Apple’s annual iPhone reveal occasion is meant to be one of many greatest moments in tech annually. At this yr’s present – the corporate’s first in-person product launch because the starting of the pandemic – the brand new iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus have been two of eight new merchandise jostling for house and a focus. The iPhone 14 Plus is an all-new possibility within the lineup, providing the scale advantages of the Pro Max fashions with out a few of the options and the related price, and so it is clearly the extra fascinating of the 2 new siblings. I’ve been capable of spend over a month with each, the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Plus. If you are questioning which of those to purchase, or whether or not both of them is best for you, learn on.
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus value in India
It’s fascinating that Apple didn’t launch the iPhone 14 in India at larger costs than the iPhone 13, contemplating inflation and worldwide foreign money change modifications over the previous yr – and much more so contemplating the iPhone 14 Pro (Review) and iPhone 14 Pro Max are every dearer than their predecessors. That stated, costs are nonetheless extraordinarily excessive by Indian requirements. The iPhone 14 formally begins at Rs. 79,900 with 128GB of storage, and you will have to pay Rs. 89,900 for 256GB or Rs. 1,09,900 if you’d like 512GB.
Unfortunately, there is no mini mannequin and the brand new tier has been created for the iPhone 14 Plus, slightly than having each slide down the dimensions. The identical three storage choices will price Rs. 10,000 extra every, bringing costs to Rs. 89,900, Rs. 99,900 and Rs. 1,19,900 respectively. If you desire a smaller machine, the iPhone 13 mini (Review) remains to be formally out there beginning at Rs. 64,900, and you’ll find it discounted fairly considerably by way of third-party retailers.
Apple does supply trade-in worth for an older iPhone and there are financial institution affords, however these costs do sting, particularly in case you have a look at what immediately’s sub-Rs. 40,000 Android telephones supply. Also observe that you do not get a charger or headset within the field even at these costs.
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus design
If you have seen the iPhone 13, you have mainly seen the iPhone 14. Virtually nothing has modified – the physique is 0.15mm thicker and the cameras bump is barely extra pronounced, however you’d by no means be capable of inform in passing. There are a couple of new colors – Midnight and Starlight are the identical as earlier than. There’s nonetheless a (Product) Red possibility nevertheless it’s brighter. The two new choices are pale pastel shades of blue and purple. If Apple sticks to precedent, a brand new color possibility is perhaps added in early 2023.
I’ve the iPhone 14 in blue, which is kind of a pleasant impartial tone and must be universally interesting. The iPhone 14 Plus in purple seems virtually white beneath some varieties of gentle. The end is extraordinarily delicate nevertheless it will not be to everybody’s style.
The bigger iPhone 14 Plus is an fascinating center floor between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro Max. You do not should pay by way of your nostril to get the largest potential display anymore, and that is one thing which may tempt not solely the Android crowd however anybody with an older iPhone who was on the fence about upgrading. It’s a lot lighter than the Pro Max, at 203g in comparison with 240g, which negates one among my greatest complaints in regards to the top-end mannequin.
The iPhone 14 Plus (proper) has all the identical specs apart from a much bigger display and bigger battery
It’s nonetheless fairly a handful although, and a 6.7-inch display is perhaps a bit of an excessive amount of for some folks. This telephone will stick out of some pockets and I discovered it a bit awkward to carry and use whereas strolling. Things like swiping up from the underside of the display to unlock the machine or stretching to the Back button on the very prime of the display in lots of apps will also be tough. The iPhone 14 Plus is much less snug to carry as much as an ear whereas speaking than its smaller sibling, however not less than it is not heavy to the purpose that I started to really feel fatigue.
You do see extra content material on display – the UI is not simply magnified proportionately. That’s nice for video games, movies, and plenty of artistic apps. It’s additionally significantly higher for studying, in case you occur to be sitting down or mendacity in mattress. That stated, iOS does not enable a number of apps on display at any time, both tiled or in floating home windows, and there have been occasions once I would have appreciated that flexibility.
Apple hasn’t modified something in regards to the physique form of the iPhone 14 in comparison with the iPhone 13, and even that was just about an identical to the iPhone 12 (Review), apart from the rear digital camera association. You nonetheless get the identical flat back and front, largely to keep up compatibility with the MagSafe accent ecosystem. There’s a uninteresting aluminium band operating across the flat sides. The quantity buttons, mute swap and Nano-SIM tray are on the left, and the facility button is on the appropriate – items offered within the US haven’t got a bodily SIM tray anymore and are eSIM-only. There’s solely a Lightning port on the underside, with a speaker on one facet and mic on the opposite. The iPhone 14 Plus is precisely the identical, simply scaled up.
