iPhone 14 Pro Max Review: A Pricey Evolution

Value When Reviewed

$1,099

Finest Costs At the moment: iPhone 14 Professional Max

$1099

Although the iPhone 14 Professional Max won’t look that completely different to its predecessor, there’s rather a lot to get enthusiastic about this yr. With headline options together with an upgraded 48Mp rear digicam, an always-on show, Apple’s top-end A16 Bionic or the genius Dynamic Island that turns an annoyance into part of the iOS expertise, it’s a really tempting improve on paper.

Nonetheless, with competitors within the type of the big-screen iPhone 14 Plus, and a £150 improve within the UK, is it nonetheless the iPhone to go for? Nicely…

Design & construct

• Similar design as its predecessor
• Premium supplies add heft
• No SIM tray within the US

The iPhone 14 Professional Max has what some may describe as an iterative design, and by that I imply virtually nothing has modified in comparison with the iPhone 13 Professional Max. That’ll both be nice information when you’re like me and love the iPhone’s angular edges and barely industrial design, or horrible information when you assume it’s massive, cumbersome and unwieldy.

To be honest, at 160.7 x 77.6 x 7.9mm and 240g, it’s actually not the best iPhone to make use of one-handed, and I’ve acquired pretty massive arms. It’s not a lot of a giant deal once I’m utilizing it at residence to scroll by means of TikTok mindlessly, but it surely does have a noticeable presence in my pocket as soon as I enterprise out and about.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

The telephone has a stainless-steel body and a glass rear, providing an improve in supplies in comparison with the aluminium-framed iPhone 14, nonetheless, it does add weight consequently. The polished look of the stainless-steel band does add to the premium feel and look, but it surely’s actually a fingerprint magnet in comparison with its aluminium counterpart.

Whereas that has historically been one thing you’ve needed to put up with if you would like the big-screen expertise, the addition of the 6.7in, 203g iPhone 14 Plus means you may go for a extra light-weight big-screen iPhone when you’re not too fussed in regards to the Professional options on provide.

The digicam bump on the rear is barely bigger this yr – although for good motive, which I’ll come to a bit later – which may make the iPhone wobble if put down on a flat floor, although that’s negated with a case that, let’s be sincere, we’ll all be utilizing with such a high-end smartphone.

With regards to color choices, you’ve acquired the pretty commonplace Area Black, Silver and Gold alongside a brand new Deep Purple end, providing a shocking shade of purple that replaces the sunshine blue variant from final yr’s Professional assortment. The white variant I used to be supplied for evaluate seems good, however the purple end is the one to go for for my part.   

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Elsewhere, all the pieces is the place you’d anticipate, with quantity rockers and a silent mode swap on the left, a Lightning port on the underside (presumably for the final time earlier than USB-C turns into commonplace) and an influence button on the best, although you may discover the shortage of a SIM card tray when you’re within the US. That’s as a result of Apple has gone all-in on eSIM help within the US, negating the necessity for a bodily SIM card.

The excellent news for these hesitant to maneuver to an eSIM setup is that it’s US-exclusive and you’ll freely swap your SIM at a second’s discover in all different areas worldwide.

Show & audio

• Dynamic Island is a game-changer
• At all times-on show is a welcome addition
• Spectacular audio expertise

The iPhone 14 Professional Max sports activities the identical 6.7in Tremendous Retina XDR display as its predecessor, full with help for Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR content material and a stunningly detailed visible expertise. It’s the big-screen iPhone (although there’s additionally the non-Professional iPhone 14 Plus to think about) and its massive dimensions are properly suited to watching TikToks and Netflix motion pictures.

Probably the most instantly apparent change in comparison with its predecessor is the redesigned notch, which is now dubbed ‘Dynamic Island’ by Apple. Unique to the Professional fashions, the oblong-shaped cutout truly provides to the iOS expertise fairly than detracts from it as with most competing cut-out cameras.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

It does that by dynamically altering form relying on what you’re doing, seemingly increasing and shrinking at will. It’ll increase and show a Face ID icon when scanning your face, it’ll show a lock image when your iPhone is locked and show your AirPods battery life while you first join.

