IPhone 14: 512GB vs. 256GB vs. 128GB — What size is enough for you. iPhone 14 pro 512gb
iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max Review: Welcome to Apple’s Dynamic Island
Editors’ Choice: Apple upgraded its new Pro iPhones in ways both large and small without raising the price.
Patrick Holland has been a phone reviewer for CNET since 2016. He is a former theater director who occasionally makes short films. Patrick has an eye for photography and a passion for everything mobile. He is a colorful raconteur who will guide you through the ever-changing, fast-paced world of phones, especially the iPhone and iOS. He used to co-host CNET’s I’m So Obsessed podcast and interviewed guests like Jeff Goldblum, Alfre Woodard, Stephen Merchant, Sam Jay, Edgar Wright and Roy Wood Jr.
Expertise Apple, iPhone, iOS, Android, Samsung, Sony, Google, Motorola, interviews, coffee equipment, cats Credentials Patrick’s play The Cowboy is included in the Best American Short Plays 2011-12 anthology. He co-wrote and starred in the short film Baden Krunk that won the Best Wisconsin Short Film award at the Milwaukee Short Film Festival.
This story is part of Focal Point iPhone 2023. CNET’s collection of news, tips and advice around Apple’s most popular product.
Editors’ Note: The iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max come with improved cameras, iOS 16, the fastest phone processor we’ve ever tested, and an upgraded yet familiar design. Features like the Dynamic Island and Emergency SOS via Satellite make the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max some of the best phones you can buy in 2022, which is why they received a CNET Editors’ Choice Award. The original review follows.
Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max may look identical to last year’s iPhone 13 Pro on the back, but don’t let that fool you. It’s the iPhone 14 Pro’s screen where there’s something different and wonderful going on. The iPhone’s display notch, which has defined Face ID iPhones since 2017’s iPhone X. has been replaced with a pill-shaped screen cutout that houses an upgraded TrueDepth camera system. On its own, that cutout will make some people happier than the notch did. But it’s the space around the cutout, which now shows system alerts and background activities, that’s become one of my favorite features.
Apple calls it the Dynamic Island. and it enlarges and shrinks when you receive a call and to display the music you’re playing, timers and other notifications. I know it’s not the best name. but it’s truly one of the best features on the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max
Like
- The Dynamic Island is delightful
- Main camera takes excellent photos
- A16 Bionic chip is blazing fast
Don’t Like
- Telephoto camera is only good in bright light
- Wish there was an easier way to simplify the always-on display
- Both phones are hefty
The new Apple phones also get upgraded cameras, a faster processor, an always-on display and iOS 16 as well as new safety features including Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via Satellite.
The 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro starts at 999 (£1,099, AU1,749) and the 6.7-inch 14 Pro Max at 1,099.- which are the same as 2019’s iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max. After spending some time with the phones, I think they’re worth every penny.
The new Pros come in space black, gold, silver and deep purple.- which, depending on the light, can look like a drab shade of gray or like Grimace purple. The iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max go on sale Friday, Sept. 16, and are currently available for preorder.
The Dynamic Island is interactive. For example, if music is playing, a miniature waveform and tiny thumbnail of the album artwork appears on either side of the cutout. When you tap either side, Spotify brings up the song that’s currently playing. If you’re on a FaceTime call, you can tap and hold on the interface to bring up controls.
You can tap directly on the TrueDepth cameras or off to the sides. In my time using it, I didn’t notice any smudges accumulating over the selfie camera and Face ID didn’t seem to be affected.
If you have more than one background activity in progress, like maybe you’re listening to music and have a timer on, the Dynamic Island splits into two parts like a sideways lower-case letter i.
The iPhone 14 Pro and the Dynamic Island are an excellent example of Apple packaging a powerful tool into an enjoyable interface. It’s a shame you can only use it on the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max. Such a fun and approachable feature is bound to be a big hit with people who don’t use Pro versions of the iPhone.
iPhone 14 Pro has an always-on display
The iPhone 14 Pro runs on iOS 16. which adds a bunch of welcome features including new ways to customize your lock screen. But there’s one lock screen feature reserved for the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max: an always-on display.
The always-on display is a low-power version of your lock screen that can show essential information when your phone is locked. Most Android phones have had the feature for years. but Apple’s implementation might be the most gorgeous one yet.
The 14 Pro’s always-on display shows the time, date, your widgets, notifications and shaded-out version of your lock screen’s wallpaper. Depending on how your lock screen is set up, it can look vastly different when it’s shown as an always-on display. I had fun auditioning different lock screen combinations of wallpaper and widgets to see how they’d look. The color wallpaper is also the biggest difference Apple’s always-on display makes from Android phones, which typically just light up the time and notifications in monochrome.
Seeing my iPhone 14 Pro sitting on a table with its screen on took some getting used to. I kept thinking that I’d forgotten to lock it. To wake, just tap the screen or unlock the phone.
