If a person plans to buy a new iPhone, the iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro Max are among Apple's most preferred models. Both models contain rich features and capabilities, although they have significant differences. This guide will compare the phones' primary characteristics, such as the design, camera, performance, and battery life. Therefore, by this end, the reader can determine which of the two models will suit his or her needs.
iPhone 14 Plus vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: Detailed Comparison
Specifically, when comparing the iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro Max, it depends on which one the user prefers or requires. Both models have great features, but some differences could make a big difference.
Feature |
||
Launch Date |
Announced: September 07, 2022 Released: September 16, 2022 |
Announced: September 07, 2022 Released: October 07, 2022 |
Dimensions |
160.7 x 77.6 x 7.9 mm (6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 in) |
160.8 x 78.1 x 7.8 mm (6.33 x 3.07 x 0.31 in) |
Weight |
240 g (8.47 oz) |
203 g (7.16 oz) |
Build |
Glass front, glass back, stainless steel frame |
Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
SIM |
Nano-SIM and eSIM (International) Dual eSIM (USA) Dual SIM (China) |
Nano-SIM and eSIM (International) Dual eSIM (USA) Dual SIM (China) |
Water Resistance |
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) |
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) |
Display Type |
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM) |
Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak) |
Display Size |
6.7 inches, 110.2 cm² (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
6.7 inches, 109.8 cm² (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
Resolution |
1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) |
1284 x 2778 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~458 ppi density) |
Protection |
Ceramic Shield glass |
Ceramic Shield glass |
Always-On Display |
Yes |
No |
OS |
iOS 16, upgradable to iOS 17.5.1, planned upgrade to iOS 18 |
iOS 16, upgradable to iOS 17.5.1, planned upgrade to iOS 18 |
Chipset |
Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) |
Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) |
CPU |
Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth) |
Hexa-core (2x3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard) |
GPU |
Apple GPU (5-core graphics) |
Apple GPU (5-core graphics) |
Internal Storage |
128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM |
128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM |
Card Slot |
No |
No |
Main Camera |
48 MP (wide), 12 MP (telephoto), 12 MP (ultrawide), TOF 3D LiDAR scanner |
12 MP (wide), 12 MP (ultrawide) |
Main Camera Features |
Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) |
Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) |
Main Camera Video |
4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, Dolby Vision HDR, ProRes, Cinematic mode (4K@24/30fps) |
4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), Cinematic mode (4K@30fps) |
Selfie Camera |
12 MP (wide), SL 3D (depth/biometrics sensor) |
12 MP (wide), SL 3D (depth/biometrics sensor) |
Selfie Camera Features |
HDR, Cinematic mode (4K@24/30fps) |
HDR, Cinematic mode (4K@30fps) |
Selfie Camera Video |
4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
Sound |
Stereo speakers |
Stereo speakers |
3.5mm Jack |
No |
No |
WLAN |
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
Bluetooth |
5.3, A2DP, LE |
5.3, A2DP, LE |
Positioning |
GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
NFC |
Yes |
Yes |
USB |
Lightning, USB 2.0 |
Lightning, USB 2.0 |
Sensors |
Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
Additional Features |
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support Emergency SOS via satellite |
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support Emergency SOS via satellite |
Battery |
Li-Ion 4323 mAh, non-removable (16.68 Wh) |
Li-Ion 4323 mAh, non-removable (16.68 Wh) |
Charging |
Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) |
Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) |
Colors |
Space Black, Silver, Gold, Deep Purple |
Midnight, Purple, Starlight, Blue, Red, Yellow |
SAR |
1.15 W/kg (head), 1.07 W/kg (body) |
1.14 W/kg (head), 1.15 W/kg (body) |
SAR EU |
0.99 W/kg (head), 0.98 W/kg (body) |
0.99 W/kg (head), 0.98 W/kg (body) |
Models |
A2894, A2651, A2893, A2895, iphone15,3 |
A2886, A2632, A2885, A2896, A2887, iphone14,8 |
Performance Tests |
AnTuTu: 955884 (v9) GeekBench: 5423 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 on screen) |
AnTuTu: 797976 (v9) GeekBench: 4582 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 on screen) |
Max Brightness |
1760 nits (measured) |
797 nits (measured) |
Loudspeaker |
-24.3 LUFS (Very good) |
-24.7 LUFS (Very good) |
Battery Endurance |
121 hours |
102 hours |
1) Design and Build
The iPhone 14 Plus and Pro Max are stylish and elegant, making them look fancy and up-to-date. Although the two models' designs are similar, particular distinctions in their characteristics and performances may make a difference to users and influence their decisions toward a specific model.
