The iPhone 15 lineup is here, and across the 15 and 15 Pro variants, it’s pretty clear Apple’s latest is the company’s best offering yet.
That almost feels like a given at this stage, so many years in. Sure, there’s a spec bump, a camera bump, and a new design that’s very similar to the last, but the thing keeping me coming back? A subtle new tweak within iOS 17 for iPhone 15 and 15 Pro.
You see, I’ve loved the Portrait mode ever since it debuted on iPhone 7 Plus, but iOS 17 and the latest hardware lineup make it easier than ever to actually use it — and it’s your most vain pets that might benefit the most.
What’s new with Portrait mode?
To boil things down to the basics, the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro (and Plus and Max versions therein), will use their LiDAR sensors to log depth information as you’re taking a picture.
There’s nothing new to that, but the implementation is different this time around. Before, you’d need to select Portrait mode on your phone to be able to snap a photo and blur the background, bokeh-style, around your subject.
Check out the below from my 13 Pro Max, showcasing my cat in ideal lighting conditions. Note that his paws and the post he’s perched on are nicely focused, too, potentially because the phone sees them as part of the ‘subject’.
(Image credit: Lloyd Coombes)
It works well enough, but having to switch to Portrait could cost you that perfect shot. With my iPhone 15 Pro Max, it all happens automatically.
There are caveats. Portrait mode will trigger if there’s a pet or a face in the frame, and while I’m about to wax lyrical about how well it works with my cat, you may get less mileage out of it if your pet is a little less furry and a little more, say, scaly or hooved.
For my fluffball, Loki, however, it works very nicely.
Picture Purr-fect (sorry)
I always told myself I wasn’t going to be one of those cat-dads (I’m cringing just saying that), taking a ton of photos of their cat, but when I got Loki in 2018 that’s exactly what happened.
While I’ve taken a lot of photos of him, I can’t say that many of them are good. That’s due to a combination of his almost comical amount of fur, the fact he barely stops moving other than for a quick nap, and because the low lighting in our house is hardly what Apple’s camera engineers would consider typical.
And yet, as you can see from the 15 Pro Max portrait below, the handsome chap is captured quite nicely in all of his glory – with the kind of detail in his ‘stripes’ and whiskers that make me want to submit a snap for Apple so they don’t have to keep showing off Deep Fusion with those knitted cardigans.
(Image credit: Lloyd Coombes)
It’s even pretty good with motion, as seen by him licking his chops.
(Image credit: Lloyd Coombes)
I should stress that these were taken with pretty poor lighting conditions, too — hardly anything close to studio quality. But the detail captured even in sub-optimal conditions impresses, and if I was working with RAW images the room for post-shoot editing would really take advantage of what’s captured here.
There are still some kinks to work out, though. Look at the way this example centres in on the subject’s feet.
(Image credit: Lloyd Coombes)
And yet, because the iPhone 15 lineup lets me adjust the focal point, I can clear things up with a tap, pulling focus exactly where I want it.
Of course, cat photography only tells half of the story (and that’s being generous). The revisions are almost certainly designed with humans in mind, and as a father of a very active four-year-old, being able to grab a perfect snap of a smile is crucial when he won’t sit still for more than a split second.
With that in mind, I can see the iPhone 15 Pro (and the base model really) becoming a key part of snapping family memories — particularly with the possibility of adding multiple focal points to get both my son and the cat into the same portrait shot.
But, that’d require getting them both to sit still, and that’s not something Apple can help with, sadly.
It’s been more than a year since we got a new iPad Air model, with the M1 revision of Apple’s premium-but-not-Pro tablet option landing in March 2022. The long wait may soon be over though — Apple is said to be planning not one, but two new iPad Air models.
That’s according to a report from 9to5Mac, whose sources suggest a larger model could join the 10.9-inch build Apple already makes. In fact, there’d be four new models, if you’re counting the Wi-Fi and Cellular+Wi-Fi designations as separate.
The iPad Air 6 (if you want to call it that, being the sixth-generation of the iPad variant) could introduce “a more expensive model with better specs” according to the report.
While 9to5Mac concedes Apple’s plans could change, we can’t help but feel that’d be a wise move. Apple’s iPad line-up, consisting of an entry-level iPad, the iPad Mini 6, an iPad Air 5th generation and two different-sized iPad Pro models is already fractured enough. Issues like variations in keyboard cases, Pencil compatibility and more make it already easy for consumers to feel choice paralysis for Apple’s tablet range, and this move wouldn’t help that.
What is a worthy question to ask though is whether or not the proposed new iPad Air will land this side of 2024 or not — if it slips back to a launch window early next year, you’d imagine buyers might wonder if the M3 chipsets will be waiting just over the horizon. If Apple can get an iPad Air out before the end of the year, it might represent one last hurrah for the M2 silicon. The report puts a release window of “between now and WWDC 2024 in June”, so it’s anyone’s guess…
iPad Mini and a new keyboard too
In addition to the new iPad Air models, the same source states that the long-awaited iPad Mini 7 is still on its way, set to launch ‘soon’ too. It’s by far the iPad most in need of an update at this point, having not been refreshed since September 2021 and packing an underclocked A15 Bionic chip.
Finally, a previous rumor of a revised Magic Keyboard for iPad is further strengthened, with the source pointing to a new ‘R219’ codename keyboard case. It’s said to have an aluminum shell, a larger trackpad and built in sensors including an accelerometer, with the expectation being it’ll be sold as an accompaniment to iPad Pro.
Apple traditionally hosts a Fall event where new entries in the iPad and desktop Mac ranges are revealed, but iPad and Mac product launches seem to have fallen out of step with their traditional windows. Fingers crossed we’ll still see some new gear before the end of the year.
Apple Vision Pro, the iPhone maker’s first-ever wearable headset, merges the real world and the digital and looks to usher in a new era of ‘Spatial’ computing. It’s coming soon, and it’s one of the most exciting upcoming products in the world of technology.
First revealed at WWDC 2023, Apple’s Vision Pro will take advantage of augmented reality software to let you do everything from watching TV shows to collaborating on projects. Whether you’re playing games or video calling friends, it all takes place within a headset that overlays these applications onto the real world around you.
It has the power of two 4K displays, a MacBook-grade Apple silicon processor, hand and eye tracking, as well as a Digital Crown for adjusting the level of immersion — dialing in and out the real world around you. And that’s just scratching the surface.
Apple has even created a dedicated AR division to help handle future Vision launches so it’s a core plan for the company’s long-term future.
The new headset is set to cost $3,499 and will be released in the U.S. early in 2024, with more countries to follow.
With developers already working on apps for the Vision Pro and a new alliance being formed to help drive an open standard for the creation of 3D content, the future is looking very bright for Vision Pro. Here’s a look at everything you need to know about it.
