This story is a part of Focal Level iPhone 2022, CNET’s assortment of stories, ideas and recommendation round Apple’s hottest product.
The iPhone 14 is each an enchancment on final 12 months’s iPhone 13 and some of the minimal year-over-year upgrades in Apple’s historical past. On the skin, the 14 inherits the iPhone 13’s tried and true flat-sided aluminum design. On the within, Apple primarily repackaged the iPhone 13 Professional, sans the telephoto digital camera and high-refresh-rate display screen. The result’s beautiful and the iPhone 14 is an efficient improve for most individuals.
The iPhone 14 begins at $799 (together with a $30 connectivity low cost if you happen to activate it with AT&T, Dash, T-Cell or Verizon), the identical worth because the iPhone 12 and 13 once they first went on sale. If you happen to’re hoping for extra vital enhancements, there’s the dearer iPhone 14 Professional and 14 Professional Max, each of that are brimming with updates.
As People grapple with inflation, some firms have saved prices the identical by providing rather less. The iPhone 14 looks as if a method for Apple to launch a brand new cellphone whereas sustaining final 12 months’s worth. Is that this a case of “shrinkflation“? Possibly, however not essentially.
The iPhone 14 jogs my memory of the iPhone 5C, which got here out in 2013 alongside the iPhone 5S. The 5C was mainly an iPhone 5 inside a brand new plastic physique that was meant to enchantment to a extra budget-minded viewers. Whereas there are some similarities, the 14 appears to be aimed toward balancing worth and including new options.
Apple added a variety of security instruments to the 14 together with Crash Detection and satellite tv for pc connectivity for sending emergency messages while you’re out of vary of a cell tower. The iPhone 14 additionally bought an inside redesign that helps dissipate warmth higher and permits its glass again to be repaired extra simply and for much less cash.
However these are options most individuals will hopefully by no means use and so they’re largely invisible. Even the iPhone’s transfer away from bodily SIM playing cards to eSIM on US fashions is one thing most individuals will solely take care of as soon as when transferring their quantity.
Apple iPhone 14
$829 at Apple
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Like
- Most important digital camera improve is nice
- Autofocus makes selfies look higher
- Improved repairability is welcomed
- Motion mode is clean
Do not Like
- Ultrawide images are a step down in picture high quality
- 12 months-over-year upgrades are minimal
- Movies recorded in low gentle look simply OK
The obvious improve is the brand new bigger model of the iPhone 14, referred to as the iPhone 14 Plus. With the identical sized 6.7-inch display screen because the 14 Professional Max, the iPhone 14 Plus ought to enchantment to individuals who need a big cellphone however do not wish to spend $1,099. Nonetheless, the 14 Plus will not be out till Oct. 7.
The iPhone 14 goes on sale Friday, Sept. 16, and is presently obtainable for preorder.
iPhone 14 options
Familiarity is an underrated high quality, and the iPhone 14 is stuffed with it. The 6.1-inch OLED display screen has the identical Ceramic Defend, display screen notch and matte-finished aluminum because the iPhone 13. And it weighs 17% lower than the iPhone 14 Professional, regardless of being almost similar in measurement. That lighter weight makes the 14 a pleasure to carry and use with or and not using a case.
The iPhone 14 is rated IP68 for water- and dust-resistance, which means it might probably survive being submerged below 6 meters of water (about 20 toes). So it should not have any bother having a can of Yerba Mate spilled on it.
One factor that is lacking from the 14 is a SIM card tray. Within the US, the iPhone 14 will solely work with an eSIM. Apple has partnered with US carriers to make sure the method of shifting the quantity out of your outdated cellphone to an iPhone 14 is so simple as placing your outdated iPhone subsequent to your new one and following just a few prompts. Smaller carriers like Mint Cell and US Cell additionally supply eSIMs.
My private cellphone is on Google Fi, which helps eSIMs. However after I tried to switch my quantity to a evaluation unit, I needed to contact the service for help. (Seems my SIM card was very, very outdated.)
The iPhone 14 is obtainable in 5 colours: Product Pink, midnight, starlight, purple and blue, which is the colour of the evaluation unit Apple lent me.
iPhone 14 cameras
The iPhone 14 has three cameras: a essential broad angle and ultrawide cameras on the again, and a brand new up to date TrueDepth digital camera system on the entrance. The iPhone 14’s digital camera is much like the primary digital camera on the iPhone 13 Professional, which is without doubt one of the the reason why I referred to as it an iPhone 13 Professional with out the telephoto digital camera.
