The iPhone 15 lineup is still over a year away from being announced, but rumors are already heating up about the new premium model - the iPhone 15 Ultra.
But when will the iPhone 15 Ultra launch, how much will it cost, and is it worth waiting for? Here's everything we know so far about the release date, pricing, design changes, camera, specs, and other anticipated features coming to the iPhone 15 Ultra.
Expected Launch Date and Availability
Based on Apple's usual annual release schedule, we can expect the iPhone 15 Ultra to be announced in September 2023. The iPhone 14 lineup was revealed on September 7, 2022, so the iPhone 15 launch event should happen around the same time.
After the announcement event, the iPhone 15 Ultra will likely be available for pre-order shortly after, followed by an official release approximately 1-2 weeks later.
Availability is expected to be widespread, with the iPhone 15 Ultra launching globally in multiple countries simultaneously. As Apple's new iPhone flagship, supply is likely to be strong, though there may be limited quantities for pre-order.
Given this expected timeline, customers interested in the iPhone 15 Ultra should plan for a fall 2023 purchase. As we get closer to the launch, concrete details on exact dates and availability will surface.
Design and Display Upgrades
Perhaps the biggest design change coming to the iPhone 15 Ultra is the rumored titanium frame. Titanium is stronger and more durable than the stainless steel used on the iPhone 14 Pro models. This ultra-premium material would reinforce the "Ultra" branding of Apple's new top-tier iPhone.
The iPhone 15 Ultra is also expected to feature a nearly bezel-less display with no notch. Reliable analysts predict Apple will use an under-display Touch ID sensor, allowing for a slimmer forehead bezel. The 6.7-inch screen size is expected to remain the same as the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Other display upgrades will include:
- OLED display technology with 120Hz ProMotion for smooth scrolling
- Increased max brightness over the iPhone 14 Pro
- Always On display capability like on the Apple Watch
With slimmer bezels all around and no notch, the iPhone 15 Ultra display will have an even more modern and streamlined look. Combined with the titanium frame, it will look distinctly high-end.
Improved Chip and 5G Speeds
As with every new iPhone generation, the iPhone 15 Ultra is expected to feature an improved proprietary chip. The upcoming A17 Bionic chip will likely be manufactured on TSMC's cutting-edge 3nm process.
Compared to the 5nm A16 in the iPhone 14 Pro, the 3nm A17 should provide significant improvements to CPU, GPU, and machine learning performance. Early estimates point to at least a 10% CPU and 15% GPU increase.
These gains will translate to faster app loading times, smoother gameplay, and quicker processing for tasks like editing photos and video. The A17 will help the iPhone 15 Ultra maintain its spot as the fastest smartphone on the market.
Cellular connectivity is also getting an upgrade with the iPhone 15 lineup. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X70 modem expected to be used will enable higher 5G speeds compared to the X65 modem in the iPhone 14.
Faster 5G will improve everything from streaming ultra high-def video to downloading apps and syncing cloud content. The iPhone 15 Ultra will have the fastest 5G speeds of any iPhone yet.
Major Camera Upgrades
The iPhone camera system is one of the device's most important features, and the iPhone 15 Ultra is rumored to bring monumental upgrades in this department.
The biggest change will likely be an upgraded 48MP wide lens. Current iPhone 14 Pro models have a 12MP wide lens. The much higher 48MP resolution will allow for crisper, more detailed photos. Apple is also rumored to further enhance the image signal processor for improved image quality.
Another marquee addition will be a periscope telephoto lens with 5-10x optical zoom. This will allow the iPhone 15 Ultra to optically zoom significantly closer to subjects than the 3x optical zoom on the iPhone 14 Pro. Samsung's Galaxy S22 Ultra already includes a 10x periscope lens, so Apple playing catch-up here.
Low-light photography is also expected to improve thanks to sensor upgrades and software enhancements. The A17 chip's machine-learning capabilities will further augment night mode and other computational photography features.
There are even rumors of 8K video recording support, which would be a 33% increase over the 4K 60fps video available now. This ultra-high resolution video would look stunning on Apple's Pro Display XDR monitor.
Overall, the iPhone 15 Ultra camera system will be vastly more advanced and versatile than anything before it. For photographers and videographers, it will likely be the most capable smartphone camera ever released.
First-Ever Periscope Lens on an iPhone
One of the most anticipated camera upgrades coming to the iPhone 15 Ultra is the addition of a periscope lens for the first time in any iPhone. But what exactly is a periscope lens and why is it such a big deal?
A periscope lens uses a prism to redirect light entering the camera to the sensor. This allows the physical length of the lens to be much longer than the thickness of the smartphone body.
