Vertu Ascent Ti Damascus Steel vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max: A Clash of Titans
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPhone 14 Pro Max decisively wins on performance, camera quality, and features. The Vertu Ascent Ti offers unparalleled luxury and exclusivity, but its lack of detailed specs and dated technology make it a niche purchase for those prioritizing status over substance. It's a luxury item, not a competitive smartphone.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Vertu Ascent Ti Damascus Steel | Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | UMTS 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 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 bands | - | 1, 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 |
| Speed | Yes, 384 kbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / UMTS | GSM / 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 - A2895 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2009, June. Released 2009, Q3 | 2022, September 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, September 16 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 115.5 x 49 x 13.1 mm, 74 cc (4.55 x 1.93 x 0.52 in) | 160.7 x 77.6 x 7.9 mm (6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Mini-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) |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 240 g (8.47 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Ceramic Shield glass |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~200 ppi density) | 1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.0 inches, 12.4 cm2 (~21.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 16M colors | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM) |
| - | Always-On display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | - | Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth) |
| Chipset | - | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) |
| GPU | - | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) |
| OS | - | iOS 16, upgradable to iOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 4GB | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM |
| Phonebook | 1500 entries | - |
| - | NVMe | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) |
| Single | 3.15 MP, AF | 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) |
| Video | No | 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | - | 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
| Video | - | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| No | - | |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | - | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Browser | WAP | - |
| Games | Yes | - |
| Java | Yes | - |
| Languages | English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Chinese | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email | - |
| Sensors | - | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Organizer Vertu Fortress Wireless synchronization service Vertu Concierge service Stainless steel keys Ceramic ear pillow Voice dial Predictive text input | Ultra Wideband (UWB) support Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update |
| Stand-by | Up to 300 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 5 h (2G) / Up to 3 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Ion 950 mAh battery | Li-Ion 4323 mAh (16.68 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | - | Space Black, Silver, Gold, Deep Purple |
| Models | - | A2894, A2651, A2893, A2895, A2896, iphone15,3 |
| Price | - | € 530.79 / $ 489.81 / £ 446.75 |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.07 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 121h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -24.3 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 955884 (v9) GeekBench: 5423 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Vertu Ascent Ti Damascus Steel
- Unparalleled luxury and craftsmanship
- Exclusive concierge services (likely)
- Unique design with Damascus Steel
- Lack of detailed specifications
- Likely outdated technology
- Significantly higher price point for limited functionality
- Poor performance compared to modern smartphones
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
- Exceptional performance with A16 Bionic chip
- Pro-grade camera system
- Long battery life
- Seamless iOS ecosystem
- Regular software updates
- High price point
- Can be fragile
- Limited customization compared to Android
Display Comparison
The iPhone 14 Pro Max boasts a stunning Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion (adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz) and a peak brightness of 1760 nits, offering exceptional clarity and vibrant colors. The Vertu Ascent Ti's display is likely smaller and less advanced, prioritizing aesthetics over technical specifications. Expect a more traditional, less immersive experience from the Vertu.
Camera Comparison
The iPhone 14 Pro Max features a pro-grade camera system with advanced computational photography, delivering exceptional image quality in various conditions. The Vertu Ascent Ti's camera is likely a secondary consideration, offering basic functionality without the advanced features of the iPhone.
Performance
The iPhone 14 Pro Max's A16 Bionic chip delivers blistering performance, effortlessly handling demanding tasks and games. The Vertu Ascent Ti, lacking detailed specs, likely utilizes an older, less powerful processor, resulting in noticeably slower performance and limited multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
The iPhone 14 Pro Max offers exceptional battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 121 hours. The Vertu Ascent Ti's battery life is unknown, but given its likely older technology, it's reasonable to assume it will be significantly shorter.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Vertu Ascent Ti Damascus Steel? Individuals seeking a status symbol, appreciating handcrafted luxury, and willing to pay a premium for exclusivity. Who should buy the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max? Users prioritizing top-tier performance, a cutting-edge camera system, and integration within the Apple ecosystem.