Apple has set the date for its latest iPhone debut. The new device, which is expected to be called the iPhone 14 and include an always-on display, will be unveiled on September 7 at 10am Pacific. Rumors suggest the new iPhone lineup will ditch the Mini in favor of a new Max model, joining the rumored iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, and potentially increase the price by around $100 over the last year. Apple may also have plans to ditch the notch on the iPhone 14 in favor of a hole-punch front-facing camera, at least for the Pro models.
In addition to the iPhone 14, Apple may also use the event to introduce the Apple Watch Series 8, which looks set to look similar to last year’s model, but will have more health features such as a fever sensor, as well as improved durability.
The tech giant has invited the press to its Apple Park headquarters in California for the event, although it will also offer a live stream on Apple.com and other streaming services. As usual, Apple didn’t say much in its invitation about its upcoming iPhone event. The invitation shows an Apple logo apparently set against a night sky, suggesting possible camera improvements or last year’s rumored satellite emergency calls. The image looks like something we might see from the James Webb Space Telescope, whose stunning photos have already begun to change the way we see the cosmos since they were first released earlier this summer. In its announcement, Apple included the teaser words “Far out”.
Read more: How to see iPhone 14, Apple Watch Series 8 launch
New features for both the iPhone 14 and Apple Watch 8 could help Apple differentiate itself from Samsung and other device makers during what is expected to be increased competition this year. People have cut back on tech purchases, leading to surprisingly low sales reports from chipmaker Intel, as well as sudden shortfalls in ad business for Google parent Alphabet and Facebook parent Meta. And they are not alone.
Our collective confidence in the economy has plummeted, thanks to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic mixed with continued inflation and a looming recession. A University of Michigan survey found that consumer sentiment is at its lowest point in at least 70 years.
That means Apple will have to fight even harder to win over new iPhone owners. Samsung, meanwhile, made Apple’s job a little easier by announcing its flagship Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 at their standard prices of $1,800 and $1,000, respectively, earlier this month. It also raised the prices of its Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro by $30 each.
Apple so far isn’t acting concerned. For the past two years, Apple has seen its highest revenue and profits each holiday shopping season, largely due to the popularity of the 2021 iPhone 13 and 2020 iPhone 12. Apple CEO Tim Cook has previously cited the advanced cameras, long battery life and well-rated reputation. software as reasons why people continue to choose iPhones. But he also said that 5G, the super-fast wireless technology that Apple started using two years ago, is likely to see even more people upgrade.
“5G has been an accelerator,” he said when speaking to investors on a conference call last month. He added that while the technology is catching on in some places, such as China, the EU and the US, other parts of the world haven’t started using it as much. And so, as 5G expands, he said, “I think there are reasons to be optimistic.”
While the iPhone will be a key product we see at this year’s Apple event, and probably what most people are focusing their attention on, the company is expected to have other devices to show off . These include new Mac computers with updated chips and new iPads.