iPhone 14: Everything you need to know

Apple has officially lifted the lid on the iPhone 14 range, and there’s one big difference: there’s no iPhone 14 Mini.

As rumoured prior to announcement, the small-screen iPhone has been canned in favour of a new 6.7in non-Pro model. For the first time since Apple’s standard and Pro deviation, iPhone users have the choice of enjoying a big-screen iPhone without having to pay for all the other high-end tech available on the top-end Pro Max model.

While that’s exciting, it’s not the most notable aspect of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus – in fact, there’s quite a bit to get excited about this year. Apple has improved the camera system with a new rear-facing 12Mp camera with a larger sensor and larger 1.9-micron pixels that the company claims improves low-light performance by 49%, though the ultra-wide lens remains unchanged.

There’s also an upgraded 12Mp front-facing camera, boasting key upgrades including improved low-light performance and autofocus for the first time.

The iPhone 14 also boasts satellite connectivity, allowing users to connect to a satellite without a bulky antenna in areas with no cellular reception, ideal for emergency scenarios and letting loved ones know where you are via Find My.

The only real surprise is the inclusion of the same A15 Bionic chipset as last year’s Pro models, rather than upgrading the processor as with previous years.  

Here’s everything you need to know about the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, including release date, pricing and the key new features of Apple’s flagship range. If you’re more interested in the Pro models, take a look at the latest iPhone 14 Pro & Pro Max news.

When will the iPhone 14 be released?

The iPhone 14 is available to buy now following release on 16 September – but the same can’t be said for the 6.7in iPhone 14 Plus. If you want the big-screen iPhone, you’ll have to wait until 7 October.

How much does the iPhone 14 cost?

With the removal of the entry-level iPhone mini from this year’s range, there’s a jump in the base price for the iPhone 14. While you could get one for as little as $699/£679 with the iPhone 13 range, the iPhone 14 range starts at an increased $799/£849, with a notable price hike in the UK in particular compared to the iPhone 13 range, likely due to fluctuations in currency.

Here’s how much the iPhone 14 range costs:

iPhone 14

• 128GB – $799/£849
• 256GB – $899/£959
• 512GB – $1099/£1179

iPhone 14 Plus

• 128GB – $899/£949
• 256GB – $999/£1059
• 512GB – $1199/£1279

If you’re tempted, you can buy the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus from Apple and select retailers right now. We cover where to buy the iPhone 14 in more detail if you’re tempted.

What’s new with the iPhone 14

So, what exactly is new with the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus?

As heavily rumoured prior to its announcement, Apple has decided to ditch the small-screen iPhone mini form factor for a 6.7in iPhone 14 Plus. It essentially brings the large-screen form factor to the regular iPhone range, allowing consumers to opt for a 6.7in model without having to pay for all the extra features and functionality of the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

The benefit to the new iPhone 14 Plus, aside from the 6.7in Super Retina XDR display, is improved battery life, with Apple claiming that the iPhone 14 Plus has the longest battery life of any iPhone to date – including this year’s Pro models. If battery life is important, the iPhone 14 Plus could be the one to go for.

That sits alongside the 6.1in iPhone 14, sporting the same high-end Super Retina XDR display tech as last year. Both models cap out at 60Hz though – it’s still a differentiator between the standard and Pro models.

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus offer an improved rear camera setup – though the true hardware improvements are exclusive to the main 12Mp sensor. That 12Mp sensor boasts both a larger sensor and larger 1.9-micron pixels that Apple claims improves low-light performance by as much as 49%, along with sensor-shift OIS tech and a faster aperture that’s better at snapping fast-moving shots. Though the 12Mp ultrawide snapper remains unchanged physically, improvements to Apple’s image processing tech mean it offers up to 2x better low-light performance with better detail and more accurate colours.

There’s also a boost to the front camera, with a new 12Mp TrueDepth camera offering an improved f/1.9 aperture for low-light shots, but the bigger improvement for many will be the introduction of autofocus. Using a combination of the camera sensor and the Face ID sensor, it can focus on faces in the shot quickly, even in low light.

Video is another area where the iPhone 14 range sees an improvement; Apple is introducing a new Action Mode that uses the full sensor’s overscan and roll correction technology to provide a gimble-level stablisation experience ideal for recording videos when running and cycling.

Satellite connectivity is a new addition to the iPhone 14 range, and it’s among the first smartphones on the market to offer the tech. While smartphones usually connect to cell towers a few miles away, the new smartphone range can connect to satellites hundreds of miles above the earth moving at 15,000mph. Impressive stuff.

The iPhone 14 has custom hardware built into the antenna, as well as a custom UI designed by Apple in conjunction with first responders to provide Emergency SOS via satellite in areas lacking coverage. You’ll have to point the iPhone at a certain area in the sky to maintain connectivity, but it’s a great addition for those that travel off the beaten track.

The only real surprise of the evening was the confirmation that the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus will again feature the A15 Bionic chipset, though with the caveat that it’s the improved A15 Bionic used in the Pro models rather than the standard models. Considering it’s still faster than most Android competition, it likely won’t matter to most, but it’s certainly a change from the iPhone upgrade as we know it.

Other improvements coming to the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus include the same crash detection tech as that of the Apple Watch Series 8, able to detect when you’ve been in a serious car accident and contact emergency services, as well as the removal of the SIM tray in the US. US consumers have no choice but to opt for eSIM connectivity, though it’ll still boast a SIM tray in most other regions worldwide.

The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus are available in five colours – midnight, blue, starlight, purple, and (PRODUCT) RED – at release.

It wasn’t the only announcement Apple made either; the company also revealed the Apple Watch Series 8, a new budget-friendly Apple Watch SE, a pro-exercise grade Apple Watch Ultra and the second-gen AirPods Pro too.