Apple iPhone 14 Pro Review: Is It Worth the Upgrade?

Apple continues to set the bar in the tech world with their innovative and high-quality products. The iPhone 14 series, released in September 2022, is no exception. In Apple iPhone 14 Pro review, I will dive into the features and specifications of the iPhone 14 Pro to give you a comprehensive understanding of this latest mobile device from Apple.

Whether you’re in the market for a new smartphone or just curious about the latest offering from Apple, this review has got you covered.

Quick Summary of the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Review

• Apple iPhone 14 Pro is the latest smartphone by Apple, released in September 2022.
• The design of the iPhone 14 Pro is similar to the previous model but with a larger camera bump and no sim card slot for US models.
• The build quality is excellent, with a flat back protected by ceramic shield glass and a glossy stainless-steel frame.
• The display is 6.12 inches with a super retina OLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, and brightness up to 1800 nits.
• The iPhone 14 Pro runs on the new A16 Bionic chip with 6GB RAM and improved performance.
• The device has a larger battery capacity and supports 15-Watt wireless charging. The camera has been upgraded to a 48mp main camera, 12mp ultrawide camera, and 12mp telephoto camera. The front camera is 12mp with OIS and Autofocus.
• The phone operates on iOS 16 and is priced starting at $999 for the 128GB model.

Related Post: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Review.

Unboxing the Apple iPhone 14 Pro

Here is a list of items you would find in your iPhone 14 Pro box:

• The iPhone 14 Pro
• One USB type c lightning cable
• Documentation 
• 1 Apple Sticker
• Sim Ejector Tool (for non-US models)

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Review: Design 

The design of the iPhone 14 Pro is similar but not completely the same as last year’s iPhone 13 Pro. The iPhone 14 Pro is taller and thicker but slighter and narrower. 

The camera bump is larger, and the cases will not fit from the iPhone 13 Pro and look proper or the other way around. The iPhone 14 Pro still looks very elegant and classy.

There are no sim card slots for the USA models, so you would not be getting a sim card tray on the side of your iPhone 14 Pro. The power sleep/wake button is also dropped down a little on the iPhone 14. 

The weight is also slightly different as the iPhone 14 is a little heavier at about 206 grams but is still very easy to hold and carry about.

Asides from that, the iPhone 13 Pro and the 14 Pro have the same design.

In terms of colours, the iPhone 14 Pro comes in Space Black, Gold, Silver and a new Deep Purple.

Build Quality

The build quality of the iPhone 14 Pro is of a very high grade which is very common with Apple products in general. The flat back is protected by ceramic shield glass paired with that beautiful glossy flat stainless steel frame and sapphire crystal for the lenses.

The iPhone 14 is very durable, with or without a screen protector and a case.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Review: Display 

Screen size

The display of the iPhone 14 Pro features rounded corners that fit inside a typical rectangle and has a lovely curved look. The screen measures 6.12 inches diagonally when viewed as a regular rectangle (the actual viewable area is less) with a super retina OLED display. It has a very nice screen with 460ppi pixel density with ceramic shield protection.

Refresh Rate

The 120Hz refresh rate that the iPhone 14 Pro features is something relatively new to iPhones in general, coming with last year’s iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. 

This provides for a very smooth experience when you do things like scrolling and swiping. It can dial down to save energy all the way to 10Hz while the screen is on and 1Hz with the always-on display.

Brightness 

The brightness of the iPhone 14 Pro is super bright, with the manual slider at a maximum of 840 Nits, which is about the same as last year’s iPhone 13 Pro. 

However, it has an auto-brightness mode that can boost the brightness to an incredible 1800 nits, which is way more than any competitor on the market.

It can also go all the way up to 200 nits in bright sunlight and 1600 nits for HDR content, making it the same as the Pro XDR, which is really great.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Review: Input Device

Keyboard

Just like the standard keyboard used on all Apple devices, the iPhone 14 Pro keyboard is dependable and user-friendly. The keyboard can accept input in around 80 different languages.

Touchpad

Like its predecessors, the iPhone 14 Pro’s touchpad performs admirably. It still functions flawlessly and is remarkably quick. Every action has a quick reaction due to the high refresh rate, making the entire experience pretty pleasant.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Review: Sound Quality

Speakers 

The iPhone 14 Pro has a pair of excellent stereo speakers, with the earpiece doubling as the second speaker. The sound quality is excellent, with top-notch vocals, rich highs and good bass.

Microphone

The iPhone 14 Pro’s microphone, like its predecessor, is located on the top and bottom of the device. It allows for excellent reception. It improves audio capture, which is useful for voice and video recording, as well as video and audio conversations, resulting in a satisfying audio experience.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Review: Performance 

The performance of the iPhone 14 Pro is stellar, just like last year’s iPhone 13 Pro. It is a very good device for performing various tasks like taking high-quality pictures, streaming HD content, listening to music and playing modern mobile games.

