What design features should we expect?

Leaks suggest the iPhone 15 will look slightly different to the iPhone 14, with the thinner bezels, curved edges and a new frosted glass back for all four models. Apple may also be switching out the Lightning charging port for a USB-C port. We may see a change to the mute button, as reports suggest Apple has changed up the usual switch-style mute button for a pressing-type button. Another design rumour is that the entire iPhone 15 series will sport the Dynamic Island.

What display features should we expect?

It’s very likely that the iPhone 15 range will feature two primary display sizes: a 6.1-inch display for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, and a 6.7-inch display for the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro Max (or Ultra). Rumours suggest that all models will feature the Dynamic Island, but only the Pro Models will offer an Always on display with refresh rates up to 120Hz.

What camera features should we expect?

The entire iPhone 15 range will allegedly include improvements to the main camera, but the most exciting rumours are reserved for the Pro Max (or Ultra) model, however, with some sources claiming it will have a periscope lens and a new Sony sensor for the main camera. This is particularly interesting, as if true, it will further differentiate the Pro Max model from the Pro. The Pro model is also set to see some improvements such as a boosted chipset and an improved low-light and exposure sensors.

What performance features should we expect?

Just like last year's iPhone 14 series, the new flagship and Plus iPhone models may not receive a 'new' chip. There are strong rumblings that the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will use the same A16 Bionic chip as the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models. By contrast, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max (or Ultra) will receive Apple’s latest chip - the A17 chip. It’s likely that the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models will feature 6GB RAM, while the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models will receive a boosted 8GB RAM.

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iPhone 15: Rumours, Release Date and Price

First, the obvious: Apple will release at least one new iPhone in 2023. As always, though, they are keeping very quiet about what that iPhone will look like, what features it will have and even what it will be called. That hasn’t stopped the world’s finest Apple analysts, leakers and superfans from gathering intel, however. Here is a round-up of the latest new iPhone rumours, including potential pricing, release dates and expected features.

When will a new iPhone be released?

We don’t have a definitive answer, but we can make a pretty good guess based on previous launches.

Apple almost always launches new iPhone ranges in September, with the keynote event taking place in early September ahead of a mid-late September release date.

The iPhone 13 launch followed this pattern almost perfectly. The range was launched at an event on the 14th September 2021, with pre-orders opening on the 17th September ahead of its official release on the 24th September.

If Apple takes the same approach this year, we expect the keynote launch event to take place on the 14th/15th September, with the range available to purchase from the 23rd September.

There are two potential spanners in the works, however: a global supply shortage and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Apple uses a number of Chinese manufacturers to build its devices, some of which have been affected by government-mandated lockdowns. Well-regarded Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that this has affected the production of at least one model in the range, but suggests that Apple’s production partners are working hard to catch up.

It wouldn’t be the first time COVID-19 has delayed an iPhone launch. In 2020, the iPhone 12 range wasn’t launched until October, and the Mini and Pro Max models didn’t hit shelves until October.

For now, though, September seems like a fairly safe bet.

What will the new iPhone be called?

After a few years of experimenting with letters (or, more accurately, roman numerals), Apple has seemingly settled on using numbers again. Therefore, the new range will almost certainly bear the iPhone 14 name… but you never know with Apple!

One persistent rumour suggests that Apple will eventually stop giving new iPhone models unique names and instead switch to its MacBook/iPad approach, using just the iPhone name and unofficially distinguishing devices by the year they were released.

How many iPhone devices will launch in 2022?

Analysts anticipate Apple will release four new iPhone devices in 2022. The line-up will vary from 2021, however, as Apple will apparently discontinue the iPhone Mini range due to lacklustre sales.

In its place, Apple plans to introduce a bigger version of the standard iPhone 14, the iPhone 14 Max. It’ll have all of the same features as the standard iPhone 14, but with a bigger screen.

With the introduction of the Max, we’re expecting to see the following models in 2022:

iPhone 14 (standard model)
iPhone 14 Max (standard model with a bigger screen)
iPhone 14 Pro (more powerful version of the standard model)
iPhone 14 Pro Max (same features as the iPhone 14 Pro with a bigger screen)

How much will the new iPhone cost?

Information is thin on the ground at the moment, which is probably good news as any major price increases are usually reported on before launch. We’d expect the iPhone 14 range to retail for roughly the same price as the 13 range, although we’ll need to await confirmation of pricing for the new 14 Max model.

What features should we expect?

