Apple is preparing to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup at its upcoming September 9, 2025 “special event”. As usual, the new models are expected to bring design changes, performance upgrades, and new features across the range. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect.
📅 Release Date
- Announcement: September 9, 2025 (Apple’s confirmed event date)
- Pre-orders: Likely September 12, 2025
- Release / In-store availability: Expected September 19, 2025 (to be confirmed) (source: Forbes)
📦 iPhone 17 Lineup
Apple is expected to launch four models this year:
- iPhone 17 (standard)
- iPhone 17 Plus
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- New iPhone 17 Air (rumored lighter, slimmer variant aimed at portability) (source: Macworld)
🖥️ Design & Display
- Larger displays: Slight increases in screen sizes across the lineup.
- ProMotion (120Hz): Finally coming to all models, not just Pro versions (source: MacRumors).
- Slimmer bezels: Apple is working on reducing border thickness for a more immersive look.
- iPhone 17 Air: Expected to be the thinnest iPhone ever, with a lightweight build.
⚡ Performance & Hardware
- Processor: iPhone 17 and 17 Plus may get the A18 chip, while the Pro models are rumored to feature the A19 Pro with next-gen efficiency.
- RAM: Pro models could jump to 12GB RAM, while standard models stay at 8GB.
- Wi-Fi 7 support: Faster wireless connectivity across the lineup.
- Battery: Efficiency improvements, with the Air model possibly having a smaller but optimized battery.
📸 Cameras
- Pro models: Rumored 48MP ultra-wide and improved telephoto sensors.
- Standard models: Likely incremental improvements, but still benefiting from Apple’s computational photography.
- Front camera: Better low-light performance, possible under-display Face ID testing (though may not arrive until iPhone 18).
🛠️ Software
- Ships with iOS 19 out of the box.
- New AI-powered features expected, including smarter Siri, generative photo editing, and real-time translation improvements.
💰 Price Expectations
- iPhone 17: ~$799 starting
- iPhone 17 Plus: ~$899
- iPhone 17 Pro: ~$1,099
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: ~$1,199
- iPhone 17 Air: Pricing unclear, but may sit between the standard and Pro models (possibly ~$999).
(Source: PC Guide)
Key Takeaways
- Launching September 9, 2025, with release expected on September 19.
- New “iPhone 17 Air” model joins the lineup.
- ProMotion 120Hz finally standard on all models.
- Wi-Fi 7, A18/A19 chips, and improved cameras across the lineup.
- iOS 19 with more AI-driven features.
iPhone 13 vs 15 Comparison
Looking for an upgrade or deciding between iPhone models? The iPhone 13 and iPhone 15 represent two generations of Apple’s flagship devices, with notable differences that might influence your decision. The iPhone 15 offers several significant improvements over the iPhone 13, including the replacement of the notch with the Dynamic Island, a more powerful processor, and an upgraded 48MP main camera that captures better detail and quality.
The design changes are immediately noticeable, with the iPhone 15 featuring USB-C connectivity instead of Lightning, giving users more flexibility with charging and accessories. Performance improvements are also substantial, with the iPhone 15 packing more RAM and processing power than its predecessor, making it better suited for demanding tasks and future software updates.
While these upgrades make the iPhone 15 technically superior, the iPhone 13 remains a capable device that can handle everyday tasks with ease. The price difference between the two models is worth considering, as the iPhone 13 now represents a more budget-friendly option while still offering solid performance and features.
Key Takeaways
- The iPhone 15 features Dynamic Island, USB-C connectivity, and a 48MP camera upgrade over the iPhone 13’s notch design and 12MP camera.
- Performance improvements in the iPhone 15 include a faster processor and more RAM, making it more future-proof than the iPhone 13.
- The iPhone 13 remains a cost-effective option with good performance for users who don’t need the latest features.
Design and Display
The iPhone 15 brings significant design updates compared to the iPhone 13, with both visible changes and underlying improvements. These differences extend from the materials used to build the phones to their display technologies.
Materials and Build Quality
The iPhone 15 introduces a color-infused back glass with a textured matte finish, a departure from the glossier finish found on the iPhone 13. This new approach reduces fingerprints while giving the device a premium feel.
The frame on the iPhone 15 remains aluminum like its predecessor, but Apple has refined the edges for a more comfortable grip. Both models feature Ceramic Shield front glass for protection against drops.
Color options have expanded with the iPhone 15, offering softer pastel shades including pink, yellow, green, blue, and black. The iPhone 13 presented bolder color choices like blue, pink, midnight, starlight, and green.
The iPhone 15 also marks Apple’s switch to USB-C from the Lightning port found on the iPhone 13, aligning with new EU regulations.
Screen Technology and Specifications
Both models feature 6.1-inch OLED displays with similar dimensions, but the iPhone 15 brings the Dynamic Island—replacing the traditional notch found on the iPhone 13. This interactive area houses the front camera and Face ID sensors while displaying notifications and live activities.
The iPhone 15 maintains the same 2532 x 1170 resolution as the iPhone 13, but offers improved brightness with peaks around 2000 nits outdoors compared to approximately 1200 nits on the iPhone 13.
Both phones use Super Retina XDR technology with True Tone and P3 wide color gamut. However, the iPhone 15 still operates at 60Hz like the iPhone 13, without the ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate reserved for Pro models.
The iPhone 15’s screen also features smaller bezels, providing a slightly more immersive viewing experience compared to the iPhone 13.
Technical Specifications and Performance
The iPhone 15 brings several hardware improvements over the iPhone 13, including processor upgrades, camera enhancements, and charging capabilities. These changes represent Apple’s technological evolution across two generations of devices.
