News
Apple iPhone 15 Rumor Roundup: Goodbye Pro Max, hello Ultra
Plus Under-display Face ID on the iPhone 16?
Another year, another rumor roundup! Even before the iPhone 14 announcement last September 2022, there were already leaks about the iPhone 15 (and even the iPhone 16).
Like with any other rumors, take these with a grain of salt. Everything you see here are just leaked and unconfirmed information and nothing has been confirmed yet.
iPhone 15 series
Bye bye Pro Max! Hello Ultra
Not that it’s shorter to pronounce (same two syllable counting as the Pro Max) but this bold move is for consistency.

Concept by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch
Apple first introduced the “Ultra” naming scheme through their in-house M1 Ultra chip. It was then followed by the Apple Watch Ultra announced last October 2022.
It makes sense for Apple to drop the “Pro Max” branding. This is in favor of a more streamlined product through the iPhone 15 Ultra. It even directly rivals its Android counterparts such as Samsung and Xiaomi.
Dynamic Island for all
In the last iPhone 14 rumor roundup, Apple putting a pill-shaped punch-hole cutout instead of a notch was introduced. But the catch was no one expected it to be immersive. They gave birth to the “Dynamic Island” feature that put Android punch-hole cameras to shame.

Concept by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch
While it didn’t blow everyone’s minds, it still is one of the hottest features of the latest iPhone 14 Pro series — even app developers mimicked the same feature into the Android ecosystem — and we even made a tutorial on that one.
@gadgetmatch When the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 has a Dynamic Island 🤪 #dynamicisland #android #smartphone #samsung #samsunggalaxy
As Apple finally had the grasp on how to implement this new type of technology among their displays, it comes to no surprise that even the basic iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models could sport the Dynamic Island — albeit still stuck at 60Hz.
Meanwhile, the Pro and Ultra models will still rock the 120Hz ProMotion displays. That further separates the higher-end models from the regular ones.
UPDATE: The new iPhone 15 Pro series are set to feature thinner-than-ever bezels at 1.81mm compared to the already thin bezels found on the existing iPhone 14 Pro series (2.17mm).
USB-C…aveat
Leaked as early as May 2022, the next iPhone will finally feature USB-C ports instead of the Lightning connector that has been there for years. What took so long? Well, EU has passed a new law that mandates companies (even Apple) to supply their devices with USB-C as the only port for charging. This further eliminates the amount of e-waste caused by a lot of faulty cables and chargers.

Concept by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch
The iPhone 15 Pro and Ultra is expected to have at least the USB-C 3.0 standard. The caveat? Regular iPhone 15 models will only be limited to a slower USB-C 2.0 standard. This means slower charging and data connection. But hey, at least you’re helping in reducing global e-waste problems.
Solid-state button comeback?
Remember the “portless iPhone” that started in our iPhone 12 rumor list? Well, we think it’s still what Apple is starting to envision next.

Concept by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch
Not to confuse with Solid-State Drives (SSDs), solid-state buttons are the types of buttons that rely on capacitive touches and haptic feedback instead of physical buttons with clicking mechanisms. That’s what Apple did as early as the solid-state Touch ID on the iPhone 7 series.
On this year’s iPhones, Apple might do the same not by putting back the Touch ID, but making a similar technology on its volume and power buttons. This is one step closer in making the portless iPhone possible.
UPDATE 1: According to the long-time Apple leakser Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple has decided to scrap out the inclusion of the additional solid-state buttons due to component issues.
UPDATE 2: Based from the iPhone 15 Ultra dummy unit sent to Unbox Therapy, the old volume buttons will be replaced by a single/unified volume button. There’s even a new configurable button, making an end to the long history of iPhone’s signature mute switch.
Titanium frame
Shoot it down, but it won’t fall! The next iPhone is titanium — well at least the iPhone 15 Ultra.

Back in August 2021, it was already rumored that the 2022 iPhone 14 will have a titanium chassis instead of the usual stainless steel ones. It was even mentioned in last year’s iPhone 14 rumor roundup but unsurprisingly, the iPhone 14 Pro series still had stainless steel frames. However, we might actually see titanium-touting iPhones first this year.
Titanium is a wiser choice considering it’s stronger and more durable, yet lighter. This is why it’s a rare (and expensive) model when buying an Apple Watch before, specifically the Watch Series 5.
First ever periscope lens on an iPhone

Concept by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch
With the recent news confirmation of Apple using Sony sensors for over a decade now, it might be possible for them to introduce a new generation of periscope lens on the next iPhone — at least on the Ultra variant.

