Apple iPhone 14 Review: Is This Smartphone Worth the Upgrade?

The new iPhone 14 is finally here! This year’s model comes with a few new features that Apple fans have been clamouring for, including an updated camera system and some extra new features. However, is the new iPhone 14 worth the upgrade? 

In this Apple iPhone 14 review, I will be discussing the new features of the iPhone 14, including performance, battery life, and whether or not they are worth the price tag. Also, this review will guide you in making an informed decision.

Basically, I will provide everything you need to know about the iPhone 14 for you to decide whether it is worth the upgrade.

Related Post: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Review.

Unboxing – Apple iPhone 14 Review

Here are the items you would find inside the box of the iPhone 14:

• The iPhone 14 itself in whatever colour you purchase
• One USB type c lightning cable
• Documentation 
• 1 Apple Sticker
• Sim Ejector Tool (for non-US models)

Design 

In light of design, the iPhone 14 is not any different from its predecessor, the iPhone 13. It has the same squared-off edges with glossy glass on the back, as well as a matte aluminium frame. 

While it is nothing new, the design still looks great, giving it that classy and chic look. It also feels nice to hold with that sleek matte frame.

However, the only thing I can say is different is the colours of the iPhone 14 as Apple added new colours and even made adjustments in the shade to the featured colours of the iPhone 13. 

The iPhone 14 does not come in black or white colour options, instead, it comes in brighter, beautiful colours featuring Midnight, Starlight, Product (Red), Blue and Purple.

The Midnight and Starlight look exactly the same as the iPhone 13. However, the Product (Red)  for this year has been altered to be brighter and more saturated. The iPhone 14 blue is much paler and more of a sky blue than the warm blue with a tinge of turquoise that was offered in the iPhone 13 lineup. Pink, which resembled cotton candy on the iPhone 13, is replaced by Purple, which is a similar soft tone. 

Build Quality

The build quality of the iPhone 14 is the same as that of the iPhone 13. It is made of the same premium materials with ip68-rated ingress protection against up to 6 meters of water. If you own an iPhone 13 and you hold the iPhone 14 in your hand, it would be really hard for you to tell the difference.

Display 

Pixel Density	460ppi
Resolution	1170 x 2532 pixels
Aspect Ratio	19.5 : 9
Panel Type	OLED
Screen-to-body Ratio	86%
Touch Screen	Yes

Screen size

The iPhone 14 has a 6.12-inches super retina XDR OLED HDR 10 display with Dolby Vision. It has a nice screen with a pixel density of 460ppi and ceramic shield protection. While the ceramic shield is quite crack-resistant, it actually scratches easily. I would suggest getting a screen protector when you get the iPhone 14 to protect your screen display.

Refresh Rate

There is no screen refresh rate upgrade to the iPhone 14 from its predecessor as it has the same 60Hz refresh rate. If you are used to a 120Hz refresh rate, this would not be as smooth or fluid, but if you are used to the 60Hz of the iPhone 13 and older, this refresh rate is still great, especially if you consider how smooth IOS is generally.

Brightness 

The display of the iPhone 14 is quite bright, achieving a maximum of about 800 nits with a brightness slider the same as last year’s iPhone 13. The content looks equally incredible and is still very visible in direct sunlight. The colours look fantastic, not too saturated but still very vibrant, making your games and videos look absolutely incredible.

Input Device

Keyboard

The iPhone 14 keyboard is the dependable and approachable standard keyboard used on all Apple devices. There are about 80 input languages that the keyboard is compatible with.

Touchpad

The touchpad on the iPhone 14, just like its predecessors, operates really well. It still works very well and is incredibly responsive. Because of the capable refresh rate, every action receives a speedy response, making the overall experience fairly pleasant.

Sound Quality

Speakers 

The iPhone 14 has a pair of stereo speakers with the earpiece doubling as the second one. They sprout very good loudness, and the sound quality is excellent. There is no thinness when the music gets really loud, making it a great device for music and watching videos. The high notes sound high, and the bass is equally nice.

Microphone

The microphone of the iPhone 14 is located on the top and bottom of the device, just like its predecessor. It gives room for excellent reception. It enhances audio capture, which is useful for voice and video recording, video and audio conversations, and results in a satisfying audio experience.

Performance 

The performance of the iPhone 14, just like its predecessor, is excellent. It is an ideal device for people who love to create content, play games, watch content and do other day-to-day activities.

Processor 

The iPhone 14 uses the A15 Bionic chip with five cores that came with last year’s iPhone 13 Pro models, which do add one extra GPU core, which is an upgrade from the 4 GPU core of the iPhone 13, Making it faster in performance. As you would expect, it provides excellent benchmark performance. The A15 chip’s performance is excellent and will not lag in a couple of years to come.

When it comes to thermal management, the iPhone 14 throttles its performance quite a bit with prolonged stress but does so in a gradual way without sudden dips that might cause hiccups or lag.

Battery Life

The battery life of the iPhone 14 is just as good as the iPhone 13. It uses a 3279mAH hour battery capacity. It can last you a full day’s use without needing a top-up. That means you would be getting an average of 8 hours of on-screen time, which is definitely above average and enough to get through a full day.

