Image Credit: Weibo
Many Apple fans such as me are wondering when the next lineup of iPhones will be released, what they'll look like and about their features. Here's what we know so far.
iPhone 14: Release Date
The iPhone 14 is expected to be announced on September 7, 2022 in Apple's "Far Out" event. Along with the iPhone, Apple is expected to unveil a range of new products such as the new Apple Watch.
However, the actual release date has still not been confirmed, but if Apple follows its past patterns, Pre-orders for the iPhone will likely go live on Friday, September 9, and then be released on Friday, September 16, 2022.
iPhone 14: Models and Sizes
The iPhone 14 is expected to have 4 models, The iPhone 14 (6.1 inch), iPhone 14 Plus (6.7 inch), iPhone 14 Pro (6.1 inch), iPhone 14 Pro Max (6.7 inch).
Apple has planned to go on a different direction this time with the naming, as the 6.7 inch standard iPhone 14 will now be known as the ''iPhone 14 Plus", this was to distinguish it from the iPhone 14 Pro Max so it wouldn't be as confusing to those who are not familiar with the iPhone lineup.
iPhone 14: Features
No Notch and New Face ID Hardware Design (for Pro only)
For the iPhone 14 Pro models, Apple is working to eliminate the notch which houses the hardware for Face ID. The notch was first introduced in the iPhone 10 in 2017, since then little has changed with the exception of a size tweak in the iPhone 13.
According to Apple, the 2022 iPhone models would not have a notch and would instead adopt a hole-punch style design that has been popular among android phones.
Since then rumours have evolved and we now have clear picture of what to expect.
Apple is working on a design that will incorporate both a pill-shaped cutout and a circular cutout. The circular cutout will likely house the Face ID dot projector, and the pill-shaped cutout will include the front camera, Face ID infrared camera, and possibly other components.
As it turns out, those were not the final designs.
Apple plans to combine the two cutouts into a single long pill-shaped cutout using software, so there will be black space between the cutouts to make them indistinguishable from one another when the iPhone is in use. Apple is rumoured to be using the space between the cutouts for microphone and camera indicator lights, but the space will otherwise be black and the cutouts will appear as a single notch.
In the early days, there were rumours that all four iPhone 14 models would offer ProMotion Displays with refresh rates up to 120Hz, However it looks it will not be happening.
Apple is likely to restrict ProMotion technology to the iPhone 14 Pro models, this move is apparently attributed to a lack of availability of necessary displays. Always-on display technology is also expected to be a Pro and Pro Max exclusive feature.
Body Design
The iPhone 14 models are expected to look like iPhone 13 models with the same flat-edge design. A leaker claimed that Apple would introduce a thicker chassis with no rear camera bump and round volume buttons, However his information was later proved to be incorrect based on later rumours.
Size Options
This time, there will be no 5.4 inch iPhone because Apple wants to discontinue the "mini" line due to low number of sales. The iPhone 13 mini will be the last of mini iPhones, and going forward, Apple is expected to focus on larger-sized phones.
According to rumours, the sizes will be a 6.1-inch iPhone 14, a 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro, a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max, and a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max, with the larger 6.7-inch iPhone replacing the mini model.
Colour
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro could come in purple, according to an unverified rumour. Though the rumour suggests that both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models will be available in a purple shade that has a unique finish that shifts tone based on lighting conditions. The iPhone 14 and 14 Max are rumoured to be available in black, white, red and purple, while the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will allegedly come in graphite (possibly midnight), gold (possibly starlight), silver, and purple. The Sierra Blue shade for the Pro iPhone models is expected to be discontinued.
High-end iPhone models are likely to adopt a vapour chamber thermal system, which, according to apple is in "aggressive testing". The VC thermal system will be required for the high-end iPhones due to their stronger computing power and faster 5G connection speeds.
Lightning Port
There have been rumours that Apple is aiming to remove the Lightning port from the iPhone for a port-less design with charging done over Mag-safe, but it's not clear if that technology will be introduced with the 2022 iPhone models.
At least some of the iPhones coming will continue to feature a Lightning port.
Camera
The iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Max will get to see significant camera improvements, but the standard 14 will also see a handful of features.
Wide Camera
The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are expected to see notable camera improvements, with Apple introducing a Sony-crafted 48-megapixel Wide camera with Focus pixels and pixel binning to replace the current 12-megapixel Wide camera used in the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max.
Unfortunately, the 48-megapixel lens is going to be limited to the iPhone 14 Pro models, with standard iPhone 14 models expected to get a standard 12-megapixel camera lens that's similar in functionality to the 12-megapixel lens used in the iPhone 13 models.
