With just over half a year left until the iPhone 15 debut, there isn’t much we don’t know. Over the past week, we’ve gotten CAD renders of all four models, which show off a new curved-edge design, slimmer bezels, and the long-awaited arrival of USB-C.
But there is still one unanswered question: Will the 6.7-inch flagship model be called iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 15 Ultra? Several reports indicated that the phone will remain a larger version of the 6.1-inch Pro phone, while other rumors indicate that it will receive the Apple Watch Ultra processing, with exclusive features that distinguish it from other models. After going through the latest rumors and renders, it looks like Apple will go the Ultra route.
It will be very thick
This is a bit surprising, but if the latest leaks are correct, Apple will increase the thickness of its largest Pro phone from 7.85mm to 8.25mm, which is an insignificant bump that will be noticeable when you use it. That would make it Apple’s thickest phone since the iPhone 4s — but based on renders, there’s a reason. The camera bump will be much smaller and more slender, giving the phone a different feel.
It will be very light
With a 6.7-inch display and three cameras, the iPhone 15 Pro Max/Ultra won’t be a lightweight phone. In fact, the past three iPhone Pro Maxes were Apple’s heaviest phones ever, with the iPhone 14 Pro Max coming in at 8.47 ounces (240 grams). But Apple is said to be using titanium instead of stainless steel this year, which will greatly reduce weight. With the Apple Watch Series 7, for example, the 45mm stainless steel model weighs 51.5g while the titanium model weighs 45.1g. Even if Apple only shaved 15 grams off the iPhone 14 Pro Max, it would still be Apple’s lightest 6.7-inch Pro phone ever.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max/Ultra will reportedly be thicker than the iPhone 14 Pro Max but have a smaller camera bump.
Dominic Tomaszewski/Foundry
It will have a super zoom
While the iPhone 14 Pro phones are larger and smaller versions of the same phone, rumors suggest that the iPhone 15 Pro Max / Ultra will feature an exclusive zoom lens. We don’t know exactly how far it will allow you to zoom in, but rumors say that the telephoto lens will bring 6X zoom, twice the current 3X zoom on the iPhone 14 Pro phones. This looks pretty “Ultra” to us.
It will be very long lasting
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is already one of Apple’s longest-lasting phones, but improvements to the 2023 model could make it last even longer. We don’t think it’ll be as dramatic as the Apple Watch Ultra’s 36-hour battery life, but we’re confident it will be the longest-lasting iPhone ever.
It will be very expensive
You shouldn’t judge the phone by its price, but rumor has it that the iPhone 15 Pro Max/Ultra will be the most expensive iPhone ever, starting at $1,199 and close to $2,000 with storage options. This firmly puts the new iPhone in Ultra territory.