Apple iPhone 15: new 48MP Main camera, Dynamic Island, USB‑C, and more…
In response to the European Union’s new regulations, Apple has confirmed that starting with the iPhone 15, it will adopt a USB-C port design, marking the end of the Lightning port era, which began with the iPhone 5 in 2012. Concurrently, the iPhone 15 will see a camera upgrade to a substantial 48 million pixels, doubling as a telephoto lens.
According to Apple, transitioning to the USB-C standard will harmonize the connectivity experience across iPhones, Macs, and iPads, even facilitating reverse charging for the Apple Watch using its charging cable. Concurrently, Apple announced a plethora of USB-C accessories, including wired earphones which previously featured the Lightning connector. Even the second-generation AirPods Pro was unveiled with a USB-C port.
Additionally, the iPhone 15 introduces the Dynamic Island interface and sports a luminous Super Retina XDR OLED display with a peak brightness of 1,600 nits. The iPhone 15 maintains its 6.1-inch screen, while the iPhone 15 Plus retains a 6.7-inch display. In terms of aesthetics, Apple utilizes a technique embedding minute metallic particles in glass to offer a palette including shades of pink, yellow, green, blue, and black. Unlike previous glossy, vibrant finishes, the new device has a muted tone due to its matte finish. The frame, sculpted from recycled aluminum alloy, incorporates more rounded edges.
Mirroring the iPhone 14’s approach, the iPhone 15 continues with a slightly enhanced A16 Bionic chip and incorporates the same second-generation UWB (Ultra-Wideband) design as the Apple Watch Series 9. This innovation bolsters the capability to locate another iPhone using ultra-wideband, aiding users and their acquaintances in determining mutual directions and locations outdoors. Furthermore, the iPhone 15 augments its call feature with a machine-learning-driven noise reduction function.
Expanding on the satellite SOS feature introduced in the iPhone 14, Apple extends this functionality to countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Portugal. Further expansions are planned for Spain and Switzerland. A collaboration with AAA satellite service providers aims to offer road assistance through satellite communication, assisting users with vehicular issues via the iPhone’s satellite SOS function.
Regarding the camera, the significant upgrade lies in its 48 million pixels main lens, implying a substantial improvement in the iPhone 15’s photographic resolution. Leveraging this increased resolution for telephoto photography, Apple employs a calculated approach, not merely cropping the original image or consolidating four pixels to enhance quality. Instead, it computes between 12 million pixel and 48 million pixel images, displaying a 2x telephoto shot with 24 million pixels.
In terms of pricing, the iPhone 15 will commence at $799, with the iPhone 15 Plus starting at $899. Both models begin with a 128GB storage option, scaling up to a 512GB version.
Parallel to the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple is launching eco-friendly protective casings for the iPhone 15 series and environmentally conscious accessories for the AirTag.
