iPhone 14 Pro: A Refined Experience with Dynamic Island Feature

In a landscape where Android smartphones under Rs. 20,000 can satisfy the typical user’s needs, Apple’s Pro range of iPhones, all priced significantly above Rs. 1,00,000, must excel in performance and innovation. Each iteration must elevate technology or at least appear innovative and stylish. This is the approach Apple has adopted for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max—they might not introduce groundbreaking features or transformative designs, but a few enhancements could incentivize users to upgrade if they haven’t felt compelled to before.

We’re focusing on the iPhone 14 Pro, although its larger counterpart, the iPhone 14 Pro Max, provides the same functionalities for those desiring a larger display or enhanced battery life. In my review of the iPhone 13 Pro Max, I found it somewhat cumbersome for daily use, a characteristic that persists in this generation. After spending some time with both models at Apple’s major launch event, I reach my verdict: the iPhone 14 Pro strikes the right chord for me. Continue reading for my comprehensive review.

iPhone 14 Pro pricing in India

Regrettably, Apple has increased prices in India despite these models costing the same as their predecessors in the United States. Both variants come in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options. The prices for the iPhone 14 Pro across these configurations are Rs. 1,29,900, Rs. 1,39,900, Rs. 1,59,900, and Rs. 1,79,900. Each variant of the iPhone 14 Pro Max incurs an additional cost of Rs. 10,000, with corresponding prices at Rs. 1,39,900, Rs. 1,49,900, Rs. 1,69,900, and Rs. 1,89,900.

Once again, you won’t find a charger or headphones included; only a Lightning cable and a SIM ejector pin are present in the box. To fast-charge, you’ll need to purchase a compatible 20W or higher USB Type-C adapter, as the one you might have with an older iPhone won’t deliver the same speed.

The colour choices remain familiar with Gold and Silver, while Graphite has been substituted with a deeper Space Black hue. The standout colour for this release is Deep Purple, which is the variant I tested. Apple has a history of introducing an extra colour option mid-cycle for the last two years, implying we may see something new by March next year if this trend continues.

The Deep Purple hue is unlike anything previously offered by Apple, and its appearance changes based on lighting conditions.

 

iPhone 14 Pro design

The standout feature, of course, is the Dynamic Island, which Apple describes as a blend of hardware and software capabilities optimized to utilize the sizeable camera cutout efficiently. This feature grants Apple a unique marketing point—while Android manufacturers have quickly attempted to mimic it, it’s apparent that no other company has approached something like this before nor matched its integration. We’ll delve into this further shortly.

In terms of overall design, the aesthetic remains consistent from recent years. Apple’s MagSafe accessory ecosystem necessitates a flat back, and we still see a flat stainless steel frame with rounded corners encasing the edges. The iPhone 14 Pro is not the most comfortable phone to grip, and the larger iPhone 14 Pro Max feels even more awkward without a protective case. The weights are 206g and 240g respectively. Upon close inspection, you may notice the display borders are slightly more streamlined than previous iterations.

The Deep Purple model I have appears quite understated indoors—you might even mistake it for grey. However, under bright light, the rich plum tone reveals itself, exhibiting an almost metallic sheen. The stainless steel ring and metal accents around the three cameras correspond with the rear panel’s colour but are prone to fingerprints. The protruding camera module is made of transparent glass, and without a case, its edge can feel sharp.

Apple continues to utilize its proprietary Ceramic Shield for the display and a reinforced glass on the back. All current iPhones are rated IP68 for water and dust resistance. In the US, the physical SIM tray is absent—Apple intends to move towards eSIMs only—but fortunately, Indian models are still compatible with one Nano-SIM and one eSIM. The Lightning port remains on the bottom—if you were hoping for a transition to USB Type-C, be prepared to wait a bit longer.

The stainless steel frame of the iPhone 14 Pro easily accumulates smudges.

