Item: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Author: Wesley Hilliard

Apple announced the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max during its Far Out Apple event on September 7, 2022. They were revealed alongside the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, AirPods Pro 2, Apple Watch Ultra, and Apple Watch Series 8.

The iPhone lineup is more differentiated than ever, though Apple managed to keep a simple upgrade path from the bottom of the lineup to the most premium model. Upgrades in the iPhone 14 Pro models stand out as display upgrades and camera improvements set them apart.

Apple revealed iOS 17 during WWDC 2023, and it has a few features targeting the latest pro iPhones. One feature, called StandBy, lets users turn an iPhone 14 Pro on its side to display large widgets, clocks, or photos and take advantage of the always-on display.

With the release of iPhone 16 in 2024, the iPhone 14 is in the rear view mirror.

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max

Apple revealed the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max during the Wonderlust event on September 12, 2023. Four new models were introduced, including new pro updates.

iPhone 15 Pro colors

They feature a new A17 Pro processor, a titanium frame, a USB 3.0 Type C, and more. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a new 5x Telephoto lens made with tetraprism technology that squeezes more zoom into a small space.

Camera updates made up a significant portion of the event. Apple says pro users have the equivalent of seven cameras in their pocket with these upgrades.

iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max Features

As with the iPhone 13 generation, Apple kept features identical across device classes. So, even though there are two sizes of pro iPhones, they have the same feature set. The only things that differentiate the two are size and battery life.

Apple's usual year-over-year upgrade cycle includes minor changes to a handful of specs and maybe a single tentpole feature. However, for the iPhone 14 Pro lineup, several aspects were updated that affect everyday use.

iPhone 14 Pro - Design

At first glance, most won't notice how the 2022 iPhone has changed. The iPhone 14 Pro is instantly recognizable by the flat sides, curved corners, and large camera bump.

The iPhone 14 Pro design hasn't changed much from the previous model

The camera bump is slightly larger this generation, if only because the lenses have all been upgraded. Cases from previous models will not fit because of the bump, but also the dimensions are slightly bigger too.

Apple did not include a SIM card slot in models sold in the United States. Customers will use the e-SIM feature instead to access cellular providers.

Button placement, speakers, Lightning port, and Face ID are all the same. The display has thinner bezels, more touchable surface area, and a small pill shape in place of the notch.

Four colors are available: deep purple, silver, gold, and space black.

Apple implemented a new, more repairable interior design for the standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus but did not do so for the iPhone 14 Pro models. The increase in repairability relies on a new central aluminum core that houses all of the components, making the front and back glass separate and removable components.

The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max do not have this new system, and the back glass remains fused to the frame. It isn't clear why Apple didn't introduce this new system into the more premium models, but cost, cooling, or material issues may have introduced obstacles.

iPhone 14 Pro - Dynamic Island

Apple introduced Face ID with the iPhone X. It used a series of six sensors hidden behind a notch to perform biometric authentication.

A combination of hardware and software dynamically obscure the Face ID sensors

A combination of hardware and software dynamically obscures the Face ID sensors

For iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, Apple opted for a new option called the Dynamic Island. Rumors suggested Apple would use a "pill and hole cutout" to obscure the Face ID sensors, which ultimately did come to pass.

Instead of showing these separate components in the display, Apple chose to obscure them using an interactive UI. The Dynamic Island is an animated part of the display that shows Live Activities, notifications, and more while keeping the Face ID cutout covered.

Tap on the Dynamic Island to open the current app being shown, or press and hold to see a UI overlay. For example, pressing and holding on playing music will show the play/pause and skip controls above the current interface.

iPhone 14 Pro - Always-on display

Like the Apple Watch before it, the iPhone 14 Pro can now take advantage of its variable refresh rate display to keep it always on. By lowering the refresh to 1Hz, dimming the wallpaper, and using darker UI elements, the iPhone can keep information on the display at all times.

The always-on display keeps the wallpaper, clock, widgets, and Live Activity visible

Apple has designed the always-on display to use as little power as possible while providing up-to-date information. Live Activities, widgets, and the clock will still update regularly.

Some Lock Screen wallpapers made by Apple have entirely different looks for the always-on mode. For example, the clownfish wallpaper takes on a green night vision effect.

Other wallpapers, like ones made with photos, will intelligently dim using machine learning. Apple says images containing people will preserve skin tones even when dimmed.

