iPhone 14 Plus Review: For People Who Love Big Screens

This story is a part of Focal Level iPhone 2022, CNET’s assortment of stories, suggestions and recommendation round Apple’s hottest product.

The $899 iPhone 14 Plus is both a giant iPhone 14 or a scaled-back iPhone 14 Professional Max, relying in your perspective. With the arrival of the iPhone 14 Plus, Apple now has probably the most easy iPhone lineup in years. There are simply two iPhone sizes: One with a 6.1-inch display screen and the opposite with a 6.7-inch show. After you choose a dimension, you simply must resolve between getting an everyday iPhone or a Professional mannequin.

Ever for the reason that iPhone XS Max launched in 2018, there was just one choice for many who love massive screens: Pay prime greenback and get a Max mannequin with additional options you won’t essentially want (like a telephoto digicam or a high-refresh-rate show). I do know many CNET readers, associates and colleagues who’ve shelled out $1,100 or extra for an iPhone 12 Professional Max or 13 Professional Max as a result of it was the one approach to get a telephone within the dimension they needed. However that every one adjustments now.

iPhone 14 Plus off-contract costs

Cellphone	US value	UK value	AU value
128GB	$929	£949	AU$1,579
256GB	$1,029	£1,059	AU$1,749
512GB	$1,229	£1,279	AU$2,099

The iPhone 14 Plus begins at $899 for a mannequin with 128GB of storage. That is $200 lower than the iPhone 14 Professional Max and simply $100 greater than the common iPhone 14. However at $900, that also makes it out of attain for many individuals. And that is disappointing, particularly when you think about that the Android panorama is suffering from large-screen, rectangular slabs that may be purchased at practically any value.

Should you personal an iPhone XS Max or older and are solely focused on having an even bigger display screen, you can be blown away by the iPhone 14 Plus. You are getting a better high quality show, quicker processor, higher cameras, improved battery life, extra sturdiness and all the brand new emergency options. If you’re coming from a Plus mannequin telephone, like an iPhone 7 Plus with a 5.5-inch display screen, the 14 Plus will appear to be Massive Daddy Don Bodine’s truck, The Behemoth.

The iPhone 14 Plus goes on sale beginning Friday. Fortunately, Apple and carriers have quite a few offers to make that $900 value sting a bit much less.

The iPhone 14 Plus is only a massive iPhone 14

The 14 Plus has all the iPhone 14’s options — a few of which you’ll by no means see or use — and that is not essentially a foul factor. That features Crash Detection, which may notify emergency companies while you’re in an car accident. Beginning in November, you may get Emergency SOS by way of Satellite tv for pc that permits you to use a satellite tv for pc to message emergency companies. You additionally get a brand new selfie digicam and a brand new primary digicam.

Like all telephones within the iPhone 14 collection, the 14 Plus can solely use eSIMs within the US. Establishing an eSIM or transferring one is generally easy. It took just a few tries with my Google Fi SIM card, however I ultimately received it to work through the use of a QR code.

The within of the Cellphone 14 Plus received the identical redesign because the common iPhone 14, which improves thermal administration. The again glass on the rear is less complicated and extra reasonably priced to restore because it’s not connected to internals.

The iPhone 14 Plus has an aluminum physique with matte-finish sides and a shiny glass again. I examined the purple mannequin, which in some conditions appeared practically white and in others had a vibrant spring aesthetic, much like the purple iPhone 11. After all, most individuals will doubtless put a case on their 14 Plus, however fortunately Apple makes a silicone case that is additionally purple.

The iPhone 14 Plus vs. 14 Professional Max

Just like the 14 Professional Max, the iPhone 14 Plus has a 6.7-inch show that offers you a bigger canvas for watching movies, enjoying video games and taking pictures. A technique to consider the 14 Plus is that you could match extra onto the display screen. For instance, while you maintain the telephone vertically, the display screen can present yet one more message preview than the common 14. The iPhone 14 Plus additionally reveals a listing of message previews on the left aspect of the display screen when utilizing the Mail app in panorama orientation. It is a good, easy change to the interface, nevertheless it’s not new and was first launched six years in the past with the iPhone 6 Plus.

