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Apple announced the iPhone 14 along with new Plus, Pro, and Pro Max models on September 7, 2022. With new satellite connectivity features on each model and a redesign of the notch on the iPhone 14 Pro, there are some big changes this time around. . .
No more SIM card slot (in the US)
Apple has made headlines in the past with its decision to remove features like optical drives, headphone jacks, and USB-A ports. The company is back with US versions of the iPhone 14 that lack a physical SIM card slot. To connect the iPhone 14 or 14 Pro to a cellular network, you’ll need to rely on an eSIM instead.
eSIM is short for “embedded SIM” and allows you to choose and switch carriers without removing a physical SIM card. The feature is not new and has appeared on many Apple smartphone models in the past, starting with the iPhone XS. This is the first time US customers are required to use it.
Instead of swapping out a physical SIM card, carriers can be switched on the fly using a preference in iOS settings. The iPhone 14 can store up to six, while the iPhone 14 Pro can store up to 8. International models in the iPhone 14 lineup will still support a physical SIM card slot (for now).
The move shouldn’t cause too much of a problem if you’re with a major carrier, but anyone using a smaller budget carrier should check if their carrier supports an eSIM before buying. The decision to remove the SIM card slot means one less entry point to worry about when it comes to water and dust protection, and should accelerate eSIM adoption among cell phone carriers around the world.
New satellite connectivity
Both new iPhone models in 2022 have a new feature called Emergency SOS via satellite. As the name suggests, this allows the iPhone to connect to the satellite network in an emergency in areas that lack cellular coverage. The service will be available in the United States and Canada starting in November.
Satellite communication uses text messages to connect with SOS services, even those that only accept voice calls thanks to Apple’s “relay centers” that transmit text messages. Apple also supports non-emergency use, like letting friends and family know you’re okay while out of cellular range.
Apple has promised two years of “free” coverage for the service, without knowing how much the feature will cost when it expires. Apple might charge an additional fee or include the service in its paid tier of iCloud+ that already offers features like Hide My Email and iCloud Private Relay when you buy more iCloud storage.
No iPhone mini by 2022
The iPhone 14 now comes with a 6.1″ screen as standard, with an optional 6.7″ iPhone 14 Plus model available for those who prefer a larger screen. Unfortunately, Apple no longer seems to be catering to those who like smaller devices, as the 5.4″ iPhone 13 mini won’t be getting an update in 2022.
As a consolation, you can still buy last year’s iPhone 13 mini on Apple’s website, though at just $200 cheaper than the $799 iPhone 14, it might be a tough sell considering the inferior battery life (it’s listed below). three hours less than the iPhone 14).
It’s unclear whether or not Apple will make a new iPhone mini next year, so it’s too early to say that the smaller iPhone models have been phased out entirely. Instead, Apple can opt for an alternative Plus and mini cycle, which might work well considering most people don’t upgrade their iPhone every year anyway.
Crash detection on all models
Thanks to an improved “high dynamic range” gyroscope and a new “high g” accelerometer, Apple is rolling out a feature called Flaw Detection to all iPhone 14 (and Pro) models. This works like Fall Detection on the Apple Watch, where the iPhone can detect when you’ve been in a car accident and offer to call emergency services for you.
If you don’t respond to the request, iPhone will proceed to ask for help anyway, and Siri will provide you with information about your location.
The feature is based on data collected by on-board sensors, including sudden changes in speed, abrupt changes in direction, loud sound levels and changes in cabin pressure due to airbag deployment.
A notch better (iPhone 14 Pro)
Apple has redesigned the divisive notch on the iPhone 14 Pro, complete with a silly new name to boot. Now known as Dynamic Island, the redesign is more like the pill-shaped cutouts found on rival Android devices. It houses the front-facing FaceTime camera, the ambient light sensor, and the sensors needed to unlock the phone with FaceID.
But Apple has gone one step further and managed to cleverly integrate dead space into iOS to make the area useful again. The sensor array is now combined with notifications, alerts, Now Playing controls, turn-by-turn directions, and more. Touching and holding Dynamic Island reveals things like playback controls and other information, complete with fancy animation.
To make it work, Apple managed to reduce the size of the TrueDepth camera system used for Face ID by 31%, with the proximity sensor now behind the screen to save even more space. Expect this feature to come to mainstream iPhone models in future releases.
Brighter always-on display (iPhone 14 Pro)
To go along with Apple’s new lock screen widgets that feature prominently in iOS 16, iPhone 14 Pro features an always-on display. The feature was first discovered in the iOS 16 beta, sparking rumors that Apple could roll it out to iPhone 13 Pro devices. That may still be technically possible, but so far Apple has only mentioned the feature as being exclusive to the iPhone 13 Pro. iPhone 14 Pro.
The screen uses the proximity sensor to detect when iPhone is face down or placed in a pocket, turning off the screen to save battery life. Apple hasn’t said whether or not the feature can be turned off entirely, but if it’s anything like the Apple Watch’s always-on display implementation, there will be a switch in Settings.
On top of this, the screen can now hit 2,000 nits brightness in daylight (twice the brightness of the iPhone 13 Pro) or 1,600 nits in HDR photos and videos (up from 1,200 nits on last year’s model).
Improved camera and flash (iPhone 14 Pro)
While not as immediately noticeable as features like Dynamic Island and the always-on display, perhaps the biggest upgrade for the iPhone 14 Pro (thanks to the A16 Bionic system-on-chip that powers the device) is the camera system. The iPhone’s main camera now uses a massive 48-megapixel sensor, compared to the 12-megapixel sensor that appeared on the iPhone 13 Pro.
Quadruple resolution increase is made possible by a 65% larger sensor, which lets in more light in each shot for even better low-light performance. There is also a new 2x telephoto option with a 48mm effective focal length to combine with the existing 3x telephoto and 0.5x ultra wide angle. 2x zoom is possible using the 48-megapixel sensor’s “average 12 megapixels”, for 4K resolution photos without digital zoom.
Building on the Cinematic mode introduced with the iPhone 13 Pro, there’s the option to shoot in 4K HDR at 24 (or 30) frames per second, up from 1080p last time. Action mode is a new option for smooth handheld video shooting, stabilizing footage as you shoot without the need for a gimbal.
Lastly, a redesigned TrueTone flash has been added with 9 LEDs that can adjust pattern and intensity based on your chosen focal length and composition.
Although the iPhone 14 Pro gets the bulk of the improvements here, Apple has promised a new “Advanced” dual-camera system with better low-light performance on the base model this time around.
Ships with iOS 16
The new iPhone 14 will be available on September 16 starting at $799, and the iPhone 14 Plus will arrive on October 7 starting at $899. The iPhone 14 Pro (starting at $999) and Pro Max (starting at $1099) will also be available on September 16 .
iOS 16 will be released on September 12. Find out if your old device can run the latest software update from Apple.
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