 

iPhone 14 Pro Dynamic Island and always-on display

Significantly, the displays on the iPhone 14 Pro models have been revamped. The good news is that Apple has finally discarded the notch, which, while easily recognizable, had become somewhat outdated. The downside is that the Dynamic Island replacing it isn’t a substantial upgrade. In promotional materials, its appearance is exceptionally refined, and it is, in fact, visually appealing. This is attributed to Apple’s stringent oversight of hardware and software, resulting in optimized animations and a homescreen that flows around it seamlessly. The concept itself is quite inventive and stands out in a market where many smartphones look alike.

The idea of utilizing the empty space between camera holes and expanding it rather than attempting to conceal it took the audience at Apple’s launch by surprise. Supply chain leaks provided insights into the hardware, and if you scrutinize the front of the iPhone 14 Pro under bright conditions, the pill-and-hole boundaries we anticipated become visible. Apple leverages software to arrange icons and information around these cutouts, resulting in a cohesive look. You can even interact with the actual camera hardware—there are no inactive touch zones. However, this could lead to smudges on the lens.

Essentially, Apple has built upon the relatively old concept of a secondary display. LG models, such as the X screen (Review) and V20 (Review) from 2016 experimented with utilizing side gaps next to the front camera for background information and controls. The limitation back then was the absence of wider OS-level integration, making it interesting to see how Apple motivates developers to leverage the Dynamic Island functionality

Up to two applications can display status information, and tapping either area directs you back to its application

 

There is typically space for two small icons or text labels on each side of the front camera and Face ID components, all contained within a single black oval. A long press can expand the “island” to reveal more context or controls. For instance, when music is playing, you can see a small album art thumbnail and an animated waveform, but tapping the island will display a full control set with a progress bar, larger thumbnail, and artist/album details. Simpler indicators are evident as well—such as a padlock when the screen is locked, a bright green icon when tethering, and a bell with text when enabling or disabling silent mode, among others. Additionally, a second app can show its status as a single icon in a secondary “island” to the right.

However, the “island” itself is fairly large and can feel cumbersome, even when empty. Similar to the notch, it requires that content and controls within most apps begin below it, creating a sensation of having a cumbersome band at the screen’s top that serves little purpose aside from taking up space. It took some adjustment to overlook the visual distraction of the island while using various apps, and video as well as some games can display around it when maximized (though without status icons).

In terms of practicality, I found the dynamic island useful at times during my review, yet also felt moments when I wished to disable it. While it’s convenient to change music tracks quickly while browsing Reddit, the distracting animated waveform could have been better served with a skip button in that location.

The hardware within the sizable «island» is clearly visible, which aligns with early rumors.

 

You can easily envision the Dynamic Island utilized for secondary screen functionalities, such as monitoring live sports scores or alerts while multitasking. I appreciated the progress ring that appeared while transferring hefty files via AirDrop. Conversely, I didn’t require such a prominent tethering icon in my face constantly. Various system animations for actions like Face ID recognition or connecting AirPods utilize the island purely for visual effect without necessity. A broader range of notifications could have been incorporated here. The design could feasibly be adapted to work around and beneath the notches of the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and even older models, albeit perhaps not with the same level of visual finesse.

The other standout feature is the always-on display mode. This is a capability that the Android ecosystem has seen for years (and even Symbian devices had in greater capacity over a decade back) – but as expected, Apple has approached it uniquely. The company seemingly waited until its SoC, display, and software were sufficiently advanced to avoid significant impacts on battery efficiency.

Rather than turning off, your display now dims while retaining lock screen widgets and wallpaper. Apple’s precise control over brightness and contrast ensures that details in your wallpaper remain visible. The refresh rate reduces, resulting in certain widgets and notifications not refreshing constantly. Apps might even continue to partially update even when locked. The always-on feature will deactivate if the phone remains still for an extended time or is placed inside a pocket, as well as when low power mode is active.

I found the always-on display somewhat unsettling, and due to all modern iPhones unlocking automatically when your face is detected, accidental taps on the display can initiate unintended responses. It genuinely feels like the screen is active. Furthermore, iOS 16 condenses notifications into a grouping, resulting in less immediate visibility compared to certain Android formats. It would be beneficial to display icons for applications that prompted notifications. Overall, while the always-on display feature is nice to have when the iPhone 14 Pro rests on a surface, it may take time to fully acclimate to.