When the 14 Pro is faced down, in a. in a bag or near another Apple device that you’re using, it doesn’t turn on. Also, there’s an option in Settings to turn it off completely.
iPhone 14 Pro, Pro Max Get the Biggest Changes to Apple’s Phone Lineup
I wish there was an option to make the always-on display look more discreet and, for example, just show the time and date. Technically, you could probably set a black wallpaper as your lock screen and only select the date and time for a more minimal always-on display. Visually, the 14 Pro’s always-on display has a lot going on which I found distracting when my phone was face-up next to me.
Taken in total, the Dynamic Island, the new lock screen layout and the always-on display make the 14 Pro the most approachable iPhone for managing alerts and notifications. And I imagine that experience will only get better once live activities for the lock screen in iOS 16 is available in full. (The live activities feature displays real time updates from apps on your lock screen, so you can track the progress of a rideshare or follow the score of a sporting event.)
iPhone 14 Pro camera
The iPhone 14 Pro has three rear cameras: a main wide-angle camera, an ultrawide and a telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. The lens on the main camera has a wider focal length, going from a 26mm equivalent on previous iPhone models to a 24mm one. It’s not drastically different, but it helps get more of the scene into the frame.
The main camera also gets a new larger 48-megapixel sensor. While more megapixels doesn’t necessarily mean better photos, Apple divides the pixels into groups of four and combines them into one larger pixel. The result is a 12-megapixel photo that’s brighter, has less image noise and better detail.
The main camera takes excellent photos: The image quality and details are great for a phone. I noticed the most improvement is in medium and low-light situations: Colors look good and textures are great. Check out the photo below, which I took on a foggy morning in San Francisco. Notice the textures in the buildings’ bricks and the gradual way the 14 Pro captured the fog engulfing the top of Salesforce Tower.
The photo below was shot under a palm tree’s dark canopy. The 14 Pro did a solid job of capturing the different textures in the leaves and bark while also boosting the brightness.
If you’re so inclined, you can capture 48-megapixel photos using the phone’s ProRaw setting. I should warn you that these files are big. The file for the photo below of the Bay Bridge at sunset is 48 megabytes. After editing, the photo is saved as a much smaller JPEG. Look closely at the details of the cars and the bridge’s support cables.
The ultrawide camera gets a new sensor with more FOCUS pixels and a stepped-down f2.2 aperture lens. All this adds up to much sharper ultrawide photos. The sensor.- combined with Apple’s revamped photo processing, which it calls the Photonic Engine.- gives you much better photos in less ideal situations.
Ultrawide photos and videos are still a step down compared to those from the main camera, but these improvements are welcomed.
Macro photos also get a boost. When you try to take a photo with the main camera when standing close to a subject, the iPhone 14 Pro switches to the ultrawide camera and crops the framing to mimic the main camera. This allows for a closer FOCUS, which is great for close-up shots of small things. Last year’s 13 Pro had a similar feature, but with the new ultrawide, macro photos have better image quality, especially in medium and low light.
The telephoto camera is basically identical to the one on last year’s 13 Pro, but gets a lift from the 14 Pro’s Photonic Engine processing. As with the ultrawide, image quality is a step behind the main camera.- especially in dimmer environments.
The TrueDepth camera got an upgraded lens with a brighter f1.9 aperture. And the selfie camera has autofocus for the first time ever, which works great for group selfies. Here are some more photos that I took with the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.
Cinematic mode can now record in 4K and at 24 frames per second. There’s a new video image stabilization tool called Action mode. When you shoot a video you can toggle it on and the phone crops in a bit to keep the image centered and the horizon level. If you’re shooting in 4K, Action mode drops the resolution to 2.8K but the results are still impressive. While other phones, like the Galaxy S22 Ultra, have similar stabilization functions, it’s wonderful to see the tool come to the iPhone. And it works across all three rear cameras.
While testing video shot with and without Action mode, I was reminded how good the image stabilization is in regular video mode. Check out the video below to see the clips I shot with the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.
iPhone 14 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro, 12 Pro, 11 Pro
If you have last year’s iPhone 13 Pro, I don’t think you should upgrade. While the improvements and new features have a lot of sizzle, you aren’t getting a drastically different experience. Upgrade your 13 Pro to iOS 16 and enjoy the new features from that software update instead.
But if you have an iPhone 12 Pro and have the itch to upgrade, the 14 Pro is a sizable step up in terms of performance, battery life, camera quality and additional features like the Dynamic Island.
