Pros
- Dynamic Island is a game-changer
- A full always-on display
- 48Mp camera & pixel binning truly enhance photography
Cons
- No real battery life improvement
- No fast charging
- Much more expensive in the UK
What We Think
The Dynamic Island camera cut-out, Apple’s first attempt at always-on technology, and a much better back camera configuration make the iPhone 14 Pro the ideal iPhone for the great majority of users. There’s still room for improvement in terms of battery life, and it’s more expensive in the UK, but this model should whet your appetite for the Pro iPhone of 2022.
This year, the iPhone 14 Pro is the best iPhone to buy. Apple’s Pro iPhone range this year features a slew of enhancements that set it apart from the normal, cheaper iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, but not because of any visual differences between the two phones.
Apple is confidently aiming for the high-end Android competition with the new iPhone XS, which boasts Apple’s distinctive Dynamic Island, new always-on display technology, the first 48Mp camera in an iPhone, and Apple’s top-end A16 Bionic CPU.
After a hefty price increase (at least in the UK), is Apple’s newest and best still a smart buy?
Plan and construct
When comparing the iPhone 14 Pro to last year’s iPhone 13 Pro, you might not notice much of a change at first glance.
In most respects, the iPhone 14 Pro is virtually indistinguishable from its predecessor, which is not a bad thing. Space Black and Deep Purple join Silver and Gold as additional colour options for Apple’s industrial, geometric design language and mix of stainless steel frame and glass front and back.
The brushed glass back retains the 13 Pro’s triangular camera cutout, but the cameras themselves are somewhat bulkier to accommodate the improved imaging capabilities.
The same may be said for the structure as a whole. The new iPhone 14 Pro is barely larger than the previous model, measuring in at 71.5 x 147.5 x 7.85mm and weighing in at 206g.
The Lightning port, microphone ports, and speaker grills all remain in their traditional positions, as do the side button, volume controls, and silent switch. Despite the success of USB-C on the iPad Air and iPad Pro, Apple has yet to make the switch to the standard. This may change in the coming year, though.
With IP68 certification, it can still withstand being dropped into water without being damaged.
The removal of the SIM tray is the sole structural alteration to the iPhone 14 Pro. Apple has opted to fully commit to e-SIM technology in the US, therefore devices sold there no longer include a SIM tray, even though it is still present on models sold in the UK, Europe, and most other locations. It’s intriguing to speculate on how American consumers would respond to the change, albeit it does enhance Apple’s minimalist design. When first setting up their eSIM, they’ll need to port over their existing phone number.
Visuals and sound
The resolution of the 6.1in Super Retina XDR display of the iPhone 14 Pro is the same as that of the iPhone 7 Plus (2556 x 1179), but there is one major improvement. The iPhone X was the most significant change in Apple’s logo and branding to date.
The final piece of the puzzle is the Dynamic Island. In a breathtaking demonstration of Apple innovation, the oblong-shaped cut-out totally replaces the famous Face ID notch, floating millimetres from the top of the display, and it morphs into a standard round camera cut-out.
Depending on the on-screen action, the Dynamic Island cutout purportedly enlarges or contracts in size, and takes on new functions. Although the physical cut-out remains same, this method, which involves both hardware and software, still appears to be smooth and almost magical.
If you zoom in, you can see that the cut-out is actually made up of two separate cuts—one oblong and one circular—with black active display pixels inserted in between to create the appearance of a single cut-out. Apple was able to reduce the size of the depth sensor by moving it below the screen, and the Face ID technology buried within has also reduced.
The result is a camera cutout that adapts to your needs by displaying a Face ID symbol when scanning your face, a countdown timer, an AirPods battery indication, music controls, and more, depending on the current app you’re using. You may skip songs, answer calls, and cancel timers without leaving the app you’re now using by tapping and holding the cutout to reveal more controls. One tap launches the specified app.
Apple has taken a feature that has historically been a nuisance and transformed it into something innovative and helpful.
It’s not the only change to the screen, though; the ProMotion adaptive display technology has also been improved, and it can now dynamically change its refresh rate from 120Hz to as low as 1Hz. Because of this, you can take use of the display’s silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate when gaming and scrolling, without sacrificing battery life by lowering the refresh rate on inactive screens like the Home screen.
