8 Features Rumored for the iPhone 15 Coming in 2023

[Wildkraut]

Apple never said they would add USB-C.

They said they would comply.

That's a big difference, and an important difference that I think many here overlook.

They could simply remove the Lightning port and continue to use MagSafe/Qi charging and be in compliance.

Think about it. What is more likely for Apple to do: switch to a new connector for the iPhone, or remove the connector entirely? You know it, I know it, Tim Cook knows it. There will never be USB-C in the iPhone. They will say that this helps with water proofing (just like removing physical buttons) and tout how it saves space inside the device so they could increase the battery and fit the periscope camera. You know that's what's going to happen. Stop pretending you don't.

Like they tried to comply with South Korea and got slapped twice? If he tries, he must be retarded, too risky to play with 10% or 20% of their annual world wide turnover. USB-C will come, wireless is just another port type, and they demand USB-C. Furthermore, the documents says they will actively monitor and adapt the law as needed. The more Apple tries to circumvent und kick legs, the stricter and better the law will become.

Anyway, currently there is no way to circumvent a cabled port type, developing, debugging, and testing would become slow and a hassle.

 

[richinaus]

Apple never said they would add USB-C.

They said they would comply.

That's a big difference, and an important difference that I think many here overlook.

They could simply remove the Lightning port and continue to use MagSafe/Qi charging and be in compliance.

Think about it. What is more likely for Apple to do: switch to a new connector for the iPhone, or remove the connector entirely? You know it, I know it, Tim Cook knows it. There will never be USB-C in the iPhone. They will say that this helps with water proofing (just like removing physical buttons) and tout how it saves space inside the device so they could increase the battery and fit the periscope camera. You know that's what's going to happen. Stop pretending you don't.

now I do. Thanks macduke . very good points.

 

[Chiromac81]

How is "same size" a feature?!?

 

[Chiromac81]

Apple needs to seriously consider Product Red for iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max & Ultra.

No. No they don't

 

[Bobcat32]

I think solid state buttons can be achieved with a 3D Touch like technology like we had on our older screened iPhones where pressure exerted will trigger a button press rather than a tap with capacitive buttons. Capacitive would activate constantly and be a nightmare just by simply holding your phone. Unless they added some kind of double tap feature. Idk. Both routes may be plausible. Super stoked either way

 

[yustas]

These are cosmetic changes, not features.

 

[NightFlight]

Pumped for a true periscope camera and usb-c.

 

[teh_hunterer]

Apple said they would comply with regulations, not that they would switch to USB-C.

 

[DeepIn2U]

There's almost a year to go until we get new iPhone 15 models in September 2023, but we've been hearing rumors for months now. It's looking like the iPhone 15 models could get more notable updates than we saw for the iPhone 14, including features many iPhone users have wanted for years.

We've rounded up some of the best features coming to the iPhone 15 that we've heard so far so MacRumors readers know what to look forward to.

USB-C Port

2023 is expected to mark the end of the Lightning port for the iPhone, with Apple transitioning to USB-C. That means you'll be able to charge your modern Mac, iPad, and iPhone all with the same connector.

Apple isn't exactly swapping to USB-C in order to make your life more convenient, it's making the change because the European Union is demanding it. iPhones sold in Europe need to have USB-C ports by 2024, so Apple either needs to make a worldwide design change or create special iPhones for Europe.

Apple has confirmed it will comply with local regulations, and rumors indicate that Apple will make the change in 2023.

Solid State Volume and Power Buttons

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently said that Apple might add solid state volume and power buttons to the iPhone 15 rather than physical buttons, which would be similar to the trackpad on Macs and the iPhone 7's Home button. The haptic feedback would mimic the feel of a button press on the solid button, replacing the mechanical button press.

Using solid state buttons would likely protect against water ingress and could allow Apple to provide better water resistance. Using haptic feedback for buttons would require Apple to add new Taptic Engines.

Dynamic Island for All Models

Apple introduced the Dynamic Island for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, while the cheaper iPhone 14 models continue to use a notch. With the iPhone 15, the entire lineup is expected to get the Dynamic Island, so if you want access to the Dynamic Island but don't want to shell out for a Pro iPhone, wait for the iPhone 15.

