There have been a lot of rumors about what design changes Apple could have in store for this year’s iPhone 14, particularly when it comes to the notch. While initial reports had indicated the notch would be dropped entirely in favor of a new hole-punch design, more recent reporting has indicated that Apple was planning a unique “hole + pill design” instead.
A newly leaked schematic posted to Weibo claims to offer a more precise look at this design change, showing the true size of that hole + pill design.
iPhone 14 design rumors
The image above was posted by a Weibo user and it claims to show a more detailed schematic of the iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max. The post was also shared in a YouTube video posted on Saturday by Jon Prosser, who says that he has “independently been able to verify” that this schematic is real and accurately represents the design Apple will use.
As noted by Apple Track, what Apple appears to be doing here is “taking the components of the notch and applying them directly in the display, eliminating any waste areas that don’t include the cameras or sensors.” While the change is certainly going to be controversial, it should theoretically be less intrusive than the notch itself.
Apple’s plans for a hole + pill design were first reported earlier this year by Display Supply Chain Consultants analyst Ross Young. This report contradicted previous reporting that had indicated Apple was planning to use a simple hole-punch design similar to many Android manufacturers.
The new schematic leak overlayed with previous renders, showing the larger than expected design
The iPhone 14 lineup will reportedly be available in two different screen sizes: 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches. The expectation is that Apple will offer standard and “Pro” variants of each screen size, which could suggest a lineup that looks something like: iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max, then the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
One important thing to keep in mind is that the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are the only two iPhones expected to feature this new hole + pill design, with the other two models retaining the notch for at least another year.
The dual hole punch design on the iPhone Pro models will be seen on all 4 models in 2023. Hopefully the holes will get smaller…
— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) February 27, 2022
In terms of the rest of the iPhone 14 design, rumors suggest the iPhone 14 will feature a redesign that bares many similarities to the iPhone 4. This includes things like round volume buttons, a glass design, and more. Other changes in store reportedly include a chassis made from titanium and an overall thicker design that results in the camera bump being removed.
The iPhone 14 is expected to be unveiled in September. As always, we expect rumors to gain more traction over the coming months leading up to that announcement.
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Don’t think of OneNote as something that’s only for Windows users. Like many Microsoft apps, OneNote feels right at home on iPhone, Macs, and Android phones. There’s a pretty good web app, and a web clipper.
When it comes to platforms and support, OneNote is just as omnipresent as Evernote. And the free plan isn’t so bad either. You get access to features like audio notes, image attachments, reminders, tags, collaboration, OCR, and more, without paying a dime. And if you do pay for Microsoft 365, you get access to extra features like Math Assistant, Researcher, and more. But for most users, that isn’t necessary.
OneNote storage is included with OneDrive, so you get 5GB for free, and you can upgrade to 100GB for $1.99/month. The only downside is the potential adjustment period. OneNote works quite differently from Evernote. OneNote organizes notes in sections, and the notes can be edited free-form. But once you get used to it, it’s smooth sailing.
Authorized Apple service technicians might be able to make Face ID repairs on iPhone XS and newer phones without needing to replace the entire device, MacRumors reports.
The tech giant may soon grant Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers access to a new TrueDepth Camera service part that consists of Face ID and front camera modules. As a result, stores and authorized providers would perform same-unit repairs when a phone suffers from Face ID issues instead of replacing the device.
As described by Apple in an internal memo provided to MacRumors, the move will reduce the carbon footprint of its products by decreasing the number of whole-unit repairs. If it happens, it also means owners of iPhone XS models and newer won’t need to set up a new iPhone and possibly lose data just because of a Face ID problem.
It’s not clear yet when this new repair process will be implemented. The company has only told technicians they will receive training and documentation at a later date.
The news comes a few months after Apple announced the new “Self Service Repair” program, another move that could also make repairs easier. Through the initiative, Apple will instruct customers how to fix their devices at home while selling them the parts and tools. Customers will also receive recycling credit when they return their used parts after fixing their devices.
Apple said the “Self Service Repair” program would launch early this year in the US and then expand to other countries later.
We had been hoping the iPhone 14 would come with a 120Hz display, upgrading from the 60Hz of its predecessor and getting a screen on par with the iPhone 13 Pro, but that’s not been looking likely according to recent rumors. But a half-way house upgrade could still be on the cards.
