With the release of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro on September 16th, you may be debating whether or not it’s time to upgrade your current handset. The answer is largely dependent on the type of phone you currently have. The iPhone 13 and 12 are both relatively new models, so it’s best to hold out for now. However, if your phone is getting on in years, you should consider how much an upgrade to a new iPhone might benefit you.
Small but welcome upgrades, such as better cameras, automatic collision detection, and support for satellite-based emergency communications, are included in the $799 (£849, AU$1,399) iPhone 14. (The last two are ones you hopefully won’t ever have to use.) The iPhone 14’s interior design has also been updated, making it simpler to access the phone’s internal components in the event of a malfunction. As iFixit, which takes apart gadgets to see how easily they can be fixed, put it, this is “the most repairable iPhone in years.”
Even though the improvements to the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are more substantial, you shouldn’t upgrade until you get a fantastic trade-in deal. The Dynamic Island, which serves as a replacement for the notch, the new A16 Bionic processor, and the 48-megapixel main camera sensor are just some of the new features Apple has reserved for the Pro series. Wait for the iPhone 14 Plus to be released by Apple if you’re interested in a larger screen.
Wait until October 7 for the $899 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus if you desire a larger phone. Keep in mind that you can enjoy the same improvements in camera quality, battery life, and performance on any iPhone from the iPhone 7 onward, not only the iPhone 14.
If you are upgrading from a phone that is three years old or older, the $699 iPhone 13 or the smaller $599 iPhone 13 Mini could be a suitable alternative if you still want more storage, better performance, and an enhanced camera. Since the iPhone 14 range no longer includes the smaller Mini with its 5.4-inch screen in favor of the new $899 iPhone 14 Plus with a 6.7-inch screen, this is also your sole option if you want a smaller iPhone.
There is no universally applicable solution because people’s purchasing decisions will always differ based on factors including price, the state of their current phone, and their own specific requirements. To aid you in making a selection, we’ve outlined the most notable changes between the iPhone 14 series and earlier iPhone generations.
iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
New to the iPhone 14 series are improved rear and front-facing cameras, a SIM card that may be used in other countries, and the ability to detect and report on collisions. That said, there aren’t enough noticeable improvements from iPhone 13 to iPhone 14 to warrant the cost of an upgrade. Even if Apple removed the controversial “notch” from its Pro models, the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus continue to feature the same smaller notch introduced with the iPhone 13 lineup. Apple’s iPhone 14 is “one of the most minor year over year enhancements in Apple’s history,” as noted by CNET’s Patrick Holland in his review of the device.
The A15 Bionic processor used in the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max has made its way into the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. The display on the 14 is identical to the one on the 13. Perhaps the most noticeable difference is the launch of the iPhone 14 Plus, a larger version of the iPhone 14 with a 6.7-inch screen like the Pro Max. That eliminates the need to spring for Apple’s priciest iPhone model in order to enjoy the largest screen size currently available on a smartphone.
Although the iPhone 14 is still well regarded, it is not necessary to update at this time. Finally ready to upgrade? If you can afford it, spring for the iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max. Paying more for one of these phones will provide you access to features like a high-refresh-rate screen, Apple’s new Dynamic Island multitasking bar, an always-on screen, and improved cameras.
In conclusion, those who already own an iPhone 13 or 13 Pro shouldn’t upgrade. However, if you’re set on upgrading your phone, I’d choose the iPhone 14 Pro or 14 Pro Max.
