The ultimate iphone & ipad buyer’s guide

12 min read

THE ULTIMATE iPHONE & iPAD BUYER’S GUIDE

Everything you need to know before you buy your next Apple device

Apple stealthily released new iPad and iPad Pro models late in October, completing their 2022 collection of mobile devices – along with the iPhone 14 – with a flourish. But if you are looking to upgrade your handset or perhaps purchase a new tablet for a loved one this Christmas, it’s important to get a handle on exactly what is available and which device fits the specific needs of the recipient.

In this feature we analyse Apple’s current full iPhone and iPad range to see how they compare in terms of features, performance and price. The prices we quote are from Apple direct, but it is always worth visiting price comparison websites, such as moneysupermarket.com, to get the very latest deals. Of course, you can also still purchase older devices cheaply on sites such as eBay, but then you run the risk of them not being able to run the latest version of iOS and iPadOS, and all of the state-of-the-art apps and features that they bring. Happy shopping!

Make way for the iPhone 14!

Apple’s latest smartphones certainly dazzle, but are they a big enough leap forward?

Apple held its annual iPhone launch event back in September, where its latest range of handsets was introduced to the world and we got our first look at the modest new iPhone 14 and its sharpsuited brother, the iPhone 14 Pro. These models come in two sizes and the gulf between the two phones is bigger than we’re used to seeing.

Not much has changed in the design of the iPhone 14 since the last generation. The most significant design tweak is tiny: Apple has removed the SIM card tray (replacing it with eSIM), at least from the US version. It makes for a more seamless design, but you’ll have to scan the phone closely to notice. The iPhone 14 Pro, on the other hand, gets a slightly more significant change. The notch is gone, replaced by a pill-shaped cutout called the Dynamic Island. Lest you think Apple’s phones will now blend in with the Android smartphone crowd and their bevy of hole punch screens, Apple has fully embraced its punch and made conspicuous use of it. The Dynamic Island actually grows and changes as it responds to various features and notifications.

Apple has given the iPhone 14 Pro a noticeable technology bump versus the display in the regular iPhone 14. The Pro display looks set to hold the title of the brightest smartphone screen you can buy, at 1,600 nits brightness; that’s the same as Apple’s Studio XDR desktop display. The screen is even designed to boost to 2,000 nits on a sunny day. The iPhone 14, by comparison, will reach a respectable 1,200 nits brightness in normal use.