It’s used for way more than displaying icons although; apps like Music can use Dynamic Island to show now-playing data, and with a faucet, you may achieve entry to shortcuts to regulate music.

It’s not unique to Apple apps both, with third-party apps in a position to make use of the tech. That features Dwell Actions which look to exchange the barrage of notifications you get from apps like Simply Eat and Uber Eats when ordering meals with a easy widget that lives within the cutout – although, sadly, most presently don’t use it.

The show can now additionally dynamically shift between as little as 1Hz and 120Hz, permitting you to benefit from the buttery-smooth refresh fee when gaming and scrolling whereas saving battery life in areas with little movement, just like the Lock and House screens.

It additionally permits Apple to offer an always-on show expertise for the primary time, and in true Apple style, outdoes a lot of the Android competitors that has had the tech for years.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

In contrast to Android smartphones that show a black display with primary time and notification info, Apple offers you the complete lock display expertise full together with your widgets, notifications and even your wallpaper. It seems extra like a dimmed lock display than an always-on show, and whereas it took a little bit of getting used to, it’s among the finest options of the brand new iPhone – particularly in terms of retaining observe of incoming messages when enjoying the PS5!

Additionally anticipate among the finest audio experiences on a smartphone, with Apple’s stereo speaker setup providing stunning depth when listening to music and a large soundscape when watching YouTube movies or TV exhibits on Netflix. It’s higher with related earbuds (Apple hopes you’ll go for the brand new AirPods Professional) however you’ll do exactly superb with out them more often than not.

Specs & efficiency

• A16 Bionic comfortably outperforms the competitors
• Satellite tv for pc Connectivity for emergency providers
• Automobile Crash detection

As you may anticipate from Apple’s top-end smartphone, the iPhone 14 Professional Max is a top-end performer that, with Apple’s new A16 Bionic at its coronary heart, can battle off the Android competitors with nary a fear – when it comes to uncooked CPU efficiency, anyway.

It’s a 4nm chipset, down from the 5nm of the A15 Bionic, with a 20% increase to energy effectivity and a extra modest 10% enchancment in efficiency. Although Apple doesn’t formally word the accompanying RAM, Geekbench 5 reveals that it homes 6GB. It won’t sound like a lot in comparison with some Android opponents, however merely put, the iPhone doesn’t want as a lot RAM to maintain efficiency up.

It’s the primary time that Apple has saved its newest processor unique to the iPhone 14 Professional vary, with the usual fashions getting the A15 Bionic from final yr’s Professional fashions for a extra unexceptional pace bump. It’s a straightforward transfer for Apple to tempt folks to pay extra for the Professional fashions, however as seen in our benchmark checks, it’s not that a lot quicker than final yr’s chipset.

For reference, I examined the iPhone Professional Max with 1TB of storage but it surely’s additionally accessible in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB when you don’t want as a lot.  

If these numbers don’t imply a lot then let me guarantee you: the iPhone 14 Professional Max is about as quick and responsive as they arrive. There was by no means as a lot as a touch of stutter or lag, with spectacular efficiency even in graphically demanding titles like Genshin’s Affect, images and movies are captured immediately and it might even deal with video modifying – so long as you’re glad to edit on a smartphone-size show, that’s.

Anticipate equally as quick efficiency in terms of connectivity, with 5G help alongside Wi-Fi 6 with 3×3 MIMO help, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC and Apple’s U1 Extremely-wideband chip that will help you find AirTags and different Apple merchandise.

Different notable options embrace satellite tv for pc connectivity for emergencies, permitting you to straight connect with satellites out of your iPhone in areas with out mobile protection. Utilizing a built-in system on the iPhone, you’ll reply questions on your emergency that are then relayed to emergency responders together with info like your location and present battery life.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Additionally new is Automobile Crash Detection, which because the title suggests, makes use of quite a lot of built-in sensors in your iPhone to detect while you may’ve been in a crash. If it detects massive modifications in gravity or exceptionally loud noises, it’ll routinely name emergency providers for you.

