Ought to You Improve to iPhone 14? We Examine It to the Previous 6 Years of iPhones

This story is a part of Focal Level iPhone 2022, CNET’s assortment of reports, suggestions and recommendation round Apple’s hottest product.

Apple’s iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Professional simply arrived, and the iPhone 14 Plus is true across the nook. With that in thoughts, you are in all probability questioning: Do you have to improve to the iPhone 14? Above all else, the reply will depend on which cellphone you at present personal. When you’ve got a current mannequin just like the iPhone 13 or 12, it’s best to wait. In case your cellphone is older although, it is price determining how a lot you may acquire by leaping to a more moderen iPhone.

The $799 (£849, AU$1,399) iPhone 14 brings modest enhancements which can be appreciated however not game-changing, like nitty-gritty digicam enhancements, automotive crash detection and the help for satellite-based emergency messaging. (Hopefully, you may by no means be in a scenario the place you may want to make use of the latter two.) The iPhone 14 additionally has a brand new inner design with simpler entry to inner elements, making it simpler to restore than earlier fashions. iFixit, an internet site that disassembles tech merchandise and assesses how simple they’re to repair, known as it “essentially the most repairable iPhone in years.” 

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iPhone 14 Evaluation: A Respectable Improve for Most

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The iPhone 14 Professional and Professional Max’s upgrades are extra dramatic, however you continue to do not want to improve until you may rating an amazing trade-in deal. Apple saved its most fascinating new options for the Professional lineup, together with the Dynamic Island that replaces the notch, the brand new A16 Bionic processor and a 48-megapixel primary digicam sensor. Should you want bigger telephones, it’s possible you’ll need to wait till Apple releases the iPhone 14 Plus earlier than making your resolution. 

Should you want bigger telephones, you additionally may need to wait till the 6.7-inch $899 iPhone 14 Plus arrives on Oct. 7. It is necessary to do not forget that you do not have to purchase the iPhone 14 to get digicam, battery and efficiency enhancements over an earlier iPhone. 

The just lately discounted $699 iPhone 13 or the smaller $599 13 Mini may very well be an excellent choice in case you nonetheless need extra storage, sooner efficiency and an improved digicam, particularly in case you are coming from a cellphone that is three years previous or extra. It is also the one choice if you need the smaller Mini and its 5.4-inch display, for the reason that iPhone 14 line eliminates that dimension in favor of the brand new $899 iPhone 14 Plus with a 6.7-inch display. 

Buying selections will all the time differ relying on finances, how effectively your cellphone works proper now and your private wants, so there is no easy reply that works for everybody. However listed below are the largest variations between the iPhone 14 lineup and former iPhone generations to assist you decide.

iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 13, 13 Professional, 13 Professional Max

The iPhone 14 lineup introduces new options akin to car-crash detection, the removing of the bodily SIM card for US telephones, and enhanced cameras on the rear and entrance. Regardless of these adjustments, iPhone 14 is not completely different sufficient to justify upgrading from the iPhone 13. And though Apple lastly removed the notorious notch within the Professional Fashions, the 14 and 14 Plus nonetheless have one — it is the identical smaller notch that debuted on the iPhone 13 collection. The truth is, the iPhone 14 represents “probably the most minimal year-over-year upgrades in Apple’s historical past,” in line with CNET’s Patrick Holland, who reviewed Apple’s newest telephones. 

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus have the A15 Bionic chip from final yr’s iPhone 13 Professional and iPhone 13 Professional Max. The 14’s display appears precisely just like the one on the 13. Maybe essentially the most distinguished change this yr is the introduction of a bigger model of the iPhone 14 known as the iPhone 14 Plus, which has a 6.7-inch display just like the Professional Max. Meaning you now not need to splurge on Apple’s costliest iPhone if you need the biggest display potential. 

After all, the iPhone 14 continues to be extremely rated, however we suggest saving your cash and skipping the improve. Should you’ve made up your thoughts to improve, we advise going for an iPhone 14 Professional or iPhone 14 Professional Max in case you can afford it. These telephones are costly, however buys you entry to some salient adjustments — specifically a high-refresh fee show, Apple’s new Dynamic Island multitasking bar, an always-on show in addition to higher cameras amongst different options.

