iPhone 14 Models May Have Used Patented Light-Folded Projector to Reduce Notch Size: Report

The technology may have allowed Apple to reduce the overall components size.

By Sourabh Kulesh | Updated: 26 August 2022 13:06 IST

iPhone 14 Models May Have Used Patented Light-Folded Projector to Reduce Notch Size: Report

Photo Credit: Weibo

iPhone 14 models will launch on September 7

Highlights

The technology may get a “light folding element”
It may get a camera and an infrared (IR) light emitter
iPhone 14 series face unlock components may have compact size

iPhone 14 series models may have used a light-folded projector in order to reduce the notch, a report claimed, citing a patent application from Apple filed with the US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO). It has been reported pretty widely that the pro models will sport a hole-punch display with a pill-shaped cutout and the non-pro models may get a smaller notch. As per the report, the patent does not explicitly mention which models will get this technology but it is presumed to be available on all the models of the iPhone 14 series.

Patently Apple cites a patent filed with the USPTO and says that it talks about a technology that has various components including a camera, an infrared (IR) light emitter, and a “light folding element”. This element is said to have capabilities of redirecting the IR light to help in reducing the footprint of components and offering more display area on the phone.

The patent explains that the light folding element can provide “more flexibility for positioning the IR light emitter with respect to the other components such as the IR detector and front-facing camera.” The IR light folding element can change the transmission direction of the IR light, essentially removing the need to install the IR light emitter at a specific location. It could now be “installed at a location with less-constrained space, use the light folding element to project the IR light in a specific direction," reduce the overall size of the imaging and sensing components, and decrease the size of a notch. It sounds like the technology that is used in Periscope-style zoom cameras in smartphones.

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It has been reported that the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max will get a pill-shaped hole-punch cutout. Meanwhile, the non-pro model, iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max are said to get a smaller notch. Apple is yet to confirm the development of these models but reports suggesting a design change in the iPhone 14 series have surfaced online multiple times. In one case, the images of the front panels of the iPhone models were leaked.

Recently, an alleged iPhone 14 Pro dummy model was leaked showing the rumoured pill-shaped hole-punch design. The iPhone 14 Pro is reported to come with a 6.06-inch display and the iPhone 14 Pro Max with a 6.7-inch display. Apple will launch the iPhone 14 series on September 7. The event is also expected to see the debut of Apple Watch Series 8 models, iOS 16, and watchOS 9. You can read all the rumours surrounding the launch in our report.

iPhone 14 Pro Alleged Screen Protector Tips Pill-Shaped Hole-Punch Cutout

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iPhone 14 Pro

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Superb display with always-on mode
Excellent overall performance
Good battery life
All cameras take high-quality stills and video
Regular iOS updates for many years

Bad
Extremely expensive
Relatively slow charging and transfer speed
Gets warm under heavy workloads
Limited customisation for Dynamic Island

Read detailed Apple iPhone 14 Pro review

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A16 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 6GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 16

Resolution 1179x2556 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone 14 Pro Max

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.70-inch

Processor Apple A16 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 16

Resolution 2796x1290 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone 14

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Good overall performance
Great camera quality in daylight
iOS ecosystem and ease of use

Bad
Dated design and notch
Very similar to iPhone 13
Relatively slow charging
Expensive

Read detailed Apple iPhone 14 review

Display 6.06-inch

Processor Apple A15 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 16

Resolution 1170x2532 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone 14 Plus

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Good overall performance
Great camera quality in daylight
iOS ecosystem and ease of use
Excellent battery life

Bad
Dated design and notch
Same SoC as iPhone 13 series
Relatively slow charging
Expensive

Read detailed Apple iPhone 14 Plus review

Display 6.68-inch

Processor Apple A15 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 16

Resolution 1284x2778 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

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