The highly anticipated iPhone 14 was announced by Apple earlier this morning. Unless you’re in desperate need of a phone upgrade, here are 4 questions to ask yourself before buying Apple’s latest smartphone.
Since the announcement of the latest iPhone 14 today (8 September 2022), how many of you are already thinking of pre-ordering yours? Or perhaps you are still deciding if you should get it?
In case you haven’t already heard, pre-orders for the iPhone 14 series in Singapore will start at 8pm tomorrow (9 September 2022).
The iPhone 14 and the Plus versions will be available from 16 September 2022 and 7 October 2022, respectively, while both Pro versions will be available from 16 September 2022 onwards.
If you’re still on the fence about getting the iPhone 14, here are the specs for the entire range (iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max) and four questions to ask yourself so you can better decide if it’s worth your moolah.
iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro & iPhone 14 Pro Max Price & Specs
Model | iPhone 14 | iPhone 14 Plus | iPhone 14 Pro | iPhone 14 Pro Max |
Price (128GB) | S$1,299 | S$1,499 | S$1,649 | S$1,799 |
Price (256GB) | S$1,469 | S$1,669 | S$1,819 | S$1,969 |
Price (512GB) | S$1,799 | S$1,999 | S$2,149 | S$2,299 |
Price (1TB) | - | - | S$2,479 | S$2,629 |
Operating System | iOS 16 | iOS 16 | iOS 16 | iOS 16 |
Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display |
Processor Chip | A15 Bionic | A15 Bionic | A16 Bionic | A16 Bionic |
Front Camera | TrueDepth front camera | TrueDepth front camera | TrueDepth front camera | TrueDepth front camera |
Rear Cameras | Dual 12MP camera system (Main and Ultra Wide) | Dual 12MP camera system (Main and Ultra Wide) | Pro camera system (48MP Main, 12MP Ultra Wide and 12MP Telephoto) | Pro camera system (48MP Main, 12MP Ultra Wide and 12MP Telephoto) |
Video Recording | 4K up to 60 FPS | 4K up to 60 FPS | 4K up to 60 FPS | 4K up to 60 FPS |
Connectivity | 5G | 5G | 5G | 5G |
Battery | Video playback:Up to 20 hours Video playback (streamed):Up to 16 hours Audio playback:Up to 80 hours |
Video playback:Up to 26 hours Video playback (streamed):Up to 20 hours Audio playback:Up to 100 hours |
Video playback:Up to 23 hours Video playback (streamed):Up to 20 hours Audio playback:Up to 75 hours |
Video playback:Up to 29 hours Video playback (streamed):Up to 25 hours Audio playback:Up to 95 hours |
Weight | 172g | 203g | 206g | 240g |
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13: What are the differences?
Assuming you are currently using iPhone 13. What are the differences between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14? Should you even get it?
iPhone 14 | iPhone 13 | |
Price | From S$1,299 | From S$1,149 |
Operating System | iOS 16 | iOS 16 |
Display | 6.1″ | 6.1″ |
Processor Chip | A15 Bionic chip | A15 Bionic chip |
Front Camera | TrueDepth front camera with autofocus | TrueDepth front camera |
Rear Cameras | Dual-camera system, 12MP Main Ultra Wide | Dual-camera system, 12MP Main Ultra Wide |
Video Recording | 4K up to 60 FPS | 4K up to 60 FPS |
Connectivity | 5G | 5G |
Battery | Up to 26 hours video playback | Up to 19 hours video playback |
Weight | 172g | 173g |
iPhone 13 is now cheaper, and people using older iPhone models such as the iPhone XR can consider upgrading to the iPhone 13 instead of the iPhone 14.
After all, there is virtually not much difference except the 1g weight difference and a slight improvement to the cameras.
4 other questions to ask yourself before buying the iPhone 14
#1 Will you be able to make full use of the iPhone 14’s intended features and capabilities?
Lost on all the nifty new features and hardware upgrades to the iPhone 14? Here’s a bite-sized overview to help you digest:
Out of the bunch, three features catch our attention — the Video Action Mode, eSIM, and Crash Detection capability.
