Why Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro Max could be a tough sell

of Apple the rumored iPhone 14 Pro Max it is expected to have a higher resolution camera, a new processor and a giant 6.7-inch screen like the current one iPhone 13 Pro Max. While these sound like welcome improvements, Apple needs to do more to make its best iPhone stand out.

That’s because the iPhone 14 Pro Max will no longer be the only super-sized iPhone in Apple’s lineup, if rumors are to be believed. Apple is expected to launch a 6.7-in iPhone 14 Max as well as this year, meaning those who love big screens won’t have to splash out on a Pro Max just to get a bigger display.

Aside from the difference in screen size, there’s usually little to separate Apple’s “Pro” iPhones from “Pro Max” devices. Hopefully that will change with the Phone 14 Pro Max, which we expect to hear about in due course Apple’s upcoming event on September 7. with inflation hitting smartphone shipmentscompanies like Apple may have to work harder to convince consumers to spend more on high-end devices.

iPhone 14 Pro Max: What to expect

If Apple releases the iPhone 14 Pro Max in September, it will likely be a continuation of Apple’s current one iPhone 13 Pro Max. As such, it will likely have a 6.7-inch screen and a triple-lens camera that includes wide, ultra-wide and telephoto lenses. In an effort to further differentiate its Pro iPhones from its standard iPhones, Apple will reportedly give the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max an improved 48-megapixel camera sensor, a faster A16 Bionic chip, and a redesigned front-facing camera module that removes the notch.

These features are said to be exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, meaning they won’t appear on the standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max. That’s according to reports from Bloomberg’s Mark German and TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuoboth of which have good results when it comes to reporting unreleased Apple products.

Provided Apple maintains its current value price structure, the iPhone 14 Pro Max will likely start at $1,100 for the 128GB model. The iPhone 14 Pro will likely start at $1,000.

Why the iPhone 14 Pro Max should stand out

If the reports prove true, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max could include one of the biggest camera upgrades we’ve seen on an iPhone in years. That alone could make them attractive to those looking for a new device.

The problem, however, is that the iPhone 14 Pro Max could get lost in the shuffle. Buyers who are simply interested in the best camera could make do with the cheaper iPhone 14 Pro, while those who primarily want a large screen can opt for the rumored iPhone 14 Max. Both devices are likely to be cheaper than the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

The launch will also come at a time when people seem to be spending less on mobile devices and being more careful with their purchases. Smartphone shipments are expected to decline 3.5% in 2022, according to International Data Corporation estimates released in June. The NPD Group reported in May that more than eight in 10 consumers plan to reevaluate their spending on products in the next three to six months. A recent NPD survey also showed that consumers plan to look for cheaper products, look for promotions and reduce overall purchases in the next few months.

These factors can make it harder to convince consumers to spend more than $1,000 on a new phone, especially when they can get some of the same benefits (a bigger screen or a triple-lens camera) on cheaper models. With the iPhone 14 Pro Max, Apple is likely banking on the fact that consumers are willing to pay a premium to get a bigger screen at the same time and better camera.

How Apple can make the iPhone 14 Pro Max feel special

There are a few things Apple could do to make the iPhone 14 Pro Max stand out from the regular iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Max. Like I have written in the pastI’d love to see Apple’s implementation iPadsimilar software features that make better use of the Pro Max’s giant screen. For example, it could add a multitasking mode that makes it easier to view more than one app at the same time. I’d also like to see an always-on display option similar to what’s available on newer Apple Watch models and many competing Android phones.

Samsung has done a better job of differentiating its premium class Galaxy S22 Ultra from the regular Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus. While the $1,200 Galaxy S22 Ultra is probably too expensive for most people, it offers a variety of features that you can’t get from Samsung’s cheaper models. The Ultra has a built-in stylus for note-taking and drawing, a 6.8-inch screen that’s bigger than any other phone in Samsung’s S22 seriesA 40-megapixel selfie camera with higher resolution and a main camera system with two telephoto lenses and 10x optical zoom.

None of these features are available on Samsung’s other S22 devices, including the $1,000 Galaxy S22 Plus. The iPhone 13 Pro Max, by comparison, has a lot in common with the iPhone 13 Pro, aside from the larger screen and longer battery life. In other words, Apple is relying on the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s 6.7-inch screen to differentiate it from the regular Pro.

But if Apple releases a 6.7-inch version of the standard iPhone, just as reports from the Nikkei Asian Review, Bloomberg and Ming-Chi Kuo suggest, the iPhone 14 Pro Max may feel less unique in this year’s lineup. The rumored iPhone 14 Max likely won’t have the same goodies as Apple’s Pro iPhone, such as a triple-lens camera and a screen with a higher refresh rate for smoother scrolling. But it might be compelling enough to attract buyers who just want a bigger screen and don’t care that much about having a telephoto lens.

Regardless, the iPhone 14 Pro Max will be a top seller if its predecessors are any indication. The iPhone 13 Pro Max ranked among the top five smartphone models in regions such as the US, UK, France, Germany and China, according to Counterpoint Research. The iPhone 12 Pro Max was also the second best-selling phone globally in 2021, Counterpoint Research also reported.

However, while foldable iPhone is coming, the iPhone Pro Max will be Apple’s most expensive and premium iPhone. It also means it should be the best showcase of Apple technology, which is why I’d like to see more exclusive features you can’t get elsewhere.