May 8, 2022
What do you imagine when you hear the word iPhone? What thoughts go through your mind when you picture the iPhone?
To answer my questions, I imagine the next iPhone to be a minimal upgrade if you base that assumption on past Apple iPhone release history. Let's reflect on the 14-year history of the iPhone!
During the Macworld event in January 2007, Steve Jobs shared with the world what they've been working on; the first touch screen phone that included an MP3 player and a web browser. The phone was later released in June 2007. When I first laid eyes on this thing and listened to Steve talk about the device, I honestly thought, wow, the future is approaching. The phone will allow us to have so much access to everything, and it will fit in your pocket.
Speaking of pockets, the form factor of the iPhone has changed through out the year. Let's take a quick dive into the 14 year history.
Original iPhone: - June 29, 2007
Display: 3.5' 320x480 pixels, TFT touchscreen
Camera: 2 mega pixels
Memory: 128 MB eDRAM
Processor: Samsung 32-bit RISC
ARM 1176JZ(F)-S v1.0
Sensors: Accelerometer, proximity
Key iOS Features: OS 1.0 - 1.1
iPod Integration
iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store
Mobile Safari Web Browser
Google Maps
Multitouch Keyboard - Huge!
iPhone 3G - July 11, 2008
There were no changes to the hardware
Key iOS Features: OS 2.0 -2.2
App Store & 3rd Party Apps
GPS Navigation
Microsoft Exchange Support
Calculator
MobileMe
iPhone 3GS - June 19, 2009
No Change to the Display
Camera: 3 mega pixels & 480p video
Memory: 256 MB RAM
Processor: 600 MHz ARM Cortex-A8
Sensors: Compass
Key iOS Features: OS 3.0 - 3.2
Camcorder
MMS
Spotlight Search
Voice Control
Copy, Cut and Paste
iPhone 4 - June 21, 2010
Display: 3.5" 640x960 pixels, LED-backlit IPS LCD
Camera: 5 mega pixels, 720p video/VGA, 420 video
Memory: 512 MB RAM
Processor: Apple A4
Sensors: Gyro was added
Key iOS Features: OS 4.0 - 4.3
Facetime
HD Recording
Multitasking
Folders
Game Center
iPhone 4S - October 14, 2011
Same Display Tech
Camera: 8 mega pixels, 1080p
Same memory
Processor: Apple A5
Same Sensors
Key iOS Features: OS 5.0 - 5.1
Siri
iMessage
iCloud
iTunes Wi-Fi Sync
Newstand
iPhone 5 - September 21, 2012
Display: 4.0" 640x1136 pixels, LED panel
Camera: Same 8 mega pixel, 1080p/1.2 MP, 720
Memory: 1GB RAM
Processor: Apple A6
Same Sensors
Key iOS Features: iOS 6.0 - 6.1
Apple Maps
Passbook
3G/LTE Facetime
Panoramic Photos
Photo Sharing
iPhone 5C & 5S - September 20, 2013
Same Display
Same Camera
Same memory
Processor: Apple A7
New sensor: Fingerprint reader
Key iOS Features: iOS 7.0 - 7.1
Touch ID
Airdrop
Control Center
Upgrades to mulitasking
FaceTime Audio
iPhone 6 & 6 Plus - September 19, 2014
Display: 4.7" 750x1334 pixels, LED-backlit IPS LCD
Same Camera
Same Memory
Processor: Apple A8
New sensor: Barometer
Key iOS Features: iOS 8.0 - 8.4
Apple Pay
Health App
Family Sharing
iCloud Drive
Continuity
iPhone 6S & 6S Plus - September 25, 2015
Same Display
Camera: 12 mega pixels, 2160p/5MP, 1080p
Memory: 2GB RAM
Processor: Apple A9
Same sensors
Key iOS Features: iOS 9.0 - 9.3
3D Touch
Nightshift
CarPay
Low Power Mode
Improvements to Notes App
iPhone SE/7/7 Plus - March 31, 2016(SE) - September 16, 2016 (7)
Same Display
Camera: 7MP, 1080p front facing camera change
Same memory
Processor: Apple A10 Fusion
Same sensors
Key iOS Features: iOS 10.0 - 10.3
Apple Maps
Delete Built-in apps
Home app
iMessage Apps
