Ought to You Improve to the iPhone 14? How It Compares to Older Telephones

This story is a part of Focal Level iPhone 2023, robotechcompany.com’s assortment of reports, suggestions and recommendation round Apple’s hottest product.

The iPhone 14 lineup introduces a variety of enhancements, reminiscent of car-crash detection and a 48-megapixel essential digital camera on the Professional fashions. That may make it tempting to improve, however doing so may not make sense for everybody. Above all else, the reply as to if you need to improve is determined by which cellphone you at present personal. 

When you have a latest mannequin just like the iPhone 13 or possibly even 12, it could be sensible to attend. In case your cellphone is older although, it is value determining what you stand to achieve by leaping to a more recent iPhone.

The $799 (£849, AU$1,399) iPhone 14 brings modest enhancements however not game-changing ones. These modifications embody nitty-gritty digital camera enhancements and the help for satellite-based emergency messaging. The iPhone 14 additionally has a brand new inside design, with easier entry to inside parts, making it simpler to restore than earlier fashions. iFixit, a web site that disassembles tech merchandise and assesses how simple they’re to repair, referred to as it “probably the most repairable iPhone in years.” And in order for you these options in a bigger dimension, the iPhone 14 Plus begins at $100 extra, at $899.

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iPhone 14 Overview: A Respectable Improve for Most

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The iPhone 14 Professional and Professional Max’s upgrades are extra dramatic, however you continue to do not want to improve until you’ll be able to rating an important trade-in deal. Apple saved its most attention-grabbing new options for the Professional lineup, together with the Dynamic Island that replaces the notch, the brand new A16 Bionic processor and a 48-megapixel essential digital camera sensor. 

It is essential to do not forget that you do not have to purchase the iPhone 14 to get digital camera, battery and efficiency enhancements over an earlier iPhone. 

The just lately discounted $699 iPhone 13 or the smaller $599 13 Mini might be choice in case you nonetheless need extra storage, sooner efficiency and an improved digital camera, particularly in case you’re coming from a cellphone that is 3 years previous or extra. It is also the one choice in order for you the smaller Mini and its 5.4-inch display, because the iPhone 14 line eliminates that dimension in favor of the brand new $899 iPhone 14 Plus with a 6.7-inch display. 

Buying selections will at all times differ relying on price range, how nicely your cellphone works proper now and your private wants, so there is no easy reply that works for everybody. However listed here are the most important variations between the iPhone 14 lineup and former iPhone generations, to assist you decide.

iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 13, 13 Professional, 13 Professional Max

The iPhone 14 lineup introduces new options reminiscent of car-crash detection, the elimination of the bodily SIM card for US telephones, and enhanced cameras on the rear and entrance. Regardless of these modifications, iPhone 14 is not completely different sufficient to justify upgrading from the iPhone 13. And although Apple lastly removed the notorious notch within the Professional fashions, the 14 and 14 Plus nonetheless have one — it is the identical smaller notch that debuted on the iPhone 13 collection. In reality, the iPhone 14 represents “some of the minimal year-over-year upgrades in Apple’s historical past,” in accordance with robotechcompany.com’s Patrick Holland, who reviewed Apple’s newest telephones. 

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus have the A15 Bionic chip from final yr’s iPhone 13 Professional and iPhone 13 Professional Max. The 14’s display seems precisely just like the one on the 13. Maybe probably the most distinguished change this yr is the introduction of a bigger model of the iPhone 14 referred to as the iPhone 14 Plus, which has a 6.7-inch display just like the Professional Max. Meaning you now not must splurge on Apple’s most costly iPhone in order for you the most important display potential. 

After all, the iPhone 14 continues to be extremely rated, however we suggest saving your cash and skipping the improve. If you happen to’ve made up your thoughts to improve, we recommend going for an iPhone 14 Professional or iPhone 14 Professional Max in case you can afford it. These telephones are costly, however buys you entry to some salient modifications — specifically a high-refresh price show, Apple’s new Dynamic Island multitasking bar, an always-on show in addition to higher cameras amongst different options.

The underside line: When you have an iPhone 13 or 13 Professional, do not improve. However in case you are decided to get a brand new cellphone, go for the iPhone 14 Professional or 14 Professional Max, particularly in case you will need to have the Dynamic Island proper now. 

