In September 2022, Apple announced the iPhone 14 line. The Cupertino company has been betting on large screens without a small model. In all, there are two 6.1-inch models and two 6.7-inch models.
However, choosing between the new iPhones can generate a positive response from “yes, it’s worth changing” to “no, it’s better to wait or get the previous one” due to the glaring differences between the traditional line and the Pro line.
Over the past few months, Azmi Tech has tested the 6.1-inch 512GB iPhone 14 provided by Apple’s advisory. The impressions about this device you can check in the analysis below.
More familiar, impossible
In 2022, Apple bet on the first redesign for the iPhone since the iPhone X. With a new cutout on the screen called Dynamic Island, the iPhone 14 Pro integrates hardware and software that guarantees a unique experience for those willing to pay a premium. Higher price.
In the case of the iPhone 14, however, we have years of refinement of the company’s new “traditional” design: the notch at the top of the screen where the TrueDepth sensor is located, which unlocks the cell phone from the face.
When comparing it to the iPhone 13, it is impossible to say that there is a visual difference between the models. No wonder even the cases are the same. It is important to note that the iPhone 14 has the same qualities as its predecessor.
Finished in aluminum and glass, the iPhone 14 has straight edges, and the notch is now 30% smaller than the iPhone 12. Apple bets on Blue colors (similar to Sierra Blue on the iPhone 13 Pro) and Purple, Midnight, Stellar, and PRODUCT(RED), which were already available in the previous row.
The iPhone 14 uses Ceramic Shield technology that makes it more resistant to falls – the same goes for the back – in addition to IP68 certification, supporting up to six meters underwater for up to 30 minutes. Also fully resistant to everyday accidents when dropping coffee, soda, tea, etc.
In addition, the iPhone 14 shares the same Super Retina XDR display as the iPhone 13. It reaches 800 nits, and when viewing photos and content in HDR, it can reach a brightness of up to 1,200 nits. The OLED panel brings native support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG technologies, which improve your experience when watching a series, movie, or something you recorded on your cell phone.
An important novelty of the new model is that it is now possible to repair its rear window without changing the entire device – making the repair less expensive. It also has a sensor with better brightness accuracy, which ensures that the user always has the best battery performance for screen brightness.
In short, just as the iPhone 8 brought years of refinement to the design of the iPhone 6, the iPhone 14 is probably the last Apple cell phone to have this second visual identity that started with the iPhone X since the rumors point to a new one. Design from 2023 with Dynamic Island being the focus for all models.
The same A15 Bionic processor, only now the one in the iPhone 13 Pro
Despite not being much talked about, Apple has started to differentiate the processors available in the iPhone. Let me explain: the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 13 Pro have the A15 Bionic chip. However, the A15 available in the Pro model packs a six-core CPU and a five-core GPU, which is 18% better than what’s found in the iPhone 13.
In practice, it doesn’t make a big difference. However, the company decided that only the iPhone 14 Pro would have the newest processor, the A16 Bionic. In contrast, the iPhone 14 would have the A15 that was reserved for the iPhone 13 Pro, and it is important to note that there is a divergence between the processors of the past generation and which is more evident now.
There are some factors behind this decision – despite Apple not confirming any of them: cost reduction since this chip features a technology that has been made for at least a year, the shortage of the production line in China, and the impacts of COVID-19.
Couple this with a marketing strategy that clarifies who bought the most expensive iPhone, and we have here a new, but also entry-level, line of new cell phones from the company.
Despite the iPhone 14 having an “old” processor, the A15 Bionic found in it is faster than the chips in the best Android smartphones. In addition, Apple made an internal restructuring of the device to bring better heat dissipation, which ensures a longer-lasting battery.
As someone who has used both the iPhone 13 and the 13 Pro and 14 Pro, it’s safe to say that the current iPhone 14 is second to none of these models. Whether playing an online game, editing photos, using social media, or making a FaceTime call, the user experience is the same.
Finally, like the previous generation, the iPhone 14 starts with a 128GB storage model, and the user can choose between 256GB and 512 GB.
Better cameras with new tricks
Finally, the time has come to tell you the main new features of the iPhone 14 that are found in the cameras. The device’s main sensor is faster and absorbs 49% more light than the previous generation. With this, the iPhone is twice as fast when taking photos in Night Mode.
In practice, the user will use Night Mode less often to click in low light. I feel the iPhone 14 now takes just as good photos as the iPhone 13 Pro.
For those who like to use Portrait Mode, the iPhone 14 line brings the foreground blur function. That is, it is possible to blur a glass or the hand of a person who would technically be in the foreground to focus on it, as in the photo below:
While it hasn’t changed the ultra-wide-angle camera’s sensor, Apple relies on computational photography generated by the Photonic Engine to deliver twice as good shots. This technology allows Apple to apply Deep Fusion much earlier in assembling an image when clicked. This makes low-light shots even better.