And if you’re rocking an iPhone 11 Pro or older, the iPhone 14 Pro is a giant upgrade all around.
iPhone 14 specs vs. iPhone 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
| 6.7-inch OLED; 2,778×1,284 pixels | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR, OLED display, 2,556×1,179 pixels | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR, OLED display, 2,796×1,290 pixels |
| 458 ppi | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| 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. |
| 161 x 78 x 7.8mm | 147.5 x 71.5 x 7.85mm | 160.7 x 77.6 x 7.85mm |
| 7.16 oz.; 203g | 7.27 oz.; 206g | 8.47 oz.; 240g |
| iOS 16 | iOS 16 | iOS 16 |
| 12MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide) | 48MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide), 12MP (telephoto) | 48MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide), 12MP (telephoto) |
| 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel |
| HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps | HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps | HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps |
| Apple A15 Bionic | Apple A16 Bionic | Apple A16 Bionic |
| 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Undisclosed | Undisclosed | Undisclosed |
| No | No | No |
| Undisclosed; Apple lists 26 hours of video playback | Undisclosed; Apple lists 29 hours of video playback | Undisclosed; Apple lists 29 hours of video playback |
| No (Face ID) | No (Face ID) | No (Face ID) |
| Lightning | Lightning | Lightning |
| No | No | No |
| 5G enabled; MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; dual-SIM capabilities (e-SIM) | Dynamic Island; Always-On display; 5G enabled; MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; dual-SIM capabilities (e-SIM) | Dynamic Island; Always-On display; 5G enabled; MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; dual-SIM capabilities (e-SIM) |
| 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) |
| £949 (128GB) | £1,099 (128GB) | £1,199 (128GB) |
| AU1,579 (128GB) | AU1,749 (128GB) | AU1,899 (128GB) |
iPhone 14: 512GB vs. 256GB vs. 128GB — What size is enough for you?
How you plan on using your device will determine your storage requirements.
iPhones come with a set amount of storage that cannot be changed or expanded. Therefore, selecting the right amount of storage is essential because there’s no going back. Like in previous years, Apple’s newest flagship device, the iPhone 14 (and iPhone 14 Plus), comes with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage.
How much storage do you need? There are a few essential points to keep in mind.
iPhone 14 storage size: Price per gigabyte
It’s always important to recognize what you’re paying per gigabyte when making an iPhone purchase. Perhaps not surprisingly, the more storage you purchase, the less you’ll pay on a per gigabyte basis.
On the iPhone 14:
- 128GB. 799 or 6.24 per gigabyte
- 256GB. 899 or 3.51 per gigabyte
- 512GB. 1,099 or 2.15 per gigabyte
On the iPhone 14 Plus:
- 128GB. 899 or 7.19 per gigabyte
- 256GB. 999 or 3.90 per gigabyte
- 512GB. 1,199 or 2.34 per gigabyte
As you can see above, the 128GB versions for both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are the most expensive when you look at the price from a per-gigabyte perspective. The middle ground, 256GB, brings down the cost per gigabyte considerably, regardless of the device. When you reach 512GB, the savings drop even further.
Therefore, if you take a “more for less” approach, the 512GB version is probably the right one for your situation. However, there’s a lot more to consider.
iPhone 14 storage size: Local storage or Cloud storage?
Even though the 512GB version is the best value, you might not need anywhere near this amount of storage. The reason? Services like iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, and all the other best Cloud storage options make storing everything on your smartphone less necessary. Instead, you can store files in the Cloud.
Apple gives everyone who uses iCloud 5GB of free storage. This certainly isn’t enough to back up your device. However, you can increase this number relatively inexpensively by subscribing to a monthly iCloud plan. Currently, you can get 50GB for 0.99, 200GB for 2,99, and 2TB for 9.99.
Apple One bundles also add critical services like Apple Music, Apple Arcade, and Apple TV. For example, an individual Apple One plan gives you Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and 50GB of iCloud storage for just 6 per month.
When you have an active iCloud subscription, you can store all your photos in the Cloud and save local storage. With Apple Music, rather than store your favorite tunes on your iPhone 14, you can stream them from iCloud instead.
One area where you’ll need local storage is high-resolution video, which must be stored locally.
- If you don’t plan on storing much on your iPhone and couldn’t care less about taking high-resolution video, 128GB might be enough.
- Conversely, if you have a weak internet connection or travel a lot, a better choice might be the 256GB version.
- Adverse to saving stuff to the Cloud? Say hello to the 512GB option.
iPhone 14 storage size: Take advantage of powerful cameras
One of the most important reasons to purchase an iPhone is to take advantage of its brilliant camera system. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus feature an advanced dual-camera system, including a 12MP Main and Ultra Wide lens. A TrueDepth front camera with autofocus is also perfect for taking selfies.
There’s also the video component. With the iPhone 14, you can record videos in Cinematic mode, taking 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps, 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps, and HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps.
The iPhone 14 isn’t cheap, and it would be unfortunate not to take advantage of its camera features, which provide beautiful, crystal-clear shots and super smooth video.
- If recording 4K video isn’t one of your objectives, and you don’t plan to take that many photos, save yourself some cash and get the 128GB model.