It’s one other useful ‘peace of thoughts’ function that I hope I’ll by no means want to check out, but it surely’s price noting that there are experiences that it’s being by accident activated on rides at theme parks. Thorpe Park’s Stealth is perhaps scary, however I don’t assume I’ll want an ambulance.

Cameras & pictures

• 48Mp rear digicam is the star of the present
• All-round enhancements to low-light pictures
• Improved Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR video capabilities

All the pieces I stated in regards to the cameras and photographic capabilities of the iPhone 14 Professional additionally applies to the iPhone 14 Professional Max, as the 2 share the identical upgraded digicam system.

The star of the present is undoubtedly the primary rear 48Mp snapper, boasting a powerful aperture of f/1.8 and OIS. It makes use of pixel binning tech to crunch pictures right down to a extra manageable dimension – across the similar decision as a typical 12Mp sensor – whereas utilizing that further element to generate extra element and lightweight. It’s a trick used on high-megapixel cameras on the Android aspect for years, but it surely’s new right here.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

It offers a noticeable increase in high quality in comparison with the already-capable iPhone 13 Professional Max, with nice color accuracy, spectacular element and balanced dynamic vary.

It additionally excels at low-light pictures with a 64% bigger sensor and a couple of.44-micron pixels, in a position to subtly seize particulars in low-light circumstances fairly than merely artificially brightening the scene like most Android opponents. It’s more true to life, and you’ll alter the quantity of sunshine earlier than the snap is taken to additional customise the look.

Although nonetheless the identical megapixel rely at 12Mp, the 120-degree ultrawide lens has additionally had a lift in low-light pictures, making use of a bigger sensor and improved f/2.2 aperture. Contemplating low gentle was a weak spot for the 13 Professional Max’s ultrawide lens, it’s nice to see, although don’t anticipate fairly the identical high quality as the primary lens.

The 12Mp 3x telephoto lens nonetheless won’t be capable of compete with the Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely’s 10x optical zoom however the tight angle supplied is right for portrait pictures, and like the opposite cameras, there’s a slight increase to low-light pictures for extra dramatic and moody portrait pictures.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

The primary spotlight of the 12Mp front-facing TrueDepth digicam needs to be the addition of autofocus, offering higher selfies no matter whether or not you’re capturing in Portrait mode or not, and it’s a specific boon in group pictures the place a number of faces must be in focus. Apple’s clearly assured of its capabilities, additionally permitting you to shoot in Apple’s ProRAW format for pro-level post-processing.

Video efficiency has additionally been improved, although don’t anticipate to see 8K video right here simply but. As an alternative, the iPhone 14 Professional Max can report at 4K@60fps in Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR, up from the 30fps of its predecessor. There’s additionally a brand new Motion Mode that additional helps stabilise video footage, and as ever, you’ve acquired Apple’s Cinema Mode that permits you to shift focus in movies for a extra Hollywood-esque capturing expertise.

Battery life & charging

• Now not the very best iPhone for battery life
• Nonetheless a snug all-day machine
• Unofficial charging at as much as 29W

One of many largest attracts for the top-end iPhone 14 Professional Max has historically been battery life, with Apple’s Professional mannequin often providing the very best battery lifetime of any iPhone, however that’s not the case this yr.

That plaudit now goes to the iPhone 14 Plus, which even Apple admits will last more than the iPhone 14 Professional Max in all situations besides video playback the place Apple’s dynamic show tech permits the Professional mannequin to drop right down to a decrease refresh fee. As famous by my colleague Henry in his evaluate, the iPhone 14 Plus “lasts for completely ages”.

That’s to not say that the iPhone 14 Professional Max includes a sub-par battery – it alleviated the battery anxiousness I had when testing the common iPhone 14 Professional, comfortably in a position to deal with my above-average-use of texting, calling, gaming and streaming TikTok and not using a top-up – however if you would like the very longest battery life attainable, that’s the iPhone 14 Professional Max isn’t the one to go for.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Although Apple formally claims that the iPhone 14 Professional Max expenses at 20W, impartial experiences counsel that the iPhone 14 Professional Max can deal with 29W charging. Both means, you don’t get a 20W brick within the field, so when you’ve acquired a spare 30W charger laying round, you might benefit from barely boosted cost occasions.

