Another year, another iPhone. That’s right, Apple’s latest batch of smartphones are hitting the shelves, but whether you have a iPhone 13 in your pocket or considering ditching your Android phone in favor of iOS, there’s one big question that’s probably on your mind, is it worth buying the new one?
The standard iPhone 14 promises upgrades to the front and rear cameras, a “fault detection” security feature, a bit more memory, and a new “action mode” for videos to reduce jitter. But the rest, including the display, processor, water resistance, and storage, is the same.
With the iPhone 13 still widely available for £100 less, you’re probably wondering if you really need the iPhone 14. Maybe you should look for an older or refreshed model, or even wait until next year. So let’s discuss how the two Apple smartphones compare in more detail.
Is there much difference between the iPhone 13 and 14?
The quick answer to this question is no. there isn’t a great difference to note here. This year’s iPhone 14 and last year’s model have a lot in common, coming in the same size, with the same screen, the same processor, and nearly identical camera systems. We think there are some reasons to go for the newer 14, because it has a couple of photo and video updates, marginally longer battery life, along with the aforementioned car accident detection for safety.
Here are the main specifications at a glance, and what remains unchanged:
- Screen size: 6.1 inches (same on 13 and 14)
- Resolution: 2532 x 1170 pixels (same on 13 and 14)
- Processor: Apple A15 Bionic (same on 13 and 14)
- Cameras: Two rear cameras, 12MP wide angle and 12MP ultra wide angle, and a 12MP wide front camera (same on the 13 and 14, although with some minor improvements)
- Battery duration: 19 hours of video playback on the 13th and 20 hours of video playback on the 14th
- Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB (same options on both 13 and 14)
- MicroSD card slot: No (same on 13 and 14)
- Weight: 174g for 13, 172g for 14
Jason Murdock
Is the iPhone 13 the same size as the iPhone 14?
The 6.1-inch screen size of both phones is exactly the same, however the frame on the new model is slightly thicker, which sadly means iPhone 13 cases can’t be reused in the iPhone 14. The design hasn’t been updated, so you also get the same build quality, button layout, and notch on both phones. Unlike the previous two generations, there is no new version of the mini-iphone this year, with Apple instead offering a larger option, the iPhone 14 Plus 6.7-inch.
What is the difference between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 cameras?
If you put images taken with these cameras next to each other, especially if you look at them in your Facebook feed or Instagram story, you won’t notice the difference. That’s not because there aren’t some changes with the new iPhone 14, just that they’re somewhat minor compared to the big jumps we can see in the iPhone 14 Pro. It’s a shame that the iPhone 14 still only has two lenses on the back, one wide and one ultra wide, compared to other more affordable smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G or Google Pixel 6 that come with a handy zoom lens on the back, so you can get closer to your subject without moving your feet.
Which iPhone is better for selfies? That will be the new 14, which has an improved front camera with a wider aperture, stabilization, and autofocus. This means it collects more light and reliably focuses on your face. In short, that takes you best selfiesImproved FaceTime calls and better video from the front lens.
Jason Murdock
At the back, there is another slight improvement. The main rear camera on the latest iPhone 14 now has a faster aperture and larger sensor size, essentially matching this lens. iPhone 13 Pro from last year. iPhone 14 photos are better, but it might be hard for most people to say.
What about the video? The new “action mode” on the 14 is a welcome addition that stabilizes vibration and jolts when walking or running. It’s great for recording videos of kids who can’t sit still or if you’re chasing your dog around the house and trying to catch it on camera. This feature isn’t on previous iPhone 13 models, so we think it’s a good selling point for the new one. In the test, it worked very well.
Here’s a gallery of photos we took with iPhone 14 and iPhone 13, to show that it’s hard to tell the difference between them:
Does the iPhone 14 cost the same as the iPhone 13?
Despite not seeing too many major design or spec changes this year, Apple increased the iPhone 14’s UK selling price, adding £100 to the base 128GB model. That iPhone 14 starts at £849, with a 256GB option at £959 and a 512GB option at £1,179. For comparison, the UK-launched iPhone 13 started from £779, with a 256GB version at £879 and a 512GB model at £1,079.