Concept by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch
Apple is planning to put a periscope lens with a 6x optical zoom capability on the new Ultra model. An upgrade from the usual 3x telephoto zoom lens found on the existing Pro models of the iPhone 13 and 14. This further segregates the iPhone 15 Pro from the higher-end Ultra variant.
Performance and power gain
Just like the iPhone 14 and 14 series, higher-end iPhone 15 models could come with an even more efficient 3nm (nanometer) A17 Bionic chipset. Meanwhile. the base models will use last year’s A16 Bionic chipset — which is still a high-performing chipset.

There’s still no word regarding storage configuration bump-ups. It’s most likely that the basic iPhone 15 series will be stuck to a max 512GB + 4GB configuration. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro and Ultra will still come with a maxed-out 1TB internal storage and 6GB RAM.
UPDATE 1: Qi2 wireless charging standard + 15W wireless charging under the use of third-party chargers are said to be available to the upcoming iPhones.

UPDATE 2: With the recent announcement of the Apple Vision Pro, it is also rumored that the new iPhone 15 models will feature the next-gen U2 Ultra-Wide Band chip. This is particularly for an improved performance and better efficiency when using the mixed-reality headset.
UPDATE 3: The new iPhone 15 series are all set to feature bigger batteries compared to their predecessors:
- iPhone 15 = 3877mAh (vs iPhone 14’s 3279mAh)
- iPhone 15 Plus = 4912mAh (vs iPhone 15 Plus’ 4323mAh)
- iPhone 15 Pro = 3650mAh (vs iPhone 14 Pro’s 3200mAh)
- iPhone 15 Pro Max / Ultra = 4852mAh (vs iPhone 14 Pro Max’s 4323mAh)
Still on the waitlist
A blast from the past
If you haven’t noticed, Apple has been slowly bringing back its past designs. From the inspiration of the iPhone 12/13/14’s flat-edge design with the likes of the iPhone 5/5s and the first-gen iPhone SE, all the way to the 2021 iMac M1 that’s reminiscent of the iMac G3 from 2003. Like it or not, the next-gen iPhone won’t be any different.
As Jon Prosser stated in his latest report, the upcoming iPhone will most likely borrow the design of the iPhone 4 from a decade ago. Instead of that protruding camera bump, Apple might actually make the phone thicker for the cameras to get flushed.
The lack of camera cutout might look like it was inspired by Samsung’s Galaxy S22 and S23 Ultra but the iPhone 15 will still be different.
Unlike those protruding camera lenses, its thicker chassis makes it possible to remove the camera bump and protruding lenses. The cameras, LiDAR scanner, and LED flash are flushed beneath the iPhone’s glass layer. It’s just like the good ol’ iPhone 4. This makes it look cleaner and uniformed.
Under-display Face ID
Apple is thinking ahead of by making Under-display Face IDs instead of Touch IDs — a la under-display fingerprint scanners found in a plethora of Android smartphones today.

Concept by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch
But hey Apple! Could you at least equip a Touch ID sensor on the solid-state power button? Like what you did on the new generations of the iPad, iPad mini, and iPad Air?
Portless iPhone
While the 2020 iPhone rumors suggested a “portless iPhone” is coming very soon, it might not be as soon as we all thought.

Concept by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch
The introduction of MagSafe on the iPhone 12 was just a head start, and the rumored USB-C standardization on the upcoming iPhone 15 series comes next. MagSafe is a great feature that Apple introduced to wireless charge iPhones. However, it’s still far from being a complete solution to ditch wired charging. Not only is it slower than other wireless charging standards, but it’s also unconventional (at least for now).
iFold
If portless iPhones are not in Apple’s priorities now, what more with foldable iPhones?

Concept by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch
Even with early Apple patents submitted such as the folding iPad with Apple Pencil support, dual screen with hinge system, or even a clamshell iPhone such as the Galaxy Z Flip3 and motorola razr, it’s still a blurry sight if Apple will really pursue foldables in the near future. For now, we can only look at patent illustrations.

Concept by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch
Farewell, iPhone SE 4
From the news of being launched last April 2021 was scrapped, reports of delay until Q1 2022, and 2023 rumors of it being postponed or canceled altogether, the iPhone SE 4 might actually never see the light at all.