Same Sizes

We haven't heard rumors about notable design changes for the iPhone 15 lineup as of yet, so it's looking like we're going to get the same sizes. The iPhone 15 and 15 Pro will measure in at 6.1 inches, and the iPhone 15 Plus and Pro Max will be 6.7 inches.

Periscope Lens Technology

We've been hearing about Apple's work on periscope lens technology for years now, and 2023 might be the year that it's introduced. Periscope lenses, which are already used by some Android smartphone manufacturers, have optical zoom capabilities that exceed the zoom range available with a standard telephoto lens.

With a periscope lens, Apple could offer 5x or even 10x optical zoom, up from 3x in the current iPhone 14 Pro models.

A Name Change?

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said that Apple might replace the "Pro Max" version of the iPhone 15 with a new high-end "Ultra" model. That would be in line with the Apple Watch Ultra, and it could give Apple an excuse to limit certain features to the highest-end iPhone, like periscope lens technology.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has already said that the periscope lens could be limited to the largest iPhone.

3-Nanometer A17 Chip

The iPhone 15 Pro models might be the first to feature a 3-nanometer chip from Apple supplier TSMC. 3nm chip technology is expected to increase processing performance by 10 to 15 percent, while also reducing power consumption by up to 30 percent.

If Apple does use a 3nm A17 chip, it would be a notable improvement over the A16. Only the Pro models got the A16, which is built on a 4nm process, and the A17 is similarly expected to be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro. Standard iPhone 15 models may see an upgrade to the prior-generation A16.

More RAM

The iPhone 15 Pro models could get 8GB RAM, up from 6GB, perhaps to support new capabilities like periscope lens technology.

Read More

For more on the iPhone 15, make sure to bookmark and follow our iPhone 15 roundup, which is updated on a regular basis with all of the rumors that we hear.

Article Link: 8 Features Rumored for the iPhone 15 Coming in 2023

“iPhones sold in Europe need to have USB-C ports by 2024”

I think MacRumors NEEDS to properly define with facts this stance.

1 - link the full approved document of the EU regarding all small computing devices to use USB-C. This negates falsehoods to your readers.

I mean why would Apple implement iPhone 15 with USB-C because the law was

Solid state buttons sound terrible. You can do some things by feel. How will clicking to take a picture work?

iPhone has usually had very nice clickable buttons. Losing that for something that seems less functional seems like a step down all the way around.

For a long time iPhone users were NOT aware the volume UP button could be used to take pictures.

In FACT this was done after iOS 4 it wasn’t native originally.

Sony is THE only phone manufacturer that still has a dedicated camera focus+shutter button that works for photos and videos.

Long long iPhone users know volume up button originally did not take photos so you HAD to use the onscreen button. Software. Not much different from capacitive buttons. A set vibration motors may make that different especially using various axis for vibration but I’m skeptical still, currently.

 

[anthogag]

An iPhone "Ultra" would have to be titanium...to match my ultra Watch Ultra

And port-less...everything wireless

Otherwise I don't care about 15 rumours. I got my new 14 Pro Max today from my local carrier corporate store. Black, 256 GB so I can use Pro Res.

 

[blazerunner]

How about this idea: many parts of the world, their iPhone is everything device, instead of a fashion icon or ”bludging“ being of any level of concern for them? How about not putting your iPhone in pants?

Big size iPhone is normal because people expect it to do EVERYTHING, not someone who prefers iPad or Mac over iPhone to do serious work that type of stuff.

That's nice, then those people can CHOOSE to get a phone big enough that compensates for lack of whatever. The rest of us have NO choice to get a normal sized phone.

If ONLY there was... you know, CHOICE?

 

[Shirasaki]

That's nice, then those people can CHOOSE to get a phone big enough that compensates for lack of whatever. The rest of us have NO choice to get a normal sized phone.

If ONLY there was... you know, CHOICE?

You talk about CHOICE I see. People have talked about “oh I want a smaller iPhone, if Apple release it, insta buy”, two years later, guess what? So Apple promptly killed iPhone mini this year.

How about, as a customer, walk the walk rather than talk the talk for once? You have to provide incentives to companies to maintain choices, not eliminating them. Oh, I see, collective intelligence isn’t as great as people otherwise would admit. Great.