Learn extra: iPhone 14 Professional and 14 Professional Max Overview

iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 12, 12 Professional 

Though the iPhone 12 lineup was launched two years in the past, it nonetheless shares many similarities with Apple’s newest telephones. Each the iPhone 12 and iPhone 14 help 5G, run on quick processors, provide nice cameras and embody MagSafe accent compatibility.

Because the iPhone 14 is extra of a refresh than a serious improve, we suggest hanging onto your iPhone 12 if it is nonetheless in good situation. You’ll be able to reap the benefits of the iPhone’s newest software program options reminiscent of lock display customizations, widgets and the power to unsend textual content messages by upgrading to iOS 16.

The iPhone 14 obtained a couple of notable digital camera upgrades, like a bigger sensor, a brand new lens with a sooner aperture, improved picture processing and Motion Mode which makes the actions in movies look smoother whenever you document them.

However the iPhone 12’s cameras stay glorious although they’re 2 years previous. The iPhone 12 has a 12-megapixel twin digital camera system, whereas the iPhone 12 Professional features a third digital camera with a telephoto lens. Try our iPhone 12 evaluate to see how the cameras held up when robotechcompany.com put them by the paces.

It is value remembering that you simply get extra noticeable upgrades with the iPhone 14 Professional and Professional Max. These embody every thing that is new within the 14, in addition to an upgraded essential digital camera with a bigger 48-megapixel sensor, an ultrawide digital camera that permits you to take Macro images and a 3rd digital camera with a telephoto lens. If you may get trade-in deal that considerably knocks down the iPhone 14 Professional’s worth, upgrading from the common iPhone 12 is a good step-up. 

The underside line: Maintain onto your iPhone 12 for one more yr because the iPhone 14 is not dramatically completely different. Nonetheless, the iPhone 14 Professional and 14 Professional Max carry extra vital modifications that might be worthwhile in case you can snag trade-in deal. 

Learn Extra: All The “New” iPhone Options That Have Been on Android For Years

iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 11, 11 Professional

If you happen to’re utilizing an iPhone 11, we suggest upgrading to an iPhone 14 (and even an iPhone 13). Within the final three years, Apple has made sufficient modifications to options together with battery life, efficiency, display high quality, cameras and sturdiness to benefit shopping for a brand new iPhone. 

Upgrading to the iPhone 14 will get you 5G help, extra storage (128GB on the base degree versus 64GB) a greater essential digital camera with a wider aperture lens, new video taking pictures choices like Motion mode and Cinematic mode, a greater selfie digital camera with Night time mode and Apple’s Photonic Engine processing, compatibility with Apple’s MagSafe equipment, longer battery life and sooner efficiency. That is along with car-crash detection and Apple’s new emergency satellite tv for pc messaging function. 

A lot of the pictures and videography enhancements are dramatic modifications in comparison with the iPhone 11. And the longer battery life and extra cupboard space are welcomed upgrades that you’re going to discover each day.

As beforehand talked about, in case you go for the 14 Professional as an alternative, you get a brand new 48-megapixel essential digital camera, a more in-depth 3x optical zoom versus the 11 Professional Max’s 2x zoom, the Dynamic Island as an alternative of the notch and quite a few different upgrades like an always-on show.

The underside line: The iPhone 14 lineup consists of sufficient modifications to justify upgrading from the iPhone 11. But when your cellphone continues to be in good situation and also you’re happy with it, set up iOS 16 and maintain onto it for one more yr. 

iPhone 14 vs. iPhone XS, XS Max, XR

If you happen to purchased the iPhone XS, XS Max or XR at launch, meaning your cellphone is roughly 4 years previous and could also be beginning to really feel sluggish. That alone makes a powerful case for upgrading, however there’s a lot extra to achieve. 

In comparison with the iPhone XS, the iPhone 14 offers six hours of extra battery life (in accordance with Apple’s estimates). Along with every thing that is new within the iPhone 14 particularly, you will additionally get different upgrades Apple has added to the iPhone over the previous few years. 

