Apple today shared a new Transparency Report providing information on customer data requests that the company received from the U.S. government in the first half of 2022.
For the first time ever, Apple has reported the total number of "geofence requests" that it received from the U.S. government. These requests are meant to include specific latitude and longitudes coordinates for a specified time period, but Apple does not collect this information as part of its commitment to customer privacy, and therefore does not provide it to law enforcement, while fully respecting the legal process.
From the Transparency Report:
Apple may also receive requests from government agencies seeking customer data related to specific latitude and longitudes coordinates (geofence) for a specified time period. Apple does not have any data to provide in response to geofence requests.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
While the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is advertised with up to 72 hours of battery life in Low Power Mode, compared to 60 hours for the original Ultra model, there is a catch.
According to fine print on Apple's website, the testing parameters for the Ultra 2 in Low Power Mode were different than those for the original Ultra.
The fine print for the original Apple Watch Ultra said:
Multi-day adventure battery life is based on the following use while in Low Power Mode and with workout settings enabled for fewer GPS and heart rate readings: 15 hours of hiking workout, over 600 time checks, 35 minutes of app use, 3 minutes of talk, and 15 hours of sleep tracking, over the course of 60 hours.
The fine print for the Apple Watch Ultra 2 says:
Battery life in Low Power Mode is based on the following use: 360 time checks, 360 notifications, 180 minutes of app use, and two 60-minute workouts with music playback from Apple Watch via Bluetooth, over the course of 72 hours.
Given these very different testing parameters, customers should keep in mind that the Ultra 2 does not simply offer 12 hours more battery life than the original Ultra in Low Power Mode, which is something that could be easily misconstrued.
It's possible the original Ultra would also get around 72 hours of battery life in Low Power Mode based on the new testing parameters, but this is not proven yet.
We've reached out to Apple with a request for comment, and we'll update this story if the company provides a response.
Apple does not list battery capacities for the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models, but MacRumors has discovered this information in a Chinese regulatory database today, and we have outlined our findings below.
According to the database, which only provides Apple model numbers instead of product names, the 41mm and 45mm Apple Watch Series 9 models appear to be equipped with 282 mAh and 308 mAh batteries, respectively. These capacities are unchanged compared to the equivalent Apple Watch Series 8 models, which makes sense given that Apple says the Series 9 models have the same 18-hour battery life as Series 8 models.
As for the Apple Watch Ultra 2, it appears to be equipped with a 564 mAh battery, which is approximately 4% larger than the 542 mAh battery in the original Apple Watch Ultra. However, Apple says the Ultra 2 has the same 36-hour battery life as the original Ultra, likely due to it having a brighter display and other new features.
A recap of the Apple Watch battery capacities listed in the database:
Apple Watch
Battery Capacity
Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm)
282 mAh
Apple Watch Series 8 (41mm)
282 mAh
Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm)
308 mAh
Apple Watch Series 8 (45mm)
308 mAh
Apple Watch Ultra 2
564 mAh
Apple Watch Ultra
542 mAh
New features for both the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 include brighter displays, a faster S9 chip, a new "Double Tap" gesture for interacting with the watches without touching the screen, and more. Both new models have been available to order since Tuesday and will begin arriving to customers and launch in stores on Friday, September 22.
MacRumors also found the same battery capacities for what appears to be the iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max as were reported earlier today. We were unable to find a listing for the regular iPhone 15 battery.
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with accessory maker Speck and Best Buy to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an iPhone 15 and a set of cases and accessories from Speck.
Speck is well-known for its range of case options for Apple's iPhones, and though the iPhone 15 models have just been announced this week, Speck is ready with a whole iPhone 15 case lineup and a selection of ClickLock MagSafe grips and mounts that work with the cases.
If you're not a fan of Apple's new FineWoven cases or don't care for the color options that Apple has available, Speck has debuted 169 new cases that are available in 17 different designs and 20 colors for all four of the new iPhone 15 models. The cases are available for purchase now from Speck's website and from BestBuy retail locations and the BestBuy website.
