Maybe you're in the eyesiPhone 14line-up - especiallyPro, which introduces a sharper camera and an always-on display. But if you don't do it absolutelyneednow a new phone, it's better to wait.
This story is part of Focal Point iPhone 2023, CNET's collection of news, tips and advice around Apple's most popular product.
Apple will present its new series of iPhones during its presentation12. septemberarrangement, placerumors about iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Profront and center. These phones are expectedComes with USB-C chargingfor the first time alongside other notable changes such as solid-state buttons on the Pro models. Apple sometimes discounts older iPhones after introducing new ones, like last year with the iPhone 13 series and possibly the same this year with the iPhone 14. So whether you're interested in the latest iPhone or not, it's probably in your own interest in waiting a little longer.
Purchasing decisions will always varydepending on budget, how well your phone currently works and your personal needs, so there's no one answer that works for everyone. But if you need a new phone right away and can't wait, here are the biggest differences between the iPhone 14 series and previous iPhone generations to help you make a decision.
See this:iPhone 14 review: a decent upgrade for most
What's new in iPhone 14
The $799 (£849, AU$1,399) iPhone 14 brought modest improvements, but not game-changing ones. These changes include improvements to the nude camera and support forsatellite-based emergency notification.
iPhone 14 also has a new internal design, with easier access to internal components,makes it easier to repairthan previous models.I fix it, a website that takes apart tech products and rates how easy they are to repair, called it "the most repairable iPhone in years." And if you want these features in a larger size, the iPhone 14 Plus starts at $100 more, at $899.
Apple has saved the most interesting new features for the Pro series, includingDynamic islandwhich replaces the notch, the new A16 Bionic processor and a 48 megapixel main camera sensor.
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iPhone 14 versus iPhone 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
The iPhone 14 series introduced new features such as car accident detectionremoving the physical SIM cardfor US phones and improved front and rear cameras. Despite these changes, the iPhone 14 isn't different enough to warrant an upgrade from the iPhone 13. And even though Apple has finally removed the infamous notch in the Pro models, the 14 and 14 Plus still have one – it's the samesmall notchwhich debuted on the iPhone 13 series. In fact, the iPhone 14 represents "one of the most minimal annualized upgrades in Apple history," according to CNET's Patrick Holland, who reviewed Apple's latest phones.
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus have the A15 Bionic chipiPhone 13 ProIniPhone 13 Pro Max. The 14's screen looks exactly like that of the 13. Perhaps the most noticeable change was the introduction of a larger version of the iPhone 14, the iPhone 14 Plus, which, like the Pro Max, has a 6.7-inch screen . This means you don't have to spend more on Apple's most expensive iPhone if you want the biggest screen possible.
Of course, the iPhone 14 is still highly rated, but we recommend skipping this upgrade. If you need a new iPhone and can't wait for the iPhone 15, we recommend going for an iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max if you can afford it. These phones are expensive, but come with access to some notable changes, including a high refresh rate screen, Apple's new Dynamic Island multitasking bar, an always-on display, and better cameras, among others.
In short: If you have an iPhone 13 or 13 Pro, don't upgrade to the iPhone 14. But if you're determined to buy a new phone, go for the iPhone 14 Pro or 14 Pro Max, especially if you need Dynamic Island now .
Read more: iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max review
iPhone 14 versus iPhone 12, 12 Pro
althoughiPhone 12lineup was released in 2020, still bears many similarities to Apple's latest phones. Both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 14 support 5G, run on fast processors, offer great cameras and are compatible with MagSafe accessories.
Since the iPhone 14 is more of an update than a major upgrade, we recommend you hold on to yoursiPhone 12if it is still in good condition and waiting for iPhone 15. You can still take advantage of the latest software of iPhone wheniOS 17will be released this fall and will offer new features such as standby mode to turn your phone into a mini smart screen and improvements to the Messages app.
The iPhone 14 got some notable camera upgrades, like a larger sensor, a new lens with a wider aperture, improved photo processing, and Action Mode, which makes the movements in videos look smoother as you shoot them.
But the iPhone 12's cameras remain excellent despite being almost 3 years old. The iPhone 12 has a dual camera system of 12 megapixels, while the iPhone 12 Pro has a third camera with a telephoto lens. Check out oursiPhone 12 reviewto see how the cameras held up when CNET put them to the test.
It's worth remembering that you get more notable upgrades with the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. These include everything new in the 14, as well as an improved main camera with a larger 48-megapixel sensor, an ultra-wide camera that lets you take macro shots and a third camera with a telephoto lens. If you can get a good trade-in that significantly reduces the price of the iPhone 14 Pro, an upgrade from the regular iPhone 12 is quite a step up.
In short: You'll have to wait for the iPhone 15, as the iPhone 14 isn't dramatically different. However, the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max bring some significant changes that could be worth it if you can get a good trade-in.