The always-on display technology made possible by the iPhone’s new 1Hz refresh rate is a particularly welcome upgrade. Although it was slow to arrive, once it did, Apple’s execution was far superior than that of its rivals.
You receive the complete iOS Lock Screen experience instead of a dark screen with basic time and notification information, as is the case with most Android counterparts. The technology kicks in automatically when the iPhone enters sleep mode; while the screen loses much of its colour and brightness, the wallpaper, clock, widgets, alerts, and music controls are all still visible.
Although it may be disabled in the iPhone’s settings, I find it difficult to imagine life without this capability.
Apple claims that the new iPhone XS Max has a display with a brightness of 1000 nits under normal conditions, 1600 nits when playing Dolby Vision HDR content, and a mind-blowing 2000 nits when held up to the sun. No of the ambient light level, I’ve never had any trouble reading the iPhone’s screen.
The audio system will be the same stereo speaker layout as previous generations, with support for Dolby Atmos spatial audio to enhance the realism of programmes like Stranger Things; nonetheless, headphones are recommended for the best experience.
Functions and effectiveness
In contrast to last year’s A15 Bionic, which is still present in the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, Apple’s newest and finest A16 Bionic is present in the iPhone 14 Pro and its larger brother, the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Apple claims that its efficiency cores consume one-third of the power of the unidentified Android rival and that the total efficiency of the 4nm chipset is 20% better than that of the 5nm A15 Bionic.
In practise, that means playing AAA games like Genshin Impact on high graphics settings and browsing a media-heavy Twitter feed with zero discernible lag or stutter in sight during regular use. The A16 Bionic isn’t just great for regular use, though; the Photos app on the phone lets you instantly edit Apple ProRes films, letting you do things like clip, add filters, and cut the video before exporting it.
This is reflected in our benchmark findings, which show that the iPhone 14 Pro not only outperforms the iPhone 13 Pro but also the Android competition, particularly when comparing Apple to Qualcomm and MediaTek in terms of CPU performance.
The iOS app has a frame rate cap of 60fps, which is why some Android competitors get greater frame rates in GFXBench testing. If it gets revised, we can run the tests again and get a more precise visual comparison.
However, in practical usage, the iPhone 14 Pro doesn’t feel especially swifter than rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.
There are four models available, with capacities ranging from 128GB to 1TB; but, given how well they work with iCloud, the top-tier choice is probably not worth it for anyone who doesn’t often shoot in ProRes and ProRAW.
In terms of wireless networking, you may take use of 5G, Wi-Fi 6 with 2×2 MIMO compatibility, Bluetooth 5.3, and Near Field Communication (NFC) for Apple Pay transactions. It also has Apple’s custom-designed U1 Ultra-Wideband processor for pinpointing AirTags.
In addition to the usual array of connectivity options, the iPhone 14 series is also among the first to include a built-in emergency satellite communication system. If you have a clean view of the sky, you may use it to make an emergency call using Globalstar’s network of satellites in low Earth orbit, even if you don’t have phone coverage.
Even if you can’t speak to EMS personnel, an on-screen aide will ask you questions to help convey your condition. This data is transmitted to satellites, which in turn are linked to Apple’s own relay station, which then calls emergency medical services on your behalf. The technology may also be utilised to update your Find My Location if necessary and to send text messages in about 15 seconds.
I haven’t had a chance to try it out just yet, but it will be accessible in the United States and Canada starting in November, with international availability coming soon after.
The iPhone can now determine if you’ve been in an automobile accident and, if so, can automatically call emergency services. It’s also compatible with the Apple Watch Series 8, giving individuals who often commute through rural regions an extra layer of security in the event of an accident.
Photography and cameras
Even while the three cameras on the back of the iPhone 14 Pro seem the same at first sight, they have all received improvements.
The primary camera, which sports a 48Mp sensor for the first time in an iPhone, is the major attraction.
In order to increase low-light performance and quality in the final 12Mp image, Apple, like Android phones with high-res sensors, utilises a 4-in-1 ‘pixel-binning’ technology that merges four pixels into one bigger pixel. I was able to make out individual hairs on a shot of my cat Alan because the photographs were so sharp, the focus was so rapid, and the colour was so true.
