Review of the iPhone 14 Lineup

In an ever-expanding sea of smartphones—some illogically cheap and others boasting of mind-boggling tech—Apple still manages to claim a seat at the pinnacle of the industry. Why?

IPhones have a rapport for their premium hardware designed to last, cutting-edge features that just work, and an unparalleled customer-oriented approach. All these values that make people fall in love with Apple are reflected in their latest iteration of iPhones; iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

The iPhone 14 series borrows everything that was great about last year’s iPhone 13 lineup and takes it up a notch (pun intended).

If top-of-the-line cameras and unyielding performance wrapped up in a gorgeous body are your ideas for a great phone, the iPhone 14 lineup is a no-brainer. The question is: Which of the iPhone 14’s is your perfect companion?

Read on for our review of Apple’s latest flagship smartphones (Hint: There’s more to the devices than what’s on paper).

Specs – iPhone 14/iPhone 14 Plus/iPhone 14 Pro/iPhone 14 Pro Max

First things first, what’s on paper? Here are the official specs of the 2022 iPhone 14 series:

The published spec sheet aside, how do all the nifty perks translate to the consumer? Are the new camera features worthwhile? How practical is the ‘ground-breaking’ dynamic island? Here’s a breakdown of what the iPhone 14 packs outside and under the hood based on an in-depth analysis of hands-on reviews:

Design – Out with Notch, In With the Island

If you’ve had the opportunity to grab hold of the iPhone 13, expect the same feel with 2022’s iPhone 14—at least body-wise. The dimensions and even the screen are identical—with most of the tuning happening on the inside.

While the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus (expected to be released on October 07) have relatively uninspiring designs, the Pro models are the exact opposite. For the first time since the 2017 iPhone X, the team at Cupertino has finally made the bold of reinventing the trademark notch.

The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max displays feature a pill-shaped cutout dubbed the “Dynamic Island.” While the name attracted its fair share of memes, the Dynamic Island may prove to be a gem. It’s a creative way to refresh the iconic notch by turning it into a more practical tool that improves the user experience.

The Dynamic Island functions like an adaptive blob that stretches, contracts, and even changes shape as needed. Its elegant feel and functionality make it one of Apple’s most significant design upgrades in recent years. The island takes multitasking up a notch by allowing you to dock an app and revisit it with a quick tap.

And as you’d expect from Apple, the animations are silky smooth and subtle. But some users have identified some rough spots such as uncharacteristic cropping of things like timers. It’s one of those features that gradually grow on you until you can’t imagine a life without them

While Dynamic Island is attracting most of the plaudits, Apple managed to sneak in a useful feature that may end up saving you a couple of bucks. You can now replace the back glass without going through the expensive hassle of disassembling the phone. Even better, you don’t need to remove the True Depth Camera module to replace the display. Talking of display…

Display – Smoother, Brighter, and Always-On

To the disappointment of fans, Apple maintained a 60Hz display for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models—a refresh rate that is relatively outdated among high-end smartphones. Besides that, the entire lineup delivers crisp OLED screens with Dolby Vision and HDR10 technology.

Following the same trend with the design, Apple reserved the best display features for the Pro models. The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max boast LTPO OLED screens with a 120Hz refresh rate. Coupled with the Dynamic Island and a bumped-up camera (more on this in the next section), emerging reports by market analysts suggest the Pro models are racking up higher demand to the point that Apple may be doubling down on their production.

The Pro models also ship with an Always-On display turned on. If you’ve used an Apple watch, you might be familiar with how this feature works. Always-On dims the screen to about 10% and chops the refresh rate up to 1Hz. This gives you a constant sneak peek of time and notifications without significantly hogging your battery. It’s a feature that may take some getting used—with online search results showing a spike in people looking to toggle the feature on-off.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Pro models pack an impressive 2000nits of peak brightness—compared to the 1200nits in the 14 and 14 Plus. The extra nits may not matter much in normal usage, but they might come in handy when you need a clear view of your phone in bright light.

Camera – Bumped Up, But Bumpy

Apple rarely disappoints when it comes to cameras—this reputation holds true with the iPhone 14 lineup. Refined features like Cinematic Mode, Night Mode, Depth Control, and the all-new “Photonic Engine” give the iPhone 14s the software juice to deliver brighter, lifelike images.

You’ll also find Action Mode, which stabilizes images when you move the camera around a lot. Though you have to sacrifice resolution from 4k to 2.8k – a small price to pay for quality videos.

