iPhone 14 is set to be unveiled TOMORROW at Apple's 'Far Out' event (2023)

There's not much longer to wait for Apple fans who have been counting down the days until the tech giant's mysterious 'Far Out' event.

It is expected that its latest smartphone, iPhone 14, will be revealed, confirming or denying the rumours that have been swirling for months about what it will look like.

Leaks have strongly suggested that both the standard and Pro versions of the iPhone 14 will come in a shimmering purple colour, but there will be no iPhone 14 Mini.

The camera capabilities of the Pro versions are also likely to be upgraded, with a 48 megapixel primary sensor and an Ultra Wide lens that is able to take clear images in low light settings.

The Apple Watch has also typically been upgraded in the autumn, so there is a good chance that the Apple Watch 8 Pro will also be unveiled.

There are suggestions that a new model could involve a low-power mode being introduced to win over consumers using Fitbit or Garmin.

Those who are prone to losing their wireless headphones may also be happy that Apple may announce the AirPods Pro 2 at the 'Far Out' event.

Rumours suggest these will have a longer battery life, better quality sound and a revamped charging case with the 'Find My' functionality.

Where is the event?

Apple officially announced the 'Far Out' event on August 24, through a simple message on top of a night sky background.

Described only as a 'special Apple Event', it is due to be broadcast live from theSteve Jobs Theateron the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, USA.

There will be an in-person component with members of the media invited to Apple's campus to watch.

What time is the event?

The event's broadcast will begin at 10:00 am PT, which is 6:00 pm BST and 1:00 pm EDT.

How can you watch?

Those who have not been invited to attend the event in person will be ableto watch it live on the Apple website.

What could they reveal?

iPhone 14

It has been widely reported that the series will include a 6.1-inch iPhone 14, a 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro, a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max and a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Multiple sources have said that there will be no iPhone Mini in this year's lineup, due to disappointing sales of previous releases.

Recently, a Tweetfrom an account called @Tommyboiiiiii has sent enthusiasts into a spin after it showed images of a case for an alleged 'iPhone 14 Plus'.

This could be the new name for the6.7-inch model, that has up until now been solely referred to as theiPhone 14 Max.

New colours

When it comes to the colours, the most recent information suggests that theiPhone 14 and 14 Max will be available in Midnight (black), Starlight (white), Blue, Red, Purple and Green.

For the corresponding Pro models, the colour options will beGraphite, Silver, Gold, Purple and Green.

The Purple option has been the most widely anticipated, since a preview of the new casing was shared on Twitter byApple leaker DuanRui on Twitter.

The shimmering purple tone appears to change depending on the angle being viewed.

Apple tipster Jioriku claimed on Twitter the colour replaces the pink of the standard iPhone 13 models, and Sierra Blue of the iPhone 13 Pro models.

Removal of the 'notch'

The other large visual change is the 'notch', whichhas been the only non-touchscreen element on the front display of the handsetsince the launch of the iPhone X in 2017.

The removal of the notch was first revealed by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in March 2021, but since then details of what will replace it have evolved.

Chinese social media site Weibo leaked a schematic in February, whichappears to show two cut-outs that will replace the notch.

The left cut-out is pill-shaped, including the front camera, Face ID infrared camera, and possibly other components, while the right is circular forthe Face ID dot projector.

Display analyst Ross Young leakedthatsome of the Face ID hardware may also be moved to under the display, reducing the size necessary for the cutouts.

However, yesterday Apple news site MacRumors revealed that the space between the two cut-outs will be bridged, according to their source.

This single, wider pill-shaped area will display the privacy indicators that show when the camera and microphone are being used by an app, as well as housing the cameras and sensors.

These technologies are thought to just be included in the iPhone 14 Pro models, while the standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max will still have the notch.

Camera 'bump' increase

Flipping the device over, we may also see some minor changes to the size of the camera 'bump' on all iPhone 14 models, as were shown in leaked specsposted to Twitterby renowned Apple tipster Max Weinbach.

iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will have a square camera bump on the rear measuring 1.44-inch by 1.5 inch (36.73mm by38.21mm), according to leaked specs – slightly larger than on the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max.

