iPhone 16 Pro Max & iPhone 14 Plus share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the iPhone 16 Pro Max rather than the iPhone 14 Plus.
Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 16 Pro Max?
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with 120 Hz ProMotion for smoother scrolling and more responsive gaming, while the iPhone 14 Plus has a 6.7-inch OLED display limited to 60 Hz.
- iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with the A18 Pro chip built on a 3 nm process for faster performance, improved efficiency, and advanced AI capabilities, whereas the iPhone 14 Plus uses the older A15 Bionic chip.
- It has 8 GB of LPDDR5X RAM for better multitasking and handling of demanding apps, while the iPhone 14 Plus includes 6 GB of RAM that limits background app retention.
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max features a triple-camera system with a 48 MP main sensor, 48 MP ultrawide, and 12 MP telephoto with 5× optical zoom for sharper photos and versatile shooting, whereas the iPhone 14 Plus uses a dual 12 MP wide and ultrawide system without optical zoom.
- iPhone 16 Pro Max supports USB-C with USB 3.2 transfer speeds for faster data syncing and external storage compatibility, while the iPhone 14 Plus uses the Lightning port with slower transfer speeds.
- It comes with a titanium frame for improved durability and a lighter feel relative to its size, whereas the iPhone 14 Plus has an aluminum frame that is less durable against wear.
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with a larger 4685 mAh battery for longer screen-on time and extended video playback, while the iPhone 14 Plus has a smaller 4325 mAh battery with shorter endurance.
- iPhone 16 Pro Max supports Apple Intelligence with on-device generative AI features for smarter assistance and productivity, whereas the iPhone 14 Plus does not include Apple Intelligence support.
Maybe the iPhone 14 Plus price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | iPhone 16 Pro Max | iPhone 14 Plus |
| Display size | 6.9‑inch OLED | 6.7‑inch OLED |
| Resolution | 2868×1320 px | 2778×1284 px |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | ~457 ppi |
| Refresh rate | Up to 120 Hz ProMotion | 60 Hz |
| Always‑On display | Yes | No |
| Minimum brightness | 1 nit | Not specified |
| Maximum outdoor brightness | 2000 nits | Lower brightness |
| Chipset | A18 Pro | A15 Bionic |
| RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB |
| Neural engine performance | 35 TOPS, ~15 % faster | Lower NPU performance |
| Storage options | Up to 1 TB | Up to 512 GB |
| Main camera | 48 MP (Fusion) + ultrawide + telephoto (5×) | Dual 12 MP |
| Telephoto optical zoom | 5× optical | Digital only |
| Actionable camera button | Yes | No |
| Build material | Titanium frame, Ceramic Shield | Aluminum frame, standard glass |
| Port type | USB-C | Lightning |
| Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Operating system at launch | iOS 18 | iOS 16 |
| Battery capacity | ~4685 mAh | ~4325 mAh |
| Battery life | Significantly longer | Shorter |
| Charging speeds | Up to ~40 W, 25 W wireless Qi2 | ~26 W wired, slower wireless charging |
| Weight | ~227 g | ~203 g |
| Release date | September 2024 | October 2022 |
| Color options | Titanium finishes | Standard colors |
| Apple Intelligence | Supported | Not supported |
| Wi-Fi 7 & modem | Wi-Fi 7, Snapdragon X75 5G modem | Wi-Fi 6, older modem |
| Display borders | Thinnest to date | Standard bezel size |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Pro Max Price | Check iPhone 14 Plus Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- TrueDepth Front Camera: Both iPhones feature a 12 MP TrueDepth front camera, enabling secure Face ID authentication, portrait selfies, and high-quality FaceTime video calls.
- Face ID: Both devices include Apple’s Face ID system, allowing users to unlock their phones, make secure payments, and access protected apps through facial recognition.
- Water and Dust Resistance: Both models carry an IP68 rating, ensuring protection against dust and the ability to withstand submersion in water up to 6 meters for 30 minutes.
- Emergency SOS via Satellite: Both iPhones support Emergency SOS via satellite, allowing users to contact help in areas without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.
- Dual SIM Support: Both devices provide dual SIM functionality, enabling the use of eSIM alongside a physical SIM or dual eSIM depending on the region.
- MagSafe Charging: Both support MagSafe technology, enabling magnetic attachment of accessories and efficient wireless charging.
- Qi2 Wireless Charging: Both models are compatible with Qi2 wireless charging, providing improved alignment and faster charging speeds.
- Super Retina OLED Display: Both feature Super Retina OLED display technology, delivering deep blacks, vibrant colors, and high contrast for immersive visuals.
- HDR Display: Both iPhones support HDR playback, enhancing video content with improved brightness, contrast, and color accuracy.
- Stereo Speakers: Both include stereo speaker setups, providing balanced and immersive audio for media playback and calls.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Both devices feature Bluetooth wireless technology, enabling seamless connection with headphones, wearables, and other accessories.
- GPS and Location Services: Both models include advanced GPS and location tracking features, supporting accurate navigation and geolocation-based services.
- FaceTime Video Calling: Both support FaceTime with high-quality video and audio, allowing seamless communication with other Apple users.
- Software Updates: Both iPhones run iOS 18 and are expected to continue receiving updates for several years, ensuring new features and security improvements.
- Ceramic Shield Glass: Both devices are built with Ceramic Shield glass on the front, improving durability and resistance against drops and scratches.
Common Features
| Feature | iPhone 16 Pro Max | iPhone 14 Plus |
| TrueDepth front camera | 12 MP front-facing | 12 MP front-facing |
| Face ID facial recognition | Yes | Yes |
| IP68 water‑/dust resistance | Up to 6 m for 30 min | Up to 6 m for 30 min |
| Emergency SOS via satellite | Supported | Supported |
| Dual‑SIM capability | eSIM + (nano‑SIM / eSIM depending region) | eSIM + nano‑SIM |
| MagSafe wireless charging | Supported | Supported |
| Qi2 wireless charging support | With iOS update | With iOS update |
| OLED display technology | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina OLED |
| HDR support in display | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo speakers | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth wireless capability | Yes | Yes |
| GPS and location services | Yes | Yes |
| IP Multimedia services (HAC/T-Coil) | Supported | Supported |
| Same video calling support | FaceTime, high‑quality video | FaceTime, high‑quality video |
| Software update eligibility | Supports iOS 18 | Supports iOS 18 |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Pro Max Price | Check iPhone 14 Plus Price |
FAQ
Do both iPhones support Face ID? Are both models water resistant? What charging options do these iPhones support? Do both iPhones have MagSafe technology? How do the cameras compare between the two models? Do both iPhones support Emergency SOS via satellite? Which iPhone has the better display? Do both iPhones support 5G connectivity? What are the storage options available for each model? Do both iPhones support the latest iOS version? How do the batteries compare between the two iPhones? Are both iPhones compatible with wireless accessories like AirPods and Apple Watch? Which iPhone is lighter to hold? Is the build quality different between the two iPhones? |
