(US) – Apple’s iPhone 15 series made its highly-anticipated debut on Friday, drawing crowds of eager customers at stores across China, Europe, and the United States.
Analysts, including those at Wedbush Securities, reported that iPhone 15 pre-orders exceeded initial expectations, with significant interest in the premium iPhone 15 Pro models, especially the Pro Max variant.
Shipping and delivery times for various Pro models have been pushed to late October through mid-November due to strong demand.
This launch comes as Apple faced its third consecutive quarterly decline in sales, with iPhone revenue registering a roughly 2% year-over-year drop at $39.7 billion.
Consumers have been holding onto their devices for longer periods before upgrading.
Approximately 250 million iPhones have not been upgraded in over four years, according to Wedbush estimates.
Advancements in processor and camera technology, combined with carrier discounts, have motivated many to consider upgrading this year.
The iPhone 15 Pro starts at $1,099, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max begins at $1,199. Apple’s entry-level models, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, are priced at $799 and $899, respectively.
Key Features of the iPhone 15
Here are some key features you should know about the product
- Design Changes: The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature a slimmer and thinner design with a titanium casing. The premium models boast a more advanced 48-megapixel main camera, larger sensor, and a new telephoto lens for 5x optical zoom (exclusive to the Pro Max). They also introduce contoured edges and a customizable Action button.
- Color Options: The Pro models come in four colors: white, black, natural, and blue, while the basic iPhone 15 models offer a range of colors including white, black, pink, green, and yellow. The sizes vary, with a 6.1-inch screen for the iPhone 15 and a 6.7-inch display for the iPhone 15 Pro.
- Improved Imaging: Both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus feature updated image stabilization for photos and videos, 2x optimization, and enhanced portraits with improved low-light performance. They also include the “Dynamic Island” tool, previously exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro, for alerts, notifications, and controls.
- Ultra-Wideband Chip: The iPhone 15 lineup incorporates an Ultra-Wideband chip, enabling new features such as simplified location sharing in crowded areas.
- Universal Charging: A significant change is the switch to USB-C charging cords for the iPhone 15 models, replacing Apple’s proprietary Lightning cables. This shift allows users to use the same USB-C chargers for their iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers, enhancing convenience and speed. Apple states that the dedicated USB-C controller will support transfer speeds up to 20 times faster than USB-2 technology for the iPhone 15 Pro.
This transition aligns with the European Union’s recent legislation mandating USB-C support in small devices by 2024, streamlining charger compatibility and reducing electronic waste.
Apple is also offering a $29 USB-C Lightning adapter to facilitate the connection of existing Lightning accessories to USB-C-enabled iPhones or iPads for charging and data transfer.”
