iPhone 15 Plus: rumored release date, price predictions, latest leaks and more

The iPhone 15 Plus should be here within a day’s time. This is the Goldilocks of the iPhone 15 family, neither too small, like the iPhone 15, nor too expensive, like the iPhone 15 Pro Max. 

There have long been large and small iPhone options, but the iPhone 14 Plus offered a bargain take on the larger size, without paying more for the fancier iPhone 14 Pro cameras and unnecessarily fast A16 Bionic processor. Rumors suggest Apple will give us an iPhone 15 Plus follow-up, but it could be the last time we see this sort of Plus model in a new iPhone family. 

We have high-hoped for this mid-range model, and it might be a big upgrade over last year’s Plus model, with the same Dynamic Island found currently only on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. Every new iPhone 15 should also get a USB-C port, and we’re hearing the iPhone 15 Plus will also use a 48MP camera sensor, among other rumored additions.

Below, we’ve detailed everything we’ve heard so far about the iPhone 14 Plus, and we’ll update this article as soon as the phone is official, probably within a day. So, make sure to check back here frequently in the lead up to Apple’s September 2023 event tomorrow.

Latest leaks, rumors and news (Updated September 11)

• Here’s why Apple’s ditching of the flat edges could be great for the iPhone 15, including the iPhone 15 Plus. 
• The iPhone 15 Plus might have the same price tag as its predecessor
• The iPhone 15 Plus’s camera upgrades could be the main reason to buy it
• With the iPhone 15 Plus set to move to USB-C, we posit how Apple needs to make the transition as painless as possible. 
• The iPhone 15 Plus looks like it will be released as expected but the iPhone 15 Pro Max might be delayed by up to four weeks.
• Skip the iPhone 15 Pro? The iPhone 16 could get a much brighter OLED screen.
• Here’s why you really shouldn’t buy a new iPhone right now.
• Apple fans are divided over this iPhone 15 feature.
• The iPhone 15 could come with colorful charging cables.
• iPhone 15 charging speeds could still lag behind the competition.

Model comparison

While we’re focused on the iPhone 15 Plus in this article, it’s worth seeing how this phone might compare to the other upcoming models. So, with that in mind, the chart below contains the key expected specs for all four upcoming iPhones.

None of this is confirmed yet, rather it’s based on leaks, rumors, and in a few cases, educated guesses, but we’d expect the details below to be accurate, for the most part. It’s also worth noting that an iPhone 15 Ultra could arrive in place of the iPhone 15 Pro Max this year, but if it does, many of the Pro Max specs listed below will likely remain accurate for that phone.

iPhone 15 Plus release date rumors

• Likely to launch on September 12 when the next Apple event is taking place
• A delay until October was rumored, but now looks unlikely

The iPhone 15 Plus is expected to launch on September 12, which happens to be the official date of the Apple September event. Given September is the traditional launch month for new iPhones, we’d place a huge bet that we’ll see the entire iPhone range get revealed that day, with pre-orders likely to go live on the same day.

If you’d like to tune in to the launch, here’s how to watch the Apple event online.

The phones will then probably ship just over a week later, on, say, September 22. Judging by reports from leakers including Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the latter iPhone 15 shipping date seems more likely, at this point.

That said, one leak points to a release date delay for the iPhone 15 line, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, specifically, possibly not landing until October. This is apparently due to manufacturing problems, but we’d take this with a pinch of salt, as the rumors appear to be inconsistent; in fact, we have a rundown on whether we think the iPhone 15 Pro Maxx will be delayed or not. 

As such, we don’t think you should buy a new iPhone until the iPhone 15 range arrives, even if the new phone won’t appeal to you. 

iPhone 15 Plus price predictions

• Expect a similar or slightly higher price to last year

The iPhone 15 Plus is sure to cost at least as much as the iPhone 14 Plus, but it might cost more. According to analyst Dan Ives, the average selling price of the iPhone 15 line will be higher than last year’s, and we’ve also heard that these phones are costing more to produce.