The always-on display (right) represents the lockscreen (left), optimized for energy efficiency.

 

iPhone 14 Pro specifications and software

Within Apple’s ecosystem, specifications often take a backseat to user experience, though we still seek to understand the internal workings of our devices. The newly introduced A16 Bionic SoC is exclusive to the Pro iPhones this year, narrowing the performance gap more than ever. This proves advantageous in photography, video processing, graphics rendering, and power management. Apple claims this SoC comprises 16 billion transistors and is crafted using an industry-leading 4nm fabrication process. For some time now, Apple’s proprietary silicon has frequently outperformed rivals like Qualcomm and MediaTek, with the company asserting a 40 percent increase in speed compared to industry leaders.

The A16 Bionic includes two performance cores, four efficient cores, a five-core integrated GPU, and a 16-core “Neural Engine” for on-device artificial intelligence and machine learning acceleration. Additionally, there are dedicated units for image processing (now termed “Photonic Engine”), display management, and various other subsystems.

Both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro feature 6GB of RAM across all storage configurations, although Apple does not disclose this information publicly. Battery specifications remain unclear, but third-party teardowns indicate capacities of 3,200mAh and 4,323mAh for the two models accordingly. Apple only provides battery life details as durations—up to 28 hours and 29 hours of local video playback for each model, respectively.

Charging speeds remain unspecified, but are reportedly set at 27W, which is significantly under the average in the Android segment—potentially a shift from Lightning to USB Type-C, anticipated next year, could finally permit Apple to update this. Speaking of Lightning, it’s worth noting that users remain confined to USB 2.0 speeds for wired data transfers, which is disappointing considering the potential for transferring up to 1TB of media. Wireless charging is functional at up to 15W with certified MagSafe accessories, but reverse wireless charging is not supported.

While Indian variants do include a Nano-SIM tray, this feature may change in the future.

 

The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display employs an LTPO OLED panel with a resolution of 1179×2556 pixels. The refresh rate is adaptable between 1Hz and 120Hz. HDR peak brightness reaches up to 1600nits, and the display can even peak at 2000nits outdoors as necessary. It supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG HDR standards, coupled with Dolby Atmos audio.

Other small hardware enhancements encompass dual-band GPS for increased accuracy, a more responsive accelerometer and gyroscope for crash detection, and the inclusion of satellite connectivity hardware in support of Apple’s new Emergency SOS functionality (which is not yet available in India).

Apple delivers the iPhone 14 series running on iOS 16, and several minor updates throughout this review period have brought it up to version 16.0.3. The key new software features—which are largely accessible on earlier models—include customizable lockscreen widgets, artificial intelligence innovations like automatic cropping of images and text recognition in videos, a Fitness app function that works independently of an Apple Watch, and numerous adjustments across various default applications. In India, users can also interact with Siri in multiple languages. Further features like iCloud Shared Photo Library and Live Activities are scheduled for release later this year.

iOS has seen an influx of various capabilities recently, but it feels somewhat fragmented. For example, the process of adding widgets to the lockscreen isn’t particularly user-friendly. Choosing the world time widget does not automatically pull cities already listed in the clock app, and discovering you must tap while the widget selection panel is open to access an additional list of accessible cities takes time. It also fails to display your home city when traveling elsewhere. Additionally, you can set up multiple lockscreens with distinct wallpapers and widget arrangements linked to separate Focus mode statuses. However, if you want to switch Focus modes but retain the same widgets, you must manually recreate the same layout for every individual lockscreen.

The iPhone 14 Pro features a bright, sharp HDR-capable 120Hz display.

 

iPhone 14 Pro performance and usability

Predictably, with its 120Hz display, the iPhone 14 Pro offers a remarkably smooth experience. Animations flow nicely, iOS 16 responds promptly, and you’ll face minimal obstacles when completing tasks. Numerous preinstalled apps exist—many of which may not be utilized often, but nearly all can be removed. In routine usage, the only letdown was the comparatively slower charging. Occasionally, I detected the iPhone 14 Pro heating up when charging (with an official Apple 30W USB Type-C adapter).