Improved Lock Screen
iPhone X/8/8 Plus - September 22, 2017 (8) - November 3, 2017 (X)
Display: X - 5.8" 1125x2436 pixels, Super AMOLED
Camera: Dual 12MP, 2160p/7MP, 1080p
Memory: 3GB RAM
Processor: Apple A11 Bionic
Sensors: New Face ID
Key iOS Features: iOS 11.0 - 11.4
Siri Translations
Photo Compression
Files app
Face ID
Animoji
iPhone XS/Max/XR - September 21, 2018 (XS/Max) - October 26, 2018 (XR)
Display: 6.5" 1242x2688 pixels, Super AMOLED
Camera: Dual 12MP, 2160p/7MP, 1080 p
Memory: 4GB RAM
Processor: Apple A12 Bionic
Same Sensors
Key iOS Features: iOS 12.0 - 12.1
Screen time
Siri Shortcuts
Group Face Time
Password management
Memoji
iPhone 11/Pro/Max - September 20, 2019
Same Displays
Camera: Triple 12MP, 2160p/12MP, 2160p
Same memory
Processor: Apple A13 Bionic
New Siri neural sensor
Key iOS Features: iOS 13.0 - 13.3
Dark Mode
Revamped Maps App
Siri Update
Smart Photos App
Health App
iPhone 12/Pro - November 13, 2020
Display: 6.1 1170x2532 pixels, Retina XDR OLED
Camera: Quad 12MP, 2160p/12MP, 1080p
Memory: 6GB RAM
Processor: Apple A14 Bionic
Same sensors
Key iOS Features: iOS 14.0 - 14.8
Homescreen Redesign
Compact Phone Calls
App Clips
Translate App
App Tracking Transparency
iPhone 13/Pro
Same display
Same camera
Same Memory
Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
Same sensors
Key iOS Features: iOS 15 - 15.2
Focus Mode
Facetime SharePlay
Spotlight
ID Cards in wallet
Native App Redesign
This brings us to iPhone 14/Pro. All we have are rumors and speculations based on leaked schematics and screen hardware.
Based on this information, the biggest change is the notch removal. It appears that Apple may move to a camera cut out design for the front panel. We will definately get upgraded cameras, rumors suggest 48MP.. We should see an increase in RAM from 6 to 8GB.
The chip situation will be a hot topic. It's rumored that Apple will use the same A15 Bionic chip for the regular 14 models. The new A16 Bionic chip will be placed in the pro models only. This will be the first time Apple releases a new phone with the same chip as the previous model. This could be due to chip shortages. This could be a new marketing strategy to get consumers to purchase the pro model. It's going to be interesting how Apple will justify the price of the 14. Will it be the same price as the 13 or will they include a feature that will separate the device from the 13 and therefore justify an increase in price? But I digress. We could see a new sensor, we haven't had one in the past three years.
Rumors also suggest that Apple will get rid of the mini model and move to a new regular 14 Max model. So, we'll have a 6.1 14, a new 6.7 14, along with the 6.1 14 pro and 6.7 14 pro max. Going back to my question, I imagine the iPhone 14 will look similar to the 13 with minor changes to the demensions, the camera bump will be ridiculous. The new hole punch cut out will be a nice change. The hole punch cut out bothers some people but it's not a big deal breaker for me. I see it as an intergral move that will get us closer to a full screen iPhone. The tech isn't there yet and Apple will not ship junk!
Is it time to upgrade? Well, it depends on the phone you currently own. If you have an iPhone 11 or later, maybe an iPhone 12, definitely. If you have an iPhone 13, I wouldn’t uparade. The performance and specks will be similar. The only reason to upgrade would be if Apple releases a game changing feature with the iPhone 14.