In terms of the selfie cameras, they all get an upgrade with autofocus (finally) and a wider aperture of f/1.9. Video calls and portrait shots are about to be better than they’ve ever been.

While all devices in the 2022 lineup offer impressive camera output that’s on par with the best smartphones out there, the Pro models take the limelight.

The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus comes with the familiar dual rear camera setup with a 12MP main camera. This is the same resolution as their predecessors, the iPhone 13—but with an upgrade in aperture from f/1.6 to f/1.5.

And if you thought iPhone cameras were good at 12MP, wait until you catch a whiff of the 48MP sensor on the Pro models? On top of the larger sensor (around 65% larger than the iPhone 13 Pro), the Pro models also feature a 12MP telephoto sensor that allows 3X optical zoom, a 12MP ultra-wide sensor with a wider aperture, and ProRES for 48MP raw shots.

This is all great news for the photographers and filmmakers in us. Most camera test show improved color rendition, more light gathering, and faster focusing. But all this goodness comes with a caveat: a bigger camera bump.

If the wonky feel of the iPhone 13 Pro was a concern for you, wait until you place the iPhone 14 Pros on a table. Sure, it’s highly unlikely that the wobble will be a deal breaker—but it’s hard to ignore the risk of accidental falls on slanted surfaces. When this is the case (*another pun), we got your back with our top-of-the-line iPhone 14 screen protectors to safeguard your precious device.

Processor – A Partial Upgrade

To widen the gap between the Base and Pro models, Apple decided to reuse last year’s A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus—only reserving the cutting-edge A16 Bionic for the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.

The A15 Bionic is already some steps ahead of most competitors, so it should still suffice. But if you want the best in processing power—especially for long-term use—the A16 Bionic packed in the Pro models is a great choice.

What Does the eSIM Spell for You?

Another major change to the iPhone lineup is the contentious idea to ditch the physical SIM card tray in favor of an eSim—at least in the U.S., This move is so far divisive among consumers.

Some users argue that the idea to ‘force’ the eSIM-only iPhone 14s is an anti-consumer approach that is uncharacteristic of Apple. There’s also the frustration of hiccups when transferring your phone number from an old device to the iPhone 14. Not to mention the privacy risk from waiving the option to remove the physical SIM card.

But for most people, setting up your new iPhone and switching between carriers should be a breeze. It might even be smoother and more seamless than the conventional way with physical SIMs.

Safety and Security

Safety first! SOS over satellite and crash detection are two features that are not necessarily in the spotlight as far as early iPhone 14 impressions are concerned. But they could mean the world to some users when their lives are at stake.

The crash detection feature basically works by using advanced sensors to identify a car crash before dialing emergency services and notifying them of your location for help. If sending an emergency message is not possible due to signal issues, the iPhone 14 will use satellite.

Battery Life and Charging

Interestingly, the base iPhone 14 packs a larger battery than the iPhone 14 Pro. But this does not translate to better battery life. With a more efficient A16 Bionic chipset and the adaptive ProMotion display, the Pro model may slightly edge past the iPhone 14. But all this depends on your real-world usage.

Either way, Apple claims you can recharge your device to 50% in 30 minutes using their fast charging adapter or 15W MagSafe charging. Time will tell how this holds up.

Color

Specs and neat features aside, sometimes the buying decision comes down to the phone’s aesthetic. The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus are available in Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, and (PRODUCT) Red. The Pro models ship with fewer color options—but eye-catching ones nonetheless. They include Space Black, Silver, Gold, and Deep Purple.

We feel Deep Purple will be a fan favorite and a top candidate for users who prefer transparent cases. The Space Black is a nice shade for those of you who prefer something dialed down. It’s slightly darker than last year’s Graphite shade.

Verdict?

With the 120Hz display, the Dynamic Island, a 48MP camera, and the A16 Bionic chip, all signs point to the iPhone 14 Pro models. They are a few drawbacks like the wobbly camera bump and lack of a USB-C connector, but they are mostly negligible. But regardless of your pick, this year’s iPhone lineup offers great value for money.

And when you upgrade to the latest iPhone, ensure you enjoy your device for as long as possible by installing a glass screen protector from Tech Amor. We have reliable and easy-to-install iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max screen protectors. Plus, a handful of accessories such as cleaning kits, car mounts, and premium cables.

The second half of 2022 is upon us. And with the recently concluded WWDC, it’s right around the time tech rumor mills start picking up momentum in anticipation for iPhone announcements come fall—and we’re here for it.

