Apple is expected to launch its new flagship smartphone, the iPhone 15 Pro, in September 2023. The device will reportedly feature a redesigned chassis, a larger battery, a faster processor, and a new Action Button that will replace the traditional mute switch. Here are some of the details and rumors about the iPhone 15 Pro and what it means for Apple fans.
The Action Button: A New Way to Control Your iPhone
One of the most noticeable changes in the iPhone 15 Pro will be the absence of the mute switch, which has been present on every iPhone model since the original one in 2007. Instead, Apple will introduce a new Action Button, which will be located on the left side of the device, below the volume buttons.
The Action Button will be a touch-sensitive area that will respond to different gestures and taps. Users will be able to toggle silent mode by double-tapping the button, or access other functions by swiping up or down on it. The button will also provide haptic feedback to confirm the actions.
According to iOS 17 beta code, the Action Button will have enhanced haptic feedback patterns, specifically for toggling silent mode off and on. Historically, iOS had a simple haptic notification when users activated silent mode, but there was no such feedback when deactivating it. After all, such feedback was unnecessary, given users were using a physical switch to silence their phones.
The Action Button will also be customizable, allowing users to assign different functions to it according to their preferences. For example, users could use the button to launch Siri, control music playback, take screenshots, or activate accessibility features.
The Action Button is expected to be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models, while the lower-end iPhone 15 and 15 mini will retain the mute switch.
A Bigger Battery and a Faster Processor
Another major upgrade in the iPhone 15 Pro will be the battery capacity and performance. According to leaks, the iPhone 15 Pro will have a 4,352 mAh battery, which is significantly larger than the 3,687 mAh battery in the iPhone 14 Pro. This means that the iPhone 15 Pro will have a longer battery life and support faster charging speeds.
The iPhone 15 Pro will also feature a new A16 Bionic chip, which will be based on a 4-nanometer process and offer improved performance and efficiency. The chip will also support 5G connectivity and Wi-Fi 6E standards.
A Redesigned Chassis and a Colorful USB Cable
The iPhone 15 Pro will also sport a new design that will make it stand out from previous models. The device will have a flat-edged chassis made of titanium, which is stronger and lighter than stainless steel. The titanium chassis will also have a matte finish that will resist fingerprints and scratches.
The device will also have a smaller notch on the front, which will house an improved Face ID system and a selfie camera. The rear camera module will also be slightly larger and house four lenses: a wide-angle lens, an ultra-wide-angle lens, a telephoto lens with optical zoom, and a LiDAR scanner for depth sensing.
The iPhone 15 Pro will also come with a new USB-C to Lightning cable that will have different colors depending on the storage option of the device. For example, the cable for the 256 GB model will be blue, while the cable for the 512 GB model will be green. The cable colors are meant to match the colors of the iCloud logo.
A Higher Price Tag and a New Storage Option
The iPhone 15 Pro will not be cheap, as it will reportedly cost $100 more than its predecessor. The base model of the iPhone 15 Pro with 128 GB of storage will cost $1,099, while the top model with 2 TB of storage will cost $1,899. The 2 TB storage option is a new addition to the iPhone lineup, which previously capped at 512 GB.
The higher price tag of the iPhone 15 Pro reflects the increased costs of production and materials for Apple. The company is facing supply chain challenges and rising inflation due to the global pandemic and chip shortage.
The iPhone 15 Pro is expected to be announced in September 2023, along with other Apple products such as the Apple Watch Series 8 and the AirPods Pro 2. The device will likely go on sale in October or November 2023.
