First iPhone 14 Molds Show Relative Case and Camera Bump Sizes

[Deguello]

It is so incredibly rare to see a phone in a case and when I do see one in a case it is almost always a elderly person. Rare to see one in a case and rare to see a cracked phone. My iPhone X has never been in a case and despite falling multiple times over the years it has still to crack.

Can you find any data which suggests the minority of people use cases? Everything I can find shows 75%, 78%, 82%, 86%, and even 90% of people use cases, depending on who’s answering.

 

[d686546s]

What does "worth" it even mean? I upgrade every year because I can. Because the upgrade programs make it simple and easy to do so, and I'm not bothered by the measure of change from one iteration to the next.

It seems to me that some people who can't easily upgrade for one reason or another, especially not annually, have to carry on this public validation of their situation by looking for reasons to say its not "worth" upgrading.

Whether it's worth or not is obviously subjective, if it's important to you than obviously go for it. Personally I'd find it a waste of money to buy a new iPhone every year, even taking resale value of my old device into account. I very much doubt that this is an argument deployed by those who can't upgrade, but rather of other priorities. I'm luckily in the comfortable position that I could afford to buy a new flagship phone every year. I just don't see the point and prefer to spend my money on other things.

Anyway, that wasn't actually the point I was making. My point was that Apple could keep a Mini in its lineup to cover this particular segment of the market, but that (much like the SE), this wasn't a device that Apple would need to update every year. As such it could be a device that exists outside of the annual upgrade cycle.

 

[Deguello]

What does "worth" it even mean? I upgrade every year because I can. Because the upgrade programs make it simple and easy to do so, and I'm not bothered by the measure of change from one iteration to the next.

It seems to me that some people who can't easily upgrade for one reason or another, especially not annually, have to carry on this public validation of their situation by looking for reasons to say its not "worth" upgrading.

“Worth it” means the value — tangible and intangible — gained is greater than the direct cost and greater than the opportunity cost.

If you’re not bothered by what others might consider too incremental changes or by the cost, it probably is “worth it” for you to upgrade annually.

It seems to me that we’re unlikely to know based on forum posts whether people “can’t” or simply “don’t want to” upgrade, unless the post explicitly makes the distinction.

I could upgrade annually if I wanted to. However, my Xs Max still more than satisfactorily meets my needs and wants for a cellphone. So, it’s not “worth it,” for me. It’s not a sufficiently high priority for me to have the most recent phone. Now… open class sport bikes are a different story. Current iPhone Pro Max vs. my Xs? No thanks. 2022 Yamaha R1 vs. 2021 Yamaha R1? Yes, please.

 

[sos47]

i am a huge iphone mini + ipad fanboy
the iphone mini fits everywhere (including clothes for sports, small travelling bags, etc)
the ipad mini is my navigation/music streaming/dashcam/rear cam device in the car. A reading device in trains,etc
my ipad pro is for working and couching

regular iphones or the iphone max would not solve any of my daily requirements.
fingers crossed for a new mini in 2023/4.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

For owners of a 13 pro max, there will absolutely be no reason to upgrade to a 14 max. No new soc, etc.
I am very curious at what price the 14 max will launch.

Seriously "absolutely no no reason to upgrade?" The rumored lens and camera sensor changes sound like very substantive changes to imaging capability. Many buyers (but apparently not you, which is fine) consider substantive changes to imaging to provide very good reasons to upgrade.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

I have to admit, it does feel like the 14 Max was deliberately made to not appeal to owners of the 13 Pro Max. It’s not getting the hole punches, even though all 13 models got the smaller notch. It’s not getting a new SoC, even though all iPhones have gotten a new SoC in the past. If anything, it seems like a downgrade due to no 120Hz or telephoto. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised; after all, it’s not a direct successor.

IMO the rumored pixel count increase will be used to help provide improved telephoto; it is almost impossible not to. Top 46 MP interchangeable lens cameras like Nikon's D850 DSLR and mirrorless Z7 have for years allowed functionally additional telephoto via cropping. If Apple goes to ~45 MP they will also surely configure some telephoto improvement into the computational photography that iPhones excel at.

 

[_Spinn_]

That's a huge camera bump. I can't wait to see what image quality will be.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Yeah, the bulges are really getting out of control! I appreciate that some buyers want the very best camera possible, and for that market the bulge is a necessity. But personally I don't care that much and I'd really rather they go back to a small bump, at least on the low/mid-range models - even if it means the camera quality is also just mid-range.

Fortunately your preference is a tiny tiny minority - do you buy new iPhone Pros every year? Most if not all annually repeating iPhone Pro buyers will happily accept half a mm more camera bump as part and parcel of camera improvements.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

That's a huge camera bump. I can't wait to see what image quality will be.

Good points! Given the comments here and elsewhere, including humorous put downs of the look, it's clear that lots of us agree with you!

One of my favorites:


🎒 📱 😎

Apple prides itself on the elegance of its design, but this, like the notch, are a departure from that.



