Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Review: The best iPhone... so far!
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Intro
In September 2022, or "Apple's month", as some in the tech industry might lovingly refer to the ninth month of the year, Cupertino treated us with a whole trove of new hardware that was helmed by the iPhone 14 family, the Apple Watch Series 8, and AirPods Pro 2nd Gen. Of course, the shiniest gem on the block was the new super-premium iPhone 14 Pro Max, the most exceptional and feature-packed iPhone for that year.
Historically, the Pro Max version of all previous iPhone generations has been the most intriguing and sophisticated Apple phone, with the largest display, the longest-lasting battery, and the most advanced cameras, coveted despite their large size and heavy stature.
The AppleiPhone 14 Pro Max is no different. It has the best hardware and feature loadout among all new iPhones, and is much better differentiated from the rest of the lineup. After using the phone for more than a week, one thing was certain to me, at least—if you wanted the very best of Apple in late 2022 and throughout the majority of 2023, you had to go with the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Without a doubt, one of the best iPhones right now.
However, does that ring true for users of the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the even older iPhone 12 Pro Max? Not necessarily: the latest jumbo iPhone is certainly the crown jewel of Apple's current design and tech advances, but it's not an imperative upgrade, especially if you're using a relatively recent iPhone. Yet, for all those coming from older iPhones, like iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone XS Max, or other iPhone models, upgrading to the iPhone 14 Pro Max would result in a much superior experience for sure.
Update #1: We put the cameras of the iPhone 14 Pro Max through our new in-depth camera testing where we score each individual camera, and the camera system as a whole, all of which you will find in the 'Camera' section of this review. You can find out more about how we carry out our own camera tests by going to our PhoneArena Camera Score benchmark page.
Update #2: Now that the iPhone 14 Pro Max is officially discontinued and superseded by the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which adds a refreshed design, a USB Type-C, a 5x telephoto camera, and a new Action Button.
What’s new about the device:
- Dynamic Island pill cutout with various functionalities
- Improved performance thanks to the new Apple A16 Bionic chip
- Always-On Liquid Retina XDR display with a 1-120Hz refresh rate
- 48MP main camera system with improved low-light sensitivity
- Faster 5G connectivity thanks to a new modem
- Cinematic mode at 4K@24/30fps
- Improved FaceTime camera
- Emergency satellite connectivity
- New Deep Purple color
As you can see above, the iPhone 14 Pro Max total score is now lower than one might expect. That is not because of some new iPhone flaw, but because we have implemented a new rating system at PhoneArena that gives readers a better idea of the performance of a phone across different categories. Remember to look at the scores and compare them to the average for the class, and we believe you will find these scores tremendously useful. Learn more about the new PhoneArena Review Scoring system here.
Table of Contents:
iPhone 14 Pro Max Specs
The best new iPhone, period
Here's what makes the iPhone 14 Pro Max click and tick:
| Specs | iPhone 14 Pro Max |
|---|---|
| Size and Weight | 6.33 x 3.05 x 0.31 inch (160.7 x 77.6 x 7.85mm), 8.47 oz (240gr) |
| Display | 6.7" Super Retina XDR OLED, 1-120Hz ProMotion, 2796 x 1290 pixels, 460ppi, Always-On display |
| Processor | Apple A16 Bionic, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine |
| RAM | 6GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB, no expandable storage |
| Software | iOS 16 (with customizable lock screen, etc) |
| Cameras | 48MP 24mm wide camera, f/1.78 aperture, 100% focus pixels, sensor-shift OIS 12MP 13mm ultra-wide f/2.2, 100% focus pixels 12MP 2X camera mode, 48mm, f/1.78, 100% focus pixels, sensor-shift OIS 12MP 3X telephoto, 77mm, f/2.8, OIS 12MP f/1.9 front camera Video: 4K@24, 25, 30, 60fps; Cinematic up to 4K@30fps, 1080p@25, 30, 60fps, ProRes up to 4K@30fps, macro video recording, |
| Battery Size | Up to 29hrs video playback, up to 95hrs audio playback |
| Charging Speeds | 20W wired charging, 15W MagSafe wireless charging |
| Price | $1,099 (128GB), $1199 (256GB), $1399 (512GB), $1599 (1TB) |
As we already established, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has an improved camera and faster chipset in comparison with the previous iPhone 13 Pro Max, but space constraints are what has possibly forced Apple to go with a slightly smaller battery.
iPhone 14 Models
Aside from the iPhone 14 Pro Max, Apple also announced the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone 14 Pro. The differences between the iPhone 14 Pro Max and 14 Pro are mostly size-related, but the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus reusing most of the hardware that was used on the iPhone 13-series last year: the A15 chipset from the iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max, old-school 60Hz displays, the old 12MP cameras, and mostly unchanged general design. The novelty here is that instead of a "mini" version of the iPhone 13, Apple went for a super-sized "Plus" one, which is expected to hit the shelves in early October.