These embody 5G help, extra storage (once more, you get 128GB versus 64GB), sooner efficiency and a greater digital camera. The iPhone XS technology lacks Night time mode for taking clearer footage in the dead of night, and it additionally does not have Deep Fusion, which is Apple’s title for its picture processing approach that improves element and readability in darker environments. The XS’s entrance digital camera has a decrease 7-megapixel decision in comparison with the bigger and newer 12-megapixel sensor on the iPhone 14. If you happen to’re upgrading from an iPhone XR, you will additionally get an extra digital camera with an ultrawide lens for taking broader group pictures for the primary time. 

The iPhone 14 additionally has a bigger 6.1-inch display in comparison with the iPhone XS’ 5.8-inch show (the iPhone XS Max has a 6.5-inch display, whereas the XR’s display can also be 6.1 inches). The design has additionally modified fairly a bit over the previous 4 years; newer fashions have flat edges, a barely smaller notch, completely different finishes and a brand new “squircle”-shaped digital camera module that replaces the pill-shaped rear digital camera cutout. So your cellphone won’t solely really feel extra fashionable, however it’ll look newer, too. 

The underside line: When you have an iPhone XS, XS Max or XR, it is undoubtedly value upgrading. You get a noticeable enhance in digital camera high quality, battery life and efficiency amongst different areas.

iPhone 14 vs. iPhone X

The iPhone X is about 5 years previous, which implies it in all probability feels sluggish and its battery life is not what it was once. With an iPhone 14, you will discover a serious improve in each classes, in addition to design, improved sturdiness, connectivity and digital camera high quality. 

Let’s begin with efficiency. The iPhone X runs on a a lot older A11 Bionic chip that is now 5 years previous, whereas the iPhone 14 runs on Apple’s A15 Bionic processor. The iPhone 14 Professional and Professional Max run on Apple’s newer A16 Bionic chip. Each new processors are approach forward of the A11 chip, which solely has a two-core neural engine in comparison with the A15 Bionic’s 16-core neural engine. 

The iPhone’s neural engine powers duties that depend on machine studying and synthetic intelligence, which have gotten a much bigger a part of the iPhone expertise. Issues like app solutions within the App Library and Apple’s Translate app depend on machine studying to operate, which signifies that the iPhone X might battle to maintain up with newer capabilities.

The iPhone X additionally has a dual-lens digital camera just like that of the iPhone XS, that means it is lacking the iPhone 14’s digital camera {hardware} enhancements along with Night time mode, Deep Fusion and the power to manage depth-of-field and blur ranges in Portrait mode. Just like the iPhone XS, you are solely getting a 7-megapixel entrance digital camera in comparison with a 12-megapixel selfie digital camera on Apple’s newer telephones.

Apple’s five-year-old iPhone additionally has shorter battery life, with Apple estimating it ought to final for 13 hours when enjoying again video in comparison with 20 hours on the iPhone 14. The iPhone 14’s 6.1-inch display is larger than the 5.8-inch show on the iPhone X, and it also needs to be brighter since it may possibly attain 800 nits of max brightness in comparison with the iPhone X’s 625-nit display.

The iPhone 14 helps Dolby Atmos and spatial audio playback, whereas the iPhone X simply has stereo playback. That is in all probability not a deal-breaker, however may be essential in case you watch lots of video in your cellphone with out headphones.

And naturally, there’s the advantage of getting car-crash detection, Apple’s new emergency SOS messaging through satellite tv for pc choice, higher water resistance (as much as 6 meters for half-hour versus 1 meter), 5G help, extra cupboard space, Ceramic Defend for the show, a refreshed design and the choice to make use of MagSafe equipment on the iPhone 14.

The underside line: When you have the iPhone X, it is time to improve. The iPhone 14 will really feel new in nearly each approach, from the digital camera to efficiency, battery life and the best way it seems and feels. 

iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 8, 8 Plus

The iPhone 8 technology has Apple’s legacy iPhone design, which is becoming for a cellphone that is now 5 years previous. When you have an iPhone 8 and are contemplating an improve, most of the causes to do this are the identical as the explanations to improve from the iPhone X. The processor is getting previous, which may make it tougher to make use of newer iPhone options that depend on machine studying. The cameras are outdated and lack options like Night time mode (the smaller iPhone 8 does not have Portrait mode both, because it solely has one lens). By upgrading, you will get extra storage, considerably longer battery life, help for 5G connectivity and MagSafe equipment, too.

