Apple iPhone 14 review

Added by on 09.08.22 | Last update 11.17.23
Apple iPhone 14 review

At first, the iPhone 14 may seem like a small upgrade, unlike the more expensive iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, which get most of the attention with features like Dynamic Island, an always-on display and a 48MP main camera.

However, upon closer inspection, the iPhone 14 boasts its own set of impressive specs. Its camera system has been improved for better low-light performance, and the TrueDepth camera is faster and brighter. The new action mode enables smooth and stable video recording.

In addition, iPhone 14 includes useful safety features such as crash detection and the ability to use emergency SOS via satellite connection. Read the full review to weigh the pros and cons and decide if it's right for you. It's also worth comparing the iPhone 14 to other flagships like the Galaxy S22 and Pixel 7

Apple iPhone 14 Specifications

  • Release date: 2022, September 07
  • Colors: Midnight, Purple, Starlight, Blue, Red
  • Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm.
  • Weight: 172 g.
  • Screen: 6.1" in, 1170 x 2532, Super Retina XDR OLED
  • Camera : Dual, 12MP
  • Chipset: Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm)
  • CPU: Hexa-core (2x3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard)
  • Memory: 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM
  • Battery: 3279, Li-Ion, non-removable
  • Network: GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
  • Operating system: iOS 16
  • Sensors: Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer

If you are curious to find out all the details before reading the full review, visit the page for Apple iPhone 14 Specs, where you will find even the smallest detail about the phone.

Apple iPhone 14 iPhone 14 review: technical specifications

• Price: from $799
• Display: 6.1 inches (2532 x 1170 pixels, 60Hz)
• Processor: A15 Bionic
• Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
• Cameras: 12MP wide (f/1.5), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.4), 12MP front f/1.9
• Water resistance: IP68
• Colors: Midnight, Purple, Starlight, Blue, Red
• Battery life: about 9 hours (with 5G web browsing)
• Size: 146.7 X 71.5 X 7.8 mm
• Weight: 172 years
• Release date: 2022, September 07

Apple iPhone 14 iPhone 14 review: Design and colors

At Apple, we strive to constantly push the boundaries of what is possible with technology. The iPhone 14 is no exception. While the design may resemble the iPhone 13, with its iconic notch and sleek aluminum and glass body, the iPhone 14 boasts a number of new features. The removable Ceramic Shield front and tough glass back provide increased durability, and the phone has received an IP68 water resistance rating. For those looking for something truly unique, the iPhone 14 Pro offers the Dynamic Island, which replaces the notch with a smaller and interactive notch for alerts and live activities.

In terms of color options, apple iPhone 14 is available in Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple and Red. The iPhone 14 retains its compact form factor, weighing just 172g and measuring 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8mm, making it slightly lighter than the iPhone 13.

One of the most notable changes in the iPhone 14 is the removal of the SIM card slot in favor of eSIM technology. This allows users to easily add up to eight SIM cards to their phone and have two active at once, making it convenient for both personal and business use. Although eSIM technology is not yet supported by all operators, it is rapidly gaining popularity.

Apple iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Review: Display

The iPhone 14 display is exceptional with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR screen that offers high-quality visuals. While it doesn't have the 120Hz refresh rate and always on display found on the Galaxy S22, it still delivers vivid colors and wide viewing angles, making it enjoyable for watching movies or taking photos.

In lab tests, the iPhone 14 registered 117.4% of the sRGB color gamut and 83.1% of the DCI-P3 color space. The Galaxy S22 scored 110% and 77.9% in the same tests in Natural mode and 210.4/149.1% in Vivid mode. In terms of color accuracy, the iPhone 14 Pro scored a great 0.25 on the Delta-E test, but the Galaxy S22 scored an even better 0.22. Despite the lack of a 120Hz refresh rate, the iPhone 14's display is one of its strong points.

Apple iPhone 14 iPhone 14 review: Camera

The iPhone 14 boasts improved shooting capabilities, although it lacks the power of the Apple iPhone 14 pro's 48MP primary camera. Its primary wide-angle 12MP camera has a larger sensor with 1.9 micrometer pixels and a faster f/1.7 aperture, resulting in improved action shots and better low-light performance. The ultra-wide camera can capture 4x more and delivers 2x better low-light performance, and the TrueDepth camera now features autofocus and a faster f/1.9 aperture.

The Photonic Engine's new computational photography feature also helps create brighter images overall. Compared to the Galaxy S22 and Pixel 6, the iPhone 14 performs well overall, though it lags behind the Galaxy S22 in low light and lacks the optical zoom capabilities of the Samsung device. The iPhone 14's front camera creates bright and detailed selfies.

Apple iPhone 14 iPhone 14 review: Video

iPhone 14's Action mode is an outstanding feature for shooting video. It's designed to deliver smooth and stable footage while you're on the move and can be easily activated via the camera app. Compared to the Galaxy S22, the iPhone 14's Action mode records smoother video when viewed on an HDR display.

Apple iPhone 14 iPhone 14 review: Performance

The iPhone 14 features the A15 Bionic chipset that was used in last year's iPhone 13 Pro. This chip offers enhanced graphics performance with its 5-core GPU. Unlike iPhone 14 pro and iPhone 14 pro max which use the new A16 Bionic chipset, so we can't expect big improvements.