(Image credit: Apple)
Apple Vision Pro: At A Glance
What is it?: A wearable “Spatial Computer” capable of augmented reality experiences and workflows, featuring two 4K displays, hand-tracking and an external display that allows those around you to see your face below the hardware.
How much does it cost?: $3,499
When is it coming out?: Early 2024 in the U.S., with more countries to follow
Augmented reality principles are at the heart of Vision Pro. The Apple Vision Pro uses computer-generated images as viewed through a lens, superimposed over the real world. With this, Apple says the Apple Vision Pro creates a new form of computing, called “Spatial computing,” which differs from typical mobile computing by immersing the user in the headset’s applications. Digital screens and experiences appear to form in the physical space surrounding the user, ‘through’ the headset’s lenses (which sit in front of two small screens). Apple hopes this will allow meetings to have a greater sense of presence than standard video calls, movies to be blown up to gigantic screen sizes, and workers to manipulate applications on a greater canvas than traditional hardware monitors can cater to.
Digital screens and experiences appear to form in the physical space surrounding the user.
It’s similar in principle to augmented reality apps like Pokemon Go on iPhone, but right in front of your eyes, and similar to virtual reality experiences as seen in the Meta Quest headset series, but with the emphasis on blurring the lines between the real and digital worlds.
(Image credit: Apple)
Unlike most previous VR headsets (note that Apple refuses to align Vision Pro with the term ‘virtual reality’), the Vision Pro does not require external controllers to navigate its interface. Instead it’s managed solely by eye-tracking intent, and hand gestures. The headset’s onboard sensors are sensitive enough, and so numerous in number, that it can even track a pinch between finger and thumb with your hand resting in your lap.
Vision Pro does not require external controllers to navigate its interface. Instead it’s managed solely by eye-tracking intent, and hand gestures.
Some physical controls are retained on the headset itself though, and the most notable of these is the Digital Crown, returning from the Apple Watch. Here though, it’s used to dial in the level of immersion, letting you see more or less of the real world around you, or allowing applications to take up more of your peripheral vision as they’re overlaid onto the real world. In addition, this dial is central to Apple’s Vision Pro ‘Environments’ feature — digitized locations, ranging from forests to the surface of the moon, which can encompass the viewer filling out the real-world environment around them.
If text entry sounds difficult, that’s an issue that may be solved too. It’s also possible to look at a search field then begin dictating. Best of all? The Apple Vision Pro will identify items, text, and more through just looking at it. It’s effectively a more advanced form of Visual Lookup.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Read on for in-depth information on all there is to know about Vision Pro so far.
Apple Vision Pro: Hardware, Internal Specs and Design
(Image credit: Apple)
Apple Vision Pro is powered primarily by two chips working in unison. The first is the powerful M2 chip, first seen in MacBook computers, a powerful all-purpose computational unit. A second chip inside the Vision Pro is brand new — the R1 chip (‘R’ standing for ‘Reality’) is dedicated to processing the data coming in from the Vision Pro’s many sensors, cameras, and microphones.
At least 10 external cameras are used to capture a user’s surroundings when using the Vision Pro (a pair of forward-facing cameras, four looking down, 2 TrueDepth cameras for analyzing depth, and two pointing sideways to capture the periphery of your view and surroundings), with four IR cameras dedicated to tracking in dark environments — both inside and outside the headset.
In addition, you’ve also got a LiDAR sensor for mapping distance, and accelerometers and gyroscopes to track orientation and movement.
Intriguingly, the headset will potentially have more storage than the average MacBook Pro and many of the best iPhones too. It could be as much as 1TB, but Apple has yet to confirm these details.
(Image credit: Apple)
Let’s focus on the external design next — a unique-looking product in Apple’s line-up, elements of the AirPods Pro Max, Apple Watch and existing headset designs come together for the Vision Pro. A mixture of aluminum, plastics, and fabric mesh, there’s a 70s sci-fi vibe to it all — almost NASA-like in its mix of grays, whites, and orange highlights.
(Image credit: Apple)
A mostly hands-free experience, Vision Pro really only has two significant hardware controls. On the right-hand top edge of the headset’s front piece is a Digital Crown, similar to what’s found in an Apple Watch. This dial can be used to turn the level of immersion up and down for the headset experiences, smoothly bringing more or less of the digital overlays on top of your real-world surroundings. The second is a dedicated camera button on the left-hand side, used for capturing 3D photos and videos.
(Image credit: Apple)
A plastic band connects the front gasket to an adjustable fabric grip at the rear of the product, with a Fit Dial on the side to tighten the headset snugly onto the wearer’s head. The rear support is made of a stretchy breathable mesh to maximize comfort, curving to distribute weight. Similarly, the Light Seal that surrounds your forehead, eyes, and nose are well padded for maximum comfort (and available in a variety of sizes), blocking out ambient light for the best possible viewing experience of the screens inside. Those who wear prescription glasses may struggle to fit them inside Apple’s headset, but the company has partnered with eye care specialists ZEISS to provide custom prescription lens inserts that magnetically attach to the inside of the headset for a clear view. Expect this to be rather costly, though pricing isn’t currently set.
Speakers, capable of ‘Spatial Audio’ sit in pods on either side of the plastic strip connecting the front and rear parts of the headset, sitting over rather than in the ears to allow for ambient noises to be heard while in the headset.
Finally, the Apple Vision Pro will make use of an external battery pack, designed to sit in your pocket and connective over a cable to the side of the headset band via a MagSafe puck. Though that seems like a step backward for design, it is not as bad an idea as it sounds, keeping as much weight as possible away from your head. The battery is quoted as an average of two hours of use per charge, and you can plug the headset into a wall socket for continuous use, too.
Apple Vision Pro: Display and EyeSight Features
(Image credit: Apple)
The Vision Pro uses a pair of micro-OLED ultra-high-resolution displays in its front mask, spreading 23 million pixels across them. That’s like putting a 4K TV in front of each eye. It combines this with catadioptric lenses (combining reflection and refraction of light) for sharpness and clarity.
As mentioned, prescription glasses wearers will benefit from ZEISS Optical Inserts, but those will come at an extra cost. Expect to see third-party offerings challenging the market here, as we’ve already seen with Meta’s Quest headset third-party lens inserts.
EyeSight
(Image credit: Apple)
But there’s not just screens on the inside of the Vision Pro — there’s a wild one unlike anything you’ll have seen before on the front too.
Behind a piece of curved laminated glass is Apple’s EyeSight screen. The feature shows your eyes on the exterior of the device, based on what cameras on the inside of the headset are seeing. The display lights up when someone walks into your field of vision, revealing your “eyes” to whoever is nearby, while those around you then become visible in your AR experiences. Creepy? Early user tests show a mixture of amazement at the feature and uncanny discomfort. We will see how this plays out, but any attempt to make headset wearing a less solitary experience, or ideas to prevent having to break immersion by removing the headset, are welcome.