- Instead, if your plan is to take video, at least modestly, go with the 256GB option.
- And if photos and videos are on the top of your list, you know what to do: get the 512GB version.
iPhone 14 storage size: Stay entertained with all media
Ah, yes, iPhone is also a great entertainment device. The iPhone 14 has a fantastic 6.1-inch OLED display, while the iPhone 14 Plus ‘ OLED measures 6.7-inches diagonally. Both are powerful Super Retina XDR displays.
For those displays, you’re almost certainly going to want to watch your videos whether they come from Apple TV, YouTube, or another service. And if movies are your fancy, know these files are typically between 1GB to 3GB for a standard file or 3GB to 6GB for an HD file. Add to this television episodes you might wish to keep on your handset or music files; suddenly, the phone’s storage can fill up rather quickly.
And yet, a lot will depend on whether you plan on streaming:
- 128GB should be enough if you primarily consume content through streaming.
- Are you on the road a lot and planning on storing some content locally? Then, go with the 256GB model.
- Finally, if you want to download a lot of music or videos and don’t want to worry about running out of storage, go with the 512GB option.
iPhone 14 storage size: Fill it up with apps and games
Thanks to the App Store, you can download countless games and apps onto your smartphone. Unfortunately, many of these titles will take up a lot of storage on your phone, especially highly intensive games. And with a 5/month Apple Arcade subscription, it’s effortless to download all of the amazing Apple Arcade games out there.
Even if you aren’t a gamer, some apps could take up a lot of space, including those for productivity, entertainment, and more. Because you can’t store apps and games in the Cloud, you better make sure you have enough local storage.
- 128GB is probably all you need if you aren’t into mobile gaming.
- If you plan on downloading various apps and games, then 256GB is good.
- On the other hand, if you want to download freely with no worries, then 512GB is for you.
Who should get the 128GB iPhone 14?
You can always trust i.
Our team of Apple experts have years of experience testing all kinds of tech and gadgets, so you can be sure our recommendations and criticisms are accurate and helpful. Find out more about how we test.
There used to be a time when the amount of local storage you had was much more critical. However, thanks to Cloud computing and streaming, it’s less so today. If your world revolves around Cloud storage services, streaming music and video, and very little video shooting, the 128GB iPhone 14 is probably the one for you. Sure, it has the worst value in terms of price per gigabyte, but sometimes the minimum is all you need.
Apple iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro: Which should you get?
This is how the Apple iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max compare. Which is the right model for you?
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Apple announced its iPhone 14 series at an event in Cupertino at the beginning of September 2022, with four devices in the range, comprising the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Yes, that’s right, no iPhone 14 mini this time.
We’ve used each of the four iPhone 14 devices extensively over the last few months, and here we are comparing the four devices against each other based on their published specifications and our experience to help you figure out which might be the right one for you. We use the iPhone 14 Pro Max as our day-to-day device, but that’s not to say it’s the best for everyone. Here is how the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max compare. If you think you might want an older iPhone, we have an iPhone buying guide to help you learn the differences between all the models.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Apple’s latest premium phone gets everything right. From the luxurious and durable finish, to cameras and display, it is Apple’s best phone to date and our top choice to recommend. Though if you want big, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the best.
Apple iPhone 14 Plus
The Apple iPhone 14 Plus has all the same hardware and features as the iPhone 14 but with a larger display and battery. the latter of which is excellent on this model. For a big display and battery at a good price, this is the one.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has the same hardware and design as the iPhone 14 Pro, but in a larger package with a 6.7-inch OLED display and larger battery.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro price, availability and specs
Naturally, the price differs between the iPhone 14 models, you probably don’t need us to tell you that. If you’re in the US, thankfully there wasn’t been a price hike compared to 2021. Other territories may find it’s a different story though (in particular, we’ve been hit hard in the UK). This time around, the are as follows:
- iPhone 14: From 799 / £849 / €999
- iPhone 14 Plus: From 899 / £949 / €1,049
- iPhone 14 Pro: From 999 / £1099 / €1,299
- iPhone 14 Pro Max: From 1099 / £1199 / €1,449
All four models are available globally, though the colour options differ between the standard range and the Pro range. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus come in six colours consisting of Blue, Yellow, Purple, Midnight, Starlight and Product(RED). The purple is our favourite, though the Midnight and Starlight are the most subtle. The iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max meanwhile, come in Space Black, Silver, Deep Purple and Gold. The Space Black has a lovely finish, though we are also very fond of the Deep Purple.
