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- The iPhone 14 Plus is basically the standard iPhone 14 with a larger screen.
- It feels like a feather compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, plus it’s $200 less and has better battery life.
- It doesn’t have the latest features and processor of the Pro models, but it’s worth considering.
If the iPhone 14 Plus is any indication, people like bigger screens. When Apple announced the iPhone 14 series in 2022, it discontinued the small-screen Mini model in favor of the Plus model.
The “Plus” designation is more of a resurrection than something new, as Apple offered Plus versions of the iPhone prior to the iPhone X. If Apple is placing its bets on larger screens, the iPhone 14 Plus poses an excellent proposition for those who prefer larger phone screens but don’t want to pay the $1,100 starting price for Apple’s Pro Max models.
In my review of the standard iPhone 14, I said it feels like a repackaged iPhone 13 with a minor but meaningful upgrade that adds Crash Detection. But the iPhone 14 Plus manages to feel like something completely new — it’s a big iPhone that’s light and doesn’t cost more than $1,000. Perhaps more amazing is its superior battery life of any phone I’ve tested.
The iPhone 14 Plus is incredibly lightweight for a big-screen phone
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The iPhone 14 Plus brings the 6.7-inch big-screen experience with a lighter weight (7.16 ounces) than the iPhone 14 Pro Max (8.14 ounces). That’s surely thanks to the iPhone 14 Plus’ lighter aluminum frame compared to the heavier steel used on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, as well as the lack of the 3x zoom camera.
The 15% difference may seem minor, but you will feel the difference in everyday use. It’s easier to pick up and maneuver with one hand, and more comfortable to hold.
The best battery life out of any phone I’ve ever tested
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For the first time, a standard non-Pro iPhone beats a Pro model in battery life. The iPhone 14 Plus ended my battery test with 73% remaining, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max had 67%.
To compare with an Android phone that also has a large 6.7-inch screen, Google’s Pixel 7 Pro ended the test with 58%. There’s no contest between the iPhone 14 Plus and Pixel 7 Pro here.
If battery life is at the top of your checklist when shopping for a new phone, you should consider the iPhone 14 Plus.
Other than size and battery life, the iPhone 14 Plus is just an iPhone 14
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The iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 share the same A15 Bionic processor, 12-megapixel main and ultra-wide cameras, and features that include the new Crash Detection and SOS Emergency safety functions.
While the Plus’s screen is larger, it has the same 60 Hertz (Hz) refresh rate as the regular iPhone 14 instead of the 120Hz display of the iPhone 14 Pro Max. It’s not detrimental to the overall user experience, but a 60Hz screen isn’t as smooth. It’s understandable that a standard iPhone wouldn’t be on par with a Pro model, but a 60Hz screen has no place in a phone of this price.
The iPhone 14 might be underwhelming and lackluster, as it’s basically the iPhone 13 with a $100 price increase, but the iPhone 14 Plus stands apart thanks to the impressive battery life and larger screen.
iPhone 14 Plus vs. iPhone 14 Max: Which big-screen iPhone should you get?
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The iPhone 14 Pro has the latest A16 processor; 48-megapixel three-camera system that has a 3x zoom lens; always-on, 120Hz display; and Dynamic Island. It also has a higher-quality construction.
Despite the shortcomings, the iPhone 14 Plus offers a very similar experience as the Pro Max in terms of use and performance — the A15 Bionic processor in the iPhone 14 Plus opens and runs apps just as quickly as the A16 Bionic processor in the iPhone 14 Pro models, at least for now. It’s unclear whether the iPhone 14 Pro will last longer than the iPhone 14 Plus in terms of performance, but previous-gen processors historically show their age a year earlier than current-gen processors.
What is noticeable is when I switch from the iPhone 14 Pro Max to the Plus, I find myself missing the smoothness of the 120Hz screen and the 3x zoom lens. But I’m barely aware of the notch instead of the Dynamic Island, or that the display isn’t always on.
Ultimately, the choice will depend on how much you value a noticeably lighter, more comfortable experience over premium features and a faster processor, in addition to the $200 difference. For me, it has been the former — the Pro Max’s spec advantage isn’t enough to overcome the Plus’ pleasurable user experience.
I’m not going to lie, when I switched from the iPhone 14 Pro Max to the iPhone 14 Plus for this review, I dearly missed the smooth 120Hz screen and the 3x zoom lens. But I barely noticed that I was back to using a notch instead of the Dynamic Island, or that I didn’t have the always-on display anymore.
Should you buy the iPhone 14 Plus?
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That’s a definitive yes if you like larger phone screens, especially if you always thought the Pro Max models were too heavy or too expensive. And if you value battery life above all else, the iPhone 14 Plus is the clear option.
Still, it’s totally understandable if you go for the iPhone 14 Pro Max for the smooth 120Hz screen and additional 3x zoom lens, despite its higher price or weighty heft. While I’m still using the iPhone 14 Plus for the foreseeable future, those two premium features will always be beckoning at the back of my mind.
