Apple will begin receiving mass shipments of the iPhone 15 Pro Max this week, according to information shared today by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. This suggests that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will be available in September, despite concerns over a production delay, but customers might need to order one quickly if they want launch-day delivery.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max at an event that is rumored to be planned for Tuesday, September 12. All four models are expected to be equipped with a USB-C port and the Dynamic Island, while many additional new features are rumored for the Pro models, such as a titanium frame, customizable Action button, faster A17 Bionic chip, Wi-Fi 6E support, and more.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to have a 6.7-inch display like the iPhone 14 Pro Max, but with slimmer bezels around the screen. Next year, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is rumored to be equipped with an even larger 6.9-inch display.
One feature expected to be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max this year is an upgraded telephoto lens with periscope technology. Kuo previously said this lens would offer up to 5-6x optical zoom, compared to the current 3x limit.
Multiple reports have indicated that the iPhone 15 Pro models may be more expensive than iPhone 14 Pro models, with a $100 to $200 price increase possible in the United States. On social media, there has been speculation that Apple might increase the base storage of the devices to 256GB to help justify the higher prices.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and in recognition of this important cause, well-known podcast network Relay FM has launched its annual fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, located in Memphis, Tennessee. Since 2019, the Relay FM community has raised over $2.2 million for the hospital.
St. Jude's mission statement:
The mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.
Relay FM has multiple Apple-related podcasts, such as Connected, hosted by Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley, and Federico Viticci. Hackett's son received treatment at St. Jude as an infant, so this initiative is near and dear to him.
Donations can be made on the Relay FM for St. Jude website, with rewards such as Relay FM stickers, exclusive wallpapers, and a macOS screensaver available above certain dollar amounts. The page outlines other ways you can get involved, such as starting your own campaign, and sharing the page also helps to raise awareness.
The Samsung ViewFinity S9 is one of the few 27-inch 5K displays on the market, going head-to-head with the Apple Studio Display in offering ideal pixel density for full Retina quality.
The ViewFinity S9 is priced at $1,599.99, essentially the same as the Apple Studio Display, although Samsung includes a tilt- and height-adjustable stand while Apple charges $400 for that upgrade. The ViewFinity S9 can also be pivoted to a portrait orientation using the included stand.
The ViewFinity S9 features a Thunderbolt 4 port, three USB-C ports, and a Mini DisplayPort, and it includes 90 watts of power for machines connected through the Thunderbolt 4 port. A removable 4K SlimFit webcam supports tilt adjustments, as well as Auto Framing of subjects in the shot, similar to Apple's Center Stage feature. Built-in speakers with an Adaptive Sound+ option to automatically adjust noise levels are also included.
Built-in Smart TV apps and a remote control allow the display to function as a TV without being connected to a computer, with support for popular streaming apps and the Samsung Gaming Hub for playing cloud-based games from Xbox, NVIDIA, and more.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Samsung and Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Just a few weeks ahead of Apple unveiling new iPhones, rumors continue to circulate about new color options for the devices. The latest information comes from established leakers @MajinBuOfficial and @URedditor, who today said the lower-end iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models will be available in a new light green finish.
@MajinBuOfficial said it appears the new color option will be very similar to the green finish available for the iPhone 12 and the discontinued iPhone 12 mini. However, the leaker is unsure if the color will be available when the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus launch in September, or introduced as an additional color option in spring 2024.
Other color options rumored for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus include black, blue, yellow, and pink. Apple typically also makes the standard iPhones available in (PRODUCT)RED, a deep red color that benefits The Global Fund, an organization fighting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 15 series at an event that is rumored to be planned for Tuesday, September 12. Apple has yet to officially announce the event, but invitations will likely go out within the next week or two.
Apple is expected to hold its annual fall event this year on Tuesday, September 12, when it will announce its new flagship iPhone 15 lineup, but there are a few more products expected to be unveiled as well.
Keep reading to learn everything we know about what else Apple is expected to announce at the event beyond the iPhone 15.