That’s because leaker Shadow_leak claims that the standard iPhone 14 and the rumored new iPhone 14 Max could potentially offer a new 90Hz refresh rate display.
Now that 120Hz displays are easily achievable, 90Hz screens are less common than they used to be, although the Google Pixel 6 is a prominent phone that does use one. However, since Apple needs to differentiate its 120Hz Pro models from its basic models, 90Hz would be a smart compromise given that 60Hz displays are quickly becoming obsolete.
The bad news is that, if this rumor is true, it won’t be enough to beat Samsung’s newly released Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Plus, in terms of screen tech at least. These sell for roughly the same price as an iPhone, but offer full-fat 120Hz refresh rates.
The second rumor comes from Korean outlet The Elec, which reports that BOE, one of the companies that make iPhone displays, can’t keep up with demand due to the continuing global chip shortage. However, hidden away in that report is a reference to BOE continuing to provide LTPS OLED displays for the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 later in 2022.
The LTPS part is what we’re focusing on here. LTPS is one of two common types of OLED display, the other being LTPO. LTPO panels can offer higher refresh rates compared to LTPS ones, but where they really shine is in making those refresh rates adaptable.
Outputting a display at 120Hz all the time will quickly drain the battery on a phone, so an adaptive refresh rate drops that frequency down when it isn’t needed — when you’re looking at a static object or a photo, for example. LTPO displays can do this job better than LTPS, dropping to as low as 1Hz. In contrast, the best minimum refresh rate you’ll find for an adaptive LTPS display is around 48Hz, as seen on the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus.
If it’s true, as The Elec says, that Apple isn’t changing the display tech for the iPhone 14 from the iPhone 13, that could be interpreted as a sign that a 90Hz iPhone display may not come with the same adaptability as its 120Hz siblings. It could even mean it won’t be upgrading the refresh rate at all. In fact, Shadow_leaks himself does suggest the non-Pro iPhones may still only have 60Hz refresh rates, or possibly that the iPhone 14 will only offer 60Hz and 90Hz pre-sets, depending on how you read the tweets.
However, while that may be the case for the base iPhone 14, we’re also supposed to be getting a new 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max this year, filling the spot that used to be taken by the iPhone 13 mini. It’s possible that Apple would offer a higher or more adaptable refresh rate on that phone, as a bonus for going Max — though it’s equally likely that it would make it match the standard Phone 14.
In short, there remain several questions around the possible display tech in the iPhone 14 range, at least where it concerns the base models.
What we do know about the rumored new phones is that they won’t be with us any time soon; they’ll likely arrive in September or October this year. But though they might be a ways off, these display details are hardly the first we’ve heard about the new devices. For instance, other rumors have tipped Apple to drop the Face ID notch to finally replace it with a punch-hole in the display and teased a possible 48MP main camera for the Pro models.
Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro is set to be the phone that could shake up the iPhone range by potentially bringing in a notably different design from the iPhone 13 Pro. So far the rumors have hinted at everything from the death of the notch to the return of Touch ID.
This is probably well overdue; as good as the iPhone 13 Pro is, it’s arguably not a definitive upgrade over its predecessor. And overall, the iPhone hasn’t taken a huge leap forward since the iPhone 11 Pro.
In the face of stiff competition from the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and the Google Pixel 6 Pro, it looks like Apple will need to bring its A-game to the iPhone 14 Pro. Thankfully, going by the leaks and rumors so far, Apple’s next Pro model might be doing just that.
Here’s what we know so far about the iPhone 14 Pro and what we hope to see.
iPhone 14 latest rumors (Updated February 18)
iPhone 14 Pro rumored release date and price
(Image credit: the Hacker 34)
Naturally, Apple is extremely tight-lipped about any information concerning its next iPhones, especially when it comes to release dates and price. But going by previous launches, we’d say it’s a safe bet to expect the iPhone 14 range to debut in September.
