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Is The iPhone 14 Worth The Upgrade? A Detailed Review

The iPhone 14 offers great value as a reliable flagship smartphone, even with the release of the newer iPhone 15. It comes with enhancements in its camera system, providing improved low-light capabilities, an Action mode for exceptionally stable video recording, and valuable safety features such as crash detection and Emergency SOS via satellite.

The iPhone 14 represents a step forward from the iPhone 13 while also being one of Apple's more subtle annual updates. Externally, it maintains the familiar and reliable flat-sided aluminum design of the iPhone 13. Internally, Apple essentially reutilized the core elements of the iPhone 13 Pro, with the exception of the telephoto camera and high-refresh-rate screen. The outcome is quite pleasing, making the iPhone 14 a worthwhile upgrade for a broad range of users.

iPhone 14’s Key Features

The iPhone 14 showcases a comforting sense of familiarity, featuring a 6.1-inch OLED screen with the same Ceramic Shield, screen notch, and matte-finished aluminum as the iPhone 13. Despite its nearly identical size, it's 17% lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro, making it a delightful device to hold, with or without a case.

It's worth noting that the iPhone 14 holds an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, allowing it to endure submersion in up to 6 meters (about 20 feet) of water.

One exclusive change is the absence of a physical SIM card tray in the US version of the iPhone 14, as it exclusively supports eSIM. Apple has collaborated with US carriers to simplify the process of transferring your phone number from your old device to the iPhone 14, making it as straightforward as placing your old iPhone next to the new one and following a few prompts. Additionally, you can easily add a line of service through the Settings app, with the capability to have up to eight eSIMs on your phone, two of which can be active simultaneously (for personal and business use).

The iPhone 14 offers a choice of five colors: Product Red, Midnight, Starlight, Purple, and Blue. It maintains a compact and relatively lightweight profile, weighing 6.07 ounces and measuring 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches. 

Consistency In iPhone 14’s Display

Apple's decision to reuse the previous year's hardware extends to the iPhone 14's display, and while it excels in many aspects, there are a few areas where it falls short.

The iPhone 14 sports a 6.1-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2532 x 1170, which includes support for HDR, a maximum typical brightness of up to 800 nits, and peak HDR brightness of 1,200 nits—these are identical to the specifications of the iPhone 13.

In most respects, the display of the iPhone 14 remains an excellent choice. Colors are vibrant yet not excessively saturated, text and icons are crisp, and the screen remains highly visible in well-lit environments or even outdoors on a sunny day. Whether you're watching a YouTube video, browsing through your photo gallery, or reading an article, the iPhone 14's screen makes content come alive.

The iPhone 14's display falls short in its refresh rate. Similar to the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max from the previous year, the standard iPhone 14 is equipped with a 60Hz screen, while the Pro models maintain a 120Hz refresh rate. This means that compared to phones with 120Hz or 90Hz refresh rates, actions like scrolling and swiping may appear less smooth on the iPhone 14.

It's important to note that iOS 16's fluid animations and the powerful performance of the A15 Bionic chip ensure that the iPhone 14 consistently delivers a responsive and swift user experience, despite the limitations of its refresh rate.

iPhone 14’s Camera Advances And Flexibility

While the iPhone 14 Pro may have garnered much of the camera spotlight with its impressive 48MP primary sensor, it's worth mentioning that the standard iPhone 14's camera capabilities are nothing to scoff at. In many aspects, the iPhone 14's cameras bear similarities to the iPhone 13 but come with subtle enhancements that make them noteworthy.

The primary camera remains at 12MP, but it now features a larger sensor with a wider f/1.5 aperture, which allows it to capture more light. This improvement translates to better low-light performance and enhanced quality in dimly lit settings. The front-facing camera, while still maintaining a 12MP resolution, receives a boost with a larger f/1.9 aperture (compared to the f/2.2 on previous iPhones) and the introduction of autofocus, a notable first for the iPhone's selfie camera. Meanwhile, the 12MP ultrawide camera remains consistent with its predecessor.

Starting with the main camera, it retains the exceptional qualities seen in the iPhone 13. In well-lit conditions, the iPhone 14 captures vibrant, true-to-life photos with fine details, and it operates quickly for reliable shooting. The larger sensor in these lighting conditions adds a natural depth of field to some shots, allowing for portrait-like images without needing to use the dedicated Portrait mode. In low-light scenarios, the iPhone 14 can still produce good photos with ample detail. For extremely dark scenes, it automatically switches to Night mode, which holds exposure for a few seconds, but you can extend it to 30 seconds if necessary. In such situations, the iPhone 14 effectively brightens up pitch-black scenes, although some loss of detail occurs as the lighting conditions deteriorate.

The ultrawide camera, even though it mirrors the iPhone 13's specifications, remains highly reliable, delivering consistent colors, a wider field of view, and respectable details given its nature.

Now, moving towards the enhanced selfie camera. The addition of autofocus is a major improvement, resulting in sharper and more detailed selfies. Whether capturing fine details in your hair and facial features or taking close-up shots with friends, autofocus adds an extra layer of flexibility to elevate your selfie game. Similar to the main camera, the larger aperture on the selfie camera leads to improved natural bokeh and decent performance in low-light situations, ensuring your selfies shine even when the lighting isn't optimal.