Nothing groundbreaking emerges from the iPhone 14 Pro. It primarily represents an incremental enhancement, featuring the innovations of the Dynamic Island and always-on display. Nonetheless, it remains familiar, convenient, and straightforward.

Gaming poses no issue. I engaged with Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt 9: Legends without any difficulties. I also revisited less demanding games such as Alto’s Odyssey and Fieldrunners 2 (which unfortunately highlighted that older games require optimization for screen resolution, rounded corners, and the Dynamic Island). Should you be a serious gamer, you may prefer the iPhone 14 Pro Max for its larger display and battery longevity.

The new 3DMark Wild Life Extreme benchmark, which renders at 4K, yielded a score of 3,381 with an average frame rate of 20.2fps, while the standard Wild Life benchmark peaked at 59.3fps on the iPhone 14 Pro. For context, an iPhone 13 Pro updated to iOS 16 scored 18.7fps and 54.4fps on the same two benchmarks. I also conducted the Wild Life Extreme Stress Test, which lasts for 20 minutes. This caused the back of the phone to heat up significantly, but it demonstrated that thermal throttling is not an acute issue, with the lowest loop score registering at 2,051; around 60 percent of the peak score. The iPhone 14 Pro easily maxed out all test scenes on GFXBench, including the demanding Aztec Ruins (High Tier) test.

The A16 Bionic SoC is a distinct feature of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

 

Geekbench 5’s single-core and multi-core CPU scores tallied 1,884 and 5,305 respectively, compared to 1,739 and 4,862 for an iPhone 13 Pro. The browser-based Basemark Web 3.0 test yielded 1,295.82 points, while Jetstream 2.0 managed a score of 266.893, in contrast to 1,172.84 and 188.152 for last year’s model.

Videos in streaming platforms appeared bright and clear. The Dynamic Island can be quite distracting if you’re aiming for a full-screen experience, yet most 16:9 videos do not overlap with it. Apple continues to provide excellent stereo speakers that enhance video immersion and deliver clear dialogue.

Battery life is respectable for a flagship device. I managed a full day with considerable camera use, including video filming and gaming. At the end of the day, I had about 20 percent battery remaining. I didn’t notice a significant difference with the always-on display switched off, possibly due to the fact that it deactivates after some time and isn’t active when the phone is in a pocket. In our HD video loop test, it performed admirably for 19 hours and 41 minutes.

Charging, as previously mentioned, lags far behind the speed standards of many Android devices. I reached 29 percent in 15 minutes and was at 86 percent after an hour. Apple claims you can achieve a 50 percent charge within half an hour, which seems accurate. It remains frustrating that an expedited charger is absent from the box of such a premium device.

The iPhone 14 Pro is fairly manageable, but many may prefer its larger counterpart.

 

iPhone 14 Pro cameras

This year’s Pro iPhones see significant changes, yet once again, these features have long been present in the Android space. Instead of a 12-megapixel main camera sensor, it now sports a 48-megapixel sensor, utilizing clusters of four pixels in unison. This enhances the surface area of each pixel, allowing for better light capture and improved quality at lower shutter speeds. True to Apple’s fashion, users don’t have an option here—this is the default setting for taking photos. You can only opt for 48-megapixel images in ProRAW mode, indicating that this feature isn’t tailored for casual photographers.

This setup also enables Apple to take 12-megapixel images using only the center part of the sensor, resulting in an effective 2X optical zoom. This 2X zoom strikes a balance between standard images captured with the main camera and 3X captured with the telephoto lens. For video, the capacity to capture frames with an ample buffer around all sides allows for enhanced video stabilization, comparable to using a gimbal to mitigate hand shakes, jolts, and uneven movements. Action Mode complements last year’s Cinematic Mode, but curiously, it is presented as a toggle rather than a distinct mode selected from the carousel, and it is not always clear when it is activated.

