As previously reported, the iPhone 14 series, the latest iPhone model, was announced on September 7 (local time) at Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California. In addition to the "iPhone 14", the lineup includes the "iPhone 14 Plus", which is a larger screen version. The high-performance version with the name “Pro” will be released in two models, “iPhone 14 Pro” and “iPhone 14 Pro Max”.


Apple will hold a product launch on the 7th (local time). Four models of the iPhone 14 series were announced. The recital was in the form of playing a video shot in advance, but at the beginning, CEO Tim Cook made a live presentation


Muji iPhone with Plus added instead of mini, easy to choose
  • Since the addition of the iPhone 12 mini to the iPhone 12 series in 2020, the number of models has continued to be four. On the other hand, in the iPhone 14 series, it seems that the role of each has changed subtly. You can see which model to choose by knowing the position of each. I would like to think about the tactics while looking back at the iPhone 14 series lineup again.



Instead, the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus joined the lineup. The main difference from the iPhone 14 is the size of the display and body, and although it is undisclosed, the battery is probably increased. The size is almost the same as the "Max" that was lined up in the Pro model. In fact, when you put the iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Plus side by side, you can see that they are almost the same size.


On the other hand, because it uses the same aluminum frame as the iPhone 14, it feels noticeably lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which uses stainless steel for its body. It weighs 203g, which is slightly over 200g, but it is actually 37g different from the 240g iPhone 14 Pro Max. It can be said that it is a perfect option for those who wanted a “light and large iPhone”. This lightness is attractive for those who want to enjoy content such as games and movies for a long time.



With the addition of the iPhone 14 Plus, users no longer have to choose Max just because of screen size. All you have to do is choose MUJI or Pro based on functionality and budget, and then choose your preferred screen size. However, compared to the iPhone 13 series up to 2021, it seems that the difference between the MUJI and the Pro model is getting bigger. This is because the design and camera of the Pro model have changed significantly compared to the unmarked iPhone 14, which continued the conventional route.


Unbranded iPhone close to iPhone 13 Pro, focus on camera in terms of functions
  • The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are functionally closer to the iPhone 13 Pro. The installed processor is "A15 Bionic" and the GPU has 5 cores. This is the same one that was installed in the "iPhone 13 Pro" and "iPhone 13 Pro Max". Compared to the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini, the GPU has one more core and the processing power has improved, but few people should be able to experience the change.


The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are equipped with the A15 Bionic with a 5-core GPU. Although the processing power is higher than the previous iPhone 13, it is also true that there is no big difference

  • However, due to the change in processor, the iPhone 14 looks like the same design as the iPhone 13 at first glance, but the internal design is said to be different. In addition to being redesigned for easier heat dissipation, it is now possible to remove only the back glass during repairs. The A15 Bionic, a 5-core GPU installed in the iPhone 13 Pro, still boasts top-class performance among smartphones, so you should not be dissatisfied.



At first glance, the design looks the same, but the internal structure has been changed, and the heat dissipation brain has improved. The back panel is also easy to remove, making it easier to repair.


The camera is an ultra wide-angle and wide-angle dual camera, but the main wide-angle camera has a large pixel pitch of 1.9 μm. This is what was on the iPhone 13 Pro. The camera uses a "photonic engine". The image quality is improved by directly applying the deep fusion process that is applied in low light to the RAW data. Telephoto cameras are not supported, but other cameras are more than iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.


The camera also has a larger pixel pitch. A photonic engine is also introduced to improve performance in low light.

While the MUJI iPhone is steadily evolving, the display has changed to organic EL and the iPhone 12 has become 5G compatible for the first time, and the processor has become A15 Bionic, equipped with "Cinematic Mode" and "Photograph Style". Compared to the iPhone 13 that was released, the novelty is less. It may be said that it is proof that the full-display iPhone, which has continued from "iPhone X", is reaching maturity.

On the other hand, the Pro models iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max have many new features, and it can be seen that they are trying to take on new challenges, especially in terms of the user interface and camera functions. It is no exaggeration to say that the next figure that the iPhone is aiming for is in the Pro model.

Pro model seeking a new user experience, camera function also renewed

  • The key is the newly adopted "Dynamic Island", the always-on display, and the 48-megapixel main camera. The "A16 Bionic", which is only installed in the Pro model, is a processor customized to implement these functions rather than significantly increasing the overall processing power.


The A16 Bionic is a processor that emphasizes realizing the new functions of the iPhone 14 Pro model, rather than simply raising the processing power. Various customizations have been made to the display engine and ISP

  • Both Pro models have a sensor for realizing the in-camera and Face ID in the display instead of the so-called notch. Although there are differences in functions, it is a common specification for recent smartphones to open a hole in a part of the display and place the camera. Not only the middle range model, but also many entry models have such a shape. Rather, the iPhone 14 Pro has a large hole because it has many sensors.


iPhone 14 Pro with a modified notch island. If you look closely, you can see that the camera and sensor are intentionally connected in black.

If you look only at the hardware, it's just a miniaturized notch, but Apple likened this to an "island" and made it an area for displaying information about apps running in the background. The smooth movement makes it look as if an island floating on the display is freely changing its size. In fact, anti-aliasing processing by A16 Bionic is said to realize this movement.



Shows apps running in the background. When tapped, this island grows with a smooth movement. This is the reason why it is called a dynamic island.

  • It's a reversal idea that doesn't come out easily when you make hardware and software separately, and this part is an Apple-like approach that makes both vertically integrated. The app running in the background can be clearly seen, and when tapped, the "island" expands and can be operated, making the user interface intuitive. At the keynote of the special event, when the dynamic island was introduced, the participants were making a lot of noise, indicating the magnitude of the response.

  • The display has a variable refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz, supporting constant display. By dropping the refresh rate down to 1Hz, you can keep the information on the screen at all times while minimizing the impact on the battery. For that reason, iOS 16 has revamped the lock screen and made it possible to place widgets. "Live Activity", which displays information about apps running in the background, was also designed with this constant display in mind. The method of linking hardware and OS to create a user experience is the same as Dynamic Island. You can see that Apple's strengths are demonstrated here as well.

The left one is always displayed. The screen gets dark, but it's convenient to see information in real time

As for the camera, the main camera with a focal length of 24mm has been revamped and the number of pixels has been increased to 48 million pixels. It supports pixel binning, and by combining four pixels into one, it will be possible to take bright pictures as a camera equivalent to 12 million pixels. Using "ProRAW" reduces the brightness, but it is also possible to shoot using 48 million pixels as it is. It also supports the photonic engine mentioned earlier, further improving the image in dark places.

In ProRAW mode, it is possible to take pictures using 48 million pixels as they are.



The camera is an evolution of 48 million pixels. Normally treated as 12 million pixels with pixel binning, but re-mosaic is applied when zooming 2x, and the number of pixels is used to prevent deterioration of image quality.


The iPhone 14 Pro seems to focus on changing the user experience, compared to previous Pro models that have functionally enhanced the unbranded iPhone. Apple CEO Tim Cook said, "The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max offer a new way to experience the iPhone," confirming this. The role of the Pro model is subtly changing.

On the other hand, MUJI's iPhone 14 is a terminal that inherited the lineage of the iPhone that continued from the iPhone X. This lineup is close to 2017 with the iPhone X, which has been completely redesigned from design to UI, and the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, which inherited the style of past models. Five years have passed since the introduction of the iPhone X, which was called "the direction of the next 10 years" (same), and while the iPhone without the home button is about to enter the second half of the game, Apple is also looking for the next move. I could see the situation.