Apple’s next flagship smartphone will be released in a matter of months, and that’s all we know so far.
It may seem like not so long ago that Apple introduced the shiny new iPhone 13 Pro, but the months go by and we are getting closer and closer to seeing its sequel.
From the reliable rumors we’ve found so far, it seems likely that this year there’s a clear, qualitative gap between the standard iPhone series and the Pro series, so keep reading to see where the differences fall.
Date of publication
Apple’s new iPhones are set to launch in the early fall, so we expect the iPhone 14 Pro to be released in September and October of this year, along with the iPhone 14 and Apple Watch Series 8.
Here are the previous release dates of the Pro series for reference:
However, our first look at some of the features of the software on the way to the new phone will be at WWDC 2022, Apple’s premier annual developer conference.
Price
IPhone Pro variants are inevitably priced higher than standard versions, because the specifications are significantly improved.
Last year, the iPhone 13 cost $ 799 / £ 779, while the iPhone 13 Pro cost $ 999 / £ 949. This is already a significant difference, but since we expect an even greater disparity in specifications this time around, we also did not rule out a wider price difference between the two devices. Also, of course, we expect an iPhone 14 Pro Max device to be released that will have a larger screen and, of course, a higher price.
14: $ 79,914 Max: $ 89,914 Pro: $ 109,914 Max. Pros: $ 1199
Apple is currently considering it.
Production costs are rising and there should be a difference of more than $ 100 between the 14 Max and the 14 Pro.
It makes sense to me and I wouldn’t expect changes.
It will keep you informed.
– LeaksApplePro (@LeaksApplePro) January 9, 2022
Confirming our suspicions about a possible price jump, Twitter source LeaksApplePro revealed rumors of price deals that would make the iPhone 14 Pro sell for $ 1099 and the iPhone 14 Pro Max retail for 1199 dollars. The reason given was twofold; the increase in production costs and the need for a minimum price difference of $ 100 between the standard and Pro models.
Design and exhibition
There’s a significant design change coming to the iPhone 14 Pro, and it’s the introduction of a perforated notch on the screen instead of the wide notch bar that has been present in Apple smartphones from the iPhone X. While this may be a pedestrian view for many Android users, this would be the first time we’ve seen a selfie camera layout on any iPhone, so we’re looking forward to it.
We now believe that Apple will have a hole + pill design in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models. The smallest hole will not be invisible … The concept of two holes will be unique to Apple, like the notch, not similar to all Huawei tablet models … Let’s look at these new renderings pic.twitter.com/Udt8cTKzPZ
– Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) January 12, 2022
The previous tweet posted by Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, shows a mock-up of the new notch layout that apparently would have not one but two holes to house selfie cameras. This design does not appear to be present in the standard iPhone 14 models, so there could be a very clear visual difference between the Pro and standard versions.
Face ID shouldn’t be affected by this change, so it looks like Touch ID will be absent from the new iPhones again. On this subject, Dylan KT writes: “I totally agree with the recent information provided by other analysts and filters. A Touch ID sensor on the screen will not reach any iPhone 14 model or any Apple product this year. and ProMotion will be exclusive to iPhone 14 Pro models. “
As for the practicalities of the new iPhone, it is also rumored that it will be more durable this year, and MacRumors reports that Apple will use a new titanium alloy chassis to make the new phones even more durable.
It’s not just the hardware where we can see big changes; according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the iPhone 14 Pro will feature an always-on screen and a redesigned widget menu on the lock screen. These changes will be introduced as part of the iOS 16 software update.
Camera
Major changes are also being made to the camera system according to reliable sources.
Ming-Chi Kuo, one of the best-known journalists on Apple affairs, claims that the iPhone 14 Pro could have a 48-megapixel main sensor. Apparently, this sensor will be able to record video with a resolution of 8K, although most of the images obtained will have a resolution of 12 megapixels once the pixel classification process is complete. In addition, the same source claims that a slow periscope is also on its way to the iPhone range, but you will probably have to wait until 2023 for this to come true.
As for this redesigned front-facing camera system, it looks like there will also be substantial changes in its performance, with South Korean publication ET News claiming that LG Innotek will provide the selfie camera sensor that will offer autofocus.
(2/2) AF support and a lower f-number can provide a better depth of field effect for selfie / portrait mode. In addition, AF can also enhance the focus effect for FaceTime / video calling / live streaming.
– Ming-Chi Kuo (@mingchikuo) April 19, 2022
This seems to have been confirmed by Ming-Chi Kuo in previous tweets, which also provided more context on possible changes in the size of the opening.
Performance
In any normal year, we expect an incremental processor update for new Apple phones. However, it increasingly seems that this will not be a normal year by Apple’s standards.
Instead, supposedly, the standard iPhone 14 will miss the new A16 Bionic chipset, reserved only for the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max. This is another pen on the cover of the Pro series, designed to differentiate it from its more affordable siblings as a premium feature.
Again, our best source is Kuo, who adds that all models in the series can be expected to have 6GB of RAM on board:
(2/2) AF support and a lower f-number can provide a better depth of field effect for selfie / portrait mode. In addition, AF can also enhance the focus effect for FaceTime / video calling / live streaming.
– Ming-Chi Kuo (@mingchikuo) April 19, 2022
Meanwhile, GSM Arena has stated that the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max could boast up to 2 TB of onboard storage, which would be a very generous capacity (although the base models are likely to be significantly more low).