iPhone 14 (pro): 6 reasons against the purchase

Apple presented its new iPhone generation on September 7, which consists of the iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max. Also this year there are reasons that speak against the purchase-especially with the standard models.

Reason 1: 120 Hertz & Always-on only in the expensive pro models

For the first time with the two iPhone-13-Pro models, Apple has housed a high refresh rate of up to 120 Hertz. Instead of equipping the rather expensive standard models, Apple again only installs an LTPO display with an adaptive refresh rate in the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max. This is a shame, especially with a view to the Android competition, since even beginners/mid-range cell phones work with a high frame frequency.

This step is understandable from the company’s point of view, as one would like to withdraw the Pro models more clearly from the “normal” versions and justify the surcharge better than before. This is also the reason why only the iPhone 14 Pro (Max) is equipped with an Always-on screen-a feature that iPhone users had to wait a long time.

If you want to have the new features, you have to leaf through at least 1,299 euros on the table. Unfortunately, the normal iPhone 14 does not stand out from its predecessors iPhone 13 and iPhone 12, which you now get much cheaper.

Reason 2: Apple removes Notch – but only in the iPhone 14 Pro (max)

The notch, the large and disturbing notch on the upper edge of the screen. When Apple came around the corner with this idea, other smartphone manufacturers rushed to a similar look before they switched to punch holes within a few generations to provide users with more display space. Apple stayed with the Notch.

Apple has probably recognized that it is slowly for a change and removing the classic notch at least on the iPhone 14 Pro (max). Instead, there is now an elongated oval in the upper display area, in which the front camera and sensors hide behind a cool software solution called “Dynamic Island”.

This new notch offers additional functions and shows, for example, calls or which song is currently running. You can also interact directly with the dynamic island – regardless of which app you have just opened. Unfortunately, iPhone 14 and 14 Plus must stay with the well-known notch.

Reason 3: iPhone 14 with A15 chip made of iPhone 13

While the predecessor models all got the new chip generation-with small differences-this year only the Pro series receives the A16 Bionic. The A15 Bionic, which Apple presented with the iPhone-13 generation, is in the iPhone 14 (Plus). Yes, this chip is faster than any processor built into an Android cell phone.

But who would like to pay between 999 and 1,539 euros for an iPhone 14 (plus) and then be fed with an “old” processor? Just nobody. You can confidently reach for the iPhone 13 or 13 per if you are looking for a larger cell phone that also has 120 Hertz and costs less than a 14 plus.

Reason 4: essential camera improvements only in the pro

Also, the camera of the iPhone 14 does not give Apple a larger update, basically, everything stays with the old, with small adjustments here and there. Only the iPhone 14 Pro (Max) gets a much larger image sensor, which now offers a four-fold resolution (48 megapixels).

Although 12-megapixel photos are still output, with larger pixels (2.44 instead of 1.7 micrometers, since 4 pixels become one), which contain significantly more image and light information, which increases the quality. However, 48MP photos are also possible in Proraw format, and it is currently still unclear how big these pictures become.

Reason 5: Still recharge

Like its predecessors, the iPhone 14 supports 20-watt power supplies (or higher). According to Apple, the iPhone 14 models invite you to 50 percent in 30 to 35 minutes. Compared to many Android smartphones, the iPhone can pack: The 4800 mAh battery of the OnePlus 10T is completely loaded in just 19 minutes thanks to 150 watts. So Apple remains very conservative when it comes to charging technology.

Why quick charging on the iPhone 14 is still slow

The question arises whether maybe Lightning could be the problem. Overall, USB-C, with its quick charging protocols, enables higher charging speeds than Lightning with the same tension. USB-C supports higher current strengths. It is also interesting that a standard lightning cable does not support fast charging. That is why there is also the USB-C-Auf-Lightning cable for newer iPhones that allow higher charging speeds.

Thanks to the USB-C compulsion issued by the EU, Apple could soon rely on USB-C with the iPhone 15. This could also charge the cell phone much faster – if Apple allows this. In fact, Apple could also take its own radical path and completely abolish the connection, because the requirements for this are all available.

Reason 6: The pricing

All iPhone 14 models have become more expensive-between 11 and 16 percent they pay more compared to their respective predecessors. Expressed in absolute numbers: an iPhone 14 now costs 999 euros instead of 899 euros. The iPhone 14 Pro rises from 1,149 to 1,299 euros to get started (150 euros more). And if you order the 1 TB version of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, you pay a whopping 270 euros for it (2,099 instead of 1,829 euros).

The iPhone 14 (Pro) has become so much more expensive

iPhone 14 (plus, pro) presented: Why the wait was worth it

Conclusion

So an iPhone 14 is significantly more expensive, but they are offered comparatively little more than an iPhone 13 or an iPhone 12: same notch, same processor, same design, same memory sizes, and almost the same camera. Is the iPhone 14 worth it at all? Short answer: no! You can find the long answer in this article.

You can only find the real innovations iPhone 14 Pro (max). If you want a new iPhone, then definitely a Pro model, because they offer a better camera, the exciting notch “Dynamic Island” and Always-on. Because the surcharge is very high, we can still recommend the iPhone 13 Pro (Max) if you can do without these innovations, but still look for a very strong Apple cell phone.