Apple’s ‌iPhone 15‌ lineup is expected to be announced in around two months. A growing pool of rumors about the devices present an increasingly clear picture of what to expect: The ‌iPhone 15‌ and ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus are set to gain the Dynamic Island, the A16 Bionic chip, a USB-C port in place of Lightning, and support for 15W wireless charging with third-party chargers. The iPhone 15 Pro and ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max are expected to offer even further upgrades with features like a new titanium frame, thinner bezels, the A17 Bionic chip, a new periscope telephoto camera with 6x optical zoom on the Pro Max, and a mute button in place of the existing switch. The Pro models could also see a price increase compared to their predecessors.

We also discuss the launch of Threads, Meta’s new Twitter competitor, our current perspective on iPhone cases, and the state of foldables following the debut of the Google Pixel Fold. Listen to The MacRumors Show in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castro, Google Podcasts, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player. Watch a video version of the show on the MacRumors YouTube channel.

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Benefits of OLED technology for iPad Pro displays would include increased brightness, higher contrast ratio, greater color accuracy, and lower power consumption compared to existing models with LCD panels. Apple already uses OLED displays for the latest iPhone and Apple Watch models, excluding the lower-end iPhone SE.

iPad Pro models released in 2017 and later support ProMotion, allowing for a variable refresh rate between 24Hz and 120Hz. The switch to OLED would likely allow for the refresh rate to drop down even further to 10Hz or lower to save battery life. iPhone 14 Pro models can reach as low as 1Hz while in always-on display mode.

Apple will reportedly be using very thin hybrid OLED displays with a combination of flexible and rigid materials, which could allow for the iPad Pro to have a slightly thinner design. The panels will be costly to manufacture, according to Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants, so the next iPad Pro models will likely be more expensive.

The current iPad Pro models were released in October 2022 and feature Apple’s M2 chip, support for faster Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, and hover functionality for the second-generation Apple Pencil. iPad Pro updates are often around a year and a half apart, so an early 2024 launch for the next models would make sense.

iPad Pro display sizes are expected to see a slight increase from 11 and 12.9 inches currently to 11.1 and 13 inches with the next models.

Omdia expects the first MacBook Pro with an OLED display to be released in 2027.

This article, "iPad Pros With 11-Inch and 13-Inch OLED Displays Expected to Enter Mass Production Early Next Year" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Introduced in March 2015, the 12-inch MacBook featured a thin and light design that weighed just two pounds. With prices starting at $1,299, the original model’s standard specs including a 1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor, integrated Intel HD 5300 graphics, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD.

“Apple has reinvented the notebook with the new MacBook,” said Apple’s former marketing chief Phil Schiller in a March 2015 press release. “Every component of the MacBook reveals a new innovation. From its fanless design, ultra-thin Retina display and full-size keyboard that’s 34 percent thinner, to its all-new Force Touch trackpad, versatile USB-C port and breakthrough terraced battery design, the new MacBook is the future of the notebook.”

The 12-inch MacBook was also the first MacBook model to feature Apple’s infamous butterfly switch keyboard design, which was prone to failure and eventually dropped from the entire MacBook lineup after years of complaints and lawsuits. Apple last updated the 12-inch MacBook in June 2017, and it was discontinued in July 2019.

Apple classifies a product as technologically obsolete once more than seven years have passed since the company stopped distributing it for sale. The original 12-inch MacBook was discontinued in April 2016 upon the release of a second-generation model with improved specs, so the laptop recently crossed that seven-year mark.

In addition to the original 12-inch MacBook becoming obsolete, Apple has classified the stainless steel models of the Apple Watch Series 2 as vintage. Aluminum Series 2 models were previously classified as vintage last November.

The vintage products list features devices that Apple stopped distributing for sale more than five years ago and less than seven years ago. Apple provides service and parts for vintage devices for up to seven years, or as required by law, but repairs are subject to parts availability.

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While year-over-year iPhone upgrades are not always significant, new features begin to stack up over multiple generations. For this reason, the iPhone 15 Pro will be a notable upgrade for those who still have a four-year-old iPhone 11 Pro.

