For the past few years, Apple has made a habit of releasing four new iPhones every September: two "regular" models and two "Pro” models. And, as expected, the same thing happened at the last iPhone event.
It comes as no surprise that Apple made lots of upgrades to the new iPhone 14 smartphones, and that includes a lot of upgrades from the regular models to the Pro models.
Sure, there’s been a lot of buzz about the lack of a mini model, but what about the iPhone 14 Plus? If you’re interested in upgrading to the iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max then it might be well worth the investment.
Here’s what to know about iPhone 14 series specs so you can make the right choice.
iPhone 14 Release Information
Apple officially announced the long-awaited iPhone 14 range (iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max) on September 7th, 2022.
Following tradition, the iPhone 14 Pro model is Apple's new high-end flagship smartphone that is sold alongside the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, which come with cheaper price tags.
These iPhone 14 Pro models have many more features than the regular iPhone 14 models and come with improvements in technology such as:
- Camera quality
- Display capabilities
- A faster chipset
Also, as rumored before the announcement, the small-screen iPhone was scrapped. While this might disappoint some iPhone users, the impressive iPhone 14 Pro Max certainly makes up for a lack of a mini model. Why opt for a smaller version of something so powerful?
iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 14 Pro Models: What’s Different?
If you’re new to iPhone releases then the most important thing to know is that Apple releases two “types” of iPhones with each series. You have the “regular” phones, which would be the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Plus in this case.
Then, you have the “pro” models. This year, that’s the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Sometimes, you’ll see the Pro Max listed simply as the iPhone 14 Max to avoid confusion. However, what you need to know is that it’s the most powerful version of all four.
While all of the new phones boast several impressive features, there are also some key differences between the various models.
So should you stick to the regular iPhone 14 or upgrade to a Pro model? Let's walk you through a little about the phones and their design, cameras, performance, and battery life.
Let’s start by stating that the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Pro are the same sizes. Both feature a 6.1-inch screen. The iPhone 14 Plus and the iPhone 14 Pro Max models are the larger phones, boasting a much larger 6.7-inch screen.
Pixel density across the regular models versus the Pro models is pretty much the same, with the biggest differences being the weight of the Pro models and the triple-camera system that the Pro models have.
Let’s break down each of these major differences for you, however. Keep in mind that this is to help you decide whether a standard iPhone 14 is best for you versus a Pro model. Afterward, we’ll dive straight into the iPhone 14 Pro Max specs.
Design and Display Quality
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro are both similar in dimension and have the same 6.1-inch screen size. The biggest difference you’ll see here is if you upgrade to an iPhone 14 Plus to enjoy the 6.7-inch screen alongside the phone’s other technical benefits.
In terms of screen quality, the basic versions of the iPhone 14 feature an OLED panel while the Pro versions kick things up a notch with a Super Retina XDR OLED display.
The iPhone 14 Pro versions also feature a 120 Hz refresh rate for smoother animations. This is a massive upgrade from the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus.
The iPhone 14's 60 Hz refresh rate is considered lowball considering that even mid-range smartphones ship with at least 90 Hz in 2022. It has been one of the main reasons why critics have slammed Apple. The iPhone 14 basic models aren’t a big upgrade from the iPhone 13.
And there has been a lot of buzz surrounding what Apple calls Dynamic Island. It's a feature that adds an extra layer of functionality to your phone's already impressive touchscreen.
Dynamic Island allows users to swipe in and out of apps while still being able to interact with them, making multitasking easier than ever. For example, you can have a messaging app open while also watching a video or checking your calendar.
You’ll have to upgrade to the iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max to see how Dynamic Island can enhance your day-to-day phone experience; it’s not available on the standard models.
Display Measurements
Both the regular and the pro models have flat sides and a glass back. The main difference here is that the iPhone 14 has a matte-finish aluminum frame and a glossy back whereas the iPhone 14 Pro models come with a shiny stainless steel frame and a frosted glass back.
This means that the iPhone 14 is more likely to show fingerprints if you don’t have an iPhone case. That being said, that doesn’t affect functionality. Both models are IP68 water and dust-resistant, as usual, and also have a Lightning port for charging and data transfer purposes.
When it comes to cameras, there are a few key differences between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro that affect the overall look of each phone (we’ll get into camera quality in just a bit). The iPhone 14 only has two lenses on the back, while the Pro versions have three.
Additionally, the Pro and Plus versions feature a camera module that is noticeably larger than the regular iPhone 14's module. Again, this means that the iPhone 14 Pro Max camera system is better. It also means you’ll need to be careful when choosing the right case to fit it.
Performance and Software
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro are the first iPhone models to ever launch with different chipsets. The iPhone 14 comes with the older Apple A15 Bionic chip, while the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone Plus get the new Apple A16 Bionic chip.
While the iPhone 14's chipset is slightly upgraded from the previous year's model, it pales in comparison to the new iPhone 14 Pro's chipset. The iPhone 14 Pro's chipset is built on a 4 nm process, which makes it more energy-efficient and powerful than the iPhone 14's.
