Key Takeaways

  • Apple has confirmed a launch event on September 12 for the iPhone 15 Pro and Ultra models, potentially alongside a new Apple Watch Series 9.
  • Rumors suggest that the iPhone 15 Pro models may have a titanium design, slimmer bezels, USB-C connectivity, and upgraded camera features
  • It's thought there might also be an iPhone 15 Ultra model in place of the iPhone 15 Pro Max

It doesn't seem like that long ago that Apple was revealing Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max and those in the Steve Jobs Theater let out a little chuckle at the new feature's name. It's not a new feature anymore though, and while the iPhone 14 Pro models are still the latest devices from Apple, they won't be for much longer with rumours about the 2023 devices in full flow, and confirmation of the launch event from Apple.

This is everything we have heard so far about the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, the latter of which is also rumoured to be called the iPhone 15 Ultra.

Apple iPHone 14 Pro
Apple iPhone 14 Pro

If you can't wait for the Apple iPhone 15 Pro models to appear, then the Apple iPhone 14 Pro is an excellent device. Its camera capabilities are great, the Always On Display and Dynamic Island are brilliant to use and the overall experience is a fantastic one.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro release date

Apple has confirmed that it will be hosting an event on 12 September where it is expected to announce the new iPhone. The event carries the tagline "Wonderlust" and it's expected that we'll see launch of a new Apple Watch Series 9 alongside it.

In the past, the Apple iPhone launch date was fairly predictable. Aside from the year 2020, the company typically revealed the new iPhone on a Tuesday in the second week of September. For 2022 the launch date was a week earlier and on a Wednesday instead, putting the iPhone 14 series launch on 7 September 2022. We now see a return to tradition, with 12 September confirmed as the iPhone 15 Pro and Ultra launch date. The pre-order date is likely to be 15 September, with an on sale date of 22 September for at least some of the iPhone 15 models. Rumours have suggested that the iPhone 15 Ultra could follow a little later.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro naming

There has been some discussion about what the new iPhone 15 Pro models might be called. Tradition would suggest that the iPhone 15 Pro would be launched alongside the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max, but rumours have suggested a slight change in direction. It might be that Apple calls the larger model the iPhone 15 Ultra. This naming makes perfect sense, following the precedent set out by the Apple Watch Ultra in 2022. Of course, nothing will be confirmed until the announcement is made on 12 September.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro design

Since the iPhone 12 Pro models, the iPhone has stuck to a fairly similar design. The Pro models have featured polished stainless steel bodies, matte glass rears and a large triple camera system in the top right corner of the back. They're always a slightly different size, so you need a fancy new case each time, and that's rumoured to remain true on the 15 series phones, too, at least to some degree. But the move to titanium over stainless steel in the new models could make them lighter and that's going to be especially noticeable on the iPhone 15 Ultra.

The iPhone 14 Pro models saw the introduction of an Always-On Display, as well as Dynamic Island, so we would expect the iPhone 15 Pro models to offer both of these technologies. Dynamic Island replaces the notch - which is still present on the standard iPhone 14 models - with a pill-shaped cut-out that expands with information. It's suggested that there will be a slight reduction in the bezel around the display.

There were many rumours suggesting the iPhone 15 Pro models would ditch the physical buttons and move to a haptic solid-state button design instead. However, that's no longer likely to be the case. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the iPhone 15 models will have physical buttons "due to unresolved technical issues before mass production." It's starting to seem more likely that we'll see an Apple Watch Ultra-style Action button in place of the mute switch, though. This multi-purpose button will be user-defined so it can be used as a shutter button for the camera, to open an app or run a shortcut. Useful stuff.

It's also been reported that the iPhone 15 Pro models will adopt USB-C over Lightning and this would be quite the change for the iPhone line after many years of using Apple's proprietary connector. Some reports have also suggested we might see a larger camera bump on the rear, as well as a thicker build overall, even if the thickest part is rumoured to reduce slightly.

iPhone 15 Pro button render
chenwen1987 / @ShrimpApplePro

Apple iPhone 15 Pro display

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro has a 6.1-inch OLED display, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch OLED display. It is likely Apple will stick with OLED for the Apple iPhone 15 Pro models and it's likely we will see an Always-On Display again, as well as Dynamic Island. Whether Apple will stick to the same screen sizes hasn't been detailed, though it is reported that the bezels surrounding displays will reduce by 30 per cent. Whether that means slightly larger displays or slightly smaller bodies remains to be seen. If the same screen sizes remain overall though, the resolution will probably remain the same too, along with the adaptable 120Hz refresh rate.

