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Apple has given select media representatives and YouTubers access to the new iPhone 14 before the device makes its debut and hits shelves this Friday.
The new iPhone 14 is an incremental upgrade compared to the iPhone 13. It features the same design, the same A15 Bionic chip with an additional GPU core, and slight improvements to the rear and front cameras.
display sizes
There are two models of the iPhone 14: the regular 6.1-inch iPhone 14 and the larger 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus. The iPhone 14 Plus won't start shipping to customers until Friday, October 7, so the reviews focus on the smaller standard model - the direct successor to the iPhone 13. The display of the standard iPhone 14 is almost identical to that of the iPhone 13. Allison Johnson of The Verge thinks it's a good display, but points out that there are other options that offer more advanced displays with 120Hz refresh rates for the same price. So writes Johnson:
It's a good screen, but the competition is running laps around Apple here. Android phones from the flagship class all the way up to the $350 Samsung A53 5G offer 120Hz refresh rate screens. While it's not critical, it's one area where you feel like the standard iPhone is overdue for an update.
iPhone 14 performance
The iPhone 14 is equipped with the same A15 Bionic chip that powered the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. Compared to the A15 Bionic chip in last year's standard iPhone 13, the iPhone 14's chip has an additional GPU core. According to CNET The iPhone 14 is "fast," with smooth animations and no performance drops. The iPhone 14 also features an improved internal design that dissipates heat better, allowing users to play intensive games for longer without the device overheating. According to Engadget The device remains “comfortably cool” while gaming and the phone’s performance remains high.
Battery life
The standard iPhone 14 has a slightly larger battery than the standard iPhone 13. Apple promises up to 20 hours of video playback and up to 80 hours of audio playback for the iPhone 14, making similar claims to last year's iPhone 13. The Verge reports that in real-world testing, the iPhone 14 ended the day with 40 to 50 hours of battery life remaining, adding that a comparison to the iPhone 13 is difficult due to limited testing and varying usage, but should be sufficient for most users.
In the real world, after three to four hours of screen time, I still had between 40 and 50 percent charge at the end of the day. It's hard to say whether that's significantly better than the already very good iPhone 13, but it's good enough to get most people through a full day, and that's what counts.
iPhone 14 cameras
Both the front and rear cameras on the iPhone 14 have undergone some improvements. The selfie camera on the front is a brand-new 12 MP camera with autofocus. According to Apple, the new camera delivers up to 2x better photos in low-light conditions thanks to its larger aperture. On the back, the iPhone 14 features the same dual-camera setup as the iPhone 13, but now with improved main and ultra-wide lenses. The new main camera has an f/1.5 aperture, allowing 49 % more light into each shot. The main camera also benefits from a new workflow Apple calls the Photonic Engine. The Photonic Engine combines multiple pixels from different exposure levels to deliver brighter and more "lifelike" colors in low-light situations. CNET says the iPhone 14 takes acceptable photos in low-light conditions and reproduces detail well.
In my testing, the iPhone 14 took great photos and videos. I was able to get a respectable snapshot even when the lighting conditions weren't great.
For videos, the iPhone 14 offers a new Action Mode, which delivers stabilized video when active. According to The Verge, Action Mode is "primarily intended for bright outdoor light," as videos look "horribly patchy" under other conditions. Overall, the device makes a solid impression. But it's more of an iPhone 13S than an iPhone 14—according to reviewers. All four iPhone 14 models were announced by Apple last week and have been available since September 9th. pre-ordered The devices will hit the shelves on September 16, with the exception of the iPhone 14 Plus, which will be available from October 7. (Image: Apple)