Cameras
Both the iPhone 14 Pro and the Pro Max have a 48 MP sensor that bins pixels in groups of four to produce 12 MP photos. This results in much better light sensitivity and less noise. However, the overall iPhone 14 camera specs are impressive.
Likewise, when shooting ProRAW, users can take 48 MP photos for extra-fine detail. The iPhone 14 continues with the same 12 MP sensor.
The iPhone 14 Pro models also come with a 3x relative zoom telephoto lens, giving the iPhone 14 Pro phones the ability to act as excellent portrait cameras. The Pro models’ ultra-wide camera has a wider aperture (f2.2 vs. f2.4) and what feels like a better-built lens. In addition, thanks to the autofocus, these lenses allow the cameras to function as high-resolution macro cameras.
Overall, if you’re interested in iPhone photography, it’s worth upgrading to a Pro model with the iPhone 14.
Battery Charge
As advertised by Apple, both versions of the new iPhones boast all-day battery life. This means that you can expect up to 10 hours of mixed usage before needing a charge.
According to Apple numbers, the iPhone 14 can stream videos for 20 hours straight, while the iPhone 14 Pro models will do the same but for 29 hours. This indicates a big difference in battery performance.
However, when it comes to the iPhone 14 Pro vs. the Pro Max, there’s not that big of a difference between the two.
iPhone 14 Pro Max Specs At-a-Glance
Now that you know the differences between the basic iPhone 14 models and the Pro models, are you convinced that you need an iPhone 14 Pro? Both versions offer improved performance, better battery life, and upgraded camera systems.
However, are there major differences between the Apple iPhone 14 Pro and the Pro Max that make the larger, more expensive version worth the upgrade? The only difference between the Pro and Pro Max is the size.
Unless you need a 6.7-inch screen then opting for the 6.1-inch 14 Pro version will provide you with access to all of the same features. So, in this case, when we talk about iPhone 14 Pro specs, we’re also talking about 14 Pro Max specs.
Here’s what to know about the Pro model versions of the iPhone 14 smartphones.
Display & Refresh Rate
The iPhone 14 Pro Max comes with a new Super Retina XDR display with updated ProMotion technology that enables an always-on display. This is the first of its kind for an iPhone.
When the always-on screen is active, you’re able to have time, widgets, and live activities readily available. However, the wallpaper remains dimmed. This is a huge step forward for the iPhone and finally puts it on par with some of the best Android smartphones on the market.
The Super Retina XDR display on iPhone 14 Pro Max provides higher maximum HDR brightness, reaching up to 2,000 nits.
This technology generates the highest outdoor peak brightness ever on a smartphone. Some tests have shown that the iPhone 14 Pro Max is twice as bright as the iPhone 13 Pro in sunny conditions.
This makes it ideal for use in all sorts of different lighting conditions and ensures you'll always be able to see what's on your screen. Likewise, you can enjoy wide color compatibility for vivid and lifelike colors.
Additionally, Adaptive True Tone matches the white balance of the iPhone 14 Pro Max's display to the ambient lighting of the room it's in. This allows for a paper-like viewing experience.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max also has an oleophobic coating that is resistant to fingerprints and supports Haptic Touch, which provides haptic feedback when interacting with the iPhone 14 Pro Max screen.
Weight
The iPhone 14 Pro Max measures 6.7 inches and is ever so slightly larger than the iPhone 13 Pro Max (literally by just one cubic centimeter). However, in terms of weight, both Pro Max models weigh the same.
Both Pro Max models (the 13 and 14) weigh 240g. This is about as much as a small hamster, for reference, so they’re lightweight phones.
Storage Options
As for storage, the storage options for the iPhone 14 Pro Max start the same as every other iPhone 14 model. All versions start at 128GB for the most affordable option. You can upgrade to 256GB or 512GB with the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models.
However, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are the only options that allow you to access a whopping 1TB of storage.
Processing Chip
As mentioned above, Apple has designed the A16 Bionic chip for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. This isn't something you can expect to find in the regular iPhone 14 models. Is that a big deal? Most regular iPhone users will find that you don't see much of a difference.
Tech-savvy individuals might notice that the five-core GPU that comes with this chipset does allow for 50% more memory bandwidth. Again, this is only really for gamers or people who stream frequently.
Overall, it's a pretty impressive chipset, though. The A16 chipset is capable of performing at least 7 billion operations per second.
Camera
The iPhone 14 Pro Max supports Face ID, as do the other versions of the iPhone 14. As is the case with previous releases of iPhones, you can use Face ID to unlock iPhones, manage payments, and also as a password replacement. However, what's most impressive about the camera system in the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the improved wide-angle lens.
The 48-megapixel camera is equipped with optical image stabilization, a second-generation sensor shift, and a four-pixel sensor. The lens comes with a focal length of 24mm and an aperture of f/1.78.