The display can be twice as bright at 2,000 nits

The display will turn off when the iPhone is face down or in a pocket to preserve battery power. The display can also brighten up to 2,000 nits in direct sunlight for improved visibility.

Using the Sleep Focus will disable always-on, and so will CarPlay, Continuity Camera, and Low Power Mode. Apple Watch users who step away from their iPhones will disable the always-on based on proximity.

Cameras

All four cameras were updated for the iPhone 14 Pro to let in more light, plus the A16 Bionic has an improved image signal processor. Larger image sensors, a 48MP Main Camera, and the new Photonic Engine make every photo pop.

Photonic Engine

Apple reworked its image pipeline so the Deep Fusion process could happen earlier in the process. This preserves color and texture data for more lifelike photos.

All the cameras perform better thanks to the Photonic Engine

Deep Fusion was introduced previously as a method to make medium light photos gain more detail. The iPhone 14 Pro takes multiple stills and combines them into a single well-exposed photo with sharp detail.

The feature has expanded to be used in more lighting situations, and with bigger, brighter sensors, it works in dimmer environments than before.

Main Camera

The Main Camera, formerly referred to as the Wide Camera, has a 48MP sensor with an f/1.78 aperture. This is a big jump from the 12MP sensor used previously, though photos will still be 12MP after processing, thanks to pixel binning.

Get highly detailed 48MP photos using ProRAW

48MP images are very large, both when printed out and in the file system. Users who generally look at photos on the web or their smartphone won't need such large image files, so Apple uses pixel binning to provide crisp and bright 12MP images instead.

There are multiple advantages to using a large megapixel sensor beyond pixel binning. A 2x zoom has been added as a crop of the sensor but still provides better specs than Apple's previous 2x telephoto.

Pro users can take advantage of the full 48MP when taking ProRAW images, but this may require better-than-average lighting for optimum performance. Taking photos using this method will produce huge image files of 50MB or greater, but it gives the photographer maximum data for editing while preserving the Photonic Engine pipeline.

Ultra Wide Camera

The Ultra Wide Camera was updated with a larger sensor that allows 3x more performance in low-light conditions. When combined with the Main Camera, it uses its autofocus to take macro photos.

The effective focal length of this lens is 13mm. Apple still calls it 0.5x in the Camera app software, but it is slightly more than half of the Main Camera's 24mm focal length.

Telephoto Camera

The Telephoto Camera wasn't updated, but the Photonic Engine and improved ISP enables up to 2x low-light performance. This translates to better low-light zoom, improved portrait mode, and better video.

Twice as much low-light performance means more detailed shots in a dim room

Apple also threw in a new focal length, 2x or 48mm. This lens is purely digital and exists as a crop of the 48MP Main Camera. Despite being a crop, it is still a better camera than the dedicated 2x lens found on previous pro iPhones.

Selfie Camera

Even the selfie camera was updated with 2x low-light performance improvements, autofocus, and an f/1.9 aperture. Autofocus means group shots will look much better as the camera adjusts for more faces.

Autofocus also works with the True Depth sensors to focus faster. The 12MP sensor, combined with other improvements, will make close-up selfies and other photos look sharper and brighter than ever.

Emergency SOS via satellite

Apple developed specialized hardware to enable any iPhone 14 model to connect directly to a satellite in an emergency situation. People who find themselves in the middle of nowhere without a cellular signal can make limited contact with emergency services as long as they have a view of the sky.

A UI guides the user through connecting to a satellite, then a short set of questions gathers the necessary data for emergency services to keep communications short. Messages can take anywhere from 15 seconds to several minutes to send, depending on signal strength, foliage density, and other factors.

Satellite communications are free until fall 2024, according to Apple. It isn't clear how the service will work after the free period.

The feature can also be used to update friends or family with a location marker in non-emergency situations.

Emergency SOS via Satellite was launched to all iPhone 14 users in November 2022.

Crash Detection

The iPhone 14 lineup, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra have purpose-built sensors and algorithms for Crash Detection. If the user is in a severe car crash, the iPhone or Apple Watch will contact emergency services.

The iPhone will contact emergency services if a severe crash is detected

If both devices are present, they will work in tandem to determine if a crash has occurred. The technology isn't foolproof, however, and can be triggered by non-crash events like when riding some roller coasters.

Crash Detection utilizes an upgraded high dynamic range gyroscope, high g-force accelerometer, barometer, GPS, microphone, and advanced motion algorithms to determine if a severe crash occurred. Apple designed the algorithm to detect front impacts, side impacts, rear-end collisions, and rollovers.