Video Action Mode
When the Portrait and Cinematic Mode were first introduced, high-quality photography and videography became accessible to the common consumer. You didn’t need to own professional equipment in order to capture stellar visuals. The fact that you could capture such quality shots from the palm of your hand was considerably groundbreaking.
So of course, this year, Apple stepped it up further by incorporating a new Video Action Mode function in their iPhone 14 launch.
Capitalising on the rear camera’s full sensor with more overscan and advanced roll correction, it’s essentially an in-built gimbal. By simply toggling it on, your moving/action shots will no longer look choppy or shaky but rather, film extremely smoothly on par with professional equipment.
Hence, this mode definitely is useful for all your upcoming holidays if you're planning on filming some travel vlogs or montages.
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from S$34.10 (for 1 week in Asean)
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MSIG Travel Easy
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from S$34.10 (for 1 week in ASEAN)
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Enjoy 40% off when you apply for Single Trips and 20% off for Annual Plan plus get up to $38 Grab Vouchers when you purchase now!! Valid till 31 October 2023. T&Cs apply
Plus, till 31 October, every 2nd successful applicant will score an Apple AirTag worth S$45 on top of our weekly lucky draw.
Enjoy up to 3x chances to enter our Weekly Lucky Draw, where 1 lucky winner will stand to have their flight ticket reimbursed and 12 lucky winners will receive a Samsonite Volant Spinner 68/25 EXP worth S$480. T&Cs apply.
Additionally, enjoy 1x chance to win your share your share of up to S$200,000 in prizes in our epic 101! Milestone Giveaway, including S$5,000 bonus cash each week on top of ongoing promotions! T&Cs apply. |
FWD Travel Insurance
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from S$22.50 (for 1 week in Asean)
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Receive 1x Airalo eSim with up to 3GB data (minimum premium $60). Valid till 31 October 2023. T&Cs apply.
Additionally, enjoy 1x chance to win your share your share of up to S$200,000 in prizes in our epic 101! Milestone Giveaway, including S$5,000 bonus cash each week on top of ongoing promotions! T&Cs apply. |
Singlife Travel Insurance
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from S$46.20 (for 1 week in ASEAN)
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Additionally, enjoy 1x chance (Single Trip) or 3x chances (Annual Trip) to enter our weekly lucky draw, where 1 lucky winner will stand to have their flight ticket reimbursed and 12 lucky winners will receive a Samsonite Volant Spinner 68/25 EXP worth S$480. Promotion ends on 31 December 2023. T&Cs apply.
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from S$45 (for one week in Asean)
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Enjoy a 45% discount for Single Trip and 15% discount for Annual Trip when you apply now! Valid till 30 Nov 2023. T&Cs apply.
Enjoy 1x chance (Single Trip) or 3x chances (Annual Trip) to enter our weekly lucky draw, where 1 lucky winner will stand to have their flight ticket reimbursed and 12 lucky winners will receive a Samsonite Volant Spinner 68/25 EXP worth S$480. Promotion ends on 31 December 2023. T&Cs apply |
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from S$30 (for 1 week in Asean)
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Great Eastern Travel Insurance
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from S$52 (for one week in Asean)
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Yes
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Single Trip: Get an 30% discount when you use the promo code TSP30S. Valid till 31 Dec 2023. T&Cs apply.
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Enjoy 1x chance (Single Trip) or 3x chances (Annual Trip) to enter our weekly lucky draw, where 1 lucky winner will stand to have their flight ticket reimbursed and 12 lucky winners will receive a Samsonite Volant Spinner 68/25 EXP worth S$480. T&Cs apply. Promotion ends on 31 December 2023. T&Cs apply. |
eSIM
Another neat hardware — or should we say software — feature of the new iPhone 14 is the eSIM.
As its name suggests, this digital SIM replaces the need for a physical one. With it, you can efficiently transfer existing cellular plans or obtain a new cellular plan online.
Furthermore, you can even store multiple eSIMs on the same device, meaning you can tag multiple cellular plans and phone numbers in a single phone. Since no physical SIM card can be removed, it improves the overall security of your iPhone if lost or stolen.
