As of September 2022,  Apple (AAPL) has a $2.7  trillion market capitalization, making it one of the largest and most lucrative companies on the planet. The iPhone has changed the way that we communicate, and each release is a must-have for tech enthusiasts and casual consumers alike. 

We're on the cusp of the tech giant releasing a new iPhone. September is iPhone season, so Apple fans are chomping at the bit to learn the details of the iPhone 14. 

How much will the iPhone 14 cost? What specs should you pay attention to?

Keep reading to learn all of the basic features and functionalities of this device.

What Is the iPhone 14 Price?

Industry experts expect the baseline iPhone to roll out with a $799 price tag. It's just speculation at this point since Apple hasn’t announced the price points or the release date of the iPhone 14 officially.

Some rumors predict this release will feature the least expensive large model that the phone series has had, although you can expect price hikes for other models. 

While the baseline model will likely cost $799, the iPhone 14 Pro Max price is projected to be $899. Industry experts report that the Pro models will likely cost $1,000 or more. So they expect the average price of these models to rise by about $100. 

Are you eagerly awaiting release news or pre-orders? If so, you'll need an estimate of how much to expect, so you can start setting some money aside.

What Went Into the Price Hike?

The Pro model of the new iPhone is likely to cost $100 more than the iPhone 13 did. So it makes sense to analyze the phone to consider what factors went into this price hike. 

The iPhone 14 Pro price hike will help Apple recoup costs across the board, while still keeping the standard model at a reasonable price. Here are some points that likely contributed to this potential price increase. 

Advanced Technology

Apple continues to push the limits with each release. You can tell that its made advancement when reviewing everything, including the iPhone 14 Pro case, screen, resolution, and Operating System (OS). 

Is an iPhone 14 cost hike reasonable? It is when you consider that the company has made changes to the RAM, processing system, and other specs that improve performance. You're packing more power in your pocket, which always comes at a cost. 

Inflation Is the Topic of the Year

Inflation talks have dominated the news cycle for much of 2022. In many situations, companies must raise their prices as a self-correction.

Consumers also tighten their belts during periods of inflation, leading to a ripple effect that challenges manufacturers and suppliers. 

How has Apple fared? The California-based corporation isn't exempt from these economic issues even as one of the world’s biggest companies. Inflation is an unfolding story that we'll all need to keep our eyes on for the rest of 2022 and beyond particularly if recession talks pick up.

Rising Production Costs

Inflation and economic uncertainty trigger increases in production costs. How impactful are these factors on handset production? 

The expensive chips Apple requires for advanced iPhones have more powerful processing systems and other high-end specs. 

Apple hasn’t boosted prices across the board. Instead, it seems to be avoiding drastic pricing measures by reportedly only raising the prices of Pro models. 

Still, Apple must offset the increase in production costs since demand for these handsets remains high.

Supply Chain Issues

Supply chains are struggling in a wide variety of industries. Hence, it's taking longer for materials to get from Point A to Point B, and companies are dealing with more losses and setbacks than before. 

Why does it matter? This phenomenon could account for some of the price increase, and why you shouldn't expect a decrease in iPhone prices for new releases anytime soon.

Apple Expects Strong Earnings

At the end of the day, Apple is still running a business. The stock market has been particularly turbulent this year, and the industry titans a company like Apple starts to struggle or experience a dip. In that case, it can signal panic within the tech industry and the rest of the economy. This event affects consumer confidence and can create a ripple effect that sets back other companies and industries. 

Apple has a responsibility to answer to its shareholders, so beneficial to generate profits when possible. Increasing the prices of its Pro models by $100 could be a decision the tech company made to ensure financial security for the quarter, particularly going into Black Friday and the holiday shopping season. 

What if consumers are spending less in times of economic uncertainty? A price hike could help Apple sustain target earnings to meet its goals and objectives. 

Apple iPhone 14 Features

Image credit: Trusted Reviews

Now that we've broken down the price and the reasons for an increase, it's time to get into the nitty gritty of what matters the most. 

Why do people often buy the latest iPhone every year? Aside from Apple having one of the most successful and sought-after tech brands on the market, the main reason  is that they're well-made products with incredible specs. 