The underside line: When you’ve got an iPhone 13 or 13 Professional, do not improve. However in case you are decided to get a brand new cellphone, go for the iPhone 14 Professional or 14 Professional Max, particularly in case you should have the Dynamic Island proper now. 

Learn extra: iPhone 14 Professional and 14 Professional Max Evaluation

iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 12, 12 Professional 

Regardless that the iPhone 12 lineup was launched two years in the past, they nonetheless share many similarities with Apple’s newest telephones. Each the iPhone 12 and iPhone 14 help 5G, run on quick processors, provide nice cameras and embody MagSafe accent compatibility.

For the reason that iPhone 14 is extra of a refresh than a significant improve, we suggest hanging onto your iPhone 12 if it is nonetheless in good situation. You’ll be able to reap the benefits of the iPhone’s newest software program options akin to lock display customizations, widgets and the power to unsend textual content messages by upgrading to iOS 16.

The iPhone 14 obtained a number of notable digicam upgrades, like a bigger sensor, a brand new lens with a sooner aperture, improved picture processing and Motion Mode which makes the actions in movies look smoother if you document them.

However the iPhone 12’s cameras stay wonderful though they’re two years previous. The iPhone 12 has a 12-megapixel twin digicam system, whereas the iPhone 12 Professional features a third digicam with a telephoto lens. Try our iPhone 12 overview to see how the cameras held up when CNET put them via the paces.

It is price remembering that you just get extra noticeable upgrades with the iPhone 14 Professional and Professional Max. These embody all the pieces that is new within the 14, in addition to an upgraded primary digicam with a bigger 48-megapixel sensor, an ultrawide digicam that lets you take Macro images and a 3rd digicam with a telephoto lens. If you will get an excellent trade-in deal that considerably knocks down the iPhone 14 Professional’s worth, upgrading from the common iPhone 12 is an honest step-up. 

The underside line: Maintain onto your iPhone 12 for one more yr for the reason that iPhone 14 is not dramatically completely different. Nevertheless, the iPhone 14 Professional and 14 Professional Max carry extra important adjustments that may very well be worthwhile in case you can snag an excellent trade-in deal. 

Learn Extra: All The “New” iPhone Options That Have Been on Android For Years

iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 11, 11 Professional

Should you’re utilizing an iPhone 11, we suggest upgrading to an iPhone 14 (and even an iPhone 13). Within the final three years, Apple has made sufficient adjustments to options together with battery life, efficiency, display high quality, cameras and sturdiness to benefit shopping for a brand new iPhone. 

Upgrading to the iPhone 14 will get you 5G help, extra storage (128GB on the base stage versus 64GB) a greater primary digicam with a wider aperture lens, new video capturing choices like Motion mode and Cinematic mode, a greater selfie digicam with Evening mode and Apple’s Photonic Engine processing, compatibility with Apple’s MagSafe equipment, longer battery life and sooner efficiency. That is along with car-crash detection and Apple’s new emergency satellite tv for pc messaging function. 

Many of the pictures and videography enhancements are dramatic adjustments in comparison with the iPhone 11. And the longer battery life and extra space for storing are welcomed upgrades that you’re going to discover each day.

As beforehand talked about, in case you go for the 14 Professional as an alternative, you get a brand new 48-megapixel primary digicam, a better 3x optical zoom versus the 11 Professional Max’s 2x zoom, the Dynamic Island as an alternative of the notch and quite a few different upgrades like an always-on show.

The underside line: The iPhone 14 lineup contains sufficient adjustments to justify upgrading from the iPhone 11. But when your cellphone continues to be in good situation and also you’re glad with it, set up iOS 16 and maintain onto it for one more yr. 

iPhone 14 vs. iPhone XS, XS Max, XR

Should you purchased the iPhone XS, XS Max or XR at launch, which means your cellphone is roughly 4 years previous and could also be beginning to really feel sluggish. That alone makes a robust case for upgrading, however there’s lots extra to realize. 

In comparison with the iPhone XS, the iPhone 14 gives six hours of extra battery life (in line with Apple’s estimates). Along with all the pieces that is new within the iPhone 14 particularly, you may additionally get different upgrades Apple has added to the iPhone over the previous few years. 

