Apple announces iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max with new 'Dynamic Island'
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are here, and they're very different from the regular iPhone 14 models.
The notch on top of the display is gone, replaced by a pill-shaped "Dynamic Island." Apple calls it that because it does more than just sit there. It's an animated thingy that adapts to different activities, showing you notifications and other information about what's happening on your phone. The Dynamic Island is interactive, meaning you can touch it to expand it into a larger bubble with more information.
The sizes are, again, 6.1 and 6.7 inches, though Apple says the bezels have been further reduced. The display is brighter than before, with a peak brightness of 2,000 nits. A new trick (for iPhones) is the Always-On display, allowing you access to essential info with just a glance.
The Pro models get an entirely new chip, the A16 Bionic, which Apple says offers improved performance while driving less power. Battery life is still "all-day," or, more precisely, is up to 23 hours of video playback for the iPhone 14 Pro and up to 29 hours of video playback for the Pro Max.
Another major upgrade for the Pro models are the cameras. The main camera now has quad-pixel sensor with a 48-megapixel resolution, a 65% larger sensor than the one on the iPhone 13 Pro.
Apple is using the added resolution for another step in camera's zoom, which now has the 2x option alongside 3x zoom, as well as better quality in the company's ProRAW format. The ultra-wide and telephoto cameras have also been upgraded, though they only go to 12 megapixels. And the new Photonic Engine, the same one we get in the iPhone 14, further improves low-light quality.
Another feature that made it to both the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Pro models is Emergency SOS via Satellite. It gives the iPhone some connectivity in areas where there are no cell towers. You won't be able to use this for much except for SOS messages, but it's a start. Also, all the new iPhones get crash detection, which uses the phone's various sensors to detect whether you've been in a crash.
The iPhone 14 Pro is available in four colors, with the new color being Deep Purple (yes, just like the band).
The 14 Pro starts at $999, and the iPhone 14 Pro Max starts at $1,099. You'll be able to pre-order them on Sept. 9, and they'll be available on Sept.16.