iPhone 14 Pro Max I played the Max 14 in Apple Store and here is my review

[babyexercise]

If you can accept these then don’t return the phone 14 pro/max:

-Always On Display really turn on your screen normally 24 hours a day everyday, it is not like android phone with simple graphic and turn off most of the screen. Just for showing nice picture to sell you the iphone. Your battery and display panel should die much faster than you can imagine. Battery is much more expensive than old models.

-New pill is much lower than old notch. The effective area under the pill is much smaller than all old iphone models

-All kinds of camera issues like more noise than 13 pro. It is a new sensor and a lot of new stuff, this is more like a beta version of pro 15.

-Price, you paid already then may not not a big deal

 

[russell_314]

The always on display can be turned off in settings and automatically turns off when the phone is face down or in a pocket. Maybe if I had the smaller size Pro I would turn it off but battery life is more than all day on the Max.

The pill is a non issue for me even though I still am on the fence about if I like it or the notch better. It doesn't block anything like video just like the notch didn't. I suspect apps are going to need updates because I remember when the notch came out and some apps had issues.

No camera issues yet for me. Apple said they were releasing a patch next week so it's whatever.

 

[babyexercise]

The always on display can be turned off in settings and automatically turns off when the phone is face down or in a pocket. Maybe if I had the smaller size Pro I would turn it off but battery life is more than all day on the Max.

The pill is a non issue for me even though I still am on the fence about if I like it or the notch better. It doesn't block anything like video just like the notch didn't. I suspect apps are going to need updates because I remember when the notch came out and some apps had issues.

No camera issues yet for me. Apple said they were releasing a patch next week so it's whatever.

Does not really make sense to buy a new phone then turn off the new feature or put it on a table then the screen is just on 24 hours a day

 

[russell_314]

Does not really make sense to buy a new phone then turn off the new feature or put it on a table then the screen is just on 24 hours a day

So should I not keep it in my pocket? It's in there most of the time with the always on display off. I could carry it around in my hand just to show off to everyone walking by that I have the new iPhone with the always on display 🤣

 

[lornranger]

Well, from the iphone 13 series, you are not getting much upgrades if you jump over to 14. However, if you are from iphone 12 and older, the jump to 14 is quite a lot and makes sense.

 

[babyexercise]

My review only includes key points, pointless stuff like which color is better would not be in review.

 

[RRC]

Great review, so in depth with plenty of examples and first hand extended usage...

I'll correct a few points though,
1. Always on display does not eat through battery. Can be turned off anyway.
2. The dynamic island does indeed sit a touch lower, however it is useful and once Apple release the code then loads of apps will make use of it. If you watch a video, its not naturally in an aspect ratio where it is effected without increasing size and then you'll loose information from the whole video.
3. What camera issues? The camera has a lot LESS noise than the previous models, and the image quality is simply superb, especially raw files or jpegs using the 48mp sensor. That's a fact, as the dedicated photo thread at the top of this forum will show.
4. Price is irrelevant with carrier offers, trade in offers and interest free payments available.

 

[babyexercise]

Great review, so in depth with plenty of examples and first hand extended usage...

I'll correct a few points though,
1. Always on display does not eat through battery. Can be turned off anyway.
2. The dynamic island does indeed sit a touch lower, however it is useful and once Apple release the code then loads of apps will make use of it. If you watch a video, its not naturally in an aspect ratio where it is effected without increasing size and then you'll loose information from the whole video.
3. What camera issues? The camera has a lot LESS noise than the previous models, and the image quality is simply superb, especially raw files or jpegs using the 48mp sensor. That's a fact, as the dedicated photo thread at the top of this forum will show.
4. Price is irrelevant with carrier offers, trade in offers and interest free payments available.

-turn off a 14 pro/max only new feature, then why even buy it.

-Most of the app would just use the rectangle behind the notch and would not do anything just for two phone models. Browser would be limited to rectangle behind the notch. Video depend on what do you watch, new notch is bad for 18:9 since half of the notch is in the video.

Camera problem:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/the-very-honest-youtuber-review-of-14-pro-series.2360434/

 

[naturalguy]

AOD is amazing so glad they added it

 

[alFR]

If you can accept these then don’t return the phone 14 pro/max:

-Always On Display really turn on your screen normally 24 hours a day everyday, it is not like android phone with simple graphic and turn off most of the screen. Just for showing nice picture to sell you the iphone. Your battery and display panel should die much faster than you can imagine. Battery is much more expensive than old models.

-New pill is much lower than old notch. The effective area under the pill is much smaller than all old iphone models

-All kinds of camera issues like more noise than 13 pro. It is a new sensor and a lot of new stuff, this is more like a beta version of pro 15.

-Price, you paid already then may not not a big deal

Spending 10min with a phone in a store is not the basis for a review that anyone should pay any attention to whatsoever.

 

[RRC]

Does not really make sense to buy a new phone then turn off the new feature or put it on a table then the screen is just on 24 hours a day

The screen is not on 24 hours a day. It's off when its in your pocket, it's off when you sleep. The times it is on, its only using 1hz refresh rate which uses very little power consumption. I've noticed no noticeable battery consumption from the AOD compared to my 13 Pro.

 

[babyexercise]

The screen is not on 24 hours a day. It's off when its in your pocket, it's off when you sleep. The times it is on, its only using 1hz refresh rate which uses very little power consumption. I've noticed no noticeable battery consumption from the AOD compared to my 13 Pro.

