Many features on the standard iPhone 14 remain the same as its predecessor, including the processor. Historically, Apple updates the processor on its smartphones each year, but the iPhone 14 notably has the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 13 lineup.
The last two years saw Apple experiment with two different versions of a small and compact iPhone – the iPhone SE and the iPhone mini. The iPhone SE is a compact and affordable smartphone that sacrifices new features for a familiar form factor that resembles the iPhone 8. On the other hand, the iPhone 12 and 13 mini maintained feature parity with their larger counterparts. Unfortunately, the smaller iPhone mini didn't meet sales expectations, and it was widely expected that Apple would discontinue the model this year.
As expected, the iPhone 14 was released without a corresponding iPhone 14 mini. The previous version of the 'mini' series, the iPhone 13 mini, shipped with a 5.4-inch display. Without an iPhone 14 mini, the smallest iPhones available include the standard including a new Dynamic Island notch design, 120Hz refresh rate, peak outdoor brightness of 2,000 nits, and an Always-On display.
Two Sizes, Different Displays
To replace the mini-sized iPhone, Apple re-introduced the iPhone Plus model for the first time since 2017. The last plus-sized iPhone was the iPhone 8, measuring 5.5-inches diagonally. However, in the years since, the average screen size for phones has grown considerably. The iPhone 14 Plus is the exact same size as the iPhone 14 Pro Max, measuring 6.7-inches diagonally. As with the standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, the iPhone 14 Pro Max's display gets several additional features that make it a far better .
Given that display features are identical between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus (and the corresponding Pro models), the choice between the smartphones is left up to preference. People who prefer a more compact form factor will reach for the iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro, while those who'd rather have a larger screen should grab the iPhone 14 Plus or iPhone 14 Pro Max. While some may be disappointed to see the 'mini' size leave the iPhone 14 lineup, Apple will continue the compact form factor with the cheaper iPhone SE.