You can check out our previews and comparisons with all the new devices right here:
We also have some 1v1 comparisons with all the latest iPhones:
- iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Galaxy S23 Ultra review — Easily the two top phones available in early 2023, both vie for the coveted spot in your pocket.
- iPhone 14 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Plus review — Which of the two new large iPhones is the best-in-class? Can the iPhone 14 Plus challenge the iPhone 14 Pro Max in terms of popularity?
- iPhone 14 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro review — Do you need a larger display? The iPhone 14 Pro might be a much better fit than the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
- iPhone 14 Pro vs iPhone 14 review — "Pro" for a reason, the iPhone 14 Pro is way ahead of the iPhone 14 in terms of features, but price as well.
- iPhone 14 Pro Max vs iPhone 13 Pro Max review — How good is the new iPhone 14 Pro Max in comparison with its well-received predecessor, the iPhone 13 Pro Max battery champ?
- iPhone 14 Pro Max vs iPhone 12 Pro Max review — It's probably time for you to upgrade if you're still using the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max the right fit or should you wait another year?
- iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Galaxy 22 Ultra — These two are easily the best phones you can choose from right now, but which one is the right fit for you?
- iPhone 14 vs Galaxy Z Flip 4 — The base iPhone gets head-to-head with Samsung's foldable pride and glory, which comes on top?
- iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Pixel 7 Pro — Google's upcoming Pixel goes against the new Big Boy in town, can Android's newest champ outclass the iPhone?
- iPhone 14 vs Samsung Galaxy S22 — The two base phones in Apple and Samsung's rosters battle it out.
- iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 6 Pro — Last year's troubled Pixel flagship will have a tough time cracking down the iPhone 14 Pro Max nut.
- iPhone 14 vs Pixel 7 — These two entry-level flagships will be vying for your attention come the holiday shopping season.
- iPhone 14 Pro vs iPhone 13 Pro — Compact, but adept. How does the new iPhone 14 Pro fare against its predecessor, and do you need to upgrade?
- iPhone 14 Plus vs Galaxy S22+ — Let's put the Galaxy S22+ and the iPhone 14 Plus in the ring and see how they fare!
- iPhone 14 Plus vs iPhone 14 — Does size still matter?
iPhone 14 Pro Max Design & Colors
Some notable changes here and there
It's been a good few years since the last major iPhone design refresh, so it's only natural to expect a redesign. Lo, and behold Apple bid farewell to the display notch—on the Pro models at least—and substituted that one for a dual punch hole solution, which has been the go-to design choice on Android phones for years.
Nevertheless, in a true Apple fashion, the iPhone 14 Pro Max's so-called Dynamic Island makes unorthodox use of the display punch-hole quirk: instead of trying to hide this one, Apple embraces it. The Dynamic Island is augmenting that punch-hole and utilizing it in a rather creative way.
Dynamic Island shows custom widgets and other context-specific pieces of information. For example, the area around the pill can show your currently-played music track, incoming calls or AirDrops, AirPods pairing prompts, charging notifications, and so on. Overall, props to Apple for coming up with useful ways to blend in the punch-hole within iOS.
The biggest change since the iPhone went full-screen, and rightly so!
(Image Credit - PhoneArena) iPhone 14 Pro Max's Dynamic Island
Aside from the contentious new design element, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is just a smidgen narrower than its predecessor, which makes for a taller look and also potentially helps with the single-handed usage of the gargantuan new iPhone. The camera island at the back has also grown exponentially due to the larger camera sensor underneath, but that's just how things are and should be a welcome trade-off.
Overall, the general design hasn't changed much, though: the flat modern look kickstarted by the iPhone 12 generation a few years ago is still alive and kicking, and we don't see Apple changing things in another direction anytime soon. If anything, it does not only feel modern but is also practical, as the flatter sides make it easier to fit more hardware components inside in comparison with a curved frame. What's more, with Ceramic Shield at the rear and stainless steel on the sides, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is strong and durable.