If the user doesn't dismiss the alert in ten seconds, another ten-second timer starts. After that, emergency services are contacted.

An automated message with an estimated location and search radius will be played to the emergency services on a loop. Each replay will play back quieter to give the user a chance to speak to emergency services, and a button can be pressed to stop the recorded playback.

Multiple sensors and an advanced algorithm determine if a crash has occurred

After hanging up with emergency services, a call will be placed to emergency contacts. A ten-second timer will appear that can be dismissed before the call goes out.

Minor collisions will not trigger Crash Detection. The accelerometer can detect up to 256G of force, and it uses the data collected from other sensors to determine if a crash occurred.

Some users have reported false crashes have been detected on roller coasters, but the results are varied. Apple says that there isn't a "silver bullet" description that nails down exactly when Crash Detection activates since the algorithm has so many factors.

Ports and battery life

The Lightning port returns for at least one more update, but the "iPhone 15" is rumored to get USB-C. Nothing was changed between generations, as it still fast charges using a 20W adapter.

MagSafe connects accessories and chargers using magnets

MagSafe wasn't changed or updated in any way, either. The magnetic accessory and charging system is backward compatible and still charges at a 15W speed.

Apple says the battery life isn't affected by the new features. The iPhone 14 Pro is rated for 23 hours of video playback, and the iPhone 14 Pro Max is rated for 29 hours.

Fast charge either device at 20W for 30 minutes to get 50% battery.

Processor, biometrics, wireless

The A16 Bionic has a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU with a Neural Engine that performs 17 trillion operations per second. These specs translate to a faster iPhone that is also more efficient.

The A16 Bionic is faster and more efficient than the A15 it replaces

Apple stuck with Face ID for the biometric authentication system. It uses a more compact sensor stack with the proximity sensor placed behind the display.

WiFi 6, U1 Ultra Wideband, and 5G remain identical. Apple did upgrade to Bluetooth 5.3, which offers higher bandwidth. AirPods Pro 2 also use Bluetooth 5.3, which appears to have minimal benefits.

iPhone 14 Pro Review

The iPhone 14 Pro is a significant upgrade from the iPhone 13 Pro. The always-on display, Emergency SOS via satellite, Crash Detection, and the 48-megapixel camera are great additions on top of performance improvements.

The Dynamic Island hides the display cutouts with software

There isn't much difference externally between the new and old model. External dimensions are nearly identical, though the camera bump is bigger.

We like how Apple hid the display cutouts using software called Dynamic Island. Live Activities like now playing music or the Face ID indicator animate using the cutouts as a backdrop. The overall effect is enjoyable even if it is mostly passive.

The range of camera improvements centers around the new 48-megapixel sensor and the Photonic Engine. Every photo from every camera is noticeably improved, plus there's the 48MP ProRAW shooting option for maximum control.

The iPhone 14 Pro is the best iPhone in Apple's 2022 offering. It is the best balance of power and hold-ability in the range for most users.

Read the full iPhone 14 Pro Review from AppleInsider and see why we gave it a 4.5 out of 5.

iPhone 14 Pro Max Review

Apple took its popular flagship phone and made it even better with the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Like the smaller pro, it has an upgraded camera system, the Dynamic Island, and an always-on display.

These updates in a larger form-factor with a longer battery life make this the best big iPhone yet. We love how the Dynamic Island changes things up with an always-available view of Live Activities.

The updated camera system makes this a worthwhile upgrade for anyone who wants the best-possible photos from a smartphone

While the always-on display can sometimes feel a little too "on," it is a welcome new feature. At-a-glance information through widgets and Live Activities make the iPhone useful even when it's laying on a table.

There's not much to say about the larger model that hasn't been said about the smaller one. They have the same feature set with different screen sizes, so everything is here.

The 48MP Main Camera is a game changer, especially for those who are great with a camera. The brighter display, longer battery life, and emergency features are also welcome additions.

Our fingers are crossed for a USB-C charging port and better waterproofing in the "iPhone 15" for next year. For now, this is the best pro iPhone lineup yet.