Once you understand what to expect from the Apple iPhone 14 features, you'll be better able to decide whether the newest model is worth your hard-earned money or not. 

So what can we expect from the latest release?

Notchless Display Design

iPhone users that hate the notch can finally rejoice. This little notch has been part of the screen design since the iPhone X, and is a polarizing addition, to say the least.

For some iPhone owners, it's an added quirk and doesn't really take away from their experience. For others, the notch gets in the way of videos, takes away from and reduces much-needed screen space. In short, it’s an intrusive nuisance. 

Some experts are projecting that the newest iPhone doesn't feature the notch on its display, so you’ll get that extra bit of screen space back. That's not an incredibly big change from prior models. Still, it's significant enough to pique the interest of owners who weren't fans of the previous designs. 

This change can pay off when you're binging on new NetFlix releases and  want to preserve every centimeter of screen space.

Hole Punch Camera

So, if Apple is moving away from the notch display, what's going to replace it? Enter the hole and pill design. This portion of the screen will feature camera slots with a circle and flat slit right beside each other. 

The flat slot will feature a circle inside of it. These portions are where the dual camera lenses are stored. Most phone users will likely barely notice this change. But it's worth noting so you get a feel for what will replace the notch design.

We've seen renderings of the iPhone 14 and what it's supposed to look like. The new version will be a change of pace from the prior iPhone releases. The top of the phone will feature this new design.

While the hole and pill design will likely be less distracting than the prior design, it will still take up a lot of space. 

Several Size Options

You’ll have various size options when shopping for your brand-new iPhone 14. It’s reportedly highly likely the manufacturer will release multiple 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch iPhones. 

We're likely to see the iPhone and iPhone Pro released in a 6.1-inch variant, along with 6.7-inch iPhone Max and iPhone Max Pro models. What’s most notable? Apple is rumored to be ditching the iPhone Mini for this year's iPhone 14 release, so consumers will unlikely have a 5.7-inch model to choose from. 

People looking into different sizes should also be aware of the design differences between these iPhones.  

Wide Variety of iPhone 14 Models

If you're considering the new iPhone 14, be aware of the nuances between the different models. The features of the iPhone, iPhone Pro, iPhone Max, and iPhone Max Pro vary greatly beyond the size differences. 

Here’s one example. The iPhone 14 Pro model will likely come equipped with dual display cutouts, along with some changes to how Face ID will register and operate.

The iPhone 14 Pro will also likely have a more durable design. Experts project that it will upgrade to a titanium chassis, which is an improvement over the iPhone 13 steel chassis. 

It's also an improvement over the iPhone 14 standard model, which will maintain an aluminum chassis. These sorts of changes affect both the design and longevity that you can expect to get from your brand new iPhone.

Upgraded Processing System

A quality processing system works out the bugs and kinks whenever Apple releases an iPhone. The new iPhone will likely feature the A16 Bionic processor. When looking at a processor, first consider the chip technology. 

The main difference that people will notice is that the A16 chipset makes the new iPhone run faster. Having this new processor will make the phone more efficient as a whole.

It will also allow users to experience the fluidity that they’ve come to expect from the iOS platform.

Multiple Color Options

Don't forget about the available style options whenever you're looking to buy a new smartphone. This year's iPhone will likely give you the chance to choose the one that will be ideal for your wants and needs.

While nothing is official, shoppers can likely expect a few different color schemes when looking for a new Apple phone. Here are the main types speculated:

• • Gold
• • Graphite
• • Purple 
• • Silver

Learning the different color schemes will allow you to envision the iPhone in your hip, hand, and pocket, so you feel comfortable committing to one. .

New Face ID Hardware (iPhone 14 Pro)

As mentioned, iPhone users can also expect some changes to the way that Face ID functions. Apple’s tweaks to the Face ID hardware make this a wholesale change. 

Most noticeably, it's rumored that both the pill and camera holes will optimize facial recognition for Face ID. People use this technology increasingly for phone security, point of sale (POS) purchases, and more. So it makes sense that Apple would want to make improvements.  

New Modem

In terms of the modem, it’s rumored that the iPhone 14 will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon X65 5G chipset. This upgrade will notably help users get a strong signal for their data and calls. 

