Apple is facing some challenges in producing its upcoming iPhone 15 series, which is expected to be announced next month. According to a report by GSMArena.com, the company has reduced its order from 83 million to 77 million units by the end of this year due to supply issues and lower-than-usual demand.
Supply issues affect iPhone 15 components
One of the main reasons for the production cut is the shortage of some key components for the iPhone 15, such as the camera sensor, the titanium frame, and the OLED panel. The report cites analyst Jeff Pu, who claims that Apple is facing difficulties in sourcing these parts from its suppliers, especially Sony, which provides the CMOS camera sensors for the iPhone 15.
The report also mentions that the new titanium frame for the iPhone 15 Pro models and the new OLED panel with thinner bezels are causing some challenges for Apple’s assembly partners. The titanium frame is said to be more durable and resistant to scratches than the stainless steel frame used in previous models, while the OLED panel is expected to offer a higher refresh rate and better contrast ratio than the LCD panel used in the iPhone 14.
Lower demand for iPhone 15 Pro models
Another factor that may have influenced Apple’s decision to cut its production order is the lower demand for the iPhone 15 Pro models, which are rumored to be more expensive than the iPhone 14 Pro models. The report suggests that Apple expects fewer sales due to the overall market conditions and the price hike for the Pro models.
The iPhone 15 Pro is expected to start at $1,099, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to start at $1,199. This would be a $100 increase from the previous generation, which started at $999 and $1,099 respectively. The report claims that this would be the first time since the iPhone X was released in 2017 that the Pro models would see a price increase.
The iPhone 15 Pro models are also expected to have some exclusive features that may not appeal to all consumers, such as switching to USB-C instead of Lightning, and adding a new “action button” that would replace the mute switch. The USB-C port would allow faster charging and data transfer, as well as compatibility with more accessories, but it would also require users to buy new cables and adapters. The action button would allow users to customize different functions, such as launching Siri or taking screenshots, but it would also remove the physical switch that many users prefer.
What to expect from the iPhone 15 series
Despite the production cut and the lower demand, Apple is still expected to launch its iPhone 15 series in September, following its usual annual schedule. The company typically announces its new iPhones at an event in September and releases them later that month or in early October.
According to various leaks and rumors, the iPhone 15 series will consist of four models: the iPhone 15, the iPhone 15 Plus, the iPhone 15 Pro, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The sizes and designs of these models are expected to be similar to those of the iPhone 14 series, with some minor changes in the notch and the camera layout.
The main differences between the models are expected to be in their displays, processors, cameras, and batteries. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are expected to have LCD displays with a 60Hz refresh rate, while the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are expected to have OLED displays with a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are also expected to have A16 Bionic chips based on a 4nm process, while the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are expected to have A17 Bionic chips based on a 3nm process.
The cameras are also expected to see some major upgrades in the iPhone 15 series. All models are expected to have a 48MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera, but only the Pro models are expected to have a telephoto camera with optical zoom. The iPhone 15 Pro is expected to have a telephoto camera with a 3x optical zoom, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to have a telephoto camera with a periscope lens that can achieve up to a 6x optical zoom.
The batteries are also expected to be larger in all models of the iPhone 15 series. The report by GSMArena.com claims that Apple will use a new stacked battery technology that will allow it to fit bigger batteries in thinner bodies. The report also provides some estimates of the battery capacities for each model:
- The iPhone 15 is expected to have a battery size of 3,877 mAh.
- The iPhone 15 Plus is expected to have a battery size of 4,912 mAh.
- The iPhone 15 Pro is expected to have a battery size of 3,650 mAh.
- The iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to have a battery size of 4,852 mAh.
These battery sizes are significantly larger than those of the iPhone 14 series, which ranged from 2,815 mAh to 3,687 mAh. The larger batteries are expected to provide longer battery life and support faster charging speeds.
