In September 2023, Apple unveiled its latest smartphone offerings, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, positioning them as premium flagship devices alongside the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. These iPhone 15 Pro models boast an expanded feature set, setting them apart from their standard counterparts. Key enhancements include advanced camera technology, an upgraded display, the lightning-fast A17 chip, and more.
Maintaining the familiar 6.1 and 6.7-inch sizes from the iPhone 14 Pro series, the iPhone 15 Pro models share a similar design language but with noteworthy changes. Apple has opted for a cutting-edge titanium alloy frame, the same material used in spacecraft construction, replacing the traditional stainless steel. Additionally, a range of titanium color options has been introduced, including white, black, natural, and blue. This titanium construction not only lends a sleek appearance but also reduces the overall weight compared to the iPhone 14 Pro models.
The titanium frame features a new matte, brushed texture, complemented by an internal aluminum frame that enhances thermal dissipation and the ease of repairing the back glass. Apple has also refined the frame’s design, giving it more contoured edges while significantly slimming down the display bezels. The front of the iPhone continues to feature Apple’s renowned Ceramic Shield material, renowned for its durability and shatter resistance.
Continuing from the previous model year, the iPhone 15 Pro models retain the Super Retina XDR Display, now featuring Always-On display technology and a high-refresh-rate 120Hz ProMotion display. The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a resolution of 2796×1290, while the iPhone 15 Pro offers a resolution of 2556×1179. Apart from the reduced bezel size, the display maintains the Dynamic Island feature at the top.
A noteworthy change is the transition from a Lightning port to a USB-C port on the iPhone 15 Pro models, offering USB 3 transfer speeds of up to 10Gb/s. Charging is now facilitated using a USB-C cable, which can be used interchangeably with other Apple devices such as iPads and Macs. This port also enables iPhones to charge AirPods and Apple Watches directly. The 15W MagSafe charging feature remains intact, and Apple has added support for Qi2 wireless charging.
One prominent addition is the customizable Action button, inspired by the Apple Watch Ultra’s Action button, which replaces the traditional mute switch. This versatile button can be configured for various functions, including launching the camera, activating the flashlight, recording voice memos, or triggering shortcuts. The Action button incorporates visual feedback through the Dynamic Island, enhancing the user experience with haptic feedback.
The camera system receives a significant upgrade, featuring a 48-megapixel Main camera with improved low-light performance and a default image resolution of 24 megapixels, striking a balance between image quality and file size. Users can also adjust the Main camera to different focal lengths, including 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm, with the option to capture space-efficient 48-megapixel HEIF images. Notably, portrait photos are now automatically captured whenever a person or pet is detected in the frame, allowing post-capture adjustments of depth and focal point. Night mode performance is enhanced, and Smart HDR 5 delivers more realistic skin tones and improved dynamic range.
Introducing a new Ultrawide camera that excels in low-light conditions, the iPhone 15 Pro models offer a standard 3x Telephoto lens (5x for the iPhone 15 Pro Max) with an innovative tetraprism design. An upgraded optical image stabilization system includes a 3D sensor-shift module for clearer photos.
The A17 Pro chip, a 3-nanometer marvel, represents Apple’s latest innovation. Boasting the most significant GPU redesign in the company’s history, it offers up to a 20% boost in GPU performance compared to the A16, with CPU performance up to 10% faster. The revamped Neural Engine achieves double the speed of its predecessor.
The inclusion of a 6-core GPU enables hardware-accelerated ray tracing, enabling the iPhone to run console games like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Resident Evil 4. Additionally, an AV1 decoder enhances video streaming efficiency. The A17 Pro chip also allows the iPhone to connect to external storage for recording 4K 60fps ProRes video directly to the storage device, with support for Log encoding, a feature catering to filmmakers.
Later in the year, the iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to support 3D spatial video recording, compatible with the upcoming Apple Vision Pro.
Apple has integrated a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, extending the connection range for iPhones equipped with this chip. This improved connectivity facilitates Precision Finding for Find My Friends, enabling users to locate friends in crowded areas with pinpoint accuracy. Wi-Fi 6E support offers faster Wi-Fi speeds and access to 6GHz bands when paired with a Wi-Fi 6E router. Additionally, Thread support has been introduced, paving the way for future integrations within the Home app.
Emergency SOS via Satellite has been expanded to encompass Emergency Roadside Assistance via Satellite, providing a lifeline in areas devoid of cellular or Wi-Fi signals, thanks to Apple’s partnership with AAA.
The eagerly anticipated iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are set to launch on Friday, September 22, with pre-orders commencing at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, September 15.