Speck has three types of cases that users can choose from, including standard (with no MagSafe), MagSafe, and ClickLock for MagSafe, which works with ClickLock accessories. Prices range from $25 to $50, and there are options for every aesthetic. The Presido2 Pro, for example, has Speck's Armor Cloud technology and protects the iPhone from drops as high as 13 feet while still looking stylish, plus it works with MagSafe accessories.
The Presidio2 Grip, one of Speck's most popular options, has the same 13-foot drop protection while also offering no-slip inverted grips. This version is 20 percent slimmer than previous versions of the Grip case, it has MagSafe, and it comes in a range of color options that look great with Apple's new iPhones.
If you want protection but don't want to cover up the iPhone's design, Speck has the Presidio Perfect-Clear Grip MagSafe case with no-slip grips, 13-foot drop protection, and stylish grooves at the sides. If you're not a fan of that no-slip look, there's also a Presidio Perfect-Clear case that has a smoother finish.
These cases all work with ClickLock, a technology Speck has designed to prevent accidental separation of iPhones and MagSafe accessories by adding a magnetic interlock mechanism. Speck this week came out with three new ClickLock options that work with its cases and the iPhone 15 models, including the Car Vent Mount, the Wallet, and the StandyGrip.
Priced at $30, Speck's MagSafe Wallet is definitely a product where you want ClickLock because a wallet is the last thing you want to slip off of your iPhone. Available in several colors, the Wallet holds 1-3 credit, debit, or ID cards.
The $30 StandyGrip with MagSafe and ClickLock holds the iPhone upright in a horizontal or vertical viewing position and it can be used to attach the iPhone to a MacBook so it can serve as a webcam, and that's also a situation where a secure attachment is crucial.
Speck also has the $40 Car Vent Mount for MagSafe with ClickLock that attaches to a car vent and has a built-in cable holder. It uses ClickLock to ensure that your iPhone isn't going to go flying off of the mount when you hit a bump. To see all of Speck's iPhone 15 cases and accessories, make sure to visit the Speck website.
Speck and Best Buy, the giveaway's sponsors, are providing a 128GB iPhone 15 and a selection of accessories to go with it, including a Presidio2 Grip Case, a Presidio Perfect Clear Grip Case, and a Presidio Perfect Clear Case, all of which have both MagSafe and ClickLock. Speck is also adding in its Wallet for MagSafe with ClickLock, its StandyGrip for MagSafe Stand, and its Car Vent Mount for MagSafe with ClickLock.
To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
The contest will run from today (September 15) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on September 22. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after September 22 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.
Following Apple's "Wonderlust" event, Justine Ezarik joins us on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show to talk through our reactions to the announcement of the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Justine and Dan attended this week's event at Apple Park and were able to spend some time with the new devices. They talk us through how the new, contoured design and frosted glass of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus feel in the hand and look in-person, as well as just how much smaller and lighter the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max really feel due to their titanium design. We also discuss experiences of using the iPhone 15 Pro's Action button and Double Tap on the Apple Watch Series 9, the new selection of color options, some of our favorite new features, and more. See more of Justine's work over on her YouTube channel.
If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, take a look back at our discussion with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman about what we were expecting to see at Apple's event to see what we got right and wrong.
Today we're tracking the first offers for Apple's new line of smartphones, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Additionally, the first discounts have arrived on iPhone 15 accessories like cases and USB-C chargers, and Verizon has all-time low prices on MagSafe chargers.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro pre-orders are officially up today, and you can get up to $1,000 off the new smartphones at carriers including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. We go into detail about all of these discounts and more in our dedicated post, so be sure to check it out if you haven't placed your order yet.
iPhone 15 Accessories
What's the deal? Take up to 30 percent off iPhone 15 accessories
We're tracking a list of new iPhone 15 accessory discounts from popular third-party Apple accessory companies like Pad & Quill, Hyper, Satechi, Casely, and more. These sales include discounts on cases, chargers, and more.
