy S24, 24+ and S24 Ultra, and almost a year after the rush of Android AI smartphones launched at CES 2024.

Apple Loop iPhone 16 Pro Details iOS 18 s AI Plans iPhone 14 Pro Special Offer

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There’s every chance that Google, Samsung, OnePlus, Honor, and other manufacturers will be on their second-generation of AI-first smartphones before Apple manages to ship its first-generation effort. That’s assuming you have a handset that will support the new software; only the current iPhone 15 Pro will be able to leverage the full suite of AI tools.

The Apple retail store in Grand Central Terminal (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

The likely reason is the A17 Pro chipset inside the Pro models. This is Apple’s latest Axx mobile chipset, and it is notable that Apple weakened the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models by using the then-year-old A16 chipset. The extra power of the A17 Pro’s Neural engine, alongside the faster CPU and GPU cores, will be needed to run the on-device LLMs and generative AI routines.

Even then, the iPhone 16 Pro models will see the updated A18 Pro chipset; and if Apple has made the same decisions as Qualcomm and Samsung, the A18 will have silicon specifically designed to support the intensive AI routines. While the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max may have just enough power in the A17 to match the A18, the lower specced vanilla models will likely be left out in the cold.

There may be an option to offload some AI routines into the cloud. This is the approach taken by several Android manufacturers looking for more extensive AI processes or offering AI capabilities to lower-spec hardware. If this is the case, expect Apple to lean heavily into the privacy implications of AI in the cloud and how Apple will be able to mitigate this risk.

I’m sure Apple would prefer that users consider the other option, buying a new handset specifically to upgrade to an AI-capable handset.

AI means many things to many people, but one of the biggest benefits for the smartphone industry is the need for new hardware to deliver competent solutions. Apple will no doubt put its spin on AI—a spin that is likely to focus on supporting the user with summaries, better images, natural responses from Siri, and more accurate image processing—but the underlying drive will echo the competition… if you want one of the first AI smartphones, you’re going to need to buy a new handset.

Now read the latest iPhone headlines in Forbes’ weekly digest of Apple news...

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iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro displays — 5 biggest rumors for the new iPhones

Here's what we've heard about the screens on this fall's iPhones

Your smartphone's screen is what you spend most of your time staring at, so naturally, phone makers have plenty of incentive to spruce up the panels included with new phone releases. Expect the iPhone 16 to follow suit when it comes out later this year, bringing some rather significant display improvements to each of the four new models.

As we've previously reported, displays have become a critical way for phone makers to differentiate their devices — hence, the push to add brighter screens with fast refresh rates to the best phones . Certainly, last year's iPhone 15 releases didn't pass up the opportunity for a display upgrade, with the standard iPhone getting a brighter panel and Apple shrinking the bezels around the iPhone 15 Pro screens.

Expect the improvements to continue with the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models this fall. We've been tracking rumors about all the changes to the upcoming phones, and displays sound as if they'll be a particular area of focus. Here are the biggest rumored display improvements slated for the iPhone 16, along with what those changes might mean for anyone who's mulling an upgrade to those phones.

New screen sizes for the iPhone 16 Pro models

This could be the biggest display change to this fall's iPhones in a quite literal sense. Initial rumors tips the displays on the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max to increase from the sizes first established with the iPhone 12 Pro models in 2020.

According to the screen size rumor, the iPhone 16 Pro would offer a 6.3-inch display, up from the 6.1-inch screen on the iPhone 15 Pro. Likewise, the iPhone 16 Pro Max would feature a 6.9-inch panel compared to the 6.7-inch screen on the iPhone 15 Pro Max .

Since talk of larger iPhone 16 Pro displays first surfaced, the evidence has only mounted that Apple's going to make this change. We've seen dummies of the iPhone 16 lineup reflecting the new screen sizes as well as iPhone 16 Pro renders.

Adjusting the iPhone 16 Pro display size would further differentiate the Pro models from the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, as those latter two phones are expected to keep their 6.1- and 6.7-inch screens sizes. Making the Pro models stand out has been a big part of Apple's smartphone strategy in recent years, so this would fall in line with that approach. 

