Apple unveils iPhone 15 lineup with USB-C charger; holds line on prices
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CUPERTINO, California: Apple unveiled its new iPhone 15 lineup on Tuesday (Sep 12), with its lightning charger ports replaced on the latest models by a universal charger after a tussle with the European Union.
The European bloc is insisting that all phones and other small devices must be compatible with the USB-C charging cables from the end of next year, a move it says will reduce waste and save money for consumers.
Apple had long argued that its cable was more secure than USB-C chargers, which are already deployed by the tech firm on other devices and widely used by rivals including the world’s biggest smartphone maker Samsung.
“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 the launch event.
The biggest surprise with the iPhone 15 that will come out Sep 22 – Apple did not raise prices, reflecting the global smartphone slump.
The launch event at Apple’s Cupertino headquarters comes amid lingering economic uncertainty, especially in the firm’s third-largest market China where it faces challenges from expanded restrictions on using its iPhones in government offices and Huawei’s first new flagship phone in several years.
IPHONE 15 LAUNCH
Apple launched iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, sporting 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays, respectively, similar to their predecessors. Their batteries are made of 100 per cent recycled cobalt.
The higher-end iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models will sport an “action button” in place of the mute switch that can be customised for a variety of functions.
The Pro models will be titanium instead of stainless steel for the side bars, making them lighter and stronger.
All the new models feature a 48-megapixel main camera, with the flagship Pro Max having 5X optical zoom and 3X telephoto capability. With the Pro devices, users can record “spatial” or three-dimensional videos that could be viewed on Apple’s upcoming Vision Pro headset.
The latest iPhone’s satellite connectivity can now be used to summon roadside assistance, a feature launched in the US in partnership with the American Automobile Association.
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus get A16 bionic chip, while the iPhone 15 Pro and the Pro Max will be powered by the A17 pro chip.
The hardware on the Pro line makes the devices suitable for high-end mobile gaming, the company said.
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