One of the main differences between the two models is their camera systems. The iPhone 14 Plus has a dual-camera setup at the back, perfect for casual photography. The iPhone 14 Pro Max goes a notch higher and has a triple-camera system, providing more possibilities and flexibility when taking pictures. The Pro Max is the better option if you are more into photography.
Check Out: iPhone 15 vs 15 Plus: Key Differences Uncovered
Unique Features
The Pro Max has unique features that give the user a great experience. One of the main characteristics is the 'Always On' display, which enables the user to see some information even without unlocking the device. Also, the Pro Max comes with the new dynamic Island, which shows notifications and allows the user to respond without unlocking the phone. However, these features are unavailable on the iPhone 14 Plus, which might be a significant disadvantage for some people.
Color Options
The two models come in different colors to suit the consumer's preference. The iPhone 14 Plus comes in various colors, such as purple, starlight, blue, midnight, red, and all-new yellow, making it an exciting phone for those wishing to have a colorful one. On the other hand, the Pro Max has more mature colors, such as Space Black and Deep Purple, for those who want a more classy look.
2) Display Technology
The iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro Max also have OLED Super Retina XDR displays; colors are vivid, and black is as black as possible. However, the two have a different set of technologies they use as their major determining factor. The Pro Max model has the ProMotion display; hence, the content displayed on the screen will be updated at a frequency of up to 120Hz, while in the Plus model, the refresh rate is 60Hz. This difference makes the Pro Max smooth in its animations, and the interaction is faster. This is a plus when gaming and scrolling.
Screen Size and Usability
The devices have large screens that provide users with a high-quality view of movies, games, or even social networks. The iPhone 14 Plus and 14 Pro Max have screens of 6.7 inches. They offer clear, vivid pictures with good views, even at angles. Although they have substantial color reproduction and accuracy, the screen of Pro Max is intended to be versatile. The larger screen offers more space for large fonts that are easier to read and type, which is beneficial for daily use.
Brightness and Outdoor Performance
Another main benefit of the iPhone 14 Pro Max is that it can get brighter than the competition. This one has a peak brightness of 2000 nits, which is much better than the other options when using it in bright environments. On the other hand, the iPhone 14 Plus peaks at 1,100 nits. If you use your phone outside most of the time, the Pro Max will give you a crisper and comfortable viewing experience.
Additional Features
The iPhone 14 Pro Max also has an always-on display feature. This means one can check the time, battery percentage, number of notifications received, and widgets even without unlocking the phone. This is possible due to the display's capability of reducing the refresh rate to as low as 1Hz to conserve power. The iPhone 14 Plus does not have this feature, which is an advantage of the Pro Max for quickly getting essential details.
3) Performance Overview
Comparing the iPhone 14 Plus with the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the performance of both devices is quite good. However, it can be noted that there is a massive distinction regarding the features hidden inside the devices. The iPhone 14 Pro max has an A16 Bionic chip, which offers impressive performance and a hand against the competitor. However, the iPhone 14 Plus uses the A15 Bionic chip, which is adequate for providing power for essential activities. It is still quite potent compared to numerous Android phones, making it quite responsive for gaming and application usage.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max comes with the latest A16 Bionic chip, which is faster and more efficient in processing than the A15 Bionic chip. That generally makes Pro Max faster and more capable of performing complex operations. Benchmark tests support this difference: The Pro Max's single-core performance was 1,882, its multi-core performance was 5,333 on Geekbench, while the Plus's was 1,735 and 4,473, respectively.
Check Out: iPhone 14 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Which One Should You Choose?
Gaming Performance
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is more suitable for gaming since it has higher frame rates. Using the 3DMark WildLife Unlimited test, the Pro Max was recorded to have a frame rate of 74, while the Plus had a frame rate of 69. Although the difference is not very significant, it can improve performance during gameplay and thus make it more enjoyable.
Interestingly, in transcoding a 4K video clip to 1080p using the Adobe Premiere Rush app, the Pro Max was marginally slower than the Plus. This proves that although the Pro Max is mostly a better-performing phone than the Plus, there are cases where the latter can also perform better.
4) Battery Longevity Comparison
The iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro Max have longer battery lives. Apple states that the iPhone 14 Plus has a battery life of up to 26 hours for video playback. The Pro Max, however, is slightly better at 29 hours. This is an important parameter that shows the battery life of the two phones; if you need a phone that lasts longer before the battery goes down, the Pro Max will serve you better.
In a real-world scenario, both models worked incredibly well. With normal usage, users can get about two days of each device suitable for everyday use. However, our tests showed that the Pro Max had better overall endurance and would last longer than the 14 Plus.