Apple Watch Series 9
This year, Apple is expected to release the Apple Watch Series 9, an iterative update on the current Series 8. The refresh is expected to focus on updating the cores within the device's S-series chip, delivering a notable performance improvement, but the rest of the device is likely to be effectively the same as the Apple Watch Series 8.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the S9 chip will be based on the A15 Bionic chip used in the iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and other devices. The new chip could bring significantly improved performance and efficiency, boosting app launch speeds and potentially improving battery life. Apple reportedly plans to introduce a new pink color option for the Apple Watch Series 9.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Apple Watch Ultra is Apple's top-of-the-line Apple Watch, priced at $800. At 49mm, it is also the largest, designed for outdoor enthusiasts who need more durability and a wider range of niche features than those who wear the standard Apple Watch.
A refreshed version of the Apple Watch Ultra will come out this fall, and it is expected to get the same S9 processor upgrade that is coming to the Apple Watch Series 9, along with new 3D printed components.
The second-generation version of the Apple Watch Ultra could potentially be lighter than the first-generation model. A rumor from Weibo user Setsuna Digital claims that the new Apple Watch Ultra will have a reduced weight, which could be due to the 3D printed parts Apple is rumored to be using.
The second-generation Apple Watch Ultra could also potentially come in a new darker color option, such as a black titanium shade.
New iPhone Cases and Apple Watch Bands
As is typical of September Apple events, it's likely that new iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands will be released in a variety of fresh colors. The new cases and bands sometimes become available to order on Apple's online store just minutes after the event ends.
According to one rumor, Apple is planning to release a new band for the Apple Watch Series 9 that will be made out of a woven fabric material and feature a magnetic buckle, similar to the existing Modern Buckle band.
Meanwhile, several sources have claimed that Apple will not offer leather iPhone 15 cases this year, as it has done for annual iPhone releases since 2013. Instead, it has been suggested the company will offer leather-like cases that use more eco-friendly materials.
This year, Apple is expected to ship iPhone 15 models with a color-matched braided USB-C to USB-C cable in the box rather than a plain white cable. Rumors suggest that each cable would be available in a color that would match with the shade of the iPhone 15 model.
Rumors suggest that it will measure in at 1.5 meters instead of one meter. With the braided design, it is also expected to be more durable. If the rumors are accurate, as we believe they are, expect Apple to sell additional color-matching USB-C cables as accessories to match the colors of its new smartphone lineup.
Apple may offer a USB-C data transfer accessory cable for iPhone 15 Pro models that is capable of Thunderbolt or USB4 speeds of up to 40Gbps, according to leakers. The length of the cable is said to be 0.8 meters, which is shorter than Apple's existing Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable (1.8m). Apple will allegedly sell the cable separately.
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 15 Pro models will support "at least" USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3. However, the leaked USB4 cable is based on the Thunderbolt 4 protocol, allowing it to offer equivalent speeds of 40Gbps, or twice the preceding USB 3.2 Gen 2 standard.
New Software for Apple Products
iOS 17 for the iPhone, iPadOS 17 for iPad, watchOS 10 for the Apple Watch, and tvOS 17 for the Apple TV are all expected to be released in September following several months of beta testing, and Apple will likely provide release dates for these software updates. Sometimes the updates are released within days of the event.
For all the details on the new software features you can expect, check out our dedicated roundups for iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17.
Rumors suggest Apple will not release leather cases for the iPhone 15 lineup, and today images were shared online claiming to show what an alternative leather-like case from Apple may look like, with leakers again suggesting they will use vegan materials instead of leather, but with a different feel and texture.
Serial leakers @MajinBuOfficial and @DuanRui both shared case images on Twitter (now X) separately sourced from Weibo and allegedly based on Apple's official leather-alternative cases. The woven fabric cases are said to be made of a patchwork of two materials that are more eco-friendly with a smaller carbon footprint than cowhide leather, although there is little other information available at the current time. The colors shown are not believed to be representative of any official Apple case.