Utilizing a 35W charger I needed to hand, the iPhone 14 Professional Max acquired 22% cost in quarter-hour, 52% in half an hour and a full cost in round 90 minutes. It’s actually not quick charging by Android requirements, however I’ll take something that’ll make the iPhone charging expertise quicker.

As ever, you’ve additionally acquired the choice of seven.5W Qi wi-fi charging and 15W wi-fi charging by Apple’s MagSafe system.

Software program & updates

• iOS 16 offers a sophisticated expertise
• Works properly as half of a bigger Apple ecosystem
• Years of software program updates

The iPhone 14 Professional Max comes operating iOS 16 – however the identical may be stated of the iPhone 8. Software program help and longevity are key elements in Apple’s reputation, with the corporate persevering with to replace older fashions of iPhones for years, getting the newest options and enhancements. Although the Android competitors is beginning to enhance with multi-year OS upgrades, it nonetheless doesn’t come near what Apple provides.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

iOS 16 itself introduces a bunch of latest options together with the flexibility to customize your lock display for the primary time – a handy function contemplating the always-on show tech of the brand new Professional fashions – alongside the flexibility to edit and unsend messages, minimize out topics from images with a single faucet and extra.

It’s the fruits of numerous small options that make iOS what it’s, whether or not it’s small advantages like having the ability to reply to texts on a related iPad or Mac, or the actual fact you may copy hyperlinks and codes from one machine and paste on one other instantly.

It’s higher as half of a bigger ecosystem of Apple merchandise, in fact, however Apple’s software program expertise actually is top-tier whether or not you’ve acquired one machine or many.

Value & availability

The iPhone 14 Professional Max could be very a lot a top-end smartphone with a price ticket of $1,099/£1,199 with 128GB of storage.

That’s a specific hit to the UK market, which has seen a rise of £150 in comparison with its predecessor. It’s controversial that the 48Mp snapper, Dynamic Island, always-on show and different enhancements assist offset the elevated worth, but it surely’s price noting that there hasn’t been a rise within the US.

That makes the already costly iPhone even more durable to justify for UK patrons.

If you’re tempted to select up the iPhone 14 Professional Max, it’s accessible from Apple worldwide alongside native retailers like Finest Purchase within the US and Amazon within the UK. Check out the very best smartphones to see how the top-end iPhone compares to the Android competitors.  

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Verdict

The iPhone 14 Professional Max is a showcase of Apple’s newest and biggest tech, providing a premium visible expertise with its 6.7in Tremendous Retina XDR show, Dynamic Island tech and improved ProMotion tech that enables for an always-on show expertise on the iPhone for the primary time, together with an enhanced 48Mp rear snapper and options like Automobile Crash Detection.

The massive display is completely suited to scrolling by means of TikTok, watching TV sequence on Netflix, and enjoying video games on Apple Arcade, and with the A16 Bionic, there’s not even a touch of stutter or lag. Merely put, it’s the very best of the very best.

Nonetheless, it’s not a clear-cut choice this yr; in addition to a worth hike for UK customers, the iPhone 14 Professional Max is now not the one big-screen iPhone. You now have a alternative between it and the iPhone 14 Plus, which is each cheaper and provides higher battery life, although with out the Professional options.

For those who’re not too fussed in regards to the newest tech, the iPhone 14 Plus could possibly be a less expensive big-screen choice that fits your wants.

Specs

• 160.7 x 77.6 x 7.9mm
• 240g
• 6.7in Tremendous Retina XDR show
• At all times-on show
• IP68 mud and water resistance
• A16 Bionic
• Primary 48Mp digicam, f/1.78, sensor-shift OIS
• 120-degree 12Mp ultrawide, f/2.2
• 12Mp 2x telephoto, f/2.8
• 4K@60fps with Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR help
• 12Mp f/1.9 front-facing digicam with autofocus
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Wi-Fi 6 with 2xMIMO
• NFC
• Satellite tv for pc connectivity
• Automobile Crash detection