The tech streets are already awash with iPhone 14 leaks as the supply chain gradually paints a clearer picture of what to expect. And if the existing leaks are a semblance of the final product, you have reason to be excited. From a sharper main camera to an enthusing shakeup of the display to the resurfacing of Touch ID, the Apple team could be concurring some of the biggest iPhone changes in years.

Here’s our roundup of all the buzz and gossip on Apple’s much-anticipated 2022 iPhone lineup.

iPhone 14 Release Date Rumors – When are the Devices Dropping?

We’ll see a new iPhone this fall: That’s more or less set in stone leaning on historical evidence. But with purported disruptions in the supply chain and whatever marketing ploys are brewing at Curpetino, pinpointing the exact launch date is an arduous task.

According to a hypothesis by Tom’s Guide, emerging reports and developments in the industry suggest that the official iPhone 14 reveal is likely slated for September 13, with the pre-orders going live on September 16. By comparison, Apple’s iPhone 13 flagships were introduced on September 14, 2021—before going on sale 10 days later on September 24.

iPhone 14 Lineup Rumors – How Many and How Big?

Increasingly reliable intel hints at a “bigger is better” approach for the iPhone 14 lineup. While Apple is expected to maintain the number of phones at 4, they might ditch the poorly-received Mini for bigger screens.

According to a 2021 prediction by Nikkei Asia, “It is pretty much decided that there won’t be a Mini next year, and there will be a relatively cost-effective version of the largest iPhone Pro Max instead.” While the iPhone 13 Mini survived its forecasted demise, the iPhone 14 Mini likely won’t be as lucky.

The Mini is expected to make way for a larger 6.7-inch model. Here are the rumored iPhone 14 models and their respective screen sizes:

The “Pro” monicker depicts higher specs, while “Max” is designated for larger screens. This means that we might be seeing two ‘lower-end’ models and two ‘higher-end ones’ with different screen sizes in each category.

Another exciting leak, as seen from CAD renders shared by Twitter user ShrimpApplePro 🍤, suggests that Apple may be dialing down the bezels for the Pro Max. So same screen size, but smaller overall dimensions.

iPhone 14 Design – Going Notchless and Other Cosmetic Changes

Now to the juicy news…the infamous but iconic notch! Since the launch of the iPhone X in 2017, the notch has grown from an intrusive eyesore to an insignia that weaves into the branding fabric of the phone manufacturer. But that may be about to change.

Emerging reports suggest that Apple is looking to ax the divisive screen design in favor of a pill-shaped (Face ID sensors) and punch-hole design (selfie camera). In a January 2022 tweet, supply chain expert Ross Young claimed, “The two-hole concept will be unique to Apple, like the notch.”

Schematics shared by the relatively reliable leaker, Max Weinbach, show the cut-out designs on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. A purported supply chain photo further gives credence to the notchless rumor, showing the dual cut-outs on iPhone 14 Pro models.

Notch aside, we don’t expect any significant cosmetic changes to the form factor of this year’s iPhone lineup. The dual-triple camera housing, straight metal edges, and glossy-glass back we saw in the iPhone 13 lineup should carry to its successors—albeit a few nicks and tugs such as the potential use of a Titanium Allow frame in place of the Stainless Steel frame.

There are mixed reports of a protruding camera bump and a thicker design to house the camera and battery upgrades. Videos posted by iupdate and Mac Otakata give us a closer look at the rumored iPhone 14 designs.

iPhone 14 Display Rumors

A leak by analyst Jeff Pu (as seen on MacRumors) claims all 2022 iPhone models could feature 120Hz ProMotion display technology seen on the high-end iPhone 13 Pro models. However, other sources suggest that the cheaper ‘non-Pro’ models may have to contend with 60Hz refresh rates seen on LTPS OLED displays. Time will tell the path Apple decides to take.

In the other thrilling news,  Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has recently hinted at the debut of the long-overdue always-on display (AOD), claiming it will leverage a low refresh rate (up to 1Hz) to display “weather, calendars, stocks, activities, and other data while the screen remains at a low brightness and frame rate.”

Gurman’s claims are in line with multiple AOD references uncovered by 9to5Mac within the iOS 16 code. But you may have to upgrade to the Pro models to enjoy this feature. Users of the standard iPhone 14 model may have to settle for the lift-to-wake option.

iPhone 14 Camera – Main and Front-Facing Upgrades?

iPhones have a track record of exceptional camera quality, strategically bumping up their specs yearly to stay ahead of the curve in a viciously competitive market.

