We’ll see the iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 13 match-up play out for real this September. But for now we can look at the rumors and figure out what the main differences are going to be, and what that could mean for you wanting a new phone.
The iPhone 13 is an excellent phone, and well deserves its position on our best phones guide. The iPhone 14, believed to be not too far away, will upgrade a few things from what we’ve heard rumored, and won’t cost any extra. However, if Apple keeps with precedent and continues to sell the iPhone 13 but at a discount once the iPhone 14’s here, then the decision could still be a tricky one.
Here’s how the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 stack up based on the rumors and leaks so far.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13: Models and names
Get ready for a potentially huge shakeup to the iPhone lineup with the iPhone 14, as the mini could be killed. We’ve already heard about slow sales for the iPhone 12 mini, as it reportedly accounted for just 5% of overall sales during January 2021. And we don’t expect the iPhone 13 mini to generate much more interest.
So what would take the iPhone 14 mini’s place? It turns out the regular 6.1-inch iPhone 14 could be the smallest model in the lineup, with Apple offering a 6.7-inch iPhone Max. If you ask us, an iPhone 14 Max could be a real game-changer for Apple and its rival phone makers. Meanwhile, the iPhone 14 Pro series would also get 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch models, just like the current iPhone 13 Pro offerings.
People just seem to have moved on from wanting smaller phones.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13: Design
The iPhone 13 didn’t really change much on the design front, with the exception of a smaller notch and a slightly different camera arrangement. And the iPhone 14 could look pretty much the same.
While early leaks claimed the iPhone 14 could ditch the notch that’s been around for several years in favor of a punch hole camera up front, it now seems the iPhone 14 Pro will get instead two punch-holes – a round one and a pill-shaped one – while the regular iPhone 14 will stick with the smaller notch design of the iPhone 13.
Meanwhile the camera bump will apparently be getting a bit larger on the Pro models, likely to make room for new camera hardware (which we’ll detail below). It’ll only be minor but it’s conveniently enough not to fit the currently available iPhone 13 cases, according to one source.
There have been some rumors that Apple could finally adopt a USB-C port and finally retire Lightning, as it is facing pressure from the EU to adopt the standard. At this point though, while there have been USB-C rumors for the iPhone 15, the iPhone 14 range is expected to keep the Lightning port like the iPhone 13.
Color-wise, we should see the typical black, silver and blue options, as well as Product RED for the iPhone 14 regular. There will apparently also be a new purple option, similar to the purple iPhone 12, for both the regular iPhone 14 and in a slightly different shade for the iPhone 14 Pro.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13: Price
Going by previous generations, we would anticipate a price increase for the iPhone 14 if the $699 iPhone 13 mini model is going away. That means the base iPhone 14 could start at $799 like the iPhone 13, and the rumored iPhone 14 Max could go for $100 more at $899.
Our guess for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max would have been $999 and $1,099 start prices respectively, just like their iPhone 13 counterparts. However, one rumor now says both Pro models will cost another $100 over the last generation.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for the lowest price on the current iPhone check out our iPhone 13 deals roundup.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13: Chip and performance
The bad news is that the iPhone 14 may not feature a 3 nanometer chip due to technical challenges, as reported by The Information (opens in new tab). But the new rumored A16 Bionic chip could be based on a a 4nm process, which would still be an upgrade from the 5nm A15 Bionic. This is according to Digitimes (opens in new tab).
However, in the same report Digitimes notes that Apple partner TSMC is moving to a new N4P process, which is based on 5nm. But even this enhancement is tipped for an 11% performance boost and 22% gain in power efficiency.
Another snag could be that the iPhone 14 regular and iPhone 14 Max don’t get these chips. These could instead get the same A15 chipset (or at most a modified version) found in the iPhone 13 line-up.
Regardless, the iPhone 14 Pro at least should be faster than the best Android phones once again if recent history is any guide.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13: Touch ID
This would seem like a no brainer. We’re almost in 2022 and we’re still wearing masks in a lot of places, whether it’s public transit, airports or the movies.
A number of rumors have pointed to Apple potentially offering in-display Touch ID with the iPhone 14, which would give people a viable alternative to Face ID. But from the concepts and rumors we’ve heard since, it seems like Touch ID is a no-go again for the latest flagship iPhone.
But now that Face ID works with masks in iOS 15.4, we’re not so sure of the need for Touch ID anymore. We wouldn’t say no to an extra layer of biometric security, but it’s not as needed as it was before.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13: Cameras
There’s really not much in the way of iPhone 14 camera rumors yet but one report from Apple analyst Min-Chi Kuo says that Apple may jump from a 12MP main sensor on the iPhone 13 to a 48MP wide camera on the iPhone 14 Pro.
This wold be a big upgrade in resolution, even if it would still trail the 108MP sensor in the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Then again, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is currently the best camera phone despite offering just a 12MP sensor. Image quality is measured by a lot more than megapixels.
Other improvements could come to the front-facing cameras, namely auto-focus and a wider aperture. This would allow you to take brighter selfies in better focus, which sounds ideal to us. Especially since this feature is rumored to come to all four models, not just the Pros.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13: 5G
The iPhone 13 is certainly one of the best 5G phones, but the iPhone 14 could take things to the next level with a new Apple-made modem.
At least that’s the expectation following Apple’s acquisition of Intel’s modem business in 2019. Apple has been relying on Qualcomm’s 5G modems for the past couple of generations, but we’d like to see what kind of leap the iPhone 14 could make with a homegrown Apple modem, whether it’s in terms of performance, efficiency or both. A first-generation product gives slight pause, but if any company will get it right the first time, it’s Apple.
But maybe 5G won’t be that big a deal if Apple introduces satellite connectivity, as one rumor has it. This was rumored for the iPhone 13, but it never happened. Perhaps this year is when we’ll see the feature arrive.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13: Outlook
It looks like the new iPhone 14 Pro could be a fairly big departure in terms of design, specs, cameras and more from the iPhone 13. And even if the iPhone 14 bears a lot of resemblance to the iPhone 13, the addition of a possible big-screen iPhone 14 Max to replace the mini would be a major deal if it happens.
Stay tuned to our iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro rumor hubs as more details emerge about Apple’s next iPhone series.
Next: One of our editors thinks the iPhone 14 Pro Max will be the phone to get this fall.