The list below includes major iPhone changes introduced since 2019, as well as new features rumored for iPhone 15 Pro models.

iPhone 11 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro

• A17 chip vs. A13 chip: The 5nm-based A16 chip in the iPhone 14 Pro is already up to 72% faster than the A13 chip in the iPhone 11 Pro, according to the Geekbench 6 benchmark. The iPhone 15 Pro is expected to be equipped with an A17 chip manufactured based on TSMC’s latest 3nm process for even faster performance and improved power efficiency compared to previous chips.
• USB-C port: With the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple is finally expected to switch from Lightning to a USB-C port. This change will provide a more universal charging standard and allow for faster wired data transfer speeds.
• Titanium frame: Like the Apple Watch Ultra, the iPhone 15 Pro is rumored to have a titanium frame instead of stainless steel. The back glass and display bezels are also expected to have slightly curved edges.
• Action button: iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to be equipped with a customizable Action button like the Apple Watch Ultra. The button would replace the Ring/Silent switch that has been included on every iPhone model since 2007. Users would likely be able to assign the button to various system functions, such as Ring/Silent, Do Not Disturb, Flashlight, Low Power Mode, and more.
• Larger display: iPhone 11 Pro is equipped with a 5.8-inch display, while the 15 Pro is expected to have a 6.1-inch display.
• Brighter display: Compared to the iPhone 11 Pro, the 15 Pro’s display should have at least 200 nits higher peak brightness.
• ProMotion: Introduced on the iPhone 13 Pro, ProMotion allows for a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother appearing content and scrolling.
• Dynamic Island: With the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple replaced the notch with the Dynamic Island, a pill-shaped area surrounding the Face ID sensors and front camera. The Dynamic Island displays system alerts and supports the Live Activities feature for live sports scores, the status of an Uber ride, and more.
• Always-on display option: With the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple introduced an always-on display option that dims the entire Lock Screen, but still shows the time and date, widgets, wallpaper, and notifications. Once you raise the iPhone, tap the screen, or press the side button, the display returns to normal brightness.
• Ceramic Shield: Introduced on the iPhone 12 Pro, Apple said the Ceramic Shield front cover increased drop performance by 4x compared to the 11 Pro.
• Thinner bezels: Similar to the Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8, the iPhone 15 Pro is rumored to have ultra-thin bezels around the display.
• Flat edges: While the iPhone 11 Pro’s stainless steel frame has round edges, Apple switched to flat edges with the 12 Pro and newer.
• Longer battery life: Already, the iPhone 14 Pro lasts up to 23 hours for offline video playback, compared to 18 hours for the iPhone 11 Pro. With components like the A17 chip and the LiDAR Scanner expected to be more power efficient this year, the iPhone 15 Pro could have even longer battery life.
• Camera improvements: iPhone 11 Pro users upgrading to the 15 Pro will gain access to a wide range of camera upgrades added over the years, including a 48-megapixel main lens, an upgraded front camera with autofocus, sensor-shift image stabilization, a 3x optical zoom option, Action mode, Macro mode, Cinematic mode, ProRAW photos, ProRes video, Night mode portraits and time lapses, and much more. Up to 5-6x optical zoom is expected for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
• eSIM only in U.S.: Apple removed the physical SIM card tray from all iPhone 14 models sold in the U.S., meaning the devices work with eSIMs only. The devices are still compatible with SIM cards in other countries, but rumors suggest that iPhone 15 models might be eSIM-only in France, and perhaps some other countries.
• Increased RAM: iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to be equipped with an increased 8GB of RAM, compared to 4GB for the iPhone 11 Pro. Increased RAM can benefit multitasking on the iPhone by allowing more apps to be open in the background simultaneously without reloading.
• Wi-Fi 6E: iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to support Wi-Fi 6E, which supports the 6GHz band for faster wireless speeds, lower latency, and less signal interference compared to standard Wi-Fi 6.
• Emergency SOS via Satellite: iPhone 14 models can connect to Globalstar satellites, enabling users to send text messages to emergency services when outside the range of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. The service is free for two years after activation, and is currently available in the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, the U.K., Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and select other countries.
• Crash Detection: New for the iPhone 14 series, Crash Detection is designed to detect severe car crashes and contact emergency services via Emergency SOS if the user does not respond. The feature is enabled by default.
• 5G: While the iPhone 11 Pro is limited to LTE, the iPhone 12 and newer support 5G for faster cellular data speeds, where available.
• MagSafe: iPhone 12 and newer models feature MagSafe, a system that lets you magnetically attach accessories to the back of the iPhone, such as Apple’s own MagSafe Charger, MagSafe Wallet, and MagSafe Battery Pack.
• Increased storage: iPhone 11 Pro started with 64GB of storage, but the 15 Pro should have at least 128GB of base storage.
• LiDAR Scanner: Introduced on the iPhone 12 Pro, the LiDAR Scanner is situated next to the rear camera and offers faster augmented reality experiences and improves autofocus by 6x in low-light photos and videos, according to Apple.
• Improved water resistance: Apple says the iPhone 11 Pro is water resistant up to a depth of four meters for up to 30 minutes, while the 12 Pro and newer are water resistant up to a depth of six meters for up to 30 minutes.

