Thoughts on the iPhone Pro & what features would make it worth it to me
I have been thinking lately a lot about what Apple could do to the iPhone to make it into an “iPhone Pro” that would make me willing to spend an extra cash on a smartphone. It’s true that my smartphone is far and away my most users computing device. I have been thinking about going up to the bigger iPhone Plus model for a few years ago, but have hesitated because I mainly had a desk job and I was concerned with the size. My previous job decided for me by now buying the bigger phones for employees since they were hard to repurpose when people left the company and the privilege for me getting a bigger phone wasn’t worth shelling out $700–900 out of pocket. I have not bought an iPhone out of pocket in about 5 years now, but I am tempted to do it this year so I can go ahead and get my hands on the iPhone Pro.
Rumors have been all over the place about what this phone is actually going to be, but here are a few things that I would want in one to pay the extra premium.
1. 128GB minimum, with 256GB and 512GB options: I’ve been spoiled by having a 128GB iPhone and never having to worry about managing storage. I use iCloud Photo Library and Apple Music to offload photo and music storage, but having more storage means that they can cache more of my library offline automatically. I really would not want to pay for a premium iPhone and be stuck with 64GB of storage. Right now my iPhone does a fantastic job at managing its own storage and never have to worry about my phone running out of space.
2. Better Camera: Right now I have the single-lens iPhone 7 and the camera is great, but I see the kind of photos my friends can get with the Zoom lens and Portrait mode on the iPhone 7 Plus and frankly I am jealous. The camera is one thing that has kept me using the iPhone year after year. I would love it if Apple could include a better camera model for low-light photography. Low light is where a lot of smartphones still struggle and it would be nice if Apple could make it so you could take a shot at night or indoors better, particularly with video, slow-mo, and portrait mode. Also, I think it would be nice if Apple offered unlimited photo and video backup to iCloud Photo Library for the iPhone Pro like Google does with the Pixel phone. There are rumors that Apple is going to use some of their artificial intelligence to detect what is in viewfinder of the camera (For example: A kid or cat versus a mountain) and adjust the exposure and light balance accordingly. I know it would not ever happen, but I would like to see a “Pro” camera mode exclusive for the iPhone Pro. Make it a setting or a separate app, but I would like to see what Apple engineers could do with a camera app designed with hobbyists and professionals in mind. It would be cool to see what they could come up with.
3. OLED Screen: One of the big rumors that swirling around the iPhone Pro is that it will have an OLED, which crushes blacks and a wider color gamut. The screen on the Apple Watch is pretty brilliant for its size and does a good job at seamlessly blending into the bezel on the watch itself. If the iPhone Pro is going to have an edge to edge screen having an screen like this would be awesome.
4. Apple Pencil Support: I carry an iPad Pro with me a lot, namely to jot down notes in meetings and soon: class notes. I currently use OneNote at work because my boss uses a Windows PC and we share a notebook + OneNote has fantastic handwriting OCD so that I can search out from my hand-written notes later. I would love to be able to keep a stylus in my pocket, tap the screen with the Apple Pencil, and quickly jot a note. Yes, this one would feel like the return of Windows Mobile, but who cares? The Apple Pencil is a wonderful accessory that really enhances my productivity on the iPad Pro whether I’m using it to write notes, annotate documents, doodle, edit photos, and more.
5. Wireless Charging: I have this on my Galaxy S7 and had it on my Lumia 920 and it’s just awesome. A work we even have new Dell monitors that have wireless charging built into their stands. I have seen furniture and Toyota cars with wireless charging pads built into them now. Yes, you still have to have a wire running to be pad, so it’s not truly wireless, but once you install a charging pad on your nightstand, desk at work, or car it’s always there for you to top off your phone effortlessly. It has the added benefit of making your Lightening port and cables last long since you are not constantly plugging and unplugging. It just makes it easier to top off your phone throughout the day.
6. FaceID: I have a Surfacebook at work and Windows Hello Face unlock is borderline magical. I would love to have this in the iPhone Pro. The iPhone already turns on when you raise the phone or hit the screen. If Apple added tap to wake and FaceID that uses the front-facing camera to unlock my iPhone I would be a happy camper. I was skeptical about the technical when I first read about it, but after using Windows Hello on the Surfacebook I’m ready for this future. TouchID was really a solution to a problem (people not using passwords on their devices), not what most tech companies do by introducing a new technology and then trying to tell you how it’s going to improve your life. I would love this technology to also come to Macs as well. It would be great to sit in front of an iMac or MacBook Pro and automatically be logged in.
Honestly, my iPhone is by-far and away my most used device. I would pay more for one if given some cool features. That would completely my iPad Pro and MacBook Pro trinity. In Apple-land, the “Pro” monicker really means “luxury” or “extra” features in the sense that you’re getting more technology than the average model, raw specs aside. With the MacBook Pro that is the TouchBar, nicer screen, big trackpad, futurerproof Thunderbolt 3 ports,etc. On the iPad Pro that means you’re getting the 120Hhz refresh rate “Promotion”, Apple Pencil support, True-tone display, the Smart Keyboard accessory, better cameras, and a more capable iPad overall. Oftentimes “Pro” simply means features that are a luxary to most people and while nice, not neccessarily something most people would be willing to pay extra for. As long as they offer the other option for most people (like the basic iPad and MacBook line). I think it’s a great idea.
The MacBook and iPads are the machines for the masses. They are a good mix of price, feature set, luxury, and support for most people to find them valuable. Why keep pushing up the price on those products like they did with the iPhone 7 Plus? Enthusiasts and early adopters can pay to get the newer tech sooner because they care about it. Keep the price of the normal iPhones the same or lower them. That’s where Apple is still going to make the majority of their money from. The $320 iPad is a fantastic tablet for the price in terms of power, screen size, storage, etc. For most people that use the iPad for games, Netflix, Facebook, browsing the web, and reading its a wonderful Pad. Somebody like that is not going to pay $600–900 for an iPad Pro with Smart Cover and Apple Pencil. Those things are simply not important to them and their enjoyment of the device. Nothing wrong with that.
Just like buying the Apple Watch Gen 1and iPad Gen 1 I enjoyed paying extra to get to play with the future today. When the prices fell on the iPad and Apple Watch was when my family and friends really took to them. As long as Apple keeps adding value to the mainstream iPhone lines I will welcome the iPhone Pro with open arms. As long as Apple does not gut the mainstream iPhones and force people to pay more for the bleeding edge features I think things will be fine. The iPhone Pro will allow Apple to experiment with limited run features and technology that can eventually trickle down the rest of the iPhone line every year. Apple is going to have to walk a fine line with this new phone if it really does come out like everybody is saying it will. It will be interesting to see how they position it. I don’t really know if I’m going to pay a lot out of pocket to upgrade myself because I’m pretty happy with my iPhone 7, but as somebody who loves tech I find the proposition of an iPhone Pro to be fascinating.
