iPhone 14 Pro Max Consider the 14 Plus Over the 14 Pro Max....

[Fat_Guy]

Except the ProMotion display. It’s very noticeable when using an iPhone without it after using one with it. I don’t believe anyone who says they don’t notice it.

I should say that people do have different tolerances for this type of thing and many prefer LCD to Apple’s current OLED screens. Just accept that promotion may be important to some and not others. One’s opinion is not more important or valid than another’s.

 

[Dsmith7]

No this was at the Apple store and side by side and you could tell on the home screen, but I kept my 12 PM. Same test at home with the 14 PM is another story. And again I’m not the only one saying this about the 14 Pros.

Perhaps but its a feature I don't need

 

[Fat_Guy]

Perhaps but its a feature I don't need

There is one catch to this. You need promotion to get the AOD. I actually like the idea of an always on display when I need it. So a high refresh rate is “meh” to me but a low refresh rate for AOD is something I want.


So I do value promotion, but for always on. So consider that. I don’t use AOD all the time but it has its uses. And I openly wonder if Apple had to program a bit off the high end to get more low end for AOD? That should not need to happen but who knows?



I’ll add that the difference for AOD is like 10% between 13/14. If it was literally skimming 10% off the top to save programming for 10% on the bottom I would just laugh my ass off! 🤣

 

[Dsmith7]

There is one catch to this. You need promotion to get the AOD. I actually like the idea of an always on display when I need it. So a high refresh rate is “meh” to me but a low refresh rate for AOD is something I want.


So I do value promotion, but for always on. So consider that. I don’t use AOD all the time but it has its uses. And I openly wonder if Apple had to program a bit off the high end to get more low end for AOD? That should not need to happen but who knows?



I’ll add that the difference for AOD is like 10% between 13/14. If it was literally skimming 10% off the top to save programming for 10% on the bottom I would just laugh my ass off! 🤣

You make a good point. I would use AOD if if was implemented like android where its minimal pixels lite up. Maybe i read wrong but Apples version keeps the whole screen lite up.

 

[Fat_Guy]

You make a good point. I would use AOD if if was implemented like android where its minimal pixels lite up. Maybe i read wrong but Apples version keeps the whole screen lite up.

Use a solid black lock screen wallpaper and it looks like Android.

 

[4sallypat]

I opted for the 14 Plus, I kicked around the idea of the 14 Pro Max, its just didn't measure up for me. I am not someone who takes a ton of photos and the initial "ohh and ahh' of the Dynamic Island waned considerably. Especially, after my wife has had her 14 Pro Max since launch.

There were enough upgrades for me with the 14 Plus, screen size, RAM, etc. I think I will be more than happy with it.

Same here.

I don't use any of the pro features to warrant the 14PM.

Love my 14 Plus - it's the perfect companion and replacement to my 12P.

SOS Emergency was the main feature I got the 14 Plus.

For the price point it was a solid deal for me.

Blue color nearly matches my EV truck:

 

[Fat_Guy]

Same here.

I don't use any of the pro features to warrant the 14PM.

Love my 14 Plus - it's the perfect companion and replacement to my 12P.

SOS Emergency was the main feature I got the 14 Plus.

For the price point it was a solid deal for me.

Blue color nearly matches my EV truck:
View attachment 2093322

You are right.


There was a knee jerk reaction especially to the 14 Plus when it came out. For people that live outside city centres, long battery life and satellite connectivity in an emergency are useful features.


Apple is the king of hype and there is nothing wrong with continuing to use a phone you are used to but with three day battery life and crash detection and satellite connectivity. Dynamic Island is a subjective choice along with AOD and if you don’t need them why bother. You now have 6 gigs of ram like the Pros.


I should tell you I looked at sat phones before. I would have gone with Iridium that you could stick somewhere outside and wirelessly connect to it inside so you can call in comfort. I don’t even remember if you could party line the connection or not. Anyway it was expensive, and with Apple you get two years free service on your phone - that is a deal!

 

[joshwithachance]

First thing i turned off on my 13 pm was pro motion. Ate battery and didn't need it as i don't game or watch much tv on my phone

This is blasphemy. Why even buy a Pro-series if you're going to disable its best feature...?

 

[Dsmith7]

This is blasphemy. Why even buy a Pro-series if you're going to disable its best feature...?

Well i know its unheard of but i kinda do what i want on the phone i paid for. I don't game or watch movies and battery life is more important than anything else to me. To each there own i guess

 

[Bacong]

Why would you say that ?

14 Plus is great value to ME.

I am not the techie / geeky / specs obsessed OCD type of person so a 14 Pro does not make sense for me as I never need those extra features.