That said, most sources seem to think that price rises will be driven by the Pro and Pro Max models, with one report specifically saying pricing won’t change with the iPhone 15 Plus, so there’s still a fair chance that the iPhone 15 Plus will have the same price as its predecessor. In that case, you can expect the following prices:

• 128GB: $899 / £949 / AU$1,579
• 256GB: $999 / £1,059 / AU$1,749
• 512GB: $1,199 / £1,279 / AU$2,099

However, don’t be surprised if the price is actually a little higher than that, and it’s also possible that prices will rise in some regions but not in others.

For details on prices for the rest of the line, check out our iPhone 15 price predictions guide.

iPhone 15 Plus colors

We have a good idea of what iPhone 15 colors to expect, and the iPhone 15 Plus is sure to come in the same shades based on past form. It’s likely, then, that we’ll see some or all of the following colors offered:

• Cyan / Green
• Light blue
• Pink
• Midnight
• Starlight
• Product (RED)

Of those options, we’ve specifically heard rumors of a green iPhone 15, a cyan iPhone 15, a blue iPhone 15, and a pink iPhone 15. The other shades are guesses based on the colors Apple usually chooses.

Reports also suggest that every iPhone 15 model will come with a color-matched braided USB-C cable. The use of braiding should make these cables more durable to the rigors of long-term use, as well as better retain their colors. You can read more about the potential benefits of Apple’s transition to USB-C, specifically, elsewhere in this article.

iPhone 15 Plus design

• A Dynamic Island instead of a notch
• Curvier edges
• A matte glass back

One big iPhone 15 design change we’re expecting is the presence of a Dynamic Island instead of a notch on all four models.

This change has been extensively rumored, and you can even see how the Dynamic Island might look on the iPhone 15 Plus, in the unofficial renders, and in some iPhone 15 Plus dummy units that have leaked.

Other changes that have been rumored include a USB-C port rather than a Lightning port, and more rounded edges on the iPhone 15 Plus than on the current model. This is something Phones Editor Alex Walker-Todd thinks could be a boon for the iPhone 15, including the iPhone 15 Plus, making it more comfortable to hold larger-screened iPhones. 

The switch to USB-C could also mean that at least some of Apple’s upcoming iPhone 15 devices will support charging up to 35W. At present, the standard iPhone 14 is limited to 20W charging, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max is capped at 27W. However, a lot of people are likely to be left with Lightning-based accessories, so US Editor-in-Chief Lance Ulanoff reckons Apple has to make the transition to USC-C with the iPhone 15 Pro as painless as possible.

One leak suggests that the iPhone 15 Plus will also have a textured matte rear, rather than the glossy one of its predecessor. This is a change that would bring it more in line with the Pro models.

Finally, there’s talk that Apple could make the iPhone 15 line eSIM only in some countries beyond the US (which has already made that change). So that would mean the removal of the SIM card slot.

The actual dimensions – and probably also weight – of the iPhone 15 Plus aren’t expected to change much though, meaning it will likely be around 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.8mm and 203g.

iPhone 15 Plus display

• Expect a Dynamic Island
• The screen size and specs could be the same as last year

We’re expecting iPhone 15 screen sizes to be much the same as they were with the iPhone 14 line, which means the iPhone 15 Plus will probably have a 6.7-inch display.

It will probably also be a 1284 x 2778 Super Retina XDR OLED display with around 458 pixel per inch – again, just like last year. Sadly the similarities also reportedly extend to the iPhone 15 Plus having just a 60Hz refresh rate, and not supporting Apple’s always-on display feature.

The only significant screen upgrade we’re expecting then is the aforementioned addition of a Dynamic Island, which means there will be a big cut-out in the screen rather than a notch at the top. You can see this in an image above, and in the tweet below, showing iPhone 15 line glass panels.

iPhone 15 Plus cameras

• A new 48MP main sensor is rumored
• The other cameras might stay at 12MP

The iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 cameras could be getting a substantial upgrade, with reports suggesting they’ll get a new primary sensor. Specifically, the iPhone 15 Plus might have a 48MP sensor, just like the iPhone 14 Pro.

