The iPhone 13 is clearly one of the best smartphones you can buy right at the moment (as was the iPhone 12 before it), but focus is now shifting towards what Apple might have planned for the iPhone 14 in terms of its design and key specs.
Here we're going to round up every single rumor and leak so far regarding the iPhone 14: the iPhone 14 launch date, the iPhone 14 specs, the iPhone 14 design, and plenty more besides. Everything we've heard so far is included, and we're adding new info all the time.
With more competition than ever – from the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S22 and the Google Pixel 6 – Apple knows it has to work hard to make sure the iPhone keeps up with the pack... and from the leaks so far, we'd say the smartphone looks set to do just that.
All the indications are that the iPhone 14 will take the solid foundations laid down by the iPhone 13 and build on them quite significantly – and it just might be the end for the iconic display notch that has been used by Apple since the iPhone X in 2017.
iPhone 14 key info
The iPhone 14 series is expected to launch in September 2022, with a rumored starting price of £779 / $779 for the standard model.
Based on the leaks we've seen so far, we're looking at four different phones – the iPhone 14, the iPhone 14 Max, the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max – some of which might ditch the classic display notch. It doesn't sound as though we're going to get an iPhone 14 mini.
While the screen sizes could remain the same as last year, it's rumored that all four iPhone 14s will get 120Hz ProMotion displays for super-smooth visuals, while the rear cameras on the Pro and Pro Max models have been tipped to get 48MP main sensors this time around.
We'll keep adding info here as new leaks appear, so be sure to check back often.
iPhone 14 release date
You don't need to have a gift for fortune telling to know that the iPhone 14 will most likely appear in September 2022. It's the month when Apple traditionally unveils its new iPhones – remember that the iPhone 13 made its debut on 14 September 2021.
That said, the iPhone 12 handsets didn't appear until October 2020, with delays most likely caused by the ongoing pandemic and global chip shortage, both of which put pressure on Apple's regular supply chain.
Assuming there are no similar difficulties in 2022, it's almost certain that September 2022 is the month when the iPhone 14 will make its debut, though we're still waiting on a specific date.
With pandemic lockdowns continuing in China, where the bulk of the iPhone manufacturing is done, there have been concerns that the iPhone 14 launch date could get pushed back – but based on the latest information that we have, it would seem that everything is still on schedule for September.
iPhone 14 models
With the iPhone 13, we got the iPhone 13 mini, the standard iPhone 13, the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Once again we're expecting to see four models when the iPhone 14 makes its bow – but there might be some changes.
If the tipsters are right, then we're going to get a standard iPhone 14 as well as two Pro models: the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Instead of an iPhone 14 mini though, the rumor is that the fourth handset will be an iPhone 14 Max.
Not much is known about this new model at the moment, but going off the name alone, it sounds like it will be a bigger, pricier version of the iPhone 14 – while still coming in at a lower price point than the Pro and the Pro Max.
That gives you plenty of choice, but you might struggle to decide which model is the best iPhone for you.
iPhone 14 price
We have heard a few whispers about how much you might have to spend to get your hands on an iPhone 14, though these prices are by no means confirmed at this stage.
When it comes to the standard iPhone 14, it's being tipped to start at the same price as the iPhone 13 before it: $799 in the US (or £779 in the UK).
14: $79914 Max: $89914 Pro: $109914 Pro Max: $1199Apple is currently considering this.Production costs are increasing and there has to be more than a $100 difference between the 14 Max and the 14 Pro.Makes sense to me and wouldn’t expect changes.Will keep you updated.January 9, 2022
The new Max model, meanwhile, is apparently going to set you back a little more, with a starting price of $899. As it's the first time we've seen this model, we don't have a previous edition to compare it to.
The Pro models are being tipped to get a price increase, with the iPhone 14 Pro apparently going for $1,099 (up from $999 for the iPhone 13 Pro), and the iPhone 14 Pro Max starting at $1,199 (up from $1,099 the year before).
And something else to look out for this year, according to the rumor mill: the introduction of a hardware subscription service, so you're effectively renting your smartphone rather than buying it.
iPhone 14 design
The big news in terms of the design of the iPhone 14 is that we think it's going to get rid of the iconic display notch – or at least the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max will, if the rumors are true. You can see screens for all four models here.