The longer focal length enables a true optical zoom rather than just digital cropping like on most smartphone cameras currently. High-quality optical zoom maintains clarity and detail at long distances.
Rumors point to a 5-10x optical zoom range for the iPhone 15 Ultra's periscope lens. For comparison, the iPhone 14 Pro Max maxes out at just 3x optical zoom. This extended zoom range will let users get significantly closer to subjects like wildlife, sports, concerts, and more.
Other flagship Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra already feature periscope zoom lenses. So Apple is now matching a capability that has been available on Android for a few years now.
Based on the rumors, the iPhone 15 Ultra's debut periscope lens will make it a considerably more versatile camera system. The added optical zoom range will open up new photographic possibilities.
Longer Battery Life
Battery life is always a priority for smartphone users, so what upgrades can we expect in this regard on the iPhone 15 Ultra?
Firstly, leaks point to a larger physical battery capacity compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max's 4,323 mAh battery. The exact battery size is not yet known, but any increase will directly translate to a longer runtime between charges.
Secondly, the A17 Bionic chip built on the 3nm manufacturing process is expected to be more power efficient thanks to transistor density improvements. The chip design and machine learning optimizations will also boost efficiency.
Finally, a new vapor chamber thermal system will help dissipate heat more effectively. This will reduce processor throttling which can happen with sustained intensive workloads when the device gets too hot.
Taken together, these battery-related upgrades should provide at least 1-2 hours of additional usage per charge compared to the already excellent battery life of the iPhone 14 Pro Max. More moderate users can likely push battery life to nearly 3 days on a single charge.
Fast charging capability will also be on board to quickly top up the iPhone 15 Ultra when needed. Overall, battery life is shaping up to be a major strength of the new flagship iPhone.
Expected Price and Storage Options
With its ultra-premium features and design, the iPhone 15 Ultra will slot in as Apple's new top-tier iPhone model. Pricing will align with this positioning.
Though not confirmed, analysts expect the iPhone 15 Ultra to start around $1,200 for the base storage configuration. This matches the current pricing of the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Higher storage tiers will cost incrementally more than they do now.
As for storage, the latest rumors point to options up to a massive 1TB at the high end. The storage lineup will likely span:
- 128GB
- 256GB
- 512GB
- 1TB
With the improved 48MP camera capturing extremely detailed photos and video, the extra storage will come in handy for media pros. The 1TB option offers ample space for thousands of high-res photos and hours of 8K video.
Of course, the iPhone 15 Ultra won't come cheap even at the base storage tier. But for those who want the absolute best iPhone available, the iPhone 15 Ultra will be well worth the premium over regular iPhone 15 models.
Top Rumored Features
In addition to the major upgrades covered so far, there are a few other notable features rumored for the iPhone 15 Ultra:
- USB-C port - The European Union's new law mandating USB-C on all new smartphones will force Apple to replace Lightning with USB-C for charging and connectivity. USB-C enables faster-wired data transfer.
- Vapor chamber cooling - A vapor chamber system for dissipating heat will sustain peak performance during intensive tasks. This improves thermal throttling issues.
- WiFi 6E support - WiFi 6E provides faster speeds, lower latency, and less interference when connected to compatible routers. Improves wireless connectivity.
- Car crash detection - A safety feature debuted on the Apple Watch Series 8 to detect severe car crashes and automatically contact emergency services. Could save lives.
While unlikely to make as much impact as the major changes already covered, these extra features will help round out the iPhone 15 Ultra as Apple's most advanced iPhone yet across the board.
Should You Wait for the iPhone 15 Ultra?
The iPhone 15 Ultra sounds extremely enticing based on all the rumors and expected upgrades coming. But should you actually wait over a year for its release if you're in the market for a new iPhone right now?
Here are some pros and cons of waiting for the iPhone 15 Ultra instead of purchasing an iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max today:
Pros
- Significantly improved 48MP camera system with 5-10x optical zoom
- Titanium design for increased durability
- Nearly bezel-less display with no notch
- Faster A17 chip and 5G speeds
- Longer battery life
Cons
- Must wait over a year until September 2023
- Will be much more expensive at a starting price of around $1,200
- The iPhone 14 Pro models are already excellent devices
Overall, the iPhone 15 Ultra shapes up to be a major leap forward for Apple. But the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are still outstanding smartphones as well.
If you need cutting-edge specs and camera capabilities for photography, waiting for the iPhone 15 Ultra could be worth it. But most everyday users will be very well served by the iPhone 14 Pro models available today.
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