Intending to switch from a lock-in contract to a SIM-only plan? The iPhone 14’s eSIM feature will make the transition a whole lot easier.
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Crash Detection & Emergency SOS via Satellite
A highly coveted feature of the new Apple Watches, the crash detection feature is a welcomed addition to the iPhone. Its high dynamic range gyroscope and dual-core accelerometer enable it to detect up to 256g’s in force.
In the event of a severe crash, the iPhone 14 is now capable of automatically notifying emergency services or contacts.
SOS help can also be delivered even when you’re off the grid via satellites. In remote areas, connectivity to cell towers might not be accessible. To counteract that, iPhone’s innovative software and custom components allow it to tap on satellites’ unique frequencies by aiming it up to the sky.
This function could be a lifesaver for adrenaline junkies and wanderlust explorers who might find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place (literally).
Note: This feature only launches from November onwards, starting in the US and Canada. Seems like we in the APAC region will have to wait for a while.
#2 Who will benefit from the iPhone 14?
Given the powerful reputation of iPhone cameras, it’s no secret that each new model continually appeals to the photography and videography community.
That said, it should be acknowledged that there isn’t a stark difference between iPhone 13 and iPhone 14’s camera specs. They’re almost identical featuring a dual-camera system, 12WP ultra-wide rear camera, and capacity to record videos in 4K/60FPS.
We’re not the tech specialists here so we’ll leave the nitty-gritty comparison to the experts. But the front camera auto-focus and video action mode are nice touches to enhance your photographs and videos.
#3 Are you truly unhappy with your current phone?
Behind all the glitz and glamour of this highly-anticipated launch, ask yourself: Is the iPhone 14 truly worth the hype? After all, unless your current phone is busted and dusted, there’s no real necessity to upgrade to the latest model each time.
To discern whether the new iPhone is a need or want, having a clear understanding of your financial objectives is helpful. Setting up a mid-year or yearly financial review is one way to evaluate your current financial position.
As long as you can afford it or have a valid reason, who’s to stop you from justifying the new iPhone purchase?
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#4 Are there better ways to spend the money?
As shown, the starting price of an iPhone 14 is S$1,299. While considered affordable for some, this might be a heftier purchase for others. Regardless, the four-digit price tag isn’t generally an easy figure to digest.
So where else could your money be put to better use?
For example, the same value could easily fund your European escape to cities like Dublin, Ireland (from S$886), Stockholm, Sweden (from S$963), Reykjavik, Iceland (from S$992), and many more.
Or perhaps if you’re the more economical type, S$1,299 could sponsor you a year’s worth of S$3.30 one-meat-two-vegetable economical rice (valued at S$1,188 total).
Basically what we’re saying is that there are plenty of other ways to spend your S$1,299 that might be more worthwhile to you. Don’t feel obliged to purchase the new iPhone model just because everyone else is.
For a major throwback: 12 Things You Can Buy With the Money Spent on an iPhone 12
Likewise, choosing to invest S$1,299 is another great use of the money in our opinion. By being disciplined and adopting a dollar-cost-averaging (DCA) approach, a monthly contribution of S$108.25 into an ETF with projected 10% p.a. returns could reap you as much as S$8,086.55 in five years.
So is the iPhone 14 really worth it?
Short answer: It’s subjective.
Depending on your lifestyle and preferences, the iPhone could improve your quality of life. For instance, the iPhone 14 could prove beneficial to those relying on photography and filming for their livelihoods, value-adding convenience to their work.
Objectively, the functions between the iPhone 13 and 14 are fairly similar. If you’re not in any rush, you could probably hold off purchasing the upgrade for a while. (And wait for the next iPhone launch instead.)
Read these next:
Cost Guide: How Much Does it Cost to Repair an iPhone in Singapore?
A Singaporean’s Money-Saving Guide to Stop Overspending
8 Best Tech Gifts in Singapore For All Budgets
18 Must-Have Gadgets in Your Room That are Below S$50
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