A few months ago, Apple released iOS 15. The update fixes many bugs and improves performance. It also reduces image noise and banding in photos.
Apple is expected to adopt Sony’s stacked CMOS image sensor in the iPhone 15 series. This will allow for better low-light photography and cut down on over- or underexposure.
Operating system
Apple has reportedly stopped working on its own haptic hardware, with Cirrus Logic now supplying the component. It’s not clear whether this was a move to avoid a costly lawsuit or if Apple has simply decided to outsource the modem work, given its troubles with Intel in the past.
A new U1 chip could feature on the iPhone 15 series, supposedly moving from a 16nm production process to a more compact 7nm one. This would allow for increased performance and lower power consumption, and could open up opportunities for new functionality like Vision Pro’s spatial computing.
Other rumors point to a possible upgrade for the camera in the Pro models, with a periscope lens system offering up to 6x optical zoom. This may either replace the current telephoto lens or be added as a fourth lens.
Another change is expected to be the removal of the Lightning port. Leaker ShrimpApplePro claims that the iPhone 15 will only support USB-C accessories certified as Made for iPhone. This is likely to comply with European regulations on water resistance.
Camera
Apple is reportedly set to introduce the iPhone 15 series with an impressive 48MP camera lens. The new sensor is expected to feature a three-stacked design that enables it to capture more light and deliver better image quality.
This is a significant upgrade over the pixel binning technology used by current iPhones to produce 12MP images. It also enables higher-resolution cropping without sacrificing image quality.
According to Haitong International Securities’ analyst Jeff Pu, the new sensor is creating production issues that could delay the launch of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.
Pu expects that the new chip in the iPhone 15 will have enhanced Neural Engine capabilities, allowing it to perform more advanced image processing functions. The new chip is also expected to be built on a more compact 7nm process, which will help reduce power consumption and enable the device to run faster. Moreover, the new chip is also likely to support a folded zoom camera with 5x or 6x optical zoom.
Battery
Unlike the standard iPhone 14, which uses an older flagship chip, the iPhone 15 series will use Apple’s new A17 Bionic chips. These next-generation chips are expected to consume up to 35 percent less power, giving the iPhone 15 series a significant battery life boost.
In addition to the A17 Bionic chips, the iPhone 15 series is expected to feature a more efficient display driver. This will allow the OLED screen to consume less energy, which will further improve the battery life of the device.
It’s also possible that the iPhone 15 Pro models will include a special microprocessor that will prevent the phone from running out of juice. The microprocessor will handle the Taptic Engine feedback and the Bluetooth/UW, Find My, Apple Pay express card features, even when the phone is off or its battery is dead. It will also manage the power-saving ‘Super Low Energy Mode’ feature. According to MacRumors forum user ShrimpApplePro, the iPhone 15 series will only support USB-C accessories that are certified by Apple’s Made for iPhone program. This will limit the speed and data transfer capabilities of non-Apple cables.
Software updates
A few rumors are swirling about what software will be available for the iPhone 15 series. One source says the basic model will get a Pro-like camera with a 48MP image sensor, and that the Pro models may support Thunderbolt 3 data transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps.
A separate rumor suggests that Apple will replace the Lightning port with USB-C on the iPhone 15. This move is believed to be due to new European regulations that require all phone manufacturers to offer a USB-C connection in all their products.
The move to USB-C is expected to limit the use of accessories that only have a Lightning connector, such as headphones and chargers. A tipster known as ShrimpApplePro claims that Apple will only allow accessories with Made for iPhone (MFi) certification to charge at high-speed and transfer data. This may limit the functionality of third-party accessories and could also be a security measure to prevent data leaks.