And the same logic can be applied to pricing, with the iPhone 14 Pro likely to stick to the $999 starting price of its predecessor. While some flagship phones like the Samsung Galaxy S22 now start at $799, Apple isn’t likely to cut the price of its higher-end flagship phone (especially with the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max expected to hold down the $699 and $799 pricing slots). And there’s an argument that $999 is a fair price for a premium phone with carefully curated software and a trio of very impressive cameras.
iPhone 14 Pro design
(Image credit: Ian Zelbo | Front Page Tech)
Solid rumors around the iPhone 14 Pro’s design remain somewhat thin on the ground. But, ironically just before the reveal of the iPhone 13, tipster Jon Prosser showcased a suite of renders supposedly based on leaked information, which revealed some big changes for the iPhone 14 Pro.
The flat edges seen from the iPhone 13 range are retained but the camera module is tipped to go the way of the dodo, with a trio of cameras integrated into the back of the phone, much like we’ve seen with the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
(Image credit: Ian Zelbo | Front Page Tech)
The renders show off volume buttons in a nod back to the iPhone 4. And there’s talk of a titanium construction, which would theoretically make the iPhone 14 Pro stronger and potential lighter than its predecessor.
Speaking of construction, we still expect the iPhone 14 Pro and the rest of the iPhone 14 range to have ports, despite rumors of a port-less design. Apple stuck with the Lightning port for the iPhone 13 range, rather than adopt USB-C connectivity, so we don’t think the company is quite ready to drop sports altogether.
However, there are rumors that suggest Apple will finally go down the USB-C port round with the iPhone 14, which would make sense as many of its devices already have USB-C connectivity.
Other notable design changes are the removal of the now infamous display notch, with Prosser’s renders suggesting Apple will go for a punch-hole selfie camera. The latter seems oddly asymmetrical for an Apple device so we’d feel a single camera/sensor cutout would be most likely.
Touch ID has been slated to make a return but in the form of an under-display fingerprint scanner. Given the best Android phones have had this for years, it’s about tie Apple caught up, especially in a world of mask wearing that can cause Face ID to trip up. However, with iOS 15.4 adding the ability to unlock your phone with a face mask on, Touch ID becomes a less pressing need.
Not much has been teased about iPhone 14 Pro color options, other black, white, a pale peach, and a dark green; the latter looks pretty good but again it’s only in a render so we need to take this with a dose of skepticism.
iPhone 14 Pro display
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide / Shutterstock)
One of the biggest upgrades of the iPhone 13 Pro delivered was a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate display. Thanks to the use of an LTPO panel, the screen could go from 120Hz to as little as 10Hz when a fast refresh rate was needed, and thus that helped save on battery life.
We’re not expecting this to change with the iPhone 13 Pro going by the rumors so far. But there’s scope for a next-gen LTPO panel to be used, as seen in the OnePlus 10 Pro, which could improve power efficiency.
According to the rumors so far, the iPhone 14 Pro will stick with a 6.1-inch display and the iPhone 14 Pro Max will stick with the the 6.7-inch display of its predecessor. As mentioned earlier, the removal of the notch could be the most significant upgrade here, as it would make a major change from iPhone screen design in some five years.
It’s expected that Apple will go with a pill-shaped cutout to accommodate both the front camera and the sensors needed to make the phone’s Face ID unlocking feature work. However, another rumor posits that it will take two cutouts — you can see what that would look like in this iPhone 14 Pro concept design.
iPhone 14 Pro cameras
(Image credit: Volodymyr Lenard)
Don’t expect a big change in the number of cameras the iPhone 14 Pro will bring, as the Pro phones are tipped to stick with the standard combo of a main, ultrawide and telephoto array. Given how Apple phones regularly feature in our best camera phones lineup, that’s no bad thing.
But one leak has the iPhone 14 Pro tipped to get a 48MP main camera, which could finally make a change from the 12MP cameras Apple has used for years. While Cupertino’s computational photography is some of the best around, having more megapixels to play with would likely give the iPhone 14 Pro more scope when it comes to processing light and details; we could be at a tine where megapixels matter once more to Apple.
No changes have been touted for the ultrawide camera, but we’d be surprised if some effort wasn’t made to improve the field of view and help remove some edge distortion.
And there’s scope for the telephoto camera to get a zoom boost, as an Apple patent points toward the company working on a periscope-style zoom camera. If such a feature was going to debut in an iPhone, it would be for the iPhone 14 Pro. But to muddy the waters, Apple oracle Ming-Chi Kuo claims the periscope camera won’t appear until the iPhone 15 in 2023.
