This story is a part of Focal Point iPhone 2022, CNET’s assortment of reports, ideas and recommendation round Apple’s hottest product.
The $899 iPhone 14 Plus is both a giant iPhone 14 or a scaled-back iPhone 14 Pro Max, relying in your perspective. With the arrival of the iPhone 14 Plus, Apple now has essentially 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 have to determine between getting a daily iPhone or a Pro mannequin.The iPhone 14 Plus begins at $899 for a mannequin with 128GB of storage. That’s $200 lower than the iPhone 14 Pro Max and simply $100 greater than the common iPhone 14. But 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 plagued by large-screen, rectangular slabs that may be purchased at practically any worth.
iPhone 14 Plus off-contract costs
Phone
US worth
UK worth
AU worth
128GB
$929
£949
AU$1,579
256GB
$1,029
£1,059
AU$1,749
512GB
$1,229
£1,279
AU$2,099
Ever because the iPhone XS Max launched in 2018, there was just one possibility for individuals who love huge screens: Pay prime greenback and get a Max mannequin with additional options you won’t essentially want (like a telephoto digital camera or a high-refresh-rate show). I do know many CNET readers, mates and associates who’ve shelled out $1,100 or extra for an iPhone 12 Pro Max or 13 Pro Max as a result of it was the one strategy to get a telephone within the dimension they wished. But that each one adjustments now.If you personal an iPhone XS Max or older and are solely thinking about having an even bigger display screen, you’ll be blown away by the iPhone 14 Plus. You’re getting the next high quality show, sooner 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 Big Daddy Don Bodine’s truck, The Behemoth.
The iPhone 14 Plus goes on sale beginning Friday. Luckily, Apple and carriers have quite a few offers to make that $900 worth sting a bit much less.
LikeAutofocus selfies are decentWeighs lower than iPhone 14 Pro MaxEssential digital camera is niceLonger battery life than the iPhone 14 (to date)
Don’t LikeWants extra iOS options for its bigger screenCosts lower than a 14 Pro Max, however nonetheless expensiveLacks a high-refresh-rate show
The iPhone 14 Plus is only a huge iPhone 14 The 14 Plus has the entire iPhone 14’s options — a few of which you will by no means see or use — and that is not essentially a foul factor. That contains Crash Detection, which may notify emergency companies whenever you’re in an vehicle accident. Starting in November, you will get (*14*) SOS by way of Satellite that allows you to use a satellite tv for pc to message emergency companies. You additionally get a brand new selfie digital camera and a brand new primary digital camera. Like all telephones within the iPhone 14 collection, the 14 Plus can solely use eSIMs within the US. Setting up an eSIM or transferring one is usually easy. It took a couple of tries with my Google Fi SIM card, however I finally bought it to work through the use of a QR code. Both the iPhone 14 (left) and 14 Plus have the identical quantity of widgets and apps on the house display screen. But discover how a lot greater they’re on the 14 Plus.
Patrick Holland/CNET
The within the Phone 14 Plus bought the identical redesign because the common iPhone 14, which improves thermal administration. The again glass on the rear is simpler 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, just like the purple iPhone 11. Of course, 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 Pro Max Like the 14 Pro 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 photographs. One manner to consider the 14 Plus is which you can match extra onto the display screen. For instance, whenever you maintain the telephone vertically, the display screen can present yet another message preview than the common 14. The iPhone 14 Plus additionally reveals an inventory of message previews on the left aspect of the display screen when utilizing the Mail app in panorama orientation. It’s a pleasant, easy change to the interface, but it surely’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 can be unbelievable on this telephone.
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iPhone 14 Plus Review
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Another manner to consider the 14 Plus’ display screen is that it may possibly present all the things the iPhone 14 can, simply bigger. A magnified view looks like such an earthly function, but as my eyes grow old, I undoubtedly welcome it. And I do know I’m not alone. The 14 Plus and 14 Pro Max each have 6.7-inch screens however are very completely different. The 14 Pro Max has the brand new Dynamic Island cutout for system alerts, an always-on show that retains important data 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. On the left is the iPhone 14 Plus in purple and on the best is the iPhone 14 Pro max in deep purple.
Patrick Holland/CNET
The next refresh-rate display screen appears to be like 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 the next refresh-rate show on the 14 Plus, even when it is a extra modest 90Hz. And it is unusual that solely the Pro fashions get an adaptive refresh fee.
