iPhone 14
Across multiple leaks, Apple had been widely expected to ship four models in the iPhone 14 lineup. The headline Pro models boasted a 48‑megapixel main camera, while the standard models stuck with 12‑megapixel modules that had been used in recent years. The Pro models were anticipated to support video capture in 8K using ProRes, expanding the professional appeal of the iPhone 14 Pro cameras for videographers on the go.
For the first time since the iPhone X era, Apple was rumored to ditch the long-standing notch that houses the front camera and Face ID sensors. Instead, the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max were expected to adopt an i‑shaped cutout, commonly referred to as a pill notch because of its elongated form. The design shift sparked chatter among Apple enthusiasts who hoped for a visual refresh after years of a relatively unchanged front panel.
In 2022 Apple reportedly paused the iPhone mini, replacing it with a larger option in the lineup. The iPhone 14 Max was expected to carry the same hardware as the iPhone 14 Pro Max, while offering a 6.7‑inch display, effectively matching the Pro Max’s dimensions though with a different feature set.
Overall, Apple planned four models: iPhone 14, 14 Pro, 14 Max and 14 Pro Max. The standard models were slated to feature 6.1‑inch displays, while the Pro variants were positioned with 6.7‑inch screens.
Some fans anticipated that the iPhone 14 and 14 Max would not receive major hardware upgrades. The A15 Bionic chip from the iPhone 13 era was expected to power the non‑Pro devices, while the Pro series would get the newer A16 Bionic. As a result, performance for the base models was projected to be close to last year’s iPhone 13 levels.
The launch timeline pointed to September with pricing that could push beyond prior years. Early rumors suggested prices around 800 USD for the iPhone 14, about 900 USD for the 14 Max, roughly 1,100 USD for the 14 Pro, and a starting point near 1,200 USD for the 14 Pro Max, reflecting a pattern of premium pricing along with larger displays.
Motorola Frontier and Beyond
Motorola signaled a bold move toward a flagship camera, aiming for a 200‑megapixel central sensor. The device was described as a 6.67‑inch OLED model with a 144 Hz refresh rate, powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 platform and options for 8 GB or 12 GB of RAM with 128 GB or 256 GB of storage.
The proclaimed 200‑megapixel sensor was said to rival or exceed the resolution of competitors like the Galaxy S22 Ultra, with discussions centered on the Samsung ISOCELL HP1 sensor. Yet real use would typically fall back to 50‑megapixel images through pixel binning to brighten and sharpen scenes. A 200‑megapixel mode would be available, though often not used in everyday shooting.
The Frontier was also slated to feature a 50‑megapixel ultra‑wide option and a 12‑megapixel telephoto lens, with a 60‑megapixel front camera for video calls and selfies. The battery was expected around 4500 mAh, with rapid charging of 125 W and wireless charging at 50 W. Official details were awaited toward the end of the season, with pricing still unconfirmed.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 and Z Flip4
Samsung publicly confirmed an August reveal for its Galaxy Unpacked event, where the Galaxy Z Fold4 and Z Flip4 were expected to take center stage. Rumors pegged the Fold4 with a 7.6‑inch internal display and a 6.2‑inch external panel, both delivering 120 Hz refresh rates for smooth scrolling and gaming.
The Fold4 was described as having dual displays, with a larger interior screen around 6.7 inches and a small external display roughly 1.9 to 2.1 inches for quick tasks. Details about the exact panel technology and the Z Flip4’s screen type remained less clear, though both devices were anticipated to run on the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 platform and offered storage options up to 1 TB on the Fold4.
Battery capacity was expected to stay modest due to the foldable form factor, with around 4400 mAh for the Fold and 3700 mAh for the Flip, supporting 25 W wired charging and 10 W wireless charging. Water resistance and stylus support were highlighted as continuing strengths for the foldable line. Price projections leaned toward a higher tier, with the Flip4 around 1.1 thousand USD and the Fold4 near 1.8 thousand USD, while Russia’s market situation added uncertainty for localized pricing.
Xiaomi 12T Pro
Industry insiders anticipated Xiaomi to introduce a flagship in China that would enter the global market as the Xiaomi 12T Pro. The device was tipped to carry a 200‑megapixel ISOCELL HP1 camera, similar to the Motorola Frontier, with the HP3 sensor also whispered as a possibility.
Early reports suggested a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor and support for 120 W fast charging that could recharge a 4500 mAh battery in minutes. The lineup was expected to include the entry‑level Xiaomi 12T, likely powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8100 chip, with a September launch window echoing last year’s schedule for similar lines.
OnePlus 10T and the Path Forward
OnePlus has shifted its brand focus from pure enthusiast appeal toward broader mass‑market appeal. The company expanded its portfolio with more midrange devices while the flagship line consolidated around a single model, the OnePlus 10 Pro. Rumors pointed to a successor called the 10T 5G, expected later in the year, sharing a design lineage with the 10 Pro.
Speculation suggested the OnePlus 10T would sport a 6.7‑inch OLED display at 120 Hz, a 32‑megapixel front camera, and back cameras that included a 50‑megapixel main sensor, a 16‑megapixel ultra‑wide, and a 2‑megapixel macro. Early chatter indicated a switch from the Dimensity 9000 to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 for the chipset. A 4800 mAh battery and 150 W charging were also mentioned, but wireless charging would be dropped. The mute switch, a signature feature, was reportedly absent on the 10T. Pricing was speculated to fall between 600 and 800 USD, with a late‑year release window awaiting official confirmation.
Google Pixel 7
Google teased the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro during the I/O 2022 event, with a full product reveal expected in the fall. Screens were projected to remain similar to the Pixel 6 series, with the Pixel 7 at around 6.4 inches and the Pixel 7 Pro at about 6.7 inches, while some sources hinted a slightly smaller 6.3‑inch version for the base model.
Both phones were planned to feature OLED displays with high refresh rates and official camera configurations that preserved a 50‑megapixel main sensor on the Pixel 7 and a 12‑megapixel ultrawide, while the Pixel 7 Pro would gain a 48‑megapixel telephoto. Front camera capabilities were expected to include improved 4K video capture. The anticipated price points remained near 600 USD for the base model and around 900 USD for the Pro, aligning with the prior year’s market positioning.