Free Standard Shipping on All U.S. Orders Over $99

Free 30 Day Return / Exchange in USA

Your cart

Your cart is empty

Check out these collections.

The iPhone 14 Reviews Are In: A Guide to Its Pros, Cons and Features - BlackBrook Case

The iPhone 14 Reviews Are In: A Guide to Its Pros, Cons and Features

Did you know that over 240 million iPhones were sold last year alone?

It's no secret that Apple makes most of its money from the iPhone. This is why we all wait for the release of new models every September. However, this year we got a subtle upgrade with the iPhone 14 and a major redesign for the iPhone 14 Pro. 

The iPhone 14 effectively replaces last year's iPhone 13 and comes with a few safety features and a new camera. The biggest upgrade comes in the form of the iPhone 14 Plus model, which gets a beautiful 6.7-inch OLED display.

Want to learn more about the new iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus? You're in the right place. Here's a comprehensive review of Apple's new smartphones, along with a guide on how to find the right iPhone for you.

The iPhone 14

Announced in September, the new iPhone 14 was released alongside the iPhone 14 Plus, the iPhone 14 Pro, and the iPhone 14 Pro Max. This formed the latest iPhones from Apple and included some of the tech company's latest technology. The new iPhone 14 was released with a 6.1-inch screen but also featured a Plus model that featured a massive 6.7-inch display. 

This new Plus model effectively replaced the outgoing iPhone 13 mini. However, the new Plus model managed to fit in perfectly for those who wanted a bigger screen but did not want to pay so much more for the Pro model. The new iPhone models came with the same A15 Bionic chip but included a few new features.

This included satellite connectivity, a photonic engine, and various minor upgrades around the cameras of the phone. The new phones also came in a few new colors to help differentiate them from the previous model. 

A Subtle Upgrade

When it comes to updates on the iPhone, Apple does not give away too much too soon. This is evident by the new iPhone 14 model coming with just a handful of carefully picked upgrades over the previous model. This was also done to help highlight the new iPhone 14 Pro as the flagship model within Apple's range. 

While many may complain that the iPhone 14 is not a big enough upgrade, it can help to remember that not everyone upgrades their phone every year. Most people buy their phones on a contract that typically lasts two years. This means that they only replace their phone every second year. 

In this way, it's more accurate to think of people with an iPhone 11 or an iPhone 12 looking to make the upgrade to the new iPhone 14. When you think of it in this way, the iPhone 14 offers a lot of notable new features for people looking to upgrade their phones. 

The iPhone 14 offers an improved battery, an optimized chip for better image processing, and a new screen size for those who prefer the larger display but don't want to spend the extra money to get the iPhone 14 Pro Max.  

The iPhone 14 Plus

As mentioned above, one of the most notable new features of the iPhone 14 is the new iPhone 14 Plus model. This model includes the same 6.7-inch screen that can be found in the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The new iPhone 14 Plus model comes with the same battery, allowing you to comfortably get through the entire day with ease. 

The iPhone 14 Plus comes with the same features you love, such as MagSafe charging, fast charging capabilities, ceramic shield protection, and superfast 5G connectivity. This new model is almost identical to the smaller models but just improves in two distinct ways. This being the battery and the display.

The new iPhone 14 Plus also comes with an upgraded camera module that can help stabilize video on the move. This is the same camera as the standard iPhone 14 but is a major improvement over the previous model. The larger screen paired with the camera upgrades makes the new iPhone 14 Plus perfect for those who love keeping a high-quality camera on them. 

The Best iPhone 14 Features

The iPhone 14 is a brilliant upgrade for those with an iPhone 13 and below. While the new features aren't massive, the subtle updates have made the new phone even more efficient for everyday use. Here are some of the biggest updates on the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Plus. 

1. Super Retina XDR Display

The new iPhone 14 comes with the same impressive screen as the iPhone 13. This SuperRetina XDR display comes with HDR functionality and can support a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio. The display is also a true-tone display with haptic touch. 

The iPhone 14 Plus comes with a 6.7-inch display that packs in all the same technology as the smaller iPhone 14. The new Plus model comes with a 2778 x 1284 resolution that looks absolutely brilliant in person. The screen can also get to a peak brightness of around 800 nits, with an absolute peak of 1200 nits. 

2. The Plus Model

As mentioned above, the Plus model is one of the biggest reasons people will flock to the new iPhone 14. The standard iPhone 14 might not be that different from the iPhone 13, but people had to spend a ton more money for the screen that comes with the iPhone 14 Plus. 

In addition to the larger screen, the iPhone 14 Plus also comes with an incredibly powerful all-day battery. If you look at the stats that Apple published with the new phones, the iPhone 14 Plus can support up to 26 hours of video playback. This makes it almost as good as the ultimate iPhone 14 Pro Max model.

