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iPhone 14 Pro with 48 megapixels and Dynamic Island instead of notch

7.9.2022

Translation: machine translated

Apple has presented the iPhone 14. The Californians focused on the improved camera, the new Always-On display and the pill-shaped cut-out that replaces the notch on the Pro model.

Pill instead of notch, 48 megapixel resolution on the main camera, Always-On display: the new iPhones 14 Pro and Pro Max are a clear upgrade to the previous model. The difference to the normal version is also big this year. The latter now also comes as the iPhone 14 Plus with a 6.7-inch display, analogous to the 14 Pro Max. Otherwise, the changes to the standard versions are small. The iPhone Mini is no longer in the line-up.

Design: "Dynamic Island" to integrate the pill

The design of the new iPhone is nothing new. It looks like the iPhone 13 in its basic features. There is one exception for the Pro models: The notch is history, replaced by a pill-shaped cutout where the new front camera and Face ID sensor sit. Apple is turning this into a new feature they call "Dynamic Island". It's a seamless integration of the notch that expands with dynamic animations and can display different things - basically a small dynamic split screen for things like calls, messages or navigation.

iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max come in four colours, including purple, pictured here on the left.

The regular iPhone 14 gets a 6.7-inch version to go alongside it in the form of the iPhone 14 Plus. The iPhone Mini is cancelled for this and was not mentioned again with any word.

iPhone 14 and 14 Plus come in "Midnight", "Blue", "Polaris", "Purple" and "Product Red". Pro and Pro Max come in "Space Black", "Silver", "Gold" and "Dark Purple" - the latter is called "Deep Purple" in English. I wonder if Apple had to pay the band money for this?

The camera module of iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max is larger than its predecessor. Hidden behind it is a new 48-megapixel sensor for the main camera.

Camera: 48 megapixels for the Pro model

For many, the most important thing might be the new camera: For the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, it remains at a resolution of 12 megapixels, just like the previous model. Thanks to the larger sensor of the main camera, a larger aperture and improved image processing, it should nevertheless take better photos and videos. The main camera also has an optical image stabiliser.

The new camera is bigger than its predecessor.

The iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max make the biggest leap. Their main sensors now have a resolution of 48 megapixels - but not always. Alternatively, the "quad pixel sensor" merges four pixels into one and is thus supposed to increase light sensitivity. The individual pixels are then 2.44 µm in size, compared to the 1.7 µm of the iPhone 13 Pro's main camera. This should lead to better pictures in low light conditions. The lens of the main camera now has a slightly shorter focal length of 24 mm and an aperture of f/1.78.

The Always-On Display is said not to suck the battery dry thanks to a refresh rate of one hertz.

All other cameras continue to shoot at 12 megapixels. The ultra-wide-angle camera also has a larger sensor than the 13 Pro's, but a slightly smaller aperture of f/2.2, and the focal length remains at 13mm. The 3x telephoto remains the same, but a 2x telephoto is added, which is basically nothing more than a crop of the 48-megapixel sensor of the main camera.

In terms of video, less has changed. Those who had hoped for 8K recordings will be disappointed. The only new feature is the so-called Action Mode, an aggressive digital image stabiliser for videos. The Cinematic Mode of the Pro model now also records in 4K at up to 30 frames per second.

Always-On Display with 1600 Nits

The display on the standard models remains the same, so it doesn't inherit the 120 hertz of last year's Pro model, for example. iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max get a new screen with a brightness of 1600 nits, which is 400 more than the 13 Pro. But the bigger news is the Always-On mode: even when locked, things like time, live activities or widgets remain visible - even the dimmed wallpaper. To prevent this feature from eating up the battery, the display refreshes its image only once per second when locked.

The emergency call function via satellite initially only works in America.

Crash sensors and satellite connectivity - but only in America

Apple is setting a new focus with various safety features that are making their way into the new iPhones. The biggest innovation is the emergency call function via satellite. All four models can connect to satellites in emergencies and send messages to emergency call centres - even in places where there is no mobile phone coverage. To do this, the mobile phone must be facing the right direction and be out in the open - and until further notice, only in the USA and Canada. The service will be free for two years, after which it is not yet known how much it will cost.

Collision detection will also work in our country. With new accelerometers working in tandem with the gyro sensor, microphone and GPS, Apple says the iPhone can detect when you're in a car accident, for example. It will then automatically dial 911.

Old chip for regular model, new for Pro

"The A15 chip continues to be faster than competing products regardless of price range," Apple writes. What they mean to say is that iPhone 14 and 14 Plus have exactly the same chip built in as last year's model, the A15 Bionic. Only the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max benefit from the latest A16 Bionic processor. This is now manufactured in the four-nanometre process and is thus supposed to be 20 percent more energy-efficient than its predecessor. This should ensure better battery life, although Apple does not make any comparison with last year's model here.

Slight price increase

Apple has increased the prices - only slightly in Switzerland, more in Germany: the iPhone 14 costs 929 francs in Switzerland and 999 euros in Germany at launch in the variant with 128 GB storage, the 14 Plus 1049 francs or 1299 euros. If you want the Pro model, you have to pay at least 1179 francs or 1299 euros. The 14 Pro Max costs 1299 francs or 1449 euros. What is generally striking is the significantly higher price in Germany compared to Switzerland.

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You can pre-order the iPhone 14 from 9 September. Delivery starts on 16 September for the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. The iPhone 14 Plus will not be available until 7 October.

I'll test out whether Apple's latest smartphone is worth it, and for whom, as soon as I get my hands on one. If you want to catch up on the Apple event, you can find the video recording here:

Apart from the iPhone, Apple also unveiled new AirPods and new Watch models. You can find the posts about them here:

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Samuel Buchmann

Senior Editor

Samuel.Buchmann@digitecgalaxus.ch

My fingerprint often changes so drastically that my MacBook doesn't recognise it anymore. The reason? If I'm not clinging to a monitor or camera, I'm probably clinging to a rockface by the tips of my fingers.

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iPhone 14 Pro with 48 megapixels and Dynamic Island instead of notch

Design: "Dynamic Island" to integrate the pill

Camera: 48 megapixels for the Pro model

Always-On Display with 1600 Nits

Crash sensors and satellite connectivity - but only in America

Old chip for regular model, new for Pro

Slight price increase

Double the Active Noise Cancelling: that's what the new AirPods Pro are.

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Double the Active Noise Cancelling: that's what the new AirPods Pro are.

184 comments

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