In terms of their specs, you can see a brief breakdown below (swipe across to see all models), though keep in mind that specs don’t tell the full story so if you want more detail on how the iPhone 14 models compare to each other, keep reading.
| A16 Bionic | A15 Bionic | A16 Bionic | A15 Bionic |
| 6.1-inch, OLED, 2556 x 1179, HDR, 2000nits, 120Hz | 6.7-inch, OLED, 2778 x 1284, HDR, 1200nits | 6.7-inch, OLED, 2796 x 1290, HDR, 2000nits, 120Hz | 6.1-inch, OLED, 2532 x 1170, HDR, 1200nits |
| 128/256/512/1TB | 128/256/512GB | 128/256/512/1TB | 128/256/512GB |
| iOS | iOS | iOS | iOS |
| 12MP f/1.9, autofocus | 12MP f/1.9, autofocus | 12MP f/1.9, autofocus | 12MP f/1.9, autofocus |
| 48MP f/1.78 main, 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide, 12MP f/2.4 telephoto | 12MP f/1.5 main, 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide | 48MP f/1.78 main, 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide, 12MP f/2.4 telephoto | 12MP f/1.5 main, 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide |
| 147.5 x 71.5 x 7.85mm, 206g | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.8mm, 203g | 160.7 x 77.6 x 7.85mm, 240g | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8mm, 172g |
| Space Black, Silver, Gold, Deep Purple | Blue, Purple, Yellow, Midnight, Starlight, Product(RED) | Space Black, Silver, Gold, Deep Purple | Blue, Purple, Yellow. Midnight, Starlight, Product(RED) |
| IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 |
| 5-core | 5-core | 5-core | 5-core |
| Stainless Steel | Aluminium | Stainless Steel | Aluminium |
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro design
The standard Apple iPhone 14 models follow an identical design to the iPhone 13 models, retaining the notch at the top of the display. The iPhone 14 Plus looks identical to the iPhone 14 but on a larger scale, as you’d expect.
Like in previous years, that means for both sizes you get dual lenses again, flat edges and an aluminium frame. They also offer IP68 water and dust resistance.
The iPhone 14 Pro models, though, look different to the standard iPhone 14 models, and indeed different to any iPhone that’s come before them.
The notch has been replaced by what Apple calls the Dynamic Island, a pill-shaped cutout that houses the front camera and sensors, and plays host to animations and widget-like information. Various alerts will appear in the Dynamic Island and it adapts depending on what you’re doing.
For example, if you use Apple Pay, the Dynamic Island will turn into a square, while when you are on a phone call, it will widen and show the call duration and sound waves if you open another app whilst on the call. Overall, it’s a major change to the design language that Apple’s been using for years now, and it feels quite different using the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max compared to their regular counterparts. in a good way.
The iPhone 14 Pro models also feature a triple rear camera on the back and they are heavier than the standard models, offering a shiny stainless steel frame over aluminium.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro display
The Apple iPhone 14 sticks with the same display size as the iPhone 13, which means a 6.1-inch screen. The iPhone 14 Plus meanwhile, features a 6.7-inch display.
The iPhone 14 Pro also offers a 6.1-inch display, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch screen. All four offer an OLED panel, along with True Tone, Haptic Touch and HDR support, though the Pro models do offer a bunch of extra features including power-efficiency modes that can dim the display more smartly.
The iPhone 14 Pro models again offer the ProMotion adaptive refresh rate, though this time they have a lower minimum refresh rate than the iPhone 13 Pro models, clocking in at a tiny 1Hz. This is great for battery-saving.
Another big boost for the Pro models comes in the brightness department, where they get a huge jump up to 2000nits of peak brightness, which makes a difference when you’re using your phone in bright light or sunshine.
The iPhone 14 Pro models also feature an Always On Display. something most Android phones offer, allowing you to see information without your screen being on and unlocked. This cleverly reflects what you have on your Lock Screen under iOS 16 and it marks quite a big difference in use between the Pro models and the standard models, though if you won’t know what you’re missing unless you go from using a Pro model to a standard model.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro specs
The Apple iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus run on the same chipset as the iPhone 13 Pro, which is the A15 with five-core GPU. For reference, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini also ran on the A15, but they have a four-core GPU.
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, though, run on the A16 chip, which offers a performance boost on the A15 and therefore the standard iPhone 14 models. This is actually the first time Apple has used different chips in its iPhone models of the same series.
Storage options for the standard models are the same as the iPhone 13 models. That means you can choose from 128GB, 256GB and 512GB options. The iPhone 14 Pro models start at 128GB and there are also 256GB, 512GB and 1TB models.
Battery capacity is different between the standard iPhone 14 models and the iPhone 14 Pro models, as well as between the standard and Pro models themselves, with the Plus and Max variants offering larger batteries.
Apple typically measures this in hours rather than mAh, and from its comparison pages, if you take video playback as your chosen comparison you can expect 20 hours for the standard iPhone 14 and 26 hours for the iPhone 14 Plus. The iPhone 14 Pro will offer at least 23 hours, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max sits at around 29 hours.