Apple Vision Pro: Sound and AirPods
(Image credit: Apple)
Vision Pro features advanced Spatial Audio powered by two “AudioPods”. Each of these AudioPods has a dual-driver setup that can generate Spatial Audio based on your own head and ear geometry, delivering a simulated surround sound experience.
(Image credit: iMore)
Apple’s latest USB-C AirPods Pro 2 are also being touted as a key accessory to pair with the Vision Pro headset. A tweaked chip design in the latest revision of the AirPods Pro 2 will allow for high-resolution audio playback, and reduced latency between what’s seen on screen and heard in-ear.
Apple Vision Pro: Hands-Free Controls and Eye Tracking
(Image credit: Apple)
When it comes to navigating apps and interfaces with Apple Vision Pro, you are the controller. Apps and menus are navigated primarily by hand gestures, and you’re not required to wave a wand or remote to explore the headset’s software. The onboard sensors are so sensitive to hand movement in fact, that Vision Pro can recognize you tapping a finger and thumb together, even when your hands are resting in your lap. In fact, that pinching movement is the equivalent of a tap or click in the headset’s operating system, while flicks and swipes let you scroll through panes and pages.
That said, if you feel the need to hook up Bluetooth peripherals like a keyboard, trackpad, gamepad and mouse, you’ll be able to do that for those moments when a familiar typing experience or traditional game input works best.
Siri is also onboard, allowing for speech input to navigate the headset’s many features, while a Visual Search system will use image recognition to identify items in your field of view or detect and read-aloud text. So you’ll have multiple ways to get around everything Vision Pro has to offer.
Eye Tracking and Optic ID security
(Image credit: Apple)
To ensure the accuracy of your hands-free input, eye-tracking is employed by the headset. Vision Pro has a high-speed camera and a ring of LEDs that project light onto your eyes, helping to identify where your gaze sits and to reinforce the intent of your hand gestures.
Optic ID will be used to verify log-in data in apps like Safari and to ensure payments made with Apple Pay are carried out securely.
Eye-tracking also plays a role in the headset’s security system, dubbed ‘Optic ID’. This biometric security layer takes a scan of your unique iris and uses that to confirm that only registered users can access apps and data in the headset. A ‘Guest Mode’ will also be included, allowing several users to enjoy the headset — it’s not clear yet if this is a temporary invitation, or siloed profiles with individual app data for, say, a family of users. Regardless, Optic ID will be used to verify log-in data in apps like Safari and to ensure payments made with Apple Pay are carried out securely. Apple says it does enough processing locally that websites you are browsing on the built-in browser will not be privy to information about where you are looking; the only information passed along to a given site is the click. Likewise, third-party apps get no data about what’s inside your living room.
Apple Vision Pro: Cameras and 3D Capture
(Image credit: Apple)
Vision Pro features Apple’s first-ever 3D camera, letting you capture immersive memories in 3D with spatial audio so that you can view them again at a later date. It’s also possible to see your entire iCloud Photo Library in Vision Pro and see Panorama shots expanded as if you were standing right where they were taken.
(Image credit: Apple)
One of the most exciting features for some users is sure to be Spatial Memories, providing you with a far more immersive experience than simply looking at a photo. For the feature, onboard cameras capture 3D video with depth, making it feel as if a recorded scene is playing out right in front of you. Those being recorded should be aware of the fact, as the front EyeSight panel will change to show a recording icon if you’re concerned about being snapped unexpectedly.
(Image credit: Gerald Lynch / Future / Apple)
To back up this feature, the latest iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are capable of recording Spatial Memory videos, which can then be transferred to the headset, meaning you’ll be able to capture these sorts of clips even if the Vision Pro isn’t with you.
Apple Vision Pro: What can it do?
Apple Vision Pro has a plethora of use cases, giving you infinite screen real estate. Remember — this isn’t a traditional VR headset, it’s an AR headset. So while it doesn’t support ‘room-scale’ experiences (the type that completely removes your 360-degree surroundings with digital worlds), it does allow you to have a seemingly endless amount of room for your apps and projects, spread out ‘over’ the real world around you.
(Image credit: Apple)
Everything is built around an all-new operating system called visionOS. It builds on familiar foundations from iOS and macOS, with recognizable icons and Apple-style menu and file structures, but is designed to take advantage of an augmented reality canvas.
Expect to see visionOS versions of popular apps like Apple TV Plus, Music, Photos, Freeform, Safari, Notes, Messages, Mail, and more in the headset — as well as apps exclusive to the hardware. An App Store will let you browse the library of available Vision Pro software, as well as thousands of iPhone and iPad apps — a huge number of 2D apps will be available to be used in Vision Pro, presented as floating panes within the OS.
(Image credit: Apple)
So, using gestures and swipes, you’ll be able to put all manner of apps and workflows around you, resizing windows to enormous sizes around you, playing back immersive Apple TV Plus videos, or making use of Continuity features with Mac applications, engaging in FaceTime video calls, and more. Here’s a run-down of the most interesting features we’ve seen so far.
Entertainment, Environments and gaming
(Image credit: Apple)
Vision Pro looks like a stunning way to enjoy movies, TV shows, and games. It can create virtual movie theater displays of up to 100 feet wide and take advantage of advanced Spatial audio playback. It’s not just 2D content displayed at dramatic screen sizes, either — a new Godzilla show, for instance, is one particular show that will offer Spatial Video support once released to make it appear as if the titular monster star is rampaging around your living room in 3D.
Spatial computing means you can also play games on these giant virtual screens, with support for popular controllers and Apple Arcade games. Game engine pros at Unity have already been confirmed to be involved with game development so it’ll be fascinating to see what unique games emerge to take advantage of Vision Pro’s feature set.
(Image credit: Apple)
Apple has also teamed up with Disney, bringing Disney Plus to Vision Pro at launch. While details are yet to be confirmed (we’ve only seen a conceptual sizzle real at this point), touted features include immersive settings for shows like The Mandalorian, letting you watch the show in your very own landspeeder on the sandy Star Wars planet of Tatooine. Other teased features included a virtual Mickey Mouse bounding around your home, and birds-eye views of NBA games, playing out on a tabletop in your home, like a miniature board game. Netflix fans will disappointed to learn that there won’t be a dedicated Apple Vision Pro Netflix app, however — at least at launch.
(Image credit: Apple)
For those looking to chill out in Apple Vision Pro, the company is also introducing an application called Environments. This displays intricately-detailed recreations of places real (forests, beaches) and unreachable (the surface of the moon), and can be dialled in and out with the Digital Crown, transporting you to virtual locations around the globe from the comfort of your sofa. These can even be used alongside the 3D video playback options to further heighten immersion.
Work and productivity
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While entertainment features may lure in casual users, Apple wants Vision Pro to be a productivity and enterprise tool, too. Early footage of the headset shows people working with spreadsheets, documents, and 3D modeling applications in Vision Pro for instance, and we already know apps like Final Cut Pro will offer Vision Pro support in the future with many more set to come.