Concept by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch
The iPhone SE was the most-searched iPhone during the start of the pandemic. It gave birth to new users who want the most of an iPhone by spending less of their hard-earned fortune. But with the consumers’ shift of demand to the newest iPhone 14 and 14 Pro series, Apple has reportedly reduced production for the 2022 iPhone SE 3 and even the iPhone 14 Plus.
A 2021 rumor suggested that it will take cues from the ‘Plus’ versions of the iPhone 6/6s/7/8 with a 5.5-inch Retina Display. A follow-up 2022 report then said it will be a direct copy of the iPhone XR with a singular wide lens and a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina Display. But with the recent news telling us that the iPhone SE 4 might be gone for good due to poor demand, we don’t have anything to see anymore.
This article will be updated regularly. Updates will include new leaks and/or rumors on the Apple iPhone 15 and 16 series.
News
HONOR Robot Phone’s camera can move on its own
Its built-in gimbal lets the camera move itself.
The HONOR Robot Phone’s biggest trick is also the easiest to understand: its camera can physically move.
Instead of keeping its cameras fixed inside the phone, HONOR built a mechanical gimbal directly into the device. The system can tilt, rotate, and reposition the camera, opening up movements that aren’t possible with a conventional smartphone camera.
HONOR calls it the Titanium Agile Gimbal, and the company says it is the industry’s smallest 4DoF gimbal system. It packs more than 100 precision components into a module that’s just 9.59mm thick.
A tiny gimbal inside the phone
The 4DoF mechanical system is designed to deliver the benefits of a separate gimbal without requiring users to carry another piece of equipment.
HONOR says it reduced the gimbal’s overall volume by 65% compared with traditional gimbals while increasing its structural strength by 200%. The system uses more than 100 precision components and is backed by more than 100 patents.
At its core is a 2.6-gram titanium gimbal motor that can rotate at up to 360 degrees per second. A separate HONOR Shield Steel Flip Motor provides a torque density of 120 Nm/L.
Those numbers sound impressive, but their practical purpose is straightforward: the camera needs to move quickly and precisely while remaining small enough to fit inside a smartphone.
The camera can move on its own
The Robot Phone’s gimbal isn’t limited to simply stabilizing the camera.
It supports six dynamic camera movement modes: AI SpinShot, Default Stabilization, Tilt Locked, Super Steady, FPV, and FPV Vertical. AI SpinShot, for example, can perform 90- or 180-degree camera rolls, while the other modes are designed for different types of movement and shooting.
The phone also has three smart tracking modes: Gimbal Tracking, Subject Tracking, and Pre-Composition. These are designed to help the camera follow a subject or maintain a particular composition while the phone moves.
That’s the important distinction between the Robot Phone and a conventional smartphone with image stabilization. The camera isn’t just correcting for your movement. It can actively move to create or maintain a shot.
You can tell it what to do
HONOR also gives the gimbal its own set of AI-powered controls.
Through YOYO Robot Mode, the Robot Phone can combine voice commands, gesture recognition, AI perception, and physical movement. Users can wake the mode and deploy or stow the gimbal with a flip gesture.
Voice commands can be specific, too. HONOR says users can tell the gimbal to turn left by a certain number of degrees, look toward the sky, or rotate for a specified amount of time.
The phone can also use AI Subject Tracking to automatically frame and follow people during video calls, vlogging, and livestreaming.
That makes the Robot Phone particularly interesting for people who regularly shoot themselves. Instead of setting up a phone and constantly checking whether they’re still in frame, the camera can do some of that work itself.
The real question is how naturally all of this works in practice. We’ll get to answer that when we spend more time with the Robot Phone.
The HONOR Robot Phone is finally becoming a real product.
First shown at MWC 2026, HONOR has now officially launched the unusual smartphone. It’s bringing its moving camera system, AI-powered controls, and ARRI imaging technology to a commercial device.
The Robot Phone stands out because its camera doesn’t simply sit inside the phone. A built-in mechanical gimbal allows the camera to physically move, while AI features can help control that movement.
HONOR is positioning the device as a new kind of smartphone for people who want more freedom when shooting photos and videos.
A camera that can physically move
The Robot Phone’s standout feature is its 4DoF mechanical gimbal. HONOR’s Titanium Agile Gimbal uses more than 100 precision components and is backed by more than 100 patents. The company says it reduced the system’s size by 65% compared with traditional gimbals while increasing its structural strength by 200%.
In practical terms, the gimbal lets the phone’s camera physically move instead of relying entirely on software to stabilize footage. Its titanium motor can rotate at up to 360 degrees per second, allowing the camera to quickly change direction.