The 14 Plus’ display screen appears to be like good, however the one on the 14 Pro Max appears to be like higher. Some of that’s in regards to the refresh fee, however a few of it’s that the 14 Pro Max can get a lot brighter. In my time testing the 14 Plus, I did not have any points with the ability to see the display screen outdoor. But I stay in San Francisco, so in a sunnier locale that might be extra of a problem. Despite the 14 Plus and 14 Pro Max being roughly the identical dimension, there’s a huge distinction when it comes to weight. The 14 Plus is 36 grams lighter than the 14 Pro Max, and the discrepancy is immediately noticeable. Interestingly sufficient, the 14 Plus is 3 grams lighter than the smaller 14 Pro.Numerous that weight financial savings comes from the Plus’ aluminum physique in comparison with 14 Pro Max’s stainless-steel chassis. I think about the Pro Max’s additional digital camera additionally provides to its heavier-in-the-hand stature. The iPhone 14 Plus has an ultrawide digital camera and an up to date primary digital camera.
James Martin/CNET
The iPhone 14 Plus has three cameras In my evaluation, I described the iPhone 14 as if Apple had repackaged the iPhone 13 Pro’s A15 Bionic chip and primary digital camera into an iPhone 13 physique. And the identical applies to the Plus, besides the physique is larger. Like the usual iPhone 14, the iPhone 14 Plus has an ultrawide in addition to a primary digital camera. Photos 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.
One of essentially the most underrated options on the 14 Plus may be the brand new TrueDepth digital camera, which now has autofocus. I do not take many selfies recurrently, however I used to be shocked to see how a lot better iPhone 14 Plus selfies appeared in comparison with ones I took with an 13 Pro. Take a glance under at selfies from every. You can see that the 14 Plus’ photograph has tack-sharp focus. The 13 Pro’s selfie appears to be like a contact delicate. Left: iPhone 14 Plus selfie, proper: iPhone 13 Pro selfie
Patrick Holland/CNET
Below are some extra photographs I took with the iPhone 14 Plus. iPhone 14 Plus ultrawide digital camera
Patrick Holland/CNET
iPhone 14 Plus primary digital camera
Patrick Holland/CNET
iPhone 14 Plus primary digital camera portrait mode
Patrick Holland/CNET
iPhone 14 Plus primary digital camera
Patrick Holland/CNET
iPhone 14 Plus primary digital camera night time mode
Patrick Holland/CNET
iPhone 14 Plus primary digital camera
Patrick Holland/CNET
iPhone 14 Plus primary digital camera night time mode
Patrick Holland/CNET
iPhone 14 Plus ultrawide digital camera night time mode
Patrick Holland/CNET
iPhone 14 Plus portrait mode selfie
Patrick Holland/CNET
iPhone 14 Plus cameras vs. 14 Pro Max, XS Max and eight Plus Since there are doubtless lots of people with previous Plus and Max iPhone fashions who may be pondering an improve, I made a decision to take the iPhone 14 Plus, 14 Pro Max, XS Max and eight Plus (all working iOS 16) out to take photographs and movies. Let’s see how they evaluate. All 4 telephones can take first rate photographs in daylight. In the photographs of a path above, discover the constructing on the left, and the way nicely the 14 Pro Max rolls off the highlights. The constructing’s particulars aren’t as crisp within the photographs from the XS Max and eight Plus as they’re within the snaps taken on the 14 Plus and 14 Pro Max, which each captured the feel of the stone higher. Look carefully on the leaves on the left aspect. In the 8 Plus’ photograph, the leaves look delicate and the element is muddy. It’s barely higher within the XS Max. Above is one other collection of daylight photographs this time that includes my pal and CNET colleague, Jessica Fierro. Again, all seem like first rate footage. Notice that within the background of the 8 Plus photograph, the constructing’s highlights are blown out to white. If we take a more in-depth take a look at the photographs, we begin to see extra variations. There is loads of distinction within the 8 Plus’ photograph, and particulars look delicate within the XS Max photograph. And it is laborious to see any actual variations between the 14 Pro Max and 14 Plus. If I used to be super-duper choosy, I’d say the 14 Pro Max’s photograph has barely higher definition and readability. Slightly.
