by New iPhone 15 Pro CAD leaks have uncovered Apple’s biggest design changes. Now we’ve just received our first photographic proof of the most talked about upgrade.
Apple Insider Unknownz21 posted a close-up photo of the iPhone 15 Pro’s supposedly USB-C port, “no imagination or rendering required”. Unknownz21 has an excellent track record and once even sourced an early version of iOS 14 months before release.
Apple iPhone 15 Ultra concept renders
The USB-C port isn’t the only point of interest in this photo either. Look closely and the phone’s untreated brushed material looks suspiciously titanium. This extremely hard yet very light metal replaces the stainless steel body of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models. The photos also show curvier edges, something recent iPhone 15 Pro renders have leaked in detail.
But it’s not all good news. When it comes to USB-C, Apple is expected to bring some controversial elements into its implementation. First, USB-C performance is expected to differ greatly between the iPhone 15 Pro and standard models. Second, Apple is advised to install an authentication chip that controls their USB-C ports.
Apple iPhone 15 Ultra leaks phone may have dual front-facing cameras – concept render
As we saw with Lightning, an authentication chip would require all third-party cables and accessories to pass Apple’s MFi certification program. This comes at a cost to manufacturers (and consequently customers) as Apple can limit or even prevent the performance of uncertified accessories.
It’s worth noting that Apple hasn’t built an authentication chip into the USB-C ports on MacBooks and iPads, but — as its biggest cash cow — Apple tends to treat the iPhone differently. After all, MacBooks have been using USB-C since 2015 and iPads since 2018, but USB-C leaks for the iPhone only picked up steam after EU law changes last year.
Whatever the motivation, 2023 is shaping up to be a pivotal year in iPhone development. Apple is banking heavily on changes to the body, display, ports, and buttons, as well as a new pricing structure that will drive further differentiation between the iPhone Pro and standard models. If you’ve been waiting for an upgrade, this could be your year.
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