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From a practical purpose, the expanded display would give iPhone 16 Pro owners more screen space to work with. And it would also give the iPhone 16 Pro model specifically more room to house a tetrarism telephoto lens — one of the camera improvements rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro .

A brighter display

As we noted, the iPhone 15 saw its display get a boost to a peak HDR brightness of 1,600 nits while its maximum outdoor brightness rose to 2,000 nits. Rumors say it'll be the Pro models' turn to see a similar increase this fall.

Specifically, a leaker on Weibo predicts a 20% improvement to the brightness level on the iPhone 16 Pro (and presumably, the iPhone 16 Pro Max as well). The brightness boost apparently applies to typical use, or SDR content, with the iPhone 16 Pro retaining the 1,600-nit maximum for HDR content that's found on current iPhones.

It's unclear if the improvement to brightness would also extend to the standard iPhone 16, but Apple would certainly have plenty of motivation to use brighter panels if possible. The Galaxy S24 models released by Samsung earlier this year promise a maximum brightness of 2,600 nits, while the OnePlus 12 claims it can rech 4,500 nits under certain conditions. (That didn't happen in our testing, though the 1,115 nits we measured in SDR is plenty bright.) Even the midrange Pixel 8a display can match the maximum brightness of Google's flagship phones.

In other words, Apple's key competitors are all making their phone screens brighter. It will be intersting to see if Apple follow suit.

More efficient displays

Brightness is just half the battle with display specs. You also want a panel that's not draining your phone's battery. And it sounds like Apple's hoping to make progress in that regard with the iPhone 16.

Last year, a rumor surfaced that Samsung Display — which supplies many of the panels that Apple uses for its phones — planned to replace blue fluorescent technology with blue phosphorescence technology on a new OLED material set. The move would boost power efficiency on the display , theoretically helping phones equipped with that particular panel to last longer on a charge.

For this rumor to effect the iPhone 16, you'd have to make some logical leaps — first, that Samsung Display is going to provide the panels for this year's iPhones, and then that this more-power efficient OLED panel will be ready in time for the iPhone 16. Still, with battery life a key focus for so many phone makers, you'd expect that Apple would jump at the chance to use components that might improve the already impressive longevity of its iPhone models.

Thinner bezels for the iPhone 16

Of all the rumored changes to the iPhone 16's displays, this seems the least likely to happen, but we'll share it anyhow. Display makers are turning to a new process called Border Reduction Structure that makes changes to wiring and circuitry to allow the bottom bezel on phone displays to get thinner . On devices like the iPhone, which have symmetrical bezels, that would translate to thinner bezels all around.

So what's the issue here? The BRS process can complicate screen manufacturing, so suppliers are reportedly struggling to make enough to give Apple the panels it needs for an iPhone 16 launch. As a result, we'd be surprised if this happens though happy if it did.

That's because Apple shrunk the bezels on the iPhone 15 Pro display last year. That resulted in images, videos and other on-display content popping more compared to iPhones with thicker bezels.

No refresh rate changes

While we're delivering bad news, we might as well talk about an iPhone 16 display improvement that definitely won't happen. While the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models will continue to feature displays with 120Hz adaptive refresh rates and support for always-on displays, there are apparently no plans for Apple to boost the refresh rate on the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Plus. Those phones are expected to continue to have a fixed 90Hz refresh rate.

As a result, if you opt for either the iPhone 16 and or iPhone 16 Plus, you're not going to benefit from smoother scrolling or more immersive graphics. And the lack of always-on display support means that you can't use the Standby feature to its full extent. Standby turns your phone into a smart display when you charge it horizontally, but on phones that lack always-on displays go to sleep after 20 seconds or so.

iPhones with 60Hz screens are using low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) panels. To support faster refresh rates, they need to switch to low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) panels used for Apple's ProMotion displays. That switch isn't expected to happen until 2025 and the iPhone 17.

