The release of a new iPhone model is always a hot topic for technology enthusiasts and those in the market for a new smartphone. The iPhone 14 was released in September 2022, but many wonder whether they should purchase it. This is because many buyers evaluate their purchase decision based on the upcoming iPhone 15 features. So, should you buy the iPhone 14 or wait for the iPhone 15? This article will examine both options to help you make an informed decision.
Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 15
The iPhone 14 is a balanced smartphone that packs most of the features a casual user will ever need. It has a 6.1” OLED display, A15 Bionic, and a new camera sensor. The design of the iPhone 14 has not changed at all from its predecessor, the iPhone 13. With such minor differences, many users were disappointed.
Regardless, there is still a huge crowd that wants to buy this base model iPhone. However, there is one confusion. The upcoming iPhone 15 is rumoured to get a significant upgrade, unlike the iPhone 14, which was just a tiny upgrade over its predecessor. This makes users wonder if they should buy the iPhone 14 or wait for its successor, the iPhone 15. And we will clear up this very confusion in this article. Let’s first see the reasons you might want to wait for the iPhone 15.
1. Better Cameras
The iPhone 14 has the main sensor of the iPhone 13 Pro Max from 2021. Although old, it captures great photos with great detail. The iPhone 14 also has some additional features that improve the camera experience, such as Dolby Vision HDR and Action Mode. The front camera was also upgraded to a wider and larger sensor.
With the iPhone 15, rumours suggest that it will have the same main sensor as the iPhone 14 Pro Max. This means that the iPhone 15 will have a large 48MP sensor, which is the largest sensor ever on a vanilla iPhone.
This will result in better low-light performance, better stabilization, better videos and much more. We can also expect Apple to add the 48MP RAW mode to the iPhone 15. However, this feature is highly unlikely to be seen on the iPhone 15 as Apple generally reserves such features for the Pro models only.
It is also anticipated that the standard version of iPhone 15 will be utilizing the latest image sensors from Sony, which can capture more light and enhance portraits even under strong backlighting by doubling the saturation signal in each pixel. Nonetheless, it is unclear if the new sensor technology will be available on all iPhone 15 models or restricted to only the top-of-the-line Pro models.
In conclusion, the iPhone 15 is expected to have a huge camera improvement compared to the iPhone 14. If you’re a photography enthusiast, this could be a reason to wait.
2. New Design with Dynamic Island
Famous analyst Ross Young and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggest that all the iPhone 15 models will be getting the Dynamic Island. For context, the iPhone 14 and the 14 Plus still carry the same old notch as the iPhone 13 and other predecessors, while the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max have the new Dynamic Island.
The Dynamic Island is a pill-shaped cutout that houses the selfie camera and the FaceID sensors. Apple has cleverly used this cutout to make it interactive via software. The rear camera arrangement is said to be the same, with no major changes.
Earlier, the leaked renders of the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max/Ultra suggested that the phones will give up the physical buttons for haptic buttons that would mimic the physical buttons. Apple was also said to be revamping the mute switch to an action button from a switch. The volume rockers, instead of being two separate buttons, will now be one unified haptic button. However, these new changes might not be coming to the iPhone 15, and the buttons shall remain the same as the iPhone 14.
As per the latest rumours, Apple has cancelled the haptic/capacitive buttons on the iPhone 15 Pro due to supply chain issues. This means that we will only see the capacitive buttons on the iPhone 16 Pro. As for the vanilla iPhone 15 and the iPhone 16, we shall still have the good old physical buttons.
It is worth noting that only the capacitive buttons have been cancelled, other changes such as the unified volume rockers and the new action button are still expected. We might also see the unified volume rockers for the vanilla iPhone 15 as well.
Dynamic Island on the iPhone 15 can be a huge change, and if you’re looking for a fresh look, you should definitely wait for the iPhone 15.
3. Better Performance
The iPhone 14 featured the same chip as the iPhone 13 with an extra GPU core. This is the first time that Apple has used an older chip on its iPhones. Unfortunately, this trend is here to stay. The upcoming iPhone 15 will definitely get a chip upgrade, but the chip will be the A16 Bionic found on the current iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.
Don’t get me wrong; the A16 Bionic is a very capable chipset and fast enough for any task you can think of. Perhaps it will also handle the new 48MP main camera that the iPhone 15 will be getting.
The iPhone 15 Pro, however, will be housing the 3nm Apple A17 Bionic, which is said to be more power-efficient than the A16 Bionic. Unfortunately, it’s not coming to the vanilla iPhone 15.
Not just the chipset, we can also expect faster Wi-Fi and cell reception. We can expect Apple to bring Wi-Fi 6E and the latest Bluetooth connectivity too. As for the RAM, it shall remain at 6GB. However, the latest reports suggest that only the Pro models will be getting Wi-Fi 6E, and the non-Pro models shall carry forward with Wi-Fi 6. As for the RAM, it shall remain at 6GB.
Overall, the iPhone 15 will have improved performance over the iPhone 14. So, if you’re looking for the best and fastest smartphone experience, this could be a reason for you to wait.
4. Better Battery Life
The battery life on the iPhone 14 has been great so far. However, an improvement in battery life is always appreciated. The A16 Bionic is a very power-efficient chipset and should increase the battery life of the upcoming iPhone 15.
Furthermore, the iPhone 15 is also expected to feature an upgraded OLED display driver chip that will be more power-efficient, potentially leading to longer battery life.
So, if battery life is important to you, you should skip the iPhone 14 and wait for the iPhone 15.