Casely - Take 15 percent off sitewide with code IPHONE15
Hyper - Take up to 30 percent off charging accessories
OtterBox - Take 25 percent off iPhone 15 cases when buying a screen protector or power product
Pad & Quill - Take 15 percent off iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max wallet cases
Satechi - Take 20 percent off iPhone 15 accessories with code IPHONE
ESR - Take 20 percent off iPhone 15 accessories with code AFFNEW20, or check out the discounted 6-in-1 Charging Station in its final days on Kickstarter
Samsung
What's the deal? Take up to $120 off Samsung Smart Monitor M8
Samsung this week kicked off a new "Discover Samsung" sale and it has some of the best prices we've seen to date on the updated Smart Monitor M8. You can get the 27-inch model for $549.99 ($100 off) and the 32-inch model for $579.99 ($120 off).
MagSafe
What's the deal? Take 25 percent off MagSafe chargers
Verizon is back with 25 percent off discounts on Apple's trio of MagSafe accessories. You can get the MagSafe Charger for $29.99 ($10 off), the MagSafe Duo Charger for $96.74 ($32 off), and the MagSafe Battery Pack for $74.24 ($24 off). These are some of the best prices we've tracked on these accessories.
HomePod
What's the deal? Get a free HomePod when you sign up for Verizon 5G Home Plus
Verizon is offering new customers who purchase its 5G Home Plus service a free HomePod. You'll need to activate and maintain the service for 65 days in order to get the HomePod, and this offer is valid through November 8, 2023.
Verizon 5G Home Plus includes higher-speed downloads and Ultra HD 4K video streaming and starts at $45/month.
Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.
CalDigit's Thunderbolt Station 4 (TS4) is a dock with 98W charging power and an impressive array of 18 ports, ideal for Mac setups with a wide range of connection requirements.
The dock comes with a price tag of $399.99, reflective of its high-speed data transfer, expansive connectivity, and powerful charging abilities. While it may not be the most budget-friendly option on the market, its performance and convenience make a compelling case for professionals with demanding workloads and complex Mac setups. In this review, we delve into the TS4's capabilities to determine whether its cost is justified, and help you understand if it is the right fit for your specific needs.
The dock comes with a 0.8m Thunderbolt 4 Cable, two rubber feet strips, one power cord, one 230W power supply, and a two-year CalDigit warranty.
Design
The CalDigit TS4 dock features a high-quality, durable aluminum design. Its overall footprint is reasonably compact, measuring 141mm x 42mm x 113mm, meaning that it avoids taking too much space on a desk. If that is too tall for your desktop, just slide on the included pair of rubber strips for cushioning and tip the dock over on its side. The aluminum casing has a ribbed design that gives it a more industrial look while also offering some extra surface area for effective heat dissipation.
The TS4's design, despite its compactness, does not compromise on functionality. It houses an impressive total of 18 ports that are logically divided between the front and rear of the dock. The front features easily accessible USB-C, USB-A, and SD card slots, alongside an audio input and output port. The back, meanwhile, is equipped with the remaining ports, including Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, DisplayPort, and Ethernet.
The dock is accompanied by a large power brick that, while necessary for its function, detracts slightly from the portability of the device and is an important consideration in terms of cable management.
USB Ports
The dock is outfitted with a total of eight USB ports, split between USB-C and USB-A variants. There are three 10Gb/s USB-C ports (two located conveniently on the front and one at the back), offering high-speed data transfer rates and power delivery. The dock also features five 10Gb/s USB-A ports to accommodate slightly older hardware. Four of these ports are located on the back of the device, and one is placed on the front for easy access.
One notable advantage is that the USB ports also deliver power sufficient for charging. One of the front USB-C ports delivers 20W, suitable for a MagSafe charger or even a HomePod mini. The two rear Thunderbolt ports can supply 15W, while the remaining USB-C and USB-A ports offer 7.5W. This means that even in the absence of the host computer, many of the ports will continue to supply power to your devices, effectively turning the TS4 into a handy charging station.
SD Card Slots
Two slots accommodate both full-size SD and microSD cards, with UHS-II support ensuring adequate data transfer rates for photographers or videographers. The positioning of these slots on the front of the TS4 is another thoughtful touch, enabling easy access and the quick swapping of cards.
It is worth noting that these slots are UHS-II and not the latest UHS-III specification, which means they will not offer the absolute highest transfer speeds available on the market for users with UHS-III cards. Despite this, UHS-II is still more than fast enough for the vast majority of users.
