The iPhone 14 hasn’t been selling well. The iPhone 14 Pro accounts for over 80% of preorders. Meanwhile, the iPhone 13 mini, declared a “flop,” has outsold the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. Preorders are more likely made by enthusiastic techies, and therefore more likely to be “Pro” users, but this year seems different. The iPhone 14 no longer has a mini version. It’s carrying last year’s processor and didn’t get the major 48MP camera upgrade. It didn’t even get the new “Dynamic Island” or an always-on display. Apple released what was basically an iPhone 13 Pro in an iPhone 14’s body, but with only a slightly better camera than the iPhone 13. In fact, Apple didn’t even add the ProRAW feature from the iPhone 13 Pro, despite using the same processor, which Apple claimed was why the iPhone 13 series couldn’t get the useful photo editing feature.
The iPhone 14 seems intentionally crippled by Apple’s software, and the hardware is explicitly limited. On top of that, outside of the U.S., the price actually went up for what is basically a very slightly upgraded iPhone 13. Even Apple’s old ‘S’ upgrades provided a larger bump in performance and camera power than the iPhone 14 has over the iPhone 13. All while the iPhone 13 is still on sale for $100 less. Meanwhile, the iPhone 14 Pro series may not have the battery life boosts Apple claimed, with some reviewers actually stating they’re getting less battery life because of the always-on display. The iPhone 14 Pro also features only a modest performance bump over the iPhone 13 Pro. Photos are more detailed, but the performance gains just aren’t what you’d expect for a new model.
The iPhone 14 Pro series is still selling well, reportedly. Apple doesn’t give out exact preorder numbers. But did Apple put out a half-baked iPhone, call it a day, and still make money hand over fist? Yes. Does that mean they’ll do it again?
Almost certainly.
But maybe next time things will be different?
Last Year’s Specs
When looking at the iPhone 14, you’d be better off “upgrading” to last year’s iPhone 13 Pro. Better screen, better processor, same main camera, more camera features, LiDAR, and actual SIM card support. The iPhone 14 is a better phone than the iPhone 13, but just barely. And, if you actually like having a phone fit in your hand nicely, it’s a major downgrade over the iPhone 13 mini. The iPhone 14 Pro certainly did improve over the iPhone 13 Pro, but the iPhone 14 didn’t even catch up to last year’s pro model. The gap between the two has never been larger. In the case of some of the software features that were in the iPhone 13 Pro due to the processor and camera sensor, like ProRAW support, there’s no excuse for this not being on the iPhone 14 other than Apple just wanted to sell you a more expensive iPhone 14 Pro.
If you need a new iPhone right now, I’m more likely to recommend buying the iPhone 13 mini or iPhone 13 than the iPhone 14. The iPhone 14 is just not worth the additional $100 for most people, or $200 for the iPhone 13 mini. $200! Save $200 for most of the same hardware, in a slightly sharper screen, in a shape that fits the hand. It’s insane how much you get for last year’s iPhone, and how little you get for this year’s.
Middling Reviews
Most reviews mention the barely upgraded specs, even on the Pro models. Benchmarks have shown some performance improvements, but it’s not much. The Pro camera is certainly better, but for most photos, you likely wouldn’t notice. It’s only really better at the edge cases: low light, zoom, action shots, that kind of thing. The Verge gave the iPhone 14 Pro an 8 out of 10. The iPhone 14? 7/10. 70%. If I brought home a report card with 70% on it, I’d be grounded for a month! Apple does it and they’re raking in billions.
MacWorld, iMore, and Tom’s Guide gave it a 4/5, with some pretty surprising comments, especially from the Apple-focused websites. Wired a 7/10… for the iPhone Pro and Pro Max! CNET, a surprisingly gentle review, an 8.7/10. Usually the new iPhone would see scores of 9 to 9.5. This year, reviewers aren’t impressed.
At least one reviewer mentioned worse battery life with the iPhone 14 Pro over the iPhone 13 Pro. MKBHD mentioned Apple’s new “repackaging” strategy: selling mildly upgraded hardware in an old case, something they’ve done with the iPhone SE, MacBook lineup, and now, more than ever, the base flagship model of the iPhone.
Consumers have noticed, and the iPhone 14 isn’t selling well, taking up less than 20% of preorders.
Does it Matter?
Apple would likely prefer you buy an iPhone 14 Pro. The price is significantly higher, likely without a similar jump in manufacturing costs. The baseline iPhones seem to be a way to repackage and sell last year’s tech with tiny upgrades, while the pro models get the bigger upgrades. This, obviously, will lead to at least one year where the base model lags so far behind the pro that you’d have to be foolish to get it.
It seems that ill-fated generation is the iPhone 14. If you’re buying a new iPhone, it would be better to go with the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, or, and only if you really want those pro features, the iPhone 14 Pro.
Apple could simply continue this strategy, improving the base model iPhone just enough to justify calling it “new” and pushing customers towards the pro models. They could also simplify their lineup. Many people said the real problem with the iPhone 13 mini was it wasn’t an iPhone 13 mini Pro. Perhaps the future, all flagship iPhones will be the “pro” model, with older iPhones and an SE taking up the budget market. Maybe we’ll get a “mini pro?”
Before the iPhone X, Apple had a far more simplistic lineup. They’ve allowed their devices to get more complicated. Right now, Apple’s selling the iPhone SE, iPhone 12, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. A non-technical person would need a guide to figure out what to buy. It’s just too much for consumers to keep track of. Buying an iPhone should be a simple experience. Instead, it’s a game of cost/benefit analysis. Apple certainly needs to simplify, and the iPhone 14 flopping may just be the start of that.
Sources/Reviews:
- Julian Chokkattu, Wired
- Karen Haslam, Macworld
- Allison Johnson, The Verge
- MKBHD
- Nilay Patel, The Verge
- Corinne Reichert, CNET
- Mark Spoonauer, Tom’s Guide
- Unbox Therapy
- Stephen Warwick, iMore
- Zollotech