Once again, just like the iPhone 13, 12 and 11, the iPhone 14 only comes with a USB type c lightning cable. If you do not have a power adapter, you would need to buy one.

The charging speed is the same as the iPhone 13, which is just okay using the type c cable that comes with the box.

It has support for wireless charging up to 15 watts and Qi wireless charging up to 7.5 watts.

Features 

The Majority of the features of the iPhone 14 is a replica or got a bit of improvement, which is quite unnoticeable in the iPhone 13 series ranging from design, battery life and performance. The features are very great, which makes the phone a great choice, and with the A15 bionic chip it uses, it gives a stellar performance. However, there are still very few features that are new to the iPhone 14.

The iPhone 14 adds a crash detection feature. As the name implies, this feature will detect if you are ever in a severe crash, and if you do not respond, it will automatically call emergency services on your behalf by connecting to a satellite anywhere, even without call service, to send a message for help.

The camera is also slightly better than the iPhone 13, with adding a couple of new features like the ‘Action Mode’. It is a very impressive feature for making videos and is noticeably better than the iPhone 13. It also takes better low-light photos, but the difference is not so significant from the iPhone 13.

The iPhone 14 also uses an A5 bionic chip which may be an upgrade from the iPhone 13 but is the exact same processor as the iPhone 13 pro versions. The performance is better, but not by a mile.

Specification 

RAM (Memory)	6GB
Storage	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1 Terabyte
CPU	A5 Bionic chip
GPU	Apple GPU 5 core graphics
Dimensions	146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.31 in)
Weight	6.07 ounces
Colours	Midnight, Starlight, Product (Red), Blue and Purple.

The Camera – Apple iPhone 14 Review

Rear Camera

The iPhone 14 has the same two 12mp sensors as the iPhone 13, but the main angle sensor is larger, also with larger pixels and a brighter aperture. It is also faster going from f 1.6 to f 1.5. What this means is that the camera allows for more light to come into the sensor and will ultimately result in better photos in low light.

The 12mp ultrawide camera is identical to the one in the previous models. The photos from this camera are pretty wide, and there is a solid amount of detail, good contrast and accurate colours. There is no autofocus on this camera, and that means you can’t use it to shoot macro close-ups despite having a brighter main camera lens and the new photonic engine.

In daylight, the 12mp photos from the main camera are great and typical for an iPhone. There is plenty of detail, low noise and natural-looking colours. The dynamic range is good and not too wide. Specific details like foliage have an unnatural over-processed look that not everyone is a fan of, and compared to the iPhone 13, the main cameras on both phones produce remarkably similar photos. Portraits shot from the main camera are very competent, the subject detection and separation are nearly perfect, and the background blur is very convincing.

The difference in the camera of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 is mostly visible in low light scenarios, where the iPhone 14 does get brighter and retains details slightly better. Also, taking long exposure photos is quite faster on the iPhone 14.

Front Camera

The 12mp selfie camera of the iPhone 14 is excellent. The detail level is absolutely stunning, and the skin texture and colours look very natural. There is low noise, and the contrast and dynamic range are praiseworthy. The iPhone 14 now has autofocus which allows photos to be sharp at more distances and definitely improves detail.

When it comes to video, we now get a new mode called ‘Action Mode’, and this provides for a great level of stability which is noticeably better than on the iPhone 13. The only downside is that this mode automatically selects the ultrawide lens, which is not as good so I would suggest manually switching to the wide lens. This will crop in or zoom in slightly, but the photos come out sharper and less noisy.

Portability 

The iPhone 14 is relatively light, weighing  6.07 ounces (172g), making it a very portable device. It is quite compact and easy to hold in one hand.

Serviceability 

The internals of the iPhone 14 have been rearranged to make the device easier to service and repair.

Connectivity – Apple iPhone 14 Review

Ports 

The iPhone 14  has just 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 

The wireless connectivity is limited to Wi-Fi 6. There is a new Bluetooth 5.3 and a region-specific satellite connection that you can use to contact emergency services. This comes in handy when you do not have network coverage. 

The connectivity specifications are as follows:

• 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave)
• Gigabit LTE with 4×4 MIMO and LAA
• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2×2 MIMO
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Ultra Wideband (UWB)
• NFC

Software – Apple iPhone 14 Review

The iPhone 14 uses the new Apple iOS 16. It is not a groundbreaking update from the iPhone 13’s iOS 15, but there are a number of noteworthy changes.

The lock screen houses your notifications which swipe up from the bottom. There is widget support and customisable layouts for the lock screen that allows you to switch between them. The lock screen profiles can also be linked directly to specific focus profiles or within settings. In each profile, you can set up your preferred lock screen.

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

Plenty of apps have seen upgrades, including FaceTime and the wallet app, among others.

Pros

• Possible life-saving feature with crash detection
• Camera upgrade
• It is relatively easier to repair as Apple specifically made changes to make it more serviceable. 
• There is the use of SOS satellite connectivity in case you do not have cell service.

Cons 

• It is almost completely identical to the iPhone 13
• Lack of Telephoto camera
• Standard 60Hz refresh rate
• No fast charging.