We’ve tested the battery performance of all the iPhone 14 models and the iPhone 14 Plus comes out on top, with the iPhone 14 Pro Max following behind. The iPhone 14 Plus is excellent in this department so if you’re after big screen and big battery, it’s a great option.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro cameras
The Apple iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus each come with a dual camera on the rear. You get a 12MP main wide camera and a secondary ultra-wide camera. These are the same resolutions as the iPhone 13, though the main camera has been upgraded to the same as the iPhone 13 Pro, meaning a slightly wider aperture of f/1.5 instead of f/1.6.
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max meanwhile, got a big upgrade. There’s a 48MP main sensor, along with a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor with a wider aperture and a 12-megapixel telephoto sensor.
The iPhone 14 Pro models are able to offer 3x optical zoom thanks to the telephoto lens and 15x digital zoom. The standard iPhone 14 models have 5x digital zoom but no optical zoom. The Pro models also offer ProRES, allowing you to shoot 48-megapixel raw shots.
There are similar features across all four models, with features like Portrait Mode with Depth Control, Night Mode, Photographic Styles and Cinematic Mode. You’ll also find Action Mode on all four iPhone 14 models, as well as a Photonic Engine, said to improve low light images. All four models offer great results and while the Pro models are superior, the standard models still deliver great point-and-shoot images.
In terms of the front camera, all four models see an upgraded 12-megapixel front camera to include a wider aperture of f/1.9 and autofocus for the first time, which is hugely helpful for selfies and video calls.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro software
All four of the Apple iPhone 14 models run on iOS 16. The user experience is therefore be pretty much identical across the four models, though as we mentioned, the iPhone 14 Pro models do get some extra features in the camera department, as well as Always On Display and Dynamic Island.
You can read all about iOS 16 and what features it offers in our separate feature on the operating system.
Conclusion: Which iPhone 14 model should you buy?
There are a few differences between the standard iPhone 14 models and the iPhone 14 Pro models, including design, materials, chipset, storage options, battery capacities, display features and camera offerings.
There are also some noteworthy similarities too, like the flat edges, Face ID, iOS 16 software experience, front camera upgrades, and display sizes. On the whole, the iPhone 14 Pro models are more distinct than in previous years thanks to that Dynamic Island more than anything else.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Apple’s latest premium phone gets everything right. From the luxurious and durable finish, to cameras and display, it is Apple’s best phone to date.
For those who want the newest tricks that Apple has cooked up, the iPhone 14 Pro models are the devices you’ll want to look at. For anyone looking for a great phone that costs less, the standard iPhone 14 options are still impressive. especially in the case of the iPhone 14 Plus. but with minimal differences compared to the iPhone 13 models, you could consider an iPhone 13 Pro to gain a few more features for a similar price.
Apple iPhone 14 Plus
The Apple iPhone 14 Plus has all the same hardware and features as the iPhone 14 but with a larger display and battery. the latter of which is excellent on this model. It comes in the same five colour options as the iPhone 14 and retains the notch, setting it apart from the Pro models.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro: Which should you buy in 2023?
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro represent Apple’s latest and greatest devices. The decision between choosing an iPhone 14 model, however, can be tricky. The iPhone 14 Pro is obviously more powerful and capable, but you also have to factor in differences like pricing, battery life, and overall weight. Head below for a deep dive into the iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro: Screen sizes
For the first year ever, both the standard iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Pro are available in the same screen sizes. Regardless of which family you pick, you have your choice between a 6.1-inch or 6.7-inch screen. This is a major difference compared to the past two years, when the top-tier “Pro Max” was the only choice for those who wanted the largest 6.7-inch screen.
But with that in mind, there are some big differences in terms of the screen technology and features. Namely, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max offer ProMotion display technology for smoother animations, the new Digital Island that replaces the notch, and the first-ever Always-On display.
The iPhone 14 Pro’s Always-On display enables the screen to show you your lock screen widgets, the time, and your wallpaper at all times. This is the first time Apple has ever implemented an Always-On display for the iPhone.
Meanwhile, the Digital Island brings a new level of interactivity in replacement of the notch. You can tap and hold to find more options and controls. The Dynamic Island can show things like album art for content in the Music app, controls for FaceTime, specific background activities, and more. The new Live Activities feature coming iOS 16 also integrates with the Dynamic Island, meaning you can see live notifications directly in the new screen area.
While those are the bigger differences between the displays, there are some other technical details as well. Here’s the full breakdown of the display technology inside the iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro.
| iPhone 14 | iPhone 14 Plus | iPhone 14 Pro | iPhone 14 Pro Max | |
| Size | 6.1-inches | 6.7-inches | 6.1-inches | 6.7-inches |
| Resolution | 2532×1170-pixels | 2778‑by‑1284-pixels | 2556‑by‑1179-pixels | 2796‑by‑1290-pixel |
| PPI | 460ppi | 458ppi | 460ppi | 460ppi |
| ProMotion? | ❌ | ❌ | ||
| Dynamic Island? | ❌ | ❌ | ||
| Always-on display? | ❌ | ❌ | ||
| Typical brightness | 800 nits max | 800 nits max | 1000 nits max | 1000 nits max |
| Outdoor brightness | 800 nits max | 800 nits max | 2000 nits max | 2000 nits max |
| HDR brightness | 1200 nits max | 1200 nits max | 1600 nits max | 1600 nits max |
| True Tone | ||||
| Haptic Touch |
Size and design
There are some notable differences in the design and dimensions of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro lineups, even though they share screen sizes. There are also differences between the materials used for each model, the weight, and more.
