When will the new iPhone 15 be released? Launch date, price and everything we know so far about Apple’s latest smartphone

The most exciting time of the year for Apple fans – the announcement of a new iPhone – is now just a month away.

The tech giant expects to pull the curtain for the iPhone 15 from its headquarters in Cupertino in the first two weeks of September.

iPhone 15 could feature some of the biggest design changes for an Apple smartphone in recent years, including a new charging port.

It comes on the heels of the company’s first-ever augmented reality headset, expected to be released in the US in the first few months of 2024.

Here’s everything we know about the iPhone 15, including what it’ll look like, when it’ll be released and how much it will cost.

HOW MANY iPHONE 15 MODELS WILL APPLE REVEAL?

Apple is expected to unveil four variants of the iPhone 15: the standard model, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

According to some reportsApple has decided to change the name of the iPhone Pro Max – the top version – to ‘iPhone Ultra’.

Whatever the name, it’s still considered one of the two ‘Pro’ models (meaning it will have more power and more features, as well as a higher price tag).

A few features are exclusive to the more expensive versions, but the biggest design tweaks come across the entire iPhone 15 family.

HOW WILL iPHONE 15 DIFFER FROM iPHONE 14?

Newly unveiled iPhones can be a disappointment as they don’t differ much from last year’s version, but iPhone 15 seems to be an exception.

According to leaked information and dummy units – accurate models given to third parties – some substantial design changes are coming with the new flagship.

Firstly, iPhone 15 will have a completely different charging port, although Apple is actually forced to make this design change.

Unlike its predecessors, iPhone 15 has a USB-C charging port — commonly used by Android phones — instead of a Lightning port, which is an Apple design.

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 must come with USB-C instead of Lightning

Pictured dummy units of all four iPhone 15 models, as revealed in a video posted to YouTube by MacRumors

YouTuber Dan Barbera, who tried out the new port with a USB-C charger, seems confident that the charging technology is all but confirmed for the next iPhone

Apple has had to move from Lightning, identified by its eight pins, to USB-C due to new European legislation that aims to make one charging design the common standard – ultimately reducing electronic waste.

YouTuber Dan Barbera had access to an iPhone 15 dummy unit that clearly showed a USB-C charger port.

In fact, the doll was accurate enough to plug its USB-C charging cable into the charging port.

“You get that sense of relief that we can finally carry basically one cable for almost all modern electronics,” the YouTuber said.

In terms of the flagship shape, all four iPhone 15 models have rounder edges compared to the iPhone 14 models, making it more comfortable to hold, according to Barbera.

The edges of iPhone 15 also look duller and more brushed than the shiny metal edges of the iPhone 14 models, thanks to the use of titanium instead of stainless steel, while the back is frosted glass instead of polished glass.

While Apple doesn’t expect to increase the size of the iPhone’s screen this year, it will reduce the bezel around the bezel, known as the “bezel.”

An American leaker and Apple expert named Mark Gurman claims that the bezel around the screen will be 1.5 millimeters, compared to about 2.2 millimeters on current iPhones.

In the long run, Apple wants to release an iPhone that’s “truly all-screen,” with no bezels around the screen and no cutouts for cameras or sensors, he says — and iPhone 15 is a step toward that goal.

Meanwhile, Dynamic Island, a feature introduced last year with only the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, is said to be on all four iPhone 15 models.

Dynamic Island – seen at the top of these iPhone 14 Pro models – is a built-in notch that expands to display notifications

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, the rear camera bump will be thicker, possibly to house more powerful image sensors, according to a report from 9to5macwhile the lenses ‘stick out’ more, probably for greater zoom capabilities.

Earlier reports suggested that Apple would introduce touch-sensitive buttons for the iPhone 15, but these have been shelved, according to Gurman.

“The buttons wouldn’t be pressed physically, allowing for new software tricks and reducing the number of breakable components on the device,” he said.

The enhancement, codenamed Bongo, was canceled after a slew of technical issues.

‘There were also concerns about the cost increase compared to regular buttons.’

A premium chip called A17 Bionic for the iPhone 15 Pro and Max models will also boost performance, including AI capabilities and battery life.

Apple releases a new iPhone every year to much fanfare. The iPhone 15 models are likely to be released in September 2023, although one analyst claimed it will be delayed by a month

HOW MUCH IS THE iPhone 15?

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 for the two Pro models this year because of major hardware updates, including the titanium frame and 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.

Barclays analyst Tim Long also expects price increases for the two more expensive iPhone 15 models, while the standard and Plus models will be about the same as last year.

The standard iPhone 14 model was £799/$849, while the iPhone 14 Plus cost £949/$899.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has already fueled speculation that this year’s models will be more expensive than any iPhone predecessor.

During an investor call in February, he suggested a price increase would be warranted.

“The iPhone has become such an integral part of people’s lives,” said the CEO.

“I think people are willing to really pull out all the stops to get the best they can afford in that category.”

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

WHEN WILL iPHONE 15 BE RELEASED?

Apple usually announces a new flagship iPhone at a live event in the first two weeks of September, and 2023 will be no different.

Last year, the iPhone 14 was unveiled on a Wednesday (September 7), while the year before that, the iPhone 13 arrived on a Tuesday (September 14).

That suggests iPhone 15 will launch on one of four days in September 2023: Tuesday 5, Wednesday 6, Tuesday 12 or Wednesday 13.

Apple has been quiet on any reveal event for this fall so far, though teaser promotions and invites are likely to drop this month.

Fans will hope that Apple doesn’t have to delay the unveiling until October because of production problems, as one US analyst claimed.

Apple has already had to delay the debut of the iPhone 12 in 2020 due to supply chain disruption caused by the Covid pandemic.