Apple may be further differentiating the standard iPhone from the iPhone 14 Pro models via different chipsets and Wide cameras, according to the mighty Mark Gurman.
According to Bloomberg, Gurman cited a range of rumors about the iPhone 14 lineup and affirmed that Apple is still working on satellite connectivity features. Gurman also outlined how Apple is aiming to further differentiate its Pro and non-Pro iPhone models in the iPhone 14 lineup. The new 48-megapixel Wide camera will be exclusive to the Pro models, while the standard iPhone 14 models will retain a 12-megapixel Wide camera like the iPhone 13 lineup.
It’s thought that the non-Pro iPhone models “are likely to stick to the A15 from last year or a variant of it,” while the Pro models will feature Apple’s new A16 chip. Gurman noted that beyond Apple’s attempt to differentiate the models, the global supply constraint/chip shortage may have contributed to this decision.
Gurman added that he expects the new “iPhone 14 Max,” which will bring a 6.7-inch display to the non-Pro iPhone 14 models, to be available for at least $200 less than the only current 6.7-inch iPhone option, the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
He also reiterated that the iPhone 14 models are thought to share a very similar design to the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models, complete with “a new notch of the Pro models,” which would consist of a pill-shaped cutout for Face ID and a circular cutout for the camera, and “larger camera bumps to fit in new sensors.”
Gurman also noted that Apple is still working to bring satellite connectivity to the iPhone. Apple purportedly intended to introduce this feature with the iPhone 13 models, though the new functionality could be ready for the iPhone 14 units. The satellite connectivity features are designed to report emergencies and send short texts to emergency contacts when no cellular service is available.
The rumor is said to be supported by satellite company Globalstar Inc. reaching an agreement to buy 17 satellites to support “continuous satellite services” for a “potential” unnamed client that had paid it hundreds of millions of dollars.