According to a recent leak, the upcoming iPhone 15 Ultra is set to have a starting price of $1299, a significant increase from the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s starting price of $1099. The higher price is due to rising production costs, the need to maintain profit margins, and the inclusion of higher quality materials such as titanium in the chassis.

New iPhone 15 Ultra leak reveals shock price increase

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 15 Ultra has caused quite a stir in the tech world, with numerous leaks and rumors circulating about the new smartphone’s features and price. According to influential industry insider LeaksApplePro, the iPhone 15 Ultra will have a starting price of as much as $1299, a significant increase from the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s starting price of $1099. This marks the biggest single generational jump in iPhone history, and is likely to come as a shock to many US buyers.

Flat-edged iPhone 15 Ultra concept based on leaks of ALIARTIST3D

So what’s behind the hefty price increase? LeaksApplePro explains that rising production costs and inflation, as well as the need to maintain profit margins, are the main drivers behind the higher price point. Apple has reportedly been facing declining margins in recent years, and the company is now turning to higher prices to make up for these losses. In addition, the iPhone 15 Ultra is expected to come with a range of new and improved features, including higher quality materials such as titanium, which is significantly stronger and more expensive than the stainless steel used in previous models.

According to the leak, the iPhone 15 Ultra will ship with a minimum of 256GB of storage, double the current entry point of 128GB. This is likely to be a welcome addition for consumers, as larger storage capacity is always in high demand. The iPhone 15 Ultra is also rumored to feature dual front-facing cameras and a USB-C port with Thunderbolt 4 speeds, replacing the slower Lightning port.

Another key feature of the iPhone 15 Ultra is its use of titanium in the chassis. Titanium is known for its strength and durability, and is 3-4 times stronger than stainless steel. However, it is also much more expensive, with a current price of $35-50 per kilogram compared to $1-1.50 per kilogram for stainless steel. It remains to be seen whether the use of titanium in the iPhone 15 Ultra will justify the increased cost for consumers.

Apple iPhone 15 Ultra render based on the recent rumors of curved edges

It’s worth noting that the iPhone 15 Ultra is just one part of the upcoming iPhone 15 range, and it’s unclear how the other models in the range will be priced. LeaksApplePro states that “we don’t know the situation for the other devices in the lineup,” though it’s likely that the higher price of the iPhone 15 Ultra will have a knock-on effect on the rest of the range. It’s also worth considering that Apple typically doesn’t like to have a significant price gap between products in the same lineup, so it’s possible that the other iPhone 15 models may see similar price increases.

Overall, it looks like the iPhone 15 Ultra will be a more expensive option for consumers, but it will also come with a range of new and improved features, including higher storage capacity and a faster, more advanced port. Whether these features will justify the increased cost remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Apple is aiming to appeal to consumers who are willing to pay a premium for the latest and greatest technology.

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