Apple iPhone 14

Apple's iPhone 14 is the entry-level model for 2022/2023, and this time is available in two sizes; 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch. This iPhone 14 is the smallest of the bunch and features crash detection and a more light-sensitive camera this year. But many things have also remained the same.

Camera improvements

"Never change a winning team." That's what Apple must have thought when they made this iPhone 14. It features the same screen, the same chipset, and the same cameras. Put the iPhone 14 next to an iPhone 13, and no one will notice the difference. As if Apple would instead you look at the more expensive iPhone 14 Pro. Still, there are some differences. For one, thanks partly to software optimizations, the camera is 2x better at taking pictures in low light. This is partly due to the Photonic Engine but also the physically larger sensor and the brighter f/1.5 lens. The selfie camera also gets the Photonic Engine, and this year features autofocus, so you get sharp shots more often. No matter how far or close you hold your iPhone.

Crash detection

Inside the iPhone 14, Apple still uses the A15 Bionic processor, the same as in the iPhone 13. According to Apple, it is fast enough, and that chipset still beats the competition. So there is no reason to upgrade it. However, it does have more RAM, so you can keep more apps open. This should improve overall performance as well. Also, the battery capacity seems slightly larger, although Apple still claims a battery life of "one day." What is entirely new, however, is crash detection. Thanks to various sensors, iPhone 14 knows if you have been involved in a car accident. If you do nothing, it automatically calls the emergency number and alerts your SOS contacts.

Main Apple iPhone 14 specifications

• 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with Ceramic Shield
• Double 12MP camera with f/1.5 lens gives 2 to 2.5x more light-sensitive shots
• 12MP selfie camera with autofocus and Face ID face unlock
• Same powerful A15 Bionic chip but with more RAM memory
• Choice of 128, 256 and 512 GB of non-expandable storage memory
• Waterproof IP68 aluminum and glass housing

Emergency SOS via Satellite

Apple has equipped the iPhone 14 with satellite communications. This works at the time of release only in the U.S. and Canada and allows you to send emergency messages when you have no cellular connection. You then have to point the iPhone 14 to the nearest satellite with the help of iOS 16. The service seems to be coming to other countries eventually, and prices have not yet been announced. So don't buy it because of this feature because at the time of writing, we really have no idea when and if it's coming here.

Who is this iPhone for anyway?

Other than that, Apple has mostly left the design of the iPhone 14 untouched. You'll still find the notch at the top containing Face ID, the waterproof aluminum body, and a 6.1" screen with Ceramic Shield. Real progress is only seen with the Pro models. Then, of course, there's still the iPhone 14 Plus with its larger screen and substantially larger battery, but it doesn't differ much else either. So Apple seems to be taking things a little easier. That leaves the question, who exactly is this phone for? Those coming from an iPhone 13 (or even iPhone 12) can safely skip it. The difference is too small, and the price is too high. Indeed, this has risen considerably due to the sharply lowered Euro against the Dollar. Those who necessarily need a new iPhone are also better off looking at previous models. They are cheaper. Only if you necessarily want a purple iPhone, then go for this iPhone 14.