In this iPhone 14 review we don’t just test whether the smartphone is worth a purchase. We also explain the differences between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13. The smartphones are hardly distinguishable from each other.
Apple iPhone 14
Price from € 1019,-
Colors Black, White, Red, Pink, Blue
OS iOS 16
Screen 6.1″ amoled (2532×1170, 60hz)
Processor hexacore (Apple A15 Bionic)
RAM 6GB
Storage 128, 256 or 512GB
Battery 3,279 mAh
Camera 12 megapixel dualcam (rear), 12 megapixel (front)
Connectivity 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, GPS, NFC
Format 14.7 x 7.2 x 0.8 cm
Weight 172 grams
Other Lightning, esim
Website www.apple.com/nl
6 Score 60 
- Pros
- Accessible smartphone
- Camera
- Performance
- Negatives
- Price
- Lightning connector
- There is no right to exist
The iPhone 14 series is different from previous generations. The series still consists of four smartphones, only the Mini version of the iPhone has been canceled due to disappointing sales figures. Instead, a larger version has been added: the iPhone 14 Plus, which in addition to the size (and therefore larger screen and larger battery) is also identical to the iPhone 14. In addition, there are also the Pro versions. The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Maxwhich we have already extensively tested.
Talk about identical. If you could describe the iPhone 14 in one word, that word would be appropriate. If you place the iPhone 14 next to the iPhone 13, no differences are visible. In fact. If you put the specification lists side by side, it is also a matter of looking for differences. You have to dive into the details:
- The iPhone 14 is 0.1 mm thicker, perhaps nice for the sale of new cases.
- There is a little more working memory
- The battery capacity is marginally higher (39 mAh higher than the iPhone 13)
- Support for bluetooth 5.3
As you can read in the headline of the review, the most striking innovation is the price tag. The least expensive iPhone 14 will cost you 1019 euros (the Plus variant starts at 1169 euros). That is 110 euros more than the previous generation. An inflation correction, according to Apple. The almost identical iPhone 13 is available at the time of writing for 829 euros. Almost 200 euros cheaper.
Sustainable*
Apple also claims changes in the camera area, for example, but these changes are mainly based on software. Internally, a lot has changed, the components are easier to replace. While that sounds positive, the iPhone 14 isn’t more repairable. More than ever, components are cryptographically linked to the motherboard. For example, you can’t just replace parts or use parts from a defective iPhone 14 to repair another iPhone 14. Good to keep in mind if Apple falsely brags about repairability and durability.
By extension, the choice for the outdated Lightning connection is also unsustainable. To prevent e-waste, Apple has to replace it with a modern, universal standard charger thanks to EU legislation. Unfortunately, this will only take effect in two years, which means that Apple will let this cash cow last for another iPhone generation. This means that you still need a separate charger for your iPhone and you cannot fast charge your smartphone.
Good base: iPhone 13
The same conclusions can be drawn for the iPhone 14. It is nice that the iPhone 13 is a solid basis for the iPhone 14. The device scored four out of five stars in the review a year ago. The screen, the camera and the powerful chipset left a particularly good impression, and that is now also the case. In addition, Apple’s mobile operating system iOS makes iPhones accessible to young and old alike. But it works as a kind of addiction. The combination of Apple services in a closed platform ensures that switching offers an experience that resembles digital rehab.
It is striking that the differences with the iPhone Pro are larger. In our iPhone 14 Pro Max review, we already stated that the smartphone had received just that little bit more much-needed love from Apple. The camera and the screen in particular, with its always-on functionality and redesigned screen notch, have been noticeably improved. That love from Apple is missing from the iPhone 14, so the differences are greater than before.
Cameras
At the back you will find two cameras, which are placed in the same way as with the iPhone 13. The resolution of the cameras has also remained the same: 12 megapixels. Like its predecessor, the iPhone 14 can shoot an excellent photo in all lighting conditions. In practice, I did notice some problems with lens flare in backlighting, and in low light the camera reverted to night mode earlier than the iPhone 14 Pro, so photos tend to get some motion blur. Funny detail is that with photos without movement, the result of the iPhone 14 was sometimes better than the iPhone 14 Pro because the night mode came into effect.
In addition to the primary camera on the back, there is a wide-angle camera. The primary camera is best able to handle difficult lighting conditions. In addition, the viewing angle of the primary camera is so large that you don’t need the second lens as quickly. That is sometimes annoying: in some cases you have to get your phone very close to the subject or crop the photo.
In our extensive camera test read more about the cameras of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro (Max).
iPhone 14 . Alternatives
Because Apple has actually only adjusted the serial number and price of the iPhone 14, the smartphone’s right to exist is missing. Why would you pay 200 euros more for the same smartphone? I couldn’t explain it to you. It does not make the iPhone 14 a bad smartphone, but an unwise choice. If you are looking for a new iPhone, then you are better off with an iPhone 13. The Pro version is also a lot better, but also priced disproportionately. If you are interested in the larger iPhone 14 Plus, take a look at the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The price is about the same at the time of writing. However, the iPhone 12 Pro Max has more to offer, especially the zoom camera lens is a nice addition.
If Android smartphones are also an option, you can also go to Samsung’s Galaxy S22 series for less money. Google’s Pixel smartphones are also excellent alternatives. They also offer more options in the field of camera. In terms of update support, these Android alternatives are also making a lot of progress.
Conclusion: buy iPhone 14?
The iPhone 14 is almost identical to the iPhone 13. Only the price and serial number seem to have changed. Fortunately, the iPhone 13 base is more than sufficient for a good smartphone. It makes the iPhone 14 a rather redundant device, especially since Apple could have made the smartphone right. For example with a modern USB-C connection, new chipset, better screen or extra camera. Are you interested in an iPhone 14? Then know that you are throwing money away by choosing it over the iPhone 13.
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