iPhone 15: Everything you need to know about the next iPhone


Apple is reportedly planning big changes with the next iPhone release in 2023. Here's what to expect from the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro, including when the next iPhone is coming out.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • iPhone 15: Release date
  • iPhone 15: Price
  • iPhone 15 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • iPhone 15: Design
  • iPhone 15: Specs and features

  • Every year, Apple introduces a new iPhone line, and its introduction is the most important event in the Apple calendar. iPhone sales are at the heart of the company’s portfolio and serve as the driver for accessories like Apple Watch and AirPods.

    With just a few weeks to go until this year’s headline Apple event, with a date for Apple’s September event likely to be announced soon, the rumors are heating up about what to expect with next year’s iPhone 15 line. Here’s what we’ve heard so far, and what we expect based on Apple’s recent history.

    Following WWDC on June 5 we have had a preview of a number of new features and apps coming to the iPhone software in iOS 17, from new apps including Standby (which borrows from the Apple Watch to create an alarm clock on your bedside table experience), to the Journal app (which will enhance Photos memories and mix in other kinds of media), to Live Voicemail and the ability to leave messages in FaceTime. Safety features such as the ability to track someone on their way home and improvements to the way AirDrop works. Also of interest will be the new features coming in the Apple Vision Pro headset, and any impact they could have on the future of the iPhone.

    But what you are interested in is what the new iPhone will be like and when the new iPhone is coming out, and we are here to answer those questions.

  • Rumors at a glance

    • iPhone 15: 6.1-inch display but Dynamic Island and smaller bezels, A16 processor, 6GB LPDDR5 RAM, better batteries, U2 chip, USB-C replacing Lightning, mute switch replaced with solid-state button, green, yellow, and pink color choices.
    • iPhone 15 Plus: 6.7-inch display with Dynamic Island and smaller bezels, A16 processor, 6GB RAM LPDDR5 RAM, better batteries, U2 chip, USB-C replacing Lightning, mute switch replaced with solid-state button, green, yellow, and pink color choices.
    • iPhone 15 Pro: same 6.1-inch display with ProMotion and Dynamic Island, slimmer bezels and rounded corners, A17 processor, 8GB RAM, 2TB option, better batteries, U2 chip, USB-C replacing Lightning, mute switch replaced with Action button, ‘Titan Gray’ color option.
    • iPhone 15 Pro Max (or Ultra): same 6.7-inch display with ProMotion and Dynamic Island, slimmest bezels and rounded corners, A17 processor, 8GB RAM, 2TB option, better batteries, U2 chip, USB-C replacing Lightning, mute switch replaced with Action button, periscope lens with 6x optical zoom, support for 8K video recording, new Titan Gray color, higher price.

    iPhone 15: Release date

    Apple has announced Tuesday, September 12 as the date for its annual iPhone event, which will be called “Wonderlust.” Based on that, we expect preorders to begin on Friday, September 15, and the phones to arrive on Friday, September 22.

    Here’s when the last few generations arrived in stores:

    • iPhone 14, Pro, and Pro Max: September 16, 2022. iPhone 14 Plus, October 7, 2022
    • iPhone 13, mini, Pro, and Pro Max: September 24, 2021
    • iPhone 12 and Pro: October 23, 2020. iPhone 12 mini and Max: November 6, 2020
    • iPhone 11, Pro, and Pro Max: September 20, 2019
    • iPhone XS and Max: September 21, 2018

    Some rumors have suggested that there could be a split on-sale date in 2023, with certain models shipping later than others (as was the case in 2022 and 2020). However, a report in August 2023 claimed that all four models would ship at the same time.

    iPhone 15: Price

    With the iPhone 14 models, Apple kept the price the same in the U.S., but thanks to exchange rates and inflation, had to raise prices in the U.K. and many other countries. For reference, here’s the pricing on the iPhone 14 line:

    • iPhone 14: $799/£849
    • iPhone 14 Plus: $899/£949
    • iPhone 14 Pro: $999/£1,099
    • iPhone 14 Pro Max: $1,099/£1,199

    For 2023 rumors point to a higher price for the Pro and Pro Max, but a lower price for the Plus models.

    If Apple does indeed re-brand the iPhone 15 Pro Max as the iPhone 15 Ultra (see below) and give it some exclusive new features, we think that will prove enough of an excuse to raise prices on that model, perhaps $100/£100. In fact, in July 2023 Barclays analyst Tim Long suggested that the price hike for the Pro Max could be $200.

    A tweet by LeaksApplePro in November 2022 said it expects the iPhone 15 Ultra to “cost substantially more to manufacture than iPhone 14 Pro Max.” That doesn’t necessarily mean it will cost more, but it’s a good indication that it might.

    On the other hand, a rumor in December claimed that Apple is “seriously” considering a price cut to the iPhone 15 Plus following disappointing sales of the iPhone 14 Plus this year. Although, it could be noted that with the iPhone 14 Plus costing $200 less than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, disappointing sales of one phone could result in better sales of the other.

    A price drop for the iPhone 15 Plus should also result in a price cut for the iPhone 15. When Apple removed the cheaper iPhone mini from the lineup with the iPhone 14 it effectively raised the starting price of the lineup, so a lower price for the iPhone 15 would be welcome.

    Based on these claims, we’ve estimated the following prices for the iPhone 15 line-up:

    • iPhone 15: $749
    • iPhone 15 Plus: $849
    • iPhone 15 Pro: $1,099
    • iPhone 15 Pro Max: $1,299

    iPhone 15 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro Max

    Now that Apple has introduced the Apple Watch Ultra, there are rumors that the company will extend the branding to the iPhone line with the iPhone 15 Ultra.

    Those rumors date back to late 2022, and died away for a while after it was reported that Apple would stick to the Pro Max branding. However, as we approach the launch the rumor that Apple could launch an iPhone 15 Ultra has emerged again. According to Apple Insider’s Andrew O’Hara on X (formerly Twitter), “Apple will indeed use the ‘iPhone 15 Ultra’ moniker for the plus-sized pro phone.”