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Leaker shares iPhone 14 Pro hands-on preview with pre-release devices

Published Aug 15th, 2022 6:02PM EDT
iPhone 13 Pro Front
Image: Christian de Looper for BGR

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An Apple leaker claims that one of his sources was able to test pre-release iPhone 14 units. The source apparently had access to the Pro devices. If the information is accurate, then this might be the first iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max hands-on preview. Previously, we have shared similar hands-on reports of purported iPhone 14 dummy units.

Twitter user LeaksApplePro posted online an account of this purported iPhone 14 Pro hands-on experience. If the Twitter handle rings a bell, that’s because he’s been a constant source of Apple leaks. Like all leakers, he might not always be correct with such information. But then no leaker can boast 100% accuracy, no matter how much they’d cling to track record stats.

LeaksApplePro says his source had time to use both Pro models, experiencing the new pill-and-hole design. The notch replacement “doesn’t add anything new.” Also, it “looks weird,” according to the source. Its only other purpose compared to the notch is giving the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max a recognizable identity.

Buyers should get used to the new screen design as quickly as they did with the notch on the iPhone X.

The report also notes that the iPhone 14 Pro display looks about the same as the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max. The person who had their hands on the new devices did not explore the rumored always-on display functionality, however.

They did look at the new 48-megapixel wide camera inside the massive camera module on the back. Apparently, there are some “issues” with the camera system. The new sensor is “the best one in a smartphone if there’s enough light,” the person said. But the iPhone 14 Pro models need more optimization for night mode.

iPhone 14 Pro 3D Renders
iPhone 14 Pro 3D renders: Color concepts. Image source: Technizo Concept and LetsGoDigital

If this hands-on experience is accurate, the pre-release iPhone 14 Pro models can’t yet match the iPhone 13 Pro’s low-light camera performance. However, Apple should fix that by the time the handsets hit stores.

The source also said that battery life should go up by a couple of hours on the iPhone 14 Pro. But there wasn’t enough time to test it. On the same note, the iPhone 14 Pro models are “thick.”

That’s on par with rumors that said the new handset will be slightly thicker than the previous generation. That’s a detail that bodes well for battery life expectations.

Finally, the source of this unofficial hands-on report said the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max feature better speakers.

We’ll have to wait for the iPhone 14 launch event to see if any of these claims turned out to be accurate. While you wait, you can check out the concept clip below that will give you an idea of what the pill-and-hole screen design look like.


More iPhone coverage: For more iPhone news, visit our iPhone 14 guide.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.