Apple adds a ‘Plus’ to iPhone 14 line

Apple announced four new iPhones at the ‘Far Out’ virtual event on Wednesday. The base iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models will be available at a starting price of $799 and $899, respectively, and will be available in stores from September 16 and October 7, respectively. Pre-orders start on September 7. 

The flagship iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will start at $999 and $1,099 and will hit stores from September 16. There will be a 1TB storage variant in the Pro series. 

The new iPhones offer improved camera sensors, support crash detection, and can connect and send messages using communications satellites during emergencies. 

Satellite connectivity

This feature is available across all devices and can come in handy during emergencies. Apple said it has designed the mobile antennas on the iPhone 14 models in such as way that it can connect to communication satellites without requiring a bulky antenna seen in most satellite phones. This new feature will allow users to communicate with others and get help even when there is no cellular or internet connectivity on their iPhones. 

However, to establish a connection with satellites, users will have to point the antenna upward and face the satellite. Messages shared over satellite communication will be brief and to the point.  

The satellite connectivity can also be used to share locations using the Find My iPhone app. 

iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus

The iPhone 14 series includes the 6.1-inch screen iPhone 14 and a 6.7-inch screen variant called the iPhone 14 Plus. It replaces the small-screen iPhone 13 Mini, which might show up next year as the next iPhone SE. 

Both iPhone 14 variants run on the same A15 Bionic chipset, which was used in last year’s iPhone 13 series. It has a 6-core CPU, a 5-core GPU, and a 16-core neural engine for machine learning (ML) workloads. 

The dual camera setup includes two 12MP cameras. The main camera has a larger sensor with f/1.5 aperture. Apple claims the new camera offers 49% better low light performance courtesy of a new technology called Photonic engine. It improves camera performance in low light across all cameras. The new iPhones also have a video stabilization mode, while the front camera supports autofocus. 

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus will be sold in India at starting prices of ₹79,900 and ₹89,900, respectively.

iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone Pro Max

The Pro lineup has a similar slab-like design with flat edges as the iPhone 14 series. What sets them apart physically is the new front design that includes a smaller notch for face ID and front camera. Apple claims it takes up 30% less space. Apple is calling the notch ‘Dynamic Island’ as it can automatically change the size and shape for incoming calls, notifications, and Face ID authentication. 

The iPhone 14 Pro has a 6.1-inch screen while the iPhone 14 Pro has a 6.7-inch display. The displays offer 2000 nits of peak brightness and support the Always-On display feature, which will show time and widgets all the time. 

The iPhone runs on the new A16 Bionic chipset, which has 16 billion transistors, the highest ever in an iPhone, according to Apple. It is also Apple’s first chipset based on 4nm architecture. It is 40% faster than the competition, claims Apple. 

The new chipset has two power-efficient cores that offer better battery performance too. 

The triple camera module in the Pro series offers a 48MP camera with a 65% larger sensor than iPhone 13 Pro. Then there is a 12MP ultra-wide camera with an improved lens that can capture more detail in macro shots. The Apple Pro Raw tool will allow users to shoot Pro RAW photos at 48MP.

The iPhone 14 Pro will be sold in India at a starting price of ₹1,29,900, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max will start at ₹1,39,900.