More from Tom's Guide

• iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro colors — here's what we could get
• iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Biggest rumored differences
• iOS 18: Possible release date, new features, supported devices and more

Philip Michaels is a Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. He's been covering personal technology since 1999 and was in the building when Steve Jobs showed off the iPhone for the first time. He's been evaluating smartphones since that first iPhone debuted in 2007, and he's been following phone carriers and smartphone plans since 2015. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics, old movies and proper butchery techniques. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.

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iPhone 16: Get the Inside Scoop on the Most Credible Apple Rumors

Apple is hinting at big changes for the iPhone 16. Here's everything we know.

• More than a decade of journalism experience

It's been more than  eight months  since the  iPhone 15  launched, and as Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference approaches on June 10 , we're wondering what goodies the next iPhone will bring.

We've heard whispers about the iPhone 16's features, which are said to span from a new power-efficient display to larger screens, better zoom lenses, an action button and, perhaps not surprisingly, a suite of new AI-powered features .

Read more: Best iPhone of 2024

However, the iPhone 16 is still presumably four months away and nothing will be confirmed until Apple's iPhone event in the fall. Still, these rumors could give us an idea of what to expect from the next iPhone.

Here are the most credible rumors for the iPhone 16.

Will the iPhone 16 be foldable?

Probably not. The newest rumors suggest Apple has been working on iPhone Flip models in two different sizes, though there have been difficulties in making the devices to Apple's standards. The company may also be working on a folding tablet with a screen around the size of an iPad Mini. Even though virtually every major phone-maker -- from Google to Oppo to OnePlus and Samsung -- have launched their own bendable handsets, Apple has been characteristically quiet about whether there will ever be an iPhone Flip or an iPhone Fold.

Prior rumors said Apple may not launch its own flexible screen device until 2025. Samsung hasn't let phone fans forget it -- by releasing an app that will let Apple phone owners experience a Z Fold-esque experience by placing two iPhones side-by-side .

iPhone 16 design might mean slimmer bezels

The rumors of larger screen sizes are piling in, at least for select iPhone 16 models. The latest is from Korean publication, the Elec, which published an April report saying select iPhone 16 models are poised to adopt an innovative screen technology, resulting in thinner bezels or the frame around the phone's screen. This development could translate to a slightly larger screen area for some iPhone 16 models, although it's not clear which models. 

Apple has historically introduced display upgrades in its pro line of products, before sometimes trickling them down to lower-cost models afterwards. The report says display manufacturers have introduced a novel border reduction structure technology, enabling more compact control circuitry and ultimately leading to slimmer bezels.

iPhone 16 Pro models could have bigger screens

Speaking of screen sizes, Apple has maintained the two screen sizes for iPhone Pro models since 2020 when it launched the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro and the 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max . However, that's rumored to change with the iPhone 16 Pro models, which might get bigger screens.

Display analyst Ross Young suggested earlier this year that the iPhone 16 Pro models will have larger screens, putting the sizes at 6.3 inches for the iPhone 16 Pro and 6.9 inches for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. That rumor was later corroborated by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who said the iPhone 16 Pro models could grow by "a couple tenths of an inch diagonally."

Read more : How the iPhone 16's Design May Change

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models are believed to be sticking with the current 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch sizes . If the size increase is accurate, it would be yet another move from Apple to distinguish its Pro iPhone models from its regular ones.

iPhone 15 screen sizes

• iPhone 15: 6.1 inches
• iPhone 15 Plus: 6.7 inches
• iPhone 15 Pro: 6.1 inches
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: 6.7 inches

Rumored iPhone 16 screen sizes

• iPhone 16: 6.1 inches
• iPhone 16 Plus: 6.7 inches
• iPhone 16 Pro: 6.3 inches
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: 6.9 inches

iPhone 16 will likely have many more AI tricks

AI is perhaps the biggest tech buzzword this year, and Apple is expected to follow in the footsteps of rivals, Samsung and Google, which each trumpeted the new AI tips and tricks on their flagship phones. Earlier in May, CEO Tim Cook went far as saying he expects Apple have to an edge in AI, though the company is widely seen as being behind in the AI race.