Display Support
The CalDigit TS4 offers comprehensive support for external displays, a feature that is particularly valuable for professionals who require multiple monitors for their workflow. The dock supports up to two 6K, 60Hz screens when connected via the Thunderbolt 4 ports, offering ample screen real estate. Moreover, if your requirements are focused on refresh rates, the TS4 can support up to 240Hz at a 1440p resolution. This makes it a perfect fit for graphic designers, video editors, and others who require high-resolution multi-monitor Mac setups.
In addition to the Thunderbolt 4 ports, the TS4 also includes a DisplayPort 1.4 port. DisplayPort 1.4 supports high resolutions and refresh rates, as well as features like HDR, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of displays. However, an HDMI port is noticeably absent on the device, which may be a drawback for those who rely on HDMI for their display setup, such as those using smaller OLED TVs as monitors.
Ethernet
A 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port promises substantially faster data transfer rates compared to standard Gigabit Ethernet, offering solid performance. During use of the CalDigit TS4, the Ethernet port provided exceptional performance, delivering the highest speeds observed from the router, even when the other selection of ports were virtually maxed-out.
Audio
The CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt dock comes equipped with three audio ports, including a 3.5mm audio in port, a 3.5mm audio out port, and a 3.5mm combo jack. This trio of audio ports allows for a versatile set of use cases, catering to both input and output needs.
The 3.5mm combo port on the front is especially handy for quickly connecting headphones. The separate 3.5mm audio input and output ports offer even more flexibility, accommodating for standalone microphones and speakers. For instance, you can connect an external microphone for better voice capture quality during video calls or audio recordings. The dedicated output port allows you to connect speakers without having to frequently unplug your headphones.
During testing, the audio ports on the CalDigit TS4 delivered clear and high-quality sound with no noticeable distortion or noise interference. The ease of access and the quality of the audio signal make these ports an excellent feature for those needing multiple audio connectivity options on their Thunderbolt dock.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the CalDigit TS4 offers best-in-class connectivity as a Thunderbolt dock with an extremely versatile selection of ports. With its convenient port placement, charging capabilities, and discreet design, it is a standout choice for those seeking a multitude of connection options. The ability to connect a single Thunderbolt cable to a MacBook and instantly activate two external displays and connect to over a dozen peripherals, and even charge devices regardless of whether a computer is attached, is extremely useful.
While its bulky power supply and the omission of an HDMI port may be off-putting to some users, it still offers a wide variety of features that make it a strong competitor in the market. It is easy to recommend the TS4 to any Mac user looking to level-up their setup and meet a wide range of connectivity needs.
How to Buy
The CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4 is available for purchase directly from CalDigit's website, as well as other online retailers like Amazon. The price at the time writing is $399.99, though prices may vary depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions or sales.
Note: CalDigit provided MacRumors with a Thunderbolt Station 4 for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
Apple's new iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max are equipped with a "completely standard" USB-C port without any restrictions on cables or accessories, according to Ars Technica's Andrew Cunningham.
For previous iPhones with the Lightning connector, Apple limits the functionality of some cables and accessories that are not certified through its "Made for iPhone" program. It was rumored that Apple might apply similar limitations to the USB-C port on iPhone 15 models, but this report confirms that is not the case.
As with iPads and Macs with USB-C ports, the report said all existing USB cables, chargers, and accessories will work normally with the iPhone 15 models.
As the report notes, it is still possible that Apple will launch a "Made for iPhone" certification program for iPhone accessories with a USB-C port, but it appears that uncertified accessories will work just fine with the devices.
All four iPhone 15 models are equipped with a USB-C port, but there are differences in data transfer speeds. The lower-end iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are limited to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds of up to 480 Mbps, which is equal to Lightning, while the iPhone 15 Pro models support USB 3 data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps.
Apple began accepting pre-orders for all four iPhone 15 models earlier today. The devices launch on Friday, September 22.
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are available in an entirely refreshed range of colors thanks to a new titanium design. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro families have different color options, so if you have your heart set on a particular shade, you may not be able to get your preferred model in that color. This guide focuses on the iPhone 15 Pro models, but for more information about the color options of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, check out our other color options guide.
