iPhone 14 report is bad news for people skipping iPhone 13

iPhone 14 renders by Front Page Tech and Ian Zelbo
(Image credit: Ian Zelbo | Front Page Tech)

While the earliest iPhone 14 rumors point to a device that will look markedly different from the freshly announced iPhone 13, it seems that at least one thing could remain consistent with the 2021 handsets.

Korean website The Elec claims that Apple is planning on using Low Temperature Polycrystalline Silicon (LTPS) panels on “at least one of the four models” of iPhone 14 planned for next year. That’s in contrast to the Low Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide (LTPO) panels used on the current Pro handsets, which allows for the smooth 120Hz ‘ProMotion’ refresh rates.  

Reading between the lines, Apple may not make 120Hz refresh rates the default across all of 2022’s iPhone models, and that some will persist with 60Hz. In other words, it looks like we could have both Pro and regular iPhones for another year at least, which makes sense.

Along with an additional rear camera, improved screen tech is one of the key ways that Apple can upsell today's more expensive iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max models to consumers. The marketing term for the display is ProMotion, after all.

While Apple is expected to release four iPhone 14 models next year, split evenly between Pro and non-Pro models, it sounds like the company is planning on shaking up the form factors. The underperforming 5.4-inch ‘mini’ model is reportedly set for the axe after two generations, with Apple tipped offer 6.1- and 6.7-inch versions of both the regular iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro instead.

Although the iPhone 13 still isn’t out for another week, this isn’t the first we’ve heard of Apple’s 2022 handsets. According to Jon Prosser, an Apple leaker with a mixed track record, the iPhone 14 will deal with two of the remaining design bugbears of recent Apple handsets, with the notch replaced by a punch hole camera, and the rear camera bump being absorbed into the body of the slightly thicker device.

iPhone 14 renders by Front Page Tech and Ian Zelbo

(Image credit: Ian Zelbo | Front Page Tech)

But that likely won’t be the next iPhone we’ll see. According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, a revised version of the iPhone SE is set to beat the iPhone 14 to the punch, launching in the first half of 2022. The iPhone SE 3 likely won’t win any prizes for its looks, as it could sport a design that's similar to the now discontinued iPhone XR, but if it packs the latest Apple A15 Bionic chip, then performance wise it should rival the best smartphones around.  

Alan Martin

Freelance contributor Alan has been writing about tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional magazine too. When not weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, you'll probably find him tackling his ever-growing games backlog. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth time.

Read more
Apple iPhone 16 & 16 Plus hands-on.
iPhone 17 just tipped for this long overdue Pro feature in new report
Apple iPhone 16 held in the hand.
iPhone 17 just tipped for this Pro feature after years of waiting
Renders of the iphone 17 in teal, green and dark green
iPhone 17 just tipped for the one big upgrade we've been waiting for
iphone 14 pro vs iphone 13 pro
iPhone 14 Pro vs iPhone 13 Pro: Biggest upgrades
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13
iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 13: Which iPhone should you buy?
iPhone 17 Pro render
iPhone 17 Pro — 7 biggest rumored upgrades
Latest in iPhones
New emojis with iOS 18.4 beta release.
iOS 18.4 beta brings 8 new emoji to your iPhone — here's all the new options
An image of an iPhone screen showing the Safari app icon in the center
I got tired of Safari revealing my web searches in iOS 18.4 — this setting fixes that
iPhone Flip Concept
Foldable iPhone delays — there’s a bigger problem going on at Apple
iPhone 17 Air render
iPhone 17 Air — new survey could be bad news for Apple's super thin iPhone
Render of the alleged design of the iPhone 17 Pro
New iPhone 17 Pro dummy leak highlights redesigned camera and part glass body
Siri in iOS 18 on iPhone
Users complain that Siri can’t answer even the most basic questions — here’s what we know
Latest in News
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Apple Watch Ultra 3 just tipped for two major upgrades
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Tuesday, March 25 (#653)
Titus Welliver in Bosch Legacy season 3
‘Bosch’ season 3 preview: 5 things to know before the final season on Prime Video
A first look at Amazon's Fallout TV series coming to Prime Video
‘Fallout’ season 3 plans are reportedly being made — while season 2 is still filming
Surface Laptop 7 from the front
Amazon just gave Surface Laptop 7 a 'frequently returned' label — here's what's going on
New emojis with iOS 18.4 beta release.
iOS 18.4 beta brings 8 new emoji to your iPhone — here's all the new options