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The iPhone 15 Unveiled: All You Need to Know About the Lineup

Emily Lawson — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 15:09:42 +0000

The most awaited launch of the year is finally here. Apple has released its iPhone 15 line along with Apple Watch Ultra 2, and Apple Watch Series 9. They also announced an update to last year’s Apple Watch Ultra.

The four new iPhone models, the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max will be available in the market later this month. All of the announcements were made at the Wonderlust event on Tuesday in Cupertino, California. The Apple event was live-streamed on various platforms showcasing its innovation in tech. The iPhone 15 series was expected to have aesthetic changes and technological updates, and it looks like Apple has delivered it.

Here is What has Changed in the iPhone 15 Series

All four devices in the new iPhone lineup − iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max will be available for preorder on September 15 with an official online and in-store launch on September 22. There are numerous features and upgrades in the new line that are exciting.

Display and Design

Starting with the displays, iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro have 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED displays. The iPhone 15 Plus and 15 Pro Max will have the same OLED displays with a bigger, 6.7-inch screen and an aluminum body. The Pro iPhones also have an upgraded 120Hz display which is absent on the base models.

The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max feature a newly refined titanium body with brush texture, contoured edges, and the thinnest borders which makes it Apple’s lightest Pro lineup ever. The Dynamic Island returns as a redesigned notch at the top of the screen that takes up less visual space. Also, the Pro models will not have the ring/mute switch. Instead, the switch will be a programmable action Button, a feature that many Android phones boasted.

Camera Setup

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have a 48MP main camera that enables super-high-resolution photos and a new 2x telephoto lens to give users a total of three optical zoom levels giving the feel of a third camera. iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max also have a 48 MP main camera along with a new 24MP super-high-resolution default.

Moreover, the iPhone 15 Pro features an expansive 3x Telephoto camera, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max provides the longest optical zoom ever on the iPhone which is 5x thanks to a 120 mm lens.

Performance and Hardware

The iPhone 15 base models will have an A16 Bionic chip also used in the iPhone 14 Pro Models for proven powerful performance. iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are powered by A17 Pro, the industry’s first 3-nanometer chip. The iPhone 15 Pro will offer smoother graphics, more immersive AR applications, and gaming experiences thanks to the new Pro-class GPU with 6 cores.

Thanks to performance upgrades to the iPhone 15 Pro, gaming will take a notable step forward. Apple has announced an impressive lineup of AAA games like Resident Evil 4 Remake, Resident Evil Village, Death Stranding, and Assassin’s Creed Mirage. It is still too early to start comparing the iPhones FPS figures with the consoles or PCs. But, Apple rarely disappoints in the performance department.

Battery and USB-C Charging

The battery life of the iPhone 15 models is expected to be similar to the previous year’s lineup. But, one thing has changed for the better!

All the iPhone 15 models use a USB‑C connector, a universally accepted standard for charging and transferring data, allowing the same cable to charge iPhone, Mac, iPad, and the updated AirPods Pro (2nd generation). Users can also charge AirPods or Apple Watch directly from iPhones with the USB‑C connector.

Colors Options

The standard models will debut in five colors that is pink, black, white, blue, and yellow. The iPhone Pro models will come in dark gray, black, dark blue, and light grey. Looks like Apple has finally heard the call for a Pink iPhone. And, you won’t have to pay extra for it! Speaking of which:

iPhone 15 Prices

The standard iPhone 15 will start at a price range of $799, and the 15 Plus will start at $899. The iPhone 15 Pro starts at $999, while the iPhone Pro Max will have a price of $1,199.

What’s New in the Apple Watch Series?

They also announced two new watches Apple Watch Ultra 2, and Apple Watch Series 9.
Both are equipped with a new S9 SiP (System in Package) and a new ultra-wideband chip. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 jumps up to a screen brightness as high as 3,000 nits, while the Apple Watch Series 9 can max out at 2,000 nits. Both will also support a double-tap feature to help you do things like answer phone calls.

They will also have features like the brightest ever display, expanded altitude range, on-device Siri, Precision Finding for iPhone, and advanced capabilities for water adventures. the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has the same 36-hour battery life with regular use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode. For the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple claims that it is 60% faster, coupled with a 30% faster GPU. Last year’s Apple Watch Ultra has upgrades like customizable watch faces and power zones for data collection during exercise.

