iPhone 14 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max: The Ultimate Showdown

Apple's iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max offer premium features and top-tier performance, but cater to slightly different needs. Both boast the powerful A16 Bionic chip and a stunning Dynamic Island, but the differences in size, battery life, and price can be significant. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you choose the perfect iPhone.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 14 Pro Max wins for those prioritizing battery life and a larger display. However, the iPhone 14 Pro offers a more pocketable design and similar performance at a slightly lower price point. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual preferences and usage habits.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 14 Pro Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2890, A28921, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2894, A2896
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2890, A28921, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2894, A2896
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A28911, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2895
Launch
Announced2022, September 072022, September 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, September 16Available. Released 2022, September 16
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, stainless steel frameGlass front, glass back, stainless steel frame
Dimensions147.5 x 71.5 x 7.9 mm (5.81 x 2.81 x 0.31 in)160.7 x 77.6 x 7.9 mm (6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)
Weight206 g (7.27 oz)240 g (8.47 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
ProtectionCeramic Shield glassCeramic Shield glass
Resolution1179 x 2556 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 91.7 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
 Always-On displayAlways-On display
Platform
CPUHexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth)Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth)
ChipsetApple A16 Bionic (4 nm)Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm)
GPUApple GPU (5-core graphics)Apple GPU (5-core graphics)
OSiOS 16, upgradable to iOS 26.1iOS 16, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM
 NVMeNVMe
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Single12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", PDAF, OIS (unconfirmed) SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", PDAF, OIS (unconfirmed) SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 77mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 77mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, stereo sound rec.4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBLightning, USB 2.0Lightning, USB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Ultra Wideband (UWB) support Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving)Ultra Wideband (UWB) support Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving)
Battery
ChargingWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 updateWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update
TypeLi-Ion 3200 mAh (12.38 Wh)Li-Ion 4323 mAh (16.68 Wh)
Misc
ColorsSpace Black, Silver, Gold, Deep PurpleSpace Black, Silver, Gold, Deep Purple
ModelsA2890, A2650, A2889, A2892, iphone15,2A2894, A2651, A2893, A2895, A2896, iphone15,3
Price$ 395.67 / C$ 693.35 / £ 403.99 / € 492.99€ 530.79 / $ 489.81 / £ 446.75
SAR1.15 W/kg (head)     1.15 W/kg (body)1.15 W/kg (head)     1.07 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.98 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)0.99 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 86h Endurance rating 121h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -26.2 LUFS (Good) -24.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 968412 (v9) GeekBench: 5346 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 955884 (v9) GeekBench: 5423 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 14 Pro

  • More compact and pocketable
  • Excellent performance
  • Stunning display
  • High-quality camera system

  • Shorter battery life compared to Pro Max
  • Smaller display

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Large, immersive display
  • Excellent performance
  • High-quality camera system

  • Larger size can be less comfortable to hold
  • Higher price

Display Comparison

The iPhone 14 Pro features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion, while the Pro Max boasts a larger 6.7-inch version. Both achieve a peak brightness of around 1791 nits (Pro) and 1760 nits (Pro Max), ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The contrast ratio is effectively infinite on both. The Pro Max's larger size simply provides a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

The camera systems are identical on both models, featuring a 48MP Main camera, a 12MP Ultra Wide camera, and a 12MP Telephoto camera. Both offer excellent image quality, impressive video recording capabilities (including ProRes), and advanced computational photography features like Photonic Engine. The larger size of the Pro Max *might* offer slightly better stability when shooting handheld video.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Apple A16 Bionic chip, delivering blazing-fast performance for any task. Expect seamless multitasking, smooth gaming, and effortless app loading. There's virtually no performance difference between the two models in real-world usage.

Battery Life

This is where the biggest difference lies. The iPhone 14 Pro offers an endurance rating of 86 hours, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max delivers a significantly longer 121 hours. This translates to noticeably longer battery life for the Pro Max, especially for heavy users.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Apple iPhone 14 Pro? Users who prefer a more compact phone, value portability, and don't need the absolute longest battery life. Who should buy the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max? Users who prioritize a large display for media consumption, gaming, or productivity, and demand exceptional battery endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max worth the extra money?
If battery life and a larger display are your top priorities, then yes. Otherwise, the iPhone 14 Pro offers excellent value with a slightly lower price and a more manageable size.
❓ Do both phones have the Dynamic Island?
Yes, both the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max feature the innovative Dynamic Island, replacing the traditional notch.