As I put pen to paper, there are still a few hours until Apple unveils the most recent version of their top-selling item, the iPhone.
In recent weeks, the handset has been receiving criticism from both the EU and China. Unfortunately, globally, the sales of smartphones are declining and Apple's much-anticipated virtual reality headset, which the corporation seemed to be setting up to be a possible replacement for the iPhone, cannot be bought until next year.
It will cost an enormous $3,500 (£2,780) when it is released.
Therefore, we now have the opportunity to encounter the sixteenth rendition of a unit which revolutionized the mobile phone environment ever since its debut in 2007.
It could be said that the phrase "iPhone 15" is very popular - with almost five billion Google search results and no official previews from Apple, it still holds a great fascination.
Diving into the guesswork and "leaks" floating around, it looks as if the iPhone 15 models will be slightly lighter in weight than their predecessors. In addition, the new phones will boast an updated chip, extended battery life, improved camera and a titanium frame.
It is likely that something similar to what I wrote this time last year, or the year before, could have been composed by me.
Generations of Apple mobile phones, like many other gadgets, usually showcase incremental improvements most of the time. This is one of the reasons attributed to the dropping sales worldwide. Consumers are retaining their devices longer - not only because of their extravagant expense, both monetarily and environmentally - but also because there is no longer an alarming motivation to upgrade their phone.
Ben Wood, a smartphone expert at CCS Insight, commented to me that Apple most likely comprehends they have come to a stage where they are able to sustain such a vast number of iPhones, which is an impressive feat in itself.
He acknowledges that the iPhone presented at Apple's yearly September event in America this night will probably not be remarkably dissimilar, however what will be visible is the spectacle of a prosperous organization which is expert in entertaining for its enthusiasts.
Nevertheless, one particular physical change on the iPhone 15 is something you may not have seen before; if you are located in Europe, this difference is probably quite obvious. It is almost certain that the iPhone 15 will feature a USB-C charging port.
Currently, iPhones utilize a special lightning cable, while most other devices - including Apple's own models - tend to employ USB-C. The essential physical disparity is that the two have distinct shapes. Consequently, if you have an iPhone and a Kindle, the charger for your iPhone cannot fit into the port for your Kindle and conversely.
Apple has continuously argued that broadening the range of its products leads to more innovation. It has also advocated wireless charging as a substitute for several years - all cell phones since the iPhone 8 have been compatible.
In spite of this, the EU has determined that all portable devices must be compatible with a universal charger by 2024. However, the rest of the consumer tech industry is unlikely to switch to lightning technology, even if Apple permited it.
You might have a legitimate reason to save the cable by putting it in your cable drawer instead of throwing it away - Ben Wood points out that second hand iPhones have a thriving market, especially in Africa.
He stated that iPhones are becoming available to those who weren't able to purchase them before, trapping them in the Apple system.
Besides the EU, other territories are also taking action. Last week, China is said to have forbidden the use of iPhones in state-run facilities (there are countless of them) for safety reasons.
The impact on Apple's stock can be attributed to a tech clash between the US and China, rather than the device itself. The majority of phones in China are Android, although the iPhone remains the highest-selling high-priced gadget.
It's also embarrassing for Apple because it continues to make products in China. The iPhone 14, for instance, is put together in India, but the company still relies on Chinese companies and manufacturing plants.
Apple still requires China at the present time. However, how essential is the most current iPhone to the rest of us - and how desirous are we for it? We're about to know.leinman
Keep up with Zoe Kleinman on X (Twitter) @zskleinman
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