iPhone 14 (2022): release date and specifications
Apple smartphones are traditionally updated every year. Some versions can be called revolutionary in terms of design (the abandonment of the Home button in the iPhone X) or technical aspects (the appearance of NFC in the iPhone SE), but some are not.
On September 7, 2022, at the Apple conference, the next smartphone was presented to the public – as expected, it was called iPhone 14. The series got rid of the model with the Mini prefix, but there were still four devices in it. Apple marketers have conditionally divided them into lines: affordable iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus and more premium iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
Release date of iPhone 14 (2022) in Russia and in the world
Apple’s fall presentation 2022 took place a week earlier than expected – on September 7. But for unknown reasons, smartphones will appear on sale at different times.
iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max went on sale worldwide on September 16. At the same time, the start of sales of the iPhone 14 Plus was delayed until October 7.
If we talk about the release date of the iPhone 14 in Russia, then they can be purchased from resellers already on the day the global sales begin. As a rule, the very first mobile devices come to Russia from the Baltic countries.
Large retailers are not yet ready to name the exact release date of the iPhone 14 in Russia, imported as part of parallel imports. Communication shops and marketplaces set completely different delivery times for new items – from October 2022 to early January 2023. Some stores warn that these dates may also be pushed back due to logistics problems.
Price of iPhone 14 (2022) in Russia
Contrary to the assumptions of insiders 1 , the price of the new iPhone 14 (2022) has not changed at all compared to the 2021 models. The basic iPhone 14 will cost $799, the iPhone 14 Plus will cost $899, the iPhone 14 Pro will cost $999, and the most advanced iPhone 14 Pro Max will cost $1,099. However, the price may increase depending on the amount of built-in memory.
Naturally, due to the instability of the exchange rate, it is difficult to name the exact price of the iPhone 14 (2022) in Russia. One of the communication stores has set the following price, which, apparently, other retailers will also focus on: iPhone 14 (84,990 rubles), iPhone 14 Plus (94,990 rubles), iPhone 14 Pro (104,990 rubles) and iPhone 14 Pro Max (114,990 rubles).
Prices for iPhone 14 (2022) in Russia from resellers vary in an insane range from 70 to 300 thousand rubles.
iPhone 14 (2022) Specifications
As we mentioned above, the iPhone 14 line was divided into two parts immediately during the presentation. First, the public was shown the relatively simple iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, and then the audience was told about the much more interesting iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Starting with the iPhone 14, the iPhone mini with a screen diagonal of 5.1 inches disappeared from the series. This step by Apple is justified – the company does not create artificial competition for the compact iPhone SE . It is now Apple’s only truly small smartphone. The screen diagonal of the remaining devices remains the same – 6.1 and 6.7 inches.
The iPhone 14 lineup has several common features across all four devices. For example, the function of calling for help via satellite (Emergency SOS via satellite). The option allows you to contact emergency services where there is no cellular network or Wi-Fi.
There are many more differences in smartphones. The Pro versions received a new Bionic A16 processor, an updated camera, an Always-on display with ProMotion technology and a stylish cutout for the Dynamic Island front sensors. In light of these changes, the base iPhone 14 looks more like the iPhone 13 S rather than a full-fledged license plate model of the legendary smartphone.
It is interesting how such changes in the presentation of iPhone 14 models will affect smartphone sales. After all, earlier analyst Ming Chi Kuo assured that in 2022 Apple would expect unprecedented sales of the iPhone 14 in China. Local retailers allegedly left much more pre-orders for the new product than in the case of the iPhone 13 in 2021 2 .
CPU
Owners of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus received a slightly updated Bionic A15 processor, already known from the iPhone 13 line (in the 2022 version, one video processor core was added to it). It is similar in structure to the A16 (6 CPU cores, 5 video processor cores and 16 cores for artificial intelligence algorithms), but operates at lower clock speeds.
Thus, the assumptions of insider Mark Gurman that the two basic models of the iPhone 14 will remain on the previous generation of processors turned out to be correct. He attributed this to the fact that Apple spent too many resources on creating new processors for laptops 3 .
In the case of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, things get a little more interesting. The A16 Bionic processor has switched to a new process technology – 4nm. This means that it consumes less power and does not get very hot, unlike the A15. According to Apple engineers, their new processor is 40% faster in performance than solutions from its closest competitors (although the company did not indicate which ones). Also in the A16 processor, a separate core was allocated, which is responsible for the operation of the Always-on display and the interactive Dynamic Island, which appeared in Pro models instead of the “notch” for the camera.
Separately, Apple also mentioned the work of their A16 processor with the new iPhone 14 Pro camera. Now photos are processed by all processor cores, and not just those responsible for artificial intelligence algorithms. In theory, this means that the photos and videos you take with the new iPhone 14 (2022) will be even better.
Display
All iPhone 14 received XDR displays already used in the iPhone 13 line. Accordingly, the picture quality in them remains at the level of smartphones in 2021. But there is still a slight difference in the screens of the devices.
iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, like iPhone 13 Pro, work with ProMotion technology. With it, the refresh rate of the smartphone screen can vary from 1 to 120 Hz. In situations where smooth animation is required (games or videos), the maximum refresh rate will be used. In cases where the picture is static (text or image), the processor reduces the display refresh rate to a minimum – this reduces battery consumption.
Thanks to this, the premium iPhone 14 now has the Always-on Display feature. In fact, now the iPhone screen works even when the phone is locked, it just updates very rarely and therefore consumes almost no battery power. Widgets for such screens have already appeared in iOS 16. Now basic information about the smartphone (missed calls, battery charge percentage) can be read without pressing the power button on the smartphone screen. It is likely that similar widgets from third-party developers will appear in iOS in the future.
