This week’s WWDC 2022 event didn’t mention the iPhone 14 at all, which isn’t a surprise given Apple’s standard policy of not talking about products it hasn’t announced. Even though the iPhone 14 pricing rumours have been circulating, at least one announcement from WWDC spoke volumes about the fall’s phone prices.
Even more than before, I believe that the iPhone 14 Pro models will be more expensive than the iPhone 13 Pro counterparts. For my part, it is the new MacBook Air 2022 which has made me so certain.
For those who may have missed it, Apple just unveiled a new MacBook Air model that features the company’s brand-new Apple M2 CPU. More than two times as much performance can be had with a third of the power required, according to Apple’s latest silicon generation.
Apple is expected to charge $1,199 for the base model of the MacBook Air (2022) when it goes on sale next month, and that’s based on our hands-on time with the device. Compared to the MacBook Air M1, which will remain in Apple’s line-up, that’s a $200 premium.
People are willing to spend more for a high-quality product that offers more value than the cheaper MacBook Air 2022, according to Apple. And I’m willing to bet that same mentality will be applied to the next iPhones.
For those who missed Apple’s MacBook Air presentation at WWDC, here are some tidbits that may provide some light on the company’s reasoning for raising costs. The new MacBook Air is slimmer and lighter than previous models, despite the screen being somewhat bigger.
Apple’s laptop now supports 67W charging and has a 25% brighter display than the previous MacBook Air (if you spring for the faster charger, that is). If you’re willing to shell out a little more money, you’ll receive a lot more in return, or at least feel like you’re getting a lot more for your money.
Component market conditions were not mentioned at WWDC. Laptop parts are more expensive than they were a few years ago, and manufacturers like Apple may not be able to keep up with the rising costs. When it comes to consumers, some of it will be passed on, which might be the case here.
Considering the new MacBook Air’s potential impact on the iPhone 14,
Specifically, how does this affect the new iPhone 14 Pro models? It’s not only smartphones that are affected by rising component costs. The iPhone 14 Pro, on the other hand, is getting more substantial changes than the iPhone 14, according to speculations regarding Apple’s next smartphones.
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, in particular, are expected to ditch Apple’s notched display in favour of cutouts for the cameras and Face ID. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max will continue to operate on a variation of the existing A15 chipset, as will the Pro phones, which are rumoured to include a new A16 CPU. A 48MP primary camera might be added to the iPhone 14 Pro, which already has faster-refreshing screens that set it apart from the normal iPhone.
Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are said to cost $100 more than the iPhone 14 than the iPhone 14. The iPhone 14 Pro would be priced at $1,099, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max would be priced at $1,199.
Like the MacBook Air 2022, Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro is said to be packed full of amazing upgrades. A comparable increase in pricing isn’t out of the question either.
At least, that’s what it appears the rumour mill believes will happen. There has been a lingering rumour that the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will cost $100 more than their iPhone 13 Pro rivals. Apple’s new flagship phones, the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max will both start at $999 in the US.
Apple’s decision to raise the price of a “consumption item” at a time when people are feeling the pain of rising costs seems paradoxical. It’s not necessary to have a cell phone that costs more than $1,000. That so, Apple appears to believe that customers are willing to spend more for a high-quality product that has more to offer than the cheaper MacBook Air 2022. And I’m willing to bet that same mentality will be applied to the next iPhones.
Since laptops and phones aren’t the same, the normal warnings regarding estimated pricing for newly announced items apply. Apple has my utmost gratitude if it decides to keep the iPhone 14’s price the same. Despite this, I believe it’s prudent to budget for higher costs this autumn. There are several indicators that this is the case.