 

[Tozovac]

When the Dynamic Island is booted from the island, what next battle will the Anti-bezel Society conquer next?

 

[rafark]

I'm hoping my poor iPhone 6s plus would last until the 15 comes out. It's running on its last leg now and I want to pull the trigger for a new phone but I really want a usb-c port. More RAM is always nice too.

My 6s is just fine. Battery life is awful though.

 

[Bawstun]

I’m here for the name change. Pro Max is literally one of the strangest product names I’ve ever heard of. Say it out loud…Pro Max. Doesn’t even make sense, lol.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

“Solid state buttons?”

Yeah, there was a reason why the HTC U12 Ultra was terrible (it was entirely because of those buttons).

 

[blazerunner]

You talk about CHOICE I see. People have talked about “oh I want a smaller iPhone, if Apple release it, insta buy”, two years later, guess what? So Apple promptly killed iPhone mini this year.

How about, as a customer, walk the walk rather than talk the talk for once? You have to provide incentives to companies to maintain choices, not eliminating them. Oh, I see, collective intelligence isn’t as great as people otherwise would admit. Great.

What are you talking about? You think people didn't buy the phone? They most certainly did... just not in the same numbers. And you wanna throw shade at me? I owned a Sony XZ1 Compact for over 4 years.... a 4.7" screen phone and I loved it. I'm now forced to use a Samsung S10e; a bigger phone but still smaller than all other Android phones.

.....also amazing how I'm getting that dose of why people can't stand Apple fanboys. Nice job.

 

[Solomani]

Compact size. All these monster sized 6+ inch phones are ridiculous and make you look like an unfashionable goof in public with a huge bulge in your pants.

It's embarrassing how everyone thinks this is NORMAL.

It's normal.

 

[Shirasaki]

What are you talking about? You think people didn't buy the phone? They most certainly did... just not in the same numbers. And you wanna throw shade at me? I owned a Sony XZ1 Compact for over 4 years.... a 4.7" screen phone and I loved it. I'm now forced to use a Samsung S10e; a bigger phone but still smaller than all other Android phones.

.....also amazing how I'm getting that dose of why people can't stand Apple fanboys. Nice job.

People buy, just not buying enough. And to companies eye, what would they think if a product lineup doesn‘t provide much revenue? Still keep throwing money and seeing where it would go? Or leader believes a vision where that lineup will take off in due time? I’m sorry, but Apple, just like any other company, would not keep throwing money to a product lineup that doesn’t work well.

You also mention you are forced to use a Samsung S10e, which means even android device manufacturers realise smaller phone is no longer as popular as it was or otherwise suggested by vocal minorities online. What gives? If android phone is slowly walking away from smaller phone, I see no reason why Tim Apple would go the other direction all of a sudden after abandoning mini lineup this year.

You can call me Apple fanboy, I don‘t really mind, if that makes you feel a bit better.

 

[Apple_Gabe]

I have a feeling Apple is going to transition their whole Pro line into Ultra, and it started with the Apple Watch. Not sure how I feel about an iPhone Ultra since Samsung uses the Ultra name in their phones. I guess it sounds kind of cool.

 

[seanmcbay]

No mini, no buy.

 

[iBreatheApple]

Why do I feel like Apple is so stubborn they probably will create a USB-C version just for them 😂

 

[svish]

Periscope lens on the Pro model will be very welcome. Will be very nice if Apple launches the Pro iPhones with more colour options. Solid state buttons will also be good.

 

[dampfnudel]

Apple never said they would add USB-C.

They said they would comply.

That's a big difference, and an important difference that I think many here overlook.

They could simply remove the Lightning port and continue to use MagSafe/Qi charging and be in compliance.

Think about it. What is more likely for Apple to do: switch to a new connector for the iPhone, or remove the connector entirely? You know it, I know it, Tim Cook knows it. There will never be USB-C in the iPhone. They will say that this helps with water proofing (just like removing physical buttons) and tout how it saves space inside the device so they could increase the battery and fit the periscope camera. You know that's what's going to happen. Stop pretending you don't.

Yeah, it’s quite possible that the EU requirements are just accelerating Apple’s original plans to go port-less and the rumor of the solid state buttons coming to the iPhone 15 is a big clue of this.

 

[TinyMito]

I think they will just get rid of the port completely.