The 2x telephoto lens boasts an impressive 12 megapixels on the sensor. This lens is intended for high-resolution photography without using digital zoom. And the Pro Max's 12-megapixel ultra wide angle lens comes with larger pixels of 1.4 µm to produce sharper images and more details for macro photos.
In ProRAW mode, the iPhone Pro Max is capable of capturing full-size 48-megapixel ProRAW images for even more detail. However, that's not all. The iPhone 14 Pro Max features a new software called Photonic Engine, which is based on Deep Fusion.
With Photonic Engine, you'll notice an improved color in your photos along with finer details and photos with preserved textures. According to Apple, this new feature offers great photographic performance in medium to low light in photos on all of their iPhone 14 Pro cameras.
What about video recording capabilities? The iPhone 14 Pro Max is a great option for young, amateur filmmakers. The phone offers video recording up to 4K at 24, 25, 30, or 60 fps. It also supports HDR recording, ProRes video, slow-motion video, and time-lapse. The addition of action mode capabilities provides you with higher levels of stabilization.
Battery Life
The new iPhone 14 Pro Max comes with a 4,232 mAh battery. This gives the iPhone 14 Pro Max the ability to generate up to 29 hours of video playback, at least 25 hours of streaming video and up to 95 hours of audio playback. However, in real-world tests, most users are seeing that the battery lasts just under 20 hours.
While that's a significant reduction from what Apple claims the phone is capable of, it's still fantastic performance when compared to other similar smartphones on the market.
Charging
MagSafe charging up to 15W is still supported for the iPhone 14 Pro Max (like previous versions). Plus, fast charging via a Lightning cable is available with a 20W or higher charger. What's impressive is the fact that, when using a 96W charger, the iPhone 14 Pro Max can charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 109 minutes.
However, using a 30W charger, the charging time increases by at least 20 minutes more. So you'll probably have to put up with charging times of two hours on average as 96W chargers still aren't the norm. That being said, the iPhone 14 Pro Max appears to charge pretty quickly when you just need a quick recharge and don't intend to go from 0% to 100%.
Colors
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is available in silver, gold, space black, and deep purple. The color Space Black and Deep Purple are the new colors for this year with Deep Purple replacing the Sierra Blue color which was present in the iPhone 13 Pro models.
iPhone 14 Pro Max Pricing
As for the price of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the value starts at $1,099 for 128 GB of storage. You can get more storage, of course, all the way up to 1TB. However, you have to pay a lot more for that storage. Just how much?
Currently, the price of an iPhone 14 Pro Max with 1TB of storage will cost you, $1,599. To get the same amount of storage and the same functionalities just with a smaller screen, expect to pay $1,499 for the iPhone 14 Pro with 1TB of storage.
Is the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Worth the Upgrade?
On paper, the iPhone 14 Pro Max offers a lot of improvements over the basic iPhone 14 models. It has a better camera system, a more powerful processor, and improved battery life. But how much of a difference do these improvements make in real-world use?
In terms of the camera system, the iPhone 14 Pro Max offers an impressive array of features, including a new telephoto lens and improved low-light performance. The processor is also noticeably faster, making everyday tasks such as opening apps and browsing the web feel snappier.
This means that if you're looking for an iPhone that can do more than just handle basic tasks, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is worth considering. However, after its release, critics have come out against this new Pro model. The A16 Bionic chipset isn't stacking up like experts thought it would, and the camera system still doesn't compare to that of Android phones in some cases.
Does this mean you shouldn't get it? Not at all. Just weigh the pros and cons.
The iPhone 14 Pro phones are both great smartphones with a lot of power and unique capabilities. If you're due for an upgrade anyway then they're worth the investment if you love Apple smartphones. However, if you're looking for unique camera features or other specs that you don't see here, it might be worth waiting for another upgrade later down the line.
What to Know About iPhone 14 Plus Phone Cases
Whether you decide to invest in a new phone now or later, you'll eventually need to get a phone case for your iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max phone.
iPhone cases are designed to protect your iPhone from scratches, drops, and everyday wear and tear. But with so many options on the market, it can be tough to know which case is right for you.
Whichever case you choose, it's important to make sure that it is specifically designed for the iPhone 14 Pro Max model. A case made for an iPhone 14 Pro won't fit the iPhone 14 Plus model. Remember, the difference between these two models is the screen size. So, you'll need a larger case for the Pro Max model.
Next, consider what level of protection you're looking for. Do you want a thin, sleek case that will just protect against scratches, or do you need something heavy-duty that can handle drops and bumps? Additionally, think about any extra features you may want - such as built-in screen protection or extra grip on the sides.
When searching for the perfect iPhone 14 Pro Max case, consider these factors and choose one that fits all your needs.
Get the Best iPhone 14 Plus Phone Case
Ready to upgrade to the iPhone 14 Max? Regardless of which version of the iPhone 14 you choose, it's important to protect your investment. At i-Blason, we offer a variety of different iPhone cases that offer military-grade protection along with versatile style.
Ready to find your style? Click here to browse through all of our iPhone 14 Pro Max phone cases.
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