Read more:All the "new" iPhone features that have been on Android for years
iPhone 14 versus iPhone 11, 11 Pro
If you use oneiPhone 11, we recommend upgrading. Since Apple's new iPhones may be just around the corner, you'll have to wait a little longer if that's possible. But if you need a new phone now and can get the iPhone 14 at a hefty trade-in discount, there are plenty of improvements to look forward to.
In the past three years, Apple has made enough changes to features, including battery life, performance, screen quality, cameras and durability, to justify purchasing a new iPhone.
If you upgrade to the iPhone 14 you get 5G support, more storage (128GB at base level vs. 64GB), a better main camera with a wider aperture lens, new video recording options like Action mode and Movie mode, a better selfie camera with night mode. mode and Apple's Photonic Engine processing, compatibility with Apple's MagSafe accessories, longer battery life and faster performance. That's in addition to car accident detection and Apple's new satellite emergency notification feature.
Most of the photo and video improvements are dramatic changes compared to the iPhone 11. And the longer battery life and extra storage are welcome upgrades you'll notice every day.
As mentioned, if you go for the 14 Pro instead, you'll get a new 48-megapixel main camera, a closer 3x optical zoom compared to the 11 Pro Max's 2x zoom, Dynamic Island in place of the notch, and several other upgrades like an always-on display.
In short: The iPhone 14 series features enough changes to warrant an upgrade from the iPhone 11. But if your phone is still in good condition and you're happy with it, hold off on the iPhone 15 (or a recently discounted iPhone 14).
iPhone 14 versus iPhone XS, XS Max, XR
If you have purchasediPhone XS, XS Max ofXRAt launch, this means your phone is almost 5 years old and is probably starting to feel slow. That alone is a strong argument for an upgrade, but you should probably still wait for the iPhone 15 if that's possible.
But if you need a new phone now, you can gain a lot by upgrading. Compared to the iPhone XS, the iPhone 14 offers an additional six hours of battery life (Apple estimates). In addition to everything new specifically in the iPhone 14, you also get other upgrades that Apple has added to the iPhone in recent years.
These include 5G support, more storage (again you get 128GB versus 64GB), faster performance and a better camera. The iPhone The front camera on the XS has a lower resolution of 7 megapixels compared to the larger and newer 12 megapixel sensor on the iPhone 14. If you upgrade from an iPhone for taking wider group photos for the first time.
The iPhone 14 also has a larger 6.1-inch screen compared to the iPhone XS's 5.8-inch screen (the iPhone XS Max has a 6.5-inch screen, while the XR's screen is also 6.1 inches) . The design has also changed considerably over the past four years; newer models have flat edges, a slightly smaller notch, different finishes, and a new "circular" camera module that replaces the pill-shaped cutout for the rear camera. This way, your phone not only feels more modern, but it also looks newer.
In short: If you have an iPhone XS, XS Max, or XR, it's definitely worth upgrading. You get a noticeable improvement in camera quality, battery life and performance, among other things. But again, remember that the iPhone 15 and a recently discounted iPhone 14 could arrive in just a few weeks.
iPhone 14 versus iPhone X
The iPhone With an iPhone 14 you'll notice a big upgrade in both categories, as well as design, improved durability, connectivity and camera quality. But if you're able to, you'll have to wait and see what the anticipated iPhone 15 has to offer.
If you can't wait until September when Apple typically releases new iPhones, here's what you get when you upgrade to the iPhone 14. The iPhone the iPhone 14 runs on Apple's much newer A15 Bionic processor. The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max run on Apple's newer A16 Bionic chip. Both new processors are far ahead of the A11 chip, which only has a two-core neural engine compared to the A15 Bionic's 16-core neural engine.
iPhone's neural engine powers tasks that rely on machine learning and artificial intelligence, which are becoming an increasingly large part of the iPhone experience. Things like app suggestions in the App Library and Apple's Translate app rely on machine learning to work, which suggests the iPhone X may struggle to keep up with the newer capabilities.
The iPhone . fashion. As with the iPhone XS, you only get a 7-megapixel front-facing camera, compared to a 12-megapixel selfie camera on Apple's newer phones.
Apple's more than five-year-old iPhone also has shorter battery life, with Apple estimating it can get 13 hours of video playback, compared to 20 hours on the iPhone 14. The iPhone 14's 6.1-inch screen is larger than the 5.8-inch screen on the iPhone
iPhone 14 supports Dolby Atmos andspatial soundplayback, while the iPhone X only has stereo playback. It's probably not a deal breaker, but it could be critical if you watch a lot of video on your phone without headphones.
And of course there's the benefit of car accident detection, Apple's new SOS emergency messaging via satellite, better water resistance (up to 6 meters for 30 minutes versus 1 meter), 5G support, more storage space, Ceramic Shield for display, a refreshed design and usage optionsMagSafe-accessoireson the iPhone 14.
