Apple’s “Wonderlust” iPhone event will be held on Tuesday, and that’s when we find out just how many rumors we’ve heard in the last year are true. In this article, we’ll take a look at what we’re expecting to see unveiled at the event on September 12.
Apple is expected to continue to offer a four-device iPhone lineup this year, as it is expected to unveil its new iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max handsets.
Apple will replace its traditional Lightning charging/sync port with a USB-C port. Apple is expected to do so due to the European Union’s regulatory changes, which require electronic devices to share a standardized charging port.
All of Apple’s iPhone 15 lineup will now boast the Dynamic Island feature that first debuted on last year’s iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, providing an expanded display area.
While the two lower-end iPhones will gain Dynamic Island, some “Pro” technology, like the ProMotion refresh rate and always-on display will still be limited to the Pro models.
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are expected to have a frosted glass back instead of a glossy glass back.
Those frosted glass backs will be available in new colors this year, and we’ve seen rumors so far suggesting that we will see blue, a coral shade, a light greenish yellow color, white, and black. We could also see color-matching braided USB-C cables for each new iPhone.
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will also benefit from significant improvements in camera technology. Both handsets are said to be adopting a 48-megapixel Main camera with an f/1.6 aperture, which will allow for higher-resolution images and improved quality in low-light situations. There will also be a 12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera.
The iPhone 15 lineup is expected to use new Qualcomm 5G modem chips, which could result in improved signal, lower latency, and better power efficiency. While Apple is developing a new A17 chip for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models, the standard iPhone 15 models will use the same A16 chip currently being used in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max.
Pricing is it expected to stay the same for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.
Most of the exciting new changes and feature additions this year are coming to the Pro iPhone models rather than the standard iPhone 15 models. As with last year, we are expecting two Pro iPhones, the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The higher-end iPhone 15 Pro lineup is expected to boast a few minor design changes, including notably thinner, curved bezels and a new titanium material for the chassis. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will feature titanium in shades that include silver, titanium gray, black, and dark blue. The iPhone 15 Pro models could be 10% lighter because titanium weighs less than steel.
While the earlier rumors of solid-state volume buttons on the Pro lineup didn’t turn out to be accurate, Apple is expected to make the “switch” for a multiple-function “Action” button, much like the one found on the Apple Watch Ultra.
Code found in iOS 17 indicates the button will be able to toggle Silent Mode on and off, turn on the flashlight, activate a Shortcut, and much more.
The iPhone 15 Pro models will get USB-C, but they are expected to support faster USB 3.2 (20Gb/s) or Thunderbolt (40Gb/s) transfer speeds. The Pro models are also rumored to support charging speeds up to 35W.
The Wide Angle and Telephoto cameras of both Pro models are expected to benefit from minor improvements, boosting low-light performance, but the Main 48-megapixel camera isn’t expected to receive any improvements.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max will receive the biggest new camera feature, periscope zoom for the telephoto lens. Optical zoom is expected to be capable of 5x to 6x zoom. Optical zoom right now is limited to 3x.
As mentioned above, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be powered by the A17 chip, built using a new 3-nanometer process. This will be the first chip in several years built on the new process, and it should bring notable performance and efficiency improvements, including increased battery life.
Apple will use the same new 5G Qualcomm chip across its entire iPhone 15 lineup. A new “U2” Ultra Wideband chip that will integrate with the Vision Pro headset coming out next year could be included. The Pro and Pro Max models will use Wi-Fi 6E.
Up to 2TB of internal storage might be available, and the Pro models will boast 8GB RAM, a 2GB increase from the 6GB used in last year’s Pro models.
Multiple sources have warned consumers to expect a price increase in this year’s iPhone lineup, but we’re not exactly sure how high the hike may be. The new models could be $100 to $200 more expensive, which would see the iPhone 15 Pro starting at $1,099 – $1,199 and the iPhone 15 Pro Max starting at $1,199 – $1,299.
This year’s new Apple Watch is expected to be an iterative update, with no notable design changes or new health-related features. We are not expecting any new design changes or new health-related features.
We do expect to see an improved S9 chip, built on the A15 technology, and it will be the first notable processor update for the Apple Watch since the Apple Watch Series 6. The processor update should result in improved performance and an increase in battery life.
The Apple Watch Series 9 is expected to boast an updated optical heart rate sensor, as well as a new “U2” Ultra Wideband chip that will offer better location precision.
A new pinkish color for the aluminum version of the Series 9 might make an appearance. Apple is rumored to be dropping its leather bands for the Apple Watch, in favor of bands using more eco-friendly materials. Apple may possibly introduce a new type of band with woven fabric and a magnetic buckle.
While the Apple Watch Ultra is expected to get an update in 2023, it is expected to be a minor one. The wearable will boast the same S9 chip that’s coming to the Apple Watch Series 9, as well as the updated Ultra Wideband chip, and the new heart rate sensor, mentioned above.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is also rumored to offer a new color option, with rumors pointing toward a black titanium shade.
The AirPods Pro 2 is expected to soon be updated with a USB-C charging case to replace the current Lightning case. No other changes are expected, so the AirPods Pro 2 will provide all of the same features as before but with an updated charging port.
In addition to dropping its leather watch bands, Apple is also rumored to be halting the sale of leather cases for the iPhone 15 lineup, adopting a more environmentally friendly material. They could be made of a woven material, and the cases will be called “FineWoven.”
While the “Wonderlust” event is expected to focus on the new iPhone 15 lineup, and to a lesser extent on the new Apple Watch lineup, Apple could sneak in a surprise or two.
While we haven’t seen many rumors about a new low-end iPad, Apple traditionally refreshed the tablet on an annual basis. So, it’s possible we’ll see a new iPad unveiled soon, either at Tuesday’s event or possibly sometime in the next few months.
Apple’s “Wonderlust” event will start at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, September 12. Apple will livestream the event on its website and on YouTube. The livestream will be available through the Apple TV app.
Mactrast will be watching the event on Tuesday and will report all of the news, right here. See you then!