The iPhone 14 is part of the entire iPhone 14 line that represents the 16th generation of iPhones and succeeds the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini. The naming convention used by Apple might be confusing for some because the 16th-gen line also includes the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, as well as the similar but bigger iPhone 14 Plus. Nonetheless, for the sake of clarity, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are positioned as mid-range smartphones while the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max are flagship and top-tier smartphones.
Pros of iPhone 14: Reasons Why You Should Buy
Despite being the least “powerful” and “equipped” among the entire iPhone 14 line, the iPhone 14 is a capable and powerful device that can compete against mid-range and top-tier Android smartphones in terms of speed, features, and overall performance.
It is an improvement of the iPhone 13 launched in 2021 and has capabilities that can match the 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. It is also the most affordable among the entire line with its base 126GB model retailing for USD 799.00. Note that the 256GB model is priced at USD 899.00 while the 512GB model has a price tag of USD 1099.00.
What makes this smartphone notable is the new hardware it sports and the new features it carries. There is a new Apple bionic chip inside. It also has newer and better cameras. There is also support for new iOS features and iPhone capabilities.
Below are the key selling points and notable features of this device:
1. Processing Capabilities of the Apple A15 Bionic Chip
Note that the iPhone 13 line, as well as the 6th-gen iPad Mini and 3rd-gen iPhone SE, use the A14 Bionic chip. It remains one of the most powerful system-on-a-chip that can compete with 2021 and 2022 flagship chips used in top-tier Android smartphones. The specific A14 chip in the iPhone 14 has a 6-core CPU, a 5-core GPU, and a16-core Neural Engine. This same chip variant is used in the 2021 flagship iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max.
2. Better Cameras and New Camera Features
Another notable improvement in the iPhone 14, especially when compared with the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro max, is its slew of new camera features alongside better camera optics. The front-facing camera still features the TrueDepth sensor but it now supports autofocus and recoding in Cinematic Mode at 4K and 30 FPS.
The pair of rear cameras are better than the iPhone 13. Apple calls them the Advanced Dual-Camera System which includes a 12MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. The system supports newer camera features such as the Photonic Engine for capturing better color and details, Action Mode, and about twice better low-light photography.
3. IP68 Water and Dust Resistance and Ceramic Shield
Similar to the previous generations of iPhones starting from the iPhone 7, the iPhone 14 has an IP68 rating that confers it with resistance from dust, splashes, and 2-meter submersion for 30 minutes. Furthermore, similar to the iPhone 12 and above, its glass screen has a Ceramic Shield protective coating for drop and scratch resistance.
4. Newer Features and Capabilities for Emergencies
iPhones have an Emergency SOS feature. Most smartphones nowadays also have the same feature. However, Apple takes the capabilities of the iPhone 14 when it comes to emergencies up another notch. This device is capable of making emergency calls even without network signals through satellite communications.
In addition, it also has a car-crash detection feature that works by sensing high-impact force produced after a traffic collision. The phone automatically dials user-designated emergency numbers such as emergency responders and other relevant contacts upon detection of a crash if the user does not respond within 20 seconds.
5. Better Battery Life and Heat Management
Remember that the iPhone 14 is as powerful as the 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. The capabilities of the Apple A14 Bionic chip enable users to run graphic-intensive games, do longer and more complex photo and video editing, and perform other resource-intensive tasks such as longer multi-participant video conferencing. However, this iPhone has an improved battery performance coupled with a better heat management system that keeps it running for longer and cooler despite average-to-intensive usage.
6. Significant Improvements in Reparability
One of the most notable criticisms about recent generations and models of iPhones is their reparability. Users and observers have complained that these devices are hard to repair because of the higher degree of dismantling them part by part. However, Apple has addressed this issue, thus making reparability ease one of the advantages of the iPhone 14.
For example, the back glass can be replaced in case of cracks or noticeable scratches without needing to replace the entire metal enclosure or chassis. The same is true for the screen. Apple also used less aggressive glues. The entire orientation or placement of the internal components makes them easier to remove than before. Reviewers and experts have described this device as the most repairable iPhone since the iPhone 7.
Cons of iPhone 14: Reasons Why You Should Not Buy
Switching to the iPhone 14 from a previous generation can be tricky to a certain extent. This device indeed has notable upgrades. However, a side-by-side comparison with the iPhone 13, as well as with the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, would reveal that it also has the least amount of grander and significant improvements.
Note that Apple has been reusing components and designs from the previous generations of its products into its newer entry-level to mid-ranger products as part of its product strategy and pricing strategy. The iPhone 14 is fundamentally a rehashed flagship iPhone 13. Upgrading from a 13 and even from the 13 Pro to an iPhone 14 might not be ideal.
Below are the key drawbacks and major issues of this device:
1. Familiar OLED Display With Limited Features
This device still uses the same OLED technology found on the previous generations of flagship iPhones. Note that Apple calls this the Super Retina XDR. It has a high contrast ratio, deeper blacks, high brightness, wide viewing angle, and a cinema standard wide color gamut. However, it does not have a high refresh rate nor does it have the ProMotion adaptive refresh. It also does not have the Always-On feature sported by top-tier Apple products such as the 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max, as well as the 14 Pro and Pro Max.
2. Same Notch and Overall Design Philosophy
The Dynamic Island is the most noticeable feature of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. It is not just a cutout that houses the front-facing camera and sensors for the Apple FaceID technology. This pill-shaped cutout provides added functionalities that include displaying interactive information and navigation features.
However, this feature is not available in the iPhone 14, as well as the 14 Plus. Both devices still use the same notch found in the previous generations of the iPhone since the iPhone X. The overall look of the iPhone 14 is also similar to the tried but tired design philosophy of the same previous generations of iPhones. Furthermore, the 14 and 14 Plus have an aluminum enclosure with the 15 Pro and 14 Max sport stainless steel.
3. Limited Improvements and New Capabilities
Another drawback of the iPhone 14, especially when compared with the iPhone 13 line and even the iPhone 12, as well as with the high-tier 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, is that the improvements are limited. There are new capabilities that warrant an upgrade. The cameras might have some improvements but the shooters in the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 remain relatively capable and similar to a certain extent.
The processing capabilities such as the central processing and graphics processing performance of this new device might be negligible if one would switch from either the flagship iPhone 12 or iPhone 13. The specific A15 Bionic chip used in this device might be more powerful but it is important to highlight the fact that the chips in the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 remain very capable and can compete with other flagship smartphones.
Reasons Why You Should or Should Not Buy the iPhone 14
Upgrading to an iPhone 14 from an iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, and even the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max might be an unwise purchasing decision. The improvements are minimal and insignificant. The best decision is to upgrade from a flagship iPhone 12 to a 14 Pro or 14 Pro Max. Users of iPhone 11 or older would find upgrading to an iPhone 14 a sensible purchasing decision.
The iPhone 14 is fundamentally an iPhone 13 Pro with some improvements. Of course, the fact remains that it has several notable selling points that include the Apple A15 chip and better reparability that give it better longevity. Users of older iPhones or those planning to switch from mid-range-to-flagship Android smartphones of 2021 or earlier can also get the maximum value out of their back when they switch to an iPhone 14.