iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: The Ultimate Showdown

Apple's iPhone 14 and 14 Pro Max offer compelling features, but cater to different users. The standard iPhone 14 provides a solid experience, while the Pro Max pushes the boundaries with a larger display, enhanced camera system, and longer battery life. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you choose the right device.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 14 Pro Max is the clear winner for users prioritizing a premium experience, boasting a significantly brighter display, superior camera capabilities, and exceptional battery life. However, the iPhone 14 remains a fantastic choice for those seeking a more affordable and still-powerful iPhone.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 14 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 - A2882, A28841, 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 - A2882, A28841, 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 - A28831, 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, aluminum frameGlass front, glass back, stainless steel frame
Dimensions146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm (5.78 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)
Weight172 g (6.07 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
Resolution1170 x 2532 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 90.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
 -Always-On display
Platform
CPUHexa-core (2x3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard)Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth)
ChipsetApple A15 Bionic (5 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 RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM
 NVMeNVMe
Main Camera
Dual12 MP, f/1.5, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.9µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)-
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 SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", PDAF, OIS (unconfirmed) SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Triple-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, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), 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 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, 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 3279 mAh (12.68 Wh)Li-Ion 4323 mAh (16.68 Wh)
Misc
ColorsMidnight, Purple, Starlight, Blue, Red, YellowSpace Black, Silver, Gold, Deep Purple
ModelsA2882, A2649, A2881, A2884, A2883, iphone14,7A2894, A2651, A2893, A2895, A2896, iphone15,3
Price€ 344.00 / $ 277.58 / £ 300.00 / ₹ 64,900€ 530.79 / $ 489.81 / £ 446.75
SAR1.15 W/kg (head)     1.16 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 90h Endurance rating 121h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.2 LUFS (Very good) -24.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 817125 (v9) GeekBench: 4761 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 955884 (v9) GeekBench: 5423 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 14

  • More affordable
  • Slightly more compact size
  • Excellent performance with A15 Bionic
  • Great camera quality

  • Lower peak brightness
  • Shorter battery life
  • No telephoto lens
  • No Dynamic Island

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

  • Brighter display (1760 nits)
  • Exceptional battery life (121h)
  • Superior camera system (48MP, telephoto)
  • Dynamic Island
  • A16 Bionic chip

  • Higher price
  • Larger and heavier
  • Can be less pocketable

Display Comparison

The iPhone 14 Pro Max's display is a standout feature, reaching a peak brightness of 1760 nits compared to the iPhone 14's 804 nits. This difference is noticeable, especially outdoors in bright sunlight. Both offer excellent color accuracy and contrast (infinite nominal), but the Pro Max's brightness provides a superior viewing experience. The Pro Max also features the Dynamic Island, a unique and interactive display element.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 14 Pro Max's camera system is a significant upgrade. It features a 48MP Main camera (vs. 12MP on the iPhone 14), enabling more detailed photos and improved low-light performance. The Pro Max also includes a telephoto lens for optical zoom, a feature absent on the iPhone 14. Both record excellent video, but the Pro Max offers ProRes video recording for professional workflows.

Performance

Both phones are incredibly fast thanks to Apple's silicon. The iPhone 14 uses the A15 Bionic, while the Pro Max utilizes the newer A16 Bionic. While the A15 is still a powerhouse, the A16 offers a slight performance edge, particularly in graphics-intensive tasks. Both handle everyday use and demanding games with ease.

Battery Life

Battery life is a major differentiator. The iPhone 14 Pro Max delivers an impressive endurance rating of 121 hours, significantly outperforming the iPhone 14's 90 hours. This translates to noticeably longer usage between charges, making the Pro Max ideal for heavy users.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Apple iPhone 14? Users who want a great iPhone experience without breaking the bank, appreciate a slightly more compact size, and don't need the absolute best camera or longest battery life. Who should buy the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max? Power users, photography enthusiasts, and anyone who values a large, vibrant display and all-day (or longer) battery life.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize a top-tier camera, longer battery life, and a brighter display, the Pro Max is worth the investment. However, the iPhone 14 offers excellent value for those on a tighter budget.
❓ What is the Dynamic Island?
The Dynamic Island is a redesigned area around the front-facing camera and sensors on the iPhone 14 Pro Max. It morphs and adapts in real-time to show alerts, notifications, and activities, providing a unique and interactive user experience.