There's a Lightning cable port at the bottom, as well as a bottom-firing loudspeaker, a mute switch, IP68 water resistance, and all the bells and whistles you'd expect out of a contemporary iPhone.
Colors-wise, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is up for grabs in:
- Space Black
- Silver
- Gold
- Deep Purple
That's a bit narrower selection in comparison with the regular iPhone 14/14 Plus color selection, just so you know. The Sierra Blue color got nixed, but we might see a blue or possibly green color option unveiled sometime in early 2023.
iPhone 14 Pro Max Display
(Image Credit - PhoneArena) iPhone 14 Pro Max 6.7 inch display with Dynamic Island
Out with the old, in with the new, or goodbye, notch! The iPhone 14 Pro Max comes with the so-called Dynamic Island, a clever hardware/software amalgam that leaves the impression of a single oval punch hole (but consists of dual, i-shaped punch holes). Dynamic Island is a rather integral part of the iPhone 14 Pro Max experience, as it's thoroughly used in the interface. For example, unlocking your phone with Face ID (which is the default and only biometric unlock option) shows a neat new animation, playing music gets you a waveform and a miniature album art, navigation prompts, and so much more. Many ongoing notifications and alerts make use of Dynamic Island, and its overall utility is exceptional.
In terms of display tech, the XDR OLED ProMotion display on the iPhone 14 Pro Max is mostly similar to last year's iPhone 13 Pro Max… with a few very notable differences. First up, the new phone has a slightly wider refresh rate span: 1-120Hz on the iPhone 14 Pro Max versus the "measly" 10-120Hz we had on the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
While such a difference might not sound particularly big, the display unlocks a nifty new functionality (which has been on Android for years) - Always-On display. See, having a 1Hz refresh rate option allows the iPhone 14 Pro Max to go into an always-on state that keeps aspects of the lock screen, including the subject of your lock screen wallpaper, clock face, and a few other widgets dimly lit but visible at all times. There are a few scenarios in which the always-on display won't kick in - when the phone is face down, in your pocket, hasn't been used in a while, or if you've disabled the feature with the hopes of getting some extra battery life.
As we already mentioned, this feature is well-known to Android die-hards, but now is Apple's turn to adopt it, and arguably, do it in a rather nicer and more aesthetical way. Sure, it might look distracting at times, but that's dependent on the wallpaper you choose—in my opinion, going for a darker and classier AMOLED-friendly wallpaper makes for a much better AOD experience that's in no way distracting.
Circling back on some other display details, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has an ever-so-slightly-taller 20:9 screen aspect ratio, unlike the 19.5:9 aspect ratio we have on most previous iPhones. It's also much brighter, reportedly hitting a peak brightness of up to 2,000 nits in broad daylight and up to 1,600 nits in HDR mode. However, manually setting the brightness to its maximum level will let the user hit a bit over 1,000 nits.
iPhone 14 Pro Max Camera
The best iPhone camera
(Image Credit - PhoneArena) iPhone 14 Pro Max triple camera
For the first time on an iPhone, Apple is joining the megapixel wars with a rather ambitious 48MP main camera on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, a welcome change of pace after Apple's year-long love story with the 12MP sensor.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max uses a 48MP high-res camera, which uses quad-pixel binning to still output 12MP images. Fortunately, quad-pixel binning greatly improves low-light image quality at the expense of spatial resolution, which means that you're sacrificing the full 48MP of resolution but get much better light sensitivity, which is crucial in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.
However, when you desire the full output of the snazzy new 48MP camera sensor, you can resort to ProRAW and get much better detail in comparison with the regular 12MP mode. Have in mind that this mode does best in good lighting conditions.
With this in mind, here are the full iPhone 14 Pro Max camera specs:
- 48MP 24mm wide camera, f/1.78 aperture, 100% focus pixels, sensor-shift OIS
- 12MP 13mm ultra-wide f/2.2, 100% focus pixels
- 12MP 2X camera mode, 48mm, f/1.78, 100% focus pixels, sensor-shift OIS
- 12MP 3X telephoto, 77mm, f/2.8, OIS
- 12MP f/1.9 front camera with autofocus
iPhone 14 Pro Max main camera image quality
When it comes to image quality, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is a top performer, with plenty of improvement in terms of detail and color reproduction, but also that distinct iPhone camera look that is instantly recognizable. It builds on the legacy of the iPhone Pro series and delivers mostly similar image quality to, say, the iPhone 13 Pro Max when shot in the default camera mode, which outputs quad-binned 12MP images.