(Image credit: Apple)
A key part of this professional application bubble will be Apple’s Continuity system. The same, existing feature that lets you work seamlessly across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, sharing files, clipboards, and even peripherals across distinct devices will be in play with Vision Pro — and supercharged. For instance, the Vision Pro can recognize a MacBook Pro in front of it, use Continuity to recognize it’s a user’s system, create additional virtual displays around the physical one, and tap into iCloud cloud storage to share files across all devices. With Vision Pro, you may never need an external monitor ever again — let alone a desk to house it on.
FaceTime
(Image credit: Apple)
FaceTime will be a huge part of the Vision Pro experience. Apple expects you to make video calls within the headset, with your chats with friends, family, and colleagues taking place in floating panes around you.
But, if you’re wearing a headset, what do those you’re calling see? A digitized version of yourself, that’s what.
(Image credit: Apple)
Vision Pro can scan your face using the TrueDepth camera it houses, using your facial map to create a digital ‘Persona’ that can be shown to those calling you. The aim is to create a photo-real recreation of your features and expressions, reflecting your face and hand movements in real-time. With your Persona you can watch movies, browse photos, or work together with others, just like you were there with them. Kind of. There’s an uncanny quality to what has been shown so far, impressive as it is. But reports have suggested Apple is making significant leaps with the quality of these Personas in the run-up to launch.
Other features include being able to receive 3D objects in messages, letting you manipulate CAD-like attachments in 3D space.
Apple Vision Pro: Expected release date
(Image credit: Apple)
Apple’s Vision Pro headset will initially only be available in the U.S. when it launches in “early” 2024. More countries will see a release date later in 2024.
Customers can go into an Apple Store to learn more about the headset and even personalize their fit for their own purchase, something that’s likely to be near vital given the way it works.
In the meantime, the visionOS SDK is now available to developers, allowing them to cook up new apps and experiences ahead of that launch date. It’s a reasonably long time between announcement and release (even one that hasn’t got a concrete date attached). But that makes sense, given the secretive nature of the production of the project, which now requires outside developer support to increase its attractiveness.
Apple Vision Pro: Price
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Apple’s Vision Pro headset starts at $3,499, which is even more expensive than the rumored $3,000 price tag that was floating around prior to its announcement. That’s significantly pricier than even the Meta Quest Pro, and a lot more than headsets such as the Meta Quest.
Despite that, it’s still winning over the Apple faithful, with Apple Vision Pro winning ‘Most Wanted’ in the iMore Readers’ Choice Awards.
Apple’s vision of augmented reality looks more thrilling the more we learn about it. It’ll be fascinating to see what developers come up with as they work on new applications for the headset — and whether or not that price point is surmountable for those interested in Apple’s next big thing.
While the M1 iPad Air is over a year old now, it’s still one of the best iPads around with some impressive specs, a slick screen, and all the trappings you could ever want in a tablet. Now, just days before Amazon’s Big Deals Day, you can get it for just $499, its lowest price.
With Prime’s next sales event just around the corner, we can’t see this deal staying for long. Originally launching at $599, you’re getting a whole lot of iPad for a lot less cash than usual.
AirPods Max $100 off
The M1 iPad Air 5 is a fantastic bit of kit, boasting an impressive 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display for much crisper and brighter visuals. With improved viewing angles and truer colors, artists can get a lot out of it for drawing, image editing, and more. Those of us not blessed with the painter’s touch can enjoy better-looking Netflix, and crisp graphics when playing games.
If you are interested in drawing, you can pair it with the 2nd generation Apple Pencil for finer brush strokes and all manner of digital drawing tools, allowing you to draw, manipulate, and transform images.
Apple’s M1 chip was originally released in the 2020 MacBook range but gains new life in the iPad Air 5, giving a very powerful performance whilst retaining that ‘all-day battery life’, something we praised in our MacBook Air 5 review in 2022.
Though the 64 GB of storage is a pretty small amount, the iPad Air 5 packs a lot of power into a small frame. It comes with Touch ID to access your device quickly. It can also be charged with USB-C, matching the brand-new iPhone 15.
If you are going to pick it up, it is worth paying attention to the big Prime Deals Days to get yourself an accompanying case and pen. We are expecting to see reductions in pretty much every area and cases are a prime target for a sale.
Got a new iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro, and looking for some games to give the handsets’ souped up GPU components a workout? A whole slew of new games and updates are set to land this October on the Apple Arcade subscription service.
Headlining the new additions is NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition, the latest iteration of the popular iPhone-friendly basketball title. Taking its cues from the console versions, you’ll be able to take an amateur player up through the ranks to superstar status in the NBA, with a new emphasis on customization options. You’ll be able to invite fellow Game Center players to see your custom MyCOURT designs for instance. The ‘Greatest’ mode returns too — NBA 2K24’s take on ‘Ultimate Team’ seen in the once-called-FIFA soccer games.
A few other familiar faces are also returning. Early iPhone breakout hit Cut the Rope returns for a third outing, challenging players to… cut the rope, again, to solve puzzles. It’s a classic for a reason, and it’ll be interesting to see what new physics-based challenges have been cooked up.
General knowledge buffs can try their hand at Jeopardy! World Tour+, an on-the-go quiz show in the palm of your hand, while CrossWord Jam+ brings another word-based puzzle title to the service.
In addition, 30 other games are set to get significant content updates across October, including Cooking Mama: Cuisine!, Fruit Ninja Classic+, and Cityscapes: Sim Builder.
A great time to be an iPhone gamer
Apple Arcade remains a great service for on-the-go gamers, and keeps to its $5 monthly subscription charge. New iPhone buyers who’ve yet to try the service get a month’s free trial with their handset purchases too, so it’s worth dipping into if you haven’t yet.
iPhone gaming is going from strength to strength at the moment — a key portion of the recent iPhone 15 launch event was reserved for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max’s impressive new A17 Pro chip, which pushes mobile GPU power to its limits with high-end gaming features like ray-traced visuals.
You’ll see these in action later this year with a number of premium gaming releases, such as Assassins’ Creed: Mirage, Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 4 Remake — all big-budget console titles that are getting native iPhone ports. While they’re unlikely to hit Apple Arcade any time soon, it’s a strong indication of Apple’s intent to be seen as a serious player in the gaming space, something that’s eluded it for years.
As I write this the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro have both been around for a little more than a week now. They’ve been largely well-reviewed by just about everyone who’s been able to get their hands on one. But that isn’t to say that the life of an iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro owner has been all sunshine and unicorns. Far from it.
We, of course, have the overheating situation. That’s a problem where owners of Apple’s best iPhones feel that their handsets are getting too hot, making them uncomfortable to hold. Most assumed that was the fault of the super-fast new A17 Pro chip inside the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max but, it seems, that’s wide of the mark. We’ll come back to that later.