However there is a massive change which you could’t see. Both new telephones have detachable rear panels which ought to make repairs and battery replacements a lot simpler and faster for skilled service professionals. Apple has managed to do that with out compromising the IP68 rankings that each units nonetheless have.
You may discover the iPhone 14 Plus a bit of awkward to make use of nevertheless it is not as heavy because the iPhone 14 Pro Max
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus specs
If you are underwhelmed by the iPhone 14’s recycled design, the insides may also come as a disappointment. Apple has for the primary time chosen to reuse the earlier technology’s processor, the A15 Bionic. Only the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max get the A16 Bionic. It’s value noting that you just get the marginally extra highly effective model of the A15 Bionic that was in final yr’s iPhone 13 Pro siblings, providing you with yet one more functioning GPU core so there’s nonetheless a really slight improve over the iPhone 13. This can also be a key motive that the iPhone 13 mini remains to be properly value contemplating – Apple actually did not have to refresh it, and it nonetheless serves simply tremendous for individuals who desire a smaller however nonetheless trendy iPhone.
You get three storage choices – 128GB, 256GB and 512GB – which must be greater than sufficient for anybody. Apple does not disclose RAM and battery particulars formally however we all know that each iPhone 14 fashions have 6GB of RAM, up from 4GB for the iPhone 13. The battery capacities are 3,279mAh and 4,323mAh respectively. Charging velocity is not marketed both, however Apple bases its estimates on utilizing a 20W USB Type-C adapter. If you employ a MagSafe wi-fi charger, you’ll be able to rise up to 15W however abnormal Qi wi-fi chargers will solely work at as much as 7.5W.
Sadly you do not get most of the signature options of the iPhone 14 Pro fashions – there is no high-refresh-rate show, no always-on performance, and no Dynamic Island. There’s nonetheless a reasonably large notch which now appears outdated, although I do not miss the island a lot even after having used an iPhone 14 Pro. The iPhone 14 has a 6.1-inch 1170×2532-pixel show whereas the iPhone 14 Plus has a 6.7-inch panel with a proportionately larger 12 84×2778-pixel decision (not accounting for rounded corners). Both are able to 800nits typical brightness and 1200nits peak brightness with HDR content material. They assist the extensive P3 color gamut and Apple’s True Tone white steadiness adjustment characteristic.
We’ll speak extra about these telephones’ cameras later, nevertheless it’s clear that that is the largest hole that there has even been between the Pro and non-Pro iPhone fashions.
The iPhone 14 (proper) has a 6.1-inch show whereas the iPhone 14 Plus (left) goes as much as 6.7 inches
This is the place comparisons to the Android world actually present how Apple’s technique is pushing it right into a nook. An enormous variety of Android telephones that price 1 / 4 as a lot as the bottom iPhone 14 variant immediately have equally slick designs, crisp 120Hz screens, faster charging, and varied different conveniences. If you evaluate spec sheets it may be actually robust to justify the price of the most recent iPhones.
On the opposite hand, there are some components in favour of selecting to spend a lot on an iPhone and forego these options. Other than the Apple title in fact, there’s Apple’s in-house SoC and high-end digital camera capabilities. Features like crash detection and emergency messaging through satellite tv for pc aren’t out there in India (but) however are promoting factors in different international locations. There are additionally much less tangible components – the longevity and safety of the iOS ecosystem and the effectivity of Apple’s in-house {hardware}, software program and on-line companies working collectively. It all comes all the way down to the utilization expertise.
Software retains evolving, and within the months because the iPhone 14 household launched operating iOS 16, we’re already on model 16.2. We’ve lined the main options of iOS 16 already, and utilizing it on this telephone is far the identical as on the iPhone 14 Pro, aside from the Dynamic Island and always-on show. Everything will really feel acquainted to long-time iPhone customers. There’s a brand new inventory app known as Freestyle that allows you to sketch and scribble concepts to share with others, and naturally 5G is now out there to customers in India.
Apple’s software program expertise is often slick, although not fairly as versatile as Android in key areas similar to personalisation. Keep in thoughts that you will have to pay a small quantity every month for iCloud space for storing and companies similar to Apple Music and Apple TV+ (or get Apple One) to totally benefit from the ecosystem.
