Comprehensive Apple Leaks Reveal Redesigned Look for iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro

By Maggie On Aug 24, 2023

Recent leaks about the upcoming iPhone 15 have revealed a number of notable improvements that are bound to catch the attention of tech enthusiasts. The revelations include improvements to charging capabilities, an expanded color palette, and updates to accompanying cables, setting the stage for a comprehensive overview.

First among the revelations is a substantial increase in charging speed. Sources from reliable outlet 9to5Mac have revealed that the switch to USB-C technology will allow the iPhone 15 series to offer charging speeds of up to 35W. While this may lag behind some of its Android competitors, this speed boost translates into a remarkable 40-50% speed boost charging iPhone 13 with 23W and iPhone 14 with 25W. Additionally, this represents a 30% increase compared to the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 Pro Max, which both boasted 27W charging.

From a practical point of view, this advancement could significantly change the user experience. iPhones currently take roughly two hours to fully charge, while the 45W Galaxy S23 Ultra achieves the same in half that time. A potential saving of approximately 30 minutes thus appears within reach. It remains to be seen whether Apple will also improve its fast charging capabilities, which currently offer 0-50% charge in 30 minutes.

However, the exciting prospect of this release is tinged with some skepticism about its scale. Earlier rumors suggest that only the iPhone 15 Pro models will get the benefit of Thunderbolt 4 high-speed data transfer, which reaches an impressive 40 Gbps (40,000 Mbps), via USB-C ports. In contrast, the standard variants are said to rely on the more modest performance of USB 2.0 Lightning technology with a speed of 480 Mb/s. Such a strategic differentiation in data and fee rates between Pro and standard models could potentially serve as an effective upsell strategy.

In addition, there have also been speculations about a possible redesign of iPhone charging cables. Via information provided by the Kosutami leak, MacRumors reports that Apple is hard at work producing braided USB-C cables that will match the color schemes of the iPhone 15 series. In particular, these cables are expected to be available in a range of colors, including white, black, yellow, purple, and even orange. The introduction of an orange variant has long been an aspiration of Apple lovers, although there is a warning that the shade of orange may lean closer to pink. It’s worth noting that Apple has previously released color-matched charging cables for MacBook devices.

The color spectrum published by Kosutami matches a separate leak from prolific Apple insider Unknownz21. This source says the iPhone 15 has been tested in green, blue, yellow, orange, and two mysterious color variants: pink/rose gold/red gold and black/midnight/dark/basalt. While not all test options will necessarily make it to market, the prospect of an authentic orange iPhone is likely to generate considerable consumer interest.

In addition to these revelations, iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus buyers can expect an upgrade inspired by the iPhone 14 Pro model. This includes a Dynamic Island design, a robust A16 chip, and a matching 48-megapixel primary camera. For the more advanced iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models (potentially rebranded as Ultra), a transition to a titanium chassis is on the horizon, accompanied by a redesigned SSD Action button and impressively thin bezels.

Notably, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is set to include a groundbreaking camera with 10x optical zoom – a first for Apple. However, this innovation will likely come with an increased price, which could prompt some potential upgrades to gravitate towards the standard models.

The recent August 24 update brings an element of uncertainty to one of the most important changes expected in the iPhone 15 lineup: the switch from the Lightning port to USB-C. Dear leaksters Kosutami and Majin Bu have revealed a brand new braided charging cable that is said to be between 1.5 and 1.6 meters long, a 50% increase over the previous 1-meter cable that came with earlier iPhones. This development is welcome in itself, as the shorter and rather flimsy Lightning cable has often attracted criticism.

However, the situation takes a more complicated turn as Majin Buu then dives into the technical specifics of the new cable. The surprising revelation is that these cables lack MFi chips, raising concerns that Apple could restrict charging to certified cables – a move that could lead to increased prices. Furthermore, these cables only support USB 2.0 data rates of 480 Mb/s. This is in stark contrast to the expectation that the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will offer lightning-fast Thunderbolt 4 data speeds of 40,000 Mbps.

One possible explanation for this inconsistency is that these cables are exclusively for the standard iPhone 15 models. Still, introducing two different sets of charging cables could potentially complicate the supply chain and cause confusion among users. This development raises questions about whether the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models will actually offer Thunderbolt 4 speeds, or whether Apple will provide an optional upgrade to a Thunderbolt 4-compatible USB-C cable. With the scope announcement expected on September 12, the answers to these questions are set to arrive soon.