The camera lenses themselves will also protrude outwards by 0.16 inches (4.17mm) on both the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, compared to 0.14 inches (3.6mm) on the iPhone 13 models, according to the leak.

Bigger and better camera

As usual, it is likely that the new iPhone series will feature updates to the camera.

MacRumours saw a note fromApple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo last year that said the Pro models will have a 48-megapixel primary camera and 8K video recording capabilities.

This is a vast improvement on the iPhone 13 Pro models, that have a 12-megapixel camera, but the upgrades will not be availableon the standard iPhone 14 models.

A new Tweet from the analyst has since revealed that the size of the pixels of the Ultra Wide lens of the iPhone 14 Pro models will also be increased to1.4 µm.

This is a 40 per cent increase on the iPhone 13 Pro, which had pixels of 1.0 µm.

This is because the new lens will bring with it a new, larger sensor, making for larger pixels which can capture more light in low-light settings, and thus produce better quality photos.

Back in April, Kuo also tweetedthatthe front-facing camera on the Pro models will have a wider aperture to allow for more light to enter the lens and create sharper images.

However, a recent Tweet from @LeaksApplePro claims that a user who has gotten hold of the iPhone 14 Pro say it is 'worse' than the camera on the iPhone 13 Pro due to a 'substantial amount of noise'.

Faster charging and larger battery

It is hoped that all the iPhones in the new range will charge faster than before, as earlier this month leaker @Jiorikutweetedthey will support a new 30W charger.

This is backed up by a more recent claim from tipster DuanRui on Twitter that an unnamed charger brand is sending out 30W iPhone 14 adaptors.

It is asignificant jump from the 20W rating used in the iPhone 13 devices, and could potentially result in more heat, lower efficiency and faster battery degradation.

However,Ming-Chi Kuo has revealed that iPhone 14 Pro models may also receive a faster A16 chip, which South Korean source Lanzuk says supportsimproved thermal management.

The inclusion of the A16 marks the first time an improved chip is installed only in the Pro models of an iPhone series.

The standard versions are still set to have the A15 chip,meaning that there is unlikely to be a noticeable performance difference.

This charging improvement from the adaptor may also accompany an increase in battery size for three of the four new phones, according to DuanRui.

The iPhone 14 will have a battery capacity of 3,279 mAh, while the iPhone 14 Max will have 4,325 mAh - dwarfing the 3,227 mAh battery of the iPhone 13.

For the Pro and Pro Max models, the capacities will be3,200 mAh and 4,323 mAh respectively, with the latter smaller than the iPhone 13 Pro Max's4,352 mAh battery.

A blog post on Naver from trusted leaker 'yeux1122' claims there will be no improvements to the wireless charging function.

Satellite connectivity and emergency features

Apple is said to have 'completed hardware tests' on the iPhone 14 for supporting satellite connectivity.

This would allow iOS users to exchange calls and text messages in remote areas when they have no signal or WiFi, for example, when in an in emergency situation.

Kuo revealed this in a Medium post, suggesting the technology is already available for the iPhone 13 - Apple just lacked a provider.

He wrote: 'Whether iPhone 14 will offer satellite communication service depends on whether Apple and operators can settle the business model.'

The iPhone 14 models are widely reportedto be installed with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon X65 modem, which will allow them to connect to satellites.

According to the Wall Street Journal, a car crash detection feature is also planned for 2022, so could be included in the new iPhone series.

Sensors in the device will measure a spike in gravitational force caused by a vehicle collision, and thenautomatically dial emergency services to get help.

It is touted to be an expansionon the Fall Detection feature already in existence on Apple Watches and iPhones, that uses the accelerometer sensor.

Faster refresh and 'Always-On'

Ross Young has alsosuggested that the iPhone 14 Pro models will come with 'ProMotion' technology.

This will allow for the display to automatically refresh at a frequency of 120Hz, allowing for smoother scrolling and appearance of content, as well as conserving battery.

Amore recent leak from Twitter user @Shadow_Leak claims the refresh rate for the standard iPhone 14 models will also be upgraded to 90Hz, up from the 60Hz of the iPhone 13.

Apple tipsterMark Gurman at Bloomberg reported in May that the the new Pro smartphones will feature an always-on display mode just like Apple Watch.