Finally, one of the most interesting additions is that the front camera now features autofocus, ensuring that selfies do not come out blurry and bringing more fidelity to low-light clicks.
In practice, Apple continues to deliver a reliable photo experience. The user can capture exactly what he sees in environments with good lighting. Even with the addition of the Photonic Engine, some shots at night still come out weird, with the dark blue sky to blown out or colors slightly unrealistic.
It’s also worth noting that the iPhone 14 isn’t made for zooming, so don’t expect good results by forcing the camera closer – enjoy the view.
Videos also look better on iPhone 14
Those who like to record videos will like two pieces of news from the iPhone 14. The first is the Cinema Mode, which now allows you to record in 4K at 24 fps (the same as used in the cinema) or at 30 fps.
Another function is the Action Mode, which brings hyper-stability to the user recording an action scene, such as chasing someone, cycling, etc.
One of the best battery life on an iPhone
As usual, the battery of the “input” iPhone is usually better than that of the Pro models. It is just not possible to say that the 6.1-inch model has the best autonomy because there is a larger model, the 14 Plus, which does bring a battery with even more clearance.
Apple talks about up to 20 hours of internet browsing, but daily, I can say that the cell phone has an excellent battery. My use revolves around music, work, YouTube videos, FaceTime calls, and a few games (from the dumbest like Candy Crush to something more demanding like Pokémon UNITE).
In other words, the iPhone 14 goes from 8 am with 100% battery, until around 10 pm with some breath, above 30%. As mentioned above, the new internal architecture of the iPhone 14 ensures that it has better autonomy than the iPhone 13, ensuring more peace of mind for the user who spends the whole day on the street.
With the 20W charger, you can charge the iPhone 14 to 50% in 30 minutes. Full charging takes about an hour. It also supports wireless and MagSafe charging.
iOS 16 takes the iPhone 14 further
In June 2022, Apple brought a preview of iOS 16. Available with the iPhone 14 in September, the user who opts for this phone will be able to take advantage of several new features, such as:
- Redesigned Lock Screen: The most important function of iOS 16 is the new lock screen. With it, it is possible to change the font of the time, add small widgets with relevant information, and put an effect on the backgrounds. Furthermore, creating different lock screens and choosing which one you want is possible.
- iOS 16 lets you create stickers: With the new operating system, you can cut out objects and people in the foreground of a photo and turn them into stickers for social networks or make it easier to edit an image. In the Photos app, tap and hold an object/person in the photo. Then copy the image or drag it to another app.
- Live Text now in videos: With iOS 15, Apple could copy Text from photos, be it a phone number, address, or message. It was just pressing your finger and dragging to copy what was written. Now, with iOS 16, this new feature also works with videos. Just pause whatever is playing and do the same thing. In addition, it is possible to convert units for better understanding.
Price and final thoughts on the iPhone 14
The iPhone 14 starts at R$7,599 on Apple’s website in the 128GB version. Despite the high price, it comes at the same launch prices as the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13. In addition, it can cost up to R$ 10,599 for the 512GB model. In retail, it is around R$ 6,000.
Unlike other Apple cell phone reviews, it is difficult to recommend the iPhone 14 not because it is a bad smartphone; on the contrary, it is one of the best, but the problem is that the lack of news concerning the iPhone 13 makes it a choice difficult for the pocket of the Arabian consumer.
Unless the user wants to use the new camera, the iPhone 13 will deliver very similar performance and the same look for R$ 1,300 less.
One reason to choose the iPhone 14 is to think about its bigger brother, the 14 Plus. It has the same specs but a larger 6.7-inch screen and longer battery life. That said, it’s easier to justify the purchase since there wasn’t an iPhone 13 Plus, just a much more expensive iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Adding this to the iPhone 14 Pro, which features a new design, more powerful cameras, and a better processor, it becomes difficult for the Arabian consumer to justify the purchase of this device.
Despite being a very powerful cell phone, which takes great photos and the battery lasts all day, we could be saying the same thing about the iPhone 13 – as we said a year ago.
Therefore, it is up to the consumer to choose between saving a few hundred reais and choosing the last generation cell phone that has specifications very similar to those of the current generation or spending a good few thousand reais more and choosing the iPhone that brings the great news. of this release.
In addition, it is always possible to wait for another cycle and buy the next generation of iPhones, which, by all indications, should bring the Pro line design to entry-level models.
This is the iPhone 14, the refinement of half a decade of Apple releases, now heading for a new style.