The 48-megapixel primary camera and 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera have somewhat lower apertures than those on the iPhone 13 Pro; however, improved sensor quality, software, and the A16 Bionic’s “Photonic Engine” should yield better outcomes overall. The increased processing power facilitates enhancement operations early in the processing stage, using uncompressed sensor data. Low-light photography is cited as a major growth area for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, reporting 2-3X improvements depending on the camera utilized—an aspect that indicates specifications alone do not tell the whole story. Additionally, there’s now autofocus on the front-facing camera for more precise focus, especially with creative compositions.

Camera samples from the iPhone 14 Pro during the day (top-bottom): Ultra-wide, 1X, 2X, 3X (tap to see full size)

 

In practical terms, photographs taken with the iPhone 14 Pro in daylight turn out remarkably well. Colour accuracy is commendable without saturating hues. The 48-megapixel images are large in file size, but when edited using Lightroom or other post-processing software, they reveal substantial fine details and subtlety. Close-up shots retain impressive detail, but Apple still automatically activates macro mode, potentially disrupting your framing efforts with close subjects. This feature can be disabled in the iOS Settings app. Macros may appear slightly grainy but remain entirely usable.

Challenging lighting scenarios during the day are tackled effectively, and you won’t find fault with any of the cameras. Ultra-wide photos maintain significant detail even in distant objects, while also being well-balanced in terms of exposure, colour fidelity, and edge distortion. Using the 2X zoom results in an effective 48mm focal length, making it beneficial for portrait shots, with commendable detail reproduction in textures like animal fur. The depth of field is excellent with both the main and telephoto cameras. For distant objects, opting for 3X zoom will generally yield better results than 2X, but having the option for both is certainly advantageous.

Low-light photography is handled quickly, yielding sharp scenes with great detail and vibrant colours. 3X optical shots taken by the telephoto camera may not outperform the low-light cropped images from the main camera, but they remain quite usable and provide flexibility in framing and composition. The primary 1X camera excels in nighttime conditions, delivering detailed shots with remarkable dynamic range and minimal motion blur.

Low-light camera samples from the iPhone 14 Pro (top-bottom): Ultra-wide, 1X, 2X, 3X (tap to see full size)

 

Cinematic Mode remains unchanged, with the exception of a new capability to record in 4K HDR at 30fps or 24fps. Action Mode is the newest video capability, functioning across all cameras but with varying efficiency. This feature seems to have broader usefulness than Cinematic Mode, though it doesn’t appear particularly novel for smartphones.

Selfies exhibit excellent detail and depth of field, with exposure prioritizing your face over the backdrop. Portrait effects continue to utilize the 3D depth sensing technology.

Camera samples from the iPhone 14 Pro (top-bottom): Daylight selfie, low-light selfie, macro (tap to see full size)

 

Conclusion

The iPhone 14 Pro represents a solid incremental advancement over its predecessor. In the US, there has been no price increase, which is reasonable. Unfortunately, we are not afforded the same luck in India. What was already a premium device is now increasingly harder to justify. If you’re seeking the finest iPhone in terms of features, camera capabilities, and overall performance, this phone (or its larger sibling) is worth purchasing irrespective of cost; however, for many, it’s simply too pricey. Many Android alternatives today (and even older iPhones) provide all the essential functionality people desire, at a much more affordable price, albeit potentially with less refinement.

The Dynamic Island may be something you wish to showcase or experiment with. For me, the novelty faded relatively quickly, and I found it less practical than anticipated, although I’m curious to see how Apple and app developers innovate its usage. While crash detection and satellite emergency messaging aren’t pertinent in India as of yet, many incremental quality-of-life enhancements are noteworthy; I’m intrigued by the improved low-light photography across all cameras and, to a lesser extent, the always-on display feature.

For anyone currently using an iPhone X (Review) or a model older than that, it may be time to think about upgrading, and the iPhone 14 series provides a lot to offer. However, the iPhone 13 Pro is still accessible, and available at significantly lower prices across all storage options, especially during festive sales. Opting for that option may not entail a significant compromise. Moreover, it is now highly likely that future models will feature USB Type-C and rapid charging capabilities, thus making waiting for that a reasonable choice.