In this mini-series, the iCulture editors discuss our favorite new Apple products of 2022. In this third edition: the iPhone 14 Pro with the eye-catcher of the new Dynamic Island! 
Daniel Vischjager – December 29, 2022, 3:00 PM
· Last updated: 17:28 whatsappfacebooktwittertelegramlinkedinmailprint
Earlier we asked what your favorite Apple product of 2022 is, but we are of course also happy to give our own opinion about this year's harvest. Which products were so popular that we immediately bought them, or would immediately recommend them to friends and family? In each edition we highlight a personal favorite based on three questions: what's so good, why is this product our favorite of 2022 and what could be better? This third episode focuses on the iPhone 14 Pro, chosen by iCulture editor Daniel. Missed previous editions? Also check out the favorites of Benjamin (Apple Watch Ultra) and Gonny (MacBook Air M2).
Our favorites of 2022: the iPhone 14 Pro
The As far as I'm concerned, iPhone 14 Pro is a good example of the classic Apple approach: there's a problem and Apple is trying to turn it into a positive spin. That's how we know Apple again! But what is that problem and what feature am I talking about?
The problem: the notch.
The feature: the new Dynamic Island.
During the keynote in September, we were busy covering the news at the editorial office, but in the back of my mind I was glad that one good surprise had been kept a secret until the announcement. In recent years, many things have simply become predictable due to the many rumors, with a few exceptions. With the iPhone 14 Pro it feels like old times again. The always-on screen of this iPhone is also typical of Apple. The technique has been around for some time, but Apple is fashionably late with its own implementation.
What's so good?< /h3>
I will keep it short about the speed of the new chip: that is perfectly fine (as always). The camera is also absolutely fine. Personally, for serious photography I use my ‘real’ camera with interchangeable lenses, so the camera is always a little less important to me. Then the iPhone 14 Pro mainly has the Dynamic Island and the always-on screen, but I find the Dynamic Island especially interesting.
You can compare the Dynamic Island with the first MacBook Air from 2008. It was so thin that it was difficult to place all ports on the side. But yes, you must have them. Apple solved it by hiding the ports in a cover. If you need the ports, open the cover. If not, just close it and your MacBook will be nice and thin again. Something similar applies to the Dynamic Island. You just have to have the selfie camera and the sensors (including for Face ID). So you better convert it into something useful. For example, the Dynamic Island has become a place for extra information. For example, a public transport app can show the number of stops while you scroll through Instagram. Or you can quickly control your music and timers.
By making the Dynamic Island part of the user interface, you sometimes forget that you are actually looking at a set of sensors and a camera.
Why is this our favorite of 2022?
This year, the two big Apple purchases for me are the MacBook Air M2 2022 and the iPhone 14 Pro. While I was more in need of a new MacBook (I came from a 2016 MacBook Pro), the iPhone 14 Pro is my favorite. That's because the iPhone has really added something new that I use every day. My new Mac is of course a big improvement, but I don't do anything different or new with it compared to the previous one.
It's not often that a new version of a product makes you actually use it. use other ways. The Dynamic Island is a typical Apple solution for turning a problem into something useful. I don't want to be without it anymore! Read more about our experiences in the iPhone 14 Pro review.
See also 
iPhone 14 Pro review: the ideal pocket size with all the new features
In this review of the iPhone 14 Pro you can read about our experiences with the top device of 2022. There are many innovations in the Pro models this year, but whether that is reason for you to upgrade? We tell you all about it in our iPhone 14 Pro review.
What could be better?
There are always areas for improvement. For example, the emergency call via satellite communication is not available at all in the Netherlands (and many other countries). Apple thought it was a great new feature, but it's not even usable for most people. Furthermore, the crash detection does not always seem to work well, while it is something you really should be able to rely on. Or it just shouldn't have been there. So there is still something to be desired for 2023.
Also listen to the iCulture podcast #S04E12 in which we give a look back at 2022 and also discuss our favorites. Also read the previous parts of our favorites from 2022:
- Our favorites of 2022: the Apple Watch Ultra
- Our favorites of 2022: the MacBook Air 2022 with M2 chip
See also 
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iCulture Podcast #S04E12: Looking Back at 2022
The year is almost over, so we're going to look back at 2022 in the iCulture Podcast. What were our favorite Apple products of 2022, what was the most important Apple news, biggest disappointment and biggest surprise? We'll update you in the latest episode of the iCulture Podcast! 128GB Gold128GB Purple128GB Silver128GB BlackSubscription