These embody 5G help, extra storage (once more, you get 128GB versus 64GB), sooner efficiency and a greater digicam. The iPhone XS era lacks Evening mode for taking clearer footage at midnight, and it additionally does not have Deep Fusion, which is Apple’s identify for its picture processing method that improves element and readability in darker environments. The XS’s entrance digicam has a decrease 7-megapixel decision in comparison with the bigger and newer 12-megapixel sensor on the iPhone 14. Should you’re upgrading from an iPhone XR, you may additionally get a further digicam with an ultrawide lens for taking broader group photographs for the primary time. 

The iPhone 14 additionally has a bigger 6.1-inch display in comparison with the iPhone XS’ 5.8-inch show (the iPhone XS Max has a 6.5-inch display, whereas the XR’s display can also be 6.1 inches). The design has additionally modified fairly a bit over the previous 4 years; newer fashions have flat edges, a barely smaller notch, completely different finishes and a brand new “squircle”-shaped digicam module that replaces the pill-shaped rear digicam cutout. So your cellphone won’t solely really feel extra fashionable, but it surely’ll look newer, too. 

The underside line: When you’ve got an iPhone XS, XS Max or XR, it is positively price upgrading. You get a noticeable increase in digicam high quality, battery life and efficiency amongst different areas.

iPhone 14 vs. iPhone X

The iPhone X is about 5 years previous, which suggests it in all probability feels sluggish and its battery life is not what it was once. With an iPhone 14, you may discover a significant improve in each classes, in addition to design, improved sturdiness, connectivity and digicam high quality. 

Let’s begin with efficiency. The iPhone X runs on a a lot older A11 Bionic chip that is now 5 years previous, whereas the iPhone 14 runs on Apple’s A15 Bionic processor. The iPhone 14 Professional and Professional Max run on Apple’s newer A16 Bionic chip. Each new processors are means forward of the A11 chip, which solely has a two-core neural engine in comparison with the A15 Bionic’s 16-core neural engine. 

The iPhone’s neural engine powers duties that depend on machine studying and synthetic intelligence, which have gotten a much bigger a part of the iPhone expertise. Issues like app recommendations within the App Library and Apple’s Translate app depend on machine studying to perform, which signifies that the iPhone X could wrestle to maintain up with newer capabilities.

The iPhone X additionally has a dual-lens digicam much like that of the iPhone XS, which means it is lacking the iPhone 14’s digicam {hardware} enhancements along with Evening mode, Deep Fusion and the power to regulate depth-of-field and blur ranges in Portrait mode. Just like the iPhone XS, you are solely getting a 7-megapixel entrance digicam in comparison with a 12-megapixel selfie digicam on Apple’s newer telephones.

Apple’s five-year-old iPhone additionally has shorter battery life, with Apple estimating it ought to final for 13 hours when taking part in again video in comparison with 20 hours on the iPhone 14. The iPhone 14’s 6.1-inch display is greater than the 5.8-inch show on the iPhone X, and it must also be brighter since it may possibly attain 800 nits of max brightness in comparison with the iPhone X’s 625-nit display.

The iPhone 14 helps Dolby Atmos and spatial audio playback, whereas the iPhone X simply has stereo playback. That is in all probability not a deal-breaker, however could be essential in case you watch numerous video in your cellphone with out headphones.

And naturally, there’s the good thing about getting car-crash detection, Apple’s new emergency SOS messaging by way of satellite tv for pc choice, higher water resistance (as much as 6 meters for half-hour versus 1 meter), 5G help, extra space for storing, Ceramic Defend for the show, a refreshed design and the choice to make use of MagSafe equipment on the iPhone 14.

The underside line: When you’ve got the iPhone X, it is time to improve. The iPhone 14 will really feel new in nearly each means, from the digicam to efficiency, battery life and the way in which it appears and feels. 

iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 8, 8 Plus

The iPhone 8 era has Apple’s legacy iPhone design, which is becoming for a cellphone that is now 5 years previous. When you’ve got an iPhone 8 and are contemplating an improve, most of the causes to do this are the identical as the explanations to improve from the iPhone X. The processor is getting previous, which might make it more durable to make use of newer iPhone options that depend on machine studying. The cameras are outdated and lack options like Evening mode (the smaller iPhone 8 does not have Portrait mode both, because it solely has one lens). By upgrading, you may get extra storage, considerably longer battery life, help for 5G connectivity and MagSafe equipment, too.