Claims that Apple will not offer new leather iPhone cases this year have previously come from three separate sources, so the rumor appears to be worth taking seriously. Apple first released a series of leather cases in 2013 alongside the iPhone 5S. A refreshed selection of colors has accompanied every new iPhone model since then, featuring minor design refinements, such as the addition of aluminum buttons and MagSafe.
Apple is likely to release its new lineup of official iPhone 15 cases alongside the iPhone 15 series, which is expected to be announced at an event set to occur on September 12.
Apple's next-generation iPad Pro will launch alongside a redesigned Magic Keyboard accessory that makes the device more laptop-like, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the next-generation iPad Pro will be the first major update to the product since 2018, introducing "fundamental changes." The new models, apparently codenamed "J717," "J718," "J720," and "J721," will feature the M3 Apple silicon chip, OLED displays, and 11- and 13-inch size options.
Along with the significant overhaul of the tablet itself, the updated version of the Magic Keyboard for iPad will offer a larger trackpad, addressing criticisms of the current model, and "makes the iPad Pro look even more like a laptop than the current setup."
The new iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard are not expected to debut until the spring or early summer of 2024, and anything other than minor updates to the other iPad models are not anticipated to arrive before then. The significant refresh to the product line could boost Apple's sluggish tablet sales next year.
The Apple rumor mill remains busy, as reports about the iPhone 15 lineup are continuing to fly with only a few weeks until Apple officially introduces the new models. Apple is also wrapping up work on iOS 17 to release it to the public right around the same time.
While the iPhone reliably gets annual updates, this week we also took a look at a number of other Apple products that are quite a bit longer in the tooth and offered our recommendations on whether they're still good purchases right now, so read on for all the details on this week's top stories!
iPhone 14 Pro vs. 15 Pro: 20+ Upgrades and Changes to Expect
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 15 series and new Apple Watch models at an event that is currently said to be planned for Tuesday, September 12. Apple has yet to officially announce the event, but invites should go out at some point over the next week or two.
iPhone 15 Pro to Come in Blue and Gray Titanium, No Gold Expected
The report said that Gold will no longer be a color option for the iPhone 15 Pro models, which are expected to have a brushed titanium frame in a departure from polished stainless steel. The full lineup of colors expected for the devices this year consists of Blue, Gray, Space Black, and Silver.
iPhone 15 Pro Models Expected to Be $100 to $200 More Expensive
Multiple other sources already indicated that price increases are possible for the iPhone 15 Pro models. It would be the first time that Apple raised the starting price of its highest-end iPhones since the iPhone X launched in 2017.
iPhone 15 Could Come With Color-Matched Braided USB-C Cables
iOS 17 beta releases are now occurring on a weekly basis as the software update nears its public release next month. This week saw the release of iOS 17 beta 7, and we've rounded up everything new.
iOS 17 should be released in September alongside new iPhones. The update is compatible with the iPhone XS and newer and includes many new features, with complete details available in our iOS 17 roundup.
These Are Apple's Oldest Products Still Sold Today
For over two decades, the MacRumors Buyer's Guide has served as a valuable resource for keeping track of when Apple products were last updated.
This week, we highlighted five current-generation Apple products and accessories that have not received hardware upgrades in several years. The list excludes products that are unlikely to be updated ever again, such as the USB SuperDrive for the Mac.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
Apple Music in iOS 17 includes several long-requested features, such as collaborative playlists and an option to enable crossfade for a non-stop music experience. This guide highlights everything new that Apple added to the Apple Music app in iOS 17.
Crossfade
Crossfade allows songs that are playing to smoothly transition into one another, eliminating any dead air time between songs.
Collaborative Playlists
With collaborative playlists, friends and family members can add to, reorder, and remove songs from a single Apple Music playlist. You can set up a playlist with several people, and each person can contribute songs and react to songs in the playlist with emoji.
Collaborative playlists are not yet implemented and will be coming to an iOS 17 update a bit later this year.
Apple Music SharePlay for CarPlay
iOS 17 brings an Apple Music SharePlay experience to CarPlay, so everyone in the car can play their favorite songs and contribute music. The car owner that has their iPhone connected to the car needs to have an Apple Music subscription for this feature to work, but passengers do not.
