Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Review, Features list, Pros and Cons
Key features that elevate the iPhone 14 Pro Max to the top
Before we dive into the iPhone 14 Pro Max review, the question remains: is the iPhone 14 Pro Max overkill for your needs? The battery life is decent at 13 hours for mixed use, but ditching the always-on display can significantly extend it. The eSIM transition eliminates the physical SIM tray for a sleeker design, but ensure your carrier supports eSIM before diving in.
Looking for a smaller phone? Check out our iPhone 14 Pro review. Want the newest iPhone at a more affordable price? Our iPhone 15 Pro review is for you. Curious about the differences between the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro? We have a comparison iPhone 14 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro for that too!
If you’re considering the latest iPhone flagships, check our iPhone 15 Pro Max review and iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max .
No matter your needs, there’s an iPhone for you. Discover the possibilities!
iPhone 14 Pro Max: Verdict
iPhone 14 Pro Max Review
If you're someone who values top-tier design, exceptional display performance, and reliable overall capabilities in a smartphone, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is definitely worth considering for an upgrade. Its advanced camera system, powerful chipset, and iOS 16's customization features further enhance the user experience. We encourage you to share your own experiences with the iPhone 14 Pro Max in the comments section below. Your insights can provide valuable perspectives for others who are considering this device as their next smartphone investment.
Pros
- Amazing Camera: The 48MP camera takes stunning photos with incredible detail.
- Dynamic Island: This innovative feature replaces the notch and seamlessly integrates notifications and alerts.
- Long Battery Life: Enjoy a full day of use without needing to recharge.
- Action Mode Video: Capture smooth and stable videos, even when you’re moving around.
Cons
- No SIM Card Slot: This will be inconvenient for some users who rely on physical SIM cards.
- Slow Charging: The 20W charging speed feels outdated compared to other flagship phones.
- Bulkier Design: The phone is slightly thicker and heavier than its predecessor.
iPhone 14 Pro Max review: Spec
| ITEM | Description |
|---|---|
| Colors: | Space Black, Deep Purple, gold, silver |
| Weight: | 240g |
| Dimensions: | 77.6 x 160.7 x 7.85mm |
| Screen: | 6.7-inch Super XDR OLED |
| Resolution: | 2796 x 1290 pixels |
| Refresh rate | Adaptive 1-120Hz |
| Rear Cameras: | 48MP main (24mm, ƒ/1.78), 12MP ultrawide (13mm, ƒ/2.2), 12MP telephoto (77mm, f/2.8) |
| Front Camera: | 12MP |
| CPU: | A16 Bionic |
| Storage: | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
| RAM: | 6GB |
| OS: | iOS 16 |
| Battery: | 4,323mAh |
| Charging: | 20W (wired) + MagSafe & wireless |
iPhone 14 Pro Max review: Price and availability
The iPhone 14 Pro Max starts at a hefty $1,099 (£1,199, AU$1,899) for the base 128GB model, with options ranging up to 1TB. Pre-orders began September 9th, 2022, and the phone officially launched September 16th (excluding the Plus model, which arrived October 7th).
Unlike most Android competitors, the iPhone 14 Pro Max offers no expandable memory beyond the base 6GB. While US pricing remains consistent with the iPhone 13 Pro Max, UK buyers face a significant year-over-year increase. We recommend the 256GB option for most users, but be prepared for a premium price tag.
iPhone 14 Pro Max review: Display
The iPhone 14 Pro Max display boasts a stunning 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with a revolutionary twist: the Dynamic Island. This replaces the notch, housing the camera and sensors while offering a seamless user experience.
The Dynamic Island morphs to display notifications and alerts, all touch-sensitive for easy access to music, Maps, Find My, and more. It seamlessly blends with the OLED screen’s inky blacks, creating the illusion of a single, interactive element.
Beyond innovation, the display offers a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for smooth visuals and a 1Hz option for the new always-on display. This lets you see the time, date, and widgets without unlocking the phone, though it can drain battery life. While customizable options might come in future updates, the current display can feel cluttered.