There’s no word on any front-facing camera improvements. But we’d expect it to have a boost on the software side to deliver better portrait and low-light photos.
There are no solid rumors about the iPhone 14 Pro’s specs but it wouldn’t be hard to predict any new model have an improved chip, as is the case with every new iPhone.
Following on from the A15 Bionic, we’d expect to see an A16 Bionic chip, with improved performance across the board. That chip is expected to move from the 5-nanometer process node to a 4nm node. An Apple-made 5G modem could also be a possibility.
Essentially, the iPhone 14 Pro is very likely to offer a distinct hike in processor, graphics and neural processing performance over the A15 Bionic. How much that will be noticeable to the average user might not be so clear, but don’t expect the iPhone 14 Pro to struggle with any task thrown at it.
A recent leak has clamed the iPhone 14 Pro will come with 8GB of RAM. As Apple’s approach to efficiency has enabled it to do more with less RAM than the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, boosting the onboard RAM could see the iPhone 14 Pro become an absolute powerhouse.
That being said, the current iPhone are hardly slow, so having the extra RAM might be seen as overkill. However, analyst Jeff Pu predicts that all four iPhone 14 models will come with 6GB of RAM, which seems strange to us.
Storage is likely to go up to 1TB, but there have been no solid storage rumors for the iPhone 14 Pro yet.
There have been no battery size or capacity rumors yet. But we’d be confident that the iPhone 14 Pro will match or exceed the 11 hours and 42 minutes the iPhone 13 Pro did in our battery test, which forces the phone to endlessly reload web pages on a cellular connection until it dies. The iPhone 13 Pro Max managed a lengthy 12 hours and 16 minutes, so we’d expect the iPhone 14 Pro Max to do the same or better as Apple boost chip and phone efficiency.
iPhone 14 Pro outlook
(Image credit: Front Page Tech | Renders by Ian)
The iPhone 14 Pro could be the phone many of us have been waiting for, with the Pro models tipped to offer a real evolution of the iPhones we’ve seen over the past few years. Sure, it’s not going to be unrecognizable from the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12, but we suspect this upcoming generation of iPhone will introduce a design language and capabilities that will set the stage for other iPhones to follow.
No notch, Touch ID, a bigger megapixel count for the main camera, as well as a USB-C port, could really shake up the iPhone as we know it. And that would in turn have the effect of setting the standard for other smartphones to follow if they wish to win a spot on our best phones list.
First I wanted to test the Ultra’s zooms, which you can see above. The first photo is taken at 1x, which the camera defaults to in the main wide-angle lens. In the camera preview, you can switch to each of the two telephoto lenses, depending on how far in you want to zoom. I took the second photo at 3x zoom, and the third photo from the left is at 10x zoom.
The last shot is a 100x hybrid digital zoom. As you can see, as capable as it is—the roofs on the houses you see are about a mile away from my window—I can’t think of many reasons why anyone would need to zoom in this much. Thankfully, there’s nothing to see in the windows I managed to capture, and I’m sorry to everyone I inadvertently creep out as I test this camera.
I am impressed with how much detail the back cameras captured from so far away. Samsung’s telephoto lenses remain one of its main strengths, especially compared to Apple’s iPhones.
The first wave of 2022 Apple products is expected to arrive at an event “on or near” March 8 and will include a new iPhone SE, iPad Air, and possibly a more premium Mac mini. Since Apple’s laptop won’t debut until later in the year, those hungry for M2-powered MacBooks will need to snack on rumors for a bit longer—don’t worry though, there is plenty to go around.
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, who reported on the March 8 event, anticipates Apple is planning a new entry-level MacBook Pro to replace the 13-inch M1 model released alongside the MacBook Air in 2020. The updated version will take after its premium siblings by dropping the Touch Bar—a move that would finally bury the divisive feature in the same graveyard as the Butterfly keyboard.
It won’t, however, gain the more advanced features found on the new 14-inch and 16-inch models. The 13-inch laptop will still be the “entry-level” MacBook Pro and will therefore forgo various upgrades, including a 120Hz miniLED ProMotion display, faster processors, and larger storage options. Instead, it will flaunt the same LCD screen at 60Hz and rely on an M2 processor, the successor to the M1, Apple’s speedy entry-level CPU.
