The rumor mill is bubbling: Apple's iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are said to be equipped with a new ultra-low-energy microprocessor that will allow certain functions to be used even when the device is turned off or the battery is empty. But what is behind these rumors and what impact will the new chip have on users?
According to an insider on the MacRumors forum (via MacRumors), the new chip will replace the current Super Low Energy mode, which allows an iPhone to be located via Find My after it is turned off or for up to 24 hours when the battery is dead and to use Apple Pay Express mode for up to five hours after the battery is depleted. The new microprocessor is said to handle Bluetooth LE/Ultra Wideband functions in addition to powering the solid-state buttons, including an action button, when the phone is turned on or off or when the battery is depleted. The chip is even said to be able to detect when capacitive buttons are pressed or held and also support its own version of 3D Touch. The new chip is energy efficient and can power the solid-state buttons when the phone is turned off or the battery is depleted.
iPhone 15 Pro: Will Apple opt for Taptic Engine feedback?
The insider also claims that the new capacitive features are currently being tested with and without Taptic Engine feedback when the phone is turned off but not when the battery is dead. Whether these features will make it to production is uncertain, but they are definitely being tested. The insider further claims that he has seen two working versions of the rumored new unified volume button in testing. One method increases or decreases the volume depending on the force of the press while the other method adjusts the volume by swiping your finger up or down. However, it is unknown which method will be used in the final version.
Both features can be enabled via software and customized by the user. The solid-state capacitive buttons are expected to be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro models, while the standard iPhone 15 models will retain the traditional button mechanism of the iPhone 14 series. The iPhone 15 Pro is also expected to get a software-customizable button instead of the mute switch, and a unified volume button or "rocker" will replace the separate volume up and down buttons.
Conclusion
Apple's iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are expected to come with a new ultra-low energy microprocessor that will allow certain features to be used even when the device is turned off or the battery is dead. The new capacitive solid-state buttons and unified volume button will be reserved for the iPhone 15 Pro model. These new features will surely improve users' iPhone experience and make it possible to use certain features even when the phone is turned off or the battery is dead. Although these are rumors, the information comes from a reliable source that has shared accurate details about new Apple products in the past. We will wait with bated breath to see if Apple officially announces the new features and how they are received by users. (Photo by Benedek Alpar / Bigstockphoto)