You may also choose to capture a higher-resolution, uncompressed 48Mp RAW image, giving you more freedom to play with exposure, contrast, and shadows in post-capture editing programmes like Lightroom or Apple’s Photos. This is helpful because the iPhone’s automated picture processing tends to crush shadows a bit too much, despite the fact that this issue has been addressed to some degree by Apple’s new Photonic Engine image processing technology.
The 48Mp f/1.8 shooter really shines in low-light situations, with Apple’s claims of a 2x boost in low-light photography mostly bearing out in practise because to the bigger sensor and smaller pixel size of 2.44 microns.
The iPhone 14 Pro is capable of capturing fine details even in low light, and it avoids the artificial brightening of scenes that some (but not all) Android competitors employ. There is still some blowing out of highlights, but the photographs taken in low light are much improved.
A bigger sensor and f/2.2 aperture enable for better low-light images, even if the ultra-wide lens remains at 12Mp. Apple says it’s 2x as good in low light, but it still can’t compare to the main camera’s capabilities. A 120-degree ultra-wide lens and Apple’s enhanced anti-distortion technology make it perfect for photographing outdoor scenes.
While still a specialised field, macro photography benefits from the improved lens and bigger 1.4-micron pixels, allowing for incredibly detailed photos from as close as 2 centimetres.
When compared to the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra’s 10x optical zoom, the 12Mp 3x telephoto zoom falls short. However, the tight angle is perfect for portrait photography, and, like the rest of the range, it offers a slight boost in low-light performance at the expense of some detail.
Apple can use some clever camera trickery (basically cropping into the centre 12Mp picture) with the 48Mp sensor to give a 2x zoom, allowing for a total of four zoom levels across three cameras.
The video performance of the iPhone 14 Pro has also been improved, with the device now capable of recording at 4K at 60 frames per second in Dolby Vision HDR, up from 30 frames per second on the previous generation. Additionally, the device now has a new Action Mode that helps further reduce camera shake, though the resulting videos are typically noisier than standard videos even in bright light.
Energy retention
Apple is unusual among smartphone makers in that it does not highlight the battery life of its devices. The battery capacity in milliampere hours (mAh) is never made public by the manufacturer, who instead only makes broad claims about battery life in relation to video playing.
Specifically, the iPhone 14 Pro has an increased battery life compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 13 Pro, allowing for 23 hours of video playback on a single charge. Since the battery life has only increased by one hour, it seems likely that the 4nm A16 Bionic chipset and the new adaptive display technology are responsible for the increased efficiency.
Is it reasonable to anticipate that a single charge will allow for 23 hours of video playback? No, not in my opinion. When I initially started using my iPhone 14 Pro, I saw that its battery life lasted just a single day. I attributed this to the background indexing of data that occurs whenever a new iPhone is set up or restored.
It got better with time, with enough energy for a few days’ worth of TikTok browsing, texts, games, and a call or two before bedtime, but it still wasn’t anything close to Apple’s advertised 23 hours.
My average daily usage is about 10 hours (half with the screen on and half with it off), after which the battery indicator goes red and I start looking for a charger in a panic.
That’s good for most people, and with less intensive use, you could definitely get two days out of it before needing a recharge. However, if you’re a battery hog like I am, you could be better off with Apple’s iPhone 14 Plus or iPhone 14 Pro Max.
The iPhone 14 Pro does not officially offer faster charging, but rumours suggest it can handle up to 25W. In my testing, I found that the phone could reach 29% battery life after 15 minutes of charging using a (massively powerful) 66W charging brick, 57% after 30 minutes, and 100% after little over an hour. It lags well behind Android in terms of rapid charging, but the generally good battery life makes up for this.
There is also Qi wireless charging (at 7.5W) and quicker MagSafe charging (15W), but no hint of reverse wireless charging (where the iPhone may charge another device).
Applications and Upgrades
The iPhone 14 Pro utilises iOS 16, but so does every iPhone model released after the iPhone 8.
Apple’s success hinges on the quality and endurance of its software, and while Android competitors are beginning to offer multi-year OS upgrade commitments, no one has yet come close to matching Apple’s regulated update system. All compatible iPhones receive major upgrades on the same day, rather being spaced out over several months like Android releases, and phones receive updates for a considerably longer period of time than their Android counterparts.
