Apple fans may want to start saving for what could be the most expensive iPhone ever.
According to Hong Kong Apple analyst Jeff Pu, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be more expensive than previous Pro models.
Apple raised prices on the two Pro models this year because of major hardware updates, including a titanium frame and an A17 Bionic chip, he claims.
While Pu hasn’t revealed exact price tags, 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.
Rumors about the iPhone 15 are heating up ahead of its September launch following what is arguably the best image yet of the device.
According to Hong Kong Apple analyst Jeff Pu, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be more expensive than previous Pro models. Pictured is last year’s iPhone 14 Pro Max
iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are on display at an Apple Store in New York September 16, 2022. iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone Pro Max started at £1,099/$999 and £1,199/$1,099 respectively – but Apple is reportedly raising the price for the next generation iPhone 15 Pro models
Pu’s predictions – which were reportedly described in a document seen by him MacRumors – confirm an unauthenticated post on Chinese social media site Weibo by a user named ‘Technology window’.
The Weibo post says, “Apple will raise the price of this year’s iPhone 15 Pro series, further widening the gap with the iPhone 15 Plus.”
Like last year, Apple is expected to launch four iPhone models in September 2023 — the standard version, which will be the cheapest, as well as iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
According to some reportsApple decided to change the name of the iPhone Pro Max to “iPhone Ultra” this year, though it’s still considered one of its two “Pro” models (meaning it will have more power and more features, as well as a higher price tag).
Different sources are divided on whether the prices for the iPhone 15 family will be higher than those for the iPhone 14, although a report from Taiwan’s United Daily News says that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will cost 20,000 RMB, which is equivalent to $2,900 or £2,300.
However, Patent Apple calls this pricing rumor “a propaganda campaign” started by Apple’s rivals in an attempt to steer them toward Chinese-made smartphones.
A YouTube video claims to show a dummy unit of iPhone 15 Ultra – the most expensive of the upcoming iPhone 15 range expected to be released in September
As the video host compares the iPhone 15 dummy to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, at first the two don’t seem all that different – they have a similar camera setup and the same dimensions – but on closer inspection there are notable differences
Regardless of what the new iPhone 15 will cost, it certainly looks like Apple is making some substantial design changes this year.
Previous leaks have already suggested that the iPhone 15 family will have a thinner bezel, thicker camera bumps and more curved edges, as well as a USB-C charging port instead of a Lightning charging port.
Lightning is Apple’s proprietary charging technology, but the tech giant has had to discontinue it on its iPhones due to legislation passed by the EU last October.
Pu also claims that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will have a periscope lens for more optical zoom on its camera.
What’s more, the recent Weibo claims that Dynamic Island — a feature introduced last year with only the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max — will come to all iPhone 15 models.
Dynamic Island is a pill-shaped notch at the top of the screen that hides the front-facing camera, but also resizes to show important alerts, notifications and activities, blurring the line between hardware and software.
Meanwhile, a video posted earlier in May by YouTube channel Unbox Therapy claims to show a dummy unit of the iPhone 15 Pro Max (or iPhone 15 Ultra, depending on which name Apple chose).
Dynamic Island is a pill-shaped black notch that hides the front camera, but also resizes to show important alerts, notifications and activities
The dummy phone has a “matte” back rather than a smooth, glossy surface, and what feels like “brushed aluminum edges,” according to the YouTube host.
The dummy also has a USB-C port instead of Lightning, strongly suggesting that Apple has had to comply with EU law.
A previous iPhone 15 leak already suggests it will be the first iPhone without physical buttons on the side, used to power off the device, control volume, take screenshots, activate Siri, and more.
Instead of physical buttons that move, the iPhone 15 models will have haptic buttons — which provide tactile sensations, such as vibrations when users apply pressure with their finger, the leak suggested.
However, the new Unbox Therapy video shows that the physical buttons are still on the dummy – implying that haptic buttons aren’t arriving after all.
Apple releases a new iPhone every year to much fanfare. The iPhone 15 models are likely to be released in September 2023
iPhones currently use Apple’s proprietary “Lightning” power connector technology (top right). But Apple will have to comply with a new EU law that makes USB-C (bottom right) an EU standard. This means iPhones sold in EU countries will have to come with USB-C instead of Lightning – although it looks like Apple is just embracing USB-C no matter where the iPhone 15 is sold to make things simpler
Meanwhile, the volume up and volume down buttons on the side of the new phone will no longer be separate, but will be incorporated into one long rocker-like button, which Hilsenteger refers to as a “rocker.”
Overall, the YouTuber called the new device “incredible” and “one of the most beautiful models I’ve ever handed over or looked at.”
Apple is preparing to release another huge product this year: the very first VR (virtual reality) headset.
VR enthusiast and entrepreneur Palmer Luckey described the headset as “so good” earlier this week.