And final, now we have the photographs above of a fireplace escape at night time. Right off the bat, you’ll be able to inform there’s a huge distinction between half of the photographs. Both the 14 Plus and 14 Pro Max have night time mode to brighten up photographs taken in low-light. The XS Max and eight Plus do not, which ends up in darker photographs with extra picture noise and softer particulars. The photographs from the 14 Plus and 14 Pro Max are laborious 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 photograph from the 14 Pro Max. But take a detailed take a look at the purple signal on the fireplace escape. The letters look crisp and sharp within the 14 Pro Max image, however they appear a little bit delicate within the 14 Plus photograph. All of those photographs had been taken handheld reasonably than on a tripod, so a few of that might be from hand shake. The iPhone 14 Plus has final yr’s A15 Bionic chip In phrases of battery life, the iPhone 14 Plus simply made it by 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 take a look at. Over the course of 45 minutes, I performed quite a lot of video video games (Mario Kart Tour, Asphalt 8: Airbourne Plus, PUBG Mobile), in addition to watched YouTube movies, took a FaceTime video name and scrolled by TikTok. The battery dropped from 100% to 95%. I ran the identical take a look at on the common 14 and the battery dropped by 10%. The iPhone 14 Plus has a lightning port however US fashions lack a bodily SIM card tray.
James Martin/CNET
Both the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus run on the identical A15 Bionic chip discovered within the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. In on a regular basis use, the 14 Plus felt quick. I’m curious to see if the 14 Plus will get grouped with the iPhone 13 collection when it comes to long run iOS help, or if it should get an extra yr. In benchmark checks, the 14 Plus scored higher than any Android telephone we examined and on par with different fashions within the iPhone 14 collection. While that efficiency energy is not essentially used totally now, it ought to assist hold the 14 Plus future proofed as new options roll out years down the road.
Geekbench V.5.0 single-core
Note:
Longer bars point out higher efficiency
Geekbench V.5.0 multicore
Note:
Longer bars point out higher efficiency
3DMark Wildlife Extreme
Note:
Longer bars point out higher efficiency
Should you get an iPhone 14 Plus?If you’re deciding between the iPhone 14 Plus and the iPhone 14 Pro Max and you do not want a telephoto digital camera or a excessive refresh fee display screen, I say go along with the 14 Plus and save $200. Yes, the Pro Max has a greater processor, however the one contained in the iPhone 14 Plus continues to be quick. And sure, the iPhone 14 Pro Max can take 48-megapixel photographs, which most individuals do not want. The iPhone 14 Plus provides many individuals an opportunity to get a big display screen with out paying $1,100 for a 14 Pro Max.
James Martin/CNET
If you at the moment have a 12 Pro Max or 13 Pro Max, the Plus won’t meet your entire wants. The Plus lacks a telephoto digital camera, and it does not have a excessive refresh fee show just like the 13 Pro Max. If you are on an 11 Pro Max and do not suppose you will miss that telephoto digital camera, the 14 Plus is a pleasant improve, however you could possibly most likely maintain off for an additional yr. And in case you are rocking an iPhone XS Max or an iPhone 8 Plus or older, the 14 Plus is certainly price an improve. If you are coming from the XS Max particularly, keep in mind you will be giving up the 2x telephoto digital camera for a 0.5x ultrawide digital camera. But in practically each different manner, the 14 Plus is an improve.
iPhone 14 specs vs. iPhone 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
iPhone 14
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro Max
Display dimension, decision
6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixels
6.7-inch OLED; 2,778×1,284 pixels
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR, OLED show, 2,556×1,179 pixels
6.7-inch Super 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
Mobile software program
iOS 16
iOS 16
iOS 16
iOS 16
Rear cameras
12MP (broad), 12MP (ultrawide)
12MP (broad), 12MP (ultrawide)
48MP (broad), 12MP (ultrawide), 12MP (telephoto)
48MP (broad), 12MP (ultrawide), 12MP (telephoto)
Front-facing digital camera
12-megapixel
12-megapixel
12-megapixel
12-megapixel
Video seize
HDR video recording with Dolby Vision as much as 4K at 60 fps
HDR video recording with Dolby Vision as much as 4K at 60 fps
HDR video recording with Dolby Vision as much as 4K at 60 fps
HDR video recording with Dolby Vision 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
Special options
5G enabled; MagSafe; waterproof (IP68); wi-fi charging; dual-SIM capabilities (e-SIM)
5G enabled; MagSafe; waterproof (IP68); wi-fi charging; dual-SIM capabilities (e-SIM)
Dynamic Island; Always-On show; 5G enabled; MagSafe; waterproof (IP68); wi-fi charging; dual-SIM capabilities (e-SIM)
Dynamic Island; Always-On show; 5G enabled; MagSafe; waterproof (IP68); wi-fi charging; dual-SIM capabilities (e-SIM)
Price 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)
Price (GBP)
£849 (128GB)
£949 (128GB)
£1,099 (128GB)
£1,199 (128GB)
Price (AUD)
AU$1,399 (128GB)
AU$1,579 (128GB)
AU$1,749 (128GB)
AU$1,899 (128GB)
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