Performance On iPhone 14

One of the critical points of discussion regarding the iPhone 14 is a change that, interestingly, did not occur at all. Typically, Apple equips each new iPhone with a fresh chipset to drive its performance. For instance, the iPhone 12 series was powered by the A14 chip, while the iPhone 13 lineup featured the A15. You might assume that all iPhone 14 models would naturally come with the A16 chip, but the reality is a bit different.

Surprisingly, the iPhone 14 (as well as the iPhone 14 Plus) retains the A15 chipset, while the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max receive the new A16 chipset. The A15 chip in the standard iPhone 14, though, is the enhanced variant used in the iPhone 13 Pro, having five GPU cores instead of the four found in the regular iPhone 13. Essentially, this means the iPhone 14 still incorporates a remarkable mobile chipset. It handles everyday applications like Twitter, Outlook, and Instagram effortlessly. Gaming experiences are equally impressive, as seen in titles like Call of Duty: Mobile on the iPhone 14, where graphics and frame rates perform flawlessly.

Moreover, the iPhone 14 introduces a fresh thermal design, enhancing heat dissipation when compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 13. During testing, the iPhone 14 only exhibited noticeable warmth when engaged in demanding activities like downloading numerous files with the display on. In general, the phone maintains a cool temperature, ensuring a smooth user experience regardless of the applications or games in use.

Car Crash Detection And Satellite Connectivity

The iPhone 14 introduces two significant features: car crash detection and satellite connectivity.

In the event of a serious car accident, the iPhone 14 employs various sensors to detect changes in speed, cabin pressure, loud sounds, and sudden shifts in movement. If it determines that you've been in an accident, the iPhone 14 displays a car crash screen with options to either call emergency services or dismiss the notification. If there's no response within 10 seconds, the phone automatically contacts emergency services on your behalf. It's worth mentioning that car crash detection and satellite connectivity are functional in Pakistan.

Car crash detection relies on a range of iPhone sensors to identify severe car accidents. Upon detection, the iPhone automatically initiates a call to emergency services and shares your location. Users have the option to disable this feature via the Settings app.

Satellite connectivity allows you to send and receive text messages and SOS alerts through satellite networks when you're in areas without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. This functionality is accessible in selected countries, including Pakistan. To enable satellite connectivity on your iPhone 14, you must update to iOS 16.1 and activate Emergency SOS via satellite in the Settings app. 

Some key considerations to bear in mind include:

• Car crash detection and satellite connectivity are exclusive to iPhone 14 and newer models.
• Users have the option to disable car crash detection through the Settings app.
• Satellite connectivity may not be accessible in all regions of Pakistan and may be subject to message delays and weather-related limitations.

iPhone 14’s Battery Performance And Charging Capabilities

Apple's efforts to enhance battery performance, which were successful with the iPhone 13 series, continue with the iPhone 14. The company claims that the iPhone 14 offers even better battery endurance. For most users, the iPhone 14 is expected to comfortably last a full day, though actual usage patterns will play a role. As long as you don't have your phone in constant use around the clock, you should be able to conclude each day with your iPhone 14 without significant concerns about battery life.

Regarding charging capabilities, Apple didn't introduce any significant improvements this year. However, the available options are quite sufficient. You have the choice of using the Lightning port for wired charging, providing speeds of up to 25W. For wireless charging, the Qi standard offers up to 7.5W. Additionally, if you prefer, you can use a supported MagSafe charger, which is a favored method of charging for many, as it can deliver up to 15W of power. It's worth pointing out that the iPhone 14 doesn't support ultra-fast wired charging.

Pricing And Availability

The global release of the iPhone 14 took place on September 16, 2022. In Pakistan, the official channels have not yet made the iPhone 14 available, but it can still be acquired from unofficial sellers at an increased cost.

It's important to note that the iPhone 14 lacks certification from the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA). This means that it might not have full compatibility with all cellular networks in Pakistan. Furthermore, unauthorized vendors might not offer warranties or technical support for the iPhone 14.

If you are considering the purchase of an iPhone 14 in Pakistan, it's essential to carefully assess the advantages and disadvantages. Once the iPhone 14 becomes officially accessible in Pakistan, you'll be able to obtain it from authorized Apple retailers and online stores. However, please be aware that the PTA-approved iPhone 14 may come at a higher cost than the non-PTA version, with prices for the non-PTA model starting at 285,000 PKR.

The Bottom Line

So, should you upgrade? The iPhone 14 represents more of an evolutionary step than a groundbreaking revolution, and this fact will suit the needs of many potential buyers quite well. Apple's entry-level smartphone excels in capturing exceptional photos, delivering a full day of battery life, and showcasing a splendid display, all housed within an elegant and lightweight design that provides a comfortable user experience even during extended usage. Notably, it maintains impressive speed, outperforming the majority of available smartphones, even though it doesn't feature Apple's latest cutting-edge processor. Hence, the iPhone 14 stands as a significant improvement, especially for those using an iPhone 11 or older models. Additionally, it incorporates important safety features like Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via Satellite.