We'd also expect the 2000nits peak brightness from the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max to carry through to the iPhone 15 Pro models. That said, it has been claimed the Pro models might use a next-generation display from Samsung capable of 2500nits, offering yet another bump. As mentioned, it's said there will be slimmer bezels around the screen too, making for a more streamlined design overall.

iPhone 15 Pro Renders
Ian Zelbo for 9to5Mac

Apple iPhone 15 Pro specs and hardware

There haven't been many rumours surrounding the hardware and specifications for the Apple iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max/Ultra as yet, though they will no doubt feature a processor upgrade compared to their predecessors. With the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max running on the A16 chip, it's likely the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max will move to the A17. A report has suggested this chip could be based on a 3nm process, though that's unconfirmed for now. Some reports have also suggested an increase in RAM will happen, moving from 6GB to 8GB.

Elsewhere, it's said the iPhone 15 Pro models will move to USB-C over Lightning, as mentioned. It's expected this will be the USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 4 standard if this does happen, which could bring some advantages in charging speed and data transfer rates - although it might be that regular iPhone 15 models have a lower-spec USB or Thunderbolt standard. There have also been some rumours suggesting Apple might require certified cables in order to take advantage of faster charging speeds.

In terms of software, iOS 17 is the next major build and the public beta is available to install now so you can get a feel for some of the features the software will bring with it, not just for the new iPhone models but for existing compatible models too.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro camera

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max both have a triple rear camera setup that consists of a main camera sensor, an ultra-wide camera sensor and a telephoto camera sensor. The main camera sensor was upgraded to a 48-megapixel sensor in 2022 and rumour has it Apple will stick with this sensor again for the iPhone 15 Pro models.

There will no doubt be some extra features added - as there were with the iPhone 14 Pro models - and there has been a rumour to suggest there will be a Sony sensor on board the iPhone 15 Pro models. It's said the sensor can double the saturation signal level in each pixel, allowing for more light capture, while also ensuring the correct exposure in different circumstances. Sounds a bit like the Exmor T sensor on the new Sony Xperia 1 V, if you ask us. It is claimed this will allow users to take a clear photo of a person's face even when they have a bright light source behind them, for example. For now, though, there's no official confirmation it will be in the iPhone 15 Pro models, or what the results would be like.

Other rumours have claimed that both the Ultra Wide sensor and telephoto sensor on the iPhone 15 Pro will see an upgrade this year, moving from the 12-megapixel sensors on the 14 Pro to a 12.7-megapixel telephoto sensor with f/2.8 aperture and a 13.4-megapixel Ultra Wide sensor with f/2.2 aperture. The iPhone 15 Pro Max - which could also be called the iPhone 15 Ultra is said to offer the same resolutions as the iPhone 15 Pro model but the telephoto lens will be a periscope lens. Rumours suggest that a periscope-style telephoto camera will be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Ultra, though it's not yet known what the specifications will look like. There has also been talk of an upgraded LiDAR sensor. This could be the feature that differentiates between the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Ultra, and would be the biggest change to iPhone photography in a long time.

iPhone 15 Pro Renders
Ian Zelbo for 9to5Mac

Apple iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Ultra rumours: Everything we have heard so far

Here is everything we have heard so far about the Apple iPhone 15 Pro models.

7 September 2023: A report details the camera specs expected for the iPhone 15 Pro models

MacRumours published a report detailing what the camera specifications are expected to be for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Ultra models, based on the rumours.

29 August 2023: Apple sent out invites to its iPhone 15 event

Apple sent out invites to its next event, called Wonderlust, which will take place on 12 September. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Ultra are expected to be revealed at it.

25 August 2023: This iPhone 15 Pro colour might be Apple's worst yet, check it out

The iPhone 15 Pro is expected to come in Space Black, Silver, Titan Gray and Dark Blue colours.

22 August 2023: Split iPhone cables might be a thing of the past if Apple makes this power move

The new iPhone 15 range could come equipped with braided cables, making split charging leads a thing of the past.

18 August 2023: The iPhone 15's rumored 35W charging speed boost is better than nothing

Rumours suggest that the new iPhone 15 models could support charging speeds up to 35W.

8 August 2023: Apple iPhone 15 Pro could come with 2TB option

According to a report from Korean Naver Blog by a user called yeux1122 (via MacRumours), the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will come with double the storage of the iPhone 14 Pro models at 2TB. This was supported by another claim on Weibo.

7 August 2023: Apple iPhone 15 Ultra could lose beloved feature from original iPhone

Some leaked dummy cases reported to be for the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max/Ultra appear to support the idea of an action button over the classic mute switch.

6 August 2023: Reports suggest more details for iPhone 15 Pro

Mark Gurman of Bloomberg reported a number of details about the iPhone 15 Pro in his Power On newsletter, including slimmer bezels, a titanium frame, big camera improvements, USB-C and a faster processor.

