Apple unveils titanium-finish iPhone 15; vows to go carbon neutral by 2030

iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are displayed during Apple's 'Wonderlust' event at the company headquarters in Cupertino, California, on September 12. (Image: Reuters)

Tech behemoth Apple, on September 12, unveiled its latest iPhone series - iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro - equipped with machine learning technology during the Wonderlust event at the company headquarters in Cupertino, California.

Also Read | Apple event 2023: Twitter (X) adds custom animation to ‘like’ button before iPhone 15 launch

iPhone 15: A look at key features

The Titanium way

iPhone's latest models - Pro and other iPhone 15 models - will be equipped with brighter displays, and a 48-megapixel wide-angle camera. These have been designed and developed with aerospace-grade titanium - strong and lightweight - the lightest Pro model Apple has ever launched.

The revamped design also features contoured edges, and comes with an Action button which can be customised, ensuring a seamless, and a more personalised experience for iPhone users.

Also Read | iPhone Pro’s titanium finish stands out in first look at device

USB-C charging cables

With regard to the charging cables, the firm stated that the USB-C charging cables will be available for its iPhone 15. Also, users will be able to charge their AirPods or Apple Watch directly from iPhone using the connector. This move underscores European regulators' mandate to use USB-C, and will enable the use of the same charging cables used for iPads and Macs.

It is also to be noted that both iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are compatible with USB 3 for data transfer speeds up to 10 gigabits per second, which is 20 times faster than the previous pace.

High-tech camera lens

The advanced cameras on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max both are A17 Pro-enabled and pack the equivalent of seven pro lenses. The 48MP main camera, empowered with computational photography, will provide users higher flexibility with a default 24MP super-high-resolution default. This will cater never-seen-before image quality, yet at a practical file size which is ideal for storing and sharing.

Users can swap among three focal lengths — 24 mm, 28 mm, and 35 mm — in the main camera, as well as pick a new default. What more! The main camera also supports 48MP HEIF images with a resolution capacity which is four times higher.

Moreover, the iPhone 15 Pro has the capability to capture "spatial videos" with the help of two of its cameras for a three-dimensional video, as per the company. These videos can also be viewed on Apple's Vision Pro headset - slated for an early roll-out in 2024 - according to marketing chief Greg Joswiak, as quoted by Reuters.

Recycled batteries, satellite-connectivity feature, advanced chips

Furthermore, the batteries in these phones will be 100 percent recycled cobalt. Also, according to the company, iPhone 15's satellite connectivity will help in roadside assistance. It has tied up with the American Automobile Association (AAA) in the United States to roll out the feature to consumers.

Both iPhone 15 and iPhone Pro Max are equipped with second-generation ultra wideband chips. This will empower the iPhone devices to connect at a higher range - three times than before.

Subsequently, this breakthrough feature will enhance the Precision Finding for Find My friends feature, which will help iPhone 15 to find each other by sharing their location even in crowded areas.

Also, both devices support Wi-Fi 6E, ensuring an enhanced and seamless wireless performance, which 2 times faster speeds. Both are integrated with super-fast 5G.

Machine Learning Tech

Apple has used machine learning technology to detect a person in the frame, which will enable users to quickly turn an image into a portrait or later in the Photos app.

Price range

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will be available in India for Rs 79,900 and Rs 89,900, respectively. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro will be priced at Rs 1,34,900 and the iPhone 15 Pro Max will be available at Rs 1,59, 900.

Also Read | Apple’s iPhone price bump is part of subtle revenue-boosting strategy

Apple Watches - Ultra 2 and Series 9

The firm also displayed its latest watches, including a Series 9 Watch that comes with a "double tap" feature. The Series 9 watch is integrated with a new chip which comes with enhanced data-crunching capabilities. The tech biggie has integrated a four-core "Neural Engine" which has the capability to process machine learning tasks up to twice as quickly. The company is touting this Neural Engine as the building blocks for its chips which are empowering AI functions. These AI components enhance Siri's accuracy by 25 percent.

Another new watch revealed by the company - Ultra 2 - which is outdoor sports-focused comes equipped with fresh features for cycling and diving. According to the firm, it will also come with the brightest screen that has been ever made. It will also come with a S9 chip - being touted as the most powerful till date.

Thanks to the machine learning integration in these watches, users can now double tap by just finger-pinching with their watch hand to perform tasks such as answering or ending phone calls, pausing music, or searching information such as the weather.

While prices for the Series 9 watches start at Rs 41,900, the Ultra 2 watch prices begin at Rs 89,900, available to buyers from September 22.

Apple also rolled out lower-carbon watches, further reaffirming its commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Vision carbon-neutral 

Apple has been making organic efforts to fulfil its vision of going carbon neutral by 2030.

It is aimed at making every product in its supply chain carbon neutral and stressing on the use of green energy — right from the design stage to manufacturing to end-market delivery and consumption. The company is focussed on developing products with recycled and low-carbon materials.

It is learnt from the company statement that both iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max  have used recycled materials, with a 100 percent recycled aluminium substructure, along with fully-recycled cobalt in the battery, marking a first and breakthrough for the tech for Apple.

Both models also include fully-recycled rare earth elements in all magnets, fully-recycled gold in the USB‑C connector, as well as the gold plating and tin soldering in multiple printed circuit boards, in line with the company's energy-efficiency practises. These are also free of mercury, PVC, and beryllium.

Not just this! More than 99 percent of the packaging is made out of fiber, another step closer for the company toward its goal of eradicating plastic from its packaging by 2025. The company has also stated that it will no longer use leather in any of its products, including iPhone accessories, to minimise its impact on the environment.

Also Read | Apple hails latest watch as its first carbon neutral product

Bottlenecks in China

Apple has been battling with market bottlenecks in China, due to the burgeoning restrictions being imposed by the Chinese government on the use of iPhones in government offices. Also, competition from Huawei Technologies' first new flagship phone is another headwind to Apple iPhone's supply demand in the country.

Also Read | Apple’s iPhone 15 debut includes higher price on top model

Notably, Huwaei recently boosted it target for the second-half shipment of its Mate 60 series smartphone by 20 percent, as reported by China's Securities Times on September 12 a few hours before Apple's event.