Apple's iPhone 14 only a slight upgrade over iPhone 13

With Apple's "Far Out" September 7 event having ended, the portfolio of products launched turn out to be very much as rumoured. There are indeed four iPhone 14 models, several variants of the Apple Watch Series 8 including a rugged Ultra version, and the upgraded AirPods 2.

No IPads, MacBooks, VR headsets, or any other product categories were presented.

In India, the reactions and chatter of Apple fans has centred around pricing. As expected, the iPhone 14 series remains divided into two sets, the 'regular' and the advanced. This time the two sets have been starkly differentiated. The iPhone 14 (6.1 inches) and iPhone 14 Plus (6.7 inches) are only slight upgrades over the iPhone 13, even using the same A15 chip.

The base variant of the iPhone 14 in India is ₹79,900 for 128GB. The 256GB and 512GB models will be ₹89,900 and ₹1,09,900. These will be available for pre-order starting 5:30 pm IST on September 9 and will begin shipping on September 16. These prices are in line with those of the iPhone 13 at launch. Now that series sees a drop in price and becomes an attractive buy, being so similar to the next generation models. There is a difference in cameras, with a new and larger sensor being used, but otherwise performance is likely to be the same.

The iPhone 14 Plus, which differs from the regular model only in size, will cost ₹89,900 for the base 128GB variant. Other variants are 256GB and 512GB models that will cost ₹99,900 and ₹1,19,900. Pre-orders start September 16 and shipping on October 7.

The Pro phones are where the bigger upgrades are and they are more expensive, in India more than ever as they are not manufactured in the country and are subject to duties and taxes that reflect on the price. The most talked-about feature is something Apple has audaciously named Dynamic Island. This is the notch converted into a long pill hole and integrated with animations. Fans are pleased enough with this workaround and even feel Android manufacturers should take notes. Android phones have long rid themselves of the notch and have a negligible camera dot in the centre of the screen. The Pro phones also have an interesting always-on display.

The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max have moved to the A16 chip, a much more advanced and high refresh rate, brighter screen and superior RAM. The cameras on the Pro phones now have a 48MP 24mm lens and a 12MP Ultra Wide with a larger sensor, Apple claims there will be two times better low light performance over the previous gen.

The iPhone 14 Pro starts at ₹1,29,900 and the iPhone 14 Pro Max at ₹1,39,900. The iPhone 14 Pro models cost:

iPhone 14 Pro: ₹1,29,900 (128GB), ₹1,39,900 (256GB), ₹1,59,900 (512GB), ₹1,79,900 (1TB) -iPhone 14 Pro Max: ₹1,39,900 (128GB), ₹1,49,900 (256GB), ₹1,69,900 (512GB), ₹1,89,900 (1TB)

There are deals and offers available.