As you can see in the chart below, the rough dimensions of the respective iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models are the same. The biggest difference is the weight, with the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max weighing noticeably more than the non-Pro counterparts. This is due to the heavier stainless steel edges, the larger camera modules (more on that in a bit), and the larger batteries.
Here’s a rundown of what you need to know.
| iPhone 14 | iPhone 14 Plus | iPhone 14 Pro | iPhone 14 Pro Max | |
| Height | 5.78-inches (146mm) | 6.33-inches(160.8mm) | 5.81-inches (147.5mm) | 6.33-inches (160.7mm) |
| Width | 2.82-inches(71.5mm) | 3.07-inches (78.1mm) | 2.81-inches (71.5mm) | 3.05-inches (77.6mm) |
| Thickness | 0.31-inches (7.80mm) | 0.31-inches(7.80mm) | 0.31-inches(7.85mm) | 0.31-inches(7.85mm) |
| Weight | 6.07-ounces (172 grams) | 7.16-ounces(203 grams) | 7.27-ounces(206 grams) | 8.47-ounces(240 grams) |
| Durability | IP68 (splash, dust, 6 meters of water up to 30 minutes | IP68 (splash, dust, 6 meters of water up to 30 minutes | IP68 (splash, dust, 6 meters of water up to 30 minutes | IP68 (splash, dust, 6 meters of water up to 30 minutes |
| Back material | Glossy glass | Glossy glass | Matte glass | Matte glass |
| Edges | Aluminum | Aluminum | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
iPhone 14 Pro Max cases:
iPhone 14 Pro cases:
iPhone 14 cases:
iPhone 14 Plus cases:
Performance
For the first year ever, Apple has split the performance between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro. The iPhone 14 models are powered by an upgraded version of the A15 chip used last year (just with an added GPU core). The iPhone 14 Pro models use Apple’s newest A16 Bionic chip, which is Apple’s first 4nm processor.
We’re still waiting on the exact details on iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro performance. The fact of the matter is, however, that iPhone performance is already overkill for the majority of buyers nowadays.
Here’s a breakdown of the full iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 specifications:
| iPhone 14 | iPhone 14 Plus | iPhone 14 Pro | iPhone 14 Pro Max | |
| Processor | A15 Bionic | A15 Bionic | A16 Bionic | A16 Bionic |
| CPU | 6-core: 2 performance 4 efficiency | 6-core: 2 performance 4 efficiency | 6-core: 2 performance 4 efficiency | 6-core: 2 performance 4 efficiency |
| GPU | 5-core | 5-core | 5-core | 5-core |
| Neural Engine | 16-core | 16-core | 16-core | 16-core |
| RAM | 6GB | 6GB | 6GB | 6GB |
| Back material | Glossy glass | Glossy glass | Matte glass | Matte glass |
| Edges | Aluminum | Aluminum | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
Battery life
Battery life is a big factor when deciding which iPhone 14 to order. The battery stats from Apple can be a bit vague, but here’s what we know.
| iPhone 14 | iPhone 14 Plus | iPhone 14 Pro | iPhone 14 Pro Max | |
| Video playback | 20 hours | 26 hours | 23 hours | 29 hours |
| Audio playback | 80 hours | 100 hours | 75 hours | 95 hours |
Camera
One of the biggest ways the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro differ is in terms of camera technology. The gap between iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro is even bigger this year than before. Because of the new 48MP camera on the iPhone 14 Pro, the main camera uses quad-pixel technology to adapt to the photo being captured.
Both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro also feature a new Photonic Engine. Apple describes this as a new computational photography feature that offers a “giant leap for mid- to low-light performance in photos across all cameras through a deep integration of hardware and software.”
On the iPhone 14, Apple says you can expect improved mid- to low-light performance of up to 2x on the Ultra Wide camera, 2x on the TrueDepth camera, and 2.5x on the Main camera.
On the iPhone 14 Pro, the benefit is even better: up to 2x on the Main camera, up to 3x on the Ultra Wide camera, up to 2x on the Telephoto camera, and up to 2x on the TrueDepth camera.