Now, we’re hearing about another issue. This time owners of the new iPhones can’t get CarPlay to work. It might be down to cables, or it might be down to VPNs of all things. Nobody can really agree on what’s going on right now, but there’s one thing we can surely all agree on — being an early adopter can be a nightmare.
Apple’s no stranger to launch problems
It seems that whenever Apple launches a new iPhone we have problems like this. Some of them are serious, some not-so-serious. But no matter which end of the spectrum those problems are, they run the risk of defining an entire model. Is that going to happen again?
There are two examples that immediately spring to mind.
The first? The iPhone 4 and what everyone affectionately termed “antennagate.” It was an issue that caused the iPhone to drop phone calls when people accidentally touched certain parts of its antenna. It was a mess, and Apple wound up giving everyone a free bumper case to stop their fleshy palms from causing chaos. In the long run, it was fine, but the iPhone 4 will forever be known as the iPhone that couldn’t make phone calls.
Next up is the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, two phones that were so thin you could literally bend them in the middle. People found that just putting the iPhone 6 into their back pocket and going about their day was enough to make it bend. Not great, admittedly. And it also had a “gate” of its own. “Bendgate,” of course.
There have been more, of course. The iPhone 7 made a hissing sound. The iPhone XS did weird things to people’s faces when you took their photos. New iPhones and problems are nothing new.
The iPhone 15’s turn
With that in mind, it shouldn’t surprise that many people that the iPhone 15 has a problem or two.
There’s the iPhone 15 Pro’s overheating issue which Apple now says is all down to a few software bugs — iOS 17 is doing things it shouldn’t, something that is no doubt compounded by a claim that some third-party apps are misbehaving as well. There’s talk of overloading the system, which sounds bad. But it’ll get fixed in future software updates and Instagram, one of the culprits, already has a new update out that might help.
The latest issue is CarPlay. Some iPhone 15 owners say that they are struggling to find new USB-A to USB-C cables that work properly when they plug their new phones into their cars. They charge fine, but MacRumors reports that actually getting CarPlay to work is proving problematic. Anecdotally, I pulled a random USB-C to USB-A cable out of my drawer on iPhone launch day and it’s been working fine since. Your mileage may vary, car-related pun notwithstanding.
Amazingly, at least one person says that the issue is related to their VPN. “If a VPN is activated when the car starts, the car will not pick up CarPlay at all. If the VPN is disabled, CarPlay starts, then if I turn the VPN back on CarPlay crashes,” they say. All very likely true while also confirming the point that it’s taken me almost 700 words to get to — being an early adopter can suck.
It’ll all be alright. Eventually.
To be clear, I don’t see anything with the iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro that won’t be fixed and forgotten in a few weeks. The CarPlay thing will either turn out to be people using cables that can’t handle data or some weird iOS 17 bug that will be fixed in a future release. The iPhone 15 Pro overheating issue seems to be well on its way to being fixed as well, despite the panic surrounding the belief that Apple’s A17 Pro was the problem and would need to be throttled.
All of these issues can be fixed with software and are some way short of the hardware and design problems of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 6. And if we all bought our new iPhones in a few weeks instead of on launch day, we’d probably never come across any of them. But we didn’t.
Why? Because even though being an early adopter can be hard, and even though it means hitting the bugs before Apple can fix them, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Roll on iPhone 16. I wonder what’ll be broken come September 2024.
Apple debuted the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro series recently, and while it comes with a ton of notable changes, the Pro models seem to have an overheating issue. A lot of reports have surfaced since launch, showing the iPhone 15 Pro models overheating. There have been speculations about the possible reasons behind these issues, and we now have an official answer.
According to Apple, its new best iPhone’s heating issues are apparently because of a software bug in iOS 17. A statement issued to Forbes by Apple pointed to a software issue and promised a fix in a future software update.
Background activity, unoptimized app, and an iOS 17 bug take the blame
The statement noted that the overheating is tied to the extra work being done to set up the iPhone.
Apple said, “We have identified a few conditions which can cause iPhone to run warmer than expected. The device may feel warmer during the first few days after setting up or restoring the device because of increased background activity.”
It’s nothing new for a new iPhone to be a little warmer during setup, but the iPhone 15 Pro models seem to be heating up more than the typical iPhone does. Apple is attributing the thermals to an iOS 17 bug as well as unoptimized apps.
“We have also found a bug in iOS 17 that is impacting some users and will be addressed in a software update. Another issue involves some recent updates to third-party apps that are causing them to overload the system. We’re working with these app developers on fixes that are in the process of rolling out.”
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also reported that Instagram, Uber, and Asphalt 9 are some of the apps causing the iPhone 15 Pro to overheat, according to a spokesperson.
Hopefully, the issue is a software-only one, and the fix doesn’t come at the expense of limiting performance. Forbes reported that the fix likely won’t affect performance, but we’ll have to wait for it to arrive to be sure. For now, Apple has said that this overheating isn’t a safety risk and won’t affect the long-term performance of the iPhone 15 Pro.
I can see you. All of you. Ready to jump all over me for this piece. I say to you, bring it on.
When Apple held its “Wonderlust” event, in addition to unveiling the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and Airpods Pro 2 with USB-C, it also took some time during the event to talk about its progress on Apple 2030. For anyone who watched the event, you definitely couldn’t have missed the short film in which Tim Cook and the team had to report the company’s environmental progress to Mother Nature, played by Octavia Spencer. It was a creative way to report on the company’s progress for its ambitious goal of becoming completely carbon-neutral across its entire business by the end of the decade.
In addition to talking about that progress, Lisa Jackson, Apple’s Vice President of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, announced that Apple would no longer be selling any leather products due to the climate impact of that material. In its place, the company has created a new material which it is calling FineWoven. At launch, this material is now being used for iPhone MagSafe cases, the Magsafe Wallet, and a number of Apple Watch bands.
While the reception for the iPhone 15 and new Apple Watches has been generally positive, the reception for FineWoven has been cold at best and seething at worst. If you look up articles or peruse any social media network, you will find almost nothing but people trashing this material — especially those who have historically come from using leather cases for their phones.
While the first responses to this material from those who got an early hands-on were more measured, I can’t help but feel that the hate against this material has become almost necessary — if you want to be part of the cool group. It seems that hating on this new material from the company is the popular thing to do right now. I say that because, in a lot of cases, the people that I see trashing this new material have not even purchased it to test themselves. Many opinions I see are based on someone else’s opinion, not their own.
It doesn’t seem that many of the people who hate it have actually used it. And, if they have, many of the people have made a decision based on potentially one day of usage and, a lot of the time, that usage being to purposely try and destroy this material for the sake of YouTube clicks or social media engagement. Because, if you want those clicks or engagement, there’s no better way to get it to hate something.
