Something is happening
Apple is expected to add another 6.7-inch iPhone to its line-up this year. The phone will reportedly be a larger version of the standard iPhone 14.
Why is this happening?
Adding another 6.7-inch iPhone might make the iPhone 14pro Max less attractive. Especially when consumers are cutting back.
What’s next
Apple will hold an event on Sept. 7 and is expected to unveil a new iPhone model.
Apple’s rumored iPhone 14pro Max is expected to feature a higher-resolution camera, a new processor and a huge 6.7-inch screen, much like the current iPhone 13pro Max. While these sound like welcome improvements, apple needs to do more to make its top-of-the-line iPhone stand out.
That’s because, if the rumors are true, the iPhone 14pro Max will no longer be the only oversized iPhone in the apple camp. Apple is also expected to release the 6.7-inch iPhone 14max this year, which means those who prefer a larger screen won’t have to pay for the Pro Max to get a bigger display.
Apple’s”Professional” iPhone and”Pro Max” devices are often indistinguishable from each other except in screen size. I hope this changes on the Phone 14pro Max, which we’ll be hearing about at Apple’s upcoming Sept. 7 event. As inflation affects smartphone shipments, companies like apple may have to work harder to persuade consumers to spend more on high-end devices.
iPhone 14pro Max: What to expect
If apple does release the iPhone 14pro Max in September, it could be a sequel to Apple’s current iPhone 13pro Max. As a result, it will likely have a 6.7-inch screen and a three-lens camera, including wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle and telephoto lenses. To further differentiate the professional iPhone from the standard iPhone, Apple will reportedly equip the iPhone 14 professional and professional versions of the Max with an upgraded 48 megapixel camera sensor and a faster bionic A16 chip, and a redesigned front-facing camera module that eliminates the grooves.
These features are said to be unique to the iPhone 14pro and Pro Max, meaning they won’t appear on the standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14max. That’s according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gulman and TF International Securities Analyst Mingchi Guo, both of whom have a good track record when reporting on unannounced Apple products.
If apple maintains its current pricing structure, the 128GB iPhone 14pro Max could start at $1,100. The iPhone 14pro will probably start at $1,000.
Why the iPhone 14pro Max needs to stand out
If the reports are true, the iPhone 14pro and Pro Max may include one of the biggest camera improvements we’ve seen on the iPhone in years. That alone makes them attractive to those who buy new equipment on the market.
The problem, however, is that the iPhone 14pro Max could end up in a shuffle. Shoppers who only care about having the best camera can use the cheaper iPhone 14pro, while those who mainly want a big screen may opt for the rumored iPhone 14max. Both devices are likely to be cheaper than the iPhone 14pro Max.
It will also come at a time when people seem to be spending less on mobile devices and more cautious about buying them. Smartphone shipments are expected to fall 3.5 percent in 2022, according to estimates released in June by IDC. The NPD Group reported in May that more than 80 percent of consumers plan to re-evaluate their product spending in the next three to six months. A recent NPD survey also showed that consumers plan to look for lower-priced items, look for promotions and cut back on overall purchases in the coming months.
These factors may make it harder to convince consumers to spend more than $1,000 on a new phone, especially when they might get some of the same benefits on a cheaper model (a larger screen or three-lens camera) . With the iPhone 14pro Max, Apple is likely to expect consumers to be willing to pay top dollar for a bigger screen and a better camera.
How Apple made the iPhone 14pro Max Feel Special
There are a few things apple can do to make the iPhone 14pro Max stand out alongside the regular iPhone 14pro and iPhone 14max. As I’ve written in the past, I’d like to see Apple implement iPad-like software features that make better use of the huge Pro Max screen. For example, it can add a multitasking pattern to make it easier to view more than one application at a time. I’d also like to see an always-on display option, similar to those on newer Apple Watch models and many competing Android phones.
Samsung does a better job of distinguishing its high-end Galaxy S22 Ultra from the regular Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus. While the $1,200 Galaxy S22 Ultra may be too expensive for most people, it offers unique features that Samsung’s lower-priced models don’t. Ultra has a built-in stylus for note-taking and drawing, a 6.8-inch screen that is larger than any other phone in the Samsung S22 series, a 40 megapixel selfie camera with a higher resolution and a main camera system with two telephoto lenses and a 10x optical zoom.
None of these features are available on Samsung’s other S22 devices, including the $1,000 Galaxy S22 Plus. By contrast, the iPhone 13pro Max has a lot in common with the iPhone 13pro, except for its larger screen and longer battery life. In other words, apple is relying on the iPhone 13pro Max’s 6.7-inch screen to distinguish it from the regular Pro.
But if Apple does release a standard 6.7-inch version of the iPhone, as the Nikkei Asia Review, Bloomberg and Guo’s report point out, the iPhone 14pro Max may not feel so unique in this year’s lineup. The rumored iPhone 14max may not have the same extras as Apple’s professional iPhone, such as a three-lens camera and a higher refresh rate screen for smoother scrolling. But it may be persuasive enough to appeal to shoppers who just want a bigger screen and don’t much care about having a telephoto lens.
After all, if its predecessors are any indication, the iPhone 14pro Max will be a best-seller. The iPhone 13pro Max made the top five smartphone model in the US, UK, France, Germany and China, according to Counterpoint Research. Counterpoint Research also reports that the iPhone 12pro Max is 2021 the world’s second-best-selling phone.
Still, the iPhone Pro Max will be Apple’s most expensive and upscale iPhone until the foldable iPhone comes along. It also means it should be the perfect showcase for Apple’s technology, which is why I’d love to see more exclusive features you won’t get anywhere else.
