But in 2022, it looks like Apple is finally learning the importance of selling: it looks like the iPhone 14 Pro will be a marked improvement over the base iPhone 14.
Here are the five reasons you should consider going Pro when the iPhone 14 launches in September, and check out our iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro preview for more information.
The power of the A16 Bionic chip
This may be one of the biggest differences this time around. In the past, all iPhones — from the entry-level SE to the more expensive Pro Max — used the same A-series Bionic chip, giving them nearly identical performance.
Not this year, if the rumors are to be believed. Back in March, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that while the iPhone 14 Pro will get the new A16 Bionic chip as usual, the regular iPhone 14 models will stick with the same A15 processor used in the iPhone 13 and iPhone SE 3. Since then, other reports have supported Kou’s point of view.
To be clear, the A15 doesn’t slack off, and it’s still faster than Qualcomm’s fastest Android chip. But when it comes to the A16 Bionic and the A15 Bionic chip, there should be no contest.
Goodbye to the slit
The notch has been Apple’s signature since the iPhone X in 2017, and it’s even featured in high-end MacBooks.
But it has never been so popular with buyers who, at best, don’t mind it. If you want to get rid of the first class in 2022, you want to become a professional, according to various sources (Opens in a new tab).
However, what is expected to replace the degree also appears to be a matter of taste. We hear that the iPhone 14 Pro series will use a punch-hole for the front camera and a pill-shaped hole for Face ID technology. Whether or not you think the look of a double hole is better than class is largely down to personal preference.
Smoother display with always-on display
While the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro both use OLED screens, only the latter has ProMotion – a 120Hz refresh rate that makes things look smoother, and opens the door to games that exceed 60fps.
This difference is expected to continue with the next generation, but the iPhone 14 Pro will also get an always-on display for the first time. This has been a staple of Android phones (and indeed the Apple Watch) for some time, and allows details like the time and notifications to be displayed even when the phone isn’t awake.
For the iPhone 14 Pro, the always-on display is expected to include wallpapers, as the image above shows. So you might get the same iOS 16 lock screen widgets – just with dim brightness.
48MP main camera
Apple has stuck with 12MP sensors for its rear cameras since the 2015 iPhone 6S, but the iPhone 14 Pro is said to be slated to change that with a 48MP lens.
Yes, some are skeptical of this report, but as more CAD leaks surface, it’s quite clear that the camera bump on the back of the iPhone 14 Pro models is larger than it was in previous generations.
The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are said to record 48MP photos, but they use pixel binning to deliver 12MP photos for those who want to save space. Regardless, the level of detail should be greater. In addition, this sensor is said to also enable 8K video recording, which will be a first for iPhones.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says this is to make way for improved image sensors.
Telephoto Zoom Pro is still exclusive
The 3x optical zoom is another feature that has, until now, been exclusive to Pro iPhones, and there’s no indication that will change with the iPhone 14. In fact, it seems very likely that it won’t, given Apple’s willingness to sell.
We haven’t heard of an improvement beyond the 3x optical zoom offered by the iPhone 13 Pro (the best phones with cameras up to 10x) which won’t be enough for some. And there are rumors that Apple will adopt a periscope zoom camera for the iPhone 15 in 2023. But if you were to choose between new iPhones this year, that would be as good as it gets.