Apple has confirmed that it’s going to adjust to worldwide laws requiring USB Type-C sooner or later
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus efficiency and utilization
There is not a lot to say in regards to the new iPhones’ efficiency – they’re each easy and snappy, they’re going to work for a number of years earlier than you will really feel any want to exchange both of them, and you are not vulnerable to being left behind when it comes to software program updates or app assist. Having used an iPhone 14 Pro just lately, I did discover the decrease display refresh price and it did really feel a bit ridiculous to not have that characteristic on a telephone this costly, however in day-to-day conditions, it hardly mattered.
If you are utilizing an iPhone X or older, you will discover how apps are much less prone to should restart even when they have been within the background for some time. Face ID is comparatively fast and I by no means had any bother navigating by way of iOS. With all that stated, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus don’t have any new {hardware} capabilities and no performance has been improved a lot as a result of there simply hasn’t been a soar in processing energy in comparison with the earlier technology.
With the identical processor as final yr’s Pro fashions, you should not anticipate an enormous soar in benchmark numbers. Usage is easy and also you should not face any slowdowns for years, however there’s nothing thrilling to sit up for both. Games run tremendous, together with heavy titles similar to Call of Duty: Mobile. The iPhone 14 Plus is nice for gaming because of its massive display, and it is also comparatively snug to carry for lengthy stretches.
Apple has begun transitioning away from bodily SIMs however iPhones offered in India can nonetheless use one nano-SIM
In phrases of benchmark efficiency, I used to be anticipating the iPhone 14 Plus to ship barely higher scores since its bigger physique ought to enable for higher warmth dissipation. Geekbench 5 did try this, producing single-threaded and multi-threaded scores of 1,733 and 4,714 versus 1,717 and 4,680 respectively for the iPhone 14. These numbers are unsurprisingly proper according to what the iPhone 13 Pro managed.
However, different assessments similar to AnTuTu favoured the smaller mannequin barely – 852,373 factors versus 857,751 factors for the iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 respectively. 3DMark’s Wild Life Extreme check ran at 16.7fps on the smaller telephone and 16.3fps on the bigger one. Both telephones maxed out GFXBench’s Aztec Ruins (Normal Tier) check at 60fps however the extra demanding High Tier run uncovered a slight distinction – 57fps on the smaller iPhone 14 versus 50fps on the iPhone 14 Plus. These variations may very well be all the way down to display decision. It’s value noting that each units did get a bit heat whereas assessments have been operating.
One of the largest promoting factors of the brand new iPhone 14 Plus is battery life – actually Apple claims that it beats even the iPhone 14 Pro Max, providing the most effective battery life ever for any iPhone. That’s possible as a result of there is no always-on show or excessive refresh price, so it is good to have some compensation for lacking out on these options. Truly, the iPhone 14 Plus is great, lasting not less than two days of informal utilization (with out 5G) and much longer than that when left in standby. Our HD video loop check ran for 22 hours, 47 minutes which is roughly 15 % higher than the iPhone 14 Pro’s efficiency.
The iPhone 14 may also get you thru a full day, or as much as a day and a half with gentle use. It managed to run our HD video loop for 16 hours, 38 minutes which was under expectations. Surprisingly, each telephones charged at roughly the identical price regardless of the distinction in battery capacities, attending to 29 % in quarter-hour and 54 % in half-hour. You do not get a charger within the field, so a 30W Apple MacBook adapter was used for these assessments. Both telephones did get pretty heat whereas charging although.
One motive to decide on the dearer iPhone 14 Plus is its wonderful battery life
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus cameras
Although Apple says digital camera high quality has improved with this technology as regular, you continue to get solely fundamental picture and video capabilities with one main and one ultra-wide-angle digital camera. Only the iPhone 14 Pro fashions get the brand new 48-megapixel foremost sensor, autofocus ultra-wide digital camera with macro capabilities, telephoto digital camera, adaptive flash, second-gen sensor-shift stabilisation, LiDAR, and ProRAW/ProRes format assist.
Both telephones have the identical digital camera setup – a 12-megapixel f/1.5 main and 12-megapixel f/2.4 ultra-wide digital camera on the rear. Each telephone additionally has a 12-megapixel f/1.9 entrance digital camera together with the TrueDepth imaging system that permits Apple’s distinctive Face ID safety system and personalised Memoji character fashions, however requires the dated notch. Video recording goes as much as 4K 60fps with Dolby Vision HDR, and there is now an Action Mode for stabilisation, which the Pro fashions even have – and you may examine it in our evaluation of the iPhone 14 Pro. Cinematic Mode and Photographic Styles are unchanged since their debut on the iPhone 13 sequence, and you may examine them right here. In brief, Action Mode is doubtlessly helpful whereas the others are novelties that can stay forgotten except you are an avid photographer or video content material creator.