The Apple Music interface provides a QR code that each person can scan to get access to a playlist where songs can be added to the in-car Apple Music queue.
Interface Updates
Full-screen animated artwork is available for albums that support the option, and album art is also now designed to blend seamlessly into the music player where the controls are located.
When the music player is minimized, there is now a hovering effect that adds depth.
Non-synced Lyrics
Song lyrics that are not synced to the music that's playing are shown in a larger, more legible font. This brings the lyric size in line with the lyrics that are synced to an Apple Music song.
Song Credits
Tapping on the three-dot icon next to a song that is playing or in a playlist shows song credits. The credits show the performing artists, composition artists, and those who were involved in production and engineering.
Apple Music Sing on Apple TV
With an iPhone running iOS 17 and an Apple TV 4K running tvOS 17, the iPhone can serve as a camera for the Apple TV, showing you on the screen as you perform. You can also do this with an iPad, and it is the same feature that enables FaceTime on Apple TV.
Apple Music Sing is integrated into Apple Music. It uses the built-in follow-along lyrics and turns down vocals so you can sing along with your favorite songs.
An Apple-1 advertisement that was written by Steve Jobs recently sold for $175,759 at an auction hosted by RR Auction. The ad is a rough draft with specifications for the Apple-1 machine, along with information on the details that Jobs wanted to include.
"Board only + manual, $75. A real deal" reads a part of the advertisement that Jobs wrote out. Jobs' signature is included, and the address listed is his parents' house, which is where Apple started out.
The handwritten draft matches the original advertisement for the Apple-1, with the first ad published in the July 1976 edition of Interface Magazine. The ad is accompanied by two Polaroid photos of Apple-1 machines taken at The Byte Shop in Mountain View, California. Jobs annotated one of the images, noting that it was "fuzzy because camera wiggled."
The ad copy was put up for sale by a close friend of Steve Jobs that was present during the Apple-1's developmental phase. He was gifted the items as cherished keepsakes.
Separately, an operational Apple-1 Computer signed by Steve Wozniak sold for $223,520, and a 1976 Apple Computer check signed by Jobs and Wozniak sold for $135,261.
It's nearly September, meaning that new iPhones are just around the corner. All four upcoming iPhone 15 models are widely expected to be equipped with a USB-C port instead of Lightning, but there may be speed differences across the lineup.
In November 2022, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the USB-C port on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max would support at least the USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3 specifications for data transfer speeds up to 20 or 40 Gbps. Kuo said the USB-C port on the lower-end iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models would remain limited to USB 2.0 speeds of up to 480 Mbps, which is the same speed as Lightning on existing iPhones.
All current-generation iPad and Mac models already have USB-C ports with varying speeds:
Device
USB-C Specification
All current Mac models
Thunderbolt (Up to 40 Gbps)
iPad Pro (2021 and 2022)
Thunderbolt (Up to 40 Gbps)
iPad Pro (2018 and 2020)
USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Up to 10 Gbps)
iPad Air (2022)
USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Up to 10 Gbps)
iPad Air (2020)
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Up to 5 Gbps)
iPad mini (2021)
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Up to 5 Gbps)
iPad (2022)
USB 2.0 (Up to 480 Mbps)
The rumored speeds for the iPhone 15 lineup:
Device
USB-C Specification
iPhone 15 Pro Max
USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt (Up to 20 or 40 Gbps)
iPhone 15 Pro
USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt (Up to 20 or 40 Gbps)
iPhone 15 Plus
USB 2.0 (Up to 480 Mbps)
iPhone 15
USB 2.0 (Up to 480 Mbps)
iPhones with Lightning
USB 2.0 (Up to 480 Mbps)
Higher speeds allow for faster data transfer over a USB-C or Thunderbolt cable, such as when exporting photos from an iPhone to a Mac.