It sounds like the 13-inch MacBook Pro will be a straightforward refresh, gaining an obligatory processor upgrade while removing the Touch Bar, a feature that was widely derided. It’s not clear whether Apple will do anything to its aging design, like slim down the bezels and add a notch, and we can only cross our fingers for MagSafe charging, an HDMI port, and an SD card slot—a trio of features that were revived on last year’s models.
If it doesn’t receive these updates, the 13-inch MacBook Pro will continue to lag behind the other “Pro” models and continue to be closer in specs to the MacBook Air, assuming the slimmer models receives the same processor update. The MacBook Pro 13’s LCD screen is dimmer and less vivid than the miniLED panels on the more expensive models, and its base M processor can’t keep up with the more powerful M Pro and M Max chips. The 13-inch laptop should remain more affordable than the larger models, but the gap in performance and features begs the question of whether this entry-level version is really all that “Pro.”
In other MacBook news, Gurman says Face ID, Apple’s facial recognition feature, will likely arrive on an iMac before it finds its way to laptops. The MacBook Pro 14 and 16 have notches, but Gurman says the technology doesn’t exist to fit Face ID onto a laptop bezel.
We don’t know when the new MacBook models are expected to arrive, but the second half of 2022 is the closest rumors get to a consensus. An endless stream of leaks and predictions will certainly fill the time, and we’re anticipating various new Apple products, with the first batch scheduled for early March.
usually puts out a new SE (special edition) iPhone every four years. However, recent leaks and rumors are pointing towards more frequent budget iPhone releases, such as in 2024, when it’s expected that Apple will give us a much-needed redesign of the most affordable iPhone in line with more recent models.
, at least according to Bloomberg’s usually reliable leaker, Mark Gurman.
So, it’s now certainly starting to look like except from competing with the likes of Samsung and Xiaomi in the premium flagship segment, Tim Cook and company have realized that they could win over millions of new customers if they focus on the budget smartphone segment. Hence, no more four-year cycles for the SE iPhone.
iPhone SE Plus 5G (2022): Apple saves the planet… again
The iPhone SE 2022 is almost as ancient as this banger.
As you might already know, Apple is expected to be recycling old hardware for the new iPhone SE Plus 5G. The sky is blue. Zebras are black & white (OK, they are technically black with white stripes). The point is – I can already see angry comments all over social media, and I get it.However, it’s rather easy to criticize Apple’s decision to keep the iPhone 8 design around for another two years. In fact, this was my first impulse, too, until I realized I’m still using an iPhone 8, which serves me well but starts to show its age – as any five-year-old phone would. For the record, my main device at the moment is a Google Pixel 6 Pro.
And so… it hit me. The new-old iPhone SE, which initially seemed super uninspiring (I’m pretty sure it still does for most), might actually be the upgrade I need until I decide to splurge for an iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro.
Am I getting an iPhone SE? Let’s go over what’s rumored to come to the 2022 budget iPhone and give you my personal take on what else it might need to stay competitive and win me over, despite the dated form factor. Spoiler: It’ll take a lot!
iPhone SE Plus 5G (2022): Can Apple rescue the ancient iPhone 8 design?
Touch ID is back, except not under the iPhone 14 Pro’s screen.
About two weeks ago, display analyst with a 100% track record, Ross Young, informed us that the next SE iPhone is indeed expected to be called “iPhone SE Plus 5G”, which already hints at one of its selling points. While 5G isn’t a huge deal in my book as it’s still far from fully developed and takes a toll on battery life, it’d certainly make the new iPhone SE Plus more future-proof.According to Young, iPhone SE Plus 5G panel production has already begun. By the way, don’t let the name of the phone lead you on. This isn’t going to be a big iPhone. Despite the expected “Plus” name, the iPhone SE Plus 5G is said to stick to a 4.7-inch LCD screen instead of the much roomier 5.5-inch panel of the last Plus unicorn – the iPhone 8 Plus.
If you’re curious, my personal take on the weird naming is that Apple is trying to tell us the new SE iPhone literally “adds 5G“. Hence, “Plus 5G” – one phrase.