Processor 

The iPhone 14 Pro uses the new A16 Bionic chip with 6GB RAM, which is an upgrade from last year’s A15 bionic chip. It contains a lot more transistors than the previous A15 bionic, and it boosts more power-efficient CPU cores as well as more memory bandwidth for the GPU.

There are also upgrades in the neutral engine and the ISP for computation photography, and there is a new display engine behind the dynamic island and always-on features.

There is not much difference when it comes to graphic performance; it is still at the top of the charts. The CPU in the 14 Pro edges out the previous model, posting some of the best scores in the market right now. The thermal management has improved as well.

 The difference between the A15 and A16 bionic chip is evident when it comes to the geek bench and everything else mentioned above, and when it comes to regular everyday use, it feels a bit smoother. Apps and Games open and operate faster.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Review: Battery Life

The iPhone 14 Pro has a slightly larger battery capacity than last year’s iPhone 13 Pro at 3200 MAH, which would give you an extra hour of battery life when performing everyday tasks like watching videos which are about the same as the 14 Pro Max.

Only a 30-watt USB type c lightning cable is included with the iPhone 14. You will need to purchase a power adapter if you do not already have one.

The charging speed is the same as the iPhone 13 Pro, which is adequate when using the included type c cable.

The iPhone 14 Pro has support for  15 Watt wireless charging and up to 7.5-watt Qi wireless charging.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Review: Features 

There are several new features added to the iPhone 14 Pro to serve as an improvement from the iPhone 13 Pro. The new and reinstated overall features of the iPhone 14 Pro are absolutely amazing, making it a great choice for the mobile device to use for things like watching HDR content and taking amazing photos. 

It has a great new A15 bionic processor, which makes the overall operation of the iPhone 14 Pro faster.

Apple replaced the notch cutout for the selfie cam and 3D face recognition with a pill-shaped one called Dynamic Island. 

When not activated, the dynamic island is a black cut-out that covers the selfie camera and face ID sensors. 

When activated, the cut-out is extended through the UI to include extra black space on the left and right sides. 

This space is used to display information from a compatible app, such as music or call information.

It can also show alerts like charging or when you switch your phone to silent.

It generally works for one thing at a time, but in some cases, a second app is supported, like with the timer app.

This will split up the dynamic island into an eye shape, and tapping and holding on these icons will open them into a larger balloon window, or a simple tap will directly open up the respective app.

One slight downside of the new cut-out is that it sits a bit lower than the previous notch, and that means it does take up a bit more usable screen space, but the display is still great regardless. Additionally, the content is sharp and vibrant, with praiseworthy colour accuracy and nice contrast.

Another new feature that comes with your iPhone 14 Pro is the ‘Always on’ display. The iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max are the first Apple iPhones with this feature. 

It basically keeps the lock screen on with a dim light brightness level that adapts to the ambient light. The good thing about this is that if you do not like this feature, you can always turn it off.

The iPhone 14 Pro also uses the new A16 bionic chipset, which makes the overall user experience completely flawless. Your apps would open faster, your games would respond quicker, and with its great thermal management system, you do not have to worry about your phone getting unbearably hot when performing heavy activities.

It is ip68 rated against dust and water up to 6 meters in depth.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro: Specification 

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Review: The Camera

Rear Camera

One of the big upgrades with the iPhone 14 Pro is the camera. The change from the 12mp sensor in the main camera to a 48mp one with a quad-bare filter is astonishing. It also features a 2nd gen censorship stabilisation and full-focus pixels.

Since the main camera has a quad-layer filter, it bins pixels four to one to produce 12mp photos by default. They have a great amount of detail, superb contrast and no noise; the colours are accurate, as always.

You have the option to shoot in the full 48mp in raw format and unlike the fill resolution modes of other phones with quad bare cameras. They offer impressive amounts of detail and outstanding sharpness, they are free of noise, and they have a likeable dynamic range to improve contrast and accurate colour.

Besides the main camera, there’s a 12mp ultrawide camera with a new sensor and lens. Like last year, it has autofocus. It has dual-pixel autofocus, so you can use it to take macro closeup shots from a focus distance as close as 4 cm. 

The results are impressive, with low noise, sharp and detailed subjects, great contrast and splendid colours.

The 12mp 3x telephoto camera hasn’t changed much from the iPhone 13 Pro. There is a Lidar scanner for portraits and focus. 

In low light, Apple’s night mode will kick in automatically. The photos from all the cameras are great, the exposure is excellent, and it comes out a bit brighter than reality making the shots clear with no noise.