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are available in four colors, all of which are different from those available on last year's iPhone 14 Pro models. This year's iPhone color options are quite different from those offered in previous years because the device now features a titanium frame with a brushed texture and contoured edges, as opposed to the polished stainless steel offered since 2017's iPhone X. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max's four available color options are:
Black Titanium
White Titanium
Blue Titanium
Natural Titanium
The color option that Apple previously called "Silver," encompassing a design with silver metal and white glass, has been available on iPhones for over a decade. This is now "White Titanium" on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. This shade has been tweaked to feature a slightly more beige back glass and softer overall tone.
2022's "Space Black," which was previously "Graphite," is now simply "Black Titanium." It is more of an extremely rich, dark gray tone than deep black. Blue Titanium, on the other hand, appears to be more like navy blue, deeper than previous shades such as the iPhone 12 Pro's Pacific Blue. Black and Blue Titanium may be more likely to attract fingerprints on account of their darker finish. Scratches, scuffs, and dents could also be more visible on these finishes than White or Natural Titanium.
"Natural Titanium" is a wholly new shade that showcases the true color of the titanium frame with no color applied to its surface in the PVD process. The rear glass is a matching mid- to-light gray tone. The finish is very similar to that of the Apple Watch Ultra, which also has a titanium casing. It also harks back in some ways to the Space Gray finish of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S.
It is worth noting that there is no iPhone 15 Pro with a Gold finish. Gold was available through 2013's iPhone 5S to 2017's iPhone 8, and then on 2018's iPhone XS to 2022's iPhone 14 Pro. If you were a fan of this color in previous years, you will now need to look to one of the other options. The warm gray of Natural Titanium may be the best alternative.
How to Decide on a Color
If you use your iPhone with a case, you may wish to consider which device color will best complement it. You may prefer neutral tones such as White Titanium or Black Titanium and use a more colorful case. Alternatively, you could choose a more striking device color like Blue Titanium and use a more neutral case for an interesting contrast.
White or Black Titanium may age better over time as new devices are released since they are more neutral, almost monochrome shades that tend to have a more timeless effect. If you do not use a case at all, you may wish to take advantage of a more eye-catching color option such as Natural or Blue Titanium.
If you want an iPhone in a shade that is noticeably brand new, Natural Titanium is the best option. It is most likely to indicate that you have the latest-generation device and could be the most popular color option this year since it is quite different from the offerings in recent years.
Your choice of color may also be dependent on how often you upgrade your iPhone. If you upgrade every year, you may be more confident in buying a more striking new color. If you upgrade more often, it can be a good idea to get a different color every time. A new finish can certainly add some novelty to purchasing a new iPhone and make it feel more different from your previous device. Alternatively, if you tend to keep your iPhone for many years and upgrade less often, it may be wiser to consider a color that is more similar to one you have enjoyed previously.
Customers with multiple Apple devices may also want to get an iPhone color that complements their other devices. For example, if you have a Midnight MacBook Air and HomePod, Blue Titanium is a good match. The Apple Watch Ultra will be best complimented by Natural Titanium, while Apple Watches with stainless steel casings will be best matched by White Titanium.
Apple began accepting pre-orders for the new iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max today, and shipping estimates for the devices on Apple's online store are already beginning to slip into November for many configurations.
As of 7:15 a.m. Pacific Time in the U.S., the iPhone 15 Pro Max is facing up to a 6-7 week shipping estimate for some configurations on Apple's online store, while the iPhone 15 Pro faces up to a 2-3 week delay for some models. The lower-end iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are largely still available for launch-day delivery.
Inventory will inevitably continue to tighten for both delivery and Apple Store pickup as the day progresses, so order quickly if you are planning to.
As is common when iPhone pre-orders begin, some customers have encountered errors while attempting to place their orders on Apple's website or in the Apple Store app, amid the influx in demand. The issues will likely resolve as the day progresses.
iPhone 15 Pro models have several new features, including a USB-C port, lightweight titanium frame, customizable Action button, faster A17 Pro chip manufactured with a 3nm process, up to 5x optical zoom on the Pro Max model, thinner bezels around the screen, Wi-Fi 6E support, an increased 8GB of RAM, and much more.