Agreed. Snarky put downs that it's just “your personal opinion” miss the point — and overlook just how many people share your view!

Apple apologists — not that there are any on MR — need to recognize the lack of grace and disruption of simple lines in the current design — not to mention the wobble the bump produces!

In any case, the ancient Romans were right:

De gustibus non est disputandum. ​

Nonsense. Look at iPhone sales numbers, duh. Real buyers (as opposed to non-buying internet whiners) have few issues with 0.57 mm of additional camera bump.

 

[d686546s]

Nonsense. Look at iPhone sales numbers, duh. Real buyers (as opposed to non-buying internet whiners) have few issues with 0.57 mm of additional camera bump.

People choose phone with camera bump out of range of options with camera bumps. Shocker.

I personally don't mind too much, even though it's starting to get out of control, but I'm always sceptical about justifying something on the basis of success in cases when there's really nothing to compare it it.

If you want the newest iPhone you put up with the bump. If you don't like it you must really hate it unless you're happy with an older model in the first place.

 

[JPack]

What's the point of saying "Good riddance" for a product, I assume, you've no interest in? The Mini being available literally does no harm to those who have no interest in it - they buy something else. There are others, maybe not in numbers Apple wants, who enjoy the Mini and for them this will be an omission.
This type of comment adds nothing substantive to the conversation.

Deleting the 5.4” model makes room for the 6.7” iPhone that people actually want to buy.

The mini clogs up the product stack and uses the limited chips and engineering resources which can now be put in another model.

 

[neoandersonthe1]

Why can't they just make the black bezel around the screen a bit more pronounced and then house the camera and speaker there? That way we could have a flush unabated screen. Are they insane?

 

[bobenhaus]

I think it's safe to say the modules are no longer a 'bump', but a bulge.

Battle of the bulge. lol

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I won’t complain about a thicker phone. Making a thicker phone has no downsides compared to these camera bumps. Unless you are willing to take the alternative solution you don’t put it forward.

Thicker usually means heavier as well, and people already complain that the iPhone thirteen Pro Max is one heavy phone.

 

[Macative]

“Worth it” means the value — tangible and intangible — gained is greater than the direct cost and greater than the opportunity cost.

If you’re not bothered by what others might consider too incremental changes or by the cost, it probably is “worth it” for you to upgrade annually.

It seems to me that we’re unlikely to know based on forum posts whether people “can’t” or simply “don’t want to” upgrade, unless the post explicitly makes the distinction.

I could upgrade annually if I wanted to. However, my Xs Max still more than satisfactorily meets my needs and wants for a cellphone. So, it’s not “worth it,” for me. It’s not a sufficiently high priority for me to have the most recent phone. Now… open class sport bikes are a different story. Current iPhone Pro Max vs. my Xs? No thanks. 2022 Yamaha R1 vs. 2021 Yamaha R1? Yes, please.

But the fact that you're using a XS Max just tells me it doesn't really matter what changes with iPhone, you don't care enough to even be interested in upgrading in the first place. In which case your opinion of "worth it" would be weighted very differently than someone who appreciates the changes.

 

[criticasm]

Hmm funny how the iPhone Mini is in the Top 10 for sales yet according to tech media it's "unpopular".

Some bizarro mentality that thinks a model that's sold millions of units & been profitable is also a "fAiLuRe"

Those millions who brought the Mini wanted a smaller phone and they will always buy the smaller phone given the option. Meanwhile the upcoming bigger regular iPhone won't generate new sales, but in fact cannibalise those from the Pro Max. Many who brought a Max did so for the bigger screen as just like some want smaller, others want bigger. They don't give a stinking crap about the extra cameras or other BS internet tech tossers piss on about like refresh rates. So given the opportunity to have a big iPhone & save hundred$ is a no brainer. On the flip side Apple will lose profit margin on reduced sales of the future Pro Max. Plus they will lose further sales from those who have a Mini & won't upgrade anytime soon since there's no longer an option.

 

[Macative]

I won’t complain about a thicker phone. Making a thicker phone has no downsides compared to these camera bumps. Unless you are willing to take the alternative solution you don’t put it forward.

LOL. Except, you know:
1. Much less comfortable to hold
2. Twice as heavy

Things that would be actual deal breakers for buyers, unlike the camera bump.

 

[JM]

I get the need for the riser for the lip. But the inclusion of the camera bumps would imply that the plastic is being molded around or over the cameras.

Who can explain these mysteries? ?‍♂️

 

[turbineseaplane]

I know they will never do this (too much easy money here), but it really doesn't seem like we need iPhone revisions annually at this point.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

As I said before, I am completely happy with a much thicker phone as a trade off for flush cameras. All design involves compromises of some sort and I believe a thicker phone is a better compromise than a bump that helps your phone commit suicide when it is on the arm rest of your sofa. If I hand not considered the increased thickness I would not have commented.

OK but you’re talking about what would be the *thickest* iPhone ever.
Thicker than the previous thickest iPhone 3G.
And at least with that phone, the thickness was offset by the fact that it was tiny.
We’re talking about a 12MM + thick phone with a 6.7 inch screen.
It would be comically large, and as I mentioned before, heavy.

