Apple’s stunning new iPhone 14 Pro Max has landed. Let us give you the inside line on Apple’s top-of-the-range smartphone.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max’s key new features
The iPhone 14 Pro Max crams in many of the same features as the iPhone 14 Pro, but in a larger package. Key new features for this 2022 flagship include:
- The end of the notch. Instead, Apple has included a new pill shaped cut-out for Face ID, with a hole punch for the selfie camera
- Dynamic Island. As with the iPhone 14 Pro, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has a new notification system uses the screen cutout to reveal notifications, music playback and other key details
- Always On Display. A feature that’s long been a staple of the best Android phones, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has an Always On Display so you can see key information without firing up the phone itself
- A new, customisable lock screen that features new widgets and changeable fonts
- An overhauled triple lens camera with new 48MP sensor
- Two times brighter display
- Crash detection feature calls emergency services after car accidents
- Latest Apple A16 Bionic chipset
How good is the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s Camera?
The iPhone 14 Pro Max comes with the same camera setup as the iPhone 14 Pro. It’s a triple lens system, with Apple opting against a quad camera like that on the Samsung Galaxy S22.
The main lens is a f/1.78 48MP effort, with a a f/2.8 aperture 12MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and a 12MP ultrawide lens with f/2.2 aperture.
The main lens uses quad pixel tech, with Apple promising two times better low light photography compared with 2021’s iPhone 13 Pro, and the ultrawide lens packing three times better low light skills. The flash is twice as bright as last year’s model..
The TrueDepth selfie camera is still 12MP but packs better low light smarts and autofocus. There’s also 4K video at 24 frames per second.
The entire package is first class and means the iPhone 14 Pro Max has one of the finest cameras of any smartphone.
How good is the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s Design?
The iPhone 14 Pro Max’s design is superb with a sleek stainless steel finish. It’s protected by Ceramic Shield, meaning it can withstand bumps and scrapes.
Best of all, the notch is gone, replaced with a cut-out for Face ID and the TrueDepth camera, much like that seen on Samsung's Galaxy S22 series.
Overall, the look is almost identical to the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro. That’s a small quibble as it still looks the part. But it does mean any major new look isn’t going to be unveiled until 2023 at the earliest.
How good is the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s Display?
Apple has a solid reputation for giving its smartphones the best screens around and the iPhone 14 Pro Max is no different.
The main thing here is the size, a colossal 6.7-inches that makes it feel more like a tablet than a smartphone.
Apple says that the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s display, like that of the iPhone 14 Pro, the Super Retina XDR display is now up to two times brighter in sunny conditions than its predecessor, reaching up to 2,000 nits.
Photos and videos can hit a high of 1,600 nits. The variable refresh rate tops out at 120Hz, making it the perfect phone for gamers.
The resolution is at 2796 x 1290 pixels, with 460 pixels per inch. It’s also worth noting it now has an Always On Display function, meaning you can see key details like notifications and the time at a glance.
Throw in the ace new Dynamic Island function, which uses the cutout at the top of the screen to animate notifications and other key information, and you’ve got a truly stunning screen.
How good is the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s Battery life?
Apple reckons the iPhone 14 Pro Max has the best battery of any iPhone it’s ever made. It says it can last 29 hours on a single charge when watching video.
And while you’re unlikely to do that, you should be able to squeeze two days from the iPhone 14 Pro Max when carrying out regular tasks.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max supports MagSafe wireless charging and can get to 50% power in half an hour with a 20W or higher charger (remember you’ll need to buy one of these separately).
Few phones can match such impressive battery performance.
What are the key differences between the iPhone 14 Pro Max and the iPhone 13 Pro Max?
There are a few key differences between the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro.
What we like
- The end of the notch means the iPhone 14 Pro Max looks a lot sharper
- Stainless steel finish makes it rock solid
- Dynamic Island is a great new addition
- Always On Display means the iPhone 14 Pro Max now matches best Android phones
- Camera is even better than predecessor, especially in low light
- A16 Bionic chipset is best Apple has ever made
- Battery life is excellent
- 1TB storage option means heaps of space for apps and games
What we don’t like
- Design is pretty much the same as older iPhones
- High prices at launch. The 128GB model costs £1,199 SIM free, rising to £1,749 for 1TB
For more on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, read our full review.