Also interesting is the situation with replacing the “bangs” with Dynamic Island in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Insiders have long been talking about the fact that its appearance will change 4 , but in the end Apple managed to make everything more elegant. Light sensors, Face ID, camera and earpiece did not disappear from the iPhone 14 screen, but moved to a small black “island” at the top of the screen.
At the same time, a Dynamic Island was placed around the area with sensors – the area that iOS uses for notifications. The screen around the camera cutout may change, but the part with the physical models always remains black. The Dynamic Island area is always interactive and can be interacted with, stretched, and clicked on alerts. Essentially, this feature was a reimagining of the notification shade in iOS. Over time, more iPhone apps will work correctly with Dynamic Island.
Frame
In terms of size and weight, all four iPhone 14 (2022) are virtually no different from the iPhone 13. The smartphones inherited the angular shape of the body, the design of the rear camera unit and the Lightning connector for charging from last year’s model. Changes are noticeable only in the design of the Dynamic Island element on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
By the way, the cases of the two premium smartphones are still made of titanium. This material is considered stronger than aluminum, which is used in the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. The front of the smartphone is protected by Ceramic Shield glass.
Also, design changes indirectly affected the iPhone 14 line for sale in the US market. Apple has completely abandoned physical SIM cards in favor of e-SIM in smartphones for America; accordingly, the SIM card tray has disappeared from the body. Starting with iPhone 14, iOS will fully work with electronic SIM cards (e-SIM). Almost all Russian operators support this technology, but it is not yet known whether the iPhone can be activated for the US market with a Russian operator. In versions of the iPhone 14 for all other countries in the world, the SIM card tray remains.
The set of body colors for the base iPhone 14 has changed slightly. Green has disappeared, but purple and blue options have been added. iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are available in four colors: black, silver, gold and purple.
Camera
Both base and premium iPhone 14 models have received camera updates.
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus were equipped with a more light-sensitive (f/1.5 versus f/1.6) 12 MP main camera sensor with optical stabilization. The front camera also works better in dark conditions – a 12 MP sensor with an f/1.9 aperture is installed instead of f/2.2 in the iPhone 13. According to Apple engineers, their new Photonic Engine technology will improve the quality of photos taken in the dark by two times. And this is all thanks to the work of new lenses and post-processing of images by artificial intelligence.
For those who like to record videos while running, they came up with the Action Mode function. In this mode, additional stabilization algorithms will be enabled when shooting videos on the iPhone 14.
All three lenses of the premium iPhone 14 received updates. The smartphones have finally moved from a 12 MP main sensor to a 48 MP high-aperture module. It works with a universal focal length of 24 mm.
The telephoto lens of the iPhone 14 now brings the image closer without changing the quality not only by 3, but also by 2 times. Thus, the smartphone allows you to shoot portraits at the popular focal length (48 mm) with spectacular background blur.
A new fast 13 mm lens (f/2.2) was installed in the ultra-wide-angle module of the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. Apple engineers say that it will now take 3 times better pictures in dark conditions.
Advanced photographers will be able to take RAW photos (without processing with compression algorithms) with a resolution of 48 MP on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. You can then edit them on your computer.
Photonic Engine post-processing technology has been announced to work with all premium iPhone 14 camera modules.
Communications
All four iPhone 14 models received the Emergency SOS via Satellite 5 feature , which insiders had previously talked about. Thanks to it, the owner of the smartphone will be able to call for help in a difficult situation. For example, if he is lost in a place where there is no cellular network reception.
After enabling this mode, iOS will prompt the owner to point the iPhone into the sky to catch a signal from the nearest satellite. Once connected, the smartphone will open a menu with pre-prepared options for events: “I was robbed,” “I got lost,” “I got sick,” and so on. Having selected the desired option, the user will be able to provide additional information, and then the iPhone will transmit the location coordinates and all data to the rescue service via satellite.
Also, the Emergency SOS Via Satellite system can be used in more “peaceful” situations. For example, transmit coordinates about your location to relatives – in this case, all data will be sent via satellite, and not through base stations of cellular operators.
Users from the USA and Canada will be the first to try the service in November 2022. iPhone 14 owners will be given a two-year free subscription to Emergency SOS via Satellite. Apple has not yet announced the cost of its renewal.
Apple did not show any other changes to the iPhone 14 interfaces. The smartphone has Wi-Fi, NFC, MagSafe, Bluetooth and GSM modules from last year’s model.
Battery
Apple engineers did not reveal the battery capacity of the new iPhone 14, but only reported how long smartphones can work in different modes. The iPhone 14 has the most modest results (up to 20 hours of video and 80 hours of audio); the iPhone 14 Pro is almost on par with it (up to 23 hours of video and 75 hours of audio). The larger iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro Max will last longer – the former will last up to 26 hours of video and 100 hours of audio, and the latter – up to 29 hours of video and 95 hours of audio.
Conclusion
The new iPhone 14 received perhaps the clearest division into basic and premium models in Apple’s history. The available iPhones were left without a fresh processor, beautiful Dynamic Island and a powerful main camera module, although the price difference between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro is only $200.
One gets the feeling that the new base smartphone models should have been called the iPhone 13 S – there are too few worthy upgrades in them. There’s probably no point in switching to such devices from last year’s iPhone 13.
But the Pro models of the iPhone 14 turned out to be truly interesting. Even something as small as Dynamic Island can completely change the experience of using a smartphone. And the quality of pictures in Pro and Pro Max will be much better than in more affordable analogues.
