Apple’s iPhone 14 range is set to increase prices significantly. And now we have a better idea why…
Popular Korean tech site ET News reports that, for the first time in iPhone history, Apple will be installing a South Korean front camera in its smartphone. The camera will bring major upgrades in image quality, but it also comes with an increase in eye-watering costs.
Render of Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max based on leaked schematics
EverythingApplePro
Citing industry sources, ET News claims that Apple was forced to quickly change its plans for the iPhone 14’s front camera after “quality problems from Chinese manufacturers” during testing. As a result, Apple this year will be installing an LG Innotek camera module that was originally meant for the iPhone 15.
The good news is that ET News reports that the module brings advanced functionality to the iPhone’s front camera, including autofocus, for the first time. This Is Some Respected Industry Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo found out for the first time Back in April with autofocus joining Portrait mode and a better aperture for better depth-of-field in video calls.
The downside is the cost. According to an ET News source, “The unit price of the front camera of the iPhone 14 has gone up almost three times as compared to the previous model.” This is the biggest component price increase I can remember. Historically, Apple’s move to dual and triple rear cameras and displays with higher refresh rates have all cost extra, but not the 3x multiplier.
Apple 14 Pro Max based on multiple leaks
EverythingApplePro
All this adds to the statement that Apple will increase iPhone prices by $100 for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, while the new iPhone 14 Max will cost at least $200 more to replace the iPhone 13 mini.
On the other hand, after multiple reports that the standard iPhone 14 will be little more than the (potentially controversial) rehash of the iPhone 13, the leap in front camera quality could be one of the phone’s biggest selling points. Especially with the take-off in video calling in recent years.
Revelations that Apple surprisingly plans to switch the iPhone lineup to USB-C in 2023 and redesign the base model mean I still think it’s a bad year to upgrade. But for determined upgraders, things just got a little better.
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