The Plus model was announced alongside the standard iPhone 14 but is set to be released a few months later. While the new iPhone 14 Pro managed to capture all the headlines, reports suggest that the iPhone 14 Plus may be one of Apple's biggest sellers.

3. Durable Design

The new iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 are made with the same premium materials as the previous model. This means that you don't need to worry about scratching or dropping your phone as it's protected by Apple's ceramic shield. This incredibly strong glass helps make the iPhone 14 the most durable iPhone they have ever made.

The new iPhones are also water and dust-resistant, with an industry-leading certification as well. This means that you can use your iPhone freely without the fear that it will get damaged. Apple even created ads to display the durability of the new iPhones and has noted that it has one of the most durable screens in any smartphone.

4. Emergency Satellite Connectivity

The new iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models come with satellite connectivity. This means that the antennas in the new iPhones have been completely redesigned to allow you to communicate via satellite in emergency situations. Apple knows that it's difficult to stay connected to a satellite and so they have developed a unique interface to help you out. 

The new iPhone 14 models also come with crash detection. This is a new feature that lets the iPhone know if you have been in an accident. While these new features may not be very glamorous, they are essential safety features that make owning an iPhone that much better.

5. The Apple Ecosystem

Apple is not just a single device but an ecosystem. This means that the iPhone 14 will seamlessly fit in with the other Apple devices that you may already have. This continuity feature works in almost every aspect of the phone, making your life easier in the process. 

These features are a lot more practical than you may think, with the most popular feature allowing you to answer and make phone calls from your other devices that you may have nearby. This is one of the biggest reasons people keep buying iPhones, as they just work with everything you already have.

The iPhone 14 Pro 

The iPhone 14 Pro stole the show with its impressive new front camera module. While older models of the iPhone included a notch at the top of the display, the new iPhone 14 Pro was designed with a pill-shaped cutout that was named the Dynamic Island. This was because Apple created unique animations that could grow and shrink the Dynamic Island to effectively disappear when you're using the new phone. 

The Dynamic Island also acts as a multitasking bar as you can layer different apps on the Dynamic Island whenever you minimize the application. This allowed you to interact with the new iPhone in a very unique way, differentiating itself from the rest of the iPhone lineup. 

The new iPhone 14 Pro also comes with a new main camera sensor, making it the first time the camera has been extended from 12 MP. The new sensor is a massive 48 MP sensor, allowing you to take bigger, better quality photos every time.

iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro

If you're trying to choose between the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Pro, there are a few things you need to know about the iPhone 14 Pro as well. While the new Pro model does come with the Dynamic Island, it also comes with a much more advanced front display. The iPhone 14 Pro comes with a 6.1-inch OLED with ProMotion technology. 

This means that the screen can refresh anywhere from 1 Hz to 120 Hz. This dynamic refresh rate goes a long way in maintaining your phone's battery as it will refresh at a lower rate when you're reading and then speed up when you're scrolling. This way, you can have a buttery smooth experience every time you use your phone. 

The iPhone 14 Pro also comes with a third camera at the back of the phone. This is the 12 MP telephoto lens that can allow you to optically zoom in without losing image quality. However, the biggest upgrade in the camera department is with the main 48 MP sensor. 

This new sensor comes with a ton of new features that allow you to do more with your mobile device. The new phone also allows you to pack in up to 1 TB of storage. This makes it perfect for those who want to have a professional camera in their pockets at all times.  

iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13

Most people upgrade their phones every second year. This is why Apple does not go all-out to create radically new phones every year but rather builds on the previous model to include the latest technology they have to offer. The iPhone 14 is noted as a subtle update to the iPhone 13, with just enough new features to differentiate it from the widely successful iPhone 13. 

While the iPhone 13 did come in a mini model, the iPhone 14 replaces that with the larger Plus model. This means that people who wanted the bigger display of the Pro Max models can now get the same display at a much cheaper price point. The Plus model also comes with the same legendary battery performance, making it perfect for those who need all-day battery life. 

When it comes to deciding between the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 13, it's important to know that the iPhone 14 model comes with satellite connectivity, a photonic engine, and a slightly more optimized processing unit. While both these phones have the A15 Bionic chip, the iPhone 14 comes with a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU. 

This gives it the edge when it comes to gaming, video editing, and digital processing. There are also a few new safety features included in the new iPhone 14 such as emergency SOS via satellite and automatic crash detection. This feature allows your phone to detect that you've been in a car accident so that it can request emergency services on your behalf.  

iPhone 14: Pros and Cons

The iPhone 14 is a welcomed update for many. While many may think it's the same as the iPhone 13, the new model builds on last year's model to be one of the best iPhones Apple has made in the last few years. Here's a quick look at some of the pros and cons of the new model to help you decide if you should upgrade.