4 August 2023: The iPhone 15 is getting a camera upgrade that the iPhone 15 Pro won't

It has been reported that while the standard iPhone 15 models could get an upgrade to a 48-megapixel stacked sensor, the iPhone 15 Pro models will just retain the 48-megapixel resolution but they won't get the stacked sensor.

3 August 2023: Here's when the iPhone 15 will be announced by Apple

It has been speculated that the Apple iPhone 15 models will be announced on 13 September as sources told 9to5Mac that some carriers have requested employees don't take leave on that day.

27 July 2023: The Apple iPhone 15 Pro's Action button is increasingly likely, here's what it might do

A report from MacRumours claimed it was looking more and more likely that the iPhone 15 Pro models could come with an action button and that it will be programmable.

26 June 2023: iPhone 15 Pro case leak suggests big things for the Action button

Twitter leaker Majuin Bu shared a video of an iPhone 15 Pro Max case that suggests there will be Action button in place of the current button, as well as a larger camera area.

7 June 2023: Apple revealed iOS 17

Apple revealed the features coming to iPhone later this year during WWDC. There are a number of great features coming, which you can read all about in our separate iOS 17 feature, as well as the five we are most excited about.

8 May 2023: The iPhone 15 Pro Max might be the only model with a periscope camera

Twitter leaker @URedditor says they have "received independent confirmation" that the periscope camera will be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max - and will not feature on other iPhone 15 models.

27 April 2023: iPhone 15 Pro's Action button, shrunken cameras detailed in all-new CAD renders

The latest CAD renders were shared by 9to5Mac with the images showing that the familiar mute switch is gone, replaced by a new Action button, and larger cameras, too.

12 April 2023: Shock iPhone 15 Pro report claims expected new feature has been canceled

Ming-Chi Kuo says that Apple has taken the decision to cancel the iPhone 15 Pro's solid-state buttons "due to unresolved technical issues before mass production."

10 April 2023: Insanely thin iPhone 15 Pro bezels detailed in leaked CAD image

Multiple reports have suggested that we can expect insanely thin bezels from the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, but a new tweet by leaker @UniverseIce claims to show a CAD image of the larger model. And it makes for exciting viewing.

30 March 2023: iPhone 15 Pro could borrow the Apple Watch Ultra's awesome Action button

In a post on the MacRumors forum, an anonymous user hinted that the Action button will replace the ringer switch, suggesting that people will be able to change how it functions.

27 March 2023: The iPhone 15 could go eSIM-only in the UK and other European countries

A new report claims that those in France will go eSIM-only with the iPhone 15 and, as a result, so will half of Europe including the United Kingdom.

25 March 2023: iPhone 15's Dynamic Island could gain a whole extra sensor

"In the iPhone 15 series, the proximity sensor is situated within the dynamic island, with almost no change to the Dynamic Island area," said Ming-Chi Kuo on Twitter

21 March 2023: iPhone 15 again tipped for USB-C fast charging but with a catch

Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that faster iPhone charging will be possible through optimisation, but only if a plug or cable carries the MFi (Made For iPhone) tick of approval.

20 March 2023: iPhone 15 Pro CAD leak shows a single volume button, no more mute switch

This latest leak comes via Twitter leaker ShrimpApplePro. The images show the one-piece volume button, as expected. And it appears that Apple is doing away with its famous mute switch for the first time.

17 March 2023: The iPhone 15 Pro is going to cost a lot of money

According to tech analyst Jeff Pu from Haitong International Securities, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will be more expensive than previous Pro models.

13 March 2023: iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max 3D mock-ups show that'll you'll need a new case yet again

3D-printed dummy iPhone 15 models suggest that there will be minor design tweaks that'll prevent case compatibility once more.

8 March 2023: The iPhone 15 Pro is tipped for a battery-saving camera upgrade

A report claimed the iPhone 15 Pro Max won't just get a periscope camera, but could get an upgraded LiDAR sensor too.

6 March 2023: Claimed iPhone 15 front panel leak highlights thinner bezels on some models

ShrimpApplePro published a video on Twitter showing off what is thought to be panels are for the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 15. Based on the panels, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max will have thinner bezels than previous models.

28 February 2023: Apple might limit the best thing about the iPhone 15's USB-C port so you use its certified cables

Twitter leaker ShrimpApplePro believes that the Made for iPhone (MFi) program will be used to limit transfer speeds of the USB-C port with users having to use approved cables in order to get maximum speeds.

