iPhone 15 line arrives

What's new in the latest iPhone model lineup?

- ALEX SUMMERSBY

AS WIDELY EXPECTED, in this year’s September virtual event, Apple announced a new generation of iPhones and Apple Watches.

The 6.1–inch iPhone 15 (starting at $799) and 6.7–inch iPhone 15 Plus ($899 and up) both have a new case design, featuring a color–infused glass better grip, and a new contoured edge on the aluminum enclosure. The Super Retina XDR displays now have a peak HDR brightness of 1,600 nits or up to 2,000 nits outdoors — twice as bright as the previous generation.

Alongside the 48MP main camera (with a new 24MP default photo output), a new 2x Telephoto option gives users three optical–quality zoom levels to choose from — 0.5x, 1x, and 2x. When there’s a person, cat, or dog in the frame, a new portrait feature automatically captures depth data, making it possible to apply Portrait in the Photos app later. A new Smart HDR mode captures more true–to–life skin tones and greater dynamic range in bright or uneven light.

Inside, both models have an A16 Bionic chip, and a second–gen Ultra Wideband chip means iPhone–to– iPhone sharing and Find My functions have three times the range they had before. They also support a new Roadside Assistance via Satellite feature, connecting you to the AAA even when cellular and Wi-Fi coverage are not available. Finally, iPhone 15 has USB–C — and you can even charge your AirPods or Apple Watch directly from iPhone over USB–C.

iPHONE 15 PRO