That’s pretty much as much as we know about the iPhone SE Plus 5G, based on leaks and rumors. But before we continue with a short analysis of what features we might end up getting from the iPhone SE Plus 5G, here’s a list of features I’d personally love to see. I think they can rescue the ancient-looking 2022 SE iPhone and make it a bit more competitive in the pool of modern Android mid-rangers:
A bigger battery (similar to the iPhone 13 mini)
The most efficient 5G iPhone chip – A15 Bionic (from iPhone 13)
The iPhone 13 primary camera experience for photos and videos, including HDR 4 for photos/videos, Night Mode, Portrait Mode for photos of people, pets, and objects, Cinematic Mode, Photographic Styles
128GB of base storage and a new 256GB model
Same $399 starting price
How realistic is my iPhone SE Plus 5G wishlist?
A15 Bionic and a bigger battery
Based on the case with the iPhone SE (2020), it’s safe to assume the latest and greatest A15 Bionic processor from the iPhone 13 will make its way into the iPhone SE Plus 5G. It’s the most efficient 5G Apple makes, and the tiny SE needs to be as efficient as possible. Especially if Apple decides to keep the same 1821 mAh battery size, which, unfortunately, I think has a good chance of happening.See, technically, there’s more space in the iPhone SE’s chassis to fit a bigger battery than there is in the iPhone 13 mini’s, which is smaller than the SE, and packs much bigger camera sensors. Yet, compared to the iPhone SE (2020), the iPhone 13 mini boasts a 33% bigger cell (2438 mAh). That’s a huge difference. Is it possible that Apple will try and hit a nice middle ground and give us the iPhone 12 mini’s 2227 mAh cell? I don’t know, but I’d take it over the same old 1821 mAh battery.
The iPhone 13’s camera on the $399 iPhone SE Plus 5G
When it comes to the single camera on the back of the iPhone SE Plus 5G, it’s pretty safe to assume that this one will receive an image processing bump, thanks to the new chip, just like the iPhone SE (2020) did back in the day. I believe Apple will finally add Night Mode to the budget iPhone SE Plus 5G. I also see Photographic Styles being implemented alongside Smart HDR 4 for more balanced photos and videos.
What about the iPhone 13’s most hyped camera trick, Cinematic Mode? Technically, I don’t see why the iPhone SE Plus 5G wouldn’t be able to get this feature. Cinematic Mode is software-based and doesn’t use any special hardware like the LiDAR scanner. However, as I said – it’s one of the iPhone 13’s selling points, at least according to Apple’s marketing, which might be a reason to skip it on the budget iPhone.
What’s also very interesting to see is whether Apple will go with the same old iPhone 8 front and rear camera sensors as they did with the iPhone SE (2020). Like the design, these are now becoming ancient. For example, the 7MP front camera on the SE (2020) isn’t on par with recent iPhones when it comes to video – HDR is poor, and output is capped at only 1080p.
The single rear camera can go a long way with the aid of the iPhone 13’s software processing, but the smaller iPhone 8 sensor would mean almost no natural bokeh and poor low-light performance, which is another hint that Apple might simply be obligated to give the iPhone SE Plus 5G Portrait Mode for objects and Night Mode – both missing from the iPhone SE (2020). A new set of camera sensors, like from the iPhone 11, would be amazing to see, but… probably not hapenning.
$399 price for 128GB of storage
Given that the iPhone SE Plus 5G will stick to the same old design, I see absolutely no reason for it to get more expensive. Furthermore, recent rumours come very close to confirming the $399 price tag. As reported by 91Mobiles, India has imported a few iPhone SE Plus 5G variants. The import data base suggests a price of around Rs 23,000, which converts to roughly $300. Of course these prices aren’t final, as they don’t include things like tax. It’s pretty safe to assume Apple isn’t going to be making the 2022 SE cheaper, but it also looks like it won’t be getting any more expensive.
About the 128GB of storage? I think it’s a toss up. In 2021, Apple finally decided to give the vanilla iPhone flagship 128GB of base storage. So, I don’t see why the trend wouldn’t continue. Nowadays, people use more apps than ever before and take pictures and videos of anything and everything. Moreover, it’s just another good selling-point for a phone with an old design. If the SE Plus 5G gets 128GB of base storage, it’s likely that the only other option will be 256GB – priced at $499.
Why does the iPhone SE Plus 5G exist and can it challenge modern-looking Android mid-rangers?
