Prepare to pay even more for this year’s iPhone 14

Every iPhone 14 handset is a little more expensive when compared to last year's models

This story was originally published on our sister website WhistleOut Australia.

Alex Choros
Sep 08, 2022
Icon Time To Read4 min read

After months of leaks and rumours, Apple has officially taken the wraps off its 2022 iPhones, and once again, we're getting four brand new devices: the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are your "standard" devices, with the 6.7-inch Plus replacing the mini in the family. The pair buck the trend and are still powered by last year's A15 processor, but still get upgraded cameras. The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are a much bigger upgrade, benefitting from a new A16 processor, an always-on display, and a redesigned notch.

Notably, every iPhone is a little more expensive when compared to last year's models. The iPhone 14 starts at $1,399, up from $1,349 last year. Opting for an iPhone 14 Plus will set you back $1,579. If you're going Pro, you're looking at $1,749 for the 6.1-inch model, or $1,899 for the Pro Max. At the top end, the 1TB iPhone 14 Pro Max sells for $2,769.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of what's new, here's the important stuff. All four iPhone 14 devices will be available for preorder from 10:00PM (AEST) on September 9. The iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max will go sale on September 16, but the iPhone 14 Plus won't ship until October 7.

iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus
Everything you need to know about iPhone 14
Find out whether it's worth your time and money with our guide to everything you need to know about Apple's latest smartphone.

iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus

iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are "standard" iPhones, succeeding last year's iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini.

The iPhone 14 has the same 6.1-inch display as we saw last year, but the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus replaces the 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini in the family. As with previous models, the pair have a Ceramic Shield display for drop protection.

In terms of camera, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini both feature two rear-facing cameras: a 12MP primary lens and 12MP ultra-wide lens. While Apple has held firm with 12MP, the primary camera has a larger sensor and faster aperture, for a 49% improvement in low-light performance. Night mode exposure should be twice as fast.

The selfie camera has autofocus for the first time, which should help with group shots. The lens is also faster, for better low-light selfies.

Apple has also tweaked the software pipeline, to improve nighttime photography across every lens.

Video recording benefits from an action mode for "gimbal-like" stabilisation.

Inside the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, you'll find an A15 processor from last year's iPhones, but with a five-core GPU. While it's not a new chip like what you'll find in the iPhone 14 Pro, it's hard to complain about its performance.

In terms of battery, Apple says the iPhone 14 will last "all day", and that the iPhone 14 Plus has the best battery life ever seen in an iPhone.

Like the new Apple Watch models, the iPhone 14 supports crash detection in the event you're in a car accident. It will automatically call emergency services and contact your emergency contacts.

Lastly, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus can tap into satellite networks to send emergency text messages when you have no coverage, provided you've got a clear view of the sky. The phones also provides prompts for creating messages that get the most information across. The connectivity also lets you share your location via the Find My app if hiking, for example.

Emergency SOS will be free for two years with iPhone 14. Apple has yet to confirm how much it will cost thereafter. It will initially only be available in the US and Canada.

iPhone 14 pricing is as follows:

  • iPhone 14 128GB: $1,399
  • iPhone 14 256GB: $1,579
  • iPhone 14 512GB: $1,899
  • iPhone 14 Plus 128GB: $1,579
  • iPhone 14 Plus 256GB: $1,749
  • iPhone 14 Plus 512GB: $2,099

You'll be able to buy either in a choice of midnight, starlight, blue, purple, and red.

iPhone 14 cases

From brands we trust.

*Pricing and deals only accurate as of last page update. 

iPhone 14 Pro & iPhone 14 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 14 and 14 Pro Max

As Apple's new "Pro" iPhones, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max definitely feel a bit newer than the standard iPhone 14 models.

To start, while they have the same 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch display sizes as last year, Apple has redesigned the notch. Instead of connecting to the top bezel, it's now a pill-shaped cutout in the top section of the screen. Apple calls it the "dynamic island" It's used to surface alerts, and can expand and contract to show extra information. It will show background information like music if you're playing, timers, or directions. It can even bubble out into two elements if you have multiple things happening in the background.

The pair also feature an always-on display. When you're not using your iPhone, you'll be able to see a dimmer version of your entire lock screen. This is thanks to the high refresh rate ProMotion screen, which can now go as low as 1Hz if you're not interacting with the phone to save on battery life. The screen is also brighter, able to hit up to 2,000 nits outdoors. Apple says it has the highest peak brightness of any Phone.

In a first for Apple, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max have a 48MP primary lens, which should offer low light performance two times better than last year's Pro models. This can also be used for 2x optical zoom. You also get a new 12MP ultra-wide lens with a larger sensor and a 12MP 3x optical zoom lens. On the front, you get the new faster selfie camera with autofocus. They also benefit from action mode when filming video.

Unlike the standard iPhone 14 models, the Pros benefit from Apple's new A16 processor. Once again, Apple is calling the processor the fastest mobile chipset on the market, saying it's 40% faster than the closest competitor. It didn't provide any data about how it compares to last year's A15, however.

In terms of battery, Apple says the phones both "all day".

Naturally, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max have the same Emergency SOS via satellite and crash detection functionality as the non-Pro models.

The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are available in a choice of space black, silver, gold, or deep purple. Pricing is as follows:

  • iPhone 14 Pro 128GB: $1,749
  • iPhone 14 Pro 256GB: $1,899
  • iPhone 14 Pro 512GB: $2,249
  • iPhone 14 Pro 1TB: $2,599
  • iPhone 14 Pro Max 128GB: $1,899
  • iPhone 14 Pro Max 256GB: $2,099
  • iPhone 14 Pro Max 512GB: $2,419
  • iPhone 14 Pro Max 1TB: $2,769

Here's the complete list of iPhone 14 pricing again:

iPhone 14 Pro Max 128GB plans (36 months)

Old iPhone price cuts

The iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, and iPhone 12 are all sticking around, and have received a discount. New pricing for Apple's existing iPhone line-up is as follows:

  • iPhone 12 64GB: $1,049
  • iPhone 12 128GB: $1,129
  • iPhone 12 256GB: $1,299
  • iPhone 13 mini 128GB: $1,049
  • iPhone 13 mini 256GB: $1,219
  • iPhone 13 mini 512GB: $1,549
  • iPhone 13 128GB: $1,229
  • iPhone 13 256GB: $1,399
  • iPhone 13 512GB: $1,749

All these phones should come down in price on a plan too.

Notably, Apple has discontinued the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12 mini, and iPhone 11.

Alex Choros
Written by
Alex Choros is the Group Reviews Editor for Clearlink Australia's local websites - Reviews.org, Safewise, and WhistleOut - and the Managing Editor for WhistleOut Australia. He's been writing about consumer technology for over eight years and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. He also contributes to Gizmodo and Lifehacker, and makes regular appearances on 2GB. Outside of tech, Alex loves long hikes, red wine, and death metal.

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