Are you sure it doesn’t use a lot of battery? People say it uses 17% battery a day.

 

[RRC]

Are you sure it doesn’t use a lot of battery? People say it uses 17% battery a day.

I am sure. 17% battery per day? What are people basing that off? People are using their phones differently, some are still indexing and setting up, some are using their phones more because they're new etc.

 

[Tara Luvs Apple]

Does not really make sense to buy a new phone then turn off the new feature or put it on a table then the screen is just on 24 hours a day

I really doubt most people bought a new phone just for the display feature.

I had an 11 Pro with a cracked screen and a maximum battery capacity of 78% that came with many problems. It was time for me to get a new phone regardless of how long the display stays on.

I turned off the display since it would catch my eye at work and I would think I am getting a notification. Plus I have the live weather Lock Screen on so trying to conserve battery that way.

I needed a new phone and could care less about a display being always on.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

AOD barley drains battery. And I don't get we people say it will keep them up at night. AOD brightness depends on how bright the environment is. There's absolutely no radiant light coming off the the display at night/or lights out. You can put it right up to any object, even a reflective object like a tv screen, and you'll have no reflection of light. You can put it right on your eyeball with your eye lids open or closed. You won't notice anything. You simply can't use this as even a weak flashlight. The only time I see AOD using noticeable battery life, is if the sun or bright light is beaming right on the sensor for an extended period of time. And even then AOD only gets but so bright.

I can't speak on those with camera issues, other than I don't have any noise issues, indoors or Outdoors. I'm impressed by the clarity. I'm also impressed with the 14 PM camera at how my shots, back and selfie cams, basically have no light glare, even in the sun. My S22 Ultra sucks with light glare in comparison.

 

[stocklen]

I just noticed the OP's other thread.

They certainly seem to have an agenda eh.

OP. We get it, you dont like it. Perhaps 2 minutes handling it tethered to a desk in a crowded apple store is not really the most reliable basis for any type of review unless you want to critique the colour choices but thats about all.
The responses youve got in this thread are all perfectly reasonable and make a good point id say.

 

[Mr.Blacky]

Since you invested many minutes to "review" iPhone 14 Pro Max in a store, I assume this is a "honest" review? 🤔

 

[babyexercise]

Since you invested many minutes to "review" iPhone 14 Pro Max in a store, I assume this is a "honest" review? 🤔

Yes very honest

 

[orionquest]

My review only includes key points, pointless stuff like which color is better would not be in review.

Your whole review is pointless... camera noise?? really, and price is very subjective to each person.

 

[Tara Luvs Apple]

I understand that being able to get this phone - even with carrier offers - is a privilege. When I first read the original poster's post, I immediately thought this sounds like a kid throwing a temper tantrum on not being able to get the phone for some reason or another and so bash it to make yourself feel bad. The classic try to convince others it is stupid so you feel better.

 

[Vazor]

Yes very honest

Just admit you don’t want to spend money on a new phone and get on with your life.

 

[dstew201]

🤣🤣🤣 I knew from the title this thread was going to filled with savagely brutal responses… and it did not disappoint!!

Bahahahaha!! 🤣🤣

 

[Shirasaki]

You say you played like 10 min? I played the iPhone 14 Pro Max in store for about an hour, and I still don't think I can give this phone a fair chance without installing my apps and applying my usage to it. Idk how "comprehensive" and "honest" your "review" can be with such limited trial period. Even MKBHD can't release a video showing how good/bad the phone is within a few minutes. "Impression" is not the same as "full review".

Camera issue? An issue that surfaces in third party social media app that is not installed on demo devices? I don't see it in those whatever iOS 16.0 Apple put on those devices using stock camera app.

Price "not a big deal"? Other part of the world doesnt exist? USA carrier trade-in is insane, but not so much for the rest of the world. In Australia for example, you can only get up to 50% trade-in value from Apple for top of the line iPhone 13 Pro Max for top of the line iPhone 14 Pro Max. I'd argue this is not great comparatively. Not to mention tons of people who is going to buy the device outright because of incompatible contract, no valid offer, personal situation etc etc etc (cough, temporary visa holders, cough).

I don't even want to mention the "much lower" pill-hole, which is not only factually false, but also way too much exaggeration than it should've been. I personally compare the pill-hole with my iPhone XS Max, and while it is lower, it's not that much. It's not like the pill-hole is in the center of screen or something. As for watching video, sure, having a hole in the middle is annoying, but then you are not watching a movie on a phone with such tiny screen to enjoy some home studio quality, so I assume people just learn to mentally check out that hole or use other devices to watch (such as, an iPad Pro) if hole is an eyesore.

While iPhone 14 Pro Max can be a meh upgrade for a lot of people, the reasons mentioned in the OP is just not strong or outright wrong.

As for always-on display, it looks cool, but I can't say anything more than that. Wish it could be a bit dimmer though.

 

[Ifti]

Brief review, but still better than iJustine's!

 

[Fred Zed]

Does not really make sense to buy a new phone then turn off the new feature or put it on a table then the screen is just on 24 hours a day

Just because it has “ new features “ doesn’t mean one has to use it it does it ? I never used AOD even when I was an android user and I sure ain’t starting now. 😂