iPhone 14: These features are on our wish list

The launch of the iPhone 14 is imminent. On September 7th, Apple finally unveils the next generation. So far there have been a lot of rumors about the iPhone 14 series, but no official confirmed information from Apple. That invites you to dream. Here’s our feature wish list for the iPhone 14.

No more notch on the iPhone 14

After Apple had long accommodated the selfie camera and sensors in a wide range on the iPhone, the company switched to a notch for the iPhone X in 2017. Compared to its predecessor, the notch was a revolutionary innovation. In the meantime, however, the notch as an option for accommodating the camera and sensors has gotten a bit outdated.

Manufacturers of Android smartphones such as Samsung, Google or Xiaomi have long been using a punch-hole design in which the front cameras are housed in small recesses directly in the display. And the development of under-display cameras is also making progress. But is a punch-hole selfie camera or even an under-display camera realistic on the iPhone 14?

At least for the Pro models of the iPhone 14, Apple is relying on a punch-hole design this year. The camera comes in a round punch-out and the sensors in a pill-shaped punch-out. On the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max, the notch appears to be retained. The notch could disappear completely in the coming iPhone generations.

The return of Touch ID

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The iPhone has either Face ID or Touch ID. Why not both?

Image: © TURN ON 2022

The introduction of Face ID on the iPhone was a sensible move. The ability to unlock the iPhone with just a quick glance at the device is particularly convenient. However, the weak point of the technology became apparent at the beginning of the corona pandemic: If part of the face is covered by a mask, for example, Face ID is no longer so practical.

With iOS 15.4, Apple provided an option that Face ID can also be used with masks, but it is questionable whether the unlocking method still offers the same security as without a mask. A good alternative would be the return of Touch ID.

With the implementation of Face ID, Apple unfortunately decided against Touch ID in iPhones. There is actually nothing wrong with offering both technologies in parallel. Even after the end of the pandemic, there will probably always be situations in which users cannot use Face ID for various reasons. Touch ID would be a good alternative.

However, we think the return of Touch ID on the iPhone 14 is unlikely. If Apple were planning Touch ID’s return, we’d probably have heard rumors about it by now.

Main camera with higher resolution

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The Pro models of the iPhone 14 could have a main camera with more than 12 megapixels for the first time since the release of the iPhone 6s.

Image: © YouTube/ #ios beta news 2022

The race for smartphone cameras with an ever increasing number of megapixels seems to leave Apple completely cold. Since the iPhone 6s, Apple has consistently used a resolution of 12 megapixels for the main cameras. And the ultra-wide-angle camera and the telephoto lens in the current iPhone 13 Pro are also satisfied with 12 megapixels. However, Apple always manages to fully exploit the comparatively low-resolution sensors using software.

Land with the photo experts at DxOMark the current iPhones are always in the top 10 smartphones with the best photo quality. Nevertheless, the iPhone 14 could benefit from a higher-resolution main camera. With a resolution of 48 megapixels, for example, the so-called pixel binning process would be possible. Four pixels are merged into one larger pixel. The advantage of this method is that there is less image noise in photos with poor light conditions. However, since four pixels are merged into a single pixel, the resolution of the final photo is only a quarter of the original resolution. So ultimately, with a 48-megapixel sensor, it would be 12-megapixels again, but with better low-light quality.

The good news: According to Apple analyst Ming Chi-Kuo, the Pro versions of the iPhone 14 should actually have a 48-megapixel main camera and also support pixel binning. With the standard models, however, the cameras should remain unchanged.

USB-C instead of Lightning connector

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By autumn 2024 at the latest, the iPhone will no longer have a Lightning connector.

Image: © weibo/ChargerLAB 2020

A power cable for iPhone, iPad, MacBook and all other small electrical devices – that’s it. However, the iPhone is currently thwarting this dream. At least for the iPad and MacBook, Apple is already using the most widespread standard for charging and data cables, but the Californians have not yet been able to part with the Lightning connector for the iPhone.

However, the EU has now taken the decision to switch to a USB-C connection on the iPhone from Apple. From autumn 2024, small electrical devices – including the iPhone – must have a USB-C port. The new regulation serves to reduce the amount of electronic waste. So the USB-C connector is definitely coming for the iPhone, but also for the iPhone 14?

Probably not. The Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo assumes that Apple only switching to USB-C on the iPhone 15. A Lightning connector can still be expected on the iPhone 14 models.

Faster fast charging and reverse wireless charging

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The iPhone 14 could use a little more charging power. (Image: iPhone SE 2022)

Image: © TURN ON 2022

Compared to manufacturers of Android smartphones, Apple has also taken it easy when it comes to charging performance. Some Android manufacturers are already experimenting with charging power of over 100 watts, with the iPhone 13 Pro Max Apple is currently at a power of 20 watts (unofficially: 27 watts). There’s more to it, isn’t there?

In fact, the desire for more charging power with the iPhone 14 could even come true for all models. According to a leaker the charging power of the iPhone 14 could be increased by 50 percent to 30 watts. There may be a catch, however. The full 30 watts could only be delivered at the beginning of the charging cycle. If the iPhone 14 gets too hot, the power could be automatically throttled to 25 to 27 watts.

And while we’re on the subject of charging: Reverse wireless charging is also on our wish list for the iPhone 14. It would be really practical if you could also use the new iPhone to power your AirPods or Apple Watch when you need them spontaneously the juice runs out.

A fresh design

The design of the iPhone has hardly changed over the years. Radical changes to the iPhone’s appearance were out of the question for the Californians. Apple was more focused on adding or modifying little things to their smartphone over and over again. And their success proves them right, the iconic look was as popular with buyers then as it is today. However, we think that a fresh design could do the coming iPhone generations good.

Maybe something in the style of the Nothing Phone (1). And by that we don’t mean that Apple should turn the iPhone into a disco with LEDs. The flashy look of the Nothing Phone (1) would not suit Apple at all. We want something radically new.

With the iPhone 14, however, there should only be minimal changes such as the pill-shaped punching in the Pro models. Render images based on leaked data and rumors indicate that Apple is sticking with the familiar design. But maybe the Californians will succeed in some design trick in the future that will amaze us like the presentation of the first iPhone.