The Far Out Apple event revealed several new iPhones to the public, making us all wonder if it’s time to upgrade.
Apple went all out at its Far Out event, revealing four new iPhones – the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max – as well as three new Apple Watches and the latest AirPods Pro 2.
And with the release of a new iPhone, it’s important to ask if it’s worth the upgrade. If you’re curious about how the iPhone 14 stacks up against the other phones on the market, make sure to check out our articles on the iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13, iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Plus and the iPhone 14 vs Galaxy S22.
If you’re interested in seeing how the iPhone 14 compares to the iPhone 12, which was released in 2020, check out some of the key differences.
No physical SIM in the iPhone 14
Surprisingly, Apple announced that the iPhone 14 series will not include a physical SIM card tray when purchased in America. This is due to the company teaming up with different mobile carrier services, such as TMobile and AT&T, in a push for customers to use the new eSIM technology.
Anyone who wants or cannot access an eSIM may want to stick with the iPhone 12, as in all regions that model is sold with a physical SIM tray. However, if users want to get around this issue, they can always buy an iPhone 14 outside of America.
Updated camera setup
The iPhone 14 has been treated to a brand new camera system, with a huge focus on low-light performance on both the front and rear cameras. The new main camera has improved image processing, with up to 2.5x better low-light photos, which can be achieved due to a bigger sensor and larger aperture, according to the company.
It also features a new Photonic Engine, which can merge the best pixels from multiple exposures at an earlier stage than ever before, preserving more image data to create a brighter and more vibrant image.
The iPhone 12 does not feature this new software, however, in our review of the handset we mention how it can produce reliable images that has balanced colours and dynamic range. If you’re interested in getting the best photos from your phone, however, it may be worth upgrading to the iPhone 14.
A15 Bionic chip vs A14 Bionic chip
Unlike the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, which were treated to the new A16 Bionic chip, the iPhone 14 comes equipped with the A15 Bionic chip, which can be found in the iPhone 13 series.
The A15 Bionic has a 5-core GPU and a 6-core CPU, which is made up of 4 energy-efficient cores and 2 high-performance cores. The A14 has a similar build, with a 6-core CPU and a 4-core GPU, meaning that the graphics of the iPhone 14 is more powerful.
Apple also claims that the A15 Bionic features 15 billion transistors which is an increase compared to the 11.8 billion count on the A14. This will provide improved performance, with the company suggesting that it is 50% faster than its competition.
Support for Emergency SOS
The latest iPhone 14 range has a focus on safety, with the addition of the new Emergency SOS feature. This allows users to use their iPhones to connect to satellite frequencies when they cannot connect to Wi-Fi or cellular, meaning they can contact emergency authorities if needed.
Apple claims that it can take less than 15 seconds to send a message in clear view of the sky, with the service being free for the first two years. It’s important to note that this feature is only available in America and Canada, though hopefully, Apple will bring in more regions over time.
This feature is not included on the iPhone 12, so it may be worth upgrading if you frequently go on long hikes and want some extra protection.
iPhone 14 and iPhone 12 specs comparison
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
