The iPhone has just turned 15 and the much-awaited Apple ‘Far Out’ event is also just a week away. The company officially announced its launch event which is scheduled for September 7 last week. The highlight of the event will be iPhone 14 lineup, which is expected to be jam-packed with new features and improvements based on leaks and reports.
Go for launch. Tune in for a special #AppleEvent on September 7 at 10 a.m. PT.
Tap the ❤️ and we’ll send you a reminder on event day. pic.twitter.com/T9o7qJt72E
— Apple (@Apple) August 24, 2022
iPhone 14 line-up: what to expect?
Astrophotography
The ‘Far Out’ event invite shows the Apple logo in space. This seems like an indication that the new flagship smartphones might come with “astrophotography” mode or a mode with the ability to capture the night sky in stunning quality.
Astrophotography in smartphones?
This will not be the first when a smartphone claims to have one such feature. Google Pixel 4 has already come up with astrophotography mode following which brands like Xiaomi and Vivo incorporated a similar feature into their smartphones. Apple has introduced night mode in the iPhones in 2019.
Satellite connectivity
Referring to the space theme invite, there are speculations that Apple could introduce satellite connectivity in its upcoming iPhone 14 series. The newly added feature will allow iPhone users to text emergency services and contacts or report an emergency when there is no cellular service available, reports Bloomberg.
Although Apple has not confirmed whether the upcoming iPhone will have this long-rumored feature, if it comes, it is expected to be built directly into iMessage.
Tim Farrar who is a satellite communications consultant at California-based research firm Telecom, Media and Finance Associates, has also speculated that Apple is likely to partner with Globalstar for the upcoming satellite connectivity on the iPhone.
Always on mode
If rumors are to be believed, you might never have to turn on the display on your iPhone 14 screen to see updates on the lock screen. Reports suggest that the lit-up stars at night hint at the upcoming “always on” mode, which will allow users to see new lock screen widgets—like time and date, weather info, or upcoming appointments—while keeping the rest of the display off.
No SIM card slot
MacRumors have reported that the tech giant has advised major U.S. carriers to prepare for the launch of eSIM-only smartphones by September 2022, adding that Apple will do away with the physical SIM card slot altogether, starting with some iPhone 14 models.
Earlier there have been rumors that this feature might come to iPhone 15 models.
As the name suggests, eSIM is a digital SIM that allows users to activate a cellular plan without having to use an actual SIM card. Notably, eSIM service is not available in all countries, so there is a possibility that iPhones with a SIM card slot may remain available in some markets, if this feature gets added to the new lineup.
In India telecom operators including Jio, Vodafone Idea, and Airtel offer eSIM services.
Improved cameras
It’s no surprise that Apple upgrades iPhone’s cameras in every version. And, it is being speculated that iPhone 14 will have a high-quality front-facing camera. The module is being supplied by LG to bring advanced functionality to the iPhone’s front camera, including autofocus which provides an improved aperture for better depth-of-field in portrait mode and video calls, as per an ET News report.
Talking about the main camera, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are reported to have a brand new 48MP main sensor, up from 12MP on the iPhone 13, which will be Apple’s biggest increase in camera resolution in the last seven years. Rumors have it that Apple will add a periscope lens to the high-end iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. However, leaks suggest that standard iPhones will continue to feature the old 12 MP sensor.
No iPhone 14 mini
Last year, Apple successfully launched its iPhone 13 lineup with four models including iPhone 13 mini. However, this time, the company is betting on the iPhone 14 Max with a bigger display and size instead of a ‘mini’ version.
Several reports and leaks have suggested that the compact version will be replaced by an iPhone Max or Plus with a 6.7-inch screen.
Other than the iPhone 14, Apple might also launch a ‘Pro’ smartwatch model along with Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch SE, and AirPods Pro 2. As with every new iPhone, these expected features might or might not make it to the stage of the Far Out event. As a result, it’s better to wait till September 7 and let Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook surprise us all.
