Some iPhone 14 Pro details, last-minute thoughts: the final countdown.
Will we get a Craig cameo? I think so.
Apple's "Far out" event kicks off in less than 24 hours, in case you didn’t know. Oddly, the hype around this event feels palpable higher than last year's iPhone 13 "California streaming" event, and it's pretty clear why.
I'm not going to say that the last few years of iPhone upgrades have been boring. But, when you take a broader look at the previous four years of iPhone upgrades, you'll notice a trend that lacks mainstream appeal in being "new."
A trip down memory lane, shall we:
iPhone XS and the iPhone XS Max: The iPhone X, but with a few bonuses. Plus, the iPhone XS Max. Better cameras, a higher focus on AR, and all-new gold color. Mostly internal upgrades.
iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro: A more refined iPhone XS experience with new materials, better performance, and the first true Pro-grade camera system in the iPhone 11 Pro. Takeaway: a new-looking camera.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro: Flat-edges, 5G, better cameras, better performance, new colors. LiDAR and Pro-cameras on the 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max (which I'm still rocking to this day). And, of course, the mini.
iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro: Smaller notch, better cameras, better performance, and longer battery life. Pro's: larger cameras, new color, and ProMotion.
Outside of a niche tech community online, mainstream customers are simple people that ignore specs and the nuances of features: they see something new and get excited. It's human nature, and I'd argue that none of the last four iPhones have had anything strikingly "new."
The iPhone 14 Pro will look new. The pill-shaped notch replacement is undeniably an Apple thing to do, but yet, at the same time, one of those "even though I see it in front of me, I don't actually believe it's real" types of things.
Needless to say, the new iPhones will sell like hotcakes regardless of what Apple does or says. Still, public perception and mainstream narrative are important underlining factors in determining consumer behavior - and all the signals point to an excellent reception tomorrow.
Tomorrow's event will be Apple's most important event since November 2020, when it announced the M1 chip. Across the board, from new iPhones to possibly as many as four new Apple Watches and new AirPods, there's a lot to cover.
Let's not forget about services, too. We're almost definitely going to see the launch of a new iPhone subscription service that will replace the existing iPhone Upgrade Program. Plus, new research studies for Health, an update on Apple Music Classical, and new workout types to Fitness+ would not be a surprise.
As for my expectations for the iPhone 14 Pro - I've seen an image of the front from an Apple employee who’s been testing the device. It looks great, the bezels are smaller, and the pill shape is fine. I had no issues with the notch in the first place, but I welcome the change for the sake of something new. Woo. Innovation!
Beyond the iPhone 14 Pro, there's the Apple Watch Pro. I will save my true thoughts (which I've not shared yet on Twitter) about the design until after the event. I want to give Apple a chance to sell and convince me of the design and not some random (accurate) CAD files.
Beyond the pill-shape notch replacement, new cameras, and a pretty cool always-on display (which my colleague Hartley Charlton and I exclusively reported on details this week about), don't expect much else. And yeah, I'd be hard-pressed if we get satellite connectivity. It still feels too early, and I'd think we would have heard more about it if it was happening tomorrow.
A few other notes heading into tomorrow that I totally remembered last-minute I should probably include before wrapping this up:
The G.O.A.T. Mark Gurman tweeted last night to expect some Apple Watch Pro watch bands, and while I have 0 details on that, I do have watch band-related news. The core bunch of Apple Watch bands, including Solo Loop, Milanese Loop, Link Bracelet, and my favorite, the Leather Link, aren’t getting any updates. Same bands, same colors.
With new iPhones, the Apple Watch Series 8, the Apple Watch Pro, the Apple Watch SE, and the new AirPods Pro, Apple is undoubtedly planning a staggered release for everything over the next few weeks. iPhone 14 is in stores on Friday the 16th, and if everything hits the shelves the same day, it would be hell for retail staff. Let’s hope for a more stretched release timeline.
Lastly, can we please get a Craig cameo? Seriously though, Craig demoing the always-on display and its tie-in with the redesigned iOS 16 Lock Screen makes sense. Plus, the memes.
Great write up! How slim are the bezels you’d say on the 14 pro compared to the 13 pro? Also, any news from your Apple friend if there is an option to disable the full cutout, or if some application will automatically enable hole punch + pill for more screen space?