In comparison with the iPhone 13, the 14’s essential digital camera has a bigger sensor and a brand new lens with a quicker f1.5 aperture. All that {hardware} mixed with Apple’s new processing pipeline, referred to as Photonic Engine, helps enhance picture high quality, particularly while you take images in darker environments.
And in my assessments, the iPhone 14 takes nice images and movies. I used to be in a position to get a decent snap, even when the lighting wasn’t good. Take a look at the picture beneath of a canine that I took within the not-so-bright inside of a espresso store. Discover how nicely the 14 captures the feel and element within the canine’s fur. It additionally did a superb job of freezing the motion despite the fact that the canine was shifting his head as I used to be taking the picture.
Though the 14’s ultrawide digital camera is certainly one of my favourite cameras, it is nonetheless a step down from the primary digital camera when it comes to general picture high quality and efficiency. And the ultrawide digital camera cannot double as a Macro digital camera prefer it does on the iPhone 14 Professional. However I do respect how the acute discipline of view offers images and movies a dramatic look.
The iPhone 14’s Night time mode is improved, however nonetheless suffers from gentle supply reflections. Check out the beneath picture of an overpass. Discover how the shop’s signal is mirrored within the evening sky.
Listed below are another images I took with the iPhone 14.
Cinematic mode bought an improve and it might probably now document 4K video at 24 fps. There’s additionally a brand new instrument for video picture stability referred to as Motion mode. Mainly, it applies GoPro-like ranges of picture stabilization while you’re recording a video. The Galaxy S22 has the same function referred to as Tremendous Regular. If you happen to’re capturing 4K video on the iPhone and use Motion mode, the decision drops to 2.8K. However the outcomes are implausible.
Video high quality is great general in brilliant gentle, however below dimmer lighting the small print look muddy. Take a look at my iPhone 14 evaluation video to see a bunch of clips I shot utilizing the cellphone.
iPhone 14 processor: A15 Bionic chip
The iPhone 14 has Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, which is the opposite cause it looks as if a repackaged 13 Professional. Final 12 months, there have been two variations of this chip: One for the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini, and one other with an additional GPU core for the iPhone 13 Professional and 13 Professional Max. The 14 has the one with the additional GPU core.
When it comes to efficiency, the iPhone 14 is speedy. Animations look clean. Gaming is enjoyable and the iPhone 14 dealt with all the pieces I threw at it, from Name of Responsibility Cell and Asphalt 8: Airbourne Plus to Warped Kart Racers and Lego Brawls.
In our benchmark assessments, the iPhone 14 carried out on par with final 12 months’s iPhone 13 however continues to be quicker and extra highly effective than any Android cellphone presently bought. Such excessive efficiency is not essentially one thing you may use at this time, but it surely’ll future-proof the cellphone for years. Take a look at the outcomes of our benchmark assessments beneath.
When it comes to battery, the iPhone 14 lasts a tad longer than the iPhone 13. I can simply get via a full day with my screen-on time averaging 5 hours a day, which is on common with different telephones we have examined. The rise in battery life is available in half from the redesigned inside in addition to iOS 16, which in my time with the cellphone was peppy, clean and lacked any bugs. iOS 16 can be obtainable as a free replace for the iPhone Eight and later.
The iPhone 14 can cost rapidly. It is nowhere close to the quick charging speeds on the OnePlus 10 Professional, however the 14’s battery went from 18% to 81% in 45 minutes. I charged it utilizing the included Lightning-to-USB-C cable and a third-party 20-watt wall adapter that I purchased since Apple would not ship one within the field.
iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 13, 12, 11
So, do you have to improve? If you happen to just like the iPhone 12 and 13, you may be proper at residence on the iPhone 14, however there is not any compelling cause to improve from both of these telephones. The iPhone 14 is a good improve if you happen to’re utilizing an 11 or older iPhone because it offers longer battery life, quicker efficiency, a a lot better display screen, elevated sturdiness and cameras in addition to security options like Crash Detection and Emergency SOS through Satellite tv for pc.
If you happen to’re attempting to resolve between getting an iPhone 14 or the iPhone 13, I would advise you to save cash and go for the not too long ago discounted $699 iPhone 13 or the smaller $599 13 Mini. However in order for you these new security options, it is price contemplating the iPhone 14.
I loved my time with the iPhone 14. Commonplace upgrades like those discovered within the iPhone 14 are geared at individuals who simply desire a new iPhone and are upgrading from fashions which might be years outdated. Whereas the iPhone Professionals have the flashiest new options, it is simple to miss the enhancements Apple made to the iPhone 14. However the acquainted iPhone 14 is like consolation meals and will certainly hit the spot for most individuals.
