Key Points
- The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are virtually identical in most respects, with the primary difference being size.
- The Pro Max has a larger screen size of 6.7 inches compared to the Pro’s 6.1 inches.
- The Pro Max has a longer battery life, lasting up to 25 hours of streamed video compared to the Pro’s 20 hours.
- The pricing difference between the Pro and Pro Max is only around $100, regardless of storage capacity.
Which smartphone wins the iPhone 14 Pro vs. Pro Max debate? Shopping for high-end smartphones can be daunting. They’re usually quite costly and come with a bevy of features that you have to analyze to discern which one is best for you.
The iPhone 14 Pro is Apple’s flagship smartphone, offering a better processor and larger screen when compared to the iPhone 14. The Pro Max is a little more of everything, but is it worth the extra cost?
Both phones mark a continuing trend with Apple’s smartphone line, where a larger option is offered over the high-end option. This does make for some differences, but nothing quite as pronounced as you might expect.
So, before you go phone shopping, maybe take a read over today’s shootout to discover which one works best for you.
iPhone 14 Pro vs. Pro Max: Side-by-Side Comparison
| iPhone 14 Pro | iPhone 14 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.1 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Battery Life | Up to 20 hours with streamed video | Up to 25 hours with streamed video |
| Height | 5.81 inches | 6.33 inches |
| Width | 2.81 inches | 3.05 inches |
| Weight | 7.27 ounces | 8.47 ounces |
| Native Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2778 x 1284 |
| Base Price | $999 | $1099 |
| Camera Resolution | 48MP | 48MP |
The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are virtually identical in most respects, especially when it comes down to things like RAM and the processor used. Apple’s lauded cameras are the exact same arrangement on both phones. Really, it comes down to size as the primary difference.
iPhone 14 Pro vs. Pro Max: What’s the Difference?
The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max both use the Apple A16 Bionic processor. Functionally, they should be identical in regard to performance. The Pro Max is larger in terms of all measurements, but there shouldn’t be a performance increase with the size increase.
Screen Size
- 5G wireless access
- 6.1-inch screen
- Features the Apple A16 Bionic processor
- 6GB of unified RAM
This is the first real area where you can see a pronounced difference between the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. The iPhone 14 Pro comes with a 6.1-inch Retina display running at 2532 x 1170.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch Retina display running at 2778 x 1284 resolution. Now, this isn’t a huge jump in resolution. It won’t be as pronounced as jumping from 1080p to 4K, for example. It does account for things being easier to read and more legible on the Pro Max screen.
You’ve got more real estate for viewing, which means you have more room to adjust the display’s scaling to fit your needs. Apple excels at user accessibility, so you’ve got plenty of options for having a massive amount of text on the screen during web browsing or keeping things easier on the eyes.
The iPhone 14 Pro has a huge screen for a contemporary smartphone, but the Pro Max is knocking up against smaller tablets with its overall size.
Battery Capacity
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This is one of the rare categories where you’ll see a performance difference. Overall battery capacity for the iPhone 14 Pro Max is higher, meaning you get more screen time before needing to charge. Apple uses usage metrics, like streaming video and audio.
Going by Apple’s metrics, the iPhone 14 Pro will last for 20 hours while streaming video. That number jumps quite dramatically to 75 hours when playing back audio. You’ve got plenty of time for entertainment, as it were.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has some rather substantial gains with its larger size. You’ll see streamed video playback lasts up to 25 hours for streamed video. Playing back just music or audio content goes up to 95 hours.
That is 20 hours of difference for just the audio, you’ll likely have greater battery life for less intensive tasks. As such, the iPhone 14 Pro Max may not be faster, but it certainly lasts far longer than the base Pro.
Dimensions
- 6.7-inch display
- 5G wireless access
- Apple A16 Bionic processor
- Excellent battery life
One consideration for purchasing a mobile phone is just how easy it is to carry on a daily basis. Huge phones are great for lounging about in your home, but can certainly be a bit cumbersome when out and about.
The iPhone 14 Pro is smaller overall, being more in line with what you might expect from a standard iPhone dimensionally. It is a larger phone, especially with that 6.1-inch screen. However, it is more in line with standard flagship phone sizing.
The Pro Max is larger, as we’ve discussed, which might affect its portability. It has more length and height than the iPhone 14 Pro, while also weighing an extra 1.2 ounces.
If portability is a consideration, then the iPhone 14 Pro might be more your speed. If you’ve got big pockets or routinely carry bags, the iPhone 14 Pro Max shouldn’t be much of a hassle.
Pricing
The final real area of consideration is the pricing between these two phones. It honestly isn’t a substantial difference when it comes to the overall pricing, but still worth considering.
When looking at a stock iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max, you’d likely be picking 128GB for the minimum acceptable storage. At that storage capacity, you’re looking at $999 for the iPhone 14 Pro or $1,099 for the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Really, it just boils down to a simple $100 difference. This extends to the other storage configurations as well. Apple offers the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB options. If you’re waffling between the 1TB option for both, it’s still just a $100 difference overall.
iPhone 14 Pro vs. Pro Max: 6 Must-Know Facts
- The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max both use Apple’s A16 Bionic Processor.
- The iPhone 14 Pro is a smaller overall phone but still has excellent battery life.
- The iPhone 14 Pro Max is closer in size to a mini tablet, with substantially more battery life.
- The resolution difference between the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max is not substantial.
- The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max both feature identical technical specs besides the screen and battery.
- The larger iPhone 14 Pro Max has no improvements to the camera quality of the device.
iPhone 14 Pro vs. Pro Max: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Choose?
So, in this battle between the flagship models, which one should you choose? Really, there isn’t a clear-cut winner as these are both excellent phones. Before you make a purchase, maybe consider what you deem important in a phone.
Larger screens can equal better legibility when reading emails and texts, so the Pro Max certainly gets a nod there. Battery life is excellent between both. The Pro Max has a substantial edge in audio and video playback.
The Pro Max is a heavier phone overall, however. This can certainly make an impact on your day-to-day life if the phone lives in your pocket or a smaller handbag. At any rate, you can certainly try before you buy at a local retailer.
Rather than declare a winner, let’s just say they’re both great phones. They are both highly capable and will last for years to come; it just boils down to if that extra screen real estate and battery life is worth the extra $100 to you.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Framesira/Shutterstock.com.