Our Thoughts

All the models include 100% recycled and low-carbon material keeping in mind the environment and sustainability. So the new iPhone 15 is an ideal phone for environment-conscious people. But is it really worth an upgrade over last year’s iPhone 14 lineup?

For tech enthusiasts, the new iPhone means much more than just an upgrade. Apple’s flagship phones have been synonymous with setting trends. One of those was the notch up top which they retracted from. But, this year’s highlight has to be Apple’s focus on the gaming performance.

If this new take on the gaming industry works, we could see major shake-ups in the console and PC gaming market. Regardless of what angle this ship takes, we’re thrilled to be on it!

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China Bans iPhones | Orders Government Officials to Stop Using iPhones at Work

Tech Research Online — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 13:38:40 +0000

China is the biggest market for Apple after the USA with one-fifth of its revenue coming from the Chinese cell phone market. And it looks like that market is about to see a change as China bans iPhones for government officials.

China has been trying to reduce its dependency on foreign technology for decades now. It has maintained its urge to state-affiliated firms to shift towards domestic tech solutions. This in turn promotes the domestic chip manufacturing industry.

China Reportedly Bans iPhones in Workspaces

According to the latest Wall Street Journal article, the Chinese Government is asking all its Central Government agencies to stop using Apple iPhones at work. But the extent of the ban is still unclear.

This ban comes right before the anticipated launch event of Apple’s iPhone 15. This will surely affect the revenue figures in the Chinese market. Any further action can become consequential and provoke serious concern for foreign enterprises operating in China as Sino-US tensions soar.

The Chip Manufacturing Battle Between the Two Superpowers

The Sino-US tensions rise as Washington works with the allies to block China’s access to important equipment needed to keep its chip industry competitive. In turn, Beijing limits the shipments from prominent US firms including planemaker Boeing (BA.N) and chip company Micron Technology. The restrictions inflicted by both countries on each other can lead to growing individual markets across the globe.

US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, during a visit to China last week, said US companies had complained to her that China had become uninvestable. This points to hefty fines, raids, and other strict actions, making it delicate to undertake business in the world’s second-largest economy.

China’s Move to Stimulate Chip Manufacturing

The Chinese Government’s move also acts as a way to encourage the use of Chinese brands in the country, and by extension globally. This move comes in the midst of rumors claiming that Chinese smartphone manufacturer Huawei has managed to develop an advanced 7nm chipset being used in Huawei Mate 60 Pro.
Huawei’s recent challenges accruing from US restrictions, the Mate 60 Pro’s launch holds significance. The smartphone’s potential self-sufficiency in terms of chipset marks a milestone for China and Huawei. Apart from Huawei, the US is gradually implementing the TikTok ban. With some states like Montana already announcing a ban on the app. The politics behind tech is raging towards an eventual confrontation between the US and China. How will Apple respond to the ban? Let us know your thoughts.

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About Apple’s iPhone 15 Launch Event on 12th September | What to Expect & Our Thoughts

Tech Research Online — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 17:21:59 +0000

The initial speculation was made for August 29th or the 30th but now the dates are final. The much-awaited launch of the latest version of the iPhone is a week from now on 12th September, 1:00 PM (PT). The launch event will take place at the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park in Cupertino, CA. We’ve been waiting for the new iPhone and expect a huge upgrade to the line. Moreover, there are other new launches that Apple will be announcing in addition to the iPhone.

Rumored Features of the iPhone 15

As per MacRumors, the form factors of the new iPhones will be similar to the previous line-up. There will be 4 variants at launch with the standard iPhone 15, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max. The standard and Pro versions have a 6.1-inch screen size and the Max and Pro Max versions have a 6.7-inch screen size.

The iPhone 15 models are also likely to come with a more power-efficient OLED display. This will reduce power consumption, resulting in improved battery life across the board. The new models are also likely to have between 6-8 GB RAM, just like the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus.

Color options will mostly remain the same with standard options like blue, black, white, and a greenish-yellow shade. There is also a new coral shade which is somewhere between orange and pink. Lastly, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus may come with color-matched braided USB-C cables.

The rumored prices of the upcoming models will be slightly higher than the iPhone 14, ranging from $799 to $1199.

Camera

Rumors about iPhone 15’s cameras indicate a triple camera setup. The 48MP sensors will replace the old 12MP sensors from the iPhone 14 standard models. The low-light mode might also see a bump in performance with a new stacked sensor design.