Rumors suggest that Apple will include a new braided USB-C cable with all iPhone 15 models, but the cable might remain limited to USB 2.0 speeds. This means that customers purchasing an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max would need to purchase a higher-spec cable separately to take advantage of the faster speeds that are rumored.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 15 series at an event that is rumored to be planned for Tuesday, September 12. Apple has yet to officially announce the event, but invites will likely go out in the next week or two.
This week, all-time low prices arrived for the Apple Watch Ultra, 15-inch MacBook Air, and Beats Studio Pro at various retailers, and we're recapping all of these deals and more below. In addition to the Apple product discounts, we're still tracking great deals on various Anker accessories.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
One of the most notable deals of the week is on the Apple Watch Ultra, which hit a new all-time low price on Amazon of $699.99. That's $99 off the regular price of the wearable, and it's available in multiple colors and band styles.
The new Beats Studio Pro over-ear headphones got their first discount this week, available for $249.99 at Best Buy and Amazon, down from $349.99. You'll find all four colors on sale at both retailers: Sandstone, Navy, Deep Brown, and Black.
The second generation HomePod has a small discount right now on B&H Photo, on sale for $284.99, down from $299.00. This is about $5 higher than the record low price we tracked back in May, so although it's not a steep discount it's the best sale around online for anyone in the market for Apple's smart speaker.
15-Inch MacBook Air
What's the deal? Take $200 off 15-inch MacBook Air
Apple's new 256GB 15-inch MacBook Air returned to its record low price of $1,099.00 this week on Amazon, down from $1,299.00. You'll also find a best-ever price on the 512GB model, available for $1,299.00, down from $1,499.00.
Anker's collection of discounts this week centered around the Eufy SmartDrop Package Box, available for $199.99, down from $399.99. You can also save on portable batteries, USB-C cables, charging stations, and more if you visit our original deal post.
Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.
YouTuber and TechnoBuffalo founder Jon Rettinger joins us on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show to discuss the iPhone 15 lineup and what it will take to make the iPhone exciting again.
We reflect on some of the iPhone 15 Pro's key upgrades, such as a Thunderbolt USB-C port and a titanium chassis, and the long-term direction of the iPhone. We also talk switching to Android, the state of foldable smartphones and Apple Watch rivals, the possibility of iMessage coming to Android, and the nature of Apple's vehicle project.
If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up with our discussion about two of the most significantly redesigned devices Apple is rumored to have in store: The "Apple Watch X" and the fourth-generation iPhone SE.
Apple's iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are expected to be announced in just a matter of weeks, introducing over a dozen upgrades and changes to surpass the iPhone 14 models introduced last year.
After over a year of rumors about the upcoming devices, we have compiled all of the key differences the next-generation standard iPhone models are expected to feature based on information from reliable sources like Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, DSCC's Ross Young, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, and others. Many of these insights have been corroborated, but some have only been rumored in isolated reports. Nevertheless, MacRumors believes the following table represents a credible overall picture of what the iPhone 15 could look like compared to the iPhone 14:
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus
Aerospace-grade aluminum chassis with 90° edges
Aerospace-grade aluminum chassis with slightly curved edges
More power-efficient OLED display driver chip (28nm)
U1 chip (16nm)
Next-generation ultra-wideband chip (7nm)
Qualcomm X65 modem
Qualcomm X70 modem
Wi-Fi 6 connectivity
Wi-Fi 6E connectivity
Support for Qi wireless charging
Support for Qi2 wireless charging
Support for 7.5W wireless charging with third-party accessories
Support for 15W wireless charging with third-party accessories
Support for ~27W wired charging
Support for 35W wired charging
Available in midnight, starlight, blue, yellow, purple, and (PRODUCT)RED
Available in midnight, starlight, blue, yellow, and coral pink/orange
Comes with white 1m USB-C to Lightning charging cable
Comes with color-matched 1.5m USB-C to USB-C braided charging cable
The latest reports point to an Apple event to announce the iPhone 15 lineup taking place on Tuesday, September 12. Launch is expected to follow on Friday, September 22. To understand all of the differences between the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro, see our other specific comparison:
Take a look at our dedicated roundup for more detailed information about what we're expecting from the iPhone 15 models. Be sure to let us know what upgrades you're most looking forward to in the comments.
