When it comes to smartphone technology, Apple is one of the top companies in the world. While many will like to deny it, Apple actually takes the lead and others follow. We can talk about the notch design which the company introduced with the iPhone X. This became a popular design amongst many Android OEMs. Also, Apple is not afraid to be behind the competition with smartphone technology. Take the screen refresh rate as an example, the latest iPhone 12 has a 60Hz refresh rate. There are some mid-range Android devices with 90Hz refresh rate displays. Well, with the iPhone 14 series, Apple will make some significant improvements.
However, we know that the iPhone 14 series (nomenclature is tentative) will arrive next year. For now, the improvements that Apple will make center around the camera. The company will not only improve the megapixel, it will also use a new and exclusive lens. According to popular Apple analyst, Kuo Ming-Chi, Apple will improve its camera technology.
Here are the top 5 trends that we expect with the iPhone 14 series
1. Face ID
For many years, Apple has been a huge fan of the Face ID feature. In fact, this biometric identification is the most preferred amongst iPhone users. However, with the advent of the coronavirus pandemic, using this feature became difficult. During the pandemic, everyone has to wear a mask. This means that our faces are not in full view thus Apple’s Face ID feature can not work. As a result, there were reports that the iPhone 13 will either ditch the Face ID feature or combine it with the Touch ID feature.
However, even if Apple ditches the Face ID feature in the iPhone 13, it has other plans for this feature. Its subsequent models (iPhone 14) will probably use this feature. According to reports, this aspect will be an area of improvement for Apple in the iPhone 14. Reports claim that the company’s Face ID Tx lens will discard the glass and use plastic instead.
By 2023 (iPhone 15), Apple will unveil an on-screen Face ID system according to Kuo Ming-Chi. It will also unveil a new periscope telephoto lens in 2023. Kuo Ming-Chi previously claims that from iPhone 14, Apple will abandon the notch on some iPhones and adopt a “punch-hole” design.
2. 48MP Main Camera
Since early 2019, we have seen 48MP main sensors in multiple Android smartphones. Presently, Android mid-range smartphones are using a 48MP main camera. However, as we said earlier, Apple is not afraid to be behind the competition. Its latest flagship, iPhone 12 series uses a 12MP camera. This is a far cry from the 108MP sensors in Android flagships.
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However, things will change with the iPhone 14. According to reports, Apple will use a 48MP camera sensor in its 2022 iPhones. According to reports, this sensor will be a new and exclusive camera from Sony. This sensor will be more conducive and will significantly increase lens ASP. The use of 48MP cameras in the 2022 iPhones will force more Android models to adopt large-area/outsole CIS and will drive high-end lens specification upgrades, ASPs and shipments.
3. No Mini Model
No doubt, there are some small screen enthusiasts that want OEMs to keep launching small screen devices. They expect Apple to launch a smaller iPhone with a modern full-screen design and Face ID features. The iPhone 12 mini did just that but its sales imply that small screen enthusiasts are not so many. There are rumors that there will also be an iPhone 13 mini this year. However, this may be as far as we see the “mini” models.
According to Kuo Ming-Chin, the iPhone 14 series will have four models. They include high-end 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch models, and low-end 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch models. Obviously, the 5.4-inch model is missing here.
If there is no iPhone 14 mini in 2022, the iPhone SE series will regain the title of the smallest iPhone with a 4.7-inch display. However, due to the thicker frame and the main Touch ID Home button, the current iPhone SE 2 is actually slightly larger than the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini model. In addition, the iPhone SE 2 also has only a single rear camera and comes with an LCD screen. The iPhone 12 mini uses a better OLED screen.
In recent months, there have been many reports about the poor sales of the iPhone 12 mini. Its sales are actually poor when you compare it to the rest of the iPhone 12 series. However, since Apple no longer announces iPhone sales, there is no official data. If Apple retires the 5.4-inch mini model next year, it will undoubtedly indicate that the sales volume of the series is still not good enough to persist.
4. 8P lens
Apple will also bring a better 8P lens to its 2022 iPhones. However, there is no mention if all the models will get this lens. The application of the 8P lens has the advantage of improving yield and decreasing cost. The shipment of this lens will significantly increase from 2022. Apple will not be the only major manufacturer to use this lens. According to Kuo Ming-Chi, he also expects Samsung’s flagship to start using 8P lenses in 2022.
5. Periscope telephoto lens
In addition to the Face ID which some analyst claims that will be on-screen, Apple will also use a periscope telephoto lens for its 2022 iPhones. This feature is already preponderant in many Android flagships. However, Apple will be bringing its solution to the market next year. Furthermore, the report claims that the lens ASP will significantly increase.
In addition to the telephoto lens, Kuo Ming-Chi predicts that Apple will release at least one flagship iPhone in 2023 that will use an on-screen fingerprint sensor. This device will not use the notch design and will have a full-screen display.
Conclusion
We should all note that these are only forecasts from professional Apple analyst, Kuo Ming-Chi. Apart from the change to the Face ID and the 8P lens, other changes are common to Android smartphones. However, it is also important to note that there could be changes along the line. Not all the features here may actually arrive with the iPhone 14 series. Some of the features may actually arrive earlier while other will arrive later or even not at all.
