iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus: technical sheet, price and reviews

Four models and a new OS: Apple's high-end mobiles are back in September 2022. The two basic editions, the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Plus, are already shaping up to be real commercial success. So let’s go back to their technical sheet together…

• Don't miss our articlewhich iPhone 14 to choose? (Detailed comparison of the 4 models 14 / 14 Plus / 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max)
• And the video from our colleagues fromPresse-citron.netpresenting a review of the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro:

The screens of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus

The iPhone 14 has a screen of6.1 inches, against6.7 inchesfor that of the iPhone 14 Pro Plus. Each panel offers True Tone technology which adapts the colors according to your environment and adopts a fairly unique format with a notch at the top to cut out the front camera and the sensors underlying Face ID. Images are smooth and responsive, and the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus screens are perfect for watching videos or beautiful montages with excellent contrast.

Our opinion (screen): the best, but no ProMotion refresh rate at one hundred and twenty frames per second.

Performances

No new processor on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro Plus: Apple preferred to keep theA15 Bionic chip, reserving its successor for the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Plus. The SoC still benefits from a slight improvement, it gains a core for its GPU part, to go from 4 (on the iPhone 13), to 5 on the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus).

The quantity of RAM, for its part, is not specified by the manufacturer. But after investigation, it was seen that all iPhone 14s have 6 GB of RAM, which is more than enough for typical use.

With their proprietary motherboard coupled with an operating system also made in-house, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are in any case real racing beasts and no lag is to be deplored.

Our opinion (performance): no real new chip, but do we really need one when we know that the iPhone 13s are already very powerful?

Photo sensor data sheet

On iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, you are entitled to two photo sensors on the back, includingan ultra wide-angle and a wide-angle12 megapixels each. The results of these daytime objectives are critically acclaimed, whether indoors or outdoors. And in low light conditions, there is a dedicated Night mode which also takes very nice shots. This mode was already present on iPhone 13. The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, however, benefit from something new for night photos:Photonic Engine.This is a software treatment that allows Apple smartphones to do even better low-light photography.

Other new features on iPhone 14 and 14 Plus compared to the previous generation:Action Mode.This is a new function for video allowing extremely smooth and stable video recordings. This feature is intended to be very practical for monitoring sports performances.

At the front, Apple has chosen a photo sensor of12 megapixelswith f/1.9 aperture that can film in 4K at 60 frames per second.

Our opinion (photo sensor): the iPhone 14s do very well and are among the best photophones on the market.

iOS at its best

Both iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are powered by theproprietary operating systemfrom Apple, iOS 16. There are many advantages that Android does not have, mainly with regard to theContinuity. Under this name hides all the features running hand in hand with other Apple devices. For example, Handoff allows you to continue playing an Apple TV+ series on your Mac without losing a single second of the audio or video stream.

There are also a whole bunch of exclusive services, likeLocateto find your lost iPhone 14 orPhotos, to store all your photos online with 5 GB offered on iCloud. Overall, iOS 16 is very easy to use, even for novices. The most important shortcuts are all accessible from the Control Center and emphasis is also placed on the question ofconfidentiality. On the security side, updates are deployed regularly and the developer provides free support for five to seven years depending on your model. To find out the many specific features of iOS 16,see our list detailing around a hundred of its features.

Note that iPhone 14 and 14 Plus benefit from an exclusive new iOS 16 feature:Accident detection. Thanks to their power and numerous sensors, all iPhones in the 14 range can detect a car accident and automatically alert emergency services if necessary.

Our opinion (software): a very complete operating system, with the App Store as a bonus if that is not enough.

Design and robustness

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are coated with an aluminum chassis, itself protected by Gorilla Glass from Corning on the front. The two smartphones are thus resistant to scratches, but also to water, which can beimmersed for 30 minutes at a depth of 6 meters. The speaker is installed on the bottom, alongside the charging socket, and the power off and volume buttons are located on the side.

Generally, iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plusresist small shocks quite well: if they fall from the top of a table, no problem. Better to be careful in the city though, for example by purchasing a protective silicone case.

For dimensions and weight:

• width: 71.5 mm on iPhone 14, 78.1 mm on iPhone 14 Plus
• length: 146.7 mm on iPhone 14, 160.8 mm on iPhone 14 Plus
• thickness: 7.8 mm on both models
• weight: 172 g on iPhone 14, 203 g on iPhone 14 Plus

Our opinion (design): the iPhone 14 offers a superb compact format, and the finishes of both models are almost luxurious.

Our opinion on connectivity

5G is available on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. The rest of the spec sheet offers us Bluetooth for quick file transfer or pairing compatible speakers, while Wi-Fi will allow you to reach most private or public hotspots.AirDrop, a proprietary feature, uses this modem to send documents to other Apple devices in the blink of an eye.

Our opinion (connectivity): everything you need in a smartphone in 2023 is in the iPhone 14.

What autonomy for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus?

The iPhone 14 offers a battery life of 20 hours, but the iPhone 14 Pro Plus does a little better with 26 hours maximum on paper (figures for video playback). The technical sheet also includes rechargingMagSafeand wireless.

Our opinion (battery): average, with results that can change depending on use of course.

Prices, colors and storage capacities

Price depending on storage

• 128 GB: 1,019 euros for the iPhone 14, 1,169 euros for the iPhone 14 Plus
• 256 GB: 1,149 euros for the iPhone 14, 1,299 euros for the iPhone 14 Plus
• 512 GB: 1,409 euros for the iPhone 14, 1,559 euros for the iPhone 14 Plus

Colors offered

• Bleu
• Mauve
• Midnight
• Starlight
• (PRODUCT)RED

Prices of accessories and services

The Lightning to USB-C cable is provided in the iPhone 14 box. The rest is extra:

• USB-C to mains adapter: €25
• silicone protective case with MagSafe: €59 for iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Plus
• protective leather case with MagSafe: €59 for iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Plus

And some examples for services:

• AppleCare+ insurance (2 years): €239 for iPhone 14, €279 for iPhone 14 Plus
• AppleCare+ insurance (monthly payment): €11.99 per month for iPhone 14, €13.99 per month for iPhone 14 Plus
• battery change: 119 euros for iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Plus
• iCloud+: 0.99 euros per month for 50 GB / 2.99 euros per month for 200 GB / 9.99 euros per month for 2 TB
• Apple Music: 9.99 euros per month for the individual plan

Our opinion (price): the iPhone 14s are very expensive, so it is better to choose a limited storage option to compensate with iCloud+ if necessary.

Conclusion: advantages and disadvantages

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are thebest value for moneywhich exists at Apple at the moment, far ahead of the limited technical sheet of the third generation iPhone SE. The operating system is essential if you already operate on a Mac or iPad, because all your data is synchronized immediately.

We find some drawbacks with thelack of telephoto lensand a notch still quite imposing, but the performance is there like every year and the iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Plus are excellent communicators. Whether at the office, or for yourself. And if you're hesitating between an iPhone 14 and an iPhone 13, seeour detailed comparisonof the two machines.