Apple iPhone 14 Range Unveiled

Robert Cerff / 09-09-2022 / Reviews

Apple finally lifted the lid on the new iPhone 14 range at its “Far Out” event on September 7th. The unveiling of the iPhone 14 range confirmed many leaks and rumours that have been floating around for the past few months, especially in regard to Apple finally getting rid of the notch (on the Pro models) and dropping the iPhone Mini after just two generations.


The new range from Apple features four models - the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. The new kid on the block is, of course, the iPhone 14 Plus, which basically replaces the Mini in this new line-up.


The launch showcased the newer standards Apple is setting for smartphones with better performance, heightened power efficiency, never before seen safety features, and much more. 


Let’s unpack the most exciting highlights.


Bigger and better displays 


The base iPhone 14 features a 6.1-inch display, while the iPhone 14 Plus sports a larger screen at 6.7-inches. Previously, a screen of this size was exclusively reserved for the top-end Pro Max model. Both the standard iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Plus boast Super Retina XDR displays, peak HDR brightness of 1200 nits, and better thermal performance. 


At the higher end, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max offer the most advanced displays of any iPhone to date. Respectively, their display sizes are 6.1-inches and 6.7-inches with Super Retina XDR. It features the highest outdoor peak brightness in a smartphone at 2000 nits, making it twice as bright as its predecessor.


The entire range sports the cutting-edge Ceramic Shield front cover, which is stronger than any other smartphone glass currently on the market.


Dynamic Island for the Pros


The iPhone 14 Pro models are the first iPhones to ditch the notch since its introduction in 2017. It's replaced by a much smaller pill-shaped cut-out in the upper middle part of the screen, named the Dynamic Island. To make this possible, Apple redesigned the devices by placing the proximity sensor behind the display for the first time.


The Dynamic Island is a new, interactive, always-on way to experience iPhones. It’s constantly active while still promoting power efficiency, enabling users to easily access real-time alerts, notifications, activities and apps.


Cameras get a boost 


The base iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus feature a 12MP main and ultra-wide camera on the back with larger sensors and pixels than its predecessor. On the front is a new 12MP snapper for even better selfies.


The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max sport a massive new 48MP main shooter with a quad-pixel sensor and next-generation image stabilisation. It's further enhanced with a 12MP ultra-wide camera and an improved telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.


The entire range features an exciting upgrade that Apple calls Photonic Engine. It’s a computational advancement that improves the quality of images across all cameras in mid to low-light environments. The end result is images with extraordinary detail and better colour. Additional upgrades on all models include a new autofocus feature on the front camera and a new action mode that adjusts to motion for smoother videos, even while in the middle of the action.


Life-saving capabilities


iPhone 14 unlocks ground-breaking safety capabilities across all four models. First up is the improved Crash Detection, which now detects severe car crashes. It will automatically dial emergency services if a user is unable to reach their iPhone. Alongside this is the pioneering Emergency SOS. It allows your phone to connect directly to emergency services via satellite, enabling speedy messaging services when outside cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.


The upgrades don’t stop


Here’s a snapshot of more upgrades on the iPhone 14 that promise an enhanced experience:


A16 Bionic: The Pro models feature the fastest chip in a smartphone, the A16 Bionic, placing it generations ahead of the competition.


iOS 16: The new iPhones run on iOS 16 out of the box. The update brings a reimagined Lock Screen with better ways to connect and stay updated.


Apple Fitness+: For the first time, Apple Fitness+ is available to all iPhone users, even if you don’t have an Apple Watch.


5G connectivity: The entire range boasts 5G connectivity for fast downloads and uploads, smoother streaming, and much more.



Apple iPhone 14 price and shipping dates 


Shipping starts on September 16 for the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. The iPhone 14 Plus ships on October 7. However, there is no confirmed date for the launch in South Africa just yet. Local prices are also unconfirmed, but the prices in USD for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus start at $799 and $899 for the 128GB models while the iPhone 14 Pro starts at $999 and the Pro Max at $1,099.


If you want to keep up to date on all the latest iPhone deals from the leading networks across South Africa, sign up to our newsletter and get the inside scoop delivered right to your inbox.

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