Apple is set to unveil its newest iPhones and Watch at its Far Out event on Wednesday — and we are expecting a number of major launches.
Here are five of the biggest announcements we anticipate.
No more mini
It is expected that the new iPhones will come in only two sizes — 6.1 inches for the 14 and 14 Pro, and 6.7 inches for the 14 Max and 14 Pro Max.
That means goodbye for to mini version — and this really is not a surprise. Apple does not break down iPhone sales by device, but Consumer Research Intelligence Partners reported that in the first quarter of 2022, only 3 per cent of US iPhone sales were for the mini.
The pill-and-hole look
After pioneering the notch craze with the iPhone X in 2017, users are in for a new interface with the widely expected pill-and-hole combo up front.
Part of the reason for the notch's existence is to house Apple's complicated Face ID technology. As such, it will be interesting to find out how they have been able to cram that behind an even tighter space.
This would mean a whole new view for iPhone users. And inasmuch as the notch stirred much debate, it would not be surprising if the pill-and-hole makes some waves, too.
Bigger, more rugged Watch
While Watch Series 8 will continue to offer 41-millimetre and 45mm versions, the biggest — literally — anticipated addition is what is being called Watch Pro, which is intended for rugged use.
The Pro model is expected to be about 7 per cent bigger, meaning it would be about 48mm in size, Bloomberg technology reporter Mark Gurman said. This would mark the first major redesign of the Apple Watch since 2018's Series 4.
Apple is seeking to solidify its position in the smartwatch industry. It is comfortably ahead and holds more than a third of global market share as of the second quarter of 2022, according to Counterpoint Research.
There are also rumblings about the addition of body temperature and car crash detection, the latter of which is a follow-up to the fall detection introduced in Series 4.
Better cameras for 8K video
The iPhone 13 Pro models scored high in the photography and videography segment. Apple is poised to build on that, this time by introducing its biggest update to its camera on the 14 Pro models — a 48MP sensor that is more than 20 per cent bigger to support 8K video.
This is indeed a big deal, since iPhones have never gone beyond 12MP. Apple apparently does not believe in the strength-in-numbers philosophy — and they let the results speak for themselves.
An improved camera and video system will help Apple to entice more creators. After all, the company had already pitched the iPhone 13 as a Hollywood-grade movie maker.
Lower iPhone prices?
Logic — and history — dictates that each iPhone cycle comes with a higher price tag. It has been reported that the new devices are to be priced $100 higher than the iPhone 13 models.
However, this may not be the case this time around, as there is a possibility that the iPhone 14's pricing could be lower.
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The iPhone through the ages: Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduces the iPhone to the world in San Francisco, California, on January 9, 2007. It had a 3.5-inch screen and 2MP camera. Reuters -
The iPhone 3G was launched in 2008 with a faster 3G connection. It also added location services. Reuters -
The iPhone 3GS was released on June 19, 2009. It was twice as fast as its previous version. AFP -
The iPhone 4 was released on June 24, 2010. It featured FaceTime for the first occasion as well as a retina screen. Reuters -
A later release, this time on October 14, 2011, the iPhone 4S had a new dual-core processor. Reuters -
Apple CEO Tim Cook takes to the stage following the reveal of the iPhone 5 in San Francisco, California, on September 12, 2012. This was the first 4-inch screen and the phone was faster and slimmer. Reuters -
The iPhone 5C arrived on September 20, 2013 and was less expensive and very similar to the iPhone 5 except it came with colourful casing. Getty Images -
The iPhone 5s came at the same time as the 5C and introduced touch ID and a motion data processor as health and fitness apps started to come to the fore. Getty Images -
The iPhone 6 marked another double launch when unveiled on September 9, 2014. The 6 had a 4.7-inch screen, faster processor and improved camera. AFP -
The iPhone 6 Plus had a 5.5-inch screen and was $100 more expensive. Reuters -
The iPhone 6s came on September 25, 2015 with 3D touch and a camera that could shoot 4K video. EPA -
The iPhone 6s Plus is displayed at Tokyo's flagship store on September 25, 2015. Both new phones came in a new colour - rose gold. AFP -
Unveiled on March 21, 2016, the iPhone SE had the same design as the iPhone 5 and saw a return to the 4-inch screen which was preferred by some users. It was more affordable and hence lacked features such as Touch ID. AFP -
The iPhone 7 announced on September 7, 2016, said somewhat controversially goodbye to the audio jack. Reuters -
The iPhone 7 Plus had a dual camera added. AFP -
The iPhone 8 was released on September 22, 2017 and had a new glass and aluminium design, retina HD screen. Reuters -
A customer gets his hands on an iPhone 8 Plus on launch day in Tokyo on September 22, 2017. The launches also saw speakers that were 25% louder and the most powerful and smartest chip in a smartphone (according to Apple). AFP -
The iPhone X marked a decade of iPhones on September 12, 2017. It's main changes were an edge-to-edge super retina screen. Touch ID was removed with Face ID introduced. Reuters -
The iPhone XS was released on September 21, 2018 and had a Super Retina OLED screen with improved scratch and water resistance. Face ID was faster. Reuters -
The iPhone XS Max had the largest iPhone screen to date at 6.5 inches. It could handle 3 million pixels. Reuters -
The iPhone XR was slightly cheaper than the XS and came with a 6.1-inch screen. AFP -
A customer looks at the iPhone 11 at an Apple store in Dubai Mall on September 20, 2019. EPA -
A man tries out the iPhone 11 Pro in Cupertino, California, on September 10, 2019. AFP -
Midnight Green was introduced for the iPhone 11 Pro Max, while there was also a new three-camera system. Reuters -
Arriving on April 15, 2020, the iPhone SE was for budget-minded customers and was pretty much a replica of the iPhone 8. Its 4.7-inch screen felt rather on the small side compared to the big screens of its big brothers. Apple Inc. / AFP -
The iPhone 12 on October 13, 2020 introduced a new processor and a screen that offered four times better protection if dropped. Apple / AFP -
The iPhone 12 mini offered a 5.4-inch screen. Getty Images -
Mr Cook showcases the iPhone 12 Pro during an event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, on October 13, 2020. This upgrade saw a faster chip, 5G speed, a "camera system that’s killer in low light. A LiDAR Scanner for more realistic AR. And two great sizes to choose from — including our largest display ever". Apple / EPA -
The iPhone 12 Pro Max was categorised as a 'legacy phone'. Reuters -
The new iPhone 13 was unveiled on September 14, 2021. It has a smart data mode which helps battery life, more 5G bands and antenna lines that use material made from recycled plastic water bottles. AFP -
Apple CEO Tim Cook showcasing the third generation iPhone SE featuring 5G and the A15 Bionic chip on March 8, 2022. EPA -
The Apple iPhone 14, 14 Plus, Pro Max and the Apple iPhone 14 Pro were unveiled during an event on September 7, 2022. It didn’t raise its US prices during one of the worst years for inflation in decades. The biggest addition was emergency calling after a car crash. Bloomberg
It all started when a leak posted online last week suggested the iPhone 14 could go in “a completely different direction than expected” and be priced lower. The person behind the leak, yeux1122, is little known, but Forbes pointed out that he or she has a track record of mostly being right.
Then, more fuel was added to the fire when market research firm TrendForce lowered its iPhone price range by $50. It said Apple might take a "more cautious approach" in pricing, under pressure from soaring inflation and exchange rates, to drive and protect sales, with the bonus of making the smartphones more pocket-friendly.
Apple might also double the iPhones' base storage to 256GB, meaning users get more while paying less, TrendForce said.
All will be revealed tomorrow — and we sure hope this last report turns out to be true.