I want there have been extra iOS 16 options that took benefit of the 14 Plus’ big display screen. A side-by-side app view could be unimaginable on this telephone.

One other approach to consider the 14 Plus’ display screen is that it could actually present all the pieces the iPhone 14 can, simply bigger. A magnified view looks as if such an earthly characteristic, but as my eyes become old, I positively welcome it. And I do know I am not alone.

The 14 Plus and 14 Professional Max each have 6.7-inch screens however are very totally different. The 14 Professional Max has the brand new Dynamic Island cutout for system alerts, an always-on show that retains important information lit up when your telephone is locked, and it has 39,888 extra pixels. The Max’s display screen has an adaptive refresh fee that may go as little as 1Hz to avoid wasting battery life and as excessive as 120Hz for gameplay and system animations.

A better refresh-rate display screen appears extra immersive, whether or not you’re enjoying a recreation or simply scrolling on Twitter. The 14 Plus’ display screen is locked in at 60Hz. I want Apple had included a better refresh-rate show on the 14 Plus, even when it is a extra modest 90Hz. And it is unusual that solely the Professional fashions get an adaptive refresh fee.

The 14 Plus’ display screen appears good, however the one on the 14 Professional Max appears higher. A few of that’s concerning the refresh fee, however a few of it’s that the 14 Professional Max can get a lot brighter. In my time testing the 14 Plus, I did not have any points having the ability to see the display screen outdoor. However I dwell in San Francisco, so in a sunnier locale that could possibly be extra of a problem.

Regardless of the 14 Plus and 14 Professional Max being roughly the identical dimension, there’s a massive distinction by way of weight. The 14 Plus is 36 grams lighter than the 14 Professional Max, and the discrepancy is immediately noticeable. Apparently sufficient, the 14 Plus is 3 grams lighter than the smaller 14 Professional.

Loads of that weight financial savings comes from the Plus’ aluminum physique in comparison with 14 Professional Max’s stainless-steel chassis. I think about the Professional Max’s additional digicam additionally provides to its heavier-in-the-hand stature.

The iPhone 14 Plus has three cameras

In my evaluation, I described the iPhone 14 as if Apple had repackaged the iPhone 13 Professional’s A15 Bionic chip and primary digicam into an iPhone 13 physique. And the identical applies to the Plus, besides the physique is greater.

Like the usual iPhone 14, the iPhone 14 Plus has an ultrawide in addition to a primary digicam. Images and movies shot on the iPhone 14 Plus look good, even in dimmer conditions, and I like having a bigger display screen to border up a scene.

Some of the underrated options on the 14 Plus could be the brand new TrueDepth digicam, which now has autofocus. I do not take many selfies usually, however I used to be shocked to see how significantly better iPhone 14 Plus selfies appeared in comparison with ones I took with an 13 Professional. Have a look beneath at selfies from every. You may see that the 14 Plus’ picture has tack-sharp focus. The 13 Professional’s selfie appears a contact mushy.

Beneath are some extra pictures I took with the iPhone 14 Plus.

iPhone 14 Plus cameras vs. 14 Professional Max, XS Max and eight Plus

Since there are doubtless lots of people with outdated Plus and Max iPhone fashions who could be pondering an improve, I made a decision to take the iPhone 14 Plus, 14 Professional Max, XS Max and eight Plus (all working iOS 16) out to take pictures and movies. Let’s have a look at how they evaluate.

