Depending on which hemisphere you’re in, you know it’s already spring or fall when Apple introduces its latest series of iPhones . This year, it’s the turn of the iPhone 14, which offers a number of improvements over its 2021 predecessor, the iPhone 13 . This includes a pair of upgraded rear camera lenses and a new Satellite Emergency SOS feature. However, it has a very similar design and the same internal processor.
But do you really need the iPhone 14, if you already have last year’s model? We put them face to face to give you an answer.
specs
| iPhone 13 | iPhone 14 | |
| Size | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7mm | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8mm |
| Weight | 174 grams | 172 grams |
| screen size | 6.1-inch Super Retina OLED | 6.1-inch Super Retina OLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 pixels (460 pixels per inch) | 2532 x 1170 pixels (460 pixels per inch) |
| Operating system | iOS 15 (upgradable to iOS 16) | iOS 16 |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Micro SD slot | Nope | Nope |
| Tap-to-pay service | ApplePay | ApplePay |
| Processor | Apple A15 Bionic | Apple A15 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB |
| Camera | Rear: Dual-lens wide angle 12-megapixel and 12MP ultra wide angleFront: 12MP TrueDepth | Rear: Dual-lens wide angle 12-megapixel and 12MP ultra wide angleFront: 12MP TrueDepth |
| Video | 4K at 60 frames per second, 1080p at 240fps | 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps |
| bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| ports | Lightning | Lightning |
| fingerprint sensor | No, only FaceID | No, only FaceID |
| Waterproof | IP68 | IP68 |
| Drums | 3,240mAhFast charging (20W charger sold separately)MagSafe wireless charging (15W)Qi wireless charging (7.5W) | still to be confirmedFast charging (20W charger sold separately)MagSafe wireless charging (15W)Qi wireless charging (7.5W) |
| app store | AppleApp Store | AppleApp Store |
| network support | All major companies | All major companies |
| Colors | Black, blue, green, white, and red | Midnight, Purple, Starlight, blue, red |
| Prices | From $699 | From $799 |
Design, display and durability
If you’ve seen the iPhone 13 before, then you already know exactly what the iPhone 14 looks like. Apple hasn’t made any real design changes, with the iPhone 14 sporting the same square sides as its predecessor and the same camera module with the two lenses. rear arranged diagonally. It looks good, but it obviously won’t win any innovation awards.
Exactly the same happens with the screen. At 6.1 inches and with Super Retina XDR OLED, iPhone 14 even contains the same number of pixels as iPhone 13: 2532 x 1170. So users will enjoy the same images – sharp and clear – regardless of their choice, although none It has a refresh rate of 120 Hz. (like the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro).
Completing this clear “tie”, both devices are just as tough. Each one features Ceramic Shield glass, as well as an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. Nothing new around here.
Performance, battery life and charging
Once again, you’ll find it hard to tell the iPhone 14 from the iPhone 13 when it comes to performance. Both house Apple’s A15 Bionic processor and are powered by 4GB of RAM. The A15 is still a very fast chip, so both will perform just fine at 99% of tasks, but don’t expect the iPhone 14 to do anything the 2021 device can’t.
They also come with the same amount of internal memory as standard: 128GB. This can be increased to 256GB or 512GB on both phones for a small additional cost. Neither offers a microSD card slot, so don’t go crazy with photos and downloads.
As for the battery, Apple claims that the iPhone 14 can manage 20 hours of video playback. However, it doesn’t share the exact battery size of the new phone, so we can’t directly compare it to the iPhone 13 until we complete a full review. Similarly, Apple has said that the iPhone 14 can be recharged to 50% in just 30 minutes, but this is something we will have to see with our own eyes first.
cameras
This is where things get almost interesting. The iPhone 14 has the same basic dual-lens rear camera setup, but Apple has subtly updated the lenses. Its 12-megapixel main (wide-angle) lens features a larger sensor and slightly more pixels, along with an f/1.5 aperture (as opposed to the iPhone 13’s f/1.6 aperture). It comes complete with a 12MP wide-angle camera (identical to the iPhone 13) and a new 12MP front-facing camera with autofocus and improvements when shooting in low light.
At this point, it is not possible to confirm that these (minor) updates offer a significant improvement in photo quality. That said, Apple promises “2.5x better” low-light photos with the primary wide-angle lens and “2x better” low-light photos with the ultra-wide. When we review them we will know and we can then be as emphatic as those in Cupertino.
Software and updates
The iPhone 14 is a “native” iOS 16, while the iPhone 13 is being updated to this new operating system these days. This brings them even on point, with iOS 16 bringing a host of useful new features, like customizable lock screens and an unsend or edit feature in iMessages.
In terms of future updates, the iPhone 14 will receive them for a year longer than the iPhone 13. However, since Apple tends to support its phones with major software updates for about six years, this difference will not be too relevant in the future. practice.
Special features
In the past, you may have had trouble spotting a difference in special features between an iPhone and its immediate successor. This is not the case this time, even though the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 are almost indistinguishable in many other ways. iPhone 14 comes equipped with a new feature called Emergency SOS Over Satellite so you can send emergency messages even without a phone signal. In addition to this, it also has a Crash Detection feature that works by noticing sudden increases in G-force and sounds associated with car crashes.
These features could potentially save the lives of a fair number of people, so even though the iPhone 14 brings too many new special features, these two aforementioned ones give it the win.
Price and availability
The Apple iPhone 14 is available for pre-order directly from Apple from September 9. It starts at $799, with the 256GB and 512GB models priced at $899 and $1,099, respectively. It works with all major carriers and will be widely sold online.
The iPhone 13 can still be purchased from Apple, and its starting price has been reduced to $699. It is also compatible with all telephone networks, and is still sold.
Overall Winner: Apple iPhone 14
Yes, there really isn’t much new, but the iPhone 14 takes the win. Its two new emergency features can make a real difference to some people’s lives, and there’s also the possibility (yet to be confirmed in reviews) that its cameras and battery are better than the iPhone 13. Of course, the designs, the screens, software, and performance of both phones are more or less identical, so if you already own an iPhone 13, we think you have no need to upgrade.
