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You don’t have to wait long for an iPhone 15 leak or rumor at this point – they come out pretty much every day – and we’ve now got some unofficial renderings showing off the redesign of the iPhone 15 Plus model.
These representations are based on schematic information provided to third-party supply chain partners and obtained by 9to5Mac (opens in new tab)which we would say is one of the more reliable sources when it comes to Apple information.
As for the changes coming to the phone’s design, we’ve got the more rounded edges to the screen and body that were mentioned in previous rumors. There’s also a USB-C port instead of Lightning, another switch expected this year.
Down to the millimetre
There’s a thicker camera bump this time around and it looks like the Dynamic Island is coming to the iPhone 15 Plus (and the iPhone 15) – so it will no longer be exclusive to the Pro models. We’ve heard this many times before.
Compared to the dimensions of 160.84mm x 78.07mm x 7.79mm for the iPhone 14 Plus, the iPhone 15 Plus measures 160.87mm x 77.76mm x 7.81mm according to this source. There isn’t really much in it, just fractions of millimeters.
Demand for the iPhone 14 Plus has reportedly been weak – and it was of course brought in to replace the mini model which also sold rather poorly – so Apple hopes the 2023 version will attract a few more buyers.
Analysis: some subtle changes
As we’ve seen from previously leaked unofficial renders of the iPhone 15 Pro from the same source, Apple isn’t completely ditching the iPhone design and starting from scratch this time around. The design changes will be small and subtle.
When you have a design as iconic and established as the iPhone’s, it’s going to be hard to come up with really new innovations and changes – although the introduction of the notch with the iPhone X in 2017 was rather inspired.
Most of the best work we’re seeing in phone design right now comes from foldable phones, and Apple’s entry into the market is thought to be a long way off. The device we end up with may be more of a foldable iPad than a foldable iPhone.
As for the iPhone 15 series, the most significant change this year could well be the adoption of that USB-C port, as mandated by EU regulators. However, it has been spoken that there may be limitations to what you can actually plug into it.