Apple Event highlights: iPhone 15 lineup starts at ₹79,900; Pre-order from Sept 15

Apple on Tuesday is expected to freshen its iPhone lineup, improving performance and switching to a universal charger set to become mandatory in Europe next year.

The tech titan has revealed nothing about what is in store at a "Wonderlust" event at its spaceship-like headquarters in Silicon Valley.

However, it comes at a time of year when Apple usually announces new iPhones to be released ahead of the all-important holiday shopping season.

The release of the iPhone 15 would come at a moment when the world's biggest company by market capitalization is facing pressure in the key market of China where reports say the government is banning civil servants from using its phones.

AFP

• The star of the show will be the iPhone 15 Pro lineup, featuring significant updates.

• Minor Updates: Apple Watch and AirPods are expected to receive more modest refreshes.

• Software Focus: Apple will likely delve into the details of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and watchOS 10, offering insights into the upcoming software updates for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

According to AP, the basic iPhone 15 models also may be redesigned to include a shape-shifting cutout on the display screen that Apple calls its “Dynamic Island” for app notifications — a look that was introduced with last year's Pro and Pro Max devices.

There is a strong rumour that this year's iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models may incorporate a periscope-style telephoto lens designed to enhance the quality of long-distance photography. The telephoto lens is anticipated to offer a 6x optical zoom, an improvement over the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max's 3x optical zoom. 

The anticipated improvements in camera technology are among the factors contributing to expectations of higher prices for the Pro and Pro Max models. The iPhone 14 Pro starts at $1,000, while the Pro Max begins at $1,100. Analysts speculate that the iPhone 15 iterations of these models may see price increases ranging from $100 to $200, testing consumer willingness to invest in these devices, especially amidst the backdrop of post-pandemic inflation, which has been affecting household budgets.

(Input from wires)

While iPhones are the show stopper, Apple's annual event also serves as the platform for unveiling the next generation of smartwatches.

The launch of new iPhones at this event also signals the imminent release of the next software version, iOS 17. Later this month, iOS 17 will be made available as a free download to users of previous iPhone generations.

Noteworthy enhancements in iOS 17 include the real-time transcription of messages left on unanswered calls, allowing users to read the message as it's being recorded and decide whether to take the call before the voicemail concludes, an AP report said.

According to Apple Hub, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are expected to replace the Mute Switch with an Action Button that could be programmed with some of the following actions:

Silent mode on/off

• Turn flashlight on/off

• Run a shortcut

• Start Voice Memo

• Accessibility

• Launch Camera app

• Turn on/off Focus mode

So, it's Android vs. Apple before the launch event. It will be an interesting comparison as the Cupertino giant unveils its next generation of premium phones.

Some context: The European Union has mandated all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the region be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port by the end of 2024. Thus, it is expected that the upcoming iPhone 15 series will ditch the lightning port for USB-C.

Apple's annual launch event, named 'Wonderlust' this year, is set to commence at 10:30 PM (Indian time) and is anticipated to run for approximately 90 minutes. 

Beyond the product unveilings, attendees can also anticipate a pre-recorded address from Apple's Chief Executive, Tim Cook.

Apple's iPhone 15 lineup is coming at a time when the company is facing tough challenges. In the past three quarters, Apple has seen a decline in sales compared to the previous year, and management has indicated the likelihood of another downturn in the current quarter, coinciding with the launch of the iPhone 15.

This period of uncertainty has contributed to a nearly 10 per cent drop in Apple's stock price since mid-July. As a result, the company's market value, which had crossed the historic USD 3 trillion threshold earlier this summer, has now fallen below it.

As per a Bloomberg report, Foxconn Technology Group's facility in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, is preparing to start shipping the latest iPhone models shortly after their initial release from Chinese factories.

The extent of iPhone 15 production in India will hinge on factors such as the availability of components, which are largely sourced through imports, and the successful scaling up of production lines at the local Foxconn facility."

Apple Event 2023 live stream

For those eager to watch the Apple Wonderlust launch event live, Apple offers various streaming options:

• Apple TV subscribers can easily access the event on their devices by tuning in at 10:30pm.

• Non-subscribers need not worry, as Apple will also live stream the event on its official YouTube page. You can find the Apple launch event YouTube stream window below.

• Alternatively, viewers can directly watch the event via their web browsers by visiting the Apple website

iPhone 15:

• Thickness: 7.8mm

• Length: 147.6mm

• Width: 71.6mm

• Weight: 171 grams

According to reports from Macrumors, the base model iPhone 15 appears to maintain similar dimensions and weight as its predecessor, the iPhone 14. While the thickness remains the same, minor adjustments have been made to its length and width.

iPhone 15 Pro:

• Thickness: 8.25mm

• Length: 146.6mm

• Width: 70.6mm

• Weight: 188 grams

The iPhone 15 Pro is expected to weigh 18 grams less than the iPhone 14 Pro, but it may be slightly thicker at 8.25mm compared to the previous model's 7.85mm, according to the report.

iPhone 15 Pro Max:

• Thickness: 7.85mm

• Length: 160.7mm

• Width: 77.6mm

• Weight: 240 grams

Likewise, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is projected to be 19 grams lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, with a thickness of 7.85mm.

Please note that these estimates are based on pre-production information and may not precisely reflect the specifications of the final mass-produced units.

It appears that Apple intends to maintain the starting price of the smaller Pro iPhone model at $999. While the storage options will remain the same (offering 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and a hefty 1TB), a notable enhancement will be made to the device's performance by increasing the RAM to 8GB for the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro, TrendForce reported.

Here's our detailed copy on iPhone 15 price

iPhone 15 Pro Weight Reduction: Speculation suggests the iPhone 15 Pro may adopt a midframe constructed from Grade 5 Titanium, potentially making it lighter compared to traditional steel.

Transition to USB-C: There's a rumour that the next generation of iPhones could abandon the Lightning charging cable in favour of the widely accepted USB-C connection. This shift might be influenced by the European Union's push for standardised charging cables across mobile devices.

You may want to read our detailed copy on iPhone15 expected features 

Apple annual launch event is scheduled for today. Watch ‘Wonderlust’ online for free here. Streaming starts at 10:30pm.