In short: If you have iPhone X, it's time to upgrade. The iPhone 14 will feel new in almost every way, from the camera to its performance, battery life, and the way it looks and feels. And the iPhone But if you've been waiting that long, it's a good idea to hold on to the expected iPhone 15 for a while.
iPhone 14 versus iPhone 8, 8 Plus
OfiPhone 8generation features Apple's older iPhone design, which can accommodate a phone that is now almost 6 years old. If you have an iPhone 8 and are considering an upgrade, many of the reasons to do so are the same as the reasons to upgrade from the iPhone depend on machine learning. The cameras are outdated and lack features like night mode (the smaller iPhone 8 also doesn't have portrait mode, as it only has one lens). And it doesn't support iOS 17. Upgrading gives you more storage space, significantly longer battery life, new software, support for 5G connectivity and MagSafe accessories.
Again, keep in mind that the iPhone 15 could debut next month, which means it's a good idea to wait if you can. But if you need a new phone right away, the biggest difference you'll notice when upgrading to the iPhone 14 comes down to the design, which is much more than just an aesthetic upgrade. Phones with Apple's more modern edge-to-edge display swap Touch ID for Face ID, which lets you unlock your phone and verify payments just by looking at your device. If you prefer Touch ID over Face ID, especially since it's difficult to use Face ID while wearing a mask, you may want to at least consider the $429 upgradeiPhone SE, because it has the same processor as the iPhone 13, 5G compatibility and many photo improvements in a similar body to the iPhone 8.
Upgrading to the iPhone 14 has a noticeable leap in screen size and quality. Because newer phones like the iPhone 14 don't have a home button, there's more room for Apple to expand the screen without making the device feel bulky. The screen of the iPhone 14 is even larger than the 5.5-inch screen of the iPhone 8 Plus, despite the fact that the device itself feels more compact. (And for more perspective, consider that the iPhone 13 Mini has a 5.4-inch screen). If you go for the 14 Pro you get another big change: Dynamic Island, which turns the notch area into an area for displaying alarms, system notifications and apps running in the background, like Spotify or Apple Music.
From personal experience, switching from an iPhone 8 (which has a 4.7-inch screen) to the 6.1-inch screen of the iPhone 12 makes reading, checking email, and watching videos much more comfortable. The screen is not only larger, but also more vibrant and with better contrast, because it uses an OLED screen instead of LCD.
It comes down to:The iPhone 14 is a huge leap forward from the iPhone 8. Everything about this phone will feel fast and new: the much larger and more powerful screen, Face ID, the faster processor, the longer battery life and of course the significantly upgraded cameras. However, keep in mind that if you really want to get a newer iPhone but keep the design of the iPhone 8, you'll have to trade up for the current 2022 version.iPhone SE. And remember, the iPhone 15 and a recently discounted iPhone 14 could be on their way soon, so it's wise to wait a little longer if possible.
iPhone 14 versus iPhone 7, 7 Plus
If you have oneiPhone 7, it's time to upgrade. It's almost 7 years old and that shows in everything from the processor to the camera and the storage space. The iPhone 7 does not support iOS 17, which is an added incentive to buy a newer device. If you can't afford to wait for the iPhone 15, which is expected to debut in September, here's what you get when you upgrade to the iPhone 14.
While we generally recommend choosing the iPhone 14 Pro over the iPhone 14 in most cases, the fact that with such an old phone means you'll find a lot of new things on the iPhone 14.
The iPhone 7 runs on an outdated A10 Fusion processor that doesn't even have a neural engine and is years behind Apple's latest technology. It has a single lens camera without portrait mode while the7 plushas two cameras. But these cameras lack many modern features such as night mode and portrait light, which add specific lighting effects to your portraits.
Just like the iPhone 8, the iPhone 7 series is equipped with Touch ID and is available in screen sizes of 4.7 or 5.5 inches. But because the iPhone 7 is a year older than the iPhone 8, it also lacks wireless charging, requiring you to plug it in to charge.
If you've had an iPhone 7 for several years, it's probably bursting at the seams as it has significantly less storage space. The entry-level iPhone 7 only had 32GB of space, which is a quarter of the available capacity of the cheapest iPhone 14.
iPhone 14 brings big gains in almost every aspect. The standard model has a larger, more powerful and brighter borderless 6.1-inch screen that still feels compact because there is no home button. It runs on Apple's A15 Bionic processor, which is better equipped to handle newer iOS features. And it has a dramatically improved dual-lens camera, a larger main camera sensor, and advanced features like the new movie movie mode and night mode. Additionally, Apple's estimates indicate that it will offer an additional seven hours of battery life during video playback, which is a big bump.
It comes down to:If you're still holding on to your iPhone 7, you undoubtedly need an upgrade. A better screen, compatibility with iOS 17, longer battery life, and more advanced cameras are just some of the advantages the iPhone 14 has to offer over the iPhone 7. And similar to my recommendation with the iPhone 8: if you really want to stay the home button and save some money, consider the iPhone SE. It gives you newer performance upgrades while maintaining a similar phone style. Keep in mind that the iPhone 15 is expected to arrive in just a few weeks, which also means the iPhone 14 may see a price reduction soon. So it's worth waiting a little longer if possible.