The devices will launch in stores and begin arriving to customers on Friday, September 22.
Apple is now accepting pre-orders for the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max through its online storefront and the Apple Store app. The Apple Store app is typically the quickest way to get a pre-order in as it is often accessible before the website comes up.
Pre-orders are being accepted in more than 40 countries and regions around the world, and those who used Apple's "Get Ready" feature should be able to hit a button to get their orders in without hassle.
Pricing on the iPhone 15 starts at $799 or $33.29 per month in the United States, while pricing on the iPhone 15 Plus starts at $899 or $37.45 per month. The iPhone 15 Pro is available starting at $999 or $41.62 per month, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max is available starting at $1,199 or $49.95 per month. Pricing will vary depending on country.
The lowest-priced iPhone 15, 15 Plus, and 15 Pro models have 128GB of storage, but the iPhone 15 Pro Max starts with 256GB of storage. Storage upgrades are available for an increased price, with up to 1TB of storage available. Apple is encouraging customers to use trade-in credits to lower the price of the new iPhone models, and it is also promoting carrier deals from AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile in the U.S.
All of the iPhone 15 models are equipped with USB-C ports, the Dynamic Island, a new Ultra Wideband chip, Qualcomm 5G modems, and a range of camera updates. The more affordable iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus have an A16 chip, an aluminum frame, and a frosted glass back, as well as a new 48-megapixel Main camera. There have been updates to Portrait mode, Night mode, and general improvements to image quality thanks to Smart HDR updates.
The iPhone 15 Pro models feature a new titanium frame that makes them much lighter than prior-generation models, with titanium also offering increased strength and durability. Apple replaced the mute switch with an Action button that can be customized with a number of functions, and display bezels have been slimmed down.
Pro models are also equipped with a faster A17 Pro chip with major GPU improvements that enable them to play console-level games, and they feature all of the camera improvements from the iPhone 15 models, plus more.
Both models have improved Ultra Wide cameras, and while the iPhone 15 Pro still has a 3x Telephoto lens, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a new tetraprism mechanism for its Telephoto lens, enabling 5x optical zoom.
It's not yet clear on whether there will be shortages of the new iPhone models, but it is a good idea to pre-order right away just in case. There were rumors of production difficulties with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, so it is possible it will sell out. The 5x zoom lens, the new titanium material, and the A17 Pro chip make it especially enticing.
U.S. carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are accepting preorders for the new devices, as are other carriers worldwide. Big box retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart have pre-orders available too.
Customers who pre-order one of the iPhone 15 models can expect to begin receiving their deliveries on Friday, September 22, the official launch date for the new devices.
Apple does not advertise battery capacities for its new iPhone 15 lineup, but MySmartPrice has obtained this information from a Chinese regulatory database.
The Chinese regulatory listing reveals that the iPhone 15 has a 3,349mAh battery (rated capacity) and a wattage of 12.981Wh, while the iPhone 15 Pro has a 3,274mAh battery and a wattage of 12.70Wh.
Battery capacities for the full iPhone 15 lineup:
iPhone 15: 3,349mAh
iPhone 15 Plus: 4,383mAh
iPhone 15 Pro: 3,274mAh
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 4,422mAh
Battery capacities for the 2022 iPhone 14 lineup:
iPhone 14: 3,279 mAh
iPhone 14 Plus: 4,325 mAh
iPhone 14 Pro: 3,200 mAh
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 4,323 mAh
The same database accurately revealed battery capacities for all four iPhone 14 models ahead of those devices launching last year.
Despite the incremental increases shown above, Apple did not highlight any battery life improvements for its new iPhone 15 models compared to their direct predecessors, presumably because any difference is negligible in real-world usage. This comes contrary to a multitude of rumors prior to Apple's event, which suggested that the major efficiency improvements of the A17 Pro chip would bring battery life improvements.
