CAD-based renders of the upcoming iPhone 14 series have previously surfaced online. Now, it appears that the design is close enough to completion to begin producing metal moulds, which will be used in the production of cases for the lineup.


Images of such moulds have recently been obtained from Weibo, confirming rumours that Apple will reduce the size options for its main series from three to two. That is, the company is discontinuing the 5.4′′ mini iPhone because it was unpopular with the general public.


The labels indicate that there will be only two sizes, 6.1" models and two 6.7" models. In addition, the mould images indicate that only the Pro models will have a telephoto lens as a third camera on the back. The larger iPhone with two cameras on the left is expected to be the new iPhone 14 Max.



According to rumours, the 14th generation iPhone will not have periscope cameras, but it will have an upgraded 48MP primary sensor. This should allow for 8K video recording and improved digital zoom. According to renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, only the Pro models will have the new sensor.


Furthermore, the camera bumps on the two Pro models are expected to be larger than those on last year's 13 Pro duo, implying new camera hardware. The non-Pro models may use the same camera hardware as the Pro models, as well as the custom-made Apple A15 chipset from last year. The new A16 SoC will be used in the Pro variants, which should provide enough processing power to handle 8K video recordings.


This generation's design upgrades are now available. The iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max are expected to abandon the notch in favour of a dual punch-hole design. The iPhone 14 and 14 Max, on the other hand, will almost certainly keep the wide notch, and it is unclear whether they will get ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate).