iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max: A Comprehensive Review of New Features
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Hello everyone!
We're back once again!
It's that exciting time of year when Apple unveils the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, and there's plenty to discuss regarding these new devices.
Let’s get started!
About the Design
The exterior of the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max closely resembles that of previous Pro models. During my testing outdoors, it was hard to distinguish it from the iPhone 13 Pro.
While the hardware sees minimal changes—mainly an enhanced gyroscope and an upgraded accelerometer—software features have significantly advanced thanks to the A16 Bionic chip. This creates a noticeable distinction between the Pro and base models.
Important points to note: - The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are identical except for their screen sizes (6.1" and 6.7", respectively). - In the U.S., the physical SIM card tray is gone; these iPhones now utilize eSIM technology exclusively. Be cautious when traveling abroad, as obtaining a local SIM card may be challenging.
About the Internals
Crash Detection
This feature is designed to identify if you have been involved in a car accident. If you don’t respond to the alerts on your screen, your iPhone will automatically activate Emergency SOS.
I hope none of us ever have to rely on this feature, but it exists for our safety.
A friend suggested testing for accidental triggers, similar to how the Apple Watch sometimes mistakenly detects workouts when you’re just rushing somewhere.
For instance, if you quickly run up the stairs and the watch prompts you about starting a workout due to an elevated heart rate—those are the kinds of accidental activations I mean.
So, how does the iPhone distinguish a true car crash from simply dropping it?
It utilizes multiple sensors to ensure accurate crash detection: - Microphones detect loud noises - The gyroscope senses sudden stops - GPS tracks speed changes, like going from 70 mph to a complete halt - Barometric sensors respond to changes when airbags deploy
If the iPhone detects all these factors, it will conclude that a car accident has occurred.
Satellite Connectivity
Another new feature I hope remains unused, but it’s available nonetheless.
There’s not much to elaborate on this feature yet, as it’s currently limited to the United States. Even when available, I won't be testing it myself.
It’s impressive that the iPhone is equipped with such advanced antenna technology without needing external satellite devices.
A16 Bionic Chip
While the A16 chip may not differ drastically from its predecessor, it boasts enhancements in CPU, GPU, and machine learning capabilities.
The results from Geekbench 5 reflect a steady improvement over the previous generation.
About the Display
The iPhone 14 features a Super Retina XDR display. Years ago, I wondered how anyone could enjoy watching shows on such a small screen, but I must admit that my perspective has changed. Watching series or movies on the iPhone 14 Pro is truly a remarkable experience.
I’ve been catching the new "Game of Thrones" spin-off, "House of the Dragon," and "The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power" on HBO Max, and the display offers stunning visuals in Dolby Vision with excellent sound quality.
Display specifications include: - ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz - HDR display capabilities - Haptic Touch functionality - A contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1 (typical) - Maximum brightness of 1,000 nits (typical), with peaks at 1,600 nits (HDR) and 2,000 nits (outdoor)
Always On Display
While this feature isn’t groundbreaking—many Android devices have had it for some time—Apple has implemented it in their own unique way.
So, how does it function?
Surprisingly well! I expected it would drain the battery, but it lasts a full day without issue. The screen remains on at low brightness and refresh rate while you're nearby.
The iPhone knows when to turn off, such as when in sleep mode or if it’s tucked away in a pocket. Even if you walk too far away from it while wearing an Apple Watch, the display shuts off.
If you’re not a fan of this feature, it can easily be disabled: - Go to Settings - Select Display & Brightness - Scroll to “Always On” and toggle it off
That’s all there is to it.
Personally, I’m opting to keep it off.
Now, let’s discuss a new feature called...
Dynamic Island
An innovative solution to a common design issue, albeit with a peculiar name.
This keynote was special, as many of the circulating rumors were confirmed. Remember the speculation about Apple replacing the notch with a pill-shaped sensor? That’s precisely what they did.
Had Apple simply opted for the pill shape, it would likely face harsh criticism for its design. But Apple is renowned for its innovative approach, and they’ve found a clever solution that integrates hardware and software seamlessly.
I propose calling it "The Merge," as it effectively unites the hardware and software elements, filling the gap with black pixels to create a cohesive look.
The brilliance lies not just in the aesthetic but in how they treated the notch as a software feature rather than a hardware one, investing heavily in technology to develop a wealth of new functionalities around it.
Dynamic Island offers remarkable capabilities, and I anticipate other tech companies will adopt similar features.
Interacting with Dynamic Island expands it, revealing a widget for the app you’re using, complete with media controls. If multiple tasks are running simultaneously, it expands further to show everything happening on your iPhone—think of it as a multitasking app switcher, something previously unimaginable.
Here’s what Dynamic Island can do: - FaceID recognition - AirPods connection status - Incoming call notifications - Accessory connections - Shortcuts - AirPlay functionality - NFC interactions - Silent mode toggle - Low battery alerts - Apple Watch unlock - SharePlay integration - Notifications from WhatsApp and Instagram - Now playing details for music apps - Timer countdowns - Maps directions - Screen recording status - Camera access
About The Camera
The iPhone 14 Pro features three cameras equipped with new sensors and algorithms to enhance photo quality.
This model boasts a larger sensor for the wide-angle lens, which significantly improves low-light photography. The new telephoto lens (3x) also enhances performance in dim conditions.
The main camera includes a sensor 65% larger than that of the iPhone 12 Pro, with 48 megapixels, functioning as a 12-megapixel telephoto lens (1x and 2x) along with next-gen optical image stabilization and a new F1.7 lens.
For standard photos, the camera utilizes 12-megapixel resolution, benefiting from the larger 48-megapixel sensor to deliver increased sharpness and light capture, resulting in faster shutter speeds and superior low-light photography.
To fully leverage the capabilities of the new 48-megapixel sensor, capture images in ProRAW, which are roughly 70 megabytes and allow for extensive detail and editing potential in Lightroom, resulting in superior images compared to standard 12-megapixel shots.
Additionally, the larger sensor introduces a feature called "Action Mode," which combines optical and digital stabilization for exceptional stability in video recording, capable of reaching up to 2.8K resolution in this mode.
That’s all for this year; while there aren’t many new features, Apple has refined existing functionalities, such as cinematic mode now supporting 30 FPS in addition to 24 FPS from last year.
These iPhones can record in Dolby Vision, delivering stunning colors and tones, all of which can be edited directly on the device with its XDR display and exported rapidly, showcasing an ultra-powerful device that fits comfortably in your pocket.
Pricing
- iPhone 14 Pro starting at $999.00
- iPhone 14 Pro Max starting at $1,099.00
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