25 February 2023: The iPhone 15 Pro Max's camera bump might be thinner than anyone expected

According to the numbers shared by Universe Ice, the iPhone 15 Pro Max will have a smaller camera bump (3.59mm) than the iPhone 14 Pro Max (4.18mm). That will allow the phone's overall thickness to shrink from the iPhone 14 Pro Max's 12.03mm to a more svelte 11.84mm. The main iPhone 15 Pro Max chassis will grow though it's claimed - 8.25mm compared to 7.85mm.

24 February 2023: New iPhone 15 colour options tipped, including dark red for Pro models

Apple will reportedly add several new colour options to its iPhone range for 2023, with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max said to be coming in a burgundy (dark red) colourway

21 February 2023: iPhone 15 lineup tipped for big RAM upgrades

A report claimed Apple could "bump up the capacity and specifications" for the new models when it comes to RAM.

17 February 2023: First iPhone 15 Pro renders show thinner bezels and new, curvier design

9to5Mac released several CAD images showing what we might be able to expect from the Apple iPhone 15 Pro.

iPhone 15 Pro render alongside iPhone 14 Pro
9to5Mac

17 February 2023: Claimed iPhone 15 Pro USB-C port leaks in first real-life photo

Leaker Unknownz21 tweeted an image of what is claimed to show the real-life USB-C port on the iPhone 15 Pro.

15 February 2023: iPhone 15 Pro's thinner bezel rumour backed up by new sources, leaker says

ShrimpApplePro - who previously claimed the iPhone 15 Pro models would have slimmer bezels around their displays - has said the same thing again, backed by extra sources.

8 February 2023: iPhone 15 Pro Max could feature brighter display

Apple will allegedly adopt a next-generation Samsung display that is capable of a peak brightness of 2,500nits for the Apple iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. If true, that would be 25 per cent brighter than the screen tech in the current iPhone 14 Pro Max.

28 January 2023: iPhone 15 Pro models tipped for a big Wi-Fi upgrade

Leaker Unknownz21 claimed Apple's iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will both feature Wi-Fi 6E connectivity for improved performance.

23 Jabuary 2023: Apple's iPhone 15 series tipped to be curvier with thinner bezels

Apple's next phones will all have a curved bezel around their displays according to leaker ShrimpApplePro - although those displays will remain flat, it's said. People buying the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max will also benefit from thinner bezels, it's claimed.

11 January 2023: Confidence grows in rumoured iPhone 15 Pro's solid-stage buttons

Rumours continue to swirl that the iPhone 15 Pro will ditch clicky buttons and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo seems convinced

10 January 2023: Apple has reportedly started its production phase for the iPhone 15 (and variants)

Apple has reportedly started its production phase for the iPhone 15 (and variants)

3 January 2023: iPhone 15 Pro rumored to pack big design changes, zero buttons

Analyst Jeff Pu has claimed the iPhone 15 Pro models will feature taptic buttons over physical buttons, whilst also potentially offering a titanium frame and featuring more RAM with 8GB suggested in place of the current 6GB.

29 November 2022: Apple iPhone 15 said to switch to new "state-of-the-art" Sony image sensor

Sony will reportedly supply the image sensor for Apple's next range of iPhones. The new sensor is alleged to double the saturation signal level in each pixel, allowing for more light capture, while also ensuring the correct exposure in different circumstances.

It is claimed this will allow users to take a clear photo of a person's face even when they have a bright light source behind them, for example.

24 November 2022: iPhone 15 Pro's vibrating buttons hinted at by part supplier

Cirrus Logic CEO John Forsyth told an earnings call that his company was working on a new component for the "back half of next year". That component was confirmed in a prior shareholder letter to be a component related to Apple's Taptic Engine vibration motors

17 November 2022: Apple's Lightning to USB-C switch will benefit iPhone 15 Pro models most, claims analyst

Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that Apple will complete its switch to USB-C from Lightning for all devices as soon as next year - long before the EU directive demands it.

His report reveals that the entire iPhone 15 line-up will ditch the Lightning port. Only the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max will carry the latest USB 3.2 or even Thunderbolt 3 standard though.

28 October 2022: Apple iPhone 15 Pro could ditch physical buttons altogether

Apple could ditch the volume and power buttons on its next iPhone, according to respected industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

The report states that the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max "may adopt a solid-state button design" instead. He suggests the handsets will feature "taptic" buttons instead, which work like the home button on the iPhones 7 and 8.

26 September 2022: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max could be called iPhone 15 Ultra

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the top-of-the-range Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max could instead be called the iPhone 15 Ultra.

14 September 2022: Apple tipped to use 3nm chip tech in iPhone 15, 2023 Macs

A report claimed TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) is developing 3nm-based processors, and that these will be used to build Apple's A17 processor - which will likely power the iPhone 15 Pro.