I don't care if the processor is better or faster, I buy based on features that I use.

Coming from a 12 Pro, the 14 Plus is a much better phone for my aging eyes (larger screen), longer life (battery), lightweight (important as I carry 2 phones on my belt), and has SOS emergency which is the primary reason I got it.

I don't care about video and picture stuff - Pros might be good for you social media, video editors and photographers but I'll take my DSLR if I need good photos....
View attachment 2090956

It's interesting that people so vigorously defend their choices while deriding the choices of others "techie / geeky / specs obsessed OCD type of person".. lmfao, what the hell does that mean? People who post here are so god damned weird.

 

[ctjack]

I don't use any of the pro features to warrant the 14PM

For the regular line serves better when it comes to going back to origins.

For example photo - pros do have better cameras but i feel myself drowned in those many buttons that come along with the pro models.

Originally iphone was intended to point and shoot with just 1 red button - it was too basic but then it caught up some additional buttons. But then they overloaded the app with buttons in pro models.

Triple camera switch doesn’t help either - you don’t control which camera activates.

Lidar sensor gets stuck in the way focusing on your windshield instead of the things behind it.

For these reasons, somehow regular phones work well for me in terms of taking pictures - at least they are what you expected without switching lenses that are being used. No surprises for the end results is probably the most i value now.

 

[iBought]

If you turned it off straight away then you won’t really be used to it. If you had used it for some time, then turning it off would be far more noticeable. I can’t use an iPhone or iPad that does not have ProMotion after using it. It’s like night and day for me.

Must be a rough life for you. Lol

Like clockwork every year people get sold on the latest and greatest screens. Then they claim they can never go back to the old ones. Etc. It’s the first thing you get used to on any device. My M1 Pro 16 screen is great but I can go back to an older model with no real issues.

It’s cool if you have to shell out the extra money for it but telling everyone that they can’t see the difference is just you justifying your own purchase. If you can so clearly see pro motion hopefully you can see your own behavior as well.

 

[janeauburn]

Lots of you people need to understand that the term "value" does not automatically equal "more features." In fact, "less is more" is a saying for a good reason.

I've used both the 14 Plus and the 14 Pro Max. The Plus is the better value from both a price and a "features" perspective. One of the Plus's biggest "features" is what it doesn't have: too much weight.

All those dumb and predictable "lift weights" comments notwithstanding, the Max is too heavy. Period. It's too fat. The metal sides cut into your hands. It's damn uncomfortable, plain and simple.

And its other features? Unnecessary. Promotion: can't tell a difference. Dyamic island? Just dumb, at best. 48 mpix RAW photos? Pull out your DSLR. None of your mom and pop and rich kiddies with dad's and mom's money are going to be messing around with postprocessing RAW images from the Max. Give me a break.

This year's best iPhone is the 14 Plus.

 

[SouthernFried]

Lots of you people need to understand that the term "value" does not automatically equal "more features." In fact, "less is more" is a saying for a good reason.

I've used both the 14 Plus and the 14 Pro Max. The Plus is the better value from both a price and a "features" perspective. One of the Plus's biggest "features" is what it doesn't have: too much weight.

All those dumb and predictable "lift weights" comments notwithstanding, the Max is too heavy. Period. It's too fat. The metal sides cut into your hands. It's damn uncomfortable, plain and simple.

And its other features? Unnecessary. Promotion: can't tell a difference. Dyamic island? Just dumb, at best. 48 mpix RAW photos? Pull out your DSLR. None of your mom and pop and rich kiddies with dad's and mom's money are going to be messing around with postprocessing RAW images from the Max. Give me a break.

This year's best iPhone is the 14 Plus.

I saw my first 14+ today. Guy at work let me handle his. My first impression was how lightweight and good it felt in the hand for a phone of that size. If I was in the market for a large phone, the 14+ would be my choice. I could care less about the extra specs that come on the Pro models.

 

[Torty]

Given my experience with my 14 Pro Max I think the Plus will be the battery king this year.


Biggest disappointment for me was Promotion. I can’t tell the difference between 60 and 120. Maybe just slightly on the home screens but I believe Safari still does not offer it all yet? Promotion to me means AOD which I like but that is it.

I can. It looks incredible fluid. But it does irritate me when scrolling. I will give it a while to sit in but If it keeps me irritating I will turn it off.

 

[joshwithachance]

Lots of you people need to understand that the term "value" does not automatically equal "more features." In fact, "less is more" is a saying for a good reason.

I've used both the 14 Plus and the 14 Pro Max. The Plus is the better value from both a price and a "features" perspective. One of the Plus's biggest "features" is what it doesn't have: too much weight.