Pros of the iPhone 14

Are you thinking of upgrading to the new iPhone 14? Whether you're coming up from an iPhone 11 or an iPhone 13, the new model comes with a few benefits that you should know about. Here's a quick look at the pros of the new iPhone 14.

1. Impressive Battery Life

When it comes to battery life, the new iPhones do not disappoint. The iPhone 13 was a major step forward in the battery department, but the iPhone 14 comes with even more optimization to take advantage of the new technology. 

The new iPhone 14 can support up to 20 hours of video playback and 80 hours of audio playback. This is a slight improvement over the iPhone 13 of last year with 19 hours of video playback and 75 hours of audio playback. The new models come with Apple's MagSafe technology and include fast charging capabilities that can add 50% of charge in just 30 minutes. 

2. Super Retina XDR Display

The first thing you're going to notice about the new iPhone 14 model is the iPhone 14 Plus model. This model comes with a massive 6.7-inch display, the same OLED that comes with the iPhone 13 Pro Max. This impressive display is an incredibly clear HDR display that comes with true tone capabilities and haptic touch. 

3. New Range of Colors

The iPhone 14 shares many of the same design features as the outgoing model. Apple has kept this design fairly the same since the introduction of the iPhone 12. While the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 look quite similar, the new model comes with a few unique colors to help differentiate it from older models. 

The iPhone 14 is available in Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red just like the iPhone 13. However, Apple introduced a lighter shade of blue and purple for the new models.

4. Improved Low Light Photography

The iPhone 12 was a major upgrade for the iPhone in the camera department. The iPhone 12 saw a whole new camera module included in the phone that was capable of shooting at night. The iPhones since then included a wider camera that can let more light in for every photo so that you can still get crystal clear photos at night. 

The iPhone 14 also comes with the Photonic Engine. This is a dedicated onboard processor that can help analyze and process photos and videos a lot faster than the previous model. This new processor also comes with an Action mode for video recording. 

This new video recording mode allows the iPhone to use its camera sensors to dynamically analyze and stabilize video as you're recording. This effectively replaces a gimble and allows you to take steady footage no matter where you are. 

5. Emergency Satellite Connectivity

One of the major new features of the new iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Pro models is satellite connectivity. Apple included a new antenna to the iPhone 14 that can help connect you to emergency satellites if you ever need to send out an emergency message. Apple has also included a unique user interface to help you stay connected while your message is sent.

This makes the new iPhone 14 the perfect phone for those who love to spend time outdoors. 

Cons of the iPhone 14

While the new iPhone 14 is a great new phone from Apple, there are a few things you should know about it before making your final decision. Here are some of the cons you should keep in mind about the new iPhone 14. 

1. No Mini

When Apple released the iPhone 12, they introduced the iPhone 12 mini alongside it. This was a miniature version of the iPhone 12 that came with a 5.42-inch screen. However, this model was a brilliant deal since it still came with all the internals of the standard iPhone. 

The iPhone 13 was also available in this size, making it perfect for people who wanted all the benefits of the new iPhone in a smaller form factor. However, the iPhone 14 ditches the mini model in favor of the iPhone 14 Plus. This means that if you loved the mini model, you may have to settle for the iPhone 13 mini.

2. Incredibly Similar To The iPhone 13

It's no secret that the focus of Apple's event was on the iPhone 14 Pro. The new iPhone 14 Pro came with a completely new camera module that enabled its flagship feature, the Dynamic Island. However, the standard iPhone 14 includes almost all the specs of last year's design.

While the iPhone 14 comes with new connectivity and safety features, the cameras and internals remained fairly the same. This means that you won't notice a big performance difference when you upgrade from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 14. This makes the new iPhone 14 perfect for people who have older iPhones and were waiting to upgrade. 

3. No Dynamic Island

As mentioned above, the iPhone 14 does not come with the new flagship feature from the iPhone 14 Pro. This makes the iPhone 14 look incredibly different from the iPhone 14 Pro, which is something you would only notice from the rear of the models in the past. 

The iPhone 14 looks and feels incredibly similar to the iPhone 13 from last year. However, Apple did include a few new colors to help make the new phone unique. This includes some of the same standard colors like Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red but includes new colors such as light blue and light purple. 

Protecting Your iPhone 14

The iPhone 14 is a subtle yet welcomed upgrade over last year's iPhone 13. While we may have lost the iPhone 13 mini, we have gained the new iPhone 14 Plus. This model comes with a bigger battery and the same OLED display found in the iPhone 14 Pro Max. 

Whether you decide on getting the new iPhone 14 or the upgraded iPhone 14 Pro, you're going to want to get a high-quality case. To provide the best protection for your new device, we offer a wide range of leather cases for you to choose from.

Previous post
Next post