The iPhone 15 lineup is expected to bring some big changes, including the addition of an all-new Ultra model. Here’s a detailed look at what we know so far about the iPhone 15 Ultra based on the latest rumors and leaks:
Major Design Changes
- New Ultra Branding: Apple is rumored to be renaming the iPhone 15 Pro Max to the iPhone 15 Ultra. This will help differentiate it as the most premium iPhone with exclusive features.
- Titanium Chassis: The iPhone 15 Ultra may feature a titanium chassis rather than stainless steel. This would give it a more premium look and feel to match the Ultra name.
- New Camera Design: The Ultra is expected to have an exclusive periscope telephoto camera, which could enable 5-6x optical zoom. This will require a redesign of the camera bump.
- Bigger Display: As the largest iPhone, the Ultra will likely retain a 6.7-inch display, the biggest ever on an iPhone.
Enhanced Cameras
- Periscope Zoom: A periscope lens uses a prism to redirect light sideways into the camera sensor. This allows for a longer actual focal length in a thinner phone body. It should enable 5-6x optical zoom on the Ultra.
- 48MP Wide Camera: While not exclusive to the Ultra, all iPhone 15 models are rumored to get a 48MP main wide camera. This will enable pixel binning for 12MP shots with better low light performance.
- Better Ultra Wide: The Ultra wide camera on the iPhone 15 lineup may also see improvements for better low light shots.
Performance Upgrades
- A17 Bionic Chip: As with every “S” year upgrade, the iPhone 15 lineup will feature a new A-series chip. The A17 will bring performance and efficiency improvements.
- More RAM: The iPhone 15 Ultra could get 8GB of RAM, up from 6GB on the iPhone 14 Pro Max. This will enable better multitasking and gaming.
- Faster Storage: Rumors point to even faster NVMe storage on the iPhone 15 models. Read and write speeds should see a noticeable bump.
Connectivity Enhancements
- USB-C: Like the rest of the iPhone 15 lineup, the Ultra will switch to USB-C, dropping the Lightning port. This will enable faster transfer speeds and universal cable compatibility.
- WiFi 6E: The newest WiFi standard offers better performance, especially in crowded networks. The iPhone 14 lineup already has WiFi 6, so 6E would be the natural next step.
- 5G Expansion: 5G support will likely expand to more countries and carriers with the iPhone 15 models.
Software Improvements
- iOS 17: The iPhone 15 Ultra will launch with iOS 17, which should bring new features like enhanced multitasking for the Ultra’s extra RAM.
- Better Gaming: The power of the A17 chip and 8GB of RAM should significantly improve gaming performance, especially on the Ultra model.
- Apple AR/VR: iOS 17 may lay the groundwork for Apple’s rumored AR/VR headset that could launch alongside the iPhone 15 lineup.
What We Don’t Know
There’s still a lot of mystery surrounding the iPhone 15 Ultra, including:
- Official pricing
- Full camera specifications
- Display specs like brightness and refresh rate
- Exact battery size and charging speeds
- New color options
- Availability and launch timing
Rumors should firm up on most of these details as we get closer to the expected September 2023 launch of the iPhone 15 lineup. For now, the Ultra represents the most significant change to the iPhone lineup in years.
How the iPhone 15 Ultra Could Change the Lineup
If the iPhone 15 Ultra rumors shape up, here are some of the biggest implications:
Pricing Changes
- The iPhone 15 Ultra will likely be the most expensive iPhone ever, possibly starting around $1,200 for 128GB.
- However, increased base storage on Pro models should offset price hikes.
- Regular iPhone 15 pricing probably won’t change much.
Camera Innovation Focus
- The best camera tech will debut on Ultra first before trickling down.
- Having an Ultra model gives Apple room to differentiate camera tech across the lineup.
Justifies the “Ultra” Name
- After being criticized for minor “Pro Max” differences, the Ultra will validate its branding with exclusive features.
- Titanium chassis, periscope zoom, better multitasking all fit the “Ultra” moniker.
Lineup Simplification
- No more confusion between Pro Max vs. Pro vs. non-Pro models.
- The Ultra is clearly the premium choice, while the Pro appeals to most prosumers.
Challenges Premium Android Phones
- iPhone Ultra takes on “Ultra” models from Samsung, vivo, and others.
- First iPhone that can compete directly on zoom capabilities.
Additional Rumored & Expected Features
While the above covers the biggest expected changes, there are a few other rumored or likely features worth highlighting:
- Always-On Display: The iPhone 14 Pro models got this feature, so it’s very likely the iPhone 15 models will too.
- Dynamic Island Expansion: The Dynamic Island UI may expand to more iPhone 15 models and get new functionality.
- Satellite Connectivity: For emergency SOS messaging in areas without cellular coverage. Rumored for iPhone 14 but may come with iPhone 15 instead.
- Better Battery Life: Typical annual battery life improvements, potentially aided by a more efficient A17 chip.
- New Haptics: Improved haptic feedback for the taptic engine with the new hardware inside.
- Faster Wireless Charging: Apple lags behind in charging speeds, so an upgrade here is overdue, especially for the Ultra.
- Car Crash Detection: Another safety feature rumored for iPhone 14 that could make its way to iPhone 15, especially on higher-end models.
What the iPhone 15 Ultra Means for Users
If all the rumors and leaks hold true, the iPhone 15 Ultra represents a major development for Apple and iPhone users. Here’s what it really means:
- The Most “Pro” iPhone Ever: iPhone 15 Ultra will be the biggest leap forward ever for pro/power users. New tier of performance and capabilities.
- Longer Ownership Cycle: Exclusive features like periscope zoom make the Ultra truly future-proof and able to stay relevant for 5+ years.
- Bigger Financial Commitment: Prepare to spend near laptop money on the fully spec’d Ultra. But lower models still offer great value.
- Wider Feature Gap: Basic and Pro iPhones will diverge, with the Ultra holding the most cutting-edge tech. Budget buyers get left behind further.
- Exciting Flagship Competition: Ultra name signals Apple is taking the Android flagship fight more seriously than ever. Innovation wins.
The Outlook on iPhone 15 Ultra Rumors
At this point, it seems very likely the iPhone 15 Pro Max will indeed be rebranded as the iPhone 15 Ultra and feature significant changes worthy of that moniker.
The periscope zoom camera and titanium chassis rumors seem credible and lend weight to the Ultra branding. As always, some details will inevitably change between now and the official reveal. But the general gist of major upgrades to create a new Ultra tier seems substantiated.
It’s an exciting time for iPhone enthusiasts and anyone due for an upgrade this fall. The iPhone 15 Ultra represents the future of the iPhone lineup and Apple’s commitment to innovating and pushing the boundaries of what a smartphone can do. For the average consumer though, the regular iPhone 15 and 15 Pro still offer plenty of improvements at lower prices. Overall, the entire iPhone 15 lineup is shaping up to be a standout.