The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max are expected to launch in September 2022. Here’s everything we know about Apple’s cheaper iPhone models.
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max will be released later this year, and while there are still several months to go before the official launch, there’s already a fair bit of information about the upcoming iPhones. In fact, rumors about the iPhone 14 series began to surface in 2021, a few months before Apple launched the iPhone 13 series. While there’s been a bit of back and forth about the new features the next iPhones will bring, many of the upgrades have now been confirmed by multiple sources.
The iPhone 14 series will include four iPhones, just like the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineup. However, one major new addition this time around is the iPhone 14 Max model, which will be positioned alongside the standard iPhone 14. This model will feature a bigger display, and will replace the iPhone mini. Apple’s iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini models didn’t do as well as expected, despite several requests from fans for a smaller iPhone. That gap has been filled by the cheaper iPhone SE, and it made sense for Apple to cater to the increasing need for a more affordable large-screen smartphone.
As always, Apple is expected to introduce its iPhone 14 lineup in the fall, specifically in September 2022. The launch event will focus on the new iPhones, but Apple is also expected to announce other hardware, including the Apple Watch Series 8 and the AirPods Pro 2. Apple’s fall events usually take place in the first or second week of September, and are traditionally held on a Tuesday. This means the iPhone 14 series is likely to be unveiled on September 13th. The event takes place in Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, and the live stream tends to start around 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET).
IPhone 14 & IPhone 14 Max Design: Notch To Stay
One of the biggest design changes expected in this year’s iPhones is the elimination of the notch that houses the Face ID sensors and front camera. Apple reportedly plans to adopt a unique punch-hole cutout for the iPhone 14 series, which includes both hole and pill-shaped cutouts. While this would certainly bring the iPhones much closer to a full-screen design, the bad news is that Apple is supposedly bringing this change only to the iPhone 14 Pro models. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max on the other hand are expected to retain the same wide notch as the iPhone 13 series. In fact, the two iPhones are expected to look almost exactly the same as the iPhone 13, with the same boxy frame and square-shaped camera modules.
As for the colors, the iPhone 14 series is expected to come in a new light purple color, according to tipster Jon Prosser of Front Page Tech. This new color should be available for the iPhone 14 and 14 Max, since Apple tends to launch all its iPhones in the same colors. The purple hue will join the usual silver, gold, gray, and PRODUCT (RED) options.
IPhone 14 & IPhone 14 Max Cameras: Better Selfies?
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max are expected to retain the dual 12MP cameras seen on the iPhone 13. While there are rumors about an improved wide-angle camera, the resolution will remain unchanged, unlike the Pro models which are expected to get 48MP main cameras. This isn’t really a problem, given that iPhones tend to take excellent photos even with their lower resolution cameras. With updates to image processing and sensors, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max could still see a noticeable improvement in the quality of images, especially those taken in low lighting.
One aspect where the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max will be on par with the Pro models is the front camera. As per Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, all the iPhone 14 models could feature autofocus for the front camera, dramatically increasing the quality of selfies. A wider f/1.9 aperture has also been tipped, which means low-light selfies could improve as well. In addition, there are expected to be improvements to the quality of video calls and video streaming via the front camera.
IPhone 14 & IPhone 14 Max Specs: No Performance Bump
Apple usually upgrades the processor for its iPhone models every year, but in 2022, that won’t apply across the lineup. While there is an A16 Bionic chip, it won’t feature on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max. Instead, it will be reserved for the Pro models. This means that the base models in the lineup will stick to the same A15 Bionic chip seen on the iPhone 13 series, resulting in no significant bump in performance.
The good news is that the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max will be getting a RAM upgrade. According to a report by Trend Force, the RAM will increase to 6GB, matching that of the Pro models. However, the standard iPhone 14 models will reportedly stick to LPDDR4X RAM, while the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max will get the faster LPDDR5 standard. The report also says that the standard iPhone 14 models will be available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options. In addition, they will support mmWave and sub-6 5G networks.
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As for the screen sizes, the iPhone 14 is expected to retain the 6.1-inch display of the iPhone 13. The iPhone 14 Max, on the other hand, is expected to feature a 6.7-inch screen to match the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s size. Previous reports had suggested that all the iPhone 14 models would feature a 120Hz refresh rate, but that rumor has since been debunked by display chain analyst Ross Young, who attributes it to a shortage of LTPO panels. It’s unclear if the iPhone 14 and 14 Max will even get an upgrade to a 90Hz refresh rate, but as of now, all signs point to another year of 60Hz displays for the standard iPhone models.
The software is one area where all the iPhone 14 models will be on par, running iOS 16 out of the box. Apple has already previewed the latest version of its iPhone software at WWDC, giving users a fair idea of what to expect. iOS 16 will bring new features like a customizable lock screen, the ability to edit and unsend messages in iMessage, and shared iCloud Photo Libraries, among others.
IPhone 14 & IPhone 14 Max Battery: Will They Last Longer?
Tipster ShrimpApplePro who is known for finding leaks on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo has revealed the battery capacities of all the iPhone 14 models. As per the leak, the iPhone 14 will feature a 3,279mAh battery, which is almost identical to the iPhone 13. The iPhone 14 Max has a much larger 4,325mAh battery, which was expected given that its screen size matches the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Apple is also tipped to use a new radio frequency chip for the iPhone 14 models based on the more efficient 6nm process, which could dramatically increase power savings.
Apple still lags behind the competition when it comes to fast charging, with the iPhone 13 models maxing out at 20W wired charging speeds and 15W with MagSafe. There haven’t been any rumors to suggest faster charging is coming, even at a time when a 200W fast-charging smartphone is on the horizon. As for the charging port, Apple is being pretty much forced to switch to USB-C by 2023 thanks to an EU mandate, but it looks like the charging port will be reserved for the iPhone 15 series. The iPhone 14 models will likely stick to the same Lightning port, in addition to offering wireless charging.
IPhone 14 & IPhone 14 Max: Early Verdict
With all the rumors and leaks so far, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max are turning out to be the most disappointing iPhones in a while. iPhone buyers tend to expect a range of new features on every new generation of iPhone, but this year, it seems like Apple is reserving the big changes for its Pro models. The iPhone 14 and 14 Max are expected to carry forward most features from the iPhone 13, including the display, design, cameras, and even the performance. The only real upgrade is the RAM, but that’s not going to be exciting enough for the average user.
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The iPhone 14 Max might see more interest than the iPhone 14, given that it’s a completely new model. Provided the price isn’t too high, buyers might be swayed by the idea of a big-screen iPhone that offers better battery life. While it’s obvious that Apple needs to distinguish between the standard and Pro iPhone 14 models, recycling an old processor is something that’s likely to annoy buyers. Without the A16 Bionic chip, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max don’t offer anything drastically different from the iPhone 13 models, giving users of newer iPhones little reason to upgrade.