The more expensive models will instead feature a circular cut out and a pill-shaped cut out to house the selfie camera, the Face ID technology and so on. An under-display camera will have to wait for another year.
We now believe Apple will have a hole + pill design on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models. The smaller hole will not be invisible...The two hole concept will be unique to Apple, like the notch, not similar to all the pill models from Huawei...Let's see those new renders pic.twitter.com/Udt8cTKzPZJanuary 12, 2022
It's worth emphasising that this design shift will only apply to the Pro and Pro Max models, based on well-placed sources in the industry, so the notch won't be going away completely: it'll still be in place on the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Max.
Concept artists have been exploring what exactly this pill-shaped cut out might look like, if indeed that is the direction Apple goes in. The video mockup below, put together by talented designer 4RMD, gives you some idea.
The same source has a few ideas when it comes to colours as well, with Silver, Graphite, Gold, Midnight Green, Sierra Blue and Product (RED) the ones predicted for the iPhone 14 range.
If you want another concept video, check out the one from graphic designer Parvez Khan, which you can view below. This takes all the design rumors that we've heard to date and puts them into one stylishly rendered package.
We've also seen a rather interesting mock up of what the pill-shaped cut out might look like from a developer on Twitter. If Apple produces something along these lines then we're all for it.
Some CAD designs for the new phones have also leaked out (see below), perhaps giving us the best idea yet of what the circle and pill cut outs might look like on an actual screen. It's going to make the Pro models look substantially different.
What we're not going to get this time around is a folding iPhone. While it's thought that Apple does have a foldable smartphone in development at the prototype stage, we're unlikely to see it break cover in 2022.
One other little snippet of info we've heard in terms of design is that the SIM card might be going away. It could be eSIMs only for the iPhone 14 series and future handsets from Apple.
Another potential change possibly in the pipeline is a switch away from Lightning to USB-C for the data and charging port, following the lead of the iPad Pro. If it happens, this might only apply to the Pro and Pro Max models though – or it might get pushed back to the iPhone 15.
The 6.1-inch display of the iPhone 13.
iPhone 14 display
Four (predicted) iPhone 14 models means four different displays, and in terms of dimensions they may well stay the same: 6.1 inches for the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Pro, and 6.7 inches for the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
As for the iPhone 14 Max, that's a brand new model, so we're not sure exactly what its display dimensions are going to be – but 6.7 inches seems like a good bet.
One tidbit we've heard is that the 120Hz ProMotion capabilities – currently exclusive to the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max – will be coming to all four iPhone 14 models, for more fluid visuals.
Another exciting addition to the iPhone this year could be an always-on display, though the rumor is that this is going to be limited to the Pro and the Pro Max models. An always-on display is something that Android phones have had for years of course...
iPhone 14 specs
The spec upgrades that the iPhone gets every year are usually fairly straightforward and simple to predict, although nothing is certain until Apple's official unveiling.
Those in the know say that we should expect a brand new A16 Bionic processor powering all the iPhone models, though how much faster it's going to be than the A15 Bionic remains to be seen. What's more, 5G will of course be available on all four iPhone 14 models, as was the case last year.
In terms of RAM, 8GB has been talked about for the iPhone 14 Pro (up from 6GB on the iPhone 13 Pro). Meanwhile another tipster (opens in new tab) says that every model will get at least 6GB of RAM inside, whereas the standard iPhone 13 had just 4GB.
Another rumor that we've come across in recent weeks says that an A16 Bionic chip, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage is going to be the starting spec for the standard iPhone 14 model when the range gets revealed.
Internal storage is another area where Apple could well introduce some upgrades. The iPhone 13 series tops out at 1TB of storage, but unconfirmed reports (opens in new tab) suggest that the maximum could be 2TB for the iPhone 14 (on some models at least).
The iPhone 13 Pro camera.
iPhone 14 camera
The iPhone 14 models should be getting something of an upgrade in the camera department compared with their iPhone 13 predecessors, but we're not fully sure about what that upgrade is likely to be.
