It’s that time of the year. Indian consumers were among the first in the world to get their hands on the new iPhone 14 devices. India was among a list of 40-odd global markets where the iPhone 14, 14 Pro and Pro Max first went on sale on September 16. And now the iPhone 14 Plus hits India on October 7 along with select global markets. The big question is, which is the iPhone for you?
The lineup
The Pro Twins: the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are powered by the new A16 bionic chip with two high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores. Apple claims the new 6-core CPU is up to 40 percent faster than the competition and aces demanding workloads. The rear cameras get a boost too; it’s the first-ever 48MP Main camera on iPhone featuring a quad-pixel sensor, and Photonic Engine, an enhanced image pipeline that dramatically improves low-light photos. But the killer feature might end up Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro twins that adds a new navigation experience that is made possible by the new design feature that has shrunk the ‘Notch’ that has remained almost unchanged since 2017. This intuitive navigation experience allows you to stay on your primary display as you control multiple apps from the cut-out.
The 14 and 14 Plus: we’re sad to see no ‘mini’ in the iPhone lineup for 2022. The mini makes way for a plus-size device, the first time Apple has used a ‘Plus’ moniker since the iPhone 8. The new iPhone 14 comes with a 6.7-inch display (the same screen size as the Pro Max). The new size variation is the biggest change over the iPhone 13. The iPhone 14 twins are powered by the same A15 bionic chip in last year’s iPhone quartet. There’s a slight enhancement to aperture in the primary 12MP cam that Apple claims impacts lowlight camera performance by 39%.
Pricing
A big part of your purchase decision. Apple has retained the same pricing as the iPhone 13 for the iPhone 14 that starts at Rs 79,900. The iPhone 14 Pro starts at Rs 1,29,900 and goes all the way to Rs 1,89,900 for the 1TB version of the iPhone 14 Pro Max. There’s a Rs 6,000 instant cashback on HDFC cards plus deals when you trade in an older iPhone. If you’re registered under GST and are buying the phone for business purposes, you can also claim a GST input credit.
Key differences between the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Pro
Display: The Pro devices come with Apple’s ProMotion technology that dynamically changes the display’s refresh rate (120 Hz). We’d recommend this for serious gamers who are also pixel peepers. The Pro devices also feature Apple’s whole new take on an ‘Always on’ display and the new dynamic island.
The Camera: The Pro devices are among the best cameras on any smartphone; this year they also benefit from a new 48MP lens and Photonic Engine that enhances lowlight images.
The processor: the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are powered by the new A16 bionic chip with two high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores. The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus come with the same A15 chipset that is at the heart of the iPhone 13 and 13 mini.
Buy the
iPhone 14 Pro Max: if you need the extra screen real estate, battery life and the best iPhone camera, especially if you’re upgrading from the iPhone 12 Pro twins. This is also for those who want to own the best iPhone and typically upgrade their device every year.
iPhone 14 Pro: if you prefer a lighter device with all the top-of-the line features on the Pro Max. You will, however, miss out on the larger screen while catching videos or typing long emails and won’t be able to use the extra battery life of the Pro Max especially when you travel.
iPhone 14: if you’re stepping up from the iPhone 11 or 12. There’s not a huge lot of enhancements to step up from the iPhone 13.
iPhone 14 Plus: if you’d like the extra battery life and the screen size and are stepping up from an older iPhone.
iPhone 13 or older iPhones: keep an eye out for deals and price drops that happen every time there’s a new iPhone launch especially if you’re moving from an older iPhone from the 2010s or looking for your first ‘bite’ of the Apple ecosystem.