Some rumors suggest the modem will support emergency text messaging via satellite. What’s the big benefit? Your phone can connect at faster speeds and stay connected to prevent poor performance from your new iPhone.  

Upgraded Camera and Video Technology

Image credit: DP Review

You should review the camera and video specs whenever you're purchasing a new smartphone. The iPhone 14 delivers in terms of this performance, which is crucial for people who love taking personal or professional photos and videos.

Let's take a look at the existing camera specs for the new iPhone:

• Multiple camera sensors – two on the standard model and three on Pro iPhone models
• The iPhone Pro models will feature a significant upgrade with a 48 megapixel (MP) camera 
• Both the iPhone Pro and iPhone Pro Max will feature 8K camera capability, a huge selling point for creators and professionals who need this technology boost
•  f/1.9 aperture, an improvement over the previous f/2.2 version
• All iPhone 14 models will feature camera improvement for better photos in low light environments
• New phone releases are always pushing video technology limits. Matching the new iPhone 14 with a large hard drive and cloud technology could make it a multimedia powerhouse.

Improved Display

 The display is crucial when you're considering a new smartphone. With the iPhone 14, you can choose between the 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch options to your needs in terms of size and presentation. 

The standard iPhone 14 model will likely have a 60 Hz refresh rate. The Pro models of the iPhone 14 are projected to have a 120 Hz refresh rate. A likely crystal-clear OLED screen could meet all your video, reading, and other multimedia needs.   

Changes in Cases

Consider the differences in iPhone cases so that you're prepared for what the new iPhone offers. These features could boost the handset’s durability and ease of use.

This year's iPhone will likely have changes in the case, as the camera bump is likely to be 5% bigger, and the total design is projected to be thicker. Thickness aside, the case will feature nearly identical dimensions as the iPhone 13 model.

Car Crash Detection Features

Apple has brought some new safety features to the iPhone 14 that will make it easier for people to incorporate it into their daily lives. Most notable is a brand -new car crash detection feature, which is possible thanks to the iPhone's new chipset.

How does it work? The new modem chip reportedly allows the phone to communicate seamlessly with satellites so that you can get help after a car crash.

Apple built car crash detection into its new handset in case you're incapacitated during a crash. Since the phone will communicate with satellites, you won't have to worry about where you're located and whether you have a quality signal. 

It will be interesting to see how well this feature works and whether other smartphone manufacturers will follow suit with their future releases. 

Evolution of the Chargers and Cables

When you need to use your smartphone, you want to avoid being without juice, right?

Apple has ramped up the charging capability of the latest iPhone, so you don't have to worry about the time needed to get your phone operational. 

The manufacturer has likely made improvements via a 30-watt Magsafe charger. The wattage boost means that you can likely wirelessly charge your handset much quicker than before.

Here’s the caveat: It's unclear whether the new iPhone 14 will also feature lightning port charger capability, or if it will be replaced entirely.  

Battery Life and Technology

The battery life is critical when purchasing a smartphone. Here’s the tricky balance: consumers want a quality battery that holds a charge, but the battery needs longevity so it doesn't burn out too quickly. 

Apple is responding. It appears that the tech giant is trying to give smartphone owners the best of both worlds with the iPhone 14. Some indicators suggest that they're increasing battery capacity, along with optimizing the other parts that drain the battery's energy. 

For instance, Apple is manufacturing its RF chips with an entirely new process, likely leading to better battery life and longevity. 

New iOS Software

Industry rumors suggest Apple will launch the iPhone 14 with the newest iOS 16 operating system. This OS will allow the phone to run faster and more efficiently, while offering several new features that smartphone owners will likely love.

Some of these new likely features include:

• The ability to customize your lock screen
• Improvements in passkeys
• Live text technology
• More control over Mail features, like setting reminders and scheduling e-mails
• Repositioning of notifications and widgets

Every iOS release comes with a new set of bells and whistles that people will have to get used to. However, those involved in beta testing for iOS 16 have generally given rave reviews from their hands-on experiences with it.

The Newest iPhone: What’s Next?

Now that you know more about the latest iPhone 14 price, tech specs, design, and other features, you can start determining whether it's a good buy for you. Apple is set to formally introduce its newest iPhone in September 2022 at its company event, so we'll have more impressions and information at that point.