iPhone 15 leak suggests Apple’s next device will have a ‘game-changing’ design feature
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Many of us are guilty of dropping our phones more often than we should, but the latest iPhone 15 rumors suggest that you have a little less to worry about going forward.
Patent Apple claims the iPhone 15 Pro will be made from a resilient titanium alloy – replacing the previous stainless steel frame.
While titanium rivals steel in strength, it can be up to 45 percent lighter, which could make the iPhone 15 Pro model much easier to carry, but with similar resilience.
Titanium is also more resistant to higher temperatures than steel, while offering a similar level of protection against water damage.
However, on the other hand, titanium is a more expensive material than stainless steel, which could drive up the price of the iPhone 15 Pro.
While titanium rivals steel in strength, it can be up to 45 percent lighter, potentially making the Pro model much easier to wear with comparable resilience. Pictured: A rumored dummy iPhone 15 Pro model that was reportedly leaked in April
The latest rumors echo earlier rumors from Apple analyst Jeff Pu, who said the new model could be more expensive than previous Pro models.
While he didn’t reveal a specific cost, it’s worth noting that last year’s iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max started at £1,099/$999 and £1,199/$1,099 respectively.
If the rumors are true, it would be the second time Apple has incorporated titanium into its designs.
The Apple Watch Ultra, which costs £849/$799, also has a titanium case, which Apple says strikes “the perfect balance between weight, durability and corrosion resistance”.
Titanium could even be used in future designs of MacBooks and iPads, Apple’s patent suggests, pointing to what appears to be leaked product drawings.
Even still, this has not been publicly confirmed by Apple, and MailOnline has reached out to the company for comment.
The alleged leak comes amid plenty of other rumors about the expected iPhone 15 and what features it could have.
Images of a ‘dummy’ iPhone 15 Pro leaked in April and surfaced on the Chinese version of TikTok.
A titanium-based frame was also shown on this prototype, alongside a new solid-state volume knob that replaces the mute switch.
If true, this would be Apple’s first time changing the button since the iPhone launched in 2007, likely allowing users to switch with its sensitivity.
Titanium could even be used in future designs of MacBooks and iPads, Apple patent suggests, pointing to what appears to be leaked product drawings
The dummy also included a USB-C charging port instead of the usual Lightning port.
This change follows earlier talks from Apple’s chief executive Greg Joswiak, who said the tech giant “had to comply” with new USB laws passed by the EU.
With that in mind, it’s already common knowledge that the company is replacing its proprietary Lightning charging technology – identified by the eight pins – with USB-C in EU countries.
Rather, he said, “Obviously we have to stick to it; we have no choice, just as we do around the world to comply with local laws.
“But we think the approach would have been better for the environment and better for our customers if a government hadn’t been so prescriptive.”
Despite this, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that some new Pro devices may be capable of supporting USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3, according to MacRumors.
Obviously, this would allow more advanced devices to transfer data faster than standard models.
Currently, it’s unclear whether the dummy or Patently Apple rumors are accurate in their images of the new iPhones.
But it may only be a few more months before we know for sure, as Apple is expected to make major announcements in September.