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New Apple Exclusive Exposes Divisive iPhone 15 Design Change

Gordon Kelly
Former Contributor
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
I write about technology's biggest companies

iPhone 15 leaks have already revealed that Apple is making its biggest upgrades to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. But now new information has revealed that the company might also bring its most divisive change to standard iPhone 15 models.

In a series of tweets, respected Apple leaker ShrimpApplePro reveals the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will also adopt solid-state volume buttons. Unlike iPhone 15 Pros, the leaker states that standard models will retain dedicated volume up and down buttons (rather than a single elongated button — pictured here) as well as the mechanical mute switch, rather than the Pros’ new programmable Action button.

This is something of a shock. At no point during previous iPhone 15 leaks was there a suggestion that physical buttons would be removed from all models in the range. Moreover, given the divisive nature of the switch, those who prefer physical buttons saw the standard iPhone 15 models as a potentially preferable option.

On the flip side, I can see Apple’s logic here. If the leak is correct, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are splitting the difference by completing the technological transition to solid-state (benefits are likely to include increased durability and water resistance) while not killing off the beloved mute switch for everyone in a single generation.

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For skeptics, implementation will be critical. The elongated volume button on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max looks to be flush with the phones’ body, making it harder to use muscle memory, and Apple appears to be working on multiple volume control options (including swipe gestures). My guess, given their dedicated up/down volume buttons, is standard presses will be the order of the day for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.

So what else will iPhone 15 buyers get? Not a lot. Standard models will transition to the pill + Dynamic Island design, USB-C and adopt the A16 chip used in the iPhone 14 Pro. In contrast, the iPhone 15 Pro models will get a ballistic new A17 chip, the world’s thinnest bezels, a massive new rear camera (with periscope lens for the Pro Max), upgraded LiDAR and higher price tags.

Yes, that iPhone Pro/non-Pro price gap is following the lead of iPads and MacBooks as it grows and grows.

More on Forbes

ForbesNew Apple Exclusive Reveals iPhone 15 Price ShockBy Gordon Kelly
Gordon Kelly
Gordon Kelly

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