Design

Leaked renders suggest the iPhone 14 will look a lot like the iPhone 13, with the same flat-edged build. However, for the first time, Apple may use titanium to construct the iPhone rather than steel or aluminium. Titanium is much hardier than both materials, which should mean less scratches and maybe even a bit more protection against drops.

We may also bid farewell to one of the most controversial iPhone features ever: the notch. While it’s expected to remain on the standard iPhone 14, the Pro models will likely feature two camera cutouts instead - one circular and one pill-shaped - in order to free up more of the screen. It is expected that the circular cutout will contain the Face ID dot projector, while the pill-shaped cutout will house the front camera, Face ID infrared camera and potentially some other components.

One early rumour suggested that Apple would also do away with the notorious camera bump at the rear of the device. Leaked images suggest this is untrue, however; in fact, the camera bump is likely to be even larger than previous models.

Finally, the all-important colours. The standard iPhone 14 range is expected to launch in black, white, blue, red and purple colourways, while the Pro range will be available in graphite, gold, silver and a purple that shifts tones depending on lighting conditions.

Display

It’s very likely that the iPhone 14 range will feature two primary display sizes: a 6.1-inch display for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, and a 6.7-inch display for the iPhone 14 Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Rumours suggest the Pro models will also feature ProMotion with refresh rates up to 120Hz, as well as an always-on display.

All models will receive the lock screen features announced for iOS 16 at WWDC 2022. These include font and colour customisation, widgets for certain apps and the option for multiple lock screens depending on what your focus is at that time.

Camera

iPhone camera technology is so good already that it’s hard to see how much better it can get… but that won’t stop Apple from trying. The entire iPhone 14 range will allegedly include improvements to the ultra-wide camera, with the potential addition of periscope zoom for higher quality zoomed-in photography.

The most exciting rumours are reserved for the Pro models, however, with some sources claiming they will have an incredible 48-megapixel camera and 8K video recording capabilities. The addition of 8K is particularly interesting, as it would allow users to create video and images for AR/VR purposes; rumours of an Apple AR/VR headset have persisted for a while, although we’ve yet to see evidence of its existence.

The front lens may also receive an upgrade, with a wider f/1.9 aperture (to allow sharper focus and improved depth) and the addition of autofocus.

Performance

For the first time ever, a new flagship iPhone may not receive a new and improved chip. There are strong rumblings that the standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max will use the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 13, albeit with some optimisations for performance. The A15 is obviously still a high performance chip, but it would still represent a big change in Apple’s standard approach.

By contrast, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will receive Apple’s latest chip - the A16 Bionic. This would create a clear differentiation in performance between the standard and Pro models, making the Pro models the undisputable choice for those wanting the very latest tech.

The iPhone 14 range may also include a Qualcomm X65 modem, which is the first 10 Gigabit 5G modem and antenna system for smartphones. As well as delivering high-powered performance, the X65 allows for satellite-based emergency features that allow users to send texts in emergency situations where signal or coverage isn’t available.

It’s likely all models in the iPhone 14 range will feature 6GB RAM and the same storage capacity options as the 13 range… although one slightly unreliable source suggests a 2TB storage option may be available too.

Finally, the iPhone 14 range may see a total switch to eSIM, with the physical SIM slot removed entirely. Apple is allegedly advising US carriers to prepare for eSIM only phones, although whether they’ll introduce them this year is up for debate. It’s also worth bearing in mind that eSIM is only available in 60 countries, and even then only on certain networks, so it’s definitely not a sure thing.

What won’t we get

Rumours of an all-screen iPhone have persisted for years, but leaked renders and screenshots have put paid to that for another year at least. Sources suggest that Apple is working on housing the front camera and Face ID under the display, but we’ll have to wait until 2024 at the earliest.

Another rumour that won’t go away is the adoption of a USB-C port. While it’s unlikely for this year’s range, it will almost certainly happen in 2023 due to a recent piece of EU legislation forcing Apple to adopt USB-C on all new devices sold in Europe. It’s very unlikely Apple would create a USB-C model just for the EU, so the odds are on Apple introducing it across all new iPhone products.

One thing we definitely won’t see this year is a foldable iPhone. While a few Android manufacturers have released foldable devices already, Apple often waits a few years until they’re happy their version of the tech is perfect before releasing it to the public. A foldable iPhone is almost inevitable at some stage, but you’ll have to wait a year or two yet!

Here at musicMagpie, we’ve got a huge range of refurbished iPhone devices to suit all budgets, including refurbished iPhone 12 or second-hand iPhone 11 and more! Plus, make extra cash towards your next upgrade by heading over to our sell my iPhone page or sell mobile phones.