Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro takes things to the next level with incredible specs, a new, notch-free screen and incredible camera. Is it worth the top end price tag? Read our review to find out.
Our iPhone 14 Pro review in summary
Along with the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the iPhone 14 Pro is the best smartphone Apple has ever made as of 2022.
From its striking, super bright screen to its excellent camera, its clever Dynamic Island function to its rock solid battery life, this is a device that will last for years. It’s expensive, but you get what you pay for: a world class phone in every way.
The iPhone 14 Pro
Apple has kept much of the design smarts found on older iPhones, but made some key changes, including a much improved camera, Dynamic Island (which replaces the divisive notch first seen on the iPhone X), an Always On display feature and beefed up internal specs, notably the A16 Bionic chipset.
Camera
The camera on the iPhone 14 Pro is the same as its larger iPhone 14 Pro Max stablemate. That means it’s a triple lens effort, with clever quad pixel tech in the main 48MP lens (something first seen on high end Android phones a few years ago). This combines data from lots of pixels into one, giving a boost to low light performance and colour reproduction.
The main lens is backed up by a 12MP ultrawide and 12MP 3x telephoto lens. The latter’s zoom skills are somewhat short of rival devices from Google and Samsung, but it still delivers striking close ups.
Throw in Apple’s new Photonic Engine tech, which processes photos faster than ever, and you get images that are among the best from any smartphone. Only really hardcore photography and phone fans will be able to pick out much difference between the iPhone 14 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Video can be shot in 4K at 30 frames per second, with the front facing camera clocking in at a more than ample 12MP.
Design
If the design of the iPhone 14 Pro looks familiar, that’s because it has the same hallmarks as the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13. That’s not a huge issue, as the squared off sides and rounded corners still give it a premium feel. Apple has been caught up in many respects by its rivals, but its design remains the best in the business.
The steel edges, matte glass back and Ceramic Shield front mean that the iPhone 14 Pro is a rock solid proposition that can withstand bumps and scrapes too.
Display
Clocking in at 6.1 inches, the iPhone 14 Pro isn’t an epic proportioned device like the iPhone 14 Pro Max. But it’s still good enough to handle long gaming sessions and lots of video.
It features a 2556 x 1179 pixel resolution at 460 pixels per inch, using OLED smarts. Peak brightness tops out at a hugely impressive 2,000 nits outdoors, meaning you can still use it in the brightest sunshine, while the refresh rate ranges from 1Hz to 120Hz.
The latter is perfect for games and speedy video, while the former ensures the Always On display doesn’t chew through too much battery. The Always On feature is great and lets you check the time and key information without unlocking the device.
Where the iPhone 14 Pro’s display really stands out, though, is the new Dynamic Island feature. Housed in a pill shaped cutout, it replaces the old notch design. This special area at the top of the screen expands and contracts and is touch sensitive, meaning you can use gesture controls to access everything from music playback to maps. It needs to be seen to be believed.
Operating system and performance
The iPhone 14 Pro comes with iOS 16, with Apple’s latest software serving up new Focus mode skills and improved widgets for the lock screen. Great if you don’t want to keep unlocking the device.
The A16 Bionic chipset is what drives the iPhone 14 Pro. It ensures rapid performance and is snappier than the A15 chip found in the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. In fact, Apple says it can handle 17 trillion operations a second.
You can get the iPhone 14 Pro in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB variants.
Battery life
Everyday users will easily get 24 hours from the iPhone 14 Pro. More intensive activities such as video streaming and gaming may mean you need to find a charger overnight, but that’s no hardship.
The iPhone 14 Pro supports 20W fast charging, getting to 50% power in half an hour. That’s way short of OnePlus and Oppo phones, although more than ok if you just need a quick boost before going out. You can use Qi wireless charging devices with the iPhone 14 Pro too.
iPhone 14 Pro's deals and incentives
Look out for iPhone 14 Pro deals that offer free Apple TV+ streaming, such as on contracts from Three. Vodafone offers free Apple Music and Apple TV+ on some deals.
iPhone 14 Pro pricing
The iPhone 14 Pro doesn’t come cheap. At launch, the 128GB model costs £1,099 SIM free, rising to £1,209 for 256GB, £1,429 for 512GB and £1,649 for 1TB. Remember you can get it on great deals with numerous providers right here at MoneySuperMarket.
Pros and cons of choosing the iPhone 14 Pro in 2023
Pros
- Superb camera
- Cutting edge internal specs, including A16 Bionic chipset
- Always On display
- Dynamic Island
Cons
- Very expensive
- Same design as last year
How does iPhone 14 Pro compare against other Apple iPhones?
The iPhone 14 Pro is unquestionably the best iPhone ever made. It’s only matched by the iPhone 14 Pro Max. That said, its hefty price tag means you may want to go for the similarly sharp iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Plus.
Budget conscious buyers may want to opt for older models like the iPhone 12 or Apple’s old-school styled iPhone SE, which offers its iOS platform at a much lower price.
iPhone 14 Pro review: Verdict
The iPhone 14 Pro is the real deal. Yes, it’s expensive. But the excellent camera, Dynamic Island smarts, great design and easy to use software make it a real winner. As Apple phones are designed to last and be updated for years to come, think of it as a long term investment rather than a phone you’ll swap after just two years.