In testing, the iPhone 14 performed impressively, with smooth and visually stunning gameplay in the toughest games. The device stays cool even during long gaming sessions thanks to its optimized heat dissipation design.

In terms of overall performance, the iPhone 14 scored 1,727 points in the single-core and 4,553 points in the multi-core Geekbench test. These scores are slightly higher than the iPhone 13 (1668/4436) and significantly higher than the Galaxy S22 (1204/3348). The iPhone 14 also performs very well in graphics performance, with a score of 11,531 and 69 fps on 3DMark Wild Life Unlimited.

In a video editing test using Adobe Premiere Rush, the iPhone 14 takes about 28 seconds to transcode a 4K video to 1080p. That's a bit slower than the iPhone 13's time, which is around 26 seconds, but faster than the Galaxy S22, which does it in around 46 seconds.

Apple iPhone 14 iPhone 14 review: Battery life and charging

The iPhone 14 boasts a battery life that lasts around 9 hours of continuous 5G web browsing at moderate screen brightness. This performance surpasses that of the Galaxy S22 and Google Pixel 7.

Charging the iPhone 14 isn't particularly fast, with the phone reaching 54% in 30 minutes. This charging time is possible thanks to a 20W charger. In comparison, the OnePlus 10T can reach 84% in 15 minutes and the Galaxy S22 can reach 60% in 30 minutes.

Apple iPhone 14 iPhone 14 review: Emergency SOS calls via satellite and crash detection

The iPhone 14 introduced two new safety features. First, Emergency SOS call via satellite. This feature uses advanced antennas and software to connect to satellites when you don't have access to a cellular network or WiFi. It's a quick and easy way to get help from emergency services, no matter where you are.

The second feature is Crash Detection, which uses iPhone 14's improved accelerometer and gyroscope to detect if you've been in a car accident. If one is detected, the phone will automatically dial emergency services and notify your designated emergency contacts. When a crash is detected, a countdown begins to automatically call emergency services, and if the countdown is not cancelled, a call is made.

Apple iPhone 14 iPhone 14 review: iOS 16

The iPhone 14 comes with the latest iOS 16 operating system, offering a range of exciting new features. With the ability to customize the lock screen with widgets and photos, and the option to undo sending or edit texts, iOS 16 offers a more personalized and convenient user experience.

A new password replacement feature and the return of the battery percentage indicator also make the device more intuitive and efficient. The latest update, iOS 16.2, includes additional features such as the Freeform collaboration app and a karaoke mode for Apple Music subscribers. The iCloud Shared Photo Library feature in iOS 16.1 makes it easier than ever to share photos with family members. Overall, iOS 16 improves the capabilities of the iPhone 14 and makes it an even more powerful and efficient device.

Apple iPhone 14 iPhone 14 conclusion

The iPhone 14 is a solid choice for most people, but it's not particularly exciting. Its key features include great photos and video, a fantastic display, and strong performance that beats most Android phones. It also has a new feature called Action Mode that allows for smoother video capture.

In addition, Apple has made repairs on this model more accessible, giving the iPhone 14 an edge over the iPhone 13. Although the Samsung Galaxy S22 has some superior features, such as a telephoto zoom lens and a 120Hz display, it falls behind the iPhone 14 in camera ratio and performance. Overall, the iPhone 14 is a good choice, though the $899 iPhone 14 Plus offers a larger display and longer battery life.

Apple iPhone 14 video review

Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on our team's personal experience with the Apple iPhone 14 and third-party sources. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and reliable information, readers should keep in mind that this is a subjective assessment. The writing of this article was not paid for or sponsored by Apple.

Richard Taylor

Richard Taylor

Hello, I am Richard Taylor, a technology expert and journalist from the UK. I have a degree in Computer Science from the University of Birmingham. My passion is the latest technology, especially smartphones. That's why I chose to test, analyze, and write expert reviews about them. My technical expertise, combined with a deep passion for technology and years of experience, has made me a trusted source of information. Over the years, I have written reviews for various sites, but for quite some time now, I have been writing exclusively for PhonesData. You can see more about me here or read all my smartphone reviews here.

Apple iPhone 14 Reviews and Opinions

Would you recommend this phone to a friend? Why or why not? Share your arguments using the Add Opinion button and rate the model with stars!
Sophie Martinez
Owner

2024-01-07 05:54:28
(+0)

While the iPhone 14 isn't a groundbreaking release, it's a solid and dependable smartphone. It's great for someone who wants a new iPhone without needing the absolute latest features.

GadgetGirl
Owner

2023-11-17 15:29:34
(+0)

I'm impressed with the iPhone 14's video capabilities, particularly the action mode. The cinematic mode upgrade is a nice touch. However, the low-light video quality could be improved.

Raine Gordy
Owner

2023-08-29 13:11:52
(+0)

Apple's iPhone 14 is like a reliable classic. It doesn't have the latest bells and whistles, but it does everything I need it to do very well. The battery life and durability are particularly impressive.

Total opinions 10 Show all opinions