Since the debut of the iPhone in 2007, Apple has held a dominant position in the smartphone industry. Every new product release garners worldwide attention, especially the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro Max, which are currently leading the market.
Despite these products reaching high standards, Apple still needs to conduct in-depth research and optimization in certain areas.
The base model needs a refresh rate upgrade
In today's smartphone market, if you choose to buy an Android phone, you can almost be certain that you will have a phone with a screen refresh rate of at least 90Hz, and even more likely 120Hz (in some cases even higher).
This trend also applies to models positioned as "best budget phones," such as the Samsung A54 and Redmi Turbo 3.
However, in the iOS system, the situation is quite different. Unless you choose to purchase the higher-priced Pro series models, you will only get a 120Hz refresh rate. Even the latest and expensive iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models only stick to a 60Hz refresh rate.
For the smartphone market in 2024, a 60Hz refresh rate clearly seems outdated and basic, making it hard to believe that Apple still insists on using this technology. While such a choice might be somewhat acceptable for specific models like the iPhone SE (2022), continuing to use this refresh rate in their mainstream product line is evidently unsatisfactory for consumers.
This difference may partly explain why more and more consumers are leaning towards the Pro series iPhones. Nevertheless, this is indeed a problem that Apple needs to address and resolve. However, based on current indications, it seems that the iPhone 16 may still stick with a 60Hz refresh rate, which will undoubtedly disappoint users expecting a higher screen experience.
Lack of Telephoto Camera Capability
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has made significant progress in telephoto camera technology, especially increasing from 3x optical zoom to 5x. However, it still falls short of the high standards set by some competitors. For instance, the Samsung S23 Ultra boasts up to 10x optical zoom capability, and the Sony Xperia 1 VI offers 7.1x zoom capability, both excelling in this area.
The Sony Xperia 1 VI stands out, particularly for its smooth transitions between different zoom levels using a single lens, providing users with an excellent photography experience. In contrast, the telephoto camera of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is limited to a single zoom level, and when attempting to use digital zoom beyond 5x, there is a significant decrease in image quality.
Of course, a decrease in image quality during digital zoom is almost unavoidable technically, but flagship phones from Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and OPPO typically demonstrate better performance in long-distance digital zoom, making these phones more competitive in telephoto photography.
Lagging Charging Speeds
In terms of charging speed, the iPhone is evidently lagging behind the mainstream market. For instance, the OnePlus 12 supports charging power of up to 100W, the Xiaomi 14 Pro reaches an impressive 120W, and the Samsung S24 Ultra supports at least 45W charging speed.
However, in comparison, the official specifications of the iPhone 15 series show that its charging power does not exceed 20W.
The outdated situation has led to the iPhone having a relatively smaller battery capacity compared to most similar Android phones, yet its charging speed is noticeably slower. In terms of wireless charging, the iPhone 15 series has not made any breakthroughs, only supporting a maximum wireless charging power of 15W.
Apple seems to not prioritize improving charging speed, but this technological lag undoubtedly puts it at a disadvantage in the market competition. Therefore, we hope that Apple can enhance its charging technology in future products to better meet user needs and catch up with competitors.
Urgent Need for Battery Capacity Improvement
Apple has always taken a relatively conservative approach to battery capacity, which has been criticized by users. Even the latest iPhone 15 Pro Max, with its 4441mAh battery capacity, still appears relatively small compared to similar-sized Android phones.
In contrast, many top Android phones come with battery capacities of 5000mAh, and some models even have capacities of 6000mAh or more.
While iPhone users may not necessarily need a phone with a 6000mAh battery, Apple could consider increasing the battery capacity of the Pro Max and Plus series models to around 5000mAh. For the smaller standard models and Pro models, the battery capacity should also be increased to at least 4000mAh (currently these models have less than 3500mAh).
Although increasing the battery capacity may result in some increase in weight and thickness, the change is worthwhile considering it can provide users with close to two days of battery life. After all, iPhones already perform well in terms of battery life, and further increasing the battery capacity would make its endurance even more impressive.
More lenses needed
In terms of the number of lenses, iPhones appear to be relatively conservative. For instance, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max is equipped with three rear cameras, it still falls short compared to the four-camera systems found in the top models of brands like Samsung.
For iPhones 15 and 15 Plus with dual-camera setups, the lack of a telephoto lens is undoubtedly a drawback. As representatives of high-end models, they should offer users a more comprehensive and professional photography experience.
While the current triple-camera setup covers the basic needs of wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle, and telephoto, introducing multi-level optical zoom technology like the Samsung S24 Ultra could provide users with more flexible and diverse shooting options. In practice, users may not always require the extreme 5x zoom, and multi-level zoom can meet the shooting needs of a wider range of scenarios.
In conclusion,
Apple should consider the above aspects in its future product planning to maintain its leading position in the smartphone market.