New for this year, the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus starts at £949, the iPhone 14 Pro starts at £1,099 and the iPhone Pro Max, which is the most powerful of the new bunch, starts at £1,199. There is no longer a mini option, but you can buy one More affordable iPhone SEwith an older design, for less than £500.
Is the iPhone 14 faster than the iPhone 13?
The iPhone 14 uses Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, which is the same impressive processor as last year’s iPhone 13 Pro. Performance-wise, you won’t see or feel the difference between the two phones. While it definitely came to our attention that the new model didn’t feature the same A16 Bionic chip that’s in the Pro models this year, in testing we had no concerns about the 14’s performance, speed, or efficiency. Apps download fast. and they run smoothly, and navigating the menus is silky smooth. Sure, it sounds like a problem on paper, but in reality, last year’s processor is still excellent.
What colors are available?
Color options have been slightly updated this year, with the iPhone 14 available in Midnight (Black), Blue, Purple, Starlight (White), and Red. We tried a blue model and it looks fantastic – it stands out easily from the black or gray phone shades you’ll often see people holding. For comparison, the iPhone 13 is available in six shades: Green, Dark Blue, Pink, Midnight (black), Starlight (white), and Red.
Jason Murdock
Is the iPhone 14 worth it compared to the iPhone 13?
We spent about a week using the iPhone 14 to test how it compares to the previous model and other phones in its price range, finding almost every aspect of the phone to be fantastic, though it’s been updated very little since last year’s iPhone 13. And it’s too bad the new base model doesn’t get the new A16 chip, higher refresh rate, or “Dynamic Island” technology from the iPhone 14 Pro models.
The cameras, display, and iOS 16 software on the new one are a joy to use, and the build quality feels very high, but the same goes for its recent predecessors. the iPhone 13 is still widely available from £749, and the iPhone 12 it’s still available from £649. Older models are also available refurbished at BackMarket, and We highly recommend giving technology a second life.. If budget is your top priority, you can also choose the new iPhone SE for £449.
But that does not mean that the iPhone 14 does not have its charms. Anyone who wants the latest and greatest technology will find plenty to love, as will anyone who is moving from an Android smartphone but doesn’t want to pay more than £1,000 for a Pro model. very tempting contract. For us, the iPhone 14 is a superior flagship, even if it’s not completely should have a.
Should you buy a refurbished iPhone?
Phones are expensive times are hard – We totally get it. If you want to keep costs down, you might consider buying a refurbished model through a website like BackMarket, which lists still impressive iPhone 11 in excellent condition for around £320 and the 2020 iPhone SE for just under £170. The site reviews every phone it lists, gives you 30 days to change your mind, and you get a full year of warranty that protects against failure. It’s a great option if you’re tightening your belt. We have experience in purchasing refurbished technology, whether laptops either Smart Watchesand we have never had a problem.
Websites that sell refurbished models often rate phones based on their appearance. In the case of BackMarket, the ratings range from Fair (small scratches or marks) to Excellent, where the screen is in near perfect condition. Another popular option, amazon revamped, rates Fair (visible scratches or marks) to Excellent, which is a phone that shows no signs of cosmetic issues from a foot away. Each platform typically has its own rating system, so always double check that you’re buying and make sure there’s a warranty included.
What about the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max?
If you need more power and features, you’ll want to consider the “Pro” phones in the new lineup, the iPhone 14 Pro (from £1,099) and iPhone 14 Pro Max (from £1,199). Both have an additional 48MP main camera with better zoom, plus new “Dynamic Island” technology that allows iOS apps to use the new pill-shaped notch on the front to display status alerts and notifications. In testing, we were impressed by how flawlessly it works, and now we can’t imagine not having it.
On both Pro models, you also get better battery life (up to 29 hours on the Pro Max compared to 20 hours on the standard iPhone 14) and it comes with the latest A16 chip that keeps performance silky smooth. For the first time, Apple also brought an always-on display. They’re pricey flagships, but we think they’re worth it if you’re going to be taking a lot of photos or need more storage: the 14 Pro models have the option of up to 1TB of built-in space.