Apple is also expected to adopt Sony’s latest ‘state of the art’ image sensors for some of the new models. It doubles the saturation signal in each pixel, allowing it to capture more light to cut down on underexposure and overexposure.

With the introduction of a periscope lens, the iPhone’s zoom capabilities would be majorly increased as the current Pro models are limited to 3x zoom.

Display and Design

Apple can consider bringing Touch ID back to its Pro models using an under-display solution. But, the standard and Plus models are not expected to include Touch ID and will continue to use Face ID. Moreover, the iPhone 15 will keep the Dynamic Island, which Apple might expand to all models instead of just the Pro models.

Pro models are also expected to see an enhancement to titanium frames, slimmer bezels, and some minor design changes with more curved device edges. The iPhone 15 models could also feature a frosted glass back, which has previously been a design detail that Apple has limited to the Pro models.

Performance

Users can expect a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port on the Pro and Pro Max. This is surely a welcome change for many returning iPhone users. The standard iPhone 15 models will keep the same Lightning port. So, if you want the type C port, you will have to shell out a few hundred bucks more.

Other Launches that Apple is Planning

Along with the iPhones, Apple is unveiling the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra second generation. These smartwatches will have updated cores for the S-series chips, giving them a performance boost.

The AirPods Pro might see an upgrade, but there is no indication of it so far. Instead, we might see the AirPod case with a type C charging port to go along with the new changes to the iPhones.

Apple’s Efforts to Meet Repairability Expectations

Apple is shifting the trend and focusing on self-repair capabilities for the new iPhones. The right-to-repair bill was passed making its way through the California state legislation. We have a keen eye on how this bill will alter the course for the upcoming iPhones and how well it will sit with users.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Pro models will be easier to repair this year, as Apple added a chassis redesign. That will make them easier to open if you want to swap the back glass.

Going forward, general security and user experience seem to be Apple’s focus.

Should You Pre-order the iPhone 15?

The actual performance figures will probably be the best in the industry. It’s Apple we’re talking about, and they’ve been the market leaders for decades. A pre-order only makes sense if you want to be one of the first few to boast about your latest iPhones. The pre-orders start rolling out on 15th September. But, if you already own one of the iPhone 14 models, you might want to wait a while for price drops.

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iPhone 14, 14 Pro Smartphones Showing Unusual Battery Degradation

Tech Research Online — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 15:10:25 +0000

iPhones are the most popular smartphones in the world. But recently, iPhone users are experiencing something unusual; A sudden drop in battery percentage to 10-12% in less than a year of buying it. Especially the iPhone 14 series battery life.

The Actual Problem Behind the iPhone 14’s Poor Battery

Some users of the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro have complaints resembling the days of “Batterygate”. They claim that less than a year after purchase, their devices are already exhibiting more battery degradation than anticipated. Which is a lot faster than previous iPhone users’ experiences. In July, Sam Kohl of AppleTrack tweeted that his iPhone 14 Pro had already depleted to 90 percent of its maximum capacity.

Kohl clarified the situation in a video published yesterday, saying that it makes it difficult for him to recommend the phone, especially given how much it costs at $999.

Apple says iPhone batteries should retain up to 80% of their original capacity at 500 complete charge cycles. The recent reports about the upcoming iPhone 15 series, suggest that the batteries will be 10 to 18 percent larger.

Problem’s Faced

Kohl is not the only one who has noticed these figures. Joanna Stern, a senior tech columnist for the Wall Street Journal, recently stated in her newsletter that her iPhone 14 Pro is currently showing a battery capacity of 88 percent. And assuming you don’t have AppleCare or any extended service plan, replacing the battery on an iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro after the device has passed its one-year guarantee will cost more. The cost increased by $30 last year, from $69 for older devices to $99. But at least these days, you can always fix it yourself if you don’t want to travel to an Apple Store or other third-party repair facility.

So far, there have been no comments from Apple about the latest iPhones draining the battery rapidly.

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All You Need to Know About the Samsung Unpacked 2023 Event

Tech Research Online — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 13:15:41 +0000

Samsung Unpacked is the second event by Samsung in the year 2023. Samsung will be announcing highly anticipated launches like its Generation 5 foldable and more. The launch event will be live in South Korea on the 26th of July.

It’s been only a month since Google Pixel Fold released its 1st foldable after years of expectation from the masses. On the other hand, Samsung phones and their software technology along with hardware have improved a lot, given their long-standing position in the foldable market.

