FUTURE IPHONE LINEUP

dhruvtalksstech
Jul 23, 2022
4 min read

If you've been reading my blogs for a while, you would know that the new iPhone is due to come out in less than 2 months. They mark the start of tech-tober and are insanely anticipated and shrouded in the hype. They very well deserve to be. After all, Apple does not release 20 phones a year like Android. Before I start actually talking about the phones themselves, I would want you guys to know that I don't believe much in following up on the leaks of a phone because it deprives me of the sense of anticipation and the WOW reaction when I actually see the phone being unveiled by Mr.Cook in the Steve Jobs Theater.

Like the last 2 years, we are going to have 4 new iPhones this year but with a minor tweak in the lineup. Reportedly, Apple is going to drop the Mini version in favor of a Max (Non-Pro) model because of poor sales and revenue of the Mini. I actually feel this is a great thing to do. Although the Mini offered what nothing else did - flagship specs in a palm-fitting form factor - it suited a very small fraction of the buyers. A lot of them were those who just wanted the latest but cheapest iPhone. The Mini also had a lot of disadvantages. Its battery and screen size although improved a lot with the 13 Mini, were still not enough for most use cases.

I feel that the 14 Max is going to be the most loved and highest selling phone of the lineup because it essentially gives the big screen experience for a lot less than the 14 Pro Max. Most people don't actually utilize the Pro features but just want big real estate and battery to work with. It's going to be very popular and favorable among those groups. Honestly, I am one of them too. I like big phones with powerful batteries. The 14 and 14 Max are not very impressive or exciting otherwise. Little would be changed or added. What's really shocking, disappointing and unacceptable is that Apple may ship the 14 and 14 Max with a year-old technology chip. It is honestly so outrageous and lowly. Yes, Apple's chips are ahead of the competition by 3 years but isn't that what this is about?

I always respected Apple for not compromising on quality but seems that they are willing to let go of some of the principles Steve Jobs stood up and fought for in favor of a few dimes. iPhones deserve to have the fastest and latest chips no matter what the cost. Most people are not going to even notice but this will make it even more sensible to buy the 13 when the 14 launches with the same but renamed chip.

Most of the changes would be concentrated in the 14 Pro and Pro Max. Most arousing one of them is that Apple is making way for a hole punch and pill-shaped cutout. This would drop the notch that was first featured on iPhone X all the way back in 2017. Seeing the renders online, I honestly love it. Not only because of the futuristic look and better screen-to-body ratio but also because the pill shape will make the design distinctly iPhone-y.

This year's lineup holds great value for me too as well because I am due for a phone upgrade. I am not sure when and which one I will buy but I definitely need a new phone. So this is the case for me - if the 14 Pro Max does not get the hole punch and pill-shaped notch, I am not interested in it at all. But if it does, it would definitely be very tempting despite the price hike that is making the rounds.

You heard it right!!! iPhones may get even more expensive this year. I would mainly be looking at 13 Pro Max, 14 Max and 14 Pro Max. The most pragmatic choice would be to go for 13 Pro Max which I would be able to get for around 750-800$ from Walmart. The 14 Max is expected to cost 900$. The 14 Pro may start from 1100$ this year. This is because of the chip shortage, supply chain issues and rising input costs of all tech companies in a spiraling and inflation-stricken world economy.

The Pro and Pro Max may also get a 48-megapixel camera for the first time. This would improve the details captured and produce a sharper photo. 8K videos may also feature but I don't care much about that as it is impractical and swallows a ton of storage. The casing of the phone may also be of titanium which is lighter but may drive up costs which would be reflected in the price tag. The Pro and Pro Max would get the A16 chip as they are geared for those who "use it all". Minor improvements and exclusive features would follow like every year but these were the main talking points. And yes, no USB-C.