A main sensor with 48 megapixels has been talked about for the Pro and Pro Max models by more than one source, together with a periscope lens that could significantly improve the iPhone's optical zoom capabilities. That's a big jump from the 12MP sensor on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
We haven't heard any leaks around the camera configuration for the standard iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Max models, but they may well stay with dual-lens rear cameras so they can be sold at a more affordable price.
Meanwhile, one of the most well-respected analysts in the Apple business has said that all four iPhone 14 models will get improved selfie cameras, with autofocus being added and the aperture getting lowered (which means more light can be let in). And now it looks like LG Innotek will be supplying the new front-facing camera unit.
Apple usually spends a lot of time focusing on camera upgrades at its Apple launch events, so expect the same again with the iPhone 14, with numerous hardware and software improvements likely.
iPhone 14 battery
With each passing year, Apple likes to give the iPhone battery life a boost or at least keep it the same as it was on the previous models, and that should be the case again this year – the battery life on the iPhone 14 definitely won't be a downgrade on the iPhone 13 (the 2021 range of phones offers between 17-28 hours of video playback from a single charge).
When it comes to battery capacity, we've heard the iPhone 14 Pro could come packing a 5,000mAh battery, which is a substantial (and perhaps unlikely) jump up from the 3,095mAh battery capacity of the iPhone 13 Pro.
Apple is usually coy when it comes to revealing the specs of the batteries inside its iPhones, and because it has full control over the software as well as the hardware of its devices, Apple is able to get more battery life out of relatively small battery capacities. Expect that to be the case again in 2022.
iPhone 14 software
There isn't much mystery when it comes to the software that the iPhone 14 is going to be running: it'll almost certainly come with iOS 16 out of the box, the follow-up to the iOS 15 release that was pushed out last year.
Up to this point we haven't heard too much about what iOS 16 might be bringing with it, but Apple usually previews its software refreshes every year at the WWDC developer conference held in June – so watch this space. This year's event is going to be getting underway on June 6.
After the WWDC unveiling there should be a public iOS 16 beta programme that you can get involved in, should you want to. That will give you early access to all the goodies coming in the next version of the mobile operating system.
What we want to see from the iPhone 14
1. Bring back Touch ID
Face ID works brilliantly… if your face isn’t covered by a mask. Unfortunately, in 2020 and 2021, mask wearing is on the up for entirely sensible but depressing reasons, and Apple abandoning its fingerprint sensor suddenly feels a bit shortsighted.
In 2022, we’d love the iPhone 14 to bring Touch ID back. There’s talk of an under-screen sensor, but it needn’t be anything that sophisticated if it’s just a backup to Face ID. Something embedded in the power button like on the iPad Air and iPad mini would be just fine for us.
2. Goodbye notch
The notch has been part of Apple’s flagship handset look since 2017’s iPhone X, and while it was reduced in the iPhone 13, it’s still an eyesore.
It is, unfortunately, a necessary eyesore for the complex array of tech that makes Face ID work. But it does look like Apple has managed to miniturise it, and early leaks suggest that the iPhone 14 may abandon the notch once and for all. For the Pro model, at least.
3. Speedier charging
One area where Apple is starting to seriously lag behind is in charging speed. The iPhone 13 officially supports up to 20W charging when wired. Though unofficially the iPhone 13 Pro Max goes as high as 27W, that’s still sluggish compared to the market leaders. The OnePlus 9, for example, charges at 65W and even includes a charger in the box.
4. USB-C, please
Funnily enough, one of the big blocks to going faster than that is Apple’s insistence of sticking with its proprietary Lightning cable.
We’re hoping that won’t be forever though, and the EU Commission may see to that at some point, insisting all companies adopt USB-C. Hopefully Apple won’t resist too much, seeing as the company already uses the connectivity on its recent iPad devices.
5. Apple Pencil support
This is getting into ludicrously optimistic territory at this point, but we’d really love to see the iPhone supporting the Apple Pencil — something Steve Jobs famously ruled out in his lifetime.
But that was before the Pencil even existed, and if the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra can support the S Pen, then surely Apple could give Apple Pencil owners the option to doodle on the smaller screen too?