Processing Power
The iPhone 15 comes equipped with the A16 Bionic chip, which offers noticeable performance improvements over the A15 Bionic found in the iPhone 13. This newer processor delivers approximately 10-15% faster CPU performance and up to 20% better GPU capabilities for gaming and graphics-intensive applications.
AnTuTu benchmark scores highlight this difference, with the iPhone 15 achieving much higher performance ratings than the iPhone 13’s score of approximately 775,519 (v9). The A16 chip also provides more efficient processing for AI-related tasks and computational photography.
Both phones run iOS 17, but the iPhone 15’s more powerful processor ensures smoother performance with the latest features and will likely maintain better performance longer as future iOS updates are released.
Storage options remain similar between generations, starting at 128GB, though the newer model may handle memory management more efficiently.
Camera Systems
The camera system represents one of the most significant upgrades between these models. The iPhone 15 features a new 48MP main camera sensor, a substantial improvement over the iPhone 13’s 12MP system. This higher resolution allows for:
- Greater detail capture in standard photos
- Better low-light performance
- More flexibility with digital zoom
- Superior computational photography capabilities
Both phones include dual-camera setups, but the iPhone 15’s secondary ultrawide lens also received upgrades in sensor quality and processing. The front-facing camera on the iPhone 15 gained autofocus capabilities, resulting in sharper selfies compared to the iPhone 13’s fixed-focus system.
Photography features like Night mode, Deep Fusion, and Portrait mode work more effectively on the iPhone 15 due to its improved image signal processor in the A16 chip.
Battery Life and Charging Capabilities
Battery performance has improved with the iPhone 15, offering approximately 1-2 hours of additional usage time compared to the iPhone 13 under normal conditions. This improvement comes from both more efficient components and potential battery capacity increases.
The most notable charging difference is the iPhone 15’s switch to USB-C from the Lightning connector used in the iPhone 13. This change brings:
- Compatibility with a broader range of cables and accessories
- Potentially faster data transfer speeds
- Alignment with global charging standards
Both phones support:
- Wireless charging (Qi standard)
- MagSafe magnetic charging at 15W
- Fast charging capabilities (reaching 50% in about 30 minutes with appropriate adapters)
The iPhone 15 maintains similar fast-charging speeds but offers slightly better overall battery efficiency during daily use.
Connectivity and Network Support
Both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 15 support 5G connectivity, offering similar network performance on compatible carriers. However, the iPhone 15 includes some refined connectivity features:
- Enhanced 5G modem efficiency for better battery life during network usage
- Improved antenna design for more reliable connections
- Bluetooth 5.3 in the iPhone 15 versus Bluetooth 5.0 in the iPhone 13
Both models support Dual SIM functionality through a physical SIM and eSIM, though the iPhone 15 offers better eSIM management through iOS 17 optimizations.
Wi-Fi capabilities remain similar, with both supporting Wi-Fi 6, though the iPhone 15 might have slight improvements in antenna design and range. NFC capabilities for Apple Pay and other contactless features function identically on both devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many iPhone users wonder about the differences between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 15 models when deciding whether to upgrade. The following questions address key comparisons in specifications, features, and user experiences.
What are the differences in specifications between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 15?
The iPhone 15 features Apple’s newer chipset compared to the A15 Bionic found in the iPhone 13. This offers faster performance and improved efficiency for everyday tasks.
Memory has been upgraded significantly, with the iPhone 15 containing 6GB of RAM versus the iPhone 13’s 4GB. The iPhone 15 also uses faster LPDDR5 memory technology.
The additional RAM in the iPhone 15 improves multitasking capabilities, enhances gaming performance, and helps apps run more smoothly compared to the iPhone 13.
Another notable change is the switch to USB-C charging ports on the iPhone 15 series, replacing the Lightning connector found on the iPhone 13.
How do the camera capabilities compare between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 15?
The iPhone 15 features upgraded camera hardware compared to the iPhone 13, with improvements in both the main and front-facing cameras.
Photo quality, especially in low light conditions, shows noticeable enhancement on the iPhone 15. Color accuracy and detail preservation have also been improved.
Video recording capabilities on the iPhone 15 offer better stabilization and dynamic range compared to the iPhone 13.
What is the expected battery life comparison between iPhone 13 and iPhone 15?
The iPhone 15 has slightly better battery efficiency due to its newer processor architecture, despite similar battery sizes.
Daily usage tests show the iPhone 15 typically lasts 1-2 hours longer than the iPhone 13 for mixed use including browsing, social media, and video streaming.
Power management improvements in the iPhone 15 help extend battery life during resource-intensive tasks like gaming and video recording.
What are the size and display differences between the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max features a slightly larger display than the iPhone 13 Pro Max, with thinner bezels that maximize screen space.
Display brightness has been improved on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, making outdoor visibility better than on the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max uses titanium in its frame construction, making it lighter than the stainless steel iPhone 13 Pro Max despite the similar dimensions.
How does the performance of iPhone 13 contrast with that of iPhone 15 in user experiences shared on platforms like Reddit?
Reddit users frequently mention that while the iPhone 13 still performs well for everyday tasks, the iPhone 15 shows noticeable improvements when running demanding applications.
Many users report that the extra RAM in the iPhone 15 makes a real difference when switching between multiple apps or keeping many browser tabs open.
Some iPhone 13 users question whether the performance upgrades justify the cost of switching, especially if their current device meets their needs.
What is the price differential between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 15 series?
The iPhone 15 base model is priced higher than the current market value of the iPhone 13, with approximately a $200-300 difference for comparable storage configurations.
Refurbished and used iPhone 13 models offer significant savings compared to new iPhone 15 devices, making them attractive options for budget-conscious buyers.
Carrier promotions and trade-in programs can significantly reduce the effective price difference between the two models, sometimes making the newer iPhone 15 more accessible.