What to Expect

- - The Samsung Galaxy Unpacked may see the introduction of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 models, as was previously announced. The Z Flip 5 may have an improved cover display with 3.4-inch screen size, according to the most recent leaks.
- - The dual 12 MP camera system of the Z Flip 5 might be kept. On the other hand, an IP58 rating might be coming for the new foldable. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 CPU is also a likely change coming for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5.
- - The South Korean juggernaut is anticipated to introduce the Galaxy Tab S9 series, which could include an OLED display. The Tab S9, Tab S9+, and Tab S9 Ultra tablets from Samsung will be the company’s first premium tablets in 1.5 years. They’re likely to see upgrades with larger batteries, better displays, and quicker chipsets on all of them.
- - Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series might also be one of the announcements at the event. This smartwatch might have curved glass and longer battery life than earlier models. The company has already stated that the watch will support WhatsApp. This will enable users to access the messaging service without checking their phones.

Where to Watch

All Samsung and Tech Enthusiasts have been eagerly waiting for this event. You can attend the Samsung Unpacked 2023 Event on Samsung’s official website and on Samsung’s official youtube channel. The event will be live on the 26th of July starting from 4:00 AM Pacific time.

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Nothing Phone 2: Launch Date, Specifications, Pricing, Rumors, and Everything to Expect in Today’s Launch

Tech Research Online — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 12:52:23 +0000

Much of the Nothing Phone 2 Launch has already been leaked, including several crucial features and characteristics. However, the premium Android phone’s availability and price are yet to be revealed.

At the same time, Nothing might reveal more information about Nothing Drops, where fans and customers will be able to try out and purchase the Nothing Phone 2 and Black Ear 2 noise-canceling in-ear headphones.

More About the Nothing Phone 2 Leaks

According to early device leaks, the Nothing phone 2 will closely resemble the design of the Nothing phone 1, which has a transparent back with the Glyph Interface hidden beneath it. Thus, even if this phone continues to be distinctive, the leaked photographs clearly show certain alterations. A 4700mAh battery, 6.7-inch AMOLED screen, and Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset are what we anticipate.

Moving on to the cameras, we anticipate that the main and ultrawide cameras will be powered by a pair of 50 MP units. We anticipate that it will once again lack optical zoom. But, it will be reasonably priced for a sub-flagship model.

Above all else, the software deserves a lot more focus. With Nothing, Carl Pei initially wanted to make the technology invisible and the experience smooth. Even though it hasn’t fully happened, software plays a big part in this, thus improvements are to be expected. We are aware of a collaboration with the Swedish House Mafia to offer a sound bundle for a new Glyph Composer that will enable you to create custom Glyph ringtones.

Another significant change is that Nothing will now focus its upcoming launch on the US market. After some success in other areas, the business will now enter a massive new market and compete with companies like Samsung and Motorola.

Nothing Phone 2 Specifications (Expected)

Display:	6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate
Processor:	Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
Cameras:	50 MP Sony IMX890 main camera with OIS + 50 MP Samsung JN1 ultra-wide-angle sensor at the back, 32 MP shooter at the front for selfies
OS:	Android 13 with Nothing OS 2.0
Battery:	4,700mAh with 33W fast wired
RAM	12 GB
Storage	128 GB
Wireless charging	15 W

Nothing Phone 2 Design (Expected)

Nothing Phone 2 comes with a new Glyph Interface which has 33 different types of effects added to it. We also expect it to have curved aluminum edges and IP 53 certification. Moreover, it will come with a new Nothing OS 2.0 for better performance and overall functioning.

Nothing Phone 2 Price (Expected)

Although we still don’t know about its price, the users anticipate it to be more expensive than previous versions. Nothing Phone (2) is anticipated to start at $479 and include enhanced capabilities.

When is the Nothing Phone Event?

The debut of the Nothing phone 2 is set for July 11, 2023, at 16:00 BST. The local time and date are as follows:

San Francisco – 08:00 PDT
New York – 11:00 EDT
London – 16:00 BST
Berlin – 17:00 CEST
New Delhi – 20:30 IST
Tokyo – 00:00 JST, 12 July
Sydney – 01:00 AEST, 12 July

Where to Watch the Nothing Event Online?

The debut of the Nothing Phone (2) is being streamed live on the Nothing website and channels; you can also stop by in.nothing.tech as a streaming option, and discover more about your country’s specific schedule.

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