Apple iPhone 15: Major changes for new devices

Apple has made major changes to the iPhone as it was banned from selling an old model. Here’s what you need to know about the new iPhone, AirPods Pro and Apple Watch 9.

Apple succumbed to regulatory pressure to make one of the biggest changes to its iPhone line-up in more than 10 years.

The iPhone 15 and its variants will use USB-C charging connectors to bring the company in line with European Union rules coming into effect next year.

USB-C will likewise be used for the second generation AirPods Pro, which was also announced at Apple’s “Wonderlust” event alongside a new Apple Watch Series 9.

Attendees look at the new Apple iPhone 15 during an Apple event. Picture: AFP

A USB-C port is visible on the brand new Apple iPhone 15. Picture: AFP

The USB-C change, the iPhone’s biggest notable addition among expected upgrades to its camera, display, chip and so-called “Dynamic Island” notch, came on the same day Apple was ordered to halt sales of an older model for emitting too much electromagnetic radiation.

The French agency that regulates radio frequencies banned Apple from selling the iPhone 12, released in 2020, and ordered a full recall of existing handsets after finding the model emitted more electromagnetic waves, which can be absorbed by the body, than permitted in the country.

Apple announcing the iPhone’s switch to USB-C, the first change since introducing the “lightning connector” in 2012, is seen as a move to avoid a showdown with the European Union over the port amid the phone’s declining global sales.

“USB-C has become a universally accepted standard. So we’re bringing USB-C to iPhone 15,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of iPhone marketing at a launch event.

Apple CEO Tim Cook holds up a new iPhone 15 Pro. Picture: AFP

A close up of the new iPhone 15 Pro. Picture: AFP

The change to the universal adaptor, used in other Apple products as well as its top mobile phone competitor Samsung, will see the lightning plug slowly phased out over time and require owners of older iPhone models to replace their existing adaptors when upgrading to the iPhone 15.

The change will be rolled out across the full line-up of new models, including the iPhone 15 (A$1499), the iPhone 15 Plus (A$1649), the iPhone 15 Pro (A$1849), and the iPhone 15 Pro Max ($2,199).

The new iPhone 15 line up includes a new notch branded a “Dynamic Island”, which expands and adapts to the size of notifications and updates.

The two entry-level models come in five colours, black, green, yellow, pink and blue, while the two pro models come in four; blue titanium, natural titanium, black titanium and white titanium.

Apple Watches are displayed during an Apple event. Picture: AFP

Apple also announced the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 at the event. Picture: AFP

Also announced was the Apple Watch Series 9, which apart from upgrades to the display, performance, and operating system, lists carbon-neutral versions of its watch line-up.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2, meanwhile, has more powerful silicon, a bigger and brighter display, longer battery life, and more accurate GPS.

The Apple Watch Series 9 starts at A$649 while the Ultra 2, starts at A$1,399.

The new iPhone 15, Apple Watch and AirPods Pro models will be launched on September 22.

Apart from the USB-C change, most of the iPhone’s new updates are incremental. The Dynamic Island on the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus were introduced in last year’s iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max.

The new Apple iPhone 15 Pro, with EU ordered USB-C charger. Picture: AFP

New iPhones bring new colours, with the entry-level versions available in 5 flavours. Picture; AFP

They look largely similar to the form factor and dimensions of the iPhone 14, with a 6.1-inch display for the iPhone 15.

The main camera sensor, however, is improved to 48-megapixel’s from the 12-megapixels in the iPhone 14.

While there were four new handsets, none were a “mini” model, the last of which launched alongside the iPhone 13.

A lesser publicised but potentially impactful upgrade is reverse charging, which allows an Apple Watch or AirPods Pro to be charged off an iPhone 15.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

IPHONE15 PRO AND IPHONE 15 PRO MAX: Available in black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium finishes.

iPhone 15 Pro starts at RRP $A1849 inc. GST, available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities. iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at RRP $A2199 inc. GST, available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities.

Customers could get $A300 – $A1255 in credit when they trade in an iPhone 11 or later and upgrade to iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max by visiting the Apple Store Online, or at an Apple Store location. To see what their device is worth and for terms and conditions, customers can visit apple.com/au/shop/trade-in.

In Australia, pre-order begin at 10pm AEST on Friday, 15 September, with availability beginning Friday, 22 September.

IPHONE15 AND IPHONE 15 PLUS: Available in pink, yellow, green, blue, and black in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities, starting at RRP $A1499 inc. GST and RRP$A1649 inc. GST.

Customers could get $A300-$A1255 in credit when they trade in iPhone 11 or later and upgrade to iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus by visiting the Apple Store Online, or at an Apple Store location. To see what their device is worth and for terms and conditions, customers can visit apple.com/au/shop/trade-in.

In Australia, pre-orders begin at 10pm AEST on Friday, 15 September, with availability beginning Friday, 22 September.

APPLE WATCH ULTRA: Customers in Australia can order Apple Watch Ultra 2 today, with availability beginning Friday, 22 September.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 costs RRP $A1399 inc. GST.

watchOS 10 will be available for Apple Watch Series 4 and later on Tuesday, 19 September, and requires iPhone Xs or later running iOS 17. Not all features are available on all devices and in all regions.

Three months of Apple Fitness+ are included for customers who purchase Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Ultra 2, or a new Apple Watch Series 4 or later.

For more information on Apple 2030, visit apple.com/au/2030.

APPLE WATCH SERIES 9 AND APPLE WATCH SE: Available to order in Australia today, with availability in stores beginning Friday, 22 September.

Apple Watch Series 9 starts at RRP $A649 inc. GST, and Apple Watch SE starts at RRP $A399 inc. GST.

Apple Watch bands, Apple Watch Nike bands, and Apple Watch Hermès bands will be available to order today from apple.com/au/store and in the Apple Store app, with availability in stores beginning Friday, 22 September.

Originally published as Apple iPhone 15: Major changes for new devices