The iPhone 14 event is quickly approaching, and the lineup for this year is expected to include a number of upgrades and changes. While the excitement of a new iPhone is understandable, an important question to consider is “will iPhone 14 be worth it?” Follow along for assistance in determining your answer.
The iPhone 14 event is quickly approaching, and the lineup for this year is expected to include a number of upgrades and changes. While the excitement of a new iPhone is understandable, an important question to consider is “will iPhone 14 be worth it?” Follow along for assistance in determining your answer.
Whether or not you think the iPhone 14 is worth upgrading depends on how important and valuable you think the changes and features are – or it could simply be about having the latest technology. However, there is another factor to consider this year: Apple may raise the price of the new Pro iPhones by around $100.
Will the iPhone 14 be worthwhile?
The contents page
Will the iPhone 14 be worthwhile?
Upgrades to be expected
Price increase?
iPhone 13 price cut
Will the iPhone 14 be worth it?
Upgrades to be expected
cutout of a pill
One of the most significant changes with the iPhone 14 is the removal of the notch, which debuted with the iPhone X and has been present on the flagship iPhones since.
The iPhone lineup for 2022 is expected to include a new pill-shaped cutout, a more minimal way to house the TrueDepth Face ID camera, sensors, and other components.
New dimensions
The iPhone 14 lineup should be a significant departure from what we’ve seen in recent years. According to a 9to5Mac exclusive report, Apple is discontinuing the iPhone mini and will instead offer an iPhone 14 Max alongside the iPhone 14, 14, Pro, and 14 Pro Max.
The Pro models should also have slightly larger screens.
Exclusive: The iPhone 14 will be available in four models without a’mini’ version, as well as Pro models with a taller screen.
Camera enhancements
According to Kuo, the iPhone 14 will also have significant improvements to the front-facing camera. The front-facing camera’s auto-focus features will be improved, and the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will be upgraded to 48 megapixels, up from the 12-megapixel sensor in the iPhone 13.
Kuo also believes the camera system will be upgraded, allowing for the first time 8K video recording. Meanwhile, the new iPhones are expected to retain the camera bump.
USB-C or Lightning?
Apple has long been rumoured to be working on a port-less iPhone. However, neither that nor a USB-C iPhone are expected this year.
The switch to USB-C may occur in 2023, as predicted by both Kuo and Bloomberg, but the iPhone 14 lineup will continue to use Lightning.
There’s a chance Lightning will get USB 3.0 speeds this year, but that rumour is suspect.
A16 and A15 processors
Surprisingly, this year appears to be the first in which Apple introduces a new chip strategy to the iPhone lineup.
Historically, Apple’s newest A-series chip has been used in all new iPhones announced, but this year Apple is expected to only offer the A16 in the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max. That means the iPhone 14 and 14 Max will use the same A15 chip as the rest of the iPhone 13 lineup.
Time will tell how much performance improvement Apple will be able to bring with the A16 chip.
What is Touch ID?
Early iPhone 14 rumours suggested that Apple would include under-display Touch ID in the 2022 iPhone, but this does not appear to be the case.
According to a recent Ming-Chi Kuo report, Apple will have to postpone under-display Touch ID until at least 2023. That means the iPhone 14 will continue to use Face ID for biometric identification.
Increase in price?
Normally, Apple keeps the pricing of the new iPhone lineup roughly the same as the previous models (when they originally launched). However, given the current economic climate, a price increase could occur this year.
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will be $100 more expensive this year. However, it’s tricky because we expect Apple to drop the iPhone mini and replace it with the 14 Max this time.
More on all of this can be found in my colleague Chance’s article:
The good news about Apple’s rumoured price increase for the iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 13 price cut
As is customary, as soon as Apple releases the iPhone 14 lineup, prices on the iPhone 13 (and 12, and so on) fall. Furthermore, carriers frequently offer compelling promotions on year-old iPhones.
Don’t forget to factor that into your equation when determining whether the iPhone 14 is worthwhile for you.
Will the iPhone 14 be worth it?
When it comes down to it, determining how important the iPhone 14 features/changes are will help you decide whether the iPhone 14 is worth it.
After the initial excitement of getting a new iPhone wears off, how much of a difference will the following features and changes actually make in your day-to-day life?
Camera enhancements with a pill-shaped cutout
New dimensions (iPhone 14 Max and slightly larger for 14 Pro and Pro Max)
A15 for non-Pro models, A16 for Pro and Pro Max models
Price increases on new Pro models are possible, as are price decreases on previous models.
What are your thoughts? Are you already planning on purchasing an iPhone 14? Will you wait to see all of the specifications and pricing? Do you already know you’re not going to upgrade? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
Thank you for reading our guide to determining whether the iPhone 14 is worth it.