A second device presumed to be an iPhone 15 model has been spotted in India's regulatory database, just weeks before the device is expected to be officially announced.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) listing, spotted by MySmartPrice, shows an Apple smartphone with the model number "A3090." Last week, an Apple device with the model number "A3094" appeared in the BIS database. The iPhone 14 has the model numbers A2649, A2881, A2884, A2883, and A2882. No Apple devices with the model numbers A3090 and A3094 currently exist and with iPhone model numbers roughly increasing with each successive generation, it is highly likely these devices are from the impending iPhone 15 lineup.
In August 2022, just a few weeks before the announcement of the iPhone 14 lineup, a single iPhone 14 model was spotted in the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) database with the model number A2882. This turned out to be the standard iPhone 14 model built for "other countries and regions."
New Apple devices being spotted in global regulatory databases often indicates that launch is soon to follow. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to announce the iPhone 15 lineup at an event on Tuesday, September 12.
Apple in iOS 16 introduced a Remove Subject From Background option for photos on your iPhone, and in iOS 17, you can also use the feature to create and save your own stickers. Keep reading to learn how it works.
In iOS 16, Apple enhanced its Visual Look Up capability for photos by making it possible to isolate the subject of a picture from its background so that you can copy it to the clipboard for use elsewhere or share it in another app.
With iOS 17, Apple has taken the feature further by allowing you to export isolated photo subjects as stickers that you can use in Messages. And if the subject is in a Live Photo, the sticker will even animate.
There are a number of effects that can be added to make your digital stickers look more like real stickers, including a white outline, comic-like shading, a puffy 3D look, and a shiny, holographic finish. The sticker effects will animate and reflect the light appropriately, making your self-created stickers look professionally done.
The following steps show you how to create your first photo-sourced sticker in iOS 17.
Launch the Photos app and select an image from your library containing a well-defined subject.
Press and hold on the subject until it ripples and a white glow flows around its outline.
In the popup menu that appears, tap Add Sticker.
To change the look of your sticker, tap Add Effect, and you'll be given several options including Original, Outline, Comic, Puffy, and Shiny.
Tap Done to finish.
That's all you need to do. The next time you open Messages, you'll find it in your personal stickers collection, ready to send to friends and family. To use it in a Messages conversation thread, simply tap the + button next to the compose field, then tap Stickers.
Tap the sticker in question, then tap the Send button. Alternatively, you can long-press the sticker and drag it into the conversation, or even onto a specific message bubble, just like a tapback reaction.
In iOS 17, Apple has added several new features to its Messages app to make communicating with other Apple users more creative and fun. Check out our dedicated Messages roundup to learn else is in store when iOS 17 is publicly released next month.
Apple may offer a USB-C data transfer accessory cable for iPhone 15 Pro models that is capable of Thunderbolt or USB4 speeds of up to 40Gbps. That is the latest claim made by Kosutami, who posted details of the cable on Twitter (now X).
According to the leaker, the length of the cable is 0.8 meters, which is shorter than Apple's existing Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable (1.8m), and it is said to support charging up to 150W. Apple will allegedly sell the cable separately.
Given the expected switch to USB-C across all iPhone 15 models, there has been a lot of conjecture about which port standard Apple will use in its premium iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max devices to potentially differentiate them further from the more affordable iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models.
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 15 Pro models will support "at least" USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3. However, the leaked USB4 cable is based on the Thunderbolt 4 protocol, allowing it to offer equivalent speeds of 40Gbps, or twice the preceding USB 3.2 Gen 2 standard.
As for the 150W charging claim (not 120W – a correction made by Kosutami in a subsequent tweet) this would make the cable capable of faster power delivery than Apple's existing Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable (100W), however that does not necessarily mean iPhone 15 Pro models will be capable of charging at this speed.
Earlier this year, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the iPhone 15 models would support faster charging speeds due to the transition to USB-C, while one rumor has claimed that at least some iPhone 15 models may support charging speeds up to 35W. Current iPhone 14 models can charge at a maximum of around 27W, with the Pro models able to charge a bit faster.