Check Out: IPhone 14 Pro Max vs Samsung S23 Ultra
Charging Speed
Charging was also faster on the iPhone 14 Plus than on the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The 14 Plus charged up to 46% within half an hour with a 20W Apple USB-C charger, while the Pro Max only charged up to 42%. The 14 Plus might be the most efficient if you require a quick power boost.
The iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro Max batteries are rather good, yet the Pro Max performs slightly better. If battery life is essential to you, and you don't mind the extra bucks for the Pro Max, it's the one to go for. However, the iPhone 14 Plus is still a good phone for those who want high-quality performance, but at a cheaper price than the new iPhone 14 Pro Max.
5) Camera Capabilities
The primary difference between the iPhone 14 Plus and the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the camera function, affecting the quality and types of photos the two devices can capture. The Plus is not a slouch, though it lacks the features that the Pro Max has to suit photography enthusiasts.
Main Camera Capabilities
The iPhone 14 Plus has a dual camera system, with the main one being 12 MP and the ultra-wide being 12 MP. This camera system is the same as last year's iPhone 13 Pro, thus allowing the users to take excellent pictures. On the other hand, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 48MP primary camera and 12MP ultra-wide, Telephoto, and TrueDepth cameras. The Pro Max has a better setup to capture better images, especially in low-light situations or when functioning at high zoom levels.
Low-Light Performance
One of Pro Max's main strengths is its ability to work well in low-light conditions. Because its better and more sophisticated camera can take higher-quality images, specifically in this environment. The iPhone 14 Plus still needs to be more efficient than the Pro Max when it comes to taking nightly photos, thus making the latter the preferred choice for night photography.
Check Out: iPhone 15 vs iPhone 14: A Clear and Simple Comparison
Macro Photography
Pro Max is excellent in the macro photography department and is for people who love taking close-up shots. It can take high-quality photos and reproduce colors that the Plus model cannot. If you like taking pictures of small things or nature, it will serve you better than the Plus model.
The two models share features such as the Photonic Engine, which boosts the low-light capability of all lenses, and the 12MP front camera with a wider aperture and autofocus for better selfies. They also have similar features, such as Action mode video, which captures stable videos when in motion, and 4K Cinematic mode video.
The iPhone 14 Plus has a decent camera setup for everyday use, whereas the iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 48MP primary sensor and numerous features that the Plus model lacks. The Pro Max is again the best for photography-oriented users as it is better in low-light and macro photography.
Price Comparison
The best model in terms of pricing has to be determined since this area is one of the main factors that set the two models apart. The iPhone 14 Plus offers three storage configurations: 128GB for $1579, 256GB for $1749, and 512GB for $2099. On the other hand, those options are available in the iPhone 14 Pro Max, along with a significantly more 1TB model that will cost you $2,769. The non-Pro version costs $320 less than the base Pro Max, making it more affordable than its pricier counterpart.
Check Out: iPhone 11 vs iPhone 14 Comparison: Which Is the Best Choice for You?
Roobotech: Your Go-To for Refurbished iPhones
Why Choose Roobotech for Refurbished iPhones?
Australian consumers can trust Roobotech when purchasing refurbished iPhones. A quality-oriented organization emphasizing customer satisfaction, Roobotech supplies devices thoroughly checked and restored to new condition. Because Roobotech offers refurbished iPhones for sale, it is a cost-effective way of purchasing a phone while avoiding contributing to the generation of electronic waste.
What Makes Roobotech Unique in the Market?
Roobotech has always emphasized delivering quality services and support. Unlike other sellers, it provides a warranty for the refurbished products that it sells to its clients. Also, Roobotech's grading system is evident to the buyers regarding the condition of the devices, therefore reducing ambiguity. Based on product quality, competitive pricing, and good customer care, Roobotech has become a preferred destination in the Australian market for people who need refurbished iPhones.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, the iPhone 14 Plus and the iPhone 14 Pro Max are aimed at different users. If camera and performance are your concerns, then the Pro Max is the better choice as it has a better camera system and better features for the extra bucks. At the same time, if you need a trusty device for everyday use and do not intend to spend a fortune on it, the iPhone 14 Plus is an excellent choice since it offers a tremendous performance-to-price ratio. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, the amount of money you are ready to spend, and picking the device you will be comfortable with.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the iPhone 14 Plus and 14 Pro Max?
The iPhone 14 Plus has 1100 nits brightness, while the 14 Pro Max has 2000. The Pro Max also features an Always-On display and smoother ProMotion technology.
Do the iPhone 14 Plus and 14 Pro Max fit the same case?
Unfortunately not, you need a new case if you upgrade from an iPhone 14 to a Plus or Pro Max.
What's the difference between the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max?
The iPhone 14 Pro is smaller and lighter, making it easier to use with one hand and fit in pockets. The Pro Max is more extensive and heavier.