Buyer’s Guide – Apple iPhone 14 Review

The iPhone 14 is a good flagship device with a strong chipset and quick refresh rate. The mobile device can handle any type of workload that these kinds of gadgets are used for without stuttering or lagging, thanks to the A15 Bionic chip processor. There is no capacity for additional storage, but it is ip68-rated for resistance to water and dust. It is excellent for playing games and watching videos.

How much is the iPhone 14?

The iPhone 14 starts at $799 (£849). 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 $799.

iPhone 14 available series

The iPhone 14 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 worth buying?

If you are using the iPhone 13, there is not much of an upgrade with the iPhone 14. The only difference is the inclusion of a crash detection feature, a very slight upgrade in the camera that is only visible in low light, a new video feature called ‘Action Mode’ and the A5 Bionic chip.

Nevertheless, the iPhone 14 is still a great device with stellar performance and absolutely no lagging. The battery is great, the cameras are of excellent quality, and the design is very fashionable with beautiful colours.

Also, it is an excellent choice for watching and making content, taking photos, gaming and doing everyday tasks.

3 Best Alternatives to the iPhone 14

1. iPhone 13: 

The iPhone 14 shares exact similar features with the iPhone 13 with not very significant feature differences. The camera is great, the battery is superb, and the design is beautiful. It costs less than the iPhone 14, basically giving you the same phone for about $100 less.

2. Samsung Galaxy S22 Series: 

The largest Android competitor to Apple’s iPhone series is, without a doubt, the Galaxy S22 family. 

There are many causes for this, including the existence of flagships at various price points, their wide availability, and their lengthy update commitments.

Unless you live in Europe, in which case you get an Exynos 2200, all three Galaxy S22 phones include the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, wireless charging, an IP68 rating, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and a 3x telephoto camera. 

The best smartphone is Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra, which has a large battery, an S Pen with a built-in slot, and a 10x periscope camera that Apple can’t match.

3. Google Pixel 6 series: 

The semi-custom Tensor chipset found in the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro is far older than Apple’s most modern technology, yet it still performs quickly. 

Additionally, they have an IP68 rating, wireless charging, a 50MP primary camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera, clever camera tricks, and Pixel-only capabilities like call screening. Add three years of OS upgrades and five years of security updates, and you have a complete package.

Compared to the 4,500mAh battery in the Pixel 6 model, the Pixel 6 Pro has a 5,003mAh battery. But in addition, the Pro offers a 48MP 4x telephoto camera for excellent zooming. The Pixel 6 series’ connection problems and numerous launch-day issues are its only genuine drawbacks.

Conclusion 

Overall, the Apple iPhone 14 is a fantastic smartphone with many features for anyone looking for a phone that can perform high-intense tasks, such as gaming and streaming videos, as well as taking great-quality pictures. The performance of the iPhone 14 is top-notch; however, it is not much of an upgrade from the iPhone 13 series. 

Also, the battery life could be better, and the phone’s price is quite high. Nevertheless, the iPhone 14 is still one of the best smartphones on the market and is definitely worth considering if you are an Apple fan or are looking for a new phone within the Apple ecosystem.

Now over to you, what do you think of the new iPhone 14? Let me know in the comments below! Hope you found this article helpful.

FAQ – Apple iPhone 14 Review

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

A: Yes, the iPhone 14 is the exact same size as the iPhone 13.

Q: What processor does the iPhone 14 use?

A: The iPhone 14 uses the A5 bionic chip.

Q: What colours do the iPhone 14 come in?

A: Midnight, Starlight, Product (Red), Blue and Purple.

Q: How much is the iPhone 14?

A: Its price starts from $799 (£849), depending on the storage size you wish to purchase.

Q: Does the iPhone 14 come with a charger?

A: The iPhone 14 only comes with a USB type C cable.

Q: What is the battery life of the iPhone 14?

A: The iPhone 14 has a battery life of up to 20 hours, depending on usage.

Q: What is the screen size of the iPhone 14?

A: The iPhone 14 has a screen size of 6.1 inches.

Q: What is the rear camera resolution of the iPhone 14?

A: The rear camera resolution is 12 megapixels ultra-wide.

Q: What is the front camera resolution of the iPhone 14?

A: The front camera resolution is a 48-megapixel Wide camera compressed into a 12-megapixel photo TrueDepth camera has an improved f/1.9 aperture, /2.4 aperture, 13mm, and auto-focus selfie camera.

Q: What is the storage capacity of the iPhone 14?

A: The storage capacity of the iPhone 14 is 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB.

Q: What is the weight of the iPhone 14?

A: The weight of the iPhone 14 is 172 grams (6.07 ounces).

Q: What are the dimensions of the iPhone 14?

A: The dimensions of the iPhone 14 are 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.80 mm.

Q: What is the warranty of the iPhone 14?

A: The warranty of the iPhone 14 is one year from the date of purchase.

Q: Can I use the iPhone 14 with any carrier?

A: Yes, the iPhone 14 is unlocked for all carriers. However, if you buy your iPhone from some carriers, they might lock it to their network.

Image Gallery – Apple iPhone 14 Review

References: Apple.