What are the differences in image quality versus the iPhone 13 Pro Max? Well, if you're not a power camera user that shoots ProRES 48MP images, you will hardly notice any major differences, at least in bright daylight. Essentially, both of the samples below are mostly similar in dynamics, sharpness, color resolution, and overall properties, though we should mention that the iPhone 14 Pro Max has an ever-so-slightly wider 24mm field of view in comparison with its predecessor.
Surely, the new 48MP sensor has to do wonders at night time, right? For the most part, this statement holds. In comparison with the iPhone 13 Pro Max at least, the new phone delivers better sharpness and detail, though some might not necessarily develop a liking to the perceived oversharpening of the iPhone 14 Pro Max's camera.
Color and dynamics are superb on the new iPhone 14 Pro Max, but iPhone 13 Pro Max users might not find major improvements here.
iPhone 14 Pro Max ultra-wide angle camera samples
The ultra wide-angle camera of the iPhone 14 Pro Max is just as good as the one on the iPhone 13 Pro Max, with minor improvements that will hardly be discerned by the majority of people. If anything, expect similar camera performance between the old iPhone 13 Pro Max and the new iPhone 14 Pro Max.
iPhone 14 Pro Max zoom camera samples
iPhone 14 Pro Max video quality
It's challenging to argue that for the past few years, Apple's iPhones have been one of the best if not the leading smartphones around when it comes to exceptional video recording. The iPhone 14 Pro Max is no different—excellent sharpness, colors, and dynamics.
The new Cinematic mode at 4K@30fps is another surprisingly neat tool that amateur videographers should be thrilled with. Despite the occasional bokeh inconsistencies here and there, the new feature lets you take spellbinding cinematic videos.
We have rigorously tested the camera on the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max and above you can see the results of those tests. We carefully measure the performance of all cameras in various test scenes, ranking the performance across important metrics like exposure, subject exposure, color accuracy, detail, artifacts and more. We do these tests for both photos and videos.
You can learn more about our PhoneArena Camera Score testing protocol here.
iPhone 14 Pro Max Performance & Benchmarks
Top contender for the fastest phone of the year
The all-new 4nm Apple A16 Bionic chip comes along with a leap in performance compared to the iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max's Apple A15 Bionic, which powers the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus.
The A16 Bionic chip uses the same six-core layout used in previous Apple chips. It has two performance cores for intensive tasks, and four efficiency cores, as well as a five-core GPU with 50% more bandwidth, and a 16-core neural engine capable of nearly 17 trillion operations per second… which is a number that's very difficult to grasp but means superb performance nonetheless!
iPhone 14 Pro Max Benchmarks
Additionally, the iPhone 14 Pro Max comes with 6GB of RAM just like its predecessor, and we suppose that Apple has employed LPDDR5 RAM instead of LPDDR4X, but rest assured that we don't have official confirmation just yet.
iPhone 14 Pro Max Connectivity
(Image Credit - PhoneArena) iPhone 14 Pro Max
Lacking a SIM card tray in the US, the iPhone 14 Pro Max requires you to use an eSIM if you want to, well, use it as a phone. This change is only taking place in the US for now, but we can potentially see the eSIM dominance creep into other regions with future iPhones.
A rather intriguing new feature of the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the Emergency SOS via satellite, which lets you send rudimentary text messages to emergency services or send your location via Find My by utilizing satellite connectivity when there's no cell coverage. This feature is kicking off in the US and Canada and will be free for iPhone 14 Pro Max adopters for two years. As mentioned, don't expect full-blown texting or media sharing, just rudimentary texts that you'd send to emergency services, possibly including your approximate whereabouts and current condition.
And as far as hardware connectivity goes, the iPhone 14 Pro Max still comes with a Lightning port at the bottom. Wait till next year, when the iPhone 15 will most certainly switch to USB Type-C to conform to strict legislation in some key markets, like the EU zone.
iPhone 14 Pro Max software
Update:iOS 17 was announced at WWDC'23, introducing multiple new features to the iOS ecosystem.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max comes with iOS 16. The latest version of the OS comes with mostly quality-of-life enhancements but also brings a rather intriguing lock screen customization that allows you to personalize the looks and functionality of your lock screen with lock screen widgets. Most of the changes have been introduced with the Always-On display functionality in mind. Of course, Dynamic Island's utility is fully adopted within iOS 16.
iOS 16 also brings the following features:
- More filters for Focus Mode;
- Edit and Undo Send, Mark as Unread in iMessage;
- SharePlay in iMessage;
- Improved voice dictation with an on-screen keyboard;
- Quick Actions with text captured from the camera;
- Photos - lift the subject from the background with Siri Knowledge;
- Share digital keys in Wallet;
- and more…
The iPhone 14 Pro Max should technically get at least five years of software support, which means that you would be able to rely on it well until 2027, and probably even longer in the best-case scenario.
iPhone 14 Pro Max Battery
Is another battery champ incoming?
