iPhone 14 Series: tips, tricks and new features

March 28, 2023

5 different coloured iPhone 14s

The iPhone 14 Series boasts a bunch of new features to enhance your user experience. We’ve narrowed down the top tips and tricks to getting the most out of your new iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. From various new accessibility improvements to professional camera modes, there are plenty of updates to make the iPhone 14 Series worth your while.   

Display and usability 

The Always-on Display is a long-awaited new feature for iPhone users. Available on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, you can view the time and your latest notifications at a glance. If you’re not a fan of the mode and want to save some battery, you have the option of turning off the Always-on Display in settings. 

Apple have also three handy options to view your battery percentage. You can choose to display your battery percentage in the status bar – also available with iPhone 12 and on iPhone 13 models – with a widget or in the command centre. Or, if you prefer, not at all. Whichever option you choose is down to preference, depending on whether you want to keep a constant eye on battery status or whether you want a more discreet display. 

Camera modes and hidden tricks

Apple ProRAW was a key feature of iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, and continues to be a hit with iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. But the ProRAW got an upgrade with the new 48MP primary camera. Make sure your ProRAW resolution is set to 48MP in camera settings to capture the maximum depth and data of your image. But be aware that the 48MP ProRAW images can take up to 100MB of storage per picture. You can adjust this to be on/off right from the camera app, and it automatically switches off each time you exit the camera app.

Another new feature for all iPhone 14 models is Action Mode. Apple has improved image stabilisation so that it is no longer necessary to use a stabiliser when shooting video content. Again, it’s not enabled by default, but you can easily switch it on/off when needed.

You can also remove duplicate images and videos more easily. Instead of having to trawl through and eliminate duplicates, you can now go to Photos > Albums and scroll down to find a duplicates album. From here you can either delete them or merge them.  

Accessibility and security

One key accessibility update is what Apple call ‘Reachability’, also known as one-handed mode. This feature makes it easier for you to reach the top of the screen with one hand, or more specifically, with only your thumb. When active, you can swipe downwards at the bottom of the screen to bring down the top half of the screen within reach.

Another accessibility feature is ‘Type to Siri’, for those who have difficulty with speech or hearing. You can now type requests to Siri with ease and view a written response. As with all accessibility features, it’s easy to activate but is not on automatically when you receive your new device.

Another new Siri tool found in iPhone 14 models is the ability to end a call using Siri. You can use Apple’s virtual assistant instead of using the end call or side button, but be mindful that the person on the other end can hear your command.

Crash Detection is another new feature available to all iPhone 14 and Apple Watch models. Thanks to the built-in gyroscope and accelerometer, Crash Detection notifies the emergency services via satellite system to alert them to a detected accident. This works even when you're outside mobile and Wi-Fi coverage. 

If you’re keen to test out the latest Apple features then browse our iPhone deals, including the new iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max for your next upgrade. You can also view iPhone SE, iPhone 12, iPhone 13 if you want to compare previous models online.