Front Camera
All of the iPhone 14 models coming this year are expected to feature an upgraded front camera with a wider f/1.9 aperture and auto-focus capabilities. A wider aperture would let more light to pass through the lens to reach the sensor for sharper, crisper photos and improved depth of field. The auto-focus improvements would bolster focus adjustments during video calls.
Ultra Wide Lens
With the iPhone 13 Pro models, Apple introduced an improved six-element Ultra Wide lens with an improved ƒ/1.8 aperture, with these improvements expected to come to the standard iPhone 14 models.
Processor
New iPhones typically come with an updated A-series chip, but Apple might deviate from the standard procedures this time around, According to an Apple Analyst, only the iPhone 14 Pro models will get a new faster A16 chip.
The Analyst also said that the standard iPhone 14 models will continue to use the same A15 Bionic that's in the iPhone 13 models, marking a significant differentiation between the Pro and non-Pro iPhones in 2022, and the rumour has been backed up by other sources.
The A16 chip may only be a minor upgrade over the A15 chip. The chip is expected to be built on the same N5P process used for the A15 chip, which limits improvements.
Next-generation N3 and N4P fabrication processes will not be available for mass production until 2023. Apple chip supplier TSMC has developed a new N4 process, but the Analyst says that it has no meaningful advantages over N5P, so Apple will stick to N5P for the A16. The upgrade to the A16 is more for marketing than notable improvement, according to the Analyst.
RAM
both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models will feature 6GB RAM, which is the same amount of RAM available in the iPhone 13 Pro models. This has also been corroborated by Taiwanese research firm Trend Force.
Car Crash Detection
Apple is working on a car crash detection feature for the iPhone and the Apple Watch, which could come out in 2022. It will use sensors like the accelerometer to detect car accidents when they occur by measuring a spike in gravitational force.
When a car crash is detected, the iPhone or the Apple Watch would automatically dial emergency services to get help. Since it's planned for 2022, this could be a feature designed for the iPhone 14 models and the Apple Watch Series 8, though it's not likely to be limited to those devices. It will be an expansion of the Fall Detection feature that's in existing Apple Watch and iPhone models.
Snapdragon X65 Modem
The iPhone 14 models will use the Qualcomm Snapdragon X65 modem, which is the world's first 10 Gigabit 5G modem and antenna system for smartphones.
The chips are allegedly manufactured on TSMC's 6-nanometre process, which offers a smaller package with lower power consumption. This could perhaps lead to better battery life when using 5G technology, along with support for WiFi 6E.
Satellite Connectivity
The Qualcomm Snapdragon X65 enables some satellite connectivity features, and alongside the modem, Apple plans to implement satellite-based emergency features that will let users to send texts in emergency situations and report major emergencies in areas where there is no cellular coverage. Emergency Message via satellite will allow users to text emergency services and contacts using a satellite network when there is no cellular or WiFi signal available. It will be a new communications protocol alongside SMS and iMessage, and it will feature Gray message bubbles. Message length will be restricted. Another feature will let users report major emergencies like plane crashes and fires using satellite networks. These features are still in development and will launch in 2022 at the earliest.
No Physical SIM Slot
The iPhone 14 models may launch without a physical SIM slot, with Apple transitioning to an eSIM-only design. Apple is allegedly advising major U.S. carriers to prepare for the launch of eSIM-only smartphones by 2022, which suggests some iPhone 14 models may be the first to come without a SIM slot.
With the iPhone 13, Apple provided some models without a nano-SIM in the box, with cellular plans instead being able to be activated using eSIM. An eSIM allows for cellular plans to be added to a device without using a nano-SIM.
eSIM functionality is not available in all countries, so iPhones sold in some areas will need to continue to offer a nano-SIM slot. In countries where a SIM-free iPhone is available, it may be optional, with consumers still able to choose a version with a SIM. There are more than 60 countries that support eSIM, with a list available on Apple's website.
Pricing
The iPhone 14 is expected to be priced starting at $799, which is the starting price for the iPhone 13. Apple does not have plans to increase the cost of the entry-level smartphone in an effort to boost sales and increase demand.
Personal Opinions
I feel as if this year, Apple has really cemented a gap between pro and non-pro iPhones, for years now we've seen that pros and non-pros have virtually no difference, with the exception of a bigger screen and a few extra features. But this time, Apple has really made it like "if you get pro you get a better performance, bigger screen, better processor and everything". Needless to say, I am excited for the launch, In the past, Apple has released iPhones that look almost identical to its predecessor, only with a few extra features like the iPhone 10-iPhone 10 Pro/Pro Max. But this time they've actually went ahead and changed the look and feel quite considerably, which I appreciate.
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