Apple has unveiled the latest addition to its iPhone lineup, the iPhone 15. Customers eagerly lined up in front of Apple stores this morning to get their hands on the new device. The iPhone 15 offers several enhancements compared to its predecessors, including upgraded camera power, new color options, and a curved profile titanium frame for the iPhone 15 Pro.
One of the most anticipated features of the new iPhone 15 is the inclusion of a USB-C port, making it the first Apple product to feature this industry standard port. In addition, the AirPods Pro has also received a slight refresh, with the USB-C case now capable of being charged from the iPhone 15.
The base model of the iPhone 15 starts at £799 and features a 6.1″ display. The larger iPhone 15 Plus, boasting a 6.7″ display, is priced at £899. On the other hand, the iPhone 15 Pro starts at £999 with a 6.1″ display, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max, featuring a 6.7″ display, is priced at £1,199. The main difference between the two Pro models lies in the camera capabilities, with the larger Pro model sporting a ‘telescope’ lens and 5x optical zoom.
The most significant upgrade in the iPhone 15 is the introduction of the new A17 chip. The A17 Pro chip, found in the Pro models, offers a significant improvement over the base iPhone 15’s A17 chip. With a 6‑core CPU, 6‑core GPU, and 16‑core neural engine, the A17 Pro chip is optimized for high-level gaming.
Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Greg Joswiak, proudly declared that the iPhone is now the best mobile gaming platform in the world. Demonstrations of popular games like Honkai: Star Rail, Genshin Impact, The Division Resurgence, Resident Evil Village, and Resident Evil 4 showcased the new iPhone’s gaming capabilities.
“On the new iPhone 15 Pro, Honkai: Star Rail has never looked better,” said Fish Ling, miHoYo’s senior director of global business development.
One of the most exciting announcements is Ubisoft’s decision to release the upcoming AAA game, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, on all platforms, including mobile. This move may mark a turning point where mobile gaming becomes a force to be reckoned with on par with other gaming platforms. However, releasing a game across multiple platforms introduces its own set of challenges related to distribution and pricing.
The iPhone 15 Pro (& Max) comes equipped with hardware specs that take mobile gaming to a whole new level. The A17 Pro chip with its dedicated ray tracing chip, coupled with the 6-core CPU, is comparable to the best desktop CPUs. If the actual performance lives up to the theoretical speed, this device will be a game-changer for mobile gaming.
The support for AAA games on the iPhone is pushing the boundaries of available gaming options on iOS. However, developers should keep in mind that the best games on mobile are those specifically designed for small screens. It’s fantastic to see mobile devices becoming more powerful, offering a wider variety of games.
Apple’s GPUs continue to impress, but the high costs associated with the iOS ecosystem remain a concern for developers in the gaming industry. To maintain the majority of App Store revenue, Apple needs to build trust with game developers by providing them with opportunities for growth and supporting original content rather than relying solely on old ports and sporadic press announcements. Collaboration and trust are essential for Apple to establish itself in the gaming space.