A number of neat new additions have been made to the iPhone experience with iOS 16. The most prominent is undoubtedly the Lock Screen, which can be altered to your liking in terms of layout, widgets, and time font, among other things. It seems like a major update to iOS, especially when combined with the new notification system that pulls in alerts from the bottom of the screen.
And that’s not all: iOS 16 also includes helpful features like haptic keyboard feedback, the option to edit and unsend iMessages, and the ability to clip out subjects from images with a single tap. The iPhone 14 Pro’s Dynamic Island also has a number of software additions.
In the end, iOS functions similarly to Android, however there may be a little learning curve for newcomers.
Costs and Availability
In the United States, the starting price for an iPhone 14 Pro is $999, the same as it was for the iPhone 13 Pro. The modern improvements make it an appealing alternative.
However, at £1,099, a major increase of £150 over last year’s model and the same price as last year’s top-end iPhone 13 Pro Max, it’s a bit difficult to suggest in the UK.
The Apple Store, as well as reputable third-party shops like Best Buy (in the US) and Amazon (in the UK), sell the iPhone 14 Pro if you’re interested. If you’re interested, we go into further depth on where to get the iPhone 14 series, in addition to contract alternatives.
Verdict
With several enhancements over its predecessor, the iPhone 13 Pro, the iPhone 14 Pro is unquestionably the greatest iPhone money can buy.
The Dynamic Island is the highlight, turning a common current smartphone gripe into an integral aspect of the device’s design through a clever combination of hardware and software. The always-on screen is a fantastic addition, since it allows you instant access to your home screen, widgets, and alerts. It’ll be quite frustrating to use an iPhone without this feature after using one with it.
The 48Mp rear camera sensor is a worthy addition to this year’s Pro lineup, providing not just improved performance in dim lighting but also higher resolution images and the ability to virtually double the focal length of a wide-angle shot without resorting to a telephoto lens. For close-ups, the 3x telephoto lens has you covered, but there are Android options that can zoom even farther.
With the inclusion of the cutting-edge A16 Bionic processor, automatic collision detection for your vehicle, satellite connectivity, and a really premium construction, you have one of the most competent smartphones on the market. The bigger display and longer battery life are the sole reasons to go for the Pro Max over the normal 14 Pro, which has seen incremental improvements in both categories year after year.
| BODY | Dimensions | 147.5 x 71.5 x 7.9 mm (5.81 x 2.81 x 0.31 in) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 206 g (7.27 oz) | |
| Build | Glass front (Corning-made glass), glass back (Corning-made glass), stainless steel frame | |
| SIM | Nano-SIM and eSIM – International Dual eSIM with multiple numbers – USA Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) – China | |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) |
| DISPLAY | Type | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM) |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.7 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio) | |
| Resolution | 1179 x 2556 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) | |
| Protection | Ceramic Shield glass | |
| Always-On display |
| PLATFORM | OS | iOS 16, upgradable to iOS 16.5, planned upgrade to iOS 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | |
| CPU | Hexa-core (2×3.46 GHz Everest + 4×2.02 GHz Sawtooth) | |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) |
| MAIN CAMERA | Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28″, 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 77mm (telephoto), 1/3.5″, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) | |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, Cinematic mode (4K@24/30fps), stereo sound rec. |
| SELFIE CAMERA | Single | 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6″, PDAF, OIS (unconfirmed) SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, Cinematic mode (4K@24/30fps) | |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| SOUND | Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No |
| COMMS | WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | |
| NFC | Yes | |
| Radio | No | |
| USB | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| FEATURES | Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra Wideband (UWB) support Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving) |
| BATTERY | Type | Li-Ion 3200 mAh, non-removable (12.38 Wh) |
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min (advertised) 15W wireless (MagSafe) 7.5W wireless (Qi) |
| MISC | Colors | Space Black, Silver, Gold, Deep Purple |
|---|---|---|
| Models | A2890, A2650, A2889, A2892, iphone15,2 | |
| SAR | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.15 W/kg (body) | |
| SAR EU | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) | |
| Price | ₹ 119,999 / $ 999.99 / £ 999.00 / € 1,087.86 |
| TESTS | Performance | AnTuTu: 968412 (v9) GeekBench: 5346 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | |
| Camera | Photo / Video | |
| Loudspeaker | -26.2 LUFS (Good) | |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 86h |
Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct
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