The iPhone 14 is expected to be much more powerful than the iPhone 13. Media outlet Digitimes Asia has reported that the iPhone 14s are all expected to pack at least 6GB of Ram (RAM) which would make the iPhone 14 the most powerful standard model released by Apple with a configuration equivalent to the iPhone 13 Pro released in 2021. The iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max could even come with 8GB LPDDR5 storage, like the latest flagships from OnePlus, Xiaomi and Samsung, all combined with Apple’s latest A16 Bionic chip. The iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max would therefore become the fastest models produced by the Cupertino firm, with energy consumption reduced by 30%. On the other hand, the gap between the Pro and standard ranges is widening, as the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max will be the only ones equipped with this A16 Bionic chip and the permanent display made possible by iOS 16. The iPhone 14 and 14 Max will be equipped with the A15 chip like the iPhone 13 Pro.
If 2022 is anything to go by, Apple should introduce its new iPhone 14 in the autumn. Some revelations have already been made concerning the future iPhone 14, and in particular, it’s always-on screen. At the WWDC (Apple Worldwide Developers Conference) on 6 June 2022, Apple presented a new version of its iOS 16 operating system that can now support always-on displays. This technology, already available on Android smartphones or the Apple Watch Series 5, allows the display of widgets, such as the weather, data from the Health app, or the arrival of your VTC driver, even when the screen is locked. To do this, Apple had to redesign its panels and is said to be introducing a screen capable of going down to 1Hz on the iPhone 14, compared to panels capable of going from 120Hz to 10Hz on the current iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. These displays allow for adaptive screen refresh to save battery life. However, the always-on technology may only be available on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, according to MacRumors.
iPhone 14 Release Date
As with previous iPhones, the iPhone 14 is expected to be launched sometime in September 2022 at Apple’s annual conference in its Cupertino, California, home. Several dates are circulating for this event, mainly around September 13 and 14, 2022. iOS 16, which has been available in beta version for developers since June 7, 2022, will equip the different versions of the iPhone 14 when they are released next September.
iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max,
Only the Pro versions of the iPhone 14 should welcome certain new features such as the always-on screen, or a new front camera and a thinner cutout around this camera to replace the notch that appears on the brand’s smartphones since the iPhone X. A new chip called A16 and a 48-megapixel rear camera are also expected to equip the smartphone in Pro version. The base iPhone 14 and Max versions may only feature a revised and improved A15 chip, which is already in the iPhone 13. This would be the first time that the Pro versions have a more powerful chip than the other versions. This would be a way for Apple to reduce costs and absorb some of the supply issues.
Apple could once again offer four versions of its iPhone 14 with an iPhone 14 with a 6.1-inch screen, an iPhone 14 Pro with a 6.1-inch screen, an iPhone 14 Pro Max with a 6.7-inch screen and a brand new iPhone 14 Max with a 6.7-inch screen. In addition to different screen sizes, they could have higher battery capacities than the iPhone 13, according to a post on Chinese search engine Baidu:
- iPhone 14: 3279 mAh (compared to 3227 mAh on the iPhone 13);
- iPhone 14 Max: 4325 mAh (first version);
- iPhone 14 Pro: 3200 mAh (compared to 3095 mAh on iPhone 13 Pro);
- iPhone 14 Pro Max: 4323 mAh (compared to 4352 mAh on iPhone 13 Pro Max).
The end of the iPhone mini?
The iPhone 13 mini could be the last version of the iPhone to feature a 5.4-inch screen. Smaller screens are becoming less popular with consumers and are selling less. Apple should therefore choose not to release an iPhone 14 mini with a 5.4-inch screen. The mini range would thus disappear in favor of the iPhone SE variant, whose 3rd generation was released in March 2022.
The price of the iPhone 14
The iPhone 14 Max could be the lowest-priced full-size iPhone ever offered by Apple at $899 or €1029 after VAT and conversion. But other rumours point to a price increase due to shortages of computer components that could affect the final value of the iPhone 14, especially the Pro models. The price increase could be as much as $100 for a price range of $799 to $1,199. The 14 Pro could be priced at $1,099 compared to $999 for the iPhone 13 Pro, or €1,259. The iPhone 14 at $799 or €909 in 128GB, the same price as its predecessor the iPhone 13, and the 14 Pro Max at $1,199 or €1,359. Apple has sold more iPhone 13s than iPhone 13 Pro Maxes and could therefore be looking to reverse the trend so that the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max account for 55-60% of its sales, compared with 40-50% of its sales for the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. Apple’s objective would be to sell a greater number of these expensive models to generate more profits by strategically differentiating the classic version from the Pro version.
For some, Apple could offer a subscription system, at $35 per month for the iPhone 14, $45 for the iPhone 14 Pro and $50 for the Pro Max.
Design and new colours
In terms of design, the iPhone 14 is set to resemble its predecessor, the iPhone 13, with flat edges and rounded corners that are also reminiscent of the iPhone 4. The outline of the photo sensors could evolve and become thicker and the notch around the front camera could disappear in favor of two smaller shapes, round and oblong on the Pro models. The Cupertino firm is reportedly working on new colors for its iPhone 14. The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max are available in silver, gold, graphite, alpine blue, and even alpine green since spring 2022. The iPhone 13 and 13 mini come in green, pink, blue, midnight, starlight, and red. For the iPhone 14, purple could make its entry into the Apple color palette, which could change depending on the light exposure. A purple hue had already been tested in spring 2021 on the iPhone 12.
No USB-C yet
The iPhone 14 will not yet be equipped with a USB-C port as required by European regulations for charging. Apple’s Lightning system is still expected to be in use on the iPhone 14, although there were rumors that the iPhone might not have a charging port at all and therefore charge via MagSafe, Apple’s wireless charging system. Nothing seems to be confirmed on that front, and the presence of a Lightning charging port is the most likely hypothesis. The USB-C port is not expected to arrive on iPhone models until 2023.