It's hard to ignore the fact that the iPhone 13 Pro Max is one of the longest-lasting phones available right now, setting a new bar for all future large iPhones, but also propping up a new yardstick for the Android flagships to follow. Can the iPhone 14 Pro Max hold a candle to it?
With a sizeable 4,323mAh battery on board, the iPhone 14 Pro Max seemingly has all the right bells and whistles to last a long time. With an efficient new display and a newer, faster chipset, it surely beckons such expectations. Our real-life tests, which are conducted at a set brightness throughout on a Wi-Fi connection, reveal that the iPhone 14 Pro Max is in the same ballpark as the iPhone 13 Pro Max, with a slight advantage in our video playback and web browsing tests. However, our 3D gaming test seems to favor the older iPhone, which lasts noticeably longer.
iPhone 14 Pro Max with MagSafe charger (Image by PhoneArena)
Wired charging is still officially cited at 20W, but most likely capped at up to 30W. This would improve the charging speeds in comparison with the previous generation. Yet again, however, and this is a trend that will be sticking on, the iPhone 14 Pro Max skips the charger in the box, so you have to supply your own charger.
MagSafe wireless charging is staying, with maximum support of up to 15W wireless charging. Of course, you can use it to attach different MagSafe accessories to your iPhone.
iPhone 14 Pro Max Audio Quality and Haptics
With dual stereo speakers on board, the iPhone 14 Pro Max retains a bottom-firing main speaker and a top speaker sidekick. Last year's iPhone 13 brought lots of quality improvements to the iPhone lineup, and I'm happy to report that those have transferred to the iPhone 14 Pro Max!
Sound is rich and the base is deep, with ample of power, and listening to music, podcasts, or even watching TikToks is a rather pleasurable experience. Still, for the best experience, I'd recommend not annoying people around you and using a pair of AirPods or any other wireless earbuds; of course, old-school earphones can't be used right off the bat due to the iPhone 14 Pro Max's lack of a 3.5mm audio jack.
Haptics are traditionally a strong aspect of the iPhone, and the iPhone 14 Pro Max is no different - the Taptic Engine vibrator is strong and accurate, just like on previous iPhones.
iPhone 14 Pro Max Competitors
Then again, initial data claims that the iPhone 14 Pro Max could be the most sought-after iPhone for Android would-be-switchers, who wish to get the very best Apple has on display.
Of course, if the size is a problem, but you are still impressed with the rest of the package, then stepping down to the iPhone 14 Pro could be a logical step that will still get you most of the new features, except for a larger display and battery.
If you're looking for a way out of Apple's semi-walled garden, there are a few Android alternatives that you should be considering. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is one, with an S Pen stylus and a 10X periscope camera on board.
Additionally, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is a foldable alternative that is yet unmatched by anything in the Apple ecosystem and has many party tricks, including dual displays, and an under-display selfie camera, as well as S Pen support (sold separately).
If you're willing to wait a bit, the Pixel 7 Pro could be another viable stock Android alternative. You can check how the two hot-new phones compare against one another in our dedicated iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Pixel 7 Pro comparison.
iPhone 14 Pro Max Summary and final verdict
(Image Credit - PhoneArena) iPhone 14 Pro Max
There you have it, Apple's best new iPhone, by far!
Should you get one? It all comes down to you and your specific use cases. If you've got a relatively recent iPhone, like the iPhone 13 Pro Max or iPhone 13 Pro, then you should probably abstain from getting the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Regardless, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is shaping up to be an excellent choice for those who want one of the most decked-out phones out there, a device that would most certainly give every other phone out there a serious run for the money.
*Disclaimer: You may notice review scores have changed on PhoneArena! Since September 20th, we have started using a new scoring system. Learn more about the new PhoneArena Smartphone Review Rating system here.
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