However the largest distinction is within the iPhone 8’s design, which is way more than simply an aesthetic improve. Telephones with Apple’s extra fashionable edge-to-edge display commerce Contact ID for Face ID, which helps you to unlock your cellphone and authenticate funds simply by your system. If you happen to choose Contact ID over Face ID, particularly because it’s tough to make use of Face ID whereas sporting a masks, you would possibly need to no less than contemplate upgrading to the $429 iPhone SE, because it has the identical processor because the iPhone 13, 5G compatibility and loads of pictures enhancements inside the same physique to the iPhone 8.

Upgrading to the iPhone 14 has a noticeably giant soar in show dimension and high quality. Since newer telephones just like the iPhone 14 haven’t got a house button, there’s extra room for Apple to develop the display with out making the system really feel cumbersome. The iPhone 14’s display is even bigger than the iPhone 8 Plus’ 5.5-inch display regardless of the system itself feeling extra compact. (And for extra perspective, contemplate that the iPhone 13 Mini has a 5.4-inch show). If you happen to go for the 14 Professional you get one other massive change: the Dynamic Island, which transforms the notch space into an space for viewing alerts, system notifications and apps working within the background like Spotify or Apple Music. 

From private expertise, switching from an iPhone 8 (which has a 4.7-inch display) to the iPhone 12’s 6.1-inch show makes studying, checking e-mail and watching movies way more comfy. The display is not solely bigger, however it’s additionally extra vibrant with higher distinction because it makes use of an OLED show moderately than LCD.

The underside line: The iPhone 14 is a large soar from the iPhone 8. The whole lot about this cellphone will really feel quick and new: the a lot bigger and bolder display, Face ID, the faster processor, its longer battery life and naturally the considerably upgraded cameras. Of word nevertheless, in case you actually need to get a more recent iPhone however hold the iPhone 8’s design, commerce as much as the present 2022 iPhone SE.

iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 7, 7 Plus

When you have an iPhone 7, it is time to improve. It’s 6 years previous, and it exhibits in every thing from the processor to the digital camera and cupboard space. The iPhone 7 does not help iOS 16, offering much more incentive for buying a more recent system. 

Whereas we usually suggest selecting the iPhone 14 Professional over the iPhone 14 typically, coming from a cellphone this previous, means you will discover a lot that is new within the iPhone 14. 

The iPhone 7 runs on an growing older A10 Fusion processor, which does not also have a neural engine and is years behind Apple’s newest expertise. It has a single-lens digital camera with out Portrait mode, whereas the 7 Plus has two cameras. However these cameras lack many fashionable options like Night time mode and Portrait Lighting, which provides particular lighting results to your portraits. 

Much like the iPhone 8, the iPhone 7 collection consists of Contact ID and is available in both 4.7- or 5.5-inch display sizes. However because the iPhone 7 is a yr older than the iPhone 8, it is also lacking wi-fi charging, which implies you will need to plug it in to cost. 

If you happen to’ve owned an iPhone 7 for a number of years, it is in all probability bursting on the seams because it has considerably much less cupboard space. The entry-level iPhone 7 solely got here with 32GB of house, which is 1 / 4 of capability obtainable on the most affordable iPhone 14. 

The iPhone 14 brings main features in practically each facet. The usual mannequin has a bigger, bolder and brighter bezel-free 6.1-inch display that also feels compact because it does not have a house button. It runs on Apple’s A15 Bionic processor, which is healthier geared up to deal with newer iOS options. And it has a drastically improved dual-lens digital camera with a bigger essential digital camera sensor and superior options like the brand new Cinematic mode for video and Night time mode. Plus, Apple’s estimates point out it will provide seven hours of extra battery life throughout video playback, which is a large bump.

The underside line: If you happen to’re nonetheless holding onto your iPhone 7, there is no query that you simply’re due for an improve. A greater display, compatibility with iOS 16, longer battery life and extra superior cameras are only a few of the features the iPhone 14 has to supply over the iPhone 7. And just like my advice with the iPhone 8, in case you actually need to hold the house button and avoid wasting cash, contemplate the iPhone SE. It offers you newer efficiency upgrades whereas conserving the same cellphone model.