All 4 telephones can take first rate pictures in daylight. Within the pictures of a path above, discover the constructing on the left, and the way effectively the 14 Professional Max rolls off the highlights. The constructing’s particulars aren’t as crisp within the pictures from the XS Max and eight Plus as they’re within the snaps taken on the 14 Plus and 14 Professional Max, which each captured the feel of the stone higher. Look intently on the leaves on the left aspect. Within the 8 Plus’ picture, the leaves look mushy and the element is muddy. It is barely higher within the XS Max.

Above is one other collection of daylight pictures this time that includes my pal and CNET colleague, Jessica Fierro. Once more, all seem like first rate footage. Discover that within the background of the 8 Plus picture, the constructing’s highlights are blown out to white. If we take a more in-depth take a look at the pictures, we begin to see extra variations. There’s quite a lot of distinction within the 8 Plus’ picture, and particulars look mushy within the XS Max picture. And it is exhausting to see any actual variations between the 14 Professional Max and 14 Plus. If I used to be super-duper choosy, I might say the 14 Professional Max’s picture has barely higher definition and readability. Barely.

And final, we’ve the pictures above of a fireplace escape at night time. Proper off the bat, you’ll be able to inform there’s a massive distinction between half of the pictures. Each the 14 Plus and 14 Professional Max have night time mode to brighten up pictures taken in low-light. The XS Max and eight Plus do not, which ends up in darker pictures with extra picture noise and softer particulars. The pictures from the 14 Plus and 14 Professional Max are exhausting to inform aside. If I view them at 100%, the 14 Plus’ image has much less noise within the night time sky in comparison with the picture from the 14 Professional Max. However take an in depth take a look at the crimson signal on the fireplace escape. The letters look crisp and sharp within the 14 Professional Max image, however they appear just a little mushy within the 14 Plus picture. All of those pictures have been taken handheld reasonably than on a tripod, so a few of that could possibly be from hand shake.

The iPhone 14 Plus has final 12 months’s A15 Bionic chip

By way of battery life, the iPhone 14 Plus simply made it by way of a day and a half on a single cost. I’ve solely had the telephone for 5 days, however in that point I used to be in a position to conduct an endurance check. Over the course of 45 minutes, I performed a wide range of video video games (Mario Kart Tour, Asphalt 8: Airbourne Plus, PUBG Cell), in addition to watched YouTube movies, took a FaceTime video name and scrolled by way of TikTok. The battery dropped from 100% to 95%. I ran the identical check on the common 14 and the battery dropped by 10%.

Each the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus run on the identical A15 Bionic chip discovered within the iPhone 13 Professional and 13 Professional Max. In on a regular basis use, the 14 Plus felt quick. I am curious to see if the 14 Plus will get grouped with the iPhone 13 collection by way of long run iOS assist, or if it can get an extra 12 months.

In benchmark assessments, the 14 Plus scored higher than any Android telephone we examined and on par with different fashions within the iPhone 14 collection. Whereas that efficiency energy is not essentially used totally now, it ought to assist preserve the 14 Plus future proofed as new options roll out years down the road.

Geekbench V.5.0 single-core

Geekbench V.5.0 multicore

3DMark Wildlife Excessive

Do you have to get an iPhone 14 Plus?

If you’re deciding between the iPhone 14 Plus and the iPhone 14 Professional Max and you do not want a telephoto digicam or a excessive refresh fee display screen, I say go along with the 14 Plus and save $200. Sure, the Professional Max has a greater processor, however the one contained in the iPhone 14 Plus remains to be quick. And sure, the iPhone 14 Professional Max can take 48-megapixel pictures, which most individuals do not want.

Should you at the moment have a 12 Professional Max or 13 Professional Max, the Plus won’t meet your whole wants. The Plus lacks a telephoto digicam, and it would not have a excessive refresh fee show just like the 13 Professional Max. Should you’re on an 11 Professional Max and do not assume you may miss that telephoto digicam, the 14 Plus is a pleasant improve, however you can in all probability maintain off for one more 12 months.

