The ‘New’ iPhone Actually Isn’t New

You might have the impression that the tech world in general is at a bit of a standstill. Companies push new products every year, but tout iterative features rather than revolutionary changes. Today, for example, Apple is pushing a brand-new iPhone, just six months after releasing the latest suite of devices. The thing is, it isn’t just similar to last year’s iPhone: It’s exactly the same. Oh, but it’s now yellow. I guess that’s new.

Yes, the “new” iPhone is just a yellow iPhone 14 and 14 Plus. That’s it. That’s the “new.” No camera upgrade, no speed boost, no brighter display. You now have the option to buy an iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Plus that looks a little like your favorite electric Pokémon, in case you weren’t sold on the five colors the 14 and 14 Plus launched with—Blue, Purple, Midnight, Starlight, and (PRODUCT)RED.

Otherwise, it’s the same iPhone 14 and 14 Plus. The devices sport 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch OLED displays, respectively, and carry over the A15 Bionic chip from the iPhone 13 line. You get the dual-camera system (wide and ultra-wide), with the “Photonic Engine” for capturing better mid- to low-light images. They also sport Apple’s Action mode (for capturing fast-moving subjects with increased stabilization) and Cinematic mode (for shooting film-like video with a shallow depth of field).

You’ll also find Emergency SOS via Satellite, which lets you reach out for help in areas without cell service, and Crash Detection, which can automatically dial emergency services when the iPhone thinks you’ve been in an accident (although it might also call the cops on your for skiing).

Apple has a history of issuing color refreshes midway through iPhone cycles. Back in 2021, for example, the company released a purple iPhone 12 and 12 mini “just in time for spring.” The aim seems to be to juice flagging support for a device halfway through its product cycle.

When the iPhone 14 initially dropped, I didn’t think it was the best deal on the market, and I still think you’d be better served by picking up last year’s iPhone 13 at a discount, or the iPhone 14 Pro if you can afford the extra $200. Of course, the 14 Pro doesn’t come in yellow. If you want your iPhone to look like Pikachu, the new 14 is your only option (next to, you know, a yellow case).

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