DSCC analyst Ross Young says production of iPhone 15 display panels is expected to begin in June. The early June starting date will likely help Apple avoid any supply constraints, such as the shortages Apple ran into last year with the iPhone 14 lineup, when many customers were not able to buy the model they wanted in time for the holiday season – especially those that had their eye on the iPhone 14 Pro models.
According to Young, both iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro are expected to have “an early lead in volume,” which suggests that Apple is expecting there to be a higher demand for these specific models.
Young has previously said that all of the iPhone 15 models will boast the Dynamic Island feature that was limited to the Pro models in the iPhone 14 lineup. Young says that while the Pro models will keep the same size display as the current iPhone 14 generation, but will sport thinner bezels. As you might expect, some premium technologies, including ProMotion, which enables variable display refresh rates up to 120Hz, will remain Pro-only features.
Preparation for production of the iPhone 15 is reported to have begun in January. However, mass production traditionally kicks off sometime between June and July.
While Apple has been working on a new design for the iPhone 15 lineup, some components expected to be included in design revamping have been scrapped, including solid-state volume buttons with haptic feedback to replace the previous models’ mechanical buttons. However, we still expect to see a new Action button replace the traditional mute/ring switch.
Analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu have both indicated that Apple decided to once again use mechanical volume buttons due to supply issues. The new solid-state buttons turned out to be too complex and could have delayed iPhone 15 production. Kuo says the button pullback was due to “unresolved technical issues before mass production.”
Earlier this month, Apple supplier Cirrus Logic seemingly confirmed that iPhone 15 Pro models will not feature solid-state buttons. The revelation came in a shareholder letter from the company.
Kuo also recently said Apple may use larger displays for next year’s iPhone 16 Pro. Young also tweeted a similar suggestion on Twitter a few days ago.
Kuo has also said both of the 2024 iPhone 16 Pro models will boast a periscope camera lens. Kuo says this year’s iPhone 15 Pro Max will be the only iPhone to feature a periscope lens. Kuo said the iPhone 16 Pro would be slightly larger than previous Pro models and that the “larger internal space” would allow Apple to bring the periscope lens to both high-end iPhones for the first time.
As usual for any rumors like this, you are advised to take these reports with a grain of your favorite salt-free seasoning, as we won’t know anything for sure until the new iPhones are officially unveiled.
Both iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro are expected to be officially announced in September.