The iPhone 15 features I really hope Apple delivers

With the iPhone 14Apple has supplied us with many upgrades that we’ve got been ready for, particularly on the Skilled fashions. These options embody an always-on show to point out the time at a look and higher multitasking by way of Dynamic Island.

However I hope Apple goes additional with the iPhone 15 in additional methods. For instance, the corporate might do a greater job of bringing again some Professional-exclusive options to its cheaper iPhone fashions. Samsung usually does this with its cheaper phones, and I would wish to see Apple take that strategy extra absolutely too. The dynamic island Already exhibits loads of promise, however Apple might make it an much more integral a part of the iPhone expertise.

Apple normally broadcasts its new iPhones in September and releases them quickly after. Here is what I hope to see from the iPhone 15 subsequent yr.

USB-C charging

The Lightning connector has been round for 10 years, and it is time to change. With so many Apple merchandise transferring to USB-C, there’s by no means been a larger want for a single charger that powers all units. Apple at the moment gives 4 several types of chargers in the marketplace: Lightning (for iPhones, the 2021 iPad, AirPods, and some different equipment), USB-C (for many new iPads and MacBooks), MagSafe (the magnetic charger wi-fi charger for iPhones) and MagSafe 3 (the magnetic charger for the 2022 MacBook Air, 14-inch MacBook Professional, and 2021 16-inch MacBook Professional).

Make new iPhones appropriate with USB-C instead of Lightning means you should use the identical cable to cost your new cellphone, Mac and new iPads. Likelihood is most of your different electronics are additionally utilizing USB-C.

The excellent news is {that a} USB-C iPhone won’t be distant. Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice chairman of worldwide advertising, confirmed that the corporate will respect the mandate of the European Union that each one telephones offered within the area ought to have a USB-C charging port. He made the feedback throughout an interview with Wall Street Journal Tech Live convention. Apple additionally beforehand USB-C iPhones testedin accordance Bloomberg.

Nonetheless, Apple has not revealed any particulars about its plans. We do not know if Apple will begin switching to USB-C with the iPhone 15 or if it would wait till the next yr as new guidelines require USB-C by the tip of 2024. Apple n additionally hasn’t mentioned whether or not USB-C will come to all iPhones or simply European fashions, although analysts count on Apple to switch completely to USB-C.

Greater refresh charges on the usual iPhone 15

Since final yr’s iPhone 13 Professional, Apple added larger refresh charges to the screens of its high-end smartphones. The iPhone 13 Professional, iPhone 13 Professional Max, iPhone 14 Professional, and iPhone 14 Professional Max have a characteristic referred to as Apple ProMotion, which may increase the display screen refresh charge as much as 120Hz relying on of what’s displayed. This leads to smoother scrolling and smoother animations.

It is a small contact, however one which makes the expertise extra fulfilling – as my colleague Patrick Holland wrote in his iPhone 13 Professional evaluation. Though a excessive refresh charge just isn’t a deciding issue, it has grow to be the norm on most smartphones. $599 from Google Pixel 7 has a 90Hz refresh charge and Samsung’s $800 Galaxy S22 features a refresh charge of 120 Hz, for instance. Even the $450 Galaxy A53 5G has a 120Hz show, which makes its absence on the $799 iPhone 14 much more noticeable.

Extra options that use the dynamic island

The Dynamic Island, out there solely on the iPhone 14 Professional and Professional Max, is basically a miniature second display screen. As an alternative of eliminating the notch, Apple gave this area a brand new goal by utilizing it to show info from different apps.

For instance, you possibly can see music taking part in, timers, and instructions in Maps on the high of the display screen, eliminating the necessity to swap between apps. Dynamic Island makes multitasking simpler on the iPhone 14 Professional, an space the place Apple has historically lagged Samsung and different Android telephones that assist split-screen apps.

Now that Dynamic Island has confirmed itself, I would wish to see Apple do much more subsequent yr. It could be attention-grabbing to see Apple use this area to make proactive recommendations, like apps that may be helpful based mostly in your exercise, time of day, or schedule. A part of Dynamic Island’s usefulness additionally is determined by what app builders determine to do with it. There are already a handful of apps that combine Dynamic Island, similar to Pixel Friendswhich principally appears like a Tamagotchi in your iPhone. However I hope to see extra sensible use instances for the dynamic island that make it really feel like a extra vital a part of your cellphone, much like iPhone dwelling display screen widgets.

If Apple expands the performance of Dynamic Island sooner or later, it’s possible you’ll not want the iPhone 15 to benefit from it. As an alternative, Apple might pack new Dynamic Island options into its subsequent main software program replace, which can probably be referred to as iOS 17.

A smaller notch on the usual iPhone 15

If Apple is not going to convey the Dynamic Island to the bottom iPhone 15, hopefully it would at the least make the notch much less intrusive. The notch hasn’t modified a lot because it debuted on the iPhone X in 2017, except for the dynamic island on the iPhone 14 Professional and Professional Max. In the meantime, different smartphone makers like Samsung, Google, and OnePlus have discovered methods to offer edge-to-edge shows on their units with out chopping out a big notch for the entrance digicam. Lowering the notch measurement would probably end in extra display screen actual property and a extra fashionable search for the iPhone 15.

If Apple goes on this route, we could have to attend for the iPhone 16 to see it. Ming Chi Kuoa TF Worldwide Securities analyst identified for his Apple predictions, believes that under-display Face ID and front-facing digicam sensors will arrive in 2024.

That mentioned, there are good the explanation why the iPhone nonetheless has a much bigger notch than most of its opponents. It principally comes right down to Face ID, which is extra refined than the facial recognition techniques discovered on different telephones just like the Pixel 7, which Google says should not be used to authenticate delicate knowledge similar to cost info. .

Reverse wi-fi charging

Many Android telephones have reverse wi-fi charging, which is precisely what it feels like. You should utilize the again of telephones just like the Galaxy S22 and Pixel 7 to cost different units, like a smartwatch or headphones. Though it is in all probability not a must have for most individuals, I can think about it being very helpful for the avid AirPods customers.

Nobody likes being caught on their morning commute with a pair of useless AirPods. Being able to get simply sufficient juice to get by way of my 30-minute prepare trip by putting my AirPods on the again of my cellphone for a couple of minutes might be a game-changer. Sure, you’ll have to sacrifice a few of your cellphone’s battery. However should you’re touring to a vacation spot the place you possibly can simply cost your cellphone when you arrive – just like the workplace – it may be value making that trade-off.

The return of Contact ID

Whereas Face ID is useful in lots of conditions, there are occasions when utilizing your finger to unlock your cellphone is solely extra handy. That is why I hope Contact ID will come again to the iPhone. Perhaps you did not have time to configure Face ID to work with a mask but, or perhaps you are simply not holding your iPhone on the proper angle for Face ID.

Apple clearly sees the worth of fingerprint recognition, provided that the highest button on the newest normal iPad and iPad Air options Contact ID. Doing the identical for the iPhone 15 would add extra comfort, giving customers the selection of utilizing Face ID or Contact ID relying on the scenario. Most Android telephones have each a fingerprint reader and a few type of facial recognition. So it could be nice if iPhone customers had the identical choices.

It is unclear if Apple will ever convey Contact ID again to the iPhone. Whereas analyst Kuo beforehand predicted that future iPhones would get an under-display fingerprint sensor, he changed his outlook in March 2022.

The iPhone 14 Professional and Professional Max already right most of the earlier shortcomings of Apple’s smartphones. The updates I am hoping to see within the iPhone 15 could not appear revolutionary, however they are going to make on a regular basis duties like charging and unlocking your cellphone somewhat simpler.