iPhone 14 (2022): Rumors, price, features, more

Apple’s iPhone 14 is not far away, with the company expected to roll out its next flagship iPhone at a customary September event later this year. We’ve heard plenty of rumors and leaks about the upcoming iPhone, including a surprising design change for some models. Unfortunately, for those who don’t like the ‘Pro’ iPhone models, it seems like not much is changing this year; here’s everything we know so far about the iPhone 14.

Name

As noted, it is almost certain the next iPhone will be the iPhone 14. Apple has not released an ‘S’ iPhone for several years. From a marketing perspective, a new number makes a device a much more appealing upgrade for customers.

Design

Back in September, we were told by multiple outlets to expect that the iPhone 14 would be a “complete redesign” over the current model, notably by Jon Prosser and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. However, more recent leaks of CAD renders of both the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro seem to indicate that Apple is not actually planning to change anything about the design of either phone. Leaks from March suggest the iPhone 14 will look almost identical to the iPhone 13, currently Apple’s best iPhone. That would be a much different outcome to what we’d previously been led to believe and possibly a big disappointment for anyone hoping for a big design overhaul.

The only shift in the cards is an end to the notch expected for the ‘Pro’ iPhone models, which a new hole-punch camera layout will apparently replace.

Models

The iPhone 13 mini is expected to be the last mini iPhone. Instead, this year Apple will reportedly ditch the diminutive iPhone in favor of a second regular max-sized iPhone. From July

A source told Nikkei Asia that “it is pretty much decided that there won’t be a Mini next year”. As per previous reports, it is also claimed that Apple is planning to instead adopt a second ‘Max’ iPhone. The 6.7-inch phone would be a more cost-effective large iPhone with the same form factor as the iPhone 12 Pro Max but with fewer premium features.

Ming-Chi Kuo has reported similar, stating, “we predict that the new 2H22 iPhone will have 4 models, namely the high-end 6.7-inch and 6.1-inch models, and the lower-end 6.7-inch and 6.1-inch models.”

Processor

We expect a new Apple processor for its iPhones later this year. However, multiple separate sources now indicate that Apple will reserve the next chip (likely A16), for the ‘Pro’ iPhone 14, with both Ming-Chi Kuo and others reporting that Apple will not upgrade the chip in the regular iPhone 14.

The iPhone 14 Pro may also benefit from increased RAM, up to 8GB from the current 6GB available iPhone 13.

Display

The iPhone 13 Pro features a 120Hz ProMotion display, and hypothetically it would make sense that Apple might add this feature to the entire iPhone lineup next year. However, DSCC’s Ross Young says this is not the case, with a 60Hz LTPS display remaining in the regular iPhone. However, Apple might upgrade the screen in other ways, as it did this year with the Super Retina Display XDR.

One major display upgrade leaked in the iOS 16 beta is the possibility of a new always-on display that would use a variable refresh rate to display your lock screen all the time, much like the Apple Watch Series 7. At least one insider has predicted the iPhone 14 Pro will have a 1Hz display refresh rate mode. This lines up with the intense focus Apple put on its Lock Screen in its latest software version. This feature, like many upgrades this year, is expected to be limited to the ‘Pro’ models. A

Storage

According to reports, Apple will add a new 2TB storage configuration to the iPhone next year. Likely for the Pro model, this could increase the base storage for those phones and even see 1TB debut in the regular iPhone.

Camera

A massive camera upgrade could be on the cards for the iPhone this year by way of a 48MP camera:

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple will switch to a new 48-megapixel camera next year, while the following year’s device will see Apple jump to a new periscope camera design for the first time.

In a research note seen by iMore, Kuo says that the 2022 iPhone — likely to be called iPhone 14 — will use a new 48-megapixel camera. We’ve heard similar rumors before — not least from Kuo himself. The move to such a camera system could allow Apple to take advantage of pixel binning — a process that would allow for more light to be made available during low-light shots while still enabling high resolution stills to be taken in well-lit scenes.

Mark Gurman has also stated that the iPhone 14 Pro will get a 48MP wide-angle lens.

Kuo also says that Apple may be planning to significantly upgrade its front-facing camera that could see improved focus and better aperture for improved portrait mode in both photos and FaceTime.

Battery

According to DSCC’s Ross Young, the iPhone 14 will have larger batteries across the board, boosting capacity and powering more features.

Connectivity

iPhone 14 will feature 5G like its predecessors and could debut support for more countries as the iPhone 13 did. Reports of satellite-enabled communication for emergencies haven’t materialized with iPhone 13, so that could also be another feature to look out for. Ming-Chi Kuo also reports Apple’s next iPhone may feature Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. Indeed, Mark Gurman has previously stated the iPhone 14 could include satellite emergency texting and an SOS feature.

Price

With a rumor of 2TB storage and the possibility of a larger base storage model, it’s possible next year’s iPhone may be more expensive than the current version. However, Apple surprised us by keeping the price the same this year, even lowering it in some places compared to iPhone 12.

Release date and availability

iPhone 14 is expected to debut in the usual September launch window just like iPhone 13. There have been reports of some supply struggles, but these are not expected to delay the device at all, although it could make the larger ‘Max’ versions of the iPhone harder to get hold off at launch.

An educated guess would peg the iPhone 14 launch event for Tuesday, September 13, with pre-orders at the end of the week and release date the following week. If that’s too long to wait, then these Prime Day iPhone deals are a fantastic shout for getting a new phone at the best possible price.