Rumours concerning Apple’s plans for the flagship iPhone 15 range for 2023 are already circulating with the debut of the iPhone 14 series. Even though Apple hasn’t yet made any indications about its intentions for the iPhone 15, we can make some educated assumptions about the new features and improvements it may include based on Apple’s prior release history and the most recent rumours.
Release Date
If Apple maintains its usual release schedule, we can expect the iPhone 15 series to be unveiled in September 2023. The iPhone 14 series was announced on September 7, 2022, so the iPhone 15 will likely see a similar September event and launch timeline.
Design
Don’t expect a major overhaul to the iPhone’s design in 2023. Apple typically reserves bold design changes for every two to three years. The iPhone 15 will likely retain a similar industrial design to the iPhone 14, though some key changes like new colors, materials, and styling tweaks are probable. There are also rumors of a new titanium frame coming to the Pro models.
Display
The iPhone 15 is likely to keep display sizes the same as the iPhone 14 series: 6.1-inches for the base model and 6.7-inches for the Pro Max version. However, we expect continued display technology improvements. The Pro models may adopt an always-on display akin to the Apple Watch. All models will continue using OLED screens, though with enhanced brightness, efficiency and refresh rates up to 120Hz.
Camera
Apple consistently upgrades the iPhone camera, so we can expect new sensors and lenses on the iPhone 15. Rumors point to increased optical zoom capabilities up to 5x, as well as improvements to low-light performance. The Pro iPhones may also upgrade the front-facing camera with added autofocus capabilities.
Processor & RAM
As with every new iPhone generation, the iPhone 15 will introduce the next version of Apple’s mobile chipset, likely called the A17 Bionic. It will be faster and more power efficient. RAM may also see a boost up to 6GB for Pro models.
Portless Design
One of the more radical rumors around the iPhone 15 suggests that Apple may ditch the Lightning port completely, opting for a fully wireless, portless design. However, most analysts think Apple is more likely to make this leap in 2024 rather than 2023.
5G & WiFi
The iPhone 15 will come with the latest 5G wireless capabilities, potentially introducing support for emerging standards that offer faster speeds and greater bandwidth. WiFi 6E support is also a possibility as networks continue to expand.
While it’s too soon for Apple to reveal its plans, the iPhone 15 is expected to be a compelling, if incremental, improvement that will solidify Apple’s smartphone supremacy into 2023 and beyond. The most recent rumours, however, should still be treated with doubt as usual. When the iPhone 15 eventually makes its formal appearance, Apple will still have plenty of time to shock us with some unexpected features.