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Apple Users – Do You Need the iPhone 14?

Apple iPhone 14

It’s that time of year again – where a new iPhone hits the market.

Meet the iPhone 14 Pro, plus its slightly larger countermodel, the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

So you don’t have to, our Experts have already explored the main differences between the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 13.

First impressions

The 14 Pro is the same size and shape as the 13, featuring a 6.1-inch OLED screen and a stainless-steel edge.

However, even when the phone is locked, you’ll notice one key difference – an always-on display. Even on standby, you’ll see a dimmed version of your lock screen (useful for checking the time).

We’ve explained the other key changes below.

iOS 16

A new lock screen and features!

Every device runs on IOS 16, giving it a fresh and modern user experience.

The software even comes with a new revolutionary car-crash detection app, designed to sense the force of a collision and alert emergency services.

Speaking of this new update, it hit the headlines recently.

Its effectiveness (or rather, sensitivity) was noted by one American user, after their mobile identified a roller coaster as a high-impact car crash – mistakenly alerting the police to a theme park!

Imagine getting off a coaster and finding out your phone has called for help!

Battery and charging

Fit with the A16 Bionic chip, it’s 10x faster than previous models.

When it comes to battery life however, the 14 Pro isn’t too dissimilar to the 13. It offers 75 hours of audio playback and 23 hours of video.

The iPhone 14 Pro Plus is the new champion though, with 95 hours of audio and 29 hours of video playback available on full charge.

“Dynamic island”

You know that rectangular notch at the top of your iPhone screen? It’s now 31% smaller and interactive.

Just by clicking and expanding the notch, you can skip songs, stop timers, or open notifications.

Fondly called “Dynamic Island” by Apple, we can see why!

The main event – an impressive camera

Expect crisp and defined landscapes.

The new camera is what makes the 14 Pro that bit heavier than the 13 – and it’s worth it.

It features a 48-megapixel sensor and a slightly wider shot, plus a whole new image-processing technique called the Photonic Engine.

This Photonic Engine is particularly important for taking high-quality images in darker conditions.

The price

Our least favourite part.

Currently, the iPhone 14 Pro can be bought outright for £849, however, the 14 Pro Max comes in at an even steeper £949.

Contracts are priced from around £39 per month, but you need to compare to find the best deal.

This way, you won’t get caught out by a hefty upfront fee or a ridiculously long contract.

Our conclusion

There’s no denying that the iPhone 14 Pro/Plus are impressive new phones, but this is certainly reflected in the price tag.

The iPhone 13 is also still an impressive phone – and now it’s more likely to drop in price.

However, we’re all trying to battle price rises right now, so you might not be interested in a super-luxurious mobile if it’s not necessary.

For now, you might be better investing in a new SIM deal to help save up for an upgrade

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What the Election Means for the Energy Crisis

Election impacting energy crisis

We’re all feeling the strain of sky rocketing bills right now due to the energy crisis.

Further price rises and supplier uncertainty have been at the forefront of everyone’s mind.

Since Liz Truss became the new Prime Minister, the nation has been waiting with bated breath to hear her plans for tackling the energy crisis.

Luckily for us, we haven’t had to wait too long.

What is the energy crisis?

Gas and electricity prices have risen to unprecedented highs this year.

Since 2021, we’ve seen supply issues spiralling across the industry, leading to a record number of suppliers going bust.

The situation has only been made more dire following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, further limiting Russia’s supply of gas to Europe.

Ofcom even urged the new Prime Minister to act “decisively and urgently” in helping UK households tackle the record-high cost of living.

So, on Thursday, 8th September, new PM Liz Truss addressed the nation.

We’ve explained below our breakdown and what to expect in coming weeks.

Major changes for October 2022

“It will curb inflation and boost growth”

Plans have changed – and a price freeze is “guaranteed”.

Instead of an eye-watering 80% increase to the price cap (which would’ve left the average homeowner paying over £3,500 a year), bills have been frozen at £2,500.

This has been introduced as the “Energy Price Guarantee” and it’s set to stay in place for two years.

Our Winter advice

This doesn’t mean every household will face a yearly bill of £2,500 – this is just the cap on what firms can charge customers.

We understand this new price freeze still isn’t welcome news to everyone, but it does mean you can take steps to lower your usage and your bill.

Our advice:

  • Take a meter reading. If possible, arrange for a meter reading to be taken as soon as possible – ideally on September 30th! Doing this before the changes come into effect means you won’t be charged for units you’ve not used
  • Invest in energy-efficient appliances. Investing now in upgrades like LED/Smart bulbs, new windows, or even a boiler servicing, will save you in the long run
  • Speak to your energy supplier. If you’re worried about your payments, or think you’re at risk of falling behind, speak to your energy supplier directly
  • Look to reduce your other bills. We’ve got every broadband and mobile deal on the market in one place for you.

We’ve helped countless other bill payers like you save hundreds of pounds per year by switching.

Start comparing for cheaper deals today.

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