How does the iPhone 14 Pro Max compare to other flagship handsets in the UK market?
The iPhone 14 Pro Max, along with the iPhone 14 Pro, is one of the very best smartphones you can buy. Only a few rival Android phones can come close.
These are the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, Google Pixel 6 Pro and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold4.
Each of these phones have impressive cameras that are as good or better than the iPhone’s, while the Always On Display has been an Android staple for years long.
The iPhone stands apart, though, thanks to iOS 16 and its amazing finish.
MoneySuperMarket's expert rating
Our rating: 5/5
Aside from a price that even the richest will baulk at the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the perfect smartphone. Its camera, amazing battery, Dynamic Island feature and A16 Bionic chipset make it an absolute stunner of a smartphone.
iPhone 14 Pro Max contract options
Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro Max can be expensive, but getting a contract will help you secure one right away, meaning the cost can be spread more easily.
You can choose a no upfront cost contract and also explore whether you can land one even if you have bad credit using our expert guides.
Apple no longer sells the iPhone 14 Pro Max. However, you can snap it up via a reseller, or on a pay-monthly contract with one of the mobile networks listed at the top of the page.
Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max worth buying in 2024
Launched in September 2022, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has since been superseded by more recent releases.
Still, there's plenty of life left in the device. It's due to receive around six years of software updates, so it'll support the latest iOS until 2028 at the very least. And being a Pro Max model, it's an extremely powerful phone.
Is now a good time to buy the iPhone 14 Pro Max?
That depends. It's no longer Apple's latest release, but that means you can get it for a cheaper price than at launch. And it's still one of the most high-end smartphones on the market.
What's more, it's scheduled to receive at least six years of software updates. This means the iPhone 14 Pro Max has great longevity – and you'll get plenty of use out of it, even if you buy it one, two or even three years after launch.
Will the iPhone 14 Pro Max drop in price?
In most cases, you’ll have to wait until the newest model is released before the current line-up drops in price.
Apple usually unveils its newest generation of iPhone every September or October. It launched the iPhone 15 range in September 2023, meaning you can get the iPhone 14 Pro Max for a cheaper price than at launch.
It's no longer available to buy directly from Apple, but plenty of resellers sell it. Many networks also offer it on a pay-monthly contract.
Should I upgrade or wait for the 2023 model?
It depends on the phone you currently have and what you're looking for next.
If you have an iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max, upgrading may not be worth it – you might be better off getting a more recent release.
However, if you have an older iPhone or an Android phone, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is a hearty step-up.
iPhone 14 Pro Max specs
Manufacturer | Apple |
---|---|
Operating System | iOS |
Sim Card Type | Nano |
Accelerometer | No |
---|---|
Proximity | No |
Compass | No |
Barometer | No |
Gyroscope | No |
GPS | No |
Form Factor | Candy Bar |
---|---|
Thickness | 7.85 mm |
Size | 77.6mm x 7.85mm x 160.7mm |
Weight | 240 g |
Battery Type | |
---|---|
Capacity | 4323 mah |
Standby | hours |
Talktime | hours |
Display Size | 6.7 inches |
---|---|
Screen Type | |
Resolution | 1290 x 2796 inches |
Pixels Per Inch | 460 ppi |
Touch Screen Type | Capacitive |
CPU | 0 mhz |
---|---|
Processor Cores | Octa Core Cores |
Memory | 0 MB |
Internal Storage | 128, 256, 512, 1000 |
---|---|
External Storage | No |
Primary Camera | 48 MP |
---|---|
Flash | Yes |
LED Flash | |
GEO Tagging | Yes |
Auto Focus | Yes |
Fixed Focus | Yes |
Touch Focus | |
Face Detection | Yes |
Smile Detection | |
Image Stabilisation | Yes |
Video Quality | 1080 |
2nd Camera | 48 MP |
Generation | 5G |
---|---|
Frequency | Dual-band |
NFC | No |
Wi-Fi | No |
Wi-Fi Hotspot | No |
Wi-Fi Direct | No |
Bluetooth | No |
USB | No |
Loudspeaker | Yes |
---|