So, instead of listening to this snowball effect against FineWoven that seems to be running its course through the technology community right now, I wanted to get hands-on with this material myself. And, after using the MagSafe phone case and the MageSafe Wallet for my iPhone 15 Pro for about a week, I honestly don’t get the hate. In fact, I can confidently, though nervously (queue the hate mail), say that I prefer this material to my prior leather cases.
I can’t help but feel like Joey Tribbiani from Friends in the episode where Rachel accidentally puts meat in a trifle dessert. While Ross says that “it tastes like feet” while he is attempting to choke it down, Joey looks up and honestly declares “I like it!” That’s how I feel about my opinion on FineWoven right now — everyone else is Ross, and I am Joey.
Maybe that’s because I come from using a lot of materials like it when I’m outdoors and there are a lot of similarities between this material and those. In the teardown from iFixit, they compare FineWoven to some of the processes used for performance jackets from companies like Patagonia or Arc’teryx and, as someone who owns those kind of jackets, I can see the comparison and appreciate the level of precision that Apple reached with this material.
(Image credit: Apple)
I also just like the feel of the material more than I did with a leather case. It feels soft and pleasant to hold in my hand. The sides of the case actually feel even more protective of my phone than the sides of the leather cases from Apple that I used in the past. I also actually enjoy the more muted colors. Right now, I’m using an iPhone 15 Pro in Titanium Blue with the MagSafe phone case in Evergreen and the Magsafe Wallet in Taupe. The combination is certainly not hot pink for those looking for bright colors, but it looks really nice.
I also feel good buying this case in comparison to how I felt when I bought leather cases before. I’ve always wanted Apple to make an alternative to leather due to its impact on the climate and of course, the animals used to make it. While I know many were hoping for more of a vegan leather material that we see in cars and other products, I’m okay with the choice that Apple made here and willing to give it a chance.
When I think about all of the hate that this material has gotten so far, it all seems focused on one thing — and that’s how the back of the case looks if you damage it. I see a lot of people pointing out that if you scratch the case, it’s hard to buff out that scratch. Personally, when I saw those comments, I thought to myself sarcastically, “I too like to drag my fingernails down the back of my iPhone case all of the time.” However, I do get the point that people are trying to make here.
This is the one area that I too am concerned about with FineWoven — and that’s just how it holds up aesthetically over time. I’m not worried about its ability to protect my phone, but I am worried about its ability to look good while doing it with the expected wear and tear that any phone case goes through.
That’s going to be the ultimate test, but it’s definitely not a test that can be run in a few days time. I’m going to keep using the case and the wallet as my daily drivers for my phone and really want to see how this material holds up — not in the course of a day of purposely destructive testing — but over the course of time that anyone would realistically use these products.
Time will tell but, for now, I’m enjoying living in this FineWoven future.
I rarely look at my plugs and think ‘Maybe this could be cuter’ but, ever since getting the Ugreen Nexode RG 65 GaN charger, the rest of my power sockets don’t look, or indeed feel, fun enough. A distinctive look and efficient charge make would could have just been a gimmick an effective and special peice of charging tech.
Ugreen Nexode RG 65W Charger: Price and Availability
(Image credit: Future / James Bentley)
The Ugreen Nexode RG 65W charger is available for $49.99, whereas its 30W companion is $25.99. They are both only available in the US, due to their US plug design. We’d say that’s a reasonable price for the little charger — while you can get similar wattage chargers for less, these justify their slightly higher price with some extra features.
They can be bought on Amazon and the Ugreen site for now, but other Ugreen accessories can also be bought from Walmart so we could see them landing on physical retail shelves in the future. They can be a little hard to get your hands on as they are sold out frequently on the website but you should have no problem on Amazon, where stock is fairly consistent.
Ugreen Nexode RG 65W Charger: Specs and features
(Image credit: Future / James Bentley)
Both versions of the Nexode come with GaN charging, taking them beyond a traditional charger. The GaN technology allows them to be smaller and more efficient than most other chargers. The two chargers are compact (Put measurements here), so that’s one box ticked, and they were able to get both my MacBook Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max up to 50% in just half an hour — the other box ticked.
As well as looking quite cute, as we’ll get into later, the little robot-shaped charger comes with a small built-in smart screen, with a handful of faces expressing how charged your device is. The faces are great to check charge process at a glance, so you don’t have to constantly pick up your phone to check battery filling progress.
It is also a very secure plug, with some temperature protection features which stops it from overcharging – something that eases my overanxious brain when I leave something on charge while I pop to the shops.
Ugreen Nexode RG 65W Charger: Build and Looks
(Image credit: Future / James Bentley)
For a compact device, the Nexode is surprisingly heavy and well-built. Oftentimes, smaller third-party plugs can feel a little cheap. The Nexode RG does not. Despite that weight, it is very portable. You can pop it in a plug and don’t really have any worries of it withstanding an accidental kick or bump.
We, of course, love the way the little characterful charger looks. The animated faces on the screen give it a cheeky personality, and the rounded shape makes it eye-catching in a kind of ‘aw, what’s that?’ kind of way. More than just a charger, this is a desk ornament as well — you won’t want to hide it under your table, that’s for sure.
Ugreen Nexode RG 65W Charger: Competition
(Image credit: Future / James Bentley)
You can pick up a myriad of standard plugs on Amazon but the closest reliable 65W GaN charger I’ve found is the Anker 735. It’s a little more expensive than the little Nexode and comes with the same amount of ports. What this lacks in ports, however, it makes up for in pure fun — and if you’re looking at this with any kind of serious purchase intent, it’s likely that the extra sockets on the Anker aren’t going to convince you over.
Ugreen Nexode RG 65W Charger: Should you buy it?
You should buy this if…
You want a cute new plug for your gadgets
You’re looking for a safer and more compact plug
You need to charge your phone fast
You shouldn’t buy this if…
You aren’t too bothered about charging speeds
You want a more understated plug
Verdict
The Ugreen Nexode RG 65W charger looks, feels, and works fantastically well. It’s unique and efficient, it can charge up all your devices quickly, and it looks adorable while doing so. If you’re not too bothered about charging speeds, it’s likely overkill, but that extra efficiency will save you a lot of waiting around in the long. It helps that you can pop it in your bag and head off without worries it will break.
And it’s cute as a button. If nothing else, that should make all the difference. Look at it. Look at it.
Ugreen Nexode RG 65W Charger
Cute, Compact Charge
The Ugreen 65W charger is a lovely little charging plug with some fantastic features like fast charging, temperature sensors, and a cute like screen. All this comes in at a very reasonable price point, making it a fantastic deal.
The world of iPhone and iPad web browsers just got a little bigger with the release of Vivaldi, an app that has been available for the desktop and Android devices for years.
The new Vivaldi browser comes from the company founded by former Opera CEO Jon von Tetzchner and it’s very much the anti-Safari in a lot of ways, something that might make the perfect option for some.
