The new iPhone 14 has received some key upgrades; but is it more evolution than revolution?
It may seem odd calling the iPhone 14 premium, it being just the ‘standard’ model in Apple’s smartphone arsenal. But indeed it is.
Over the past two years – including the addition of Apple’s Pro range of iPhones – it has very much been the smartphone to beat. Apple has long stopped competing with the likes of Samsung and Huawei (their fans aren’t going to be leaving Google’s Android anytime soon anyway – and vice versa) and so its most formidable rivals come from within.
This year – as previously – that sees it compete against its bigger, beefier brothers: the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Usually, it’s a tough competition. The regular iPhone has always received the same upgrades as its ‘professional’ competition, sans a slightly upgraded screen and extra camera system. But this year is different.
The iPhone 14 Pro has finally lived up to its moniker, with vast upgrades that put it easily on top of the iPhone 14 in performance. And Apple is still selling the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 (at even more competitive prices).
Does the iPhone 14 still warrant a place in your pocket?
Design
The iPhone 14 looks near identical to the iPhone 13. That’s because it is identical. The same flat aluminum rails hewn between two plates of extra strong glass. It’s a very pretty phone, but it’s the same design as the previous model – take that as you will.
The camera bump is ever so slightly chunkier however – to accommodate a slightly bigger camera sensor – which annoyingly, means that an old iPhone 13 case won’t fit it.
The only caveat when it comes to design is this year Apple also produced a larger version – the iPhone 14 Plus. Again, it’s exactly the same in every way to the regular variant but with a larger 6.7-inch display.
Display
The iPhone 14’s display remains the same as last year’s, but Apple has brightened it slightly (handy when you need to use your phone in bright sunlight).
The Pro models have variable refresh rates – meaning it can scale up and down and make flicking through your phone feel that much more buttery smooth – but the iPhone 14 still has its 60Hz refresh rate. It’s a good screen, but most of the competition is now at around 100Hz.
It’s not a deal-breaker (especially if you have no experience with those better screens) but it feels like this is where the standard iPhone is due for an upgrade.
Cameras
Apple has been producing fantastic smartphone snappers for a while now, and this year is no different.
The iPhone 14 sees a significant upgrade, with an upgraded sensor on the main camera, and a slightly-wider aperture and autofocus on the selfie cam. In non-tech speak, that means you’ll get stellar shots in just about any conditions (the low-light shots are stunning).
You also get the same “Photographic Styles” feature of the Pro models, which allows you to apply different image processing styles to your images. These include styles such as warm, cool, or rich contrast. These can be adjusted to your liking
Performance and battery
The similarities between the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 13 continue when it comes to the processor under the hood.
While the Pro models get a new A16 Bionic chipset, the 14 uses the exact same A15 as the previous model (okay, it gets one more GPU than the 13 has). The A15 is still very capable. It will handle just about any task you set it up for, and makes the iPhone more efficient – providing up to 20 per cent increase in battery life.
But that’s beside the point; while last year’s processor might work for applications today, if you’re after a phone that will continue to perform in a few years’ time then not having the latest processor may be a concern.
Like last-year’s model, the iPhone 14 as 15W MagSafe charging, as well as a physical Lightning dock (Apple’s argument for sticking to its proprietary cable is increasingly weak).
This year, the base storage is 128GB, 256GB or 512GB.
Verdict
The iPhone 14 is a tough call given this year’s Apple lineup.
Yes, it is better than the previous iPhone 13 – but only slightly so. And if you want a real upgrade (but don’t want to head into Pro territory), then the iPhone 14 Max gives you that larger screen.
You’ll notice a big difference if you’re currently sporting an older iPhone 11 or iPhone 12, but if you’re still happy with the previous ‘standard’ model then there’s little to look forward to with an upgrade.
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