iPhone 14 Review
9 min readiPhone 14 Review
The iPhone 14 arrived around the last quarter of last year, in 2022. This is Apple’s latest iteration of their iconic smartphone, and it is already generating buzz.
Many people have dismissed the iPhone 14 as just another iteration of Apple’s smartphone, and there’s some truth to that.
The device looks and feels like last year’s model, with the same design, screen, chipset, and nearly identical camera system.
But this doesn’t mean the iPhone 14 is a letdown. In fact, the device builds on a strong foundation. It retains what works and introduces subtle improvements that enhance its overall performance.
The iPhone 14 is an excellent option for those seeking a dependable and high-performing smartphone. Arguably, this phone may not be the most exciting or revolutionary release of the year.
With upgraded features, a familiar design, and powerful performance, the iPhone 14 is poised to be a top contender in the smartphone market.
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the device’s key features, strengths, and weaknesses to help you determine if it’s the right choice for you.
For those interested in Apple’s higher-end offerings, we recommend checking out our iPhone 14 Pro review and iPhone 14 Pro Max review.
iPhone 14 Design
The iPhone 14’s design brings familiarity. It maintains the design language of its predecessor, the iPhone 13.
It comes with flat edges, a stainless-steel frame, a textured matte glass back, and an IP68 water resistance rating.
It has a 6.1-inch display with a notch and a ceramic shield. So, the TrueDepth camera notch at the top of the display remains.
Also, the device’s durability is still dependent on the ceramic shield-protected front glass.
The back has the same square camera housing with slightly larger sensors. Although the back of the phone supports wireless charging, it is susceptible to cracks and damage.
This phone is available in six different colours which are Midnight, Purple, Starlight, Blue, Red, and Yellow.
The iPhone 14 features speaker holes and microphones at the bottom, along with a Lightning port for charging.
The phone is lightweight, weighing approximately 172 grams and measuring 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm (height x width x thickness).
So, the iPhone 14 is also slightly thicker and heavier. However, this is not a bad thing.
The iPhone 14 feels lovely to hold—sturdy, lightweight, and with aluminum sides that don’t get fingerprints.
iPhone 14 Display
The iPhone 14 boasts a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen. This offers an impressive resolution, HDR support, and high brightness levels.
It has a resolution of 1170 x 2532 pixels and a density of about 460 ppi. Interestingly, the display size is comparable to that of the Galaxy S23.
The display offers a peak brightness of 1200 nits and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio.
It also supports Dolby Vision and True Tone. This adjusts the white balance to match the surrounding lighting conditions.
The colours are vibrant yet natural, and the display is easily visible in different lighting conditions.
However, the phone’s refresh rate is a letdown, with the baseline iPhone 14 featuring a 60Hz screen.
This means scrolling and swiping may appear choppy compared to phones with 120Hz or 90Hz refresh rates.
Despite this, the iPhone 14 still performs well, thanks to the A15 Bionic and iOS 16’s smooth animations.
Nevertheless, it’s a shame that a phone starting at $799 doesn’t offer a higher refresh rate like many Android phones at lower price points.
iPhone 14 Camera
The camera system of the iPhone 14 is a true highlight, as it is capable of producing stunning photos and videos.
Apple has upgraded both the front and rear cameras. Even though the changes are not immediately noticeable, they are still significant.
The dual-camera setup of the iPhone 14 is the same as the one found in the iPhone 13. However, Apple has made upgrades to the main and ultra-wide lenses.
The main lens now has a ƒ/1.5 aperture, while the ultra-wide lens has an aperture of f/2.4. The front camera has a single 12-megapixel lens with an aperture of f/1.9.
One of the new features of the iPhone 14’s camera system is the Photonic Engine.
Phone | Camera | |
iPhone 14 | Main Camera | Dual12 MP, f/1.5, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7″, 1.9µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS.12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide). |
Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) | |
Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), Cinematic mode (4K@30fps), stereo sound rec. | |
Front Camera | 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6″, PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) | |
Features | HDR, Cinematic mode (4K@30fps) | |
Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
This technology merges multiple pixels from different exposure levels to produce brighter and more natural colours, especially in low-light situations.
The phone also has sensor-shift optical image stabilization and a dual-pixel PDAF. These features work together to produce clearer and sharper images.
Another highlight of the camera system is the LiDAR scanner, which improves depth sensing and augmented reality.
All these features combined result in significant improvements to the low-light photography capabilities of the iPhone 14.
Car Crash Detection feature in iPhone 14
The iPhone 14 features car crash detection, which has been designed to provide an additional level of security and peace of mind to users.
The car crash detection system uses sensors to detect changes during an accident.
Thus, if the user does not respond within 10 seconds, emergency services are automatically contacted.
iPhone 14 Satellite Connectivity
Another level of security provided by the security feature in the iPhone 14 is satellite connectivity.
The satellite connectivity feature allows users to connect to a satellite and send a message to emergency services.
This service is basically designed to target areas where there is no cellular data or Wi-Fi connectivity.
These features could be lifesaving, especially for those who engage in outdoor adventures or travel to remote areas.
Hardware And Operating Software
The iPhone 14 runs on the powerful A15 Bionic chip, which we’ve seen before on the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max.
The iPhone 14’s processor controversy has caused quite a stir in the tech world. While some see it as a cheap move by Apple, others don’t mind having the A15 chipset in their new device.
In reality, the A15 is still a powerful processor, and it’s no slouch when it comes to performance.
Apps run seamlessly, and games play without a hiccup. In fact, even the most graphics-intensive games like Call of Duty: Mobile perform flawlessly on the A15.