All those dumb and predictable "lift weights" comments notwithstanding, the Max is too heavy. Period. It's too fat. The metal sides cut into your hands. It's damn uncomfortable, plain and simple.

And its other features? Unnecessary. Promotion: can't tell a difference. Dyamic island? Just dumb, at best. 48 mpix RAW photos? Pull out your DSLR. None of your mom and pop and rich kiddies with dad's and mom's money are going to be messing around with postprocessing RAW images from the Max. Give me a break.

This year's best iPhone is the 14 Plus.

The price difference is only $170 (in the U.S. anyway) and the Max is a FAR superior device, with the much better value proposition. There’s a reason NOBODY is buying the 14 Plus and Apple has drastically cut production. Also, it’s impossible NOT to perceive the difference in overall smoothness from 60Hz to 120Hz. Oh, and they’re the exact same thickness with pretty much identical dimensions overall, so I don’t know where the “too fat” comment came from…

This year’s best phone is the Galaxy Fold 4.

 

[Ac1d 8urn]

What really irks me is spec-obsessed techies complaining about other people's phone choices, and clickbaity youtubers who handled a 14+ just long enough to film a pointless "review" telling people to buy a pro/pro max instead.

Not everyone needs or WANTS a pro device. Some people just want a big screen and good battery life without waiting 6 weeks for a 14 pro max to ship, nor do they feel like tracking down a 13 pro max secondhand or through a carrier just to save $50 when they can simply walk out of the store with a 14+ today.

Not everyone wants ProMotion either(gasp, unthinkable I know!). Some people really can't tell the difference and 120hz is not worth an extra $200. I can definitely tell the difference between ProMotion and 60hz- one gives me horrible migraines and the other doesn't. A 60hz screen is a conscious choice over what the internet says I should want. I'm happy Apple restricts ProMotion to the pro models cause otherwise I wouldn't be able to use any modern iphones. We all got by just fine with 60hz prior to one year ago, why do so many people act like these screens are unusable now?

My 14+ is a joy to use. I have not been this happy with a phone since my 8+, which I clung to for 4 years. My pictures are gorgeous and the top 1/4 of my phone isn't a huge camera bump. My battery lasts 2 days and I can use my phone for hours without headaches or eye pain. I get better signal than I ever did on my 13 pro. It's light and easy to hold for hours at a time. The "inferior" screen is perfectly smooth and bright. The notch looks so small on the big screen that I forget it's even there. I don't even mind face ID cause everything else about this phone is so good that I've stopped missing touch ID. It's only missing a handful of features, most of which I either never used or do not want.

People act like they NEED all these extra features but if the 14 and 14+ were the only models Apple offered, everyone would be just as happy. We all did just fine when we only had a choice between the small iphone and the big one, or only ONE iphone in different colors. But now people fall for the marketing and hype that makes them think only the top-spec devices are worth buying, which creates these stupid divisions and arguing over what other people should spend their money on. That, and lacking the ability to consider that different people value different features. Should the 14+ have been $100 cheaper? Yeah, but if it bothers you that much then simply don't buy it. I'm fine spending a bit more on a phone I can comfortably use.

Ugh sorry for the rant but I'm getting so tired of seeing 13 pRo MaX iS a BeTtEr VaLuE anytime the 14+ is mentioned. I really don't understand why people buying and liking this phone seems to rattle so many jimmies. Buy what you like and let others do the same.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

The price difference is only $170 and the Max is a FAR superior device, with the much better value proposition. There’s a reason NOBODY is buying the 14 Plus and Apple has drastically cut production. Also, it’s impossible NOT to perceive the difference in overall smoothness from 60Hz to 120Hz. Oh, and they’re the exact same thickness with pretty much identical dimensions overall, so I don’t know where the “too fat” comment came from…

This year’s best phone is the Galaxy Fold 4.

You’re lucky that’s the price different in America but there’s a much bigger gap in the UK and Europe. It’s £250 ($295) difference between the 14 Plus and 14 Pro Max here and even the Plus is considered too expensive judging by the slow demand. I think it’ll eventually sell rather well as more carriers try and offer deals but it’s about £100 more expensive than the market tolerates I think.

 

[joshwithachance]

You’re lucky that’s the price different in America but there’s a much bigger gap in the UK and Europe. It’s £250 ($295) difference between the 14 Plus and 14 Pro Max here and even the Plus is considered too expensive judging by the slow demand. I think it’ll eventually sell rather well as more carriers try and offer deals but it’s about £100 more expensive than the market tolerates I think.

You make a good point about the bigger price difference outside of US. At $300 less I would probably go with the Plus as well.