 

[Macative]

Hmm funny how the iPhone Mini is in the Top 10 for sales yet according to tech media it's "unpopular".

Some bizarro mentality that thinks a model that's sold millions of units & been profitable is also a "fAiLuRe"

Those millions who brought the Mini wanted a smaller phone and they will always buy the smaller phone given the option. Meanwhile the upcoming bigger regular iPhone won't generate new sales, but in fact cannibalise those from the Pro Max. Many who brought a Max did so for the bigger screen as just like some want smaller, others want bigger. They don't give a stinking crap about the extra cameras or other BS internet tech tossers piss on about like refresh rates. So given the opportunity to have a big iPhone & save hundred$ is a no brainer. On the flip side Apple will lose profit margin on reduced sales of the future Pro Max. Plus they will lose further sales from those who have a Mini & won't upgrade anytime soon since there's no longer an option.

There is no data whatsoever provided by Apple on iPhone unit sales breakdown. Some third parties try to guess by looking at data metrics from around the web, but all of these are unusable as they still only collect data from tech-heavy consumer bases, and it tells us nothing. What we do know is that iPhone 12 mini was such a flop that Apple decided back then to cancel the model after the iPhone 13, as was the report. They didn't even wait to see how the iPhone 13 mini performed.

 

[Macative]

OK but you’re talking about what would be the *thickest* iPhone ever.
Thicker than the previous thickest iPhone 3G.
And at least with that phone, the thickness was offset by the fact that it was tiny.
We’re talking about a 12MM + thick phone with a 6.7 inch screen.
It would be comically large, and as I mentioned before, heavy.

I don't think comically large even begins to describe it. That's actually an understatement. The result would be absurd. Though I love how people here claim this having no concept of the actual thing. Here is the iPhone 14 CAD rendering, and then its comically enlarged version that certain people pretend would be completely fine:

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Hmm funny how the iPhone Mini is in the Top 10 for sales yet according to tech media it's "unpopular".

Some bizarro mentality that thinks a model that's sold millions of units & been profitable is also a "fAiLuRe"

Those millions who brought the Mini wanted a smaller phone and they will always buy the smaller phone given the option. Meanwhile the upcoming bigger regular iPhone won't generate new sales, but in fact cannibalise those from the Pro Max. Many who brought a Max did so for the bigger screen as just like some want smaller, others want bigger. They don't give a stinking crap about the extra cameras or other BS internet tech tossers piss on about like refresh rates. So given the opportunity to have a big iPhone & save hundred$ is a no brainer. On the flip side Apple will lose profit margin on reduced sales of the future Pro Max. Plus they will lose further sales from those who have a Mini & won't upgrade anytime soon since there's no longer an option.

What on earth are you on about?
I love my 12 Mini, and in an ideal world Apple wouldn’t discontinue it.
But their numbers don’t lie, and The amount of people who want a bigger non-pro iPhone are much higher then the amount of people who want to pay $700 for a mini iPhone.
That’s what people want. They want a ginormous phone, without all of the pro features for a lower price.
It’s the same reason that Apple is rumored to be developing a 15 inch MacBook Air, while The 11 inch MacBook Air and the 12 inch MacBook have disappeared.
As for profit margins, the people who have purchased a Pro Max in the past several years because they wanted the biggest screen most likely won’t be upgrading this year anyway.
That small group of people who bought the 12 promax and the 13 promax because they wanted a ginormous screen and nothing else most certainly will be sticking with those phones for several years to come, so Apple already wasn’t going to make money this year off of those people.
However there are plenty of people who want a huge screen but refused to pay $1100 plus for it. That is where this new phone comes in.
My prediction is that it’s going to be a huge seller.
And as for the money Apple lost for not selling the pro version, they’re just going to try to get the customers who purchased the 14 max over the 14 pro max to invest in their services, so either way they’re not losing money.
As for the Mini, i’m sure the 13 Mini won’t be going anywhere anytime soon, and people who really want a mini phone will be perfectly happy with it.
Plus there’s Already a rumored 2023 iPhone SE that’ll have a 5.7 inch LCD in the body of the current SE with a touch ID power button, that should satisfy most people who want a smaller phone when it’s released.

 

[Deguello]

But the fact that you're using a XS Max just tells me it doesn't really matter what changes with iPhone, you don't care enough to even be interested in upgrading in the first place. In which case your opinion of "worth it" would be weighted very differently than someone who appreciates the changes.

Which is what I wrote. “However, my Xs Max still more than satisfactorily meets my needs and wants for a cellphone” and “If you’re not bothered by what others might consider too incremental changes or by the cost, it probably is ‘worth it’ for you to upgrade annually.”

Everyone’s opinion should be weighted differently.

 

[nylonsteel]

big camera lens protrusion - i'm ok with it - people will really know you have a real iphone - the best practical camera is the camera you have with you - and you have your phone with you all the time - might as well be a decent one