In a much-anticipated event held at its headquarters in Cupertino, Apple introduced the world to its latest flagship smartphones, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.
The unveiling took place at the Wonderlust event, where the tech giant also revealed the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, promising a slew of exciting features and improvements.
One of the standout features of the iPhone 15 is the expansion of Dynamic Island, a feature that debuted last year on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max.
This animated secondary display at the top of the screen provides users with contextual information without the need to switch between apps. This feature has now made its way to the iPhone 15 line, promising an enhanced user experience.
Another significant change is the replacement of the Lightning port with USB-C for wired charging and connectivity. This transition marks a major shift in Apple’s charging technology and opens up new possibilities for users.
In addition to USB-C, the iPhone 15 will be compatible with MagSafe and new accessories that support the Qi2 wireless charging standard, enhancing the overall versatility of the device.
The main camera on the iPhone 15 now boasts an impressive 48 megapixels and allows for a new 2x telephoto zoom, a substantial upgrade from the iPhone 14’s 12-megapixel camera system. While the practical impact of these improvements remains to be seen, they promise to elevate the photography and video capabilities of the iPhone 15.
Under the hood, the iPhone 15 is powered by the A16 Bionic chip, which was previously featured in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. While Apple did not disclose specific battery sizes, it did confirm the presence of a larger battery in the iPhone 15 lineup, potentially offering improved battery life.
These new iPhones also retain a host of existing features, including 5G connectivity and satellite connectivity for emergencies.
How much does it cost?
As with the previous iPhone lineup, there is no “mini” version of the iPhone 15. Instead, Apple offers a 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and a larger 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus.
For customers eyeing an upgrade, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models are available at virtually the same price points as the iPhone 14 equivalents. This means that consumers can access some of the features previously reserved for the Pro series without a price hike.
The iPhone 15 lineup offers various options, with pricing starting at S$1,299 for the 128GB iPhone 15 and S$1,449 for the 128GB iPhone 15 Plus. Meanwhile, pricing starts at S$1,649 for the 128GB iPhone 15 Pro and S$1,999 for the 256GB iPhone Pro Max.
In particular, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max come with a titanium case and feature Action Buttons, and these devices are touted as the most powerful smartphones ever produced by Apple.
The Action Button replaces the traditional ringer switch on the left side of the iPhone Pro, and it’s a novel button offering customisable functionality. Users can tailor it to execute shortcuts, access accessibility features, launch the camera, activate the flashlight, and perform various other actions.
With the release of the iPhone 15, many consumers may wonder whether the iPhone 14 models are now available at a discount. Indeed, the iPhone 14 standard edition has seen a price reduction, starting at S$1,149, while the Plus edition starts at S$1,299.
However, when you consider the substantial upgrades and enhanced features on the iPhone 15, it’s worthwhile to bypass the iPhone 14 and opt for the iPhone 15 for a superior overall experience and better value.
Apple is introducing a vibrant array of colours for the new iPhones, including pink, yellow, green, blue, and black. The iPhone 15 also features a sleek and frosty translucent back glass, which seems to be less prone to fingerprint smudges compared to its glossy predecessor.
Preorders for these eagerly awaited smartphones begin this Friday on September 15 at 8pm, with the official release set for September 22.
Featured Image Credit: Apple