No real revolution to expect from the new iPhone 14s announced during the keynote from September 7, even if Apple advances, for some of them, some interesting novelties. To save you from having to delve into the technical sheets of each iPhone 14, “20 Minutes” summarizes what is important to know.
We will quickly move on to the entry-level, which incorporates the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 13 and presents little change, apart from their price. It takes 1,029 euros minimum for an iPhone 14 and 1,169 euros for an iPhone 14 Plus (128 GB)! It’s roughly 100 euros more compared to the previous generation! We are frankly disappointed that Apple does not offer an iPhone 14 Mini, which would have been more accessible.
1. Better stability
The main progress of the entry level still resides on the announced larger sensor and brighter optics. But above all, a new “Action” mode supposed to provide much better stabilization, a bit as if Apple had housed a GoPro in its iPhones. We are waiting to see what it can actually look like on video (in Dolby Vison). Protected against rain and dust (IP68 standard), the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus are also protected by Apple’s Ceramic Shield glass, which is rather sturdy. And they are compatible with satellite communications (see box).
A new accelerometer and a new gyroscope allow them to detect if you are the victim of a traffic accident. If you have lost consciousness, the emergency services and a few relatives whose contact details you have previously recorded will be alerted (this function is also deployed on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, but also the new Apple Watch Series 8, SE 2 and Ultra).
2 – Better interactivity
Common to the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max (respectively sold from 1,329 euros and 1,479 euros in 6.1 and 6.7 inches, i.e. 200 euros more than the previous generation!), the “Dynamic Island” should add a bit of fun to the Apple experience. Yes, there is something new on the screen!
Superimposed on the front notch at the top of the screen of the terminals, it is a new and small dynamic and animated interface constantly activated which relays information from certain applications (Maps, Music, Timer…). This information thus remains permanently visible. It looks very practical and rather ergonomic, and we can’t wait to use it. It’s also a safe bet that the developers will take over this “Dynamic Island” to imagine new uses!
3 – Finally an “Always on Display” mode
Expected with firm feet, the “Always on Display” mode is appearing, but again, only on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. This is not new: many Android smartphones offer this function which allows, on a locked and darkened screen which consumes very little energy, to keep the display of the time, certain widgets and notifications.
Apple inaugurates it and argues that it is made possible thanks to its new Bionic 16 chip which equips the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, but also to their new screen with a refresh rate of 1 Hz to 120 Hz. 1 Hz is the frequency used by “Always on Display”. These same screens which, with a brightness of up to 2000 beds (twice as much as on the iPhone 13 pro) should become serious partners for gaming and watching videos.
4 – A new sensor for the pros
The iPhone 14 Pro also have in common the presence of a new main photo sensor of 48 megapixels. It is quad pixel. This assumes that each pixel is made up of four sub-pixels. This technology is also called “pixel binning”. Already developed in Android, it allows information collected by sub-pixels to be combined into a larger pixel. The result is more detailed and bright photos, especially in low light.
The photos taken are taken by default in 12 megapixels, so as not to take up too much of the phone’s memory, but are more beautiful. Advanced photographers can still work at 48 megapixels with Apple’s ProRAW mode. This will allow them precise retouching in post-production from raw and uncompressed files. The 48 megapixel sensor of the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max is supported by a second 12 megapixel wide-angle sensor and an optical telephoto lens up to 3x. In video, 4K up to 24 fps or 30 fps is on board (in Dolby Vision).
It remains to be seen whether these technical advances will materialize into really more beautiful photos in the eyes of the general public. And pro photographers will respond “present” to the call from the foot of Apple.