5. Longer Software Support
The iPhone 14 was launched with the iOS 16 software and shall remain on the latest iOS version for five years. This means that the iPhone 14 should receive software updates until 2027. This is based on Apple’s past track record of software updates.
However, when you look at the iPhone 15, it will get one extra year of software support i,e., until 2028. Sure, one year may not seem much. But for some people, it is a big deal. So, if you value your iPhone’s longevity, it might be worth waiting an extra few months for the iPhone 15.
6. USB-C
Finally, the biggest reason of them all. The iPhone 14 still features the lightning port, but the iPhone 15 is rumoured to adopt the more widely used USB-C port.
This shift to USB-C is not just a matter of preference but also a result of the efforts by the European Union (later the senators in the United States and also India) to establish a universal charging standard for all devices. Apple is expected to comply with this change and transition to USB-C in 2023.
Renowned analysts and research firms such as Ming-Chi Kuo, Ben Wood from CCS Insight, and Mark Gurman from Bloomberg all believe that the move to USB-C on the iPhone 15 is highly likely to happen in 2023. Apple’s Greg Joswiak has also confirmed the company’s plans to comply with the rule change and transition to USB-C in the future.
More importantly, recently leaked images, CAD files, and various mockups of the iPhone 15 lineup have all confirmed that USB-C is indeed coming to the iPhone. However, the overall design remains more or less the same, except that the iPhone 15 gives up the notch for the new Dynamic Island that we talked about earlier.
This move is not just a change in the type of port but also brings with it several advantages. USB-C is a universal standard that can be used across different devices, reducing the need for multiple cables and reducing waste.
In addition, USB-C offers improved wired transfer speeds, making it a more efficient option for transferring data. However, the standard iPhone 15 models seem to be getting the same speed as the iPhone 14 models, with only the Pro models getting faster speeds.
MFi Restrictions on iPhone 15?
Unfortunately, Apple seems to be planning to limit the use of USB-C accessories that are not certified by its Made for iPhone (MFi) program. This means that users who want to use third-party accessories with their iPhone 15 models may face limitations in terms of features like fast charging and high-speed data transfers.
Apple has a history of tightly controlling the accessories market for its products, and the MFi certification program is one way that it maintains this control.
However, a new report from a seemingly accurate leaker suggests that Apple has never even planned on developing MFi restrictions for the iPhone 15. The whole point of USB-C is to bring a universal solution, and MFi restrictions would not make sense. All in all, this is an indication that MFi restrictions will not be imposed on the iPhone 15.
In the words of the EU, “The harmonization of fast charging technology will help prevent unreasonable restrictions on charging speeds by different manufacturers and help to ensure that any charger compatible with the device has the same charging speed.” Thus, posing MFi restrictions also goes against the goals of the EU. Perhaps this is why Apple either ditched on this plan or never made any such plan in the first place.
Furthermore, Apple is also said to be limiting the USB-C data transfer speed on the iPhone to USB 2.0 standards only, which is another big con. However, given the advantages of USB-C over Lightning, it is acceptable for the non-Pro iPhone 15.
In conclusion, waiting for the iPhone 15 and skipping the iPhone 14 is a wise decision for those who want a device with a universal charging standard and improved transfer speeds. The expected transition to USB-C on the iPhone 15 is not just a cosmetic change but a much-needed improvement that will simplify the user experience and reduce waste.
Reasons to Get the iPhone 14 Now
So, why should you get the iPhone 14 now? The iPhone 14 is a great smartphone in its own right, with a powerful processor, great cameras, and a sleek design. If you’re in the market for a new smartphone and don’t want to wait, the iPhone 14 could be a great choice.
Is your current iPhone Too Old?
If you are using an older iPhone, such as the iPhone 8, iPhone X, or even the iPhone 11, it’s time for an upgrade. The iPhone 14 will definitely be a great upgrade over your old iPhone and give you a refreshed experience.
No 120Hz Pro Motion
Additionally, the iPhone 15 will have the same 60Hz OLED display. Yes, you read it right. The iPhone 15 will not have a high refresh rate display like the Pro models, at least as per what the current rumours state. Plus, the iPhone 15 will have the same charging speed. So, if you’re waiting for the iPhone 15 to get any such improvements, there’s no reason for you to wait. You should get the iPhone 14.
No SIM Card Tray
It is also reported that Apple will be removing the SIM card tray from other regions as well, with rumours suggesting France will be one of them. European countries like Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy and the UK are also at high possibility. So, if you are someone who can’t get used to eSIM or just prefers a physical SIM card over eSIM, this could be a reason.
Don’t wait for Touch ID; it’s not coming
If you are a fan of the Touch ID on the iPhone and hoping to see it soon, we have some bad news. The iPhone 15 or even the later iterations will not feature the Touch ID. Apple will keep using Face ID as the only biometric authentication system for the iPhone. So, if you were waiting for the iPhone 15 in the hope for the Touch ID to make a comeback, and that’s what was stopping you from getting the iPhone 14, you should get the iPhone 14.
Lastly, if you have no problem with the notch and are willing to stick to the lightning port, perhaps due to the lightning port accessories you have, you may want to get the iPhone 14 and not wait for the iPhone 15.
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Final Words
In conclusion, whether you buy the iPhone 14 or wait for the iPhone 15 ultimately depends on your priorities. If you’re looking for the latest and greatest, it might be worth waiting for the iPhone 15. But if you’re in the market for a new smartphone now, the iPhone 14 is still a great option. Let us know your decision in the comments section below.
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