 

[kp98077]

Lots of you people need to understand that the term "value" does not automatically equal "more features." In fact, "less is more" is a saying for a good reason.

I've used both the 14 Plus and the 14 Pro Max. The Plus is the better value from both a price and a "features" perspective. One of the Plus's biggest "features" is what it doesn't have: too much weight.

All those dumb and predictable "lift weights" comments notwithstanding, the Max is too heavy. Period. It's too fat. The metal sides cut into your hands. It's damn uncomfortable, plain and simple.

And its other features? Unnecessary. Promotion: can't tell a difference. Dyamic island? Just dumb, at best. 48 mpix RAW photos? Pull out your DSLR. None of your mom and pop and rich kiddies with dad's and mom's money are going to be messing around with postprocessing RAW images from the Max. Give me a break.

This year's best iPhone is the 14 Plus.

you are certainly, in the minority! LOL
Although I do like the weight of the 14 + also, its lacking basic features apples has made customers used to sadly. Especially the camera. There's is a huge difference... otherwise I'd be team 14+!!

 

[janeauburn]

I have not been this happy with a phone since my 8+, which I clung to for 4 years.

I'm having trouble justifying "upgrading" from the 8 Plus. Mine is still going strong, with a relatively new battery at 99 percent.

 

[now i see it]

"upgrading" from the 8 Plus”

To this day, with all things taken into consideration, I personally (and you too) don’t think it’s possible to get a ‘better’ iPhone than the 8 Plus. It was peak iPhone.
Sure the newer iPhones have better cameras (so what in my case) but they also have inferior flickering OLED screens.
As you might recall, I purchased an apple refurbished iPhone 8 Plus last year-and I’ll be using it (on iOS 14) until it doesn’t work anymore

 

[tivoboy]

To this day, with all things taken into consideration, I personally (and you too) don’t think it’s possible to get a ‘better’ iPhone than the 8 Plus. It was peak iPhone.
Sure the newer iPhones have better cameras (so what in my case) but they also have inferior flickering OLED screens.
As you might recall, I purchased an apple refurbished iPhone 8 Plus last year-and I’ll be using it (on iOS 14) until it doesn’t work anymore

I’m running an 8+ on ios 16 (held out quite a while going to 15) and it works just fine, no problems and no worse than 14, plus updated benefits.

The 14 plus is a very good upgrade for anyone who really likes/loves the 8+ form factor, size and weight. As I’ve said prior, the 14+ actually FEELS lighter than the 8+ even though it is essentially the same exact size AND weight.

 

[janeauburn]

To this day, with all things taken into consideration, I personally (and you too) don’t think it’s possible to get a ‘better’ iPhone than the 8 Plus. It was peak iPhone.
Sure the newer iPhones have better cameras (so what in my case) but they also have inferior flickering OLED screens.
As you might recall, I purchased an apple refurbished iPhone 8 Plus last year-and I’ll be using it (on iOS 14) until it doesn’t work anymore

I still prefer Touch ID. Maybe I'll get a 14 Plus (or 15 Plus) next year. No rush.

I have noticed that iOS 16 has slowed the pull-down search on the 8 Plus a bit. Figures. Apple used to pull this stuff all the time until the EU clamped down on them. We all have a lot to thank the EU for so far as consumer rights. Pity that the US lets companies trample all over consumers, squeezing every last penny out of them. Peak capitalism. Advertising in every nook and cranny of your life. Can't even fill up the g-damn gas tank in the US without ads blaring at you from the pump. It's like, "hey, as you watch the dollars flow out of your wallet, here, have some ads telling you where you can spend more money!" It's forking insane.

I would not have "upgraded" to iOS 16, but my work forces me to in order to stay connected. So far as I can see, iOS 16 brings exactly 0 benefits over 15 (or 14 or 13 or 12, for that matter). I view every iOS "upgrade" as an upgrade only in the ways that Apple can attempt to extract money from us.

 

[davedvdy]

you are certainly, in the minority! LOL
Although I do like the weight of the 14 + also, its lacking basic features apples has made customers used to sadly. Especially the camera. There's is a huge difference... otherwise I'd be team 14+!!

I think the 14 Plus should be something not overlooked if a person is in the market for a new iPhone or frowned upon at least. It's a perfect fit for some here and it's great to see that. For me personally, I prefer having the added features in the Pro line which are relevant to me. Could I be happy with either though? probably.

I respect others views though and can clearly see though why they would prefer the other model and to spend less.
The telephoto lens, and ProMotion together are things I personally don't want to give up. Not crazy about the weight of the 14 Pro Max, so the 14 Plus is tempting in that regard for sure.