In addition to its impressive processing power, the iPhone 14 also comes with a new thermal design. This allows for better heat dissipation, resulting in a device that runs cool as a cucumber even under heavy usage.
Phone | Hardware and OS | |
iPhone 14 | OS | iOS 16, upgradable to iOS 16.3 |
Chip | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | |
CPU | Hexa-core (2×3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4×1.82 GHz Blizzard) | |
GPU | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) | |
Internal Memory | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM NVMe |
With 6GB of RAM and the option of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of internal storage, the iPhone 14 has plenty of space for all your needs.
However, there is no memory card slot, so be sure to choose your storage wisely. This phone also comes with an eSIM.
As a 5G phone, the iPhone 14 is also a great gaming phone, delivering top-notch power and performance.
It comes with iOS 16, which is an upgrade from the previous iOS 15.
This Apple smartphone offers exciting features such as a redesigned Safari browser, improved maps, and live text.
Whether you’re a gamer or a casual user, the iPhone 14 is sure to impress.
eSIM
One of the biggest controversies surrounding the iPhone 14 is the fact that it doesn’t come with a physical SIM card.
Instead, it relies solely on eSIM technology for cellular service.
This is a departure from previous iPhone models and has raised concerns among some users. These are the people who prefer the traditional SIM card.
However, eSIM technology has been around for a while and offers some benefits over physical SIM cards.
For example, it allows users to switch carriers without needing to physically swap out SIM cards.
It also allows for more flexibility when it comes to activating and deactivating services.
Despite the potential advantages of eSIM, some users may be hesitant to switch to this new technology. This is inevitable, especially if they are used to the traditional SIM card.
However, as more smartphones begin to adopt eSIM, it may become more commonplace.
This may eventually replace physical SIM cards altogether.
iPhone 14 Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is a crucial factor for any smartphone. Fortunately, Apple has made significant improvements to the iPhone 14’s battery.
They claimed that it was even better than the already impressive battery life of the iPhone 13.
Apparently, this phone may not hit the 20-hour mark that Apple touts on its website.
The iPhone 14 can consistently get you through each day with ease. Even with heavy usage, the iPhone 14 has enough power to last all day.
During my own testing, I was able to get over 14 hours of uptime with over 5.5 hours of screen-on time. In fact, I still had about 25% of the battery’s life remaining in the tank.
On a lighter day with over 15 hours of use and about 4 hours of screen time, I ended the day with 38% remaining.
Normally, the iPhone 14 is likely to be a one-day phone for most people. Yet, it’s impressive that it can handle heavy usage without needing a mid-day recharge.
Phone | Battery | |
iPhone 14 | Type | Li-Ion 3279 mAh, non-removable (12.68 Wh) |
Charging Option | Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min (advertised) | |
Fast Charging | Yes, Power Delivery 2.0 | |
Wireless Charging | Yes, 15W wireless (MagSafe) and 7.5W wireless (Qi) |
When it comes to charging, Apple hasn’t made any significant improvements this year.
However, the options available are more than sufficient.
Wired charging speeds of up to 25 W can be attained through the use of the Lightning port.
Also, the Qi wireless charger delivers up to 7.5 W, and a supported MagSafe charger delivers up to 15 W of power.
While the iPhone 14 doesn’t have ultra-fast wired charging like some Android phones, it’s still a solid option for most users.
iPhone 14 Price and Availability
The iPhone 14 has finally arrived, and it’s time to consider whether it’s worth the investment.
At a starting price of $799, you may be wondering if it’s within your budget.
However, for that price, you get 128 GB of internal storage, which is sufficient for most users.
If you need more space, there are options available with 256 GB and 512 GB of storage capacity, costing $899 and $1099, respectively.
But before you make your purchase, you might want to explore Apple’s promotional offers to save some cash.
One way is to trade in your old phone directly through Apple and receive a credit ranging from $40 to $720. This absolutely depends on the condition of your device.
Another option is to pay for your iPhone 14 using your Apple Card, which offers 3% cash back through Apple’s Daily Cash program.
These deals may not be the best in the market, but they do provide some relief to the cost of purchasing a brand-new iPhone.
Plus, with the iPhone 14’s impressive features, such as its exceptional camera system and powerful chipset, it’s hard to resist the temptation of upgrading to this new device.
So why not take advantage of these offers and invest in the latest and greatest from Apple?
Other Specification
The Apple iPhone 14 boasts 5G connectivity, allowing for faster downloads and improved coverage.
Additionally, it is water-resistant up to a depth of 4 meters, making it resistant to damage from rain or pool water.
Furthermore, the phone includes an advanced facial recognition system. This provides quick and secure unlocking.
Phone | Communication | |
iPhone 14 | NFC | Yes |
USD | Lightning, USB 2.0 | |
Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | |
4G LTE | Yes | |
5G | Yes | |
Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | |
WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
Overall, the Apple iPhone 14 is a groundbreaking smartphone that is poised to revolutionize the way we interact with our devices.
Final Note
The Apple iPhone 14 is a highly advanced and versatile smartphone.
It boasts a wide range of cutting-edge features, making it one of the most powerful devices on the market.
As Apple’s latest and most powerful smartphone yet, it surpasses its predecessors with its exceptional capabilities.
Apple’s flagship device for 2022 is the iPhone 14. This device boasts an array of impressive features.
These features include satellite emergency services and crash detection.
Additionally, the device features a powerful A15 chip and enhanced camera capabilities.
Arguably, it marked it as the most advanced and sophisticated device produced by the company.
The iPhone 14 is poised to be the pinnacle of smartphone technology in 2022.
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