The defining camera upgrade for the 2022 lineup is rumored to be the adoption of a 48MP main camera sensor and 8K video support for the Pro models. There’s also a rumored periscope camera in the works, but it might be at least a year before we see it implemented in the consumer market. These whispers are supported by reports by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Jeff Pu, and research company TrendForce.

Over to the front-facing camera, Kuo predicts 6-part lenses, a wider f/1.9 aperture, and built-in autofocus for brighter images, fewer distortions, and improved focus in all models.

Design-wise, the iPhone 14 camera setup is expected to borrow heavily from its predecessor. We’re talking about the now-familiar dual and triple camera setup.

Could We See the Return of Touch ID?

It’s been a long time coming, but could 2022 be the year we finally see a comeback of Touch ID? The 2020 iPhone 12  was expected to usher in the return of the nifty feature. And when that didn’t pan out, the rumor mill turned its focus to the 2021 iPhone 13 lineup. But just as with its predecessors, Touch ID was a no-show.

While we’d like to believe iPhone 14 will be it, the whispers on the ground are not as positive. Reliable analyst Ming Chi-Kuo predicts we might have to wait a little longer for Touch ID, perhaps 2023. He writes, “We have revised our forecast to delay the launch of the iPhone with under-display fingerprint to 2H23 due to lower than expected development progress.”

Any little glimmers of hope are further snuffed by Mark Gurman, who reckoned that although Apple had tested the Touch ID, the company was focusing its resources on Face ID instead. As it stands, it appears the future of Touch ID is bleak.

iPhone 14 Chip Rumors – What’s Under the Hood?

A new chipset is almost a given with every annual reiteration of the iPhone. Last year we saw the introduction of the 5nm A15 Bionic. But this year, the information that’s coming in appears to be muddled.

Some sources suggest the iPhone 14 chipset could be a more optimized A16 Bionic on a 4nm or even 3nm process. Others claim the new A16 Bionic will be reserved for the pricier Pro models—with iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max featuring last year’s A15 Bionic chip. While feasible, the idea of using different processors in a lineup would be a first.

Alleged benchmark scores give a glimpse into what the A16 Bionic could be packing under the hood. This is a curious category that may still hatch a flurry of rumors in the coming weeks.

iPhone 14 Prices – Bringing Budgets into Perspective

For some not-so-welcomed news: A price hike seems increasingly likely amid an already shaky economy. The iPhone 14 lineup is rumored to cost around:

• iPhone 14 – $799
• iPhone 14 Max – $899
• iPhone 14 Pro – $1,099
• iPhone 14 Pro Max – $1,199

Here are the prices of the last years iPhone 13 lineup at launch for reference:

Other Rumored iPhone 14 Specs

• Lighting Port: Could we be saying buh-bye to the proprietary Lighting port? Well, not yet (most likely). Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that the 2022 iPhones will continue to draw their power from the Lightning—with a transition to the industry-standard USB-C expected in 2023.
• No SIM Card? There’s talk of Apple scrapping the physical SIM card entirely and adopting a non-removable eSIM. But there are doubts whether the company will take the eSIM route only or offer it as an alternative, as seen in the iPhone 13 range.
• Battery: There are claims the iPhone 14s may be getting thicker to house larger batteries with improved performance.
• RAM: All 4 iPhone 14 models are rumored to have 6GB of RAM. This is an upgrade for the ‘lower-end’ models, with the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini running on 4GB RAM.
• Cooling: With an uptick in computing power comes a need to keep devices cooler. For this reason, a vapor chamber thermal system may be coming to iPhone—or not.
• 5G Connectivity: With Apple investing heavily in acquiring intel’s modem business, it’s only expected that Apple-made 5G modems should debut soon. Either way, the company is tipped to go all in on 5G.
• Software: We already have a preview of iOS 16, which is almost guaranteed to feature in the upcoming iPhone lineup.

TechArmor – Because Your Favorite Devices Deserve the Best

The iPhone 14 lineup is still a good way off into the future. But so far, there’s a lot to look forward to.  So stay tuned for more iPhone 14 rumors, gossip, and news as we tread deeper into the second half of the year.

And while you’re at it, protect your devices. A little proactive action today could save you hundreds of dollars in the future. Don’t take chances; protect your valuables—and we can show you how!