You only have to look at it to know that this is a browser with opinions. That starts with the desktop-like tabs and continues with a suite of features that would be right at home on a Mac rather than an iPhone. But if there’s one thing Vivaldi won’t be accused of, it’s lacking features.
“A bite out of the Apple”
You understand Vivaldi’s approach as soon as you see the title of its announcement blog post — “Vivaldi Takes a Bite Out of the Apple: Introducing Vivaldi on iOS.”
Like all web browsers available in the App Store, Vivaldi uses the WebKit browsing engine which means that, under the hood, it’s the same as Safari and all the other iPhone and iPad browsers. But in an interview with TechCrunch, Tetzchner mentioned that the upcoming EU regulations to open up Apple’s iPhone and the App Store may allow Vivaldi to use its own engine in the future.
As for the app we have today, the first thing you’ll notice is a tab bar that is similar to what you’d see on a Mac. “In most browsers on mobile, it’s difficult to keep track of many open tabs,” the blog post reads. “But in Vivaldi, we have made it easy for you to view the tabs that are open and also switch between them without the hassle.”
The desktop-like tab bar could look messy to some, but there’s no denying its usefulness. The same goes for other features crammed into the app, including a dedicated search button, panels to house options, a reading list, and even somewhere to write notes. Vivaldi also has Speed Dials, which are basically bookmarks.
Vivaldi users on other platforms will see everything sync between devices, and there are built-in ad and tracker blockers for those keen to protect their privacy, too. All things considered, it’s about as fully-fledged as you could want. Is it all too much? Check it out and decide for yourself.
Vivaldi is available as a free download in the App Store right now.
People have been stealing things from Apple Stores for as long as Apple Stores have been a thing, but something a ton of people seemingly aren’t aware of is that it’s entirely pointless. They can’t possibly know, because they keep on doing it.
The latest example came after people looted the Apple Walnut Street store in Philadelphia, taking iPhone 15 handsets and more as they went. The problem is, and as some soon found out, stealing an iPhone and other products from Apple does little more than put a warrant on your head.
And the iPhone won’t even work anyway.
Don’t steal, folks
You’ve probably already seen the news stories of looters breaking into stores yesterday, including an Apple Store. There were even people live-streaming the entire thing on TikTok which probably wasn’t the greatest of ideas. But all of that aside, we saw something else — people finding out that iPhones shut down the minute they leave the Apple Store they were just stolen from. And it gets worse.
As some on X have already pointed out, iPhones stolen in this manner don’t just politely ask you to take them back to where they came from — they do do that as well — but they also start to record their surroundings. You’ll note the little green light in the image below.
The result? Stealing an iPhone probably puts your face on camera.
Notably, the green status light means that they are being filmed pic.twitter.com/Lghch2Uey9September 27, 2023
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So there we have it. As if stealing an iPhone wasn’t already a bad idea, you probably just made it double-easy for the police to identify you.
Oh, and there’s more. Each iPhone can be tracked as well, so you might be leading police to your door. Stolen iPhones display on-screen messages that read “The device has been disabled and is being tracked. Local authorities will be alerted.”
So, yeah. Don’t steal iPhones. Or anything else for that matter.
If you’ve used your brand new iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max since that September 22 release and thought that it got a little too toasty at times, you aren’t alone. The good news is that it should be fixable via a software update, but that might not be the whole story.
With fingers already starting to point at the new A17 Pro chip that now powers Apple’s best iPhones one analyst has sprung to its defense. They say that the A17 Pro and TSMC’s 3nm fabrication process aren’t to blame for overheating issues and that Apple will fix things by releasing a software update. The problem is what that software update might have to do.
If things go the way they very well could, Apple might have to limit the performance of your new iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max to keep it cool, and that’s just bad news for all of us.
Lower performance = lower temperatures
This is all according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who posted on Medium that his supply chain checks indicate “that the iPhone 15 Pro series overheating issues are unrelated to TSMC’s advanced 3nm node.” He goes on to say that the “primary cause is more likely the compromises made in the thermal system design to achieve a lighter weight.”
Those compromises are thought to be a reduced heat dissipation area as well as the use of a titanium frame which impacts thermal efficiency. That’s all to say that Apple’s new A17 Pro is nice and fast, but the heat it generates can’t be removed quickly enough because of Apple’s design choices.
Shades of the 2013 Mac Pro’s infamous “thermal corner,” to be sure.
The good news is that this can all likely be fixed in software, but Kuo has a warning, adding that “improvements may be limited unless Apple lowers processor performance.”
That’s something Apple will not want to do, especially as it continues to laud the iPhone 15 Pro’s gaming capabilities and so-called console-quality titles. In reality, the A17 Pro might not feel much slower in use, but we can perhaps expect Apple to choose to throttle the chip sooner than it currently does, impacting performance over longer periods of time — like when playing a game, for example.
For now, all eyes will be on Apple to see what happens next. But it’s worth noting that two iMore writers have iPhone 15 Pro Maxes and haven’t had any issues with overheating whatsoever. Anecdotal? Sure, but a huge and widespread issue this temperature situation might not be just yet.
Now that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro are here people are looking for new ways to make use of their extra features. But rather than it being Apple’s best iPhones pushing the envelope, in some cases at least, it’s the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.
That’s following the news that Photomator is going to gain a new HDR photo editing feature and it’s all thanks to the arrival of the iPhone 15 family of devices.
Pixelmator says that the updated Photomator is on the way and that once it arrives people will be able to edit photos in HDR for the very first time. So long as they have a display capable of showing it, that is.
All the nits
Writing in its announcement blog post, Pixelmator says that it’s the iPhone 15 that makes this possible.
“The latest iPhone 15 stands out as the first non-pro device offering a professional-grade display with 1600 nits of peak brightness, perfect for viewing and capturing HDR photos,” the blog post explains. “To make the most of this powerful display technology, Photomator will soon offer full HDR support – from import to editing and export.”
Unfortunately, the updated Photomator isn’t yet ready — but it’s on the way. “We’re already in the final stages of HDR development, and we’re excited to share a sneak peek at HDR support with you,” Pixelmator says.
The iPhone 15 isn’t the only device that will support HDR photo editing of course. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro lineups are good to go, as are iPads and Macs with XDR displays. The Pro DisplayX DR is also supported.
As for those without fancy high-brightness displays, they’ll get limited HDR support. “MacBook Air, iMac, iMac Pro, Studio Display, and MacBook Pro models not equipped with XDR displays provide limited HDR support with peak brightness ranging between 300 and 600 nits,” Pixelmator explains.
Pixelmator also confirmed that people will need to update to iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma to get the new HDR support, too.
