Apple event — leaker tips surprise fifth iPhone 15 then says he ‘doesn’t believe it’

iPhone 15 Pro render showing cameras and display
(Image credit: Technizo)

Since 2020, Apple has released four numbered iPhones with each new generation. Yes, the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini would mutate into the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus by 2022, but four handsets with two Pro models is the groove that Apple has settled into.

Could that get a shock change this year? One leaker briefly put the cat among the pigeons yesterday, by suggesting that the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Ultra could be two different handsets.

“Based on the information I was able to obtain, we could see changes in the lineup of the new iPhone 15,” wrote the tipster Majin Bu on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter).

Bu then speculated that a theoretical Ultra model could offer 2GB more RAM, “much better camera features” and up to 2TB of storage, with a starting price of $100 more than the Pro Max.

As evidence for this, Bu followed up with a tweet highlighting that case makers appear to have both Pro Max and Ultra options available.

But even before the end of the second tweet, Bu appeared to be retreating from the claim. “I personally know for sure that two 6.7-inch different models have been tested, but I don't think both will actually be released,” he wrote, before backtracking even further in his replies.

And if there was any doubt remaining, the well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman was on hand to pour cold water on the idea of a mystery fifth iPhone 15.

“There’s only one new high-end 6.7 inch iPhone,” he tweeted. “No Pro Max and Ultra this year. Perhaps next year as I wrote in February.”

What’s in a name?

It does indeed seem unlikely that Apple would add an ultra-premium model to an already crowded set of iPhones. It’s far more likely that case makers are hedging their bets by producing cases labeled “Pro Max” and “Ultra” than that they have insider information about a new model.

That said, what the top-end 6.7-inch iPhone 15 will be called is still up in the air. True, the “Pro Max” moniker has been in place since 2019’s iPhone 11 Pro Max, but it’s always been a bit of a mouthful as names go. 

The idea of an iPhone 15 Ultra replacing the Pro Max has been swirling around for almost a year, and if the model is the only one to feature a periscope camera lens as predicted, the new branding would be a good way of differentiating it from the iPhone 15 Pro.

Plus the word "Ultra" is now part of Apple’s own lexicon — both for its M-series chips and for the top-of-the-range Apple Watch Ultra.

In other words, it’s not a stretch for Apple to introduce the iPhone 15 Ultra in nine days’ time. Just don’t expect it to coexist with the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

TOPICS
Alan Martin

Freelance contributor Alan has been writing about tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional magazine too. When not weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, you'll probably find him tackling his ever-growing games backlog. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth time.

Read more
iPhone 17 Pro render
iPhone 17 Ultra just tipped to replace Pro Max in new leak — with these key upgrades
iPhone 17 Air render
iPhone 17 Air screen size and specs leak — here's what you need to know
iPhone 16 Pro Max shown in hand
iPhone 17 Pro Max — all the rumors so far
iPhone 17 Pro render
iPhone 17 Pro Max leak claims it’s ready for production — and seems to confirm its new design
Renders of the iphone 17 in teal, green and dark green
iPhone 17 rumors — everything we know so far
CAD renders of the iPhone 17 series
iPhone 17 leaker just revealed renders of all four models — here's the new designs
Latest in iPhones
iOS 19 logo on an iPhone
iOS 19's big redesign is tipped to bring a whole new look and unite all of Apple's devices — and pave the way for a foldable iPhone
iPhone 16 Pro Max shown in hand
Forget iPhone 17 — the iPhone 18 could be the first phone with under-display Face ID
iPhone 17 Air render
iPhone 17 Air report just revealed a big surprise about battery life — and Apple scrapped this idea
iPhone Flip Concept
Foldable iPhone and foldable iPad both just tipped for production next year
A close up image of the Apple Wallet app
iOS 18.4 adds a new way to track your spending — but I think Apple can go even further
iPhone 17 Air render
New leaked iPhone 17 dummy units show off super-thin iPhone 17 Air with this surprising design tweak
Latest in News
Erin Doherty as Briony Ariston and Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller in "Adolescence" on Netflix
Netflix just got a gripping crime drama show that’s already hit No. 1 — and it’s 100% on Rotten Tomatoes
Leslie Bibb in The White Lotus season 3
Last night's 'White Lotus' cameo is less surprising than you think
Garmin Fenix 8 Sleep
New data reveals the average Garmin sleep score — do you sleep better or worse than most people?
A YouTuber holding the leaked Pixel 9a
Google Pixel 9a just fully leaked in new YouTube video — here's everything it reveals
iOS 19 logo on an iPhone
iOS 19's big redesign is tipped to bring a whole new look and unite all of Apple's devices — and pave the way for a foldable iPhone
iPhone 16 Pro Max shown in hand
Forget iPhone 17 — the iPhone 18 could be the first phone with under-display Face ID