When the night mode is working, the 3x zoom shots will come from the telephoto camera giving the photos an impressive amount of detail, low noise and natural sharpness. If the night mode is off at this level of zoom, you’ll get a crop from the main camera. 

The quality is good, but the exposure is a bit darker with low contrast and dynamic range, but there is still enough detail and saturated colours.

All three rear cameras shoot 4K videos at 60 frames per second. There is a feature called the ‘Action Mode’, which is meant to be used with the ultrawide for motion videos or videos you take while moving. It crops the footage heavily from the 4k 60fps footage to produce a super smooth and incredibly stabilised 2k video.

This mode can also work with the main camera, but after that crop, the resulting field of view is quite narrow.

Overall the cameras are absolutely stunning and produce amazing shots with great quality.

Front Camera

The front camera features OIS and Autofocus in its 12mp camera. The selfies are great, the autofocus works well, and there is plenty of resolved detail, low noise, accurate colours and a wide dynamic range.

Facial features are enhanced a bit too much, though, which may come through as unflattering.

The iPhone 14 Pro can record 4K video and up to 60 frames per second with the selfie cam. All modes expand the dynamic range through smart HDR. The shots are superb.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Review: Portability 

The iPhone 14 Pro is a slightly heavy device, weighing  7.27 ounces (206g). However, it is still a portable device. It is slim and sleek, making it easy to hold in one hand.

Serviceability 

The internals of the iPhone 14 Pro retains the accessibility of older models making it not so easy to repair. It’s hard to swap out the back panels, and the only parts of the phone that can be easily replaced are the screen and the glass on the back.

Ports 

The iPhone 14 Pro has two ports, one USB-C port for charging and a nano sim tray. However, the US variant has just one port which is the USB-C port for charging. There is no sim tray as the phone uses only E-sim.

Wireless Connectivity 

It has the same Wi-Fi 6 but no Wi-Fi 6E. It has Bluetooth 5.3, which is better compared to the previous model and is compatible with 5g networks. 

The speed is great, too, providing you with a great seamless connectivity experience. There is also a region-specific satellite connection that you can use to contact emergency services, which is useful when you do not have network coverage.

The connectivity specifications are as follows:

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Review: Software 

The iPhone 14 Pro operates on the new iOS 16, which contains new features from last year’s iOS 15. The lock screen is where you’ll find your notifications, which you can access by swiping up from the bottom. 

There is widget support and customisable lock screen layouts that allow you to switch between them. The lock screen profiles can also be linked to specific focus profiles or settings. You can configure your preferred lock screen in each profile.

The focus profiles can also filter your messages and notifications, but they can now connect to your mail and messaging apps to filter them right from the source.

Many apps have been updated, including FaceTime and the wallet app, among others.

There is an emergency SOS feature which provides several ways to request aid if you are in trouble. In some regions, you can even use the iPhone 14 Pro to contact emergency services through satellite when there is no cell coverage.

Buyer’s Guide

The iPhone 14 Pro is a solid flagship device with a powerful processor and a fast refresh rate. It has the new A16 Bionic chip processor that allows the mobile device to handle any type of workload that these types of gadgets are used for without stuttering or lagging. 

There is no additional storage capacity, but it is ip68-rated for water and dust resistance. It’s fantastic for gaming and watching HDR content.

How much is the iPhone 14 Pro?

The price of the iPhone 14 Pro starts at $999. The higher the storage you wish to purchase, the higher the price. For example, the 128GB, which is the lowest, is what you would get for $999.

iPhone 14 Pro available series

The iPhone 14 Pro series is available in 4 variations, the regular iPhone 14, iPhone 14 plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Is The iPhone 14 Pro Worth Buying?

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro is a great smartphone with lots of features and specs to offer. It has a powerful battery that will last you all day, and its cameras have been upgraded to a 48MP main cam for stunning shots. Plus, the A16 Bionic chip will give you a smooth and fast performance when using the device. The design is stylish and colourful, making it perfect for watching content in HD, shooting videos in 4K, gaming, and performing daily tasks.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if the iPhone 14 Pro is worth it based on your preference. However, in terms of specs, performance, and design, the iPhone 14 Pro is a worthy smartphone.

3 Best Alternatives to the iPhone 14 Pro

1. Apple iPhone SE (2022): 

The iPhone SE (2022) is a low-cost alternative iPhone for those who cannot afford to spend more than $400. The third-generation SE model, on the other hand, loses a lot because it only has a single rear camera and no dedicated night photography mode. 

It also has a small, low-resolution LCD screen, only 64GB of storage, and a design that is reminiscent of iPhones from more than five years ago.

