Design: Sleek but Familiar
Right out of the box, the iPhone 14 Pro feels like a premium piece of tech. It’s got a stainless steel frame that’s a step up from the aluminum on the standard iPhone 14, and it’s heavier at 206 grams compared to the 172 grams of the regular model. I went for the Deep Purple color, which looks awesome—sometimes it’s a subtle gray, other times it pops like a grape in the right light. You can also pick from Space Black, Silver, or Gold, but Deep Purple feels fresh and bold.
| Additional details |
| Operating System | iOS 16 |
| Processor Type | A15 Bionic Chip, 6 Core Processor Processor • |
| Display Size | 15.49cm (6.1 inch) |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 128 GB , 256 GB , 512 GB |
| Colour | Gold , Purple , Black , Silver |
| Camera | 48MP + 12MP + 12MP | 12MP Front Camera |
| Form Fator | Smartphone |
| Biomatric Security Feature | Face Recognition |
| Sim Card Size | Nano + eSIM |
| Water Resistance Level | Water Resistant |
The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen is gorgeous, with a 2556 × 1179 resolution (460 PPI). It’s super sharp, and colors just pop whether I’m watching videos or scrolling through photos. The screen gets crazy bright—up to 2000 nits outdoors—which means I can see it clearly even in direct sunlight. The new always-on display is a game-changer; it shows my lock screen, time, and widgets at a glance without me tapping the phone. At first, I worried it’d kill the battery, but it dims smartly and barely sips power. You can turn it off if it’s not your thing, especially after iOS 16.2 added that option.
The big design change is the Dynamic Island, which replaces the old notch. It’s a pill-shaped cutout at the top that houses the Face ID sensors and front camera. It’s not just a hole—it’s interactive. It shows stuff like music playback, timers, or call alerts, morphing and animating as I use the phone. When I’m listening to Spotify, it displays a tiny album art, and I can tap to control it. It’s fun, but honestly, most third-party apps I use (like Instagram or WhatsApp) don’t fully support it yet, so it’s mostly Apple’s apps shining here. Still, it makes the phone feel alive and modern.
The phone’s got Ceramic Shield glass and an IP68 rating, so it can handle a splash or a dunk in water (up to 6 meters for 30 minutes). I’ve knocked it off my desk a couple of times, and it’s held up fine, though I’m still paranoid enough to use a case. MagSafe works great for snapping on chargers or accessories, and the 15W wireless charging is super convenient.
Performance: Fast and Smooth
The iPhone 14 Pro runs on the A16 Bionic chip, which is a step up from the A15 in the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus. It’s got a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine, plus 6GB of RAM. In plain English, this thing is fast. I’ve been gaming (Call of Duty Mobile runs like butter), editing photos, and jumping between apps without a hiccup. It handles everything I throw at it, from streaming 4K videos to multitasking with a dozen tabs open in Safari.
Storage options are 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB. I got the 256GB version since I take a lot of photos and videos, and it’s been plenty for me, especially with iCloud optimizing space. The phone’s eSIM-only in the U.S., which was a bit of a pain to set up with my carrier, but once it was done, it’s been smooth sailing. It supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0, so connections are fast and reliable.
One feature I haven’t used but love knowing is there is Emergency SOS via satellite. If I’m ever out hiking with no signal, I can contact emergency services through a satellite network. It’s free for two years, which is awesome. Crash Detection is another safety perk—it uses sensors to detect car accidents and can call for help automatically. I haven’t tested it (and hope I never do), but it’s reassuring.
Cameras: A Photography Powerhouse
The cameras are where the iPhone 14 Pro really flexes. The main 48MP wide camera (f/1.78 aperture) is a huge upgrade from the 12MP sensors on older models. By default, it uses pixel binning to produce 12MP photos that are super sharp and vibrant, but you can shoot in 48MP ProRAW for crazy detail. I took some ProRAW shots of a cityscape, and zooming in, I could see individual bricks on buildings—it’s wild. Just a heads-up: those ProRAW files are huge, like 80-90MB each, so you’ll need storage.
The 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 120° field of view) and 12MP 3x telephoto (f/2.8) cameras are great too. The ultra-wide is perfect for landscapes or group shots, and the telephoto handles portraits beautifully. The Photonic Engine boosts low-light performance across all lenses, and my nighttime shots look way better than on my old iPhone 11—less noise, more detail. The front 12MP camera now has autofocus, so my selfies are sharper, even in dim lighting.
For videos, Cinematic mode in 4K HDR is like having a mini movie studio. It automatically shifts focus to keep subjects sharp, and Action mode keeps footage steady when I’m moving, like filming my nephew running around. The cameras are a big reason I’d pick the Pro over the standard iPhone 14, which sticks with a 12MP dual-camera setup.
Software and Battery
The iPhone 14 Pro launched with iOS 16, and I’ve updated to iOS 18. It’s super customizable—I’ve got widgets on my lock screen for weather and calendar, and Focus modes help me stay off my phone during meetings. The battery (3200 mAh) lasts me a full day, about 20 hours of video playback or 7-8 hours of screen time. It’s not as good as the 14 Pro Max, but it’s solid. Fast charging (20W) gets me to 50% in about 30 minutes, though I had to buy a charger separately.
Price and Final Thoughts
I snagged my iPhone 14 Pro for $999 (128GB), though it’s been discontinued by Apple since the iPhone 15 launched. You can still find it at retailers like Amazon or carriers, often at a discount in 2025. Compared to the iPhone 14, the Pro’s Dynamic Island, 48MP camera, always-on display, and A16 chip make it worth the extra $200 if you’re into photography or want the latest tech.
Overall, the iPhone 14 Pro feels like a big leap from older models like my iPhone 11. The cameras are incredible, the screen is stunning, and the Dynamic Island is a cool touch, even if it’s not fully utilized yet. Battery life could be better, and I wish more apps supported Dynamic Island, but this phone’s been a reliable, fun companion. If you’re upgrading from an older iPhone or want a premium experience without going Max, the 14 Pro is a fantastic choice.