Apple iPhone 15 Design, Launched date and Price Fears

 New Apple Leak Reveals iPhone 15 Design Shock

01/30 Update below. This post was originally published on January 28

Apple shocked iPhone fans last year with the extent of differentiation between iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models. Now a new leak has revealed that the gap between them will grow even wider with the iPhone 15 line-up.

Working with Apple leaker Unknownz21, MacRumors has revealed multiple specification and design differences between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models, including information sourced from leaked internal Apple documents. Unknownz21 has a remarkable track record, once sourcing an early version of iOS 14 months ahead of release.

The leaker’s latest information is unlikely to go down well with iPhone buyers on a budget. MacRumors states that documents he obtained “confirm” that ‌Apple’s new 3nm A17 chipset will be exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro models, as will a redesigned chassis with solid state power and volume buttons. Even the phones’ connectivity will be different, with Wi-Fi 6E reserved for the Pros — something previous leaks had not distinguished.

For this latter point, given its unprecedented nature (for example, all iPhone 14 models used Wi-Fi 6), Unknownz21 publicly released the documentation. He also called this “the tip of the iceberg,” with additional leaks, including full images, to follow ahead of the range’s EVT (Engineering Validation Test) stage, which begins in March.

Considering that multiple leaks have already told us that iPhone 15 Pro models will again have superior cameras and exclusive ProMotion displays, there is almost nowhere the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will have parity with their more expensive siblings.

01/30 Update: further news has broken about Apple’s 2023 iPhone plans, or rather what will no longer happen. Noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has revised his prediction that a foldable iPhone will arrive in 2023, stating that Apple has shifted its focus to prioritize a folding iPad instead.

Kuo says that Apple is making a foldable iPad with carbon fiber kickstand, which makes it lighter and more durable. He even reveals that Apple has a supplier for this part, Anje Technology. Kuo explains that a 2024 release is more likely, but he is “positive” about this timeframe and the device’s ability to “boost shipments and improve the product mix.”

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman previously reported that Apple is working on a clamshell iPad design with the bottom half of the folding iPad working as a keyboard when typing. Gurman predicted a release would not be until 2026, which puts two heavyweights of the sector in opposition. Apple fans will hope Kuo is right.

Apple is taking a big risk here. Sales of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus have been underwhelming, with buyers choosing to spread the higher cost of Pro models over carrier contracts for the clear benefits they bring. So widening that gap is unlikely to give the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus the sales boost.

According to leaks, Apple’s solution is a classic carrot and stick strategy. The carrot is Apple will allegedly bring the Dynamic Island design to standard models. The stick is higher iPhone 15 Pro prices. Whether the gamble pays off, only time will tell.

New Apple Leak Adds To iPhone 15 Price Fears

iPhone 15 prices are going up according to recent leaks, and now a mysterious new source on Weibo has added fuel to those reports.

Writing on the Chinese micro-blogging platform, the leaker states that “Apple will increase the price of this year's iPhone 15 Pro series, further widening the gap with the iPhone 15 Plus.” Earlier leaks had claimed iPhone 15 prices would decrease, with the reversal causing shock among users. And these price rises now look even more likely because my sources have given me a good idea of the leaker’s identity, and the information should be taken seriously.

The new leaker doesn’t provide prices, but last week $100 increases were mooted for both the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Ultra (the new name for the Pro Max). This would create a $300 price gap between Pro and non-Pro models of the same size:

iPhone 15 - from $799

iPhone 15 Plus - from $899

iPhone 15 Pro - from $1099

iPhone 15 Ultra - from $1199

It’s an aggressive move designed to boost iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus sales, following underwhelming demand for iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models. It is a classic Apple solution, countering industry observers who thought price cuts to standard models would be the obvious solution.

Note these price increases are also expected to be applied globally. They will be in addition to the 10-20% price rises already made to the iPhone 13 range, increases that were driven by the US dollar’s growing strength.

Interestingly, the Weibo leaker also doubled down on two recent revelations for non-Pro models: “the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are expected to come with the Dynamic Island and a 48-megapixel main camera, which is a huge upgrade compared to the previous two generations.”

Both of these upgrades were leaked last week, but it again adds credence to the reliability of those sources. iPhone 15 Pro and Ultra models are also tipped to come with a titanium chassis and dual front cameras — upgrades that will be seen as essential if customers are to swallow this latest round of price hikes.