Global Release of iPhone 15: Essential Information You Should Have
Apple’s iPhone 15 range caused a stir on its much-anticipated launch day as eager customers lined up at stores in China, Europe, and the US, eager to get their hands on the latest generation of Apple smartphones.
Ahead of the launch, analysts from firms such as Wedbush Securities reported that pre-orders for the iPhone 15 exceeded initial expectations, with particularly high demand for the premium iPhone 15 Pro models, especially the Pro Max. As a result, shipping and delivery times for various Pro models have been pushed back to late October to mid-November.
The release comes as Apple’s sales have declined for the third straight quarter, with iPhone revenue down about 2% year over year as consumers upgrade their devices less often.
According to Wedbush estimates, around 250 million iPhones have not been upgraded in more than four years. Improvements in processor and camera technology, along with carrier discounts, may finally convince many to take the leap and upgrade this year.
The iPhone 15 Pro starts at $1,099, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $1,199. Apple’s entry-level iPhones, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, are priced at $799 and $899, respectively.
SUBTLE BUT SIGNIFICANT DESIGN CHANGES
The latest iPhones feature subtle but significant design changes. iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max come with a titanium case that allows for a slimmer and thinner design.
The premium models also boast a more advanced 48-megapixel primary camera with a larger sensor and a new telephoto lens for 5x optical zoom, which is exclusively available on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The Pro models feature contoured edges and a customizable Action button that provides additional controls for tasks like launching voice memos or taking notes. The Pro series is available in four colors: white, black, natural, and blue.
Meanwhile, standard iPhone 15 models feature updated image stabilization for photos and video, 2x optimization, improved portraits with richer colors, and improved low-light performance. They also feature a “Dynamic Island” that houses notifications and other controls instead of a notch, a feature previously exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro.
The iPhone 15 series features an Ultra-Wideband chip that powers a variety of new features, including improved location sharing for finding friends in crowded areas.
The iPhone 15 is available in five colors (white, black, pink, green, and yellow) and two sizes: a 6.1-inch display for the iPhone 15 and a 6.7-inch display for the iPhone 15 Pro.
A MILESTONE IN UNIVERSAL CHARGING
Perhaps the most significant change for the iPhone 15 models is the switch to a USB-C charging cable, ending an 11-year reliance on Apple’s proprietary Lightning cable.
This change means that Apple users can now use the same USB-C chargers for their iPhones, iPads, and Macs, eliminating the hassle of finding the right charger for each device. Apple claims that the dedicated USB-C controller will offer transfer speeds up to 20 times faster than USB-2 technology for the iPhone 15 Pro.
The transition comes less than a year after the European Union voted in legislation to require smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, portable speakers, and other small devices to support USB-C charging by 2024. The groundbreaking law aims to reduce the number of chargers. and cables that consumers need when purchasing new devices, allowing users to mix and match devices and chargers from different manufacturers.
Apple also sells a USB-C Lightning adapter for $29 that allows users to connect their existing Lightning accessories to a USB-C iPhone or iPad for charging or data transfer.