iPhone 14 Plus daytime picture samples (prime: main digital camera, backside: ultra-wide-angle digital camera) (Tap to see full dimension)
Apple’s digital camera app has been a sufferer of characteristic creep with all these new modes requiring extra buttons and controls, however there are nonetheless some issues it is advisable to dip into the principle iOS Settings app to vary. iOS 16 introduces topic extraction from throughout the Photos app – all it’s a must to do is long-press to drag a topic out of its background, and you may then drag or paste it into different apps. iOS additionally makes use of on-device machine studying that will help you search by way of photographs by textual content, and optical character recognition is now as straightforward as tapping and swiping to pick out something you see.
All stated and executed, regardless of how you’re feeling in regards to the options that you just do or do not get, the standard of photographs and movies that the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus can take is undeniably spectacular. Shots taken with the first digital camera within the daytime got here out detailed and sharp, and I had no bother with publicity even in difficult lighting situations. The textures on leaves and petals regarded pure and colors popped properly. It’s potential to get some neat depth results even with out portrait mode, however excessive close-ups aren’t as profitable as a result of there is no macro functionality. The ultra-wide-angle digital camera delivers barely decrease high quality however that is not evident in case you aren’t magnifying photographs to their precise dimension on display.
iPhone 14 low-light picture samples (prime: main digital camera, backside: ultra-wide-angle digital camera) (Tap to see full dimension)
iPhone 14 Plus low-light picture samples (prime: main digital camera, backside: ultra-wide-angle digital camera) (Tap to see full dimension)
There’s way more of a distinction in high quality between the 2 cameras in low gentle and indoors. The foremost digital camera continues to do very properly. Even with a bit of gentle round, topics come out trying shiny and crisp, and even small factors of sunshine in opposition to darkish backgrounds are often outlined properly, with none bleeding. Portrait mode permits for some moody compositions, and movement blur is properly beneath management. However, particulars are noticeably much less crisp, colors aren’t as correct, and topics at even a slight distance can appear a bit murky when utilizing the ultra-wide digital camera at evening.
iPhone 14 Plus low-light picture samples (prime: main digital camera, backside: ultra-wide-angle digital camera) (Tap to see full dimension)
Apple does not appear to have modified a lot in regards to the entrance digital camera in comparison with the iPhone 13. Selfies within the daytime look tremendous, however at evening it is best to verify the outcomes so you’ll be able to strive once more if wanted.
Video is easy at 1080p and 4K though colors are a bit of overpronounced on the larger decision. The footage that each the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus can seize is sweet sufficient for capturing recollections and presumably even for skilled work. Just like with stills, the decrease high quality of the ultra-wide digital camera is way more noticeable at evening, with a bit of seen judder when recording whereas transferring.
iPhone 14 Plus low-light selfie pattern (faucet to see full dimension)
Verdict
We’re at some extent the place there is not a lot you are able to do to make a premium telephone considerably higher than its personal predecessor, besides the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus left me considerably underwhelmed. In a nutshell, the iPhone 14 is Apple’s least vital replace but, and that is as a result of the corporate has locked itself right into a pricing technique that stops Pro options trickling down. At least this mannequin is not dearer than its predecessor, so you are still getting one thing a bit higher on the identical value.
The iPhone 14 Plus does have some novelty worth and wonderful battery life going for it, nevertheless it’s far dearer than competing Android units. It may tempt anybody with an iPhone X or older to improve and it is perhaps precisely what some individuals are searching for.
Since you do not get Pro options both manner, it appears that evidently you actually will not lose a lot in case you select to purchase final yr’s iPhone 13 as an alternative of the present technology. Nearly all of the issues that make the iPhone 14 good apply to its predecessor as properly. You might save Rs. 10,000 (or extra when affords are factored in) and also you’d get just about the identical machine, simply with a bit much less RAM and barely weaker cameras. The solely causes to decide on an iPhone 14 over an iPhone 13, particularly in India, could be if digital camera high quality is totally vital, you anticipate needing crash detection sooner or later, or you do not thoughts spending more cash now to maximise usability and resale worth a few years down the road.
Rumours are already circulating about subsequent yr’s iPhones, and it is possible that they’re going to have a minor design refresh together with the Dynamic Island. Apple can also be as a consequence of exchange its Lightning port with USB Type-C. If these sound like options value ready for, you’ll be able to fairly simply skip the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus.
Catch the most recent from the Consumer Electronics Show on Gadgets 360, at our CES 2023 hub.