The screen shines brightly too, reaching 2,000 nits for exceptional outdoor visibility, but expect battery life to suffer under such demands.
iPhone 14 Pro Max review: Design
The iPhone 14 Pro Max retains the familiar “Pro” design with a polished stainless steel frame and frosted glass back (available in a stunning new Deep Purple). While slightly smaller than its predecessor, the weight remains unchanged at 240g.
The display boasts a fresh look thanks to the innovative Dynamic Island replacing the notch. The Ceramic Shield front offers improved drop resistance, but a case is still recommended.
Button placement and the Lightning port remain unchanged, though the SIM tray is absent in US models for a cleaner design. The camera array appears slightly larger than the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s, while the powerful stereo speakers and surviving Lightning port round out the familiar layout.
Overall, the iPhone 14 Pro Max offers a refined design that is undeniably Apple, water-resistant, and ready to take a splash (or two).
iPhone 14 Pro Max review: Performance
The iPhone 14 Pro Max reigns supreme with Apple’s new A16 Bionic chip, the fastest on the market. Benchmarks show significant improvements over the iPhone 13 Pro Max and competitors like the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
The phone excels in everyday tasks, smoothly running multiple apps and graphically demanding games. It even boasts a slight edge in graphics performance compared to its predecessor.
However, the iPhone 14 Pro Max stumbles in a video editing test, taking slightly longer than the iPhone 13 Pro Max. While powerful, the base 128GB storage might feel limiting for users who capture a lot of high-resolution photos and videos. Consider upgrading to 256GB to avoid storage woes.
iPhone 14 Pro Max review: Camera
The iPhone 14 Pro Max boasts a major camera upgrade with a new 48MP quad-pixel main sensor. This delivers stunning photos, especially in low-light conditions thanks to Apple’s improved Photonic Engine.
While the array might look similar to the iPhone 13 Pro Max, the lenses and sensors are all upgraded. The star is the 48MP sensor, offering a 2x optical zoom option by utilizing a portion of the main sensor. This eliminates the need for a dedicated 2x zoom lens.
While the 3x optical zoom lens remains, it’s outmatched by competitor’s offerings. The iPhone 14 Pro Max counters with impressive video capabilities, including 4K 30fps Cinematic mode and a new Action mode for smoother shaky footage.
Despite rumors, 8K video recording is absent, likely to conserve storage space. While some professionals might miss it, most users won’t and the benefit outweighs the storage limitations.
Overall, the iPhone 14 Pro Max camera system remains one of the best on the market, capturing beautiful images and offering strong video options.
iPhone 14 Pro Max review: Battery life
The iPhone 14 Pro Max battery falls short of expectations, especially with the always-on display enabled. Our tests showed a significant drop in battery life compared to the iPhone 13 Pro Max, particularly under heavy use or bright sunlight.
While Apple claims 29 hours of video playback, we found it closer to 13 hours with mixed usage and the always-on display active. Disabling the always-on display significantly improved battery life, reaching up to 26 hours for video streaming.
The phone supports MagSafe and Qi wireless charging but lacks ultra-fast charging capabilities. It can reach 50% in 30 minutes with an optional 20W charger (not included).
Overall, the iPhone 14 Pro Max battery life is a weak spot, especially for users who rely on the always-on display or spend extended time outdoors.
iPhone 14 Pro Max review: eSIM and Connectivity
The iPhone 14 Pro Max ditches the physical SIM slot in the US, relying solely on eSIM for cellular connectivity. Our tests showed a smooth setup process. Users can electronically transfer existing SIM information without carrier assistance.
A more intriguing addition is satellite-based Emergency SOS. Partnering with Globalstar satellites, Apple offers this service for free for two years (launching in November 2022 with iOS 16).
If you’re outside cell and Wi-Fi coverage, the iPhone guides you to connect with satellites for emergency texting. A visual cue helps you aim your phone, and a series of questions gets relayed to emergency services.
While primarily for emergencies, you can also use satellite SOS to send non-emergency updates via Find My, like reaching a remote destination.
iPhone 14 Pro Max review: Problems and issues
Some iPhone 14 Pro users report camera shaking or rattling in apps like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram. This might be linked to the phone’s optical image stabilization system. While unconfirmed by our tests, user videos showcase the problem.
A software update is likely to address this issue, and we’ll provide further updates as they become available.
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