To be sure, Apple's iOS 18 could bring the "biggest" software update in the iPhone's history, according to a January edition of Mark Gurman's  Power On newsletter .  Gurman also reported that iOS 18 will feature generative AI technology that "should improve how both Siri and the Messages app can field questions and auto-complete sentences." 

A September report from the Information says Apple plans to use large language models, a crucial part of generative AI, to make Siri smarter. The report said this feature is expected to be released with an iPhone software update next year.  

Read more : iPhone iOS 18: A Possible Big Leap In AI

iPhone 16 design: New action button?

In March, AppleInsider published a collection of photographs purportedly displaying 3D-printed dummy models of the rumored iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. The images revealed that the iPhone 16 may have a vertical camera stack as opposed to a diagonal one and an action button, similar the one on last year's iPhone 15 Pro.

iPhone 16 may have a more power-efficient display

Another change that could make its way to iPhone 16 displays is greater power efficiency. Samsung Display is apparently developing a new material set, dubbed M14, specifically for Apple, according to a TheElec report, which says the new technology should arrive on iPhones launching next year. M14 will replace the blue fluorescent technology that's used now with blue phosphorescence technology, creating an even more power-efficient screen than the current LTPO ones used on Pro models, the report says.

iPhone 16 cameras could get much better zoom

Both the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max could both have 5x telephoto lenses next year. According to Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo , a tetraprism lens will make its way to both Pro models next year, as opposed to just the Pro Max model. Apple equipped the iPhone 15 Pro with a 12-megapixel 3x optical zoom, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 12-megapixel 5x optical zoom camera, which is the equivalent of 120mm lens on a full-frame camera. If this rumor is true, it could mark a breakthrough in design. When Apple launched the 15 Pro Max with its 5x telephoto lens, it cited the phone's bigger body as to why the Pro Max had it, but the Pro didn't.

Read more: iPhone 16 Camera: What Apple Could Change 

iPhone 16 Pro: Less lens flare?

According to a recent leak discovered by MacRumors , Apple might be exploring a novel approach to enhance photo quality. The rumor suggests that the company could add an anti-reflective technology to its camera manufacturing process. If successful, this could potentially eliminate unwanted artifacts like lens flare, resulting in more realistic photos. 

iPhone 16 processors: A18 chip for all models?

In a break with the past two years, all four iPhone 16 models will apparently get a next-generation Apple chipset, which will all receive A18 branding. According to a MacRumors report citing Jeff Pu, an executive analyst for Haitong International Securities, all four models will have an A18 series chip with Pro iPhone models getting an A18 Bionic Pro and base models getting a regular A18.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus currently have an A16 Bionic, which debuted on the 2022 iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, while the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max run on the A17 Pro processor . Pu says the A18 chip will be manufactured with TSMC's cutting-edge 3 nanometer process.

Read more: Apple iPhone SE 4 Rumors: iPhone 14 Design, Face ID and More

Tim Cook unveiling the iPhone 13 in 2021.

Will the iPhone 16 get any new colors?

Noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has color predictions for the iPhone 16 lineup. In a post on X  in May, he said that the blue color option of the iPhone 15 Pro would be discontinued and replaced with a new rose model, which would be available for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. He also predicted that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will be available in white, replacing the yellow model.

When will the iPhone 16 be released?

Apple holds its annual iPhone event in September almost every year, so we'd expect the timeline to remain the same for the iPhone 16. New iPhones typically get released shortly thereafter, usually the Friday of the following week. Sometimes Apple will stagger release dates for specific models, especially when introducing a new design or size. So it's possible that the iPhone 16 lineup will have more than one release date.

What we know so far

Apple tends to hold its events on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. The iPhone 15 event was held on Tuesday, Sept. 7. The iPhone 14 event was held on Wednesday, Sept. 7. And the iPhone 13 event was held on Tuesday, Sept. 14.

iPhone release dates are typically a week and a half after Apple's announcements.

In general, new iPhones are released on a Friday, around the third week of September. For the iPhone 13, preorders began Sept. 17 and the phones went on sale Sept. 24.

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