Why You Can Trust CNET iPhone 14 Plus vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max: Comparing the Bigger Apple Phones
Apple's 2022 phone line includes two phones with 6.7-inch displays, providing a cheaper option for big-screen phone fans.
Apple's iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Plus.
Apple's revival of the "Plus" size iPhone could be the most exciting part of the iPhone 14 lineup. Even though it appears to come with the demise of the Mini size that was part of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineup, the $899 (£949, AU$1,579) iPhone 14 Plus announced at Apple's Sept. event provides a big-screen phone option that is hundreds of dollars less than the $1,099 iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Before the event, when the Plus model was rumored under the moniker of iPhone 14 Max, CNET's Lisa Eadicicco noted in a commentary that the phone could even make the iPhone 14 Pro Max harder to justify at its higher price. Indeed, both the iPhone 14 Plus and the iPhone 14 Pro Max include many of the same features, along with a similar 6.7-inch screen size: Both include car-crash detection, an improved front-facing camera, satellite connectivity and eSIM support that replaces the physical SIM card on US models.
But if you do plan to splash out for the Pro Max, that phone will include a 48-megapixel main camera, an always-on display, the new A16 Bionic processor and the redesigned cutout on the front-facing screen, which also features the contextual Dynamic Island feature. Those changes give the more-expensive phone a look and functionality that's noticeably different from the iPhone 14 Plus.
However, the iPhone 14 Plus still handles a lot, and the $200 difference between the two is substantial. To help with outlining what's different and what's the same between the iPhone 14 Plus and the iPhone 14 Pro Max, we've spelled out both phones' specs in the chart below.
You can also check out our explainers on the iPhone 14 Pro Max's key features like the always-on display and the Dynamic Island, along with articles on the car-crash detection, satellite connectivity and eSIM support offered on both models. And if you want to compare the entire iPhone 14 line, including the base iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, we have an iPhone 14 line spec comparison for you to dive into as well.
Apple's Newest Releases
Apple iPhone 14 Plus vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max
| iPhone 14 Plus | iPhone 14 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Display size, resolution | 6.7-inch OLED; 2,778x1,284 pixels | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR, OLED display, 2,796x1,290 pixels |
| Pixel density | 458 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 6.33 x 3.07 x 0.31 in. | 6.33 x 3.05 x 0.31 in. |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 161 x 78 x 7.8mm | 160.7 x 77.6 x 7.85mm |
| Weight (ounces, grams) | 7.16 oz.; 203g | 8.47 oz.; 240g |
| Mobile software | iOS 16 | iOS 16 |
| Rear Cameras | 12MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide) | 48MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide), 12MP (telephoto) |
| Front-facing camera | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel |
| Video capture | HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps | HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps |
| Processor | Apple A15 Bionic | Apple A16 Bionic |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| RAM | Undisclosed | Undisclosed |
| Expandable storage | No | No |
| Battery | Undisclosed; Apple lists 26 hours of video playback | Undisclosed; Apple lists 29 hours of video playback |
| Fingerprint sensor | No (Face ID) | No (Face ID) |
| Connector | Lightning | Lightning |
| Headphone jack | No | No |
| Special features | 5G enabled; MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; dual-SIM capabilities (e-SIM) | Dynamic Island; Always-On display; 5G enabled; MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; dual-SIM capabilities (e-SIM) |
| Price off-contract (USD) | $899 (128GB), $999 (256GB), $1,199 (512GB) | $1,099 (128GB), $1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB), $1,599 (1TB) |
| Price (GBP) | £949 (128GB) | £1,199 (128GB) |
| Price (AUD) | AU$1,579 (128GB) | AU$1,899 (128GB) |