However the greatest distinction is within the iPhone 8’s design, which is rather more than simply an aesthetic improve. Telephones with Apple’s extra fashionable edge-to-edge display commerce Contact ID for Face ID, which helps you to unlock your cellphone and authenticate funds simply by your gadget. Should you want Contact ID over Face ID, particularly because it’s tough to make use of Face ID whereas sporting a masks, you may need to no less than take into account upgrading to the $429 iPhone SE, because it has the identical processor because the iPhone 13, 5G compatibility and loads of pictures enhancements inside the same physique to the iPhone 8.

Upgrading to the iPhone 14 has a noticeably giant soar in show dimension and high quality. Since newer telephones just like the iPhone 14 haven’t got a house button, there’s extra room for Apple to develop the display with out making the gadget really feel cumbersome. The iPhone 14’s display is even bigger than the iPhone 8 Plus’ 5.5-inch display regardless of the gadget itself feeling extra compact. (And for extra perspective, take into account that the iPhone 13 Mini has a 5.4-inch show). Should you go for the 14 Professional you get one other huge change: the Dynamic Island, which transforms the notch space into an space for viewing alerts, system notifications and apps working within the background like Spotify or Apple Music. 

From private expertise, switching from an iPhone 8 (which has a 4.7-inch display) to the iPhone 12’s 6.1-inch show makes studying, checking electronic mail and watching movies rather more comfy. The display is not solely bigger, but it surely’s additionally extra vibrant with higher distinction because it makes use of an OLED show relatively than LCD.

The underside line: The iPhone 14 is a large soar from the iPhone 8. The whole lot about this cellphone will really feel quick and new: the a lot bigger and bolder display, Face ID, the quicker processor, its longer battery life and naturally the considerably upgraded cameras. Of observe nevertheless, in case you actually need to get a more moderen iPhone however preserve the iPhone 8’s design, commerce as much as the present 2022 iPhone SE.

iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 7, 7 Plus

When you’ve got an iPhone 7, it is time to improve. It’s six years previous, and it exhibits in all the pieces from the processor to the digicam and space for storing. The iPhone 7 does not help iOS 16, offering much more incentive for buying a more moderen gadget. 

Whereas we usually suggest selecting the iPhone 14 Professional over the iPhone 14 normally, coming from a cellphone this previous, means you may discover lots that is new within the iPhone 14. 

The iPhone 7 runs on an growing old A10 Fusion processor, which does not also have a neural engine and is a number of years behind Apple’s newest know-how. It has a single-lens digicam with out Portrait mode, whereas the 7 Plus has two cameras. However these cameras lack many fashionable options like Evening mode and Portrait Lighting, which provides particular lighting results to your portraits. 

Just like the iPhone 8, the iPhone 7 collection contains Contact ID and is available in both 4.7- or 5.5-inch display sizes. However for the reason that iPhone 7 is a yr older than the iPhone 8, it is also lacking wi-fi charging, which suggests you could plug it in to cost. 

Should you’ve owned an iPhone 7 for a number of years, it is in all probability bursting on the seams because it has considerably much less space for storing. The entry-level iPhone 7 solely got here with 32GB of area, which is 1 / 4 of capability out there on the most affordable iPhone 14. 

The iPhone 14 brings main positive aspects in practically each side. The usual mannequin has a bigger, bolder and brighter bezel-free 6.1-inch display that also feels compact because it does not have a house button. It runs on Apple’s A15 Bionic processor, which is healthier outfitted to deal with newer iOS options. And it has a drastically improved dual-lens digicam with a bigger primary digicam sensor and superior options like the brand new Cinematic mode for video and Evening mode. Plus, Apple’s estimates point out it’s going to provide seven hours of extra battery life throughout video playback, which is a large bump.

The underside line: Should you’re nonetheless holding onto your iPhone 7, there is no query that you just’re due for an improve. A greater display, compatibility with iOS 16, longer battery life and extra superior cameras are only a few of the positive aspects the iPhone 14 has to supply over the iPhone 7. And much like my advice with the iPhone 8, in case you actually need to preserve the house button and avoid wasting cash, take into account the iPhone SE. It offers you more moderen efficiency upgrades whereas maintaining the same cellphone model.