As predicted, Apple announced the iPhone 15 range, consisting of iPhone 15, Plus, Pro and Pro Max, at its “special event”, held on September 12 US time. As is always the case, despite the tech giant remaining incredibly tight-lipped about the phone’s new features, many of them were leaked months ahead of the announcement.
In addition to the new iPhone 15 range, Apple also announced new software iOS 17, which will be available as a free software update on Tuesday, September 19. Also announced were AirPods Pro (2nd generation), Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple’s first-ever carbon-neutral products in the Apple Watch line-up.
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models will no doubt be the most popular of the new product announcements. They’ll be available pink, yellow, green, blue, and black in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities, with iPhone 15 price starting at $1499 and Plus starting $1649.
In Australia, we’ll be able to pre-order the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus from this Friday, September 15 at 10pm, with the iPhone 15 release date starting Friday, September 22.
Ahead, we’re sharing what we think are the coolest things the two phones can do that the iPhone 14 range cannot:
Better Camera
First things first, the reason most people upgrade iPhones: the camera. Probably the biggest difference, in my eyes, is more creative control over your photos — even after the photos have been taken.
With the new phone, when there’s an object you want to focus on, you can simply tap on it in the frame, and iPhone will automatically capture all its depth information so it can be turned into a portrait photo later in the Photos app on iPhone, iPad or Mac. Users can also adjust the focus point after the photo has been taken.
Night mode has also been improved, allowing for sharper details and more vivid colours. When lighting is bright or uneven, new Smart HDR captures subjects and their backgrounds better. Photos have brighter highlights, richer mid-tones and deeper shadows in the Photos app.
USB-Connection Charging
The iPhone 15 is the first iPhone to come with a standard USB-C port. Both models use a USB‑C connector, a universally accepted standard for charging and transferring data, allowing the same cable to charge iPhone, Mac, iPad, and the updated AirPods Pro (2nd generation).
New Dynamic Island
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus feature Dynamic Island, a way to interact with important alerts and Live Activities. You’ll more easily be able to see the next direction in Maps, control music and get updates on food delivery, ride-sharing, travel plans and sports scores.
Sturdier Phone
Like the iPhone 14, the new phone still features a water- and dust-resistant design. But the iPhone 15’s back glass has been strengthened with an optimised dual-ion exchange process. It was also polished with nano-crystalline particles and etched to create a textured matte finish. The new phone also features a new contoured edge that feels nicer in users’ hands.
Related: I Am Very, Very Creeped Out by Apple’s Personal Voice Feature
Related: Apple Unveils Its First Spatial Computer — and Yes, We’ll Answer Exactly What That Is
Read more stories from The Latch and subscribe to our email newsletter.