Is THIS the iPhone 15? Dummy unit for Apple’s next flagship smartphone leaks online

Apple could be making some big changes to the upcoming iPhone 15, it seems, after what appears to be a leak of the next big product.

Images surfaced of a ‘dummy’ iPhone 15 Pro on the Chinese version of TikTok yesterday, giving potential buyers a taste of what’s in store.

While the device is very similar to the previous iPhone 14 Pro, a closer look reveals some major changes.

The mute switch appears to have been swapped for a solid-state volume rocker, backing up previous rumors.

This is expected to be much like what’s currently seen on the Apple Watch Ultra, providing a press feel without physical movement using haptic feedback.

If it turns out to be true, it will be Apple’s first time changing the button since the iPhone launched in 2007, likely allowing users to switch with its sensitivity.

The device also features a titanium frame and a USB-C charging port instead of the usual Lightning port.

The charging port change follows previous talks from Apple 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.

In terms of cameras, the model in the video appears to be retaining the iPhone 14 Pro’s three rear lenses.

At present, it’s unclear if the “dummy” will match the size or appearance of any iPhones we might see in a few months.

However, the images come after a number of other “leaks” online that show that the product has similar features.

Last month, TikTok user @chenwen1987 uploaded images of what appeared to be an iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Like the designs posted yesterday, these models were found to have only one long button to adjust the volume.

The images, which were then uploaded to Twitter, catalyzed massive speculation among potential buyers many wondered if Apple could lead to more software adaptation.

One Twitter user said, “I hope the new ‘silent mode’ haptic button will be programmable for different actions.”

Another added: “I think that mute button will be a normal click button so they can use it as a hard reset button.”

Despite this, other images showed that the ‘base model’ of the iPhone 15 still included the mute switch, supporting those who prefer to use their muscle memory.

Tech reviewer Sonny Dickson also revealed images of what appear to be glass panels for the unreleased phones.

These images showed that the border between the screen and the frame will soon be thinner than with previous models MacRumors.

The claim also supports other rumors from last month, suggesting that the iPhone 15 Pro could be the first iPhone without physical buttons and feature a thinner bezel, thicker camera bumps, more curved edges and haptic side buttons.

This was revealed by computer-aided design (CAD) files obtained by 9to5Mac, which were reportedly given to third-party iPhone case manufacturers prior to the device’s launch.

The website received these renders from a factory in China that is said to be a “reliable suitcase manufacturer.”

Apple has been approached for comment.