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The new Apple iPhone 14 is the must-have smartphone of the season and it hasn’t even been officially released yet. The updated Apple iPhone 14 series comes with advanced features and new features that you can’t experience with your old iPhone.
Read on to see why the Apple iPhone 14 is our very first must-have pick for Essentials Fall 100.
Top products in this article:
Pre-order the iPhone 14: Apple iPhone 14 (128GB), $800 (free with qualifying trade-in)
Preorder AirPods Pro 2: Apple AirPods Pro 2, $249
Pre-order the new Apple Watch: Apple Watch Series 8 (45mm), $429
The updated Apple iPhone 14 smartphone range is now available for pre-order. It will be released on September 16th.
The new devices have a strong ceramic protective front for protection, an improved camera for photo and video recording and new security services. The iPhone 14 will come in a new blue color (as well as Starlight, Midnight, Purple, and Red), while the larger iPhone 14 Pro will come in a new deep purple hue.
If you’re looking for a new phone, the Apple iPhone 14 is probably a good choice. We’ll know more for sure when we get ours delivered on Friday – stay tuned to CBS Essentials for a hands-on review of the iPhone 14 next week.
Below is everything you need to know about the new Apple iPhone 14 models and what it means to be an Essentials Fall 100 pick.
What’s new in the Apple iPhone 14?
Apple
Apple’s new iPhone 14 offers several improvements over the previous model, including a new operating system with iOS 16. It gets a camera upgrade, an improved Retina display and a larger battery. The new iPhones will have 6GB of RAM, an increase from the 4GB offered in the iPhone 13.
The iPhone 14 features a new 12-megapixel main camera with a larger sensor and aperture. The improved smartphone also includes an improved front camera with auto focus for better selfies. Apple states that the new camera system will offer strong improvements for low-light photography through its new Photogenic Engine. Apple also introduced Action mode for improved video quality for capturing moving subjects.
A notable design change is the pill-shaped cutout at the top of the phone screen. This cutout has small privacy indicator lights that alert users that the microphone or camera is in use. On the iPhone 13, these indicator lights are easier to miss, but the iPhone 14 redesigned them to appear brighter (even in sunlight) and placed them front and center at the top of the phone screen.
Another new feature with the new iPhone is eSIM. This is an electronic SIM card that allows users to activate new phones and transfer data without a physical SIM card.
There are also two new security features; Crash detection and emergency SOS. Crash detection uses motion sensors to detect when a serious car crash has occurred. If your phone detects a serious accident, it will contact emergency services and alert your emergency contacts. Emergency SOS is designed to help users connect with help and transfer the necessary data when an emergency occurs in an area with limited connectivity.
The iPhone 14 is also available in a Max version with a larger phone screen. The iPhone 14 Plus has a 6.7-inch screen while the standard iPhone 14 has a 6.1-inch screen. Apple decided to drop the iPhone Mini this year, so these are the only two size options for the iPhone 14.
The iPhone 14 starts at $799. The iPhone 14 Plus starts at $899. They can be pre-ordered now. The Apple iPhone 14 will be available on September 16th, while Apple iPhone 14 Plus models will not be available until October 7th.
Several carriers are offering special discounts for the iPhone 14, including increased trade-in credits and incentives for new customers. To learn more about switching providers, continue reading our article How to Choose the Best Cellular Provider for Apple iPhone 14.
Apple iPhone 14 (128GB), $800 (free with qualifying trade-in)
What’s new in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Plus?
Apple
The high-end iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max also get major upgrades. Arguably the biggest update is the inclusion of Apple’s new A16 Bionic chip. Apple is sticking with the A15 chip for the standard iPhone 14, but buyers who opt for a Pro model will get the upgraded chip for even better performance. The new iPhone Pro also offers a brighter display, an always-on display option, and a more personalized lock screen.
The iPhone 14 Pro will feature Apple’s new Dynamic Island, a design change that displays alerts at the top of your phone without interrupting your current activities. Each alert has a different alert design to easily distinguish them. The dynamic island also helps you track background activities like music, timers or calls. The Dynamic Island replaces the notch found on previous iPhone Pro models.
The Pro models also get even more camera upgrades than the standard iPhone 14. The new model will see significant improvements with a 48-megapixel main camera. It also packs a new 12MP ultra-wide camera. The new camera system offers improved focus, range and colour. Apple also made improvements to the Flash system.
The iPhone 14 Pro is also available in a Pro Plus version, with a larger phone screen with a 6.7-inch screen and a larger battery. The iPhone 14 Pro starts at $999 and the iPhone 14 Pro Plus starts at $1,099. Pre-orders for both models are open now, with the Pro and Pro Plus shipping on Friday 16 September.
