What Are the Differences Between the New iPhone 14 Phones?

With the line-up changing every so slightly, we thought it would be a good idea to break the phones down and show their differences.

iPhone 14

We expect the iPhone 14 to be the most popular phone in the range. It meets the needs that most people will have. It offers a great range of specs and middle of the road size within the iPhone 14 range.

Here are the key specs you’ll need to know:

Screen size: 6.1-inch
Primary camera: Dual 12MP camera
Selfie camera: 12MP TrueDepth camera
Video: 4K video recording
Processor: A15 Bionic chip
SIM card: Nano SIM and eSIM
Body: Aerospace-grade aluminium
Weight: 172g

iPhone 14 Plus

A new addition to the iPhone family this year is the iPhone 14 Plus. While Apple previously went with a mini version of their standard iPhone, they’re flipped the script this year. Now, the iPhone 14 Plus is a bigger version of the standard iPhone 14.

The iPhone 14 Plus has a 6.7-inch screen, akin to the size of an iPhone 14 Pro Max. It shares many other specs you’ll find on the standard iPhone 14 including the 12MP dual camera.

You’ll also enjoy a larger battery capacity with the iPhone 14 Plus. Apple states they expect people to be able to get up to 26 hours video playback.

Here’s a more detailed list of specs for comparison:
Screen size: 6.7-inch
Primary camera: Dual 12MP camera
Selfie camera: 12MP TrueDepth camera
Video: 4K video recording
Processor: A15 Bionic chip
SIM card: Nano SIM and eSIM
Body: Aerospace-grade aluminium
Weight: 203g

iPhone 14 Pro

iPhone 14 Pro is a similar size to the iPhone 14. However, for the same size you get more processing power, battery, and a bigger screen.

Apple has also introduced the Dynamic Island design, which replaces the “notch”. This is a clever way Apple has integrated the camera and sensors on the front of the iPhone 14 Pro.

Another key area the iPhone 14 Pro excels in is the camera. You get a triple camera system on the rear, with three 48MP cameras. Around the front is a 12MP selfie camera.

One massive departure from previous iPhone launches is the division of Apple’s Bionic chips within the iPhone 14 series. The iPhone 14 is using last year’s A15 Bionic chip. The iPhone 14 Pro instead gets the latest A16 Bionic offering just slightly more processing power and battery management.

Apple promises an all-day battery with up to 26 hours video playback for the iPhone 14 Pro.

Here are the key iPhone 14 Pro specs:

Screen size: 6.1-inch with ProMotion up to 120Hz Refresh Rate
Primary camera: Triple 48MP camera
Selfie camera: 12MP TrueDepth camera
Video: 4K video recording supporting ProRes
Processor: A16 Bionic chip
SIM card: Nano SIM and eSIM
Body: Surgical-grade stainless steel.
Weight: 172g

iPhone 14 Pro Max

The iPhone 14 Pro Max is very similar to the iPhone 14 Pro. There are two key differences between the two phones – the screen and the battery. Both are significantly largely on the iPhone Pro Max.

For those of you who like a bigger screen for streaming or working, the iPhone 14 Pro Max offers a 6.7-inch display. The Pro Max will let you do that for longer too. Apple has a bigger battery promising up to 29 hours of video playback.

So you can compare with the rest of the iPhone 14 family, here’s that same list of specs:

Screen size: 6.7-inch with ProMotion up to 120Hz Refresh Rate
Primary camera: Triple 48MP camera
Selfie camera: 12MP TrueDepth camera
Video: 4K video recording supporting ProRes
Processor: A16 Bionic chip
SIM card: Nano SIM and eSIM
Body: Surgical-grade stainless steel.
Weight: 206g

Across the rest of the specs, the phones are largely the same. Now, we’ll look at the similarities across the entire iPhone 14 range.

Similarities and New Features Across the iPhone 14 Range

While there are plenty of differences between the phones, there are also a few things the new range shares. That includes some brand-new features too.

iOS 16

With a new iPhone comes a new operating system. iOS 16 will of course also be available for phones beyond the iPhone 14, supported on all iPhones since the 2018 iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.

iOS 16 heralds a raft of new features for iPhone, primarily focused on user interface changes.

Some of the most noticeable changes come on the iPhone lock screen. You can now layer your own photos over the lock screen clock. Apple has also added widgets to the lock screen.

If you’re a loyal iPhone messaging app user, you’ll spot some changes too. You’ll be able to undo and edit messages that have been sent to another iPhone user.

There are lots of other cool features coming to iPhone through the iOS 16 update, which you can check out on the Apple website.

Crash Detection and Emergency SOS

Apple has added renewed focus on safety with the iPhone 14. Previously, Apple had added fall detection to their wearable range. Now, this is coming to iPhone 14.

Built into all phones in the range is an accelerometer capable of detecting falls and collisions. For example, if you were in a car crash and unable to call emergency services, your iPhone can do it automatically for you.

The iPhone 14 also supports emergency satellite communications. Apple is calling this Emergency SOS via Satellite.

This is a great emergency feature for anyone who finds themselves lost without coverage to make a call. Pointing the phone at a fast-moving satellite. It’s a technological marvel to fit this into a smartphone so your communication is limited to an SMS message only.

MagSafe Accessories

MagSafe didn’t take up a particularly large part of the iPhone 14 launch event, but it’s growing more popular among customers. This magnetic method of connecting wireless charger and accessories first featured on Apple phones with the iPhone 12.

For the iPhone 14, regardless of which phone you choose, you’ll have a MagSafe compatible phone.

A Tough iPhone

The full iPhone 14 range will have a Ceramic Shield front. Apple claims this is tougher than any other smartphone glass on the market.

The entire range is also IP68 rated and water resistant up to a depth of 6 metres for up to 30 minutes.

5G and iPhone 14

This isn’t a new feature, but it’s worth calling out. The entire range of iPhone 14 is 5G ready. All you need is a compatible plan and to be in a 5G area. Fortunately, when you’re a Three customer, you’ll have the choice of 5G on Ireland’s fastest mobile network. We also have 5G in every county, so you just worry about enjoying it.

eSIM and iPhone 14

At the launch of the iPhone 14, Apple somewhat surprised everyone by announcing all iPhone 14 phones sold in the United States and Canada would be eSIM only and that they would be removing the SIM tray completely.

This is just for sales of the iPhone 14 in the United States and SIM cards will continue to be supported in all other markets, including Ireland. However, if you buy an iPhone 14 in the United States or Canada, it won’t work here in Ireland on Three until we launch eSIM.

We’re working on launching eSIMs in 2023. Keep an eye here, on our social media and 3Community for more updates in the coming months.

Should You Buy the iPhone 14?

Ultimately, whether buying one of the new iPhone 14 phones boils down to what phone do you have today?

If you have an iPhone 12 or earlier, the iPhone 14 series promises to delivery a great experience and nicely spec’d phone into your hand.

If you have an iPhone 13 and are looking at iPhone 14, you’d be forgiven for feeling there’s not enough to warrant upgrading. If you want to upgrade and experience a real spec change, we’d recommend moving from iPhone 13 to iPhone 14 Pro. This would give you the power of the new Apple A16 Bionic, more battery life and a significant camera upgrade.

Android customers might be looking at Apple’s progress in recent years and be tempted to make the switch. Arguably, there’s never been a better iPhone on the market so this could be the one.

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro range is now available to buy on Three Bill Pay and Prepay.