The new iPhone 14 can be pre-ordered from today. It costs 100 euros more than its predecessor and also looks amazingly similar to the iPhone 13 at first glance. We clarify whether and for whom the switch is still worthwhile.

Display and design in comparison

Hardly distinguishable at first and second glance: the iPhone 13 (left) and the iPhone 14 (right). Image: © Apple.com 2022

Two numbers are enough to give you a first impression of the differences between iPhone 14 and iPhone 13: The new model is 0.15 mm thicker and 1 gram lighter. Nothing has changed in terms of design and display.

The inset for the front camera and speaker at the top of the display, also known as the notch, remains. Apple only decided to switch to the so-called “Dynamic Island” for the iPhone 14 Pro.

Like the iPhone 13, the iPhone 14 is available in midnight and polar star colors. However, the blue and (product) red options on the new iPhone are significantly brighter this time. Green and pink were abolished altogether. There is a completely new color: violet.

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Hardware: Improved sensors and more

Apple dedicated a separate section of its keynote to the new sensors in the iPhone 14. Image: © Apple 2022

A little more has happened to the inner workings of the iPhone. If the previous model still had a 3-axis gyro sensor, the iPhone 14 is now equipped with a dynamic gyro sensor. This should ensure even more precise orientation and, together with the new g-force sensor, enables car accident detection.

Apple has also given the new smartphone Bluetooth 5.3, the iPhone 13 only supports the Bluetooth 5.0 standard. Also new are now two ambient light sensors instead of one as before. The battery life has been extended by one hour and is now 20 hours.

The A15 chip remains largely unchanged. However, the iPhone 14 has an additional GPU core, which should have a positive effect on graphics processing power.

Camera: Now record videos in 4K

At the latest keynote, Apple also introduced improvements to the iPhone camera. Image: © Apple 2022

The iPhone 14 contains the "Photonic Engine". This is what Apple calls its new photo technology, which improves images using hardware, machine learning and software. This should increase the quality significantly, especially in low-light conditions.

There are also small changes to the main camera. Instead of an f/1.6 aperture, the iPhone 14 now uses an f/1.5 aperture, which allows more light to enter the sensor. The pixel size has also increased from 1.7 microns to 1.9 microns, which should also have a positive effect on the photo quality. The front camera on the new model now has the same autofocus that was previously reserved for the main cameras. By far the biggest innovation in the cameras is something else.

With the iPhone 14 finally comes support for 4K video recording. An action mode should also ensure image stabilization during recording. According to Apple, you can take cinematic shots on the go.

Conclusion: For whom is it worth switching to the iPhone 14?

The iPhone 14 has had some tweaks under the surface. Overall, however, it is one of the smallest updates that Apple has ever put in a new iPhone. Switching from the iPhone 13 is mainly worthwhile for you if you are enthusiastic about the new cameras with 4K video recording. If camera features are not important to you, you can stay with the iPhone 13.

However, the iPhone 14 is interesting for you if you are still using an older iPhone. The update to iOS 16 only appears for iPhone 8 and newer generations. If you are still using an iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus or iPhone SE (first generation), it is worth upgrading to the iPhone 14.

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Here is an overview of the new features:

• The iPhone 14 has improved gyro and accelerometer sensors for accident detection.
• It supports Bluetooth 5.3.
• The latest Apple smartphone has a battery life of 20 hours for video playback.
• With the iPhone 14 you shoot better photos in low light.
• The front camera now supports auto focus.
• Finally you can record videos in 4K, including action mode.