The phone supports six camera movement modes, including AI SpinShot, Tilt Locked, Super Steady, FPV, and FPV Vertical. It also has three tracking modes for following subjects and setting up compositions.
That could give smartphone creators more control over moving shots without having to carry a separate gimbal.
AI can control the camera
The Robot Phone also combines its moving hardware with AI.
Its YOYO Robot Mode can use voice commands, gestures, and AI-powered tracking to control the camera. Voice Source Localization and AI Live-Tracking can automatically pan and tilt the camera. This keeps a person in frame during activities such as vlogging, livestreaming, and video calls.
The briefing materials also show how specific these controls can get. Users can give commands such as telling the camera to turn left by a certain angle, look toward the sky, or rotate for a set amount of time.
The idea is simple: instead of always pointing the phone yourself, you can tell the phone where and how you want it to look.
YOYO can also perform more general tasks through HONOR’s agentic AI features, including multi-step actions across supported apps and system settings.
HONOR brings ARRI into the camera
The Robot Phone also marks the first product milestone from HONOR’s Cinematic Imaging Partnership with ARRI.
The collaboration brings selected elements of ARRI Image Science and professional cinema workflows to the smartphone. The main camera supports 10-bit ARRI LogC3 recording, while the phone also supports ARRI Wide Gamut 3 and ARRI Looks.
In simpler terms, these technologies are designed to give creators more control over the look and color of their footage, particularly when they edit it afterward.
HONOR says the phone’s imaging pipeline processes image data in 14-bit 4:4:4 before outputting 10-bit LogC3 and 4:2:2 video. It also claims up to 14 stops of dynamic range and an 8dB improvement in video signal-to-noise ratio through AI noise reduction.
The resulting footage can be brought into software such as DaVinci Resolve. There, creators can apply ARRI LUTs as part of a capture-to-edit workflow.
We’ll have more to say about that workflow once we get our hands on the Robot Phone.
Flagship hardware underneath
The Robot Phone isn’t all camera tricks. It is also equipped like a flagship smartphone.
The phone runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform and includes HONOR’s H1 Imaging Chip. It has a 7,060mAh silicon-carbon battery with 120W wired and 50W wireless charging.
For photography, there’s a 200MP Agile Gimbal Main Camera with a 1/1.28-inch sensor and f/1.6 aperture. It’s joined by a 200MP periscope telephoto camera with a 1/1.4-inch sensor and 2.7x optical zoom, plus a 50MP ultra-wide camera.
The phone has a 6.31-inch LTPO OLED display with a 1–120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 6,800 nits. It comes in 12GB + 512GB and 16GB + 1TB configurations.
HONOR says the Robot Phone will be available in Grey and Silver in China, with pricing and availability details to be announced at launch.
The Robot Phone has spent months making appearances at major events. Now, after its MWC debut and subsequent showcases, HONOR is finally putting the device on the path to becoming something consumers can actually buy.
Pricing and availability
The HONOR Robot Phone starts at RMB 9,999 (around USD 1,483) for the 12GB + 512GB model, while the 16GB + 1TB version costs RMB 12,999 (around USD 1,928).
Pre-orders open in China on August 12 at 8:30 PM, with sales officially starting on August 18 at 10:08 AM. The phone will be available through HONOR’s online and retail channels.
News
Galaxy Z8 series drives record-high foldable pre-orders in SEA, Oceania
Almost 60% higher volume of pre-orders versus Z Fold7
The Samsung Galaxy Z8 series has achieved a record-high volume of pre-order sales in Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Pre-orders for the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra increased by almost 60% compared to the Galaxy Z Fold7.
Since its unveiling, the Z8 series has seen positive consumer response across the globe and similarly in Southeast Asia and Oceania.
The Fold8, with its new shape, has currently emerged as the most popular option in the region, accounting for almost six in every 10 Galaxy Z8 devices ordered.
By color, Graphite and Lavender were among the most popular choices across the two regions for those who went for the Z Fold8.
Meanwhile, Violet Shadow and Graphite have been the preferred color options for the Z Fold8 Ultra and Pink and Graphite for the Z Flip8.
Alongside the Galaxy Z8 series, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9. These offer a more effortless health and wellness management experience.
Pre-orders for the Z8 series until August 13 come with exceptional value. There’s a double storage offer, eligible trade-ins for up to a PhP 14,000 discount, and Samsung Care+ free for three months.
Every eligible device purchase also includes a six-month trial of Google AI Pro. And those who pre-order the foldables can get a PhP 3,000 off on select Galaxy wearables.
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