Should I Buy the iPhone 14 in Israel?

During its fall event, Apple announced the iPhone 14, alongside new versions of the Apple Watch and AirPod headphones. From September 22, you can buy the iPhone 14 in Israel and experience the latest in Apple’s technological advancements.

The question is, should you?

While you may think the iPhone 14 could be a great Chanukah gift, you need to know how much it costs, where you can get it, and which carriers support Apple’s latest device. You also need to know if it has enough new features to warrant an upgrade from the previous model. 

iPhone 14 – The New Features of Apple’s Latest iPhone

The iPhone 14 series includes four versions of the smartphone:

Though there are differences in the models, such as screen and storage size, they share several new features that could make getting an iPhone 14 in Israel an attractive prospect.

Feature No. 1 – Upgraded Cameras

As great as the cameras in previous iPhone generations are, there’s no denying that they’ve always struggled to record video and take pictures in dim light conditions. Apple has upgraded the iPhone 14’s camera to make it better at recording in low light.

Granted, the camera doesn’t offer 8K video recording, despite rumors circulating before the iPhone 14’s release. But the front camera gets a new autofocus feature, with both cameras gaining the ability to capture colors more vividly when there isn’t much light around.

Adding to this is Apple’s new “Action Mode” technology. This addition helps stabilize your camera, reducing shaking while filming a video while in motion.

Feature No. 2 – Satellite Service for Emergency Calls

Apple's new satellite subscription service makes it easier than ever to use your iPhone 14 in Israel to make emergency calls. By connecting with satellites, the iPhone 14 can call emergency numbers when you don’t have cellular or internet service.

The new feature asks several questions upon connecting, such as “Are you lost?” and “Are you alone?” Your answers help your iPhone 14 determine which emergency service it needs to contact so help can make its way to your location.

Feature No. 3 – The Force Sensor

The iPhone 14 includes a new force sensor that detects sudden impacts, such as during a car crash. The sensor activates while you’re driving, constantly tracking your vehicle’s motion. It can detect when you make a sudden stop and if the air pressure inside your car changes due to airbag deployment. Plus, it can “hear” loud crashing noises.

If the sensor detects an issue, it offers to call emergency services. If you don’t respond, the iPhone 14 calls automatically to get help to your location.

Feature No. 4 – A Power-Saving Always-On Screen

The iPhone 14 features a new always-on screen that ensures you receive notifications as soon as they ping. This screen displays the time, widgets, and any of your life activities, even when you’ve turned the screen off.

For those worrying about the effects on their phone’s battery life, Apple says the always-on screen requires far less power than when the phone is in active use. That means you can get at-a-glance details of what’s happening with your phone without having to go past the lock screen to activate it.

Feature No. 5 – The Dynamic Island

The infamous iPhone notch makes way for the Dynamic Island for the Pro and Pro Max versions of the iPhone 14. Dynamic Island is a cutout that incorporates working pixels. It contains the phone’s Face ID sensor and its selfie camera. Plus, it changes size based on the app you’re using and can display dynamic information from services like Apple Music and Lyft.

Unfortunately, the feature isn’t available for the Basic or Plus versions of the iPhone 14, which both keep the notch.

Feature No. 6 – Faster Internal Chips

If you’re buying an iPhone 14 in Israel, you want to know that it’s faster than the previous models. The good news is that all iPhone 14 feature upgraded chips that make them faster than any previous phone version.

The Basic and Plus models feature the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 13, only with a few upgrades. According to Apple, the chip’s graphical processing unit (GPU) is 18% more powerful than the iPhone 13’s version. Plus, the neural processors and CPU work faster.

With the Pro and Pro Max models, Apple uses the brand-new A16 Bionic chip. In addition to placing less strain on your battery, this new chip is 40% faster than the A15.

iPhone 14 Prices in Israel: Compared

The iPhone 14 looks like a fantastic new device. But if you’re planning on buying one, you need to know the iPhone price in Israel. The prices vary depending on the version of the iPhone 14 you want, though the averages are:

If you’re looking for iPhone 14 Chanukah sales, you may be out of luck. Providers are tight-lipped about any discounts they may apply to the phone during the holiday season. Still, if you’re determined to buy an iPhone 14 in Israel as a Chanukah gift, some providers offer it for less than others.

Dynamika and Power Warehouse slightly undercut the average price for the iPhone 14 Plus. You can grab the 128 GB model for 3,649 NIS from Power Warehouse or 3,679 NIS from Dynamika (all prices are correct at the time of this writing).

If you want the Pro model, you can find it in the iStore for 4,649 NIS. However, several electrical stores undercut this price slightly, coming in at 4,599 NIS.

Finally, the Pro Max model is available for 5,079 NIS in the iStore. Other stores appear to apply a markup. For example, Dynamics currently sells the 128 GB model of the device for 5,099 NIS.

iPhone 14 Price in the U.S.: Can I Buy One There and Bring It With Me?

If you feel the iPhone 14 price in Israel is steep, you may want to know about the iPhone 14 price in the States. It may be possible to purchase an iPhone 14 in the United States and import it to Israel.

According to Apple, you can buy an iPhone 14 in the United States with prices starting from the following (again, at the time of this writing):

These conversions are based on the currency rates as of December 13, 2022. They show us that you can buy an iPhone 14 for less money in the United States than you can in Israel. So, if you’re looking for iPhone 14 Chanukah sales and coming up empty, buying the phone in the U.S. to bring it back to Israel may be an option.

However, there’s a key challenge you must confront when buying an iPhone in the U.S. to use in Israel: the phone needs to be unlocked.

If you don’t unlock your American iPhone, it’s tied to whatever carrier you purchased it from in the United States. Thankfully, unlocking an iPhone is technically legal. However, you may find that your price to unlock could cause you to pay more for your American iPhone 14 than you’d pay when buying in Israel.

What Carriers in Israel Support the iPhone 14?

According to Apple, five carriers currently support iPhone 14 in Israel:

All offer 5G, personal hotspots, Wi-Fi calling, and Long Term Evolution (LTE). Interestingly, four of the five carriers also offer unlocking services. Only Golan Telecom doesn’t offer to unlock its iPhone 14s.

Explaining the eSIM Format of the iPhone 14

The iPhone 14 uses Apple’s smart eSIM technology. An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows you to activate a mobile data plan from your carrier without using a physical SIM card. That means no more fiddling around with little card trays. You can install multiple eSIMs onto a single iPhone 14 and use two phone numbers simultaneously for the same device.

With the iPhone 14 eSIM, Apple replaces the plastic SIM cards that are so easy to lose. However, there are some drawbacks to this technology that you must consider for the iPhone 14 eSIM in Israel. Here are the pros and cons of the technology:

Pros

Cons

Is the iPhone 14 in Israel Right for You?

Apple’s iPhone 14 incorporates many technological advancements that make it attractive compared to the iPhone 13. However, those looking to buy an iPhone 14 in Israel may pay more than they would in other countries.

The inclusion of eSIMs makes it easier to switch carriers, though it also raises privacy concerns. Still, the device may make the perfect Chanukah gift for the technophile in your life.