iPhone 15 may get 8 GB RAM, periscope camera, and more ^↺

Even though the iPhone 14 family launched just last month, many are already looking at what the iPhone 15 models may offer. According to TrendForce, a Taiwanese research company, there may be some key upgrades in store for next year's iPhone.

In a post earlier this week, TrendForce made several predictions concerning the next family of iPhones. The iPhone 15, which is expected to launch in Fall 2023, may get a bump in RAM to 8 GB, an increase from the iPhone 14 Pro's 6 GB. The iPhone 15 may also see the inclusion of a periscope lens, similar to the system used in Samsung's Galaxy Ultra series since January 2021's Galaxy S21 Ultra. 

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the two Pro models of the iPhone 15 will ditch mechanical volume and power buttons for solid state buttons, similar to the home button of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8. According to Kuo, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will include taptic engines inside both the left and right rails of the device to simulate a button press. Kuo also expects Android phones to follow suit shortly thereafter. 

Unfortunately for iPhone users clamoring for a better telephoto experience, the periscope upgrades may be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro Max (or whatever apple will name its top-tier handset). TrendForce predicts both the iPhone 15 Pro Max and standard 15 Pro will see an increase in RAM.

TrendForce also claims that Apple will continue with its two-tier system for the iPhone. According to the company, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will feature Apple's upcoming A17 Bionic chip while the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Max will ship with this year's A16 Bionic. 

As Apple confirmed earlier this week, the iPhone 15 family as a whole will move to USB-C, dropping Apple's proprietary Lightning connector. All iPhone 15 models will likely continue to use a Qualcomm 5G modem as Apple's in-house modem won't be ready for at least another two years. 

Keep in mind that these are merely predictions, so take them with a grain of salt. While the inclusion of USB-C is a foregone conclusion due to recent laws in the European Union, the other potential spec upgrades are still a rumor at this point. While Apple will upgrade its flagship phones to a new chip and likely bump the RAM, a periscope camera system is less likely.