Apple Announces iPhone 15 Pro & Pro Max Models: Everything New
Apple has unveiled the highly anticipated iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, featuring a robust yet lightweight titanium design with sleek contoured edges and a customizable Action button. These devices boast several camera enhancements, propelled by the A17 Pro chip for advanced performance and mobile gaming according to Apple. Additionally, Apple introduces the convenience of USB-C for fast data transfer speeds, alongside new video formats (Spatial Video) to support professional workflows. These advancements are complemented by the addition of Roadside Assistance via satellite, expanding Apple's satellite infrastructure to provide help in remote situations.
Refined, Lightweight Design
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max come in two sizes, 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays, respectively, with a new titanium design. This aerospace-grade titanium, known for its strength-to-weight ratio, makes these the lightest Pro models ever produced by Apple. These phones feature contoured edges, thinner bezels, and a Super Retina XDR display with Always-On and ProMotion technologies similarly to the iPhone 14 Pro models.
An exciting addition is the Action button, which replaces the conventional ring/silent switch. It offers users the flexibility to choose between quick access to the camera or flashlight, activation of Voice Memos, Focus modes, Translate, and various accessibility features. The button's press-and-hold gesture, coupled with haptic feedback and visual cues, ensures accurate execution of the desired action.
A17 Pro: Pushing the Boundaries of Performance
Powering the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max is the A17 Pro chip, the industry's first 3-nanometer chip. This chip enhances overall performance, with a 10 percent faster CPU, a 2x faster Neural Engine, and a GPU that is 20 percent faster, complete with hardware-accelerated ray tracing for smoother graphics and immersive AR applications.
Moreover, according to Apple: “A dedicated AV1 decoder enhances video streaming quality, and the USB controller now supports USB 3 speeds for faster data transfer and up to 4K video output at 60 fps HDR.”
New Camera System
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature an upgraded camera system that effectively emulates seven pro lenses, all powered by the A17 Pro chip. The 48MP Main camera, tailored for the Pro lineup, allows for a new 24MP super-high-resolution default mode, combining great image quality with smaller file sizes. Users can switch between three focal lengths, 24 mm, 28 mm, and 35 mm. The Main camera supports 48MP ProRAW and 48MP HEIF images.
The iPhone 15 Pro includes a 3x Telephoto camera, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a new 5x Telephoto camera at 120mm. Unfortunately this is not a periscope camera and the zoom point is not 6X as believed before the official announcement. Portraits in the 15 Pro models feature improved detail, vivid colors, and finally low-light performance. Users can now take portraits without switching to Portrait mode, making it more convenient and creative.
Apple also promises to deliver enhanced Night Mode, Smart HDR, and Video Quality. These refinements are more than welcome as there was considerable room for improvement in these areas. The new Smart HDR captures subjects and backgrounds more realistically, offering brighter highlights, richer midtones, and deeper shadows, which is also available to third-party apps for improved online sharing.
Wireless Performance and Connectivity
Both models feature USB-C for charging and data transfer, aligning with industry standards. This decision is driven by an EU directive that will go into effect soon. Apple includes a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, extending the range for Precision Finding in Find My friends, making it easier to locate others, even in crowded places.
The iPhone 15 Pro lineup supports Wi-Fi 6E, delivering faster wireless speeds. This was a feature requested by a large portion of Pro enthusiasts.
Safety and Connectivity on the Road
Apart from Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite, the iPhone 15 lineup prioritizes safety, and introduces Roadside Assistance via satellite in the U.S., allowing users to connect with AAA when they encounter car trouble without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.
Environmental Commitment
Apple continues its environmental commitment with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. These devices incorporate more recycled materials, including 100 percent recycled aluminum, cobalt in the battery, rare earth elements in magnets, and recycled gold in components. Over 99 percent of the packaging is fiber-based, further reducing plastic use.
Leather will no longer be used in Apple products, replaced by sustainable materials like the FineWoven Case and Wallet with MagSafe, made from recycled content.
Pricing and Availability
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be available in four titanium finishes, with pricing starting at $999 and $1,199, respectively. Outside the US, pricing seems to be lower or at least on par with the launch prices of the iPhone 14 Pro models. More specifically, in several EU countries the base iPhone 15 Pro is cheaper at around 100 Euros compared to the 14 Pro at launch. Regarding the 15 Pro Max (256GB), it seems to be retaining the same price as the base 14 Pro Max at launch but at half the storage (128GB).
Customers in multiple countries can pre-order starting September 15, with availability beginning on September 22.