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max in September, and the devices could have additional features that have yet to be rumored.

This article, "iPhone 11 Pro vs. 15 Pro: What to Expect if You've Waited to Upgrade" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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If you are still using an iPhone 13 Pro or Pro Max and will consider upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max when the devices launch later this year, we have put together a list of features to expect below. The list includes major changes introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro last year, as well as new features rumored for iPhone 15 Pro models.

We also shared an iPhone 12 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro comparison.

iPhone 13 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro

• A17 chip vs. A15 chip: The 5nm-based A16 chip in the iPhone 14 Pro is already up to 17% faster than the A15 chip in the iPhone 13 Pro, according to the Geekbench 6 benchmark. The iPhone 15 Pro will be equipped with the A17 chip, which is expected to be manufactured based on TSMC’s latest 3nm process for even faster performance and improved power efficiency over the previous generation.
• USB-C port: With the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple is finally expected to switch from Lightning to a USB-C port. This change will provide a more universal charging standard and allow for faster wired data transfer speeds.
• Titanium frame: Like the Apple Watch Ultra, the iPhone 15 Pro is rumored to have a titanium frame instead of stainless steel. The back glass and display bezels are also expected to have slightly curved edges.
• Action button: iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to be equipped with a customizable Action button like the Apple Watch Ultra. The button would replace the Ring/Silent switch that has been included on every iPhone model since 2007. Users would likely be able to assign the button to various system functions, such as Ring/Silent, Do Not Disturb, Flashlight, Low Power Mode, and more.
• Dynamic Island: With the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple replaced the notch with the Dynamic Island, a pill-shaped area surrounding the Face ID sensors and front camera. The Dynamic Island displays system alerts and integrates with iOS 16’s Live Activities feature to show live NBA scores, the status of an Uber ride, and more.
• Always-on display option: With the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple introduced an always-on display option that dims the entire Lock Screen, but still shows the time and date, widgets, wallpaper, and notifications. Once you raise the iPhone, tap the screen, or press the side button, the display returns to normal brightness.
• Thinner bezels: Similar to the Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8, the iPhone 15 Pro is rumored to have even thinner bezels around the display.
• Longer battery life: Already, the iPhone 14 Pro lasts up to 23 hours for offline video playback, compared to 22 hours for the iPhone 13 Pro. With components like the A17 chip and the LiDAR Scanner expected to be more power efficient this year, the iPhone 15 Pro could have even longer battery life.
• Numerous camera improvements: iPhone 13 Pro users upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro will get access to a wide range of camera upgrades, including a 48-megapixel Wide lens, an upgraded front camera with autofocus, Action mode, and more. Increased optical zoom is also expected for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
• eSIM only in U.S.: Apple removed the physical SIM card tray from all iPhone 14 models sold in the U.S., meaning the devices work with eSIMs only. The devices are still compatible with physical SIM cards in other countries.
• Increased RAM: iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to be equipped with an increased 8GB of RAM, compared to 6GB for the iPhone 13 Pro. Increased RAM can benefit multitasking on the iPhone by allowing more apps to be open in the background simultaneously without reloading.
• Wi-Fi 6E: iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to support Wi-Fi 6E, which supports the 6GHz band for faster wireless speeds, lower latency, and less signal interference compared to standard Wi-Fi 6.
• Emergency SOS via Satellite: iPhone 14 models can connect to Globalstar satellites, enabling users to send text messages to emergency services when outside the range of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. The service is free for two years after activation, and is currently available in the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, the U.K., Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and select other countries.
• Crash Detection: New for the iPhone 14 series, Crash Detection is designed to detect severe car crashes and contact emergency services via Emergency SOS if the user does not respond. The feature is enabled by default.
• 5G improvements: iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to be equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X70 modem for improved 5G performance.

Apple will likely unveil the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max in September, and the devices could have additional features that have yet to be rumored.

This article, "iPhone 13 Pro vs. 15 Pro: What to Expect if You've Waited to Upgrade" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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