The new iPhone models are finally lining the shelves at the local Apple Store (or at least they would be if stock was easier to come by), and you’re likely now wondering where you can get the best iPhone 15 Pro deals from. We’ve scoured the internet for the best prices we can find so that you can save some money on a new iPhone.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the most powerful and largest iPhone of the new lineup, with a monstrous 6.7-inch screen. It’s also got an exclusive feature this year — a very impressive 5x zoom lens. It’s thanks to the tetraprism lens, which increases physical zoom rather than relying on digital zoom. There’s also the new A17 Pro at the core of the phone, a powerful new processor that Apple says is capable of playing ‘console quality games’. At the bottom of the new titanium frame, you’ll also find the new USB-C port, which allows for faster charging and quicker data transfer.
This is the most expensive iPhone, and if you’re looking to get your hands on one then you’re also likely looking for the best deal you can find. We’ve found all the best prices on the web and put them on our list so that you can save some money. Keep coming back as well — we’ll add more deals as they go live around the web.
iPhone 15 Pro Max deals: What you need to know
Colors: Natural titanium, Black titanium, White titanium, Blue titanium
Price: Starting at $1199
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
There are a couple of ways to get a new iPhone 15 Pro Max deal, and the first is to head over to a main retailer like Apple or Best Buy. Here, you’ll pay the whole price upfront, but you won’t have to pay more for interest as you do with many monthly device plans. You don’t have to do credit checks here, and you can always buy a different phone later on if you want — you’re not tied to the device.
The second way you can grab yourself a new iPhone 15 Pro is to join the iPhone upgrade program. Here, you’ll pay a small monthly fee for an iPhone, and then you can upgrade every time a new iPhone comes out. It’s a 0% interest option, but you do have to go through a credit check to make sure that you can make payments.
Finally, you can head over to a carrier, and get a contract iPhone. This will let you spread the cost of the device throughout a contract, although you will have to pay a little more for the device’s interest. This is where you’ll find the best deals, with combo deals with Apple Watches or with reductions on data plans so that you save a little. Before you get on with one of these, however, remember that you’ll be locked in for the length of the contract.
Best iPhone 15 Pro Max retail deals
Best iPhone 15 Pro Max carrier deals
iPhone 15 Pro Max deals Q&A
Can I trade in my old phone?
You can, and you really should. Trading in an old device is a great way of saving money when you buy a new iPhone, and there are often some great deals offered by carriers to save even more. It also recycles your old device, so you’ll even be doing something good for the environment. Last year saw one of the best deals we’ve ever had on a trade-in — if you traded in an old iPhone at Verizon, then you could get a brand new iPhone for free.
This deal is back for this year, with some big savings at some massive carriers. It’s even plastered all over the product pages of all the new iPhones on Apple’s site — the deal is happening, so make sure your old iPhone is in tip-top condition!
How does a contract iPhone 15 Pro Max work?
A contract is the combination of a device loan that you pay for the phone and the monthly cost of the data plan. The carrier you choose combines these two costs into one bill, so you’ve only got to worry about one thing coming out every month. In essence, You might pay $50 per month for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and then a further $30 a month for your data plan. In total, you’d be paying $80, and that’s the price you’ll see coming out every month. If you’re not entirely sure, make sure you check with your chosen carrier so you don’t end up with any awful surprises.
iPhone 15 Pro Q&A
What colors can you get the iPhone 15 Pro Max in?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max comes in five colors, including Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Blue Titanium.
How much is the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max costs $1199 and gets more expensive from there with every storage increase.
How big is the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the biggest and most powerful iPhone, clocking in at 6.7 inches. If you want something a little smaller but still really powerful, then you should check out the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro.
The iPhone 15 line is now available to purchase, and if you’re looking for a big phone then you’ll be after the best iPhone 15 Pro deals. There are some great prices and deals to be found on the latest iPhones already, and we’ve collected them all together.
There are some big updates in the iPhone 15 Plus this year, including the inclusion of the Dynamic Island to hide the camera and front sensors better than any notch ever could. The chassis has been smoothed out as well, making the whole thing feel better in the hand, and the camera has been boosted to a whopping 48MP. Finally, you’ll find the new USB-C port on the bottom, dragging the iPhone family kicking and screaming into 2023.
This isn’t the cheapest iPhone out there, so you’re likely already looking around to see if you can find the best deal possible. We’ve put all the best deals together in one place — and make sure you come back if you can’t find anything the first time, as we’ll be updating this page with new options whenever we spot them.
iPhone 15 Plus deals: What you need to know
Colors: Pink, Green, Blue, White, and Black
Price: Starting from $899
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
There are a few different ways that you can grab yourself an iPhone 15 Plus deal, and one of the first is to head over to a retailer like Best Buy or the Apple Store. Here, you’ll pay the full price upfront, but you won’t have to worry about long contracts and the interest that comes with them.
The second is to go and join the Apple Upgrade program, which lets you pay a monthly fee for a new iPhone every year. This is a great, interest-free way of spreading the cost of the iPhone, as well as making it easier to upgrade when the next iPhone comes out. You will need to head into an Apple Store for this option, however, so you should account for that while shopping for your new phone.
The third way to bag yourself a deal is to grab a contract from a carrier — where you can often find some big savings on the latest iPhones. Remember that you’ll be locked in for the length of contract with this one, however, and you’ll have the phone for the whole thing.
iPhone 15 Plus retail deals
Best iPhone 15 Plus carrier deals
iPhone 15 Plus deals Q&A
Can I trade in my old phone?
You can trade in your old phone against a new iPhone — and we’d recommend that you do. In the past, there have been some massive iPhone preorder and launch deals for those who trade in their old iPhone, making sure that they not only save money but do a little for the environment when their old phone is recycled. One of the best iPhone launch deals we’ve ever seen was with Verizon last year, where you could trade in an old iPhone and get a brand-new one for free.
This deal is back for this year, and this time it’s at some more carriers. This will save you absolutely buckets of money, and will let you recycle your old device. We’ve had luck with good trade-in values all the way down to the iPhone 12, as long as it’s in good condition, so make sure that your old iPhone is in decent fettle and you should be good to go.
How does a contract iPhone 15 Pro work?
With a contract iPhone, you pay a monthly fee for your iPhone and your data plan. For example; you might be paying $50 per month for your iPhone 15 Pro, and then $30 for your data plan that gives you all your mobile internet. Together, you’ll pay $80 — that’s the amount you’ll see leave your account every month. It’s worth bearing in mind that different providers work slightly differently, so if you’re ever unsure, reach out to your chosen provider.
A contract is a great way to save money on the initial purchase, but remember to take interest on the loan into consideration — you will end up paying more in the long run.
iPhone 15 Plus Q&A
What colors can you get the iPhone 15 Plus in?
There are five iPhone 15 Plus colors, including Pink, Green, Blue, White, and Black.
How much is the iPhone 15 Plus?
The iPhone 15 Plus costs $899, and gets more expensive with every storage increase.
How big is the iPhone 15 Plus?
The iPhone 15 Plus is the larger of the two non-Pro model iPhones, with a 6.7-inch screen. If you’re looking for something a little smaller, then the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 is the phone for you.