Nonetheless, the iPhone SE 2022 features a beefy A15 Bionic chipset (the same SoC found in the iPhone 13 series and the iPhone 14/iPhone 14 Max), access to Apple’s ecosystem of services, and a lengthy update pledge that rivals (if not outperforms) the best low-cost Android phones.

2.  Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4: 

Galaxy Z Flip 4 has a pocket-friendly clamshell design when folded and a small secondary screen for notifications, calls, and selfies with the main camera. When you unfold the device, you’ll find a 6.7-inch screen.

In addition to a powerful Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 SoC, an IPX8 water resistance rating, Flex Mode software enhancements to take advantage of the form factor, and five years of updates, Samsung’s fourth-generation foldable includes a powerful Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 SoC, an IPX8 water resistance rating, and five years of updates. 

However, it isn’t without flaws, as it lacks the S22’s 50MP main camera (instead opting for 12MP), and the 3,700mAh battery is still quite small.

3. OnePlus 10 Pro: 

The OnePlus 10 Pro isn’t the best Pro device the company has ever made, but it’s a solid iPhone 14 series alternative if you live in the US and crave raw power. 

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, 5,000mAh battery, 80W wired charging (or 65W charging in the US), 50W wireless charging, and QHD+ 120Hz OLED screen are all premium features.

OnePlus also includes a Hasselblad triple camera system with a 48MP main camera, a 50MP ultrawide shooter, and an 8MP 3.3x telephoto snapper. 

The only major drawback is that the ultrawide sensor is a step back from the previous generation, with lower image quality and no autofocus (so no macro mode).

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Review: Verdict and Opinion

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro is an excellent mobile device for high-intense tasks such as content creation, video and graphics editing, and much more. 

It’s also great for everyday tasks such as gaming, watching HD content, filming 4K videos, and taking high-quality photos. 

The iPhone 14 Pro has many outstanding features that were improved on from last year’s iPhone 13 Pro, including an always-on display, the new A16 Bionic chip, a slightly larger battery, and an improved camera.

However, keep in mind that the iPhone 14 Pro is a high-end device and may not be the best option for everyone in terms of the price tag. 

Basically, there are other good phones on the market with similar features to the Apple iPhone 14 Pro and, in some cases, better cameras than the iPhone 14 Pro with a far more affordable price tag. These are phones such as the Google Pixel 7 Pro and much more.

Nevertheless, the iPhone 14 Pro is still a great phone, and if all of its features appeal to you, you should definitely consider purchasing it.

Conclusion

Overall, the new iPhone 14 Pro is a great phone. It has a lot of features that other phones don’t have, and it’s a great phone for anyone who wants a high-quality phone. 

However, as mentioned earlier, the phone’s price tag is on the high side, so it’s not for everyone. It’s up to the individual to decide if the new iPhone 14 Pro is worth the price for them.

Now over to you, what do you think of the new iPhone 14 Pro? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

FAQs – Apple iPhone 14 Pro Review

Q: Is the iPhone 14 Pro the same size as the iPhone 13 Pro?

A: No, the iPhone 14 Pro is slightly bigger than the iPhone 13 Pro, enough that you cannot wear the phone case interchangeably.

Q: What processor does the iPhone 14 Pro use?

A: The iPhone 14 uses the new A16 Bionic chip.

Q: What colours do the iPhone 14 Pro come in?

A: Space Black, Gold, Silver and a new Deep Purple.

Q: How much is the iPhone 14 Pro?

A: Its price starts from $999, depending on the storage size you wish to purchase.

Q: Does the iPhone 14 Pro come with a charger?

A: The iPhone 14 Pro only comes with a USB type C cable. If you do not already own a power adapter, you would have to buy one.

Q: What is the difference between the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Pro?

A: The iPhone 14 Pro is the more premium version of the iPhone 14. It has a better camera system, more storage options, and a slightly larger display.

Q: What is the difference between the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Pro Max?

A: The iPhone 14 Pro Max is the larger version of the iPhone 14 Pro. It has a starting price of $1,099 (£1,199).

Q: What is the difference between the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 13?

A: The iPhone 14 is the newest model of the iPhone. It has a better camera system, a new A16 Bionic chip, and more storage options.

Q: What is the difference between the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max?

A: The iPhone 14 Pro Max is the larger version of the iPhone 14 Pro. 

Q: What is the difference between the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 13 Pro?

A: The iPhone 14 has a better camera system, a new A16 Bionic chip, and more storage options. It also has a starting price of $999 (£1,199). The iPhone 13 Pro is the previous model of the iPhone.

Image Gallery – Apple iPhone 14 Pro Review

References: Apple, Apple iPhone.

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