iPhone 14: new devices need an immediate update

Buyers of new iPhones have a first job to do immediately after removing the devices from the packaging: they have to update the operating system of the new models. As stated in a description of the update, the Apple includes download already distributediPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max will get a new version of iOS 16. The iPhone 14, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max will be with customers starting Friday, with the iPhone 14 Plus following later.

Hash me, I’m a mistake

According to the prospectus, the iOS 16 distributed as an update, which has build number 20A362, removes a very specific bug in the photography area. This makes “some photos look too soft when zoomed in landscape mode.” Confusingly, though, this only happens on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, not the other two 2022 Apple smartphones available as of this week. However, all iPhone 14 models will receive the update.

A comparison of the build number explains why this happens: it is the same as the official build of iOS 16. This in turn corresponds to the release candidate of iOS 16. Apple, on the other hand, appears to be shipping iPhone 14 devices with an older version, which is why all new smartphones need the update. Apple doesn’t say if there are any other bug fixes and/or security fixes. However, you should not take any chances here and upgrade immediately.

shared availability

This year, Apple is selling its new iPhones in two stages. The iPhone 14, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max will be available on September 16, followed by the iPhone 14 Plus on October 7. The latter is also the only completely changed form factor, replacing the supposedly very unpopular iPhone 13 mini. This means that there are no more compact iPhones with state-of-the-art equipment.

Apple continues to further separate the Pro and “Normal” models. Only Pro devices get the current A16 SoCs in the 4nm process. The other devices come with the A15 chip from the iPhone 13 Pro. There are also clear differences in the camera (a 48-megapixel first on the rear on the Pro devices) and the design of the notch and TrueDepth module, which Apple turns into a “dynamic island” on the Pro versions. The screens on the Pro models can do more, too, including an always-on-first-time mode.

(bc)