According to Apple, the approximate battery life of each of iPhone 15 model is as follows:
iPhone 15: 20 hours
iPhone 15 Plus: 26 hours
iPhone 15 Pro: 23 hours
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 29 hours
This is exactly the same as the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Of course, it's possible that efficiency improvements may still result in slightly better real-world performance in Apple's latest models, but we won't know until third-party tests are available.
All four iPhone 15 models were announced by Apple earlier this week and will be available to pre-order on Friday. The devices are set to launch on September 22.
Apple said on Friday it would issue a software update for iPhone 12 users in France to address radiation concerns raised by the country's regulators (via Reuters).
"We will issue a software update for users in France to accommodate the protocol used by French regulators. We look forward to iPhone 12 continuing to be available in France," Apple said in a statement.
"This is related to a specific testing protocol used by French regulators and not a safety concern," added the company.
The French regulator ANFR said it would test the software update. If it made a difference to the electromagnetic waves the device emitted, the regulator said it would bring the model into compliance with European standards applied in France, and the marketing withdrawal order would be lifted.
Earlier this week, France ordered Apple to halt iPhone 12 sales and "fix" existing devices to bring them into electromagnetic radiation compliance with European standards. The increase in emitted electromagnetic radiation observed over time by regulators appears to have been the result of successive software updates issued by Apple, and was not present when the iPhone 12 was launched in 2020.
The ANFR ordered Apple to "remove the iPhone 12 from the French market from September 12 due to the model exceeding the limit" for electromagnetic absorption by the body. The agency also told Apple to recall every iPhone 12 it has ever sold in the country. Ministers later said that though the radiation level was above the accepted standard, it was not dangerous and people were safe to continue using the phones, local media reported.
Following the controversy, Apple reportedly advised its tech-support staff not to volunteer any information when consumers ask about the issue, and tell any concerned customers that that all Apple products go through rigorous testing to ensure that they're safe, according to guidance.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Apple today shared an ad for the iPhone 15 Pro, exclusively highlighting the new titanium finish of the devices.
The 38-second spot depicts a titanium fragment exploding into view and torpedoing through the Solar System towards the surface of the Earth. "From the edge of the universe... to the palm of your hand," reads the ad's tagline.
Might meets light. Introducing the new titanium iPhone 15 Pro. Featuring a whole new level of gaming performance with the A17 Pro chip. A more versatile, more advanced Pro camera system. And an aerospace-grade titanium design. iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are our lightest, most powerful Pro models ever.
For the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple is using a new titanium frame rather than a stainless steel frame, which cuts down on weight. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are approximately nine percent lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, yet the chassis is more durable.
The use of titanium on the iPhone 15 Pro also brings with it a change to the chassis finish. Previously, all Pro iPhones used heavily polished stainless steel with a mirror finish as the chassis material. The iPhone 15 Pro has a brushed finish that is considerably less reflective than the finish of previous Pro iPhones, and is also less prone to fingerprints.
Apple's iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus continue to feature a chassis made from aluminum. Pre-orders for all iPhone 15 models begin on Friday, September 15, with in-store availability beginning a week later on September 22.
Apple's online store is down ahead of iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro pre-orders, which are expected to be available at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time in the United States.
"We can't wait either," reads the Apple Store's message when visiting the U.S. website. "Pre-order begins at 5:00 a.m. PDT. See you then." Apple has been doing 5:00 a.m. pre-orders for the last several years instead of the 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time pre-orders that it used to have.
Customers in more than 40 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, the UAE, the U.K., and the U.S., will be able to pre-order iPhone 15 models when the store comes back online.
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will be available in pink, yellow, green, blue, and black in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities, while the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be available in black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium finishes, in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities.
The iPhone 15 is priced starting at $799, while the iPhone 15 Plus is priced starting at $899. The iPhone 15 Pro is priced starting at $999, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max is priced starting at $1,199. After pre-orders take place, a launch will follow on Friday, September 22.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max are set to begin on Friday, September 15 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time, with the new devices set to become available in multiple countries around the world simultaneously.
We've created a list of when pre-orders will take place in various countries so MacRumors readers can be some of the first to place an order. Note that we have not listed every time zone for all countries, nor have we listed all of the available pre-order countries, so you should double check your specific time zone to know when pre-orders are happening where you're located.
Australia West - 8:00 p.m. AWST
Australia East - 10:00 p.m. AEST
Austria - 2:00 p.m. CEST
Belgium - 2:00 p.m. CEST
Canada West - 5:00 a.m. PDT
Canada East - 8:00 a.m. EDT
China - 8:00 p.m. CST
Denmark - 2:00 p.m. CEST
Finland - 3:00 p.m. EEST
France - 2:00 p.m. CEST
Germany - 2:00 p.m. CEST
Guernsey - 1:00 p.m. BST
Hong Kong - 8:00 p.m. HKT
Ireland - 1:00 p.m. IST
Isle of Man - 1:00 p.m. BST
Italy - 2:00 p.m. CEST
Japan - 9:00 p.m. JST
Jersey - 1:00 p.m. BST
Luxembourg - 2:00 p.m. CEST
Netherlands - 2:00 p.m. CEST
New Zealand - midnight NZST next day
Norway - 2:00 p.m. CEST
Portugal - 1:00 p.m. WEST
Puerto Rico - 8:00 a.m. AST
Saudi Arabia - 3:00 p.m. AST
Singapore - 8:00 p.m. SGT
Spain - 2:00 p.m. CEST
Sweden - 2:00 p.m. CEST
Switzerland - 2:00 p.m. CEST
Taiwan - 8:00 p.m. CST
UAE - 4:00 p.m GST
United Kingdom - 1:00 p.m. BST
United States West - 5:00 a.m. PDT
United States Mountain - 6:00 a.m. MDT
United States Central - 7:00 a.m. CDT
United States East - 8:00 a.m. EDT
US Virgin Islands - 8:00 a.m. AST
Customers in the United States can still "Get Ready" for the iPhone 15 launch with a pre-order setup process that allows them to select an iPhone, confirm it with a carrier, and enter a payment method and shipping address.
Those hoping to get a device on launch day should pre-order right away, as we do not yet know what the available supplies will look like. Popular iPhone models often sell out quickly, so we could see the new colors disappear within a matter of minutes to hours.
Pricing on the iPhone 15 models starts at $799, while pricing on the iPhone 15 Pro models starts at $999. Many U.S. carriers are offering discounts, and Apple is offering the iPhone Upgrade Program and trade-in options to drop the price.
After pre-orders on September 15, the first iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro orders will arrive to customers on Friday, September 22.
Following the launch of iOS 16.6.1 on September 7, Apple has stopped signing iOS 16.6, the previously available version of iOS. Now that iOS 16.6 is no longer being signed, it is not possible to downgrade to that version of iOS after upgrading to iOS 16.6.1.
Apple routinely stops signing older versions of iOS after new releases come out to encourage customers to keep their operating systems up to date, so it is not unusual that the iOS 16.6 update is no longer being signed.
iOS 16.6.1 is an update that addresses a zero-day security vulnerability that Apple says was actively exploited in the wild. If you have not updated, it is a good idea to do so.
Blackmagic Design today announced the launch of Blackmagic Camera, a new iPhone app that integrates with Blackmagic Cloud and uploads content directly to the DaVinci Resolve video editing app.
The app features the same digital film camera controls and image processing functions that are available with Blackmagic Design's cameras. The company says that users can create YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram content with a "Hollywood" cinematic look and feel.
All settings are adjustable, including frame rate, shutter angle, audio levels, tint, shutter speed, lens, white balance, and ISO, with a simple tap-based interface. The interface includes record parameters, histogram, focus peaking, levels, and frame guides, and it can be brought up with a swipe. Focusing can be done by tapping on the screen, and there are options for shooting in 16:9 or vertical aspect ratios.
4K ProRes video can be recorded directly to Blackmagic Cloud and synced directly into DaVinci Resolve. Cloud integration allows video footage to be sent to a post production studio in a matter of minutes for simpler editing, and it is available to all members of a project.
Video can also be recorded to the phone's storage and then exported to an external drive for those who prefer not to use Blackmagic Cloud, or uploaded manually to Blackmagic Cloud. Footage from multiple iPhones can be sent to DaVinci Resolve and lined up using the software's Sync Bin tool.
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