Apple Store website crashes ahead of iPhone 15 launch event

Just six hours before the highly anticipated iPhone 15 launch event, the Apple Store website is no longer available.

While users can typically browse a range of devices when visiting the site, they are now greeted with a disclaimer that reads, “Be right back.”

“We’re making updates to the Apple Store. Check back soon.”

A blue-gray version of the Apple logo also appears, suggesting that the outage is related to the launch of the iPhone 15.

The event, titled Wanderlust, will take place at 10:00 a.m. PT (6:00 p.m. BST) in Cupertino, California.

While users can typically browse a range of devices when visiting the site, they are now greeted with a disclaimer that reads, “Be right back.” We’re making updates to the Apple Store. Check back soon’

Although Apple hasn’t mentioned a new iPhone, For over a decade, the company has introduced a new device every fall.

Apple will livestream the event on its website later today.

MailOnline will also broadcast the event live. So check back on Tuesday for the latest Apple promotions.

As for when the iPhone 15 will actually come onto the market, Apple insider Mark Gurman believes the release will take place less than two weeks after the event.

He said he was told by an unnamed source that it would go on sale on September 22, meaning Apple “will have about a week of iPhone 15 sales in the fourth fiscal quarter.”

Apple is expected to unveil four variants of the iPhone 15 – the standard iPhone 15, the iPhone 15 Plus, the iPhone 15 Pro and what may be called the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

According to leaker Andrew O’Hara, Apple has decided to change the name of the iPhone Pro Max (the top-end version) to “iPhone Ultra”.

Whatever the name, it’s still considered one of its two “Pro” models, meaning it has more power and greater capabilities – and at a higher price too.

Some features will be exclusive to the higher-end versions, although the biggest design changes will likely apply to the entire iPhone 15 family.

According to Gurman, the iPhone 15 promises to be “the biggest update to the device in three years” – since the launch of the iPhone 12 in 2020.

Here’s what we know about the iPhone 15’s design, based on leaks and predictions from industry experts

The biggest change to the iPhone 15 will be a new USB-C charging port, which is already widely used on Android phones, laptops and more.

Due to an EU law, Apple has switched to USB-C and moved away from its own charging design called Lightning (recognizable by the eight pins).

The new legislation aims to make uniform charging design the common standard – and ultimately reduce e-waste.

Apple was effectively forced to make this design change due to EU law, even though the company could technically have made iPhones with Lightning connectors if they were sold in non-EU countries.

Along with a new charging port, the iPhone 15 will support faster charging speeds of up to 35W – significantly more than the iPhone 14, which has a charging speed of just 20W, another leaker claims.

This means the upcoming smartphone could be charged from 0 to 100 percent in just an hour, saving valuable time for users in a hurry.

More details about Apple’s new flagship have gradually leaked, based on insider knowledge and hints from “dummy units” (exact models provided to third parties to design their phone accessories).

The iPhone 15 will reportedly have more curved edges to fit better in the hand and frames made of titanium instead of stainless steel.

According to a YouTuber who accessed dummy units, the back of the new phone is now covered in matte glass instead of polished glass.

It is possible that the Apple logo design in the official promotional image is a nod to the new materials.

The iPhone 15 will be unveiled today in a livestream presented by CEO Tim Cook at Apple Park, the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, California (pictured).

Pictured: iPhone 14 models that were available in stores a year ago. The new iPhone 15 is said to have better charging options

Although Apple doesn’t expect to increase the size of the iPhone’s screen this year, it will shrink the bezel that runs around the edge – also called the “bezel.”

Gurman has claimed that the bezel size around the display will be 1.5 millimeters, up from about 2.2 millimeters on current iPhones.

In the long term, Apple wants to release an iPhone that “really just has a screen,” with no bezels around the display and no cutouts for cameras or sensors, he says — and the iPhone 15 is a step toward that goal.

Apple has already filed a patent for an all-glass phone, potentially hinting at longer-term plans from the secretive company.

According to Hong Kong-based Apple analyst Jeff Pu, the two iPhone 15 Pro models will be more expensive than previous iPhone Pros.

Apple increased prices on the Pros this year due to major hardware updates, including the titanium frame and A17 Bionic chip, he claims.

Although Pu didn’t reveal exact price tags, it’s worth noting that last year’s iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max started at £1,099/$999 and £1,199/$1,099, respectively.

Tim Long, analyst at Barclays, also expects price increases for the two more expensive iPhone 15 models, while the standard and Plus models will be around the same level as last year.

The standard model of the iPhone 14 cost £799/$849, while the iPhone 14 Plus cost £949/$899.