Can't Put It Down: A Review of the iPhone 14

The iPhone 14 has finally been released, and it is bigger, faster and stronger than ever before. We have recently got our hands on it, so here’s a review of the iPhone 14 and whether or not you should seriously consider buying it. 

The Design

With prices starting at $799, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are Apple's latest "affordable" flagship iPhones. They are being marketed alongside the more costly iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

The iPhone 14 features a glossy back which gives it a very stylish appearance. Along with this, it is both slightly bigger and heavier than its predecessor. Additionally, it has a 'notch' in the top-center that houses front-facing FaceTime cameras. This notch can be one of two things depending on your perspective: either as an eyesore or eye candy. Lastly, this phone also comes with Apple's latest facial recognition software to make security easy and more foolproof than ever.

In 2022, Apple discontinued the "small" iPhone, and the iPhone 14 versions are available in 6.1- and 6.7-inch sizes. The name "iPhone 14 Plus," which refers to the upcoming 6.7-inch iPhone 14, pays homage to the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus and earlier models. The iPhone 14 models from Apple have the same flat edges, aerospace-grade aluminium body, and glass back that supports wireless charging as the iPhone 13 models. 

The iPhone 14 could almost pass of as a doppelganger of the iPhone 13 it replaces, with the exception of a few minor color alterations. The aluminium chassis, diagonal rear camera system, and notch are identical. A 460ppi resolution is seen on the 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display.

Despite being a new model, the larger iPhone 14 Plus has all of the features of the smaller device, including the same-sized camera hump. It has a 6.7-inch, 458ppi Super Retina XDR display. But unlike the pro model size it is simulating, it lacks ProMotion.

The screens feature HDR, True Tone, and a P3 colour gamut, just as the iPhone 13. In typical operation, the OLED gives a contrast ratio of 2 million to 1 and a brightness level of 800 nits.

Performance

Apple had been keeping the newest A16 chip under the belt for this phone, keeping the A15 Bionic in place. This is the iPhone 13 Pro's version of the CPU, not the one utilised by the iPhone 13. It boasts a 5-core GPU, allowing for better processing throughout the system and in some programmes. The iPhone 14 now has access to the improved 4K Cinematic Mode because to this upgraded CPU.

Face ID is still hidden behind the same-sized notch as the iPhone 13 and hasn't received an upgrade. However, iOS 16 now allows users to unlock their iPhone 14 in either portrait or landscape mode. The U1, 5G, and WiFi connections were not changed for the iPhone 14 series. Apple did, however, add the more recent Bluetooth 5.3 specification.

Camera

Apple added a bigger 12MP sensor with a wider f/1.5 aperture to the newly renamed Main Camera, formerly known as the Wide Camera. This makes it possible to take better images and operate in low light more quickly. This represents a 49% improvement in low light, according to Apple.

There was no mention of the macro photography function coming to non-pro phones, and the Ultra Wide Camera is unaltered. To make the capability available, Apple would need to include focusing into the Ultra Wide Camera.

The addition of an f/1.9 aperture and autofocus enhances the selfie camera. The selfie camera can capture better pictures more quickly when coupled with the depth sensors used for Face ID.

Additionally, the chipset enhancements allow for 4K filming when utilising Cinematic Mode. Now users can switch between 24FPS and 30FPS while shooting 4k.

Battery Life and Ports

Despite reports that the "iPhone 15" from 2023 would use USB-C, the Lightning connector is still present. Apple retained its fast charging speed at 20W, contrary to rumours that it might increase to 30W. 

According to Apple the battery life has increased, putting the 6.1-inch iPhone's usage time at 20 hours. The iPhone 14 Plus has a 26-hour battery life. Both devices feature rapid charging, which is officially rated at 20W. 

Therefore, you can charge the iPhone to 50% in around 30 minutes by plugging it into a 20W charger. As with earlier versions, MagSafe accessories and charging are also supported.

The Software Front

The newer software on the iPhone 14 is where it shines. With a much more simplistic feel, it takes just seconds to navigate and start finding your way around. 

Almost like flipping through various apps, you can tell which one will suit users' needs based on appearance alone. Features have been combined to make things faster and easier. 

One great example of this is Messages, which combined messages from iMessage and standard text messaging into one app that made keeping in touch with friends both seamless and efficient. 

Even though there are new features everywhere you look, they're all intuitive enough to be user-friendly while still being new or different enough to wow me each time we find one.

Reported Issues

Apple had been keeping the newest A16 chip under the belt for this phone, keeping the A15 Bionic in place. This is the iPhone 13 Pro's version of the CPU, not the one utilised by the iPhone 13.

It boasts a 5-core GPU, allowing for better processing throughout the system and in some programmes. The iPhone 14 now has access to the improved 4K Cinematic Mode because to this upgraded CPU.

Face ID is still hidden behind the same-sized notch as the iPhone 13 and hasn't received an upgrade. However, iOS 16 now allows users to unlock their iPhone 14 in either portrait or landscape mode.

The U1, 5G, and WiFi connections were not changed for the iPhone 14 series. Apple did, however, add the more recent Bluetooth 5.3 specification.

In addition, users of the new iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max may encounter an odd problem: uncontrolled lens movement. Some customers discovered that their camera shakes and even creates a horrible grinding noise when accessing the camera on a third-party app, such as Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok, as shown in videos and complaints uploaded around the internet.

When utilising apps like Snapchat, users have claimed that the iPhone 14 Pro Max camera vibrates, totally blurring the image. A worrying buzzing noise might also be heard coming from the lens.

As of right now, it doesn't appear that the fault affects the iPhone's Camera app, which might indicate that the problem is with the software of third-party apps rather than Apple's hardware.

It could be necessary to send an update particularly for the iPhone 14 Pro for Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. Even yet, we are unsure of what harm (if any) is done to the camera itself, which is concerning considering the price point of this device.