Save now on last year’s Apple iPhone, Apple Watch, Apple AirPods and more
Now that the latest models have been announced, you can score some deals on last year’s Apple iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods Pro and more.
Apple iPhone 13 (128GB): $679
Apple via Walmart
If you’re looking to buy a new 6.1-inch Apple iPhone 13 for the new school year, know this: you’ll save money by buying the iPhone at Walmart rather than the Apple Store. Right now, you can get the Apple iPhone 13 (128GB model) at Walmart for $18.87 a month for 36 months. That’s a final price of $679, well below the $799 you’d pay at the Apple Store.
Apple iPhone 13 (128GB), $679 (reduced from $799)
You can also get better prices than Apple on other models of the iPhone 13, including the 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini ($16.09 per month for 36 months) and the 6.7-inch iPhone 13 Pro Max ( $29.14 per month for 36 months). Months).
Apple iPhone 13 mini (128GB), $579 (reduced from $699)
Apple iPhone 13 Pro (128GB), $949 (reduced from $999)
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (128GB), $1,049 (reduced from $1,099)
Apple AirPods Pro
Amazon
Upgrade your old AirPods to the Apple AirPods Pro. Compared to older models, these AirPods offer active noise-cancelling technology, water resistance, and hearing health monitoring in a more compact, better-fitting design. They are also praised for their sound quality.
Priced at $180, the Apple AirPods Pro are a solid offering for those who want some flexibility in their budget.
Apple AirPods Pro, $180 (reduced from $249)
Apple AirPods with MagSafe Case (3rd generation)
Apple
The latest generation of Apple AirPods is a nice upgrade over the second generation model. They support 3D spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. You also get more listening time – up to 30 hours with the included MagSafe charging case.
Apple AirPods (3rd generation), $169 (reduced from $179)
Apple Watch Series 7 (45mm)
Apple via Amazon
The larger, slightly heavier 45mm Apple Watch Series 7 is now available at Walmart and Amazon.
Apple Watch Series 7 GPS (45mm), $359 and up (normally $429)
Apple iPad mini 6
Amazon
The iPad Mini 6 is a compact tablet with an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display. Released in 2021, the Apple tablet is powered by an A15 Bionic chip. It has a 12MP wide-angle camera on the back and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera on the front. It features landscape format stereo speakers. Available in four colors.
Note that the Apple iPad Mini is not compatible with Apple’s external Magic Keyboard. However, it can be used with other Bluetooth-enabled external keyboards.
Apple iPad Mini 6 with Cellular Connection (64GB) (Space Gray), $550 (reduced from $799)
Apple iPad Air 5
Apple
Launched in 2022, the 10.9-inch Apple iPad Air 5 is the latest in the lightweight iPad Air lineup. The iPad Air 5 offers up to 60% faster performance than the previous model thanks to Apple’s turbocharged M1 chip. The device features a 12 MP wide-angle rear camera that supports 4K video. It also offers Touch ID and Apple’s Liquid Retina display.
Available in five colors; Prices vary. Retail prices below are for the Space Gray iPad Air 5 with Wi-Fi only connectivity.
Apple iPad Air 5 (64GB) (Space Gray), $559 (reduced from $599)
Apple iPad Air 5 (256GB) (Space Gray), $679 (reduced from $749)
AppleiPad 9
Apple
Released in 2021, the 10.2-inch iPad 9 is Apple’s most affordable iPad offering. It offers an 8 MP wide-angle camera on the back and a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle camera on the front. It also features stereo speakers. This iPad is powered by an A13 Bionic chip. It has a battery life of up to 10 hours and is compatible with the Apple Pencil for drawing or note-taking.
Available in two colors; Prices vary.
Apple iPad 9 (64GB) (Silver), $280 (reduced from $329)
The CBS Essentials Fall 100
Want the secret to the perfect fall? The shopping experts at CBS Essentials (that’s us!) have compiled the first-ever Essentials Fall 100, a list of the 100 must-have products of fall 2022.
These must-have items include best-sellers, seasonal favorites, top-rated products, and hotly-anticipated new gadgets like the Apple iPhone 14. Before you shop this season, check out the CBS Essentials Fall 100 list to discover the Find the best tech kitchen gadgets, home appliances, smart cleaning tools, must-have clothing, cozy furniture, fall decor, Halloween costumes, Thanksgiving turkeys and more.
We will update this list throughout the season. Check back with CBS Essentials regularly to see what top rated products are on our Essentials Fall 100 list.