A reminder of how far Android has come in terms of design.
It’s 2022! Why would a phone with the iPhone 8’s design exist or be acceptable? Well, apart from the obvious reason that Apple is the only company able to get away with this, it looks like this is (still) the only way to keep the SE iPhone priced as low as $399. This in itself is important if Apple wants to put iPhones in the hands of as many people as possible. In case you didn’t know, the top 10 best-selling Android phones in the world cost between $100-250. That’s right, no Galaxy S21 Ultra or Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra on that list. It’s budget and mid-range Android phones that sell the best, so it’s not a surprise that Apple wants to get a piece of that pie with much more frequent iPhone SE releases.
If my wishlist comes to fruition, and the iPhone SE Plus 5G is able to last a day on a single charge; gives you the iPhone 13 primary camera experience; and starts at $399 for 128GB of storage, this would be a challenge for Android mid-range smartphones and brands that specialize in them.
Many of the most competitive mid-range phones from OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo, and even Samsung, aren’t sold in nearly as many markets as iPhones (70+ countries). Most of them also don’t offer important (to some) features like wireless charging and water resistance, which the iPhone SE Plus 5G will certainly include – the 2020 model did.
And finally, they simply can’t match Apple’s brand recognition – a key for marketing and sales. The iPhone SE Plus 5G’s biggest selling-point won’t be the iPhone 13’s camera or improved battery life (given that it gets them), but the fact that it’s an iPhone.
Just like the previous two generations of SE iPhones, this one is perfect for those who either want to get their first iPhone (especially people in developing markets), or those who love the old design. And, yes, they still exist. The iPhone SE (2020) accounted for an impressive 19% of US iPhone purchases in Q2 of 2020. 73% of all iPhone SE (2020) buyers in the US were upgrading from an iPhone that was launched before 2017 – in other words, an iPhone with a home button.
iPhone SE Plus 5G might have two advantages over the iPhone 13
Before we wrap up, let’s not forget that nowadays, Touch ID, which of course, will be making a comeback, together with the iPhone SE’s home button, can actually be seen as a better alternative to Face ID, found on modern iPhones.
Although after a two-year wait since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Face ID can now work with masks, this feature is only supported on iPhone 12 and iPhone 13. Moreover, the iPhone still won’t be able to unlock if you’re wearing a mask and sunglasses at the same time since to recognize a masked face, it looks for features around the eyes. In other words, Face ID is still far from perfect, while Touch ID just works.
Also, the 2020 iPhone SE included a charger in the box, and since this is indeed a budget phone, meant to appeal to people who can’t afford a $1,000 iPhone, it’s likely that Apple might decide to be generous and keep the charger around. Still, this is nothing more than a guess on my end. Also, is it something that should affect your purchase decision? Probably not, but it’s there… OK, if it is.
iPhone SE Plus 5G Android alternatives: Better and cheaper?
iPhone SE (left) and the alleged Pixel 6A (right).
In the end, if you’re in a market like India, Europe, or really anywhere, Android will give you an abundance of iPhone SE alternatives. Furthermore, in markets like India, the SE iPhone is usually quite a bit more expensive than it is in the US. Same for Europe, where it starts at 479 EUR. Not exactly the same sweet deal as $399, right?
Depending on whether they’re available in your country, the OnePlus Nord 2, Google Pixe 5A, and the slightly older but certainly worthy Galaxy S20 FE are going to have a ton of advantages over the SE, including bigger and better screens, multiple cameras, much larger batteries, etc.
Furthermore, according to Jon Prosser, we’re expecting a redesigned Google Pixel 6A in May 2022. Again, if Google phones are available where you are, and if you’re willing to wait up, this one might be worth considering. However, in case you don’t want to wait around, the already affordable Google Pixel 6 (originally priced at $599) is now starting to drop in price, for example, on eBay. Needles to say, this one will be on a whole other level compared to the SE.
The iPhone SE Plus 5G will look super dated – that’s for sure. But it will certainly be the cheapest (new) iPhone you can buy. It’s for those who already know they want a mid-range iPhone – not for those looking to choose between a budget iPhone and Android since the latter have so much more to offer.
On a personal note, the Google Pixel 6 Pro remains my primary phone. However, let’s see if the SE Plus 5G will be good enough to convince me to upgrade from my iPhone 8. I’ll get back to you!
