A new Geekbench leak claiming to reveal benchmark scores for Apple’s upcoming iPhone 15 Pro A17 chip has stoked excitement online. The results suggest the phone could be a true powerhouse.
It may also feature a larger sensor that would improve Animoji performance. However, this upgrade wouldn’t make its way to the non-Pro models as Apple typically keeps those separate.
Water Resistance
All iPhones since the 7 series are considered splash resistant, meaning they can survive being dunked in water for up to one meter for 30 minutes. However, that’s not the same as being completely waterproof – Apple warns that “resistance to splashes, water and dust might decrease over time from normal wear.”
The iPhone 15 is likely to be rated IP68 for protection against continuous immersion in fresh water under pre-approved conditions. It’s not clear whether Apple would allow the iPhone to be submerged in salt water though.
Another important feature is the Liquid Contact Indicator, which shows if an iPhone has been exposed to water by changing color. It’s located near the SIM slot, and if the phone has been damaged by water, it will turn red.
Apple’s A17 chip is reportedly built on TSMC’s new 7nm process, which should lead to improved performance and energy efficiency. Rumors also suggest the Pro models will get 8GB of RAM, which is an increase from 6GB on the current iPhone 13. Combined with a faster GPU, that could mean some serious gaming performance gains.
Camera Animoji
Apple’s Animoji have been a huge hit with users, and there are plenty of fun ways to use them. The most obvious is to just create and send a standalone 10-second clip, which can be found inside the Messages app. Alternatively, you can use them as stickers that can be applied to photos or videos.
The most interesting way to utilize Animoji is with Memoji, which are personalised versions that can look like you (or, more specifically, a version of you with yellow skin, blue hair, a mohawk, a ‘fro, or even a man bun). If you want to get really fancy, you can record iphone 15 a video of yourself saying a phrase and then have your Animoji speak it back for you, which can be sent as a FaceTime call or inserted into the Messages app alongside a normal message.
The rumours so far suggest that the basic squared-off design that rolled out with the iPhone 12 will remain through to the iPhone 15. However, it could be augmented with a telephoto camera that includes a variable zoom lens. This would be similar to the kind of camera setup Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra features. It’s also been alleged that the iPhone 15 will have a USB-C port instead of a Lightning connector. This is supposedly to allow it to comply with European regulations that aim to cut down on electronic waste.
Dust Resistance
The iPhone 15 is likely to be IP68 dust and water resistant, so you won’t need to worry about it getting wet or dirty. This means it will be able to be submerged in 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 15 minutes, however, it’s best not to go swimming with your phone or take it in the ocean.
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s new iPhone 15 models will include a new haptic feedback system. The system will include a vibrating motor for notifications and app-specific feedback. The iPhone 15 will also include a new sensor that will measure the pressure of your hand when using the haptic feedback system.
Kuo has a track record of being on the mark with his predictions about Apple’s hardware, so this rumor should be taken seriously. The other rumors he has about the iPhone 15 are that it will include an 8P main camera to reduce distortion in wider-angle shots and a faster LPDDR5 RAM upgrade.
Another rumor has it that the iPhone 15 Pro will use a 3nm A17 chip and feature a periscope lens for improved zoom capabilities. This rumor hasn’t been flagged by any of the more reputable Weibo-based Apple leakers, so we’re taking it with a grain of salt for now.