iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro issues hit Apple’s new iPhones
6/9 update below. This article was originally published on September 4
With the launch of the iPhone 15 just a week away, a new leak has revealed significant ongoing issues, as well as production issues that could potentially affect the availability of Apple’s new flagship model.
In a blog post, influential analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that Apple is facing major problems producing camera sensors for the standard iPhone 15 models and titanium chassis for the Pros, as well as delays in manufacturing the flagship iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Perhaps the biggest shocker is the new stacked CIS primary camera for iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. Kuo stated that Apple has tried to solve the production issues by increasing the volume, but that up to 15% of regular models are still affected.
This is compounded by two problems with the Pro models. Kuo says their new titanium frame will reduce the weight of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, but their production was affected by “high processing difficulty and significant design changes during development.” Furthermore, “the Pro Max project was the last one launched, so the mass production schedule lags behind other models.”
The latter is likely to cause problems for developers, since the iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to account for up to 40% of all early iPhone 15 orders. The new and exclusive periscope zoom camera is the big selling point.
In addition, Kuo reveals that Apple also struggled with production issues with the iPhone 15 range’s screens and batteries, with the latter “expanding when exposed to heat” — a troubling issue the analyst believes has now been resolved.
It’s a shock to see such a wide range of challenges so late in the iPhone production schedule, and some cautious upgraders may prefer to wait to make sure they don’t run into any hardware issues with the first iPhone 15 models out of the line. However, if you want the iPhone 15 Pro Max, it looks like you’ll have to move early or face a long wait — and with Pro Max prices expected to go up by as much as $200, that only adds to the dilemma.
Update 06/09: Longtime leaker Sonny Dixon has revealed one of Apple’s most anticipated/controversial upgrades to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max in a new video (below). New action button:
While talking to me, Dixon confirmed that the iPhone 15 Pro Max in the video is a dummy model but the design is accurate. Dixon has a long and consistently accurate track record, so anyone still attached to the physical mute button now needs to come to terms with its inevitable removal or buy an iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus, where it will last for another generation.
Replacing the mute switch, which appeared on all previous iPhones, the button will be exclusive to the Pro models. It’s a solid state, which means it won’t actually move, and instead sends vibrating feedback (similar to a MacBook trackpad). This should increase durability and water resistance.
The button will also be programmable, with code in iOS 17 betas revealing a handful of options: accessibility, shortcuts, silent mode, camera, flashlight, focus, speaker, translation, and voice memos. It is currently unclear whether it will support more than one function through multiple taps or gestures.
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