However, interestingly this might be a different 48MP sensor to what the iPhone 14 Pro has, as it reportedly has a smaller sensor, which is likely to translate to inferior performance but an improvement on the 12MP main camera on the current model. 

We’ve not heard about any improvements coming to the other lenses though, meaning you can probably expect a 12MP ultra-wide camera, a 12MP selfie camera, and no telephoto lens.

iPhone 15 Plus features

• The A16 Bionic chipset from the iPhone 14 Pro is likely
• A bigger 4,912mAh battery is rumored

A new iPhone means a new chipset – although in this case possibly not that new, with the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 specs expected to include an A16 Bionic chipset.

It’s been widely rumored that the iPhone 15 Plus will use the A16 Bionic, and while that’s an upgrade on the A15 Bionic in the iPhone 14 Plus, it’s not as good as the A17 Bionic we’re expecting in the new Pro models. In fact, it’s already available in the current Pro models. Apple did a similar chipset split with the iPhone 14 line though, so this isn’t surprising.

The A16 Bionic is still an extremely powerful chipset. though, and it could be joined here by a Snapdragon X70 modem, which should also improve its 5G capabilities.

However, reports suggest that it will stick with 6GB of RAM, along with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage configurations, just like the current model.

One other thing that will likely be improved though is the battery, with a leak suggesting the iPhone 15 Plus will have a 4,912mAh battery. That’s up from 4,325mAh in the iPhone 14 Plus, so it’s a significant upgrade of around 14%. 

This size increase might be achieved through a new stacked battery design that’s been rumored for the iPhone 15 Plus, and it will also probably charge via USB-C rather than Lightning, as noted above.

Apple is also rumored to be working on reverse wireless charging, which would allow you to use the phone as a charging mat for other devices. However, it’s not clear whether this will be ready in time for the iPhone 15 line.

Finally, the iPhone 15 Plus might have a new UWB (Ultra Wideband) chip, which could help it better support the pricey Apple Vision Pro.

iPhone 15 Plus outlook

If the rumors come to fruition, in terms of a 48MP main camera, tweaked design, Dynamic Island and USB-C connectivity, then the iPhone 15 Plus could be a phone worth upgrading to, especially if you have an older iPhone and don’t want to spend a wad of cash on an Pro Max iPhone. 

However, if the iPhone 15 Plus is but an iterative upgrade on its predecessor, especially if it lacks a new look and the Dynamic Island, then it could be a bit of a dud given the iPhone 14 Plus hasn’t been a massive success compared to other Apple phones. 

More iPhone 15 stories

Hubs

• iPhone 15: everything we know so far
• iPhone 15 Pro: everything we know so far
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: everything we know so far
• iPhone 15 Ultra: everything we know so far
• iPhone 15 pre-orders: here’s what to expect
• iPhone 15 deals: here’s what to expect

FAQs

• iPhone 15 release date rumors: when will Apple’s next iPhones arrive?
• iPhone 15 specs predictions: everything we expect to see
• iPhone 15 camera predictions: rumored sensor sizes and zoom ranges
• iPhone 15 screen sizes: What we’re expecting
• iPhone 15 design predictions: what Apple’s next phones might look like
• iPhone 15 colors: every rumored shade
• iPhone 15 price predictions: how much might each iPhone 15 model cost?
• iPhone 15 always-on display: what is it and will every model have one?
• iPhone 15 models: what iPhone 15 models will there be?
• Will the iPhone 15 have Touch ID? Here’s everything we know
• Will the iPhone 15 finally get USB-C? Here’s everything we know

Comparisons

• iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: the rumored key differences
• iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 14 Pro: the rumored key differences
• iPhone 15 vs iPhone 14: how will Apple’s next vanilla model stack up?
• iPhone 15 vs iPhone 15 Pro: the rumored key differences

Buying advice

• iPhone 14 – buy now or wait for the iPhone 15?
• Should you buy an iPhone 14 Pro now or wait for iPhone 15 Pro?
• iPhone 15 Pro – 5 reasons why it’ll beat the iPhone 14
• 3 reasons not to buy the iPhone 15 if you already own an iPhone
• 3 reasons to buy the iPhone 15 if you already own an iPhone