And if you’re rocking an iPhone XS Max or an iPhone 8 Plus or older, the 14 Plus is certainly value an improve. Should you’re coming from the XS Max particularly, keep in mind you may be giving up the 2x telephoto digicam for a 0.5x ultrawide digicam. However in practically each different approach, the 14 Plus is an improve.

iPhone 14 specs vs. iPhone 14 Plus, 14 Professional, 14 Professional Max

	iPhone 14	iPhone 14 Plus	iPhone 14 Professional	iPhone 14 Professional Max
Show dimension, decision	6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixels	6.7-inch OLED; 2,778×1,284 pixels	6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR, OLED show, 2,556×1,179 pixels	6.7-inch Tremendous Retina XDR, OLED show, 2,796×1,290 pixels
Pixel density	460 ppi	458 ppi	460 ppi	460 ppi
Dimensions (Inches)	5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 in.	6.33 x 3.07 x 0.31 in.	5.81 x 2.81 x 0.31 in.	6.33 x 3.05 x 0.31 in.
Dimensions (Millimeters)	147 x 72 x 7.8mm	161 x 78 x 7.8mm	147.5 x 71.5 x 7.85mm	160.7 x 77.6 x 7.85mm
Weight (Ounces, Grams)	6.07 oz.; 172g	7.16 oz.; 203g	7.27 oz.; 206g	8.47 oz.; 240g
Cell software program	iOS 16	iOS 16	iOS 16	iOS 16
Rear cameras	12MP (extensive), 12MP (ultrawide)	12MP (extensive), 12MP (ultrawide)	48MP (extensive), 12MP (ultrawide), 12MP (telephoto)	48MP (extensive), 12MP (ultrawide), 12MP (telephoto)
Entrance-facing digicam	12-megapixel	12-megapixel	12-megapixel	12-megapixel
Video seize	HDR video recording with Dolby Imaginative and prescient as much as 4K at 60 fps	HDR video recording with Dolby Imaginative and prescient as much as 4K at 60 fps	HDR video recording with Dolby Imaginative and prescient as much as 4K at 60 fps	HDR video recording with Dolby Imaginative and prescient as much as 4K at 60 fps
Processor	Apple A15 Bionic	Apple A15 Bionic	Apple A16 Bionic	Apple A16 Bionic
Storage	128GB, 256GB, 512GB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
RAM	Undisclosed	Undisclosed	Undisclosed	Undisclosed
Expandable storage	No	No	No	No
Battery	Undisclosed; Apple lists 20 hours of video playback	Undisclosed; Apple lists 26 hours of video playback	Undisclosed; Apple lists 29 hours of video playback	Undisclosed; Apple lists 29 hours of video playback
Fingerprint sensor	No (Face ID)	No (Face ID)	No (Face ID)	No (Face ID)
Connector	Lightning	Lightning	Lightning	Lightning
Headphone jack	No	No	No	No
Particular options	5G enabled; MagSafe; water-resistant (IP68); wi-fi charging; dual-SIM capabilities (e-SIM)	5G enabled; MagSafe; water-resistant (IP68); wi-fi charging; dual-SIM capabilities (e-SIM)	Dynamic Island; At all times-On show; 5G enabled; MagSafe; water-resistant (IP68); wi-fi charging; dual-SIM capabilities (e-SIM)	Dynamic Island; At all times-On show; 5G enabled; MagSafe; water-resistant (IP68); wi-fi charging; dual-SIM capabilities (e-SIM)
Value off-contract (USD)	$799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB)	$899 (128GB), $999 (256GB), $1,199 (512GB)	$999 (128GB), $1,099 (256GB), $1,299 (512GB), $1,499 (1TB)	$1,099 (128GB), $1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB), $1,599 (1TB)
Value (GBP)	£849 (128GB)	£949 (128GB)	£1,099 (128GB)	£1,199 (128GB)
Value (AUD)	AU$1,399 (128GB)	AU$1,579 (128GB)	AU$1,749 (128GB)	AU$1,899 (128GB)