Apple is gearing up to unveil its highly anticipated iPhone 15 and the next-generation Apple Watches in the upcoming weeks. These new additions to Apple’s lineup are significant milestones towards the company’s ultimate dream of an iPhone with an all-screen display, free from bezels and cutouts for cameras and sensors. While the changes to the Apple Watch will be more modest, Samsung is also stepping up its game by revealing new phones, tablets, and watches of its own.
The iPhone’s evolution towards an all-screen design commenced with the iPhone X in 2017, which featured an extended screen that reached the top and bottom edges, while still retaining a notch for Face ID and other sensors. Subsequent models like the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 Pro have gradually reduced the bezel size and notch, culminating in last year’s Dynamic Island technology, further minimizing the area.
With the imminent release of the iPhone 15 series, Apple is poised to make two significant changes to get closer to its dream iPhone. The standard iPhone 15 models will replace the notch with the Dynamic Island, while the Pro and Pro Max variants will feature a new technology called low-injection pressure over-molding (LIPO). This process will reduce the border size around the display to 1.5 millimeters, significantly thinner than the current iPhones.
Alongside the new screens, the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro lines will bring several other noteworthy features, representing the most substantial update since the introduction of 5G capability three years ago. The standard iPhone 15 models will resemble their predecessors, with the addition of major camera enhancements and the A16 chip from the iPhone 14 Pro line. Furthermore, these models will bid farewell to the current Lightning connector, making way for the faster USB-C.
On the other hand, the Pro models will receive a new design, replacing the stainless-steel edges with lightweight titanium, a material that Apple has long sought to incorporate into its devices. The iPhone 15 Pro will also feature a redesigned interior, making the phone easier to repair. Additionally, these models will boast a 3-nanometer chip for improved performance.
Apple had initially planned touch-sensitive buttons with haptic feedback for volume controls, the mute/ring switch, and the power button on this year’s Pro models. However, this feature, codenamed Bongo, encountered engineering challenges and cost concerns, leading to its cancellation. Instead, the mute/ring switch will be transformed into an “Action button,” similar to the Apple Watch, allowing users to customize its functionality through software.
The new Apple Watch lineup is expected to include three tiers: the 41- and 45-millimeter Series 9 models and a second-generation Apple Watch Ultra. Notably, there will be no new Apple Watch SE this year, as it follows a two-year upgrade cycle and was refreshed in 2022. All models will receive a significant performance boost thanks to the new S9 processor, marking a notable speed improvement since the launch of the S6 chip in 2020.
In the tablet and watch arena, Samsung is taking a leaf from Apple’s book and introducing mostly modest upgrades to its phones, tablets, and watches. While Samsung’s foldable phones, tablets, and watches are receiving new hinges, faster processors, and minor camera updates, Apple’s iPad with an OLED screen is not expected until next year. Apple might adopt Samsung’s in-screen fingerprint readers for its lower-end iPads and possibly introduce a model with a larger screen closer to 15 inches.
Looking ahead, Apple is set to release its quarterly earnings on August 3rd, right before the launch of the iPhone 15. The fiscal third quarter is expected to show a slight decline in revenue compared to the previous year, but growth is projected to resume in the subsequent quarters.
Overall, Apple’s strides towards its dream iPhone and the exciting new features in the upcoming iPhone 15 and Apple Watch lineup are eagerly anticipated by tech enthusiasts and consumers alike. While Samsung’s latest offerings may draw some attention, Apple’s unique innovations and design enhancements continue to set it apart as a leading player in the industry.