Every year, Apple hosts a handful of product launch events to announce new devices, and 2022 is shaping up to be no different. According to Bloomberg, the company’s first such event will be “on or near” March 8, which tracks—Apple usually announces new devices in the spring, and its events tend to be on Tuesdays. March 8 is not technically spring, but it’s spring enough, and it’s also a Tuesday.
So what’s in store March 8 or some other date adjacent to that one? Rumor has it Apple plans to announce an updated version of its popular iPhone SE (the cheapest iPhone available to buy) with 5G connectivity. An overhauled iPad Air is also reportedly on deck, as is a new Mac.
The iPhone SE launch would be particularly interesting. Apple hasn’t updated the $399 SE, which is the only iPhone in the lineup with Touch ID, in two years. According to Bloomberg, Apple is adding 5G, a faster processor, and a better camera to the phone but retaining its dated design (which some prefer to the iPhones with nearly edge-to-edge displays and facial recognition).
Apple’s middle-of-the-road iPad Air is also expected get a spec bump with a 5G modem and a faster processor. The $599 Air was last updated in fall 2020 with an iPad Pro-like redesign, and when I reviewed it at the time, I said it was the best iPad for most people. That remains true, though the Pro has since gotten a big display boost and the iPad Mini’s recent redesign makes it more compelling for folks who want a tablet that’s not trying to be a laptop replacement.
Apple is in the process of switching all of its Macs over from Intel to Apple Silicon, and according to Bloomberg, one of those Macs may take the stage at the March event.
The company is also expected to roll out big updates to iOS 15 and macOS Monterey that make it possible unlock an iPhone with a mask on and to seamlessly use a Mac with an iPad controlled by just one mouse, keyboard, or trackpad.
Apple hasn’t yet announced the event, so it remains to be seen if the product launch—which is expected to be streamed online rather than in person—will take place March 8. But the odds are pretty good that the company has plenty of products in store this year, and that we’ll see the first of those new devices very soon.
Photo: Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto (iStock by Getty Images)
As surveillance controversies have raged in connection with Israeli spyware vendor NSO Group, another, lesser known spyware firm from Israel has also apparently been helping hack iPhones all over the world.
Reuters reports that the company QuaDream is a smaller, “lower profile” surveillance vendor that nevertheless boasts similar hacking capabilities to NSO and, in fact, was partially founded by two former NSO employees. Apparently based in Tel Aviv, the firm hasn’t had much exposure in the American press until now but, like NSO, QuaDream has similarly exploited “many of the same vulnerabilities” in Apple’s software to help its clients hack iPhone users, Reuters reports.
QuaDream reportedly sells a “zero-click” exploit—a sneaky cyberattack that can silently compromise phones without any need for phishing. That exploit, cheerfully dubbed REIGN, is thought to be almost identical to FORCEDENTRY, a fearsome NSO cyber exploit that is reputed to be “one of the most technically sophisticated exploits” ever produced, according to the Google researchers who analyzed it.
Similarly, QuaDream’s spyware seems to have frightening capabilities that can completely and utterly invade a person’s digital life. Reuters writes that REIGN has the capability to:
…take control of a smartphone, scooping up instant messages from services such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal, as well as emails, photos, texts and contacts, according to two product brochures from 2019 and 2020 which were reviewed by Reuters. REIGN’s “Premium Collection” capabilities included the “real time call recordings”, “camera activation – front and back” and “microphone activation”, one brochure said.
Not a whole lot is known about QuaDream’s client base, though the company has reportedly worked on behalf of the governments of Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Singapore, Reuters reports. It may have also worked for the government of Indonesia, according to the outlet.
Israel has a thriving surveillance industry and is reportedly one of the biggest hubs for cyberweapons distribution in the world. Four other Israeli surveillance firms, including CobWebs Technologies, Bluehawk CI, Cognyte, and Black Cube, were all kicked off of the company formerly known as Facebook’s platforms in December after it was revealed they had been engaged in ongoing espionage activities targeted at tens of thousands of users.
Relatedly, NSO’s ongoing scandals have caused significant distress in Israel, where the company is alleged to have close ties with the government and has often been used as a diplomatic tool. The recent revelations about QuaDream are unlikely to help that situation.