Data transferring cable for iPhone 15 Pro- which sold separately. Up to 120W Charge, features USB4 Gen2. Length 0.8m.(Different than existing thunderbolt one) (Already got this since feb)(DVT Sample)#Apple#appleinternalpic.twitter.com/M5genGQ2NK
— Kosutami (@KosutamiSan) August 25, 2023
Speculation therefore remains rife about the USB-C port capabilities of the iPhone 15 lineup, and nothing is certain beyond the switch from Lightning. Rumors suggest the cables supplied in iPhone 15 boxes are limited to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds at a rate of 480 MBps, which is the same as Lightning.
In contrast, the iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to be supplied with cables capable of USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3 transfer speeds, as per Kuo's original claim. Images from ChargerLab suggest that some iPhone 15 models will include a Thunderbolt/USB 4 retimer chip, seemingly confirming the rumor of higher-speed data transfer for the Pro models.
Each iPhone 15 will include a braided USB-C charging cable in the box that is thicker (i.e. more durable) and 50% longer than the Lightning cable that comes with current iPhone models, according to reports. The cables are also rumored to be color-matched to possible new iPhone colors, coming in at least black, white, yellow, blue, and orange.
With the iOS 17 Photos and Camera apps, Apple added several features that make the apps more pleasant to use. Visual Look Up can recognize more than ever, including various mystery symbols you see in your daily life, plus the Photos app will detect your pets and put them in their own album.
This guide highlights all of the new iOS 17 Photos and Camera app features.
Pet Recognition
In addition to people, the Photos app can recognize specific animals so you can have your pets automatically sorted into albums. Accordingly, the People album has been renamed the "People & Pets" album.
The pet recognition feature works on cats and dogs, and Apple says that people recognition has also improved.
Visual Look Up
Apple gave Visual Look Up some major updates. For a recap, Visual Look Up is the name of the feature that lets you get more information about the subject of a photo when you tap on the information button in the Photos app.
For images of food, the iPhone will identify what's in the photo and present recipes sourced from the web. A whole range of symbols can now be recognized, from street signs to dashboard icons to the laundry instructions you see on clothing tags. If you take a picture of one of these symbols and then tap for info, the iPhone will be able to tell you what it means.
You can also use the long press on an image gesture to pull the subject from the background of an image to look up what it is, if it is compatible with Visual Look Up.
Finally, Visual Look Up can be used in videos. You can pause a video on any frame and tap on the info button to look up what's in the video.
One-Tap Crop
When you zoom into an image in the Photos app, you can tap on the "Crop" button in the upper right corner to crop into the zoom without having to open up the photo editing interface.
Photos Interface Changes
In the photo editing interface, the Cancel and Done buttons have been moved to the top of the display, and all of the tool icons have text descriptions to explain what they do.
iOS 16 on left, iOS 17 on right
Camera Leveling
A new level option in iOS 17 adds a horizontal line to the Camera app so you can make sure that landscape shots are lined up and level before capturing an image.
While the iPhone's Camera app has been able to read QR codes since iOS 11, iOS 17 fixes an interface that has been irritating for quite some time. Rather than the link for a QR code popping up in the middle of the display, it now shows up at the bottom of the screen so it's easier to tap.
Cinematic Mode
Apple added a Cinematic API for third-party apps, which will allow photo and video apps to incorporate Cinematic mode video playback and editing.
Animated Stickers
With the remove subject from background tool, you can turn any Live Photo into an animated sticker that can be used in Messages and other apps.
Just long press on the subject in a photo and then choose the "Add Sticker" option. From there, you can add effects like a white sticker outline, a "puffy" sticker effect, glitter, and more.
This feature also works with any photo if you just want a still image.
Screenshot Updates
If you take a screenshot in iOS 17, you'll see a Save to Photos option that saves the full page of the screenshot as an image. Previously, the feature for capturing a full page screenshot would only save it as a PDF.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
