What could Apple's iPhone 14 look like? Here's what the Rumors Say

 

The rumored iPhone 14 is expected to be released this fall, and Apple fans have plenty of questions ahead of its launch. How much will the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro cost? What new features are in store? And, what will the new iPhone even look like? Only Apple has the answers for now, but the ever-churning rumor mill has given us some hints, including about the possible design of the iPhone 14.

We'll update this story as we hear more, so be sure to bookmark this page for later. Here's what we've heard so far, from rumors of a more durable titanium alloy body to a non-marking screen.

iPhone 14 display: Taking it down a notch

It's been around for years, but one of the biggest rumors is what the iPhone 14 won't have. After introducing the notch on the iPhone X in 2017, Apple may finally do away with it this year. According to noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the company will trade it for a smaller hole-punch camera in the Pro models. The hole-punch design refers to a display with only a small circular cutout for the front-facing camera, as seen on several Samsung launches including the Galaxy S22 Ultra and Galaxy Z Flip 3.

Instead of a hole-punch design, display analyst Ross Young believes the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will feature a hole and bullet-shaped cutout to accommodate the front-facing camera and Face ID. According to a January report from MacRumors, the bullet-shaped cutout will hold the front and Face ID camera, while the hole punch is for the Face ID dot projector. The hole and bullet design are shown in the expected renders of the Pro published by 91Mobiles. Meanwhile, alleged renders on MySmartPrice show the basic iPhone 14 being featured.

Right now, the notch is home to the components that make Face ID work, meaning Apple may need to shrink all that tech to make a notch-less iPhone a reality. Bloomberg's Mark Grumman also hinted at the removal of the notch in the September edition of his Power On newsletter, in which he predicted a "complete redesign" for the iPhone 14.

The rumored hole-and-bullet display of the iPhone 14 was revealed in schematics on Chinese social media site Weibo, and later shared on YouTube by leaker Jon Prosser. While we won't know what the iPhone's design will look like until it's revealed, the schematics offer a glimpse at a possible display for the next iPhone.

iPhone 14 camera design: Bump

Another design feature rumored to be on Apple's list for removal is that camera bump. The iPhone 13 lineup features a stretched camera bump, with either two or three lenses depending on the model. According to Prosser, who has a track record for hit-and-miss accuracy, a future iPhone will eliminate the bump altogether, which could mean a thicker chassis for the camera components. According to Prosser, the iPhone 14's body is going to be a "fat boy." But can it be thick enough to include all that camera hardware without a rear-facing camera setup? I'm taking this rumor with a grain of salt.

Speaking of slimming things down, leaker ShrimpApplePro tweeted that the Pro Max version of the iPhone 14 will come with smaller bezels than the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

iPhone 14 chassis: Tough and light

Talking about the iPhone's chassis, Prosser also said that the iPhone 14 Pro could get a titanium alloy body for the first time, replacing stainless steel. The rumor was first cited in a 2021 report from JPMorgan Chase's China office. Apple has previously used titanium alloy in select Apple Watch models, including the Series 7. Titanium is also more resistant to scratches, corrosion and bending.

Will the iPhone 14 be foldable?

maybe not. Obviously, we can't say for sure if a foldable iPhone will ever see the light of day, but I'm hoping it could happen in the next few years. A Bloomberg report published in January said that Apple already has a working prototype of a foldable iPhone display, but did not confirm a launch timeline. Other outlets, including Taiwan's Economic Daily, pegged 2022 as the year the foldable iPhone would arrive, while others suggested 2023.

Remember, the iPhone 13 was an incremental upgrade from the iPhone 12. That means it's likely setting the stage for a massive design overhaul when the iPhone 14 or 15 comes around, much like how Apple changed the look of its phones with the iPhone X.