Multiple reports have suggested that the iPhone 14 Plus, like the mini before it, is struggling in terms of sales. Now a new article from Korean blog Naver (opens in new tab), first spotted by MacRumors (opens in new tab), outlines a possible solution Apple is reportedly considering for a fall 2023 iPhone 15 release.

Before getting into specifics, it is worth outlining what many observers believe are the main issues.

The iPhone 14 Plus is essentially a larger screen iPhone 14 with a longer battery life. And as a comparison of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 shows, the upgrades from the previous model are minimal. [Instead, you can purchase the iPhone 14 Pro Max for $200 more than the Plus model. This model has the same size display, but also includes Dynamic Island, always-on display support, a 120 Hz display, an additional rear camera with much higher resolution and optical zoom, and a faster A16 chipset.

Given that Apple is still releasing the second generation of the iPhone mini after its apparent poor sales, it is safe to assume that plans are too far advanced for the theoretical iPhone 15 Plus to be canceled. So what are Apple's options to ensure that history does not repeat itself?

The Naver article claims that there are three remedies that Apple is considering: the first is to actively reduce the difference between Pro and non-Pro iPhones; we have already heard that Dynamic Island will appear on all devices in 2023, reducing the aesthetic There is also talk of a 48MP camera on the lower end iPhone models.

The second option is a price cut for the iPhone 15 Plus. This would not make Apple particularly happy, but would definitely make the iPhone more attractive. The only problem is that the $100 price cut would make the Plus model the same price as the regular iPhone.

Finally, there is some talk of making the iPhone 15 Pro Max more premium (and therefore more expensive), which would have the knock-on effect of making a cheaper, larger-screen iPhone more attractive. This basically takes the U out of the iPhone 15 Ultra rumor.

Which route will Apple take this fall? Pure speculation, but a combination of the three could jump-start Plus sales in 2023. With super high-end Ultra devices driving up the price of flagship devices, a modest $50 price cut on a product that inherits a large number of features from the 2022 Pro could make all the difference.

If not, Apple may have to consider the sheer variety of iPhones a problem. Perhaps it is time to consider reducing the number of iPhones to only three models per year.