iPhone 15 Pro (Max) presented: This is what the new Apple spearhead can do

As part of Apple’s September “Wonderlust” event, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max saw the light of day. In 2023 there will be significant differences between the two top models, which primarily relate to the camera equipment.

Apple is now also installing periscope cameras

The rumor mill had hinted at it several times and had already predicted it for the iPhone 14 Pro, and now the manufacturer from Cupertino is catching up with the competition from the Android camp. The new top model iPhone 15 Pro Max has a so-called periscope camera.

The fact that only the top model was given this camera is due to the larger volume of the technology due to its design. The biggest advantage of such a setup is the significantly increased optical – and therefore lossless – zoom range.

Apple’s new top model now offers a fivefold (5x) optical zoom range or, converted to 35mm format, 120 millimeters. For comparison: With the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the optical magnification stopped at three times. With the smaller iPhone 15 Pro you have to make do with three times optical magnification. Converted to 35mm format, this corresponds to a focal length of 77 millimeters.

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max – images from the presentation

The higher the zoom, the greater the risk of camera shake. Apple also knows this and is using a new optical stabilization technology for the Pro Max. This is supposed to compensate for camera shake through 10,000 micro-adjustments per second. That’s twice as much as the iPhone 14 Pro.

With a software update coming later this year, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will also be able to record 3D videos. To do this, Apple films with the ultra-wide-angle camera and the main camera at the same time. You can then watch the videos on the Apple Vision Pro headset, which is expected for 2024.

Display technology, housing material and sizes

There is no difference in the display size compared to the previous generation. Apple sticks with the two usual formats of 6.1 and 6.7 inches (15.5 and 17.0 centimeters). Both touchscreens offer always-on screens and support ProMotion technology, i.e. the variable adjustment of the refresh rate depending on the content displayed.

Nevertheless, the two new products should feel different in your hands than usual. The reason for this is a change in the frame material. As suspected in advance, Apple is now replacing the steel frame of previous iPhone Pro variants with lighter titanium.

So far, Apple has primarily used the noble material in the Apple Watch Ultra. This results in a significant change in weight. The iPhone 15 Pro now weighs 187 grams; the iPhone 15 Pro Max weighs 221 grams. For comparison: iPhone 14 Pro (206 grams) and iPhone 14 Pro Max (240 grams) were heavier.

At the same time, the screen edges have also been reduced again. We are excited to see how this change will affect everyday life. The two OLED screens have a resolution of 2,556 x 1,179 (Pro) and 2,796 x 1,290 pixels (Pro Max) and are up to 2,000 nits bright if necessary.

USB-C port and choice of processor

While the basic versions iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus (for a detailed presentation) come with the A16 SoC known from the iPhone 14 Pro, the two Pro models come to stores with a new development called A17 Pro.

The chipset manufactured by Apple using the 3-nanometer process is said to be particularly powerful and energy-saving. According to the manufacturer, this should also have an influence on the battery life. Another change on the bottom is not surprising: Instead of a Lightning port, Apple is now using a USB-C port in all new iPhone models. This offers various advantages in comparison.

The new action button can do that

Apple has put the old mute switch for silencing the iPhone on the sidelines in its Pro models. We expect base iPhone 16 models to adopt these changes in 2024.

Now there is the action button instead. You may already know the principle from the Apple Watch Ultra. Instead of a mechanical rocker, a button is used that you can assign different functions to. For example, pressing the action button activates the flashlight.

Compared to the known solution, this button offers additional advantages: It should not be as susceptible to repairs and is easier to use in conjunction with protective covers.

Price: Buy iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max

The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be available in stores from September 22nd. Pre-orders are available from September 15th. Both models appear in the colors Titan Natural, Titan Blue, Titan White and Titan Black. The iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max are available with either 128, 256, 512 gigabytes or 1 terabyte.

The price for the cheapest storage configuration of the iPhone 15 Pro is 1,1199 euros in Germany. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is available starting at 1,449 euros.

The iPhone 15 (Plus), the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 were also presented at the Wonderlust event.