The phone screen willdisplay a small amount of 'quickly glanceable' information before it has been unlocked.

Such a feature would be similar to Androidphones that always show basic information – like time and battery level – on a dark screen while conserving power.

On Sunday, a source told MacRumors that the 'Always-On' display will be similar to the iPhone's Lock Screen.

However, when in 'Always-On' mode, the wallpaper will be fully darkened, and the foreground text, like the digital clock, will be dimmed and have a different tint.

They claim that widgets, like for Weather or Stocks, will also be visible in this mode, but will fade in and out at set intervals, unnoticeable to the user.

Notifications will reportedly still roll in from the bottom one at a time, and remain visible for 10 seconds, just like the Lock Screen.

Apple Watch 8 Pro

The 'Far Out' event may not only launch the new series of handsets, but could also introduce the world to the Apple Watch Series 8.

This is expected to have a flat display and new health features - potentially including a blood-pressure monitor, a thermometer for fertility and sleep tracking, sleep apnoea detection, and diabetes detection.

Leaker Ross Young, from Austin, Texas, claims the Series 8's screen size will measure 1.99 inches diagonally.

This would make the Series 8 the biggest Apple Watch screen yet, although the biggest on the market overall is the Domiwear DM100, which has a whopping 2.86-inch screen.

However, since then,leaker Sonny Dicksonhas shared images of what appear to be the Apple Watch 8 Pro cases, that allow for a 49 mm display - larger than Young's claim.

Gurman has also reported that it will also have a larger battery, along with a low-power mode, and a rugged titanium casing.

AirPods Pro 2

It has been reported by Bloomberg that the AirPods Pro 2 will also be unveiled at the event tomorrow, and a barrage of rumours has accompanied this.

In a note obtained by MacRumors, Apple analystMing-Chi Kuo claimed that they will contain a 'significantly upgraded' wireless chip, which could improve sound quality and active noise cancellation.

The charging case is expected to get 'Find My' functionality,allowing users to track the location of the case in the Find My app in the event it is lost or misplaced.

This case is also likely to be water and sweat resistant, just like theAirPods Pro earbuds.

The earbuds themselves may haveimproved in-ear detection, like the AirPods 3, and fitness tracking capabilities.

What do Apple fans think?

Leaks do suggest that the iPhone 14 range will have a variety of new features, however new research has shown that this is not enough for Apple loyalists.

A study from gambling website Time2playhas found that fans have become disappointed with the company's recent devices.

A survey of2,549 iPhone users who have owned at least two Apple handsets in the past found that only 9.5 per cent would definitely be upgrading to iPhone 14.

Of the 58.8 per cent who said they would definitely not be upgrading, 64.9 per cent said it was due to lack of innovation, and 20.8 per cent said it was just too expensive.

However, those who were on the fence said that the most enticing features would be a better camera, larger battery and supporting USB-C chargers.

Of those planning to upgrade, the average consumer was willing to pay up to $1,042 (£901) for a new iPhone, while those not planning to upgrade this time say they’d only ever spend as much as $823 (£712).

Ru Bhikha, mobiles spokesman at Uswitch, said: 'Two fifths of Apple users are planning to buy one of the latest models, and with rival Samsung winning praise for its eye-catching Galaxy Z Flip 4, the stakes are high to get the range right.

'Any changes in form factor or design will no doubt get loyalists excited, as the current design is starting to feel slightly dated.

'Better battery life is top of the wishlist for people looking to purchase the next iPhone and, fortunately for them, Apple could be about to unveil handsets with a larger capacity, as well as new technology to optimise longevity.

'The latest handsets are rumoured to include an always-on display that will put the iPhone in line with competitors that have been using this feature for years.

'Always-on displays give users the ability to see the time and other basic notifications while the screen is locked.

'While iPhone users are a loyal bunch, cost is more important than ever and will be a key factor affecting the next model's pulling power, as nearly half say they'd like a cheaper price tag.

'We might see the opposite happen though, as Apple's higher-end devices are expected to see the biggest chipset upgrades while the iPhone Mini – traditionally the cheapest version – is set to be axed.'

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