Here are some more technical details on the iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro camera systems:
| iPhone 14/Plus | iPhone 14 Pro/Max | |
| Main camera | 12MP, ƒ/1.5 aperture, 26 mm2x optical zoom, 5x digital zoom | 48MP, ƒ/1.78, aperture, 24 mm |
| Sensor-shift opticalimage stabilization | ||
| Ultra Wide | 12MP, ƒ/2.4 aperture, 13mm | 12MP, ƒ/2.2 aperture, 13mm |
| Telephoto lens | ❌ | : 48 mm, ƒ/1.78 aperture |
| Zoom | 2x optical zoom, 5x digital zoom | 3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out digital zoom up to 15x |
| Apple ProRAW | ||
| Smart HDR 4 | ||
| Photonic Engine | ||
| Photographic Styles | ||
| Panoramas | , 63MP | , 63MP |
| Portrait mode |
Video recording?
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus camera technology:
- 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- 720p HD video recording at 30 fps
- Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps
- Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps
- HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps
- Slo‑mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps
- Time‑lapse video with stabilization
- Night-mode Time-lapse
- QuickTake video
- Sensor-shift optical image stabilization for video (Main)
- 2x optical zoom out
- Digital zoom up to 3x
- Audio zoom
- True Tone flash
- Cinematic video stabilization (4K, 1080p, and 720p)
- Continuous autofocus video
- Take 8MP still photos while recording 4K video
- Playback zoom
- Video formats recorded: HEVC and H.264
- Stereo recording
iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max camera technology:
- 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- 720p HD video recording at 30 fps
- Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps
- Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps
- HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps
- ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps (1080p at 30 fps for 128GB storage)
- Macro video recording, including slo-mo and time-lapse
- Slo‑mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps
- Time‑lapse video with stabilization
- Night-mode Time-lapse
- QuickTake video
- Second‑generation sensor‑shift optical image stabilization for video (Main)
- Dual optical image stabilization for video (Main and Telephoto)
- 3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 6x optical zoom range
- Digital zoom up to 9x
- Audio zoom
- True Tone flash
- Cinematic video stabilization (4K, 1080p, and 720p)
- Continuous autofocus video
- Take 8MP still photos while recording 4K video
- Playback zoom
- Video formats recorded: HEVC, H.264, and ProRes
- Stereo recording
Selfie camera
Both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro lineups offer one of the biggest jumps in front-camera performance we’ve ever seen. Both use a new camera with an ƒ/1.9 aperture that enables better low-light performance for photos and video. It also offers auto-FOCUS for the first time, so it can FOCUS in low light and capture group selfies from farther away.
Full spec sheet for the selfie cameras on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro:
- 12MP camera
- ƒ/1.9 aperture
- Autofocus with Focus Pixels
- Six‑element lens
- Retina Flash
- Photonic Engine
- Deep Fusion
- Smart HDR 4
- Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control
- Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High‑Key Mono)
- Animoji and Memoji
- Night mode
- Photographic Styles
- Apple ProRAW
- Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos
- Lens correction
- Auto image stabilization
- Burst mode
- 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps
- HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps
- ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps (1080p at 30 fps for 128GB storage)
- Slo‑mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps
- Time‑lapse video with stabilization
- Night-mode Time-lapse
- QuickTake video
- Cinematic video stabilization (4K, 1080p, and 720p)
Bolded bullets = iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max only
Colors
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are available in five different colors:
- Midnight
- Purple
- Starlight
- (Product)RED
- Blue
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are available in four different colors:
Storage
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus:
iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max:
Pricing
iPhone 14 Plus:
iPhone 14 Pro:
iPhone 14 Pro Max:
Other features
And here are some other features that are offered by both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro:
- Crash detection that can recognize when you’re in a car accident and call emergency services.
- Satellite connectivity for reaching emergency services when you aren’t connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network.
- Action mode for stabilizing video during fast-moving scenarios like running or other sports.
- Ceramic Shield front for improved display durability
Included accessories
Citing environmental concerns, Apple is not including headphones or a charging brick in the iPhone 14 box this year. Here are some accessories you might consider picking up to help fill that gap and complement your new iPhone.
Top comment by Lewis
Coming from someone with a iPhone X, if this is your year to upgrade and don’t want the Pro, just buy an iPhone 13 Pro. You can still find them online for around £100 more than the 14, but you get way better cameras, 120 refresh rate and better battery life. Literally beats it hands down. If you have an iPhone 12/13, you don’t need this new phone at all.
My personal suggestion is to look at how you use your iPhone and look at the price differences between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro. Do you take enough pictures and videos to really benefit from the new camera features? Are you consistently taking pictures and videos of something in your life that’s really important? If so, the iPhone 14 Pro is the way to go.
But if not, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are still incredible phones. The camera hardware is as impressive as in years past, and you benefit from some of the additional computational photography technology. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are also notably cheaper than the iPhone 14 Pro models.
What do you think about the iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro debate? Let us know down in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев!
Last updated February 13, 2023
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