Read the full iPhone 14 Pro Max Review from AppleInsider and see why we gave it a 4.5 out of 5.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro Max

Samsung has gone all out with its flagship Galaxy S23 Ultra with a big 6.8-inch display and multiple powerful cameras. A lot of how the product performs will come down to ecosystem preference and user opinion, but this is a highly competitive product.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 6.8-inch OLED display with a 3,088p by 1,440p resolution giving it a pixel density of 500 PPI. By comparison, the 2,556p by 1,179p resolution of iPhone 14 Pro and the 2,796p by 1,290p resolution of iPhone 14 Pro Max have equal densities of 460ppi.

Using Geekbench 6, the Galaxy S23 Ultra manages to get 1,817 single-core and 4,831 muli-core. By contrast, the iPhone 14 Pro's 2,333 single-core is 28% better than the Samsung, and the 5,107 multi-core score is 5.7% better too.

Samsung's impressive camera system with its 200MP Main Camera competes well with Apple's 48MP Main Camera, though both use pixel binning to produce crisp 12MP images. Samsung has a leg up for zoom, offering up to 100x zoom with algorithm-enhanced results.

Both cameras produce excellent photos, but user taste and preference will affect how they feel about the product.

Check out the full review with benchmarks, thoughts about the S Pen, and biometrics: iPhone 14 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra - compared

Production problems

The 2022 iPhone production cycle went through quite the dramatic upheaval thanks to China's zero covid policy. Employees at a Zhengzhou Foxconn plant rioted after poor conditions during lockdown.

Production lines were subsequently shut down as employees left the company and hiring slowly filled the holes. It took until January 2023 before production stabalized and iPhone 14 Pro saw regular ship times.

Estimations place the impact on Apple's December quarter at about 13 million fewer iPhone units shipped year over year. This is an estimated 15% impact on profits.

iOS 18

Announced at WWDC 2024, iOS 18 is set to arrive in the fall alongside the iPhone 16. Here are some of the features users can expect to see.

iOS features include photos update, emoji tapbacks, mail categorization, satellite messaging, game mode, calendar reminders, control center customization, wallet rewards, map hiking, and larger home screen icons.

iOS 18 bento graphic

Apple Intelligence

The most notable upgrade to Apple's upcoming operating systems is the integration of what Apple calls "Apple Intelligence." Apple Intelligence is a personal context based artificial intelligence. It is designed to work primarily on-device and help streamline tasks in a personal way.

Some new features coming to the iPhone include on-device image generation, AI-powered writing and editing tools, and improved notification management.

It's worth noting that Apple Intelligence is only supported on the iPhone 15 Pro, M-series iPads, and M-series Macs.

Photos update

A new Collections feature in iOS 18 automatically organizes the library by topics like Recent Days, Trips, and People & Pets. If you have a few favorite collections, you can pin them for quick access to the collections or albums most important to you.

Messages updates

Apple has expanded Tapback options, now allowing users to respond to messages with any emoji, rather than the initial six it provided.

The new Send Later feature allows users to schedule when to send a message, which is perfect for ensuring you don't send someone a message when they're sleeping or when you want to schedule a birthday or anniversary message.

Apple has confirmed that RCS support will arrive in iOS 18. RCS will improve messaging with Android devices by supporting read receipts, typing indicators, sending over Wi-Fi, and higher-quality media.

Those who have an iPhone 14 or later will be able to use Messages via satellite. This new feature will allow users to send messages over iMessage and SMS, even without cellular or Wi-Fi service.

When using iMessage, users can still use key features like sending emoji and Tapbacks, and anything sent via iMessage is end-to-end encrypted.

Game Mode

In 2023, Apple introduced Game Mode to Mac — and a year later Game Mode is coming to the iPhone.
Game Mode minimizes background activity while gaming. This allows the iPhone to sustain high frame rates for long gaming sessions.

Locked and Hidden apps

Users can lock apps and require Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode to unlock them, lessening the fear of handing off your iPhone to someone else. Locked apps will not appear in search and notifications, either.

Apps can also be hidden by dragging them to a hidden apps folder, requiring users to unlock the folder via biometrics or passcode before viewing the contents.

Home Screen, Lock Screen, and Control Center customization options

Now, on the Lock Screen, you can replace the controls at the bottom with something else, such as taking a note or quickly capturing a moment for your social media. If you have an iPhone 15 Pro, you can access these controls using the Action button.

As part of the expanded customization features, app icons, and widgets can now be scaled up to appear larger.

Users are no longer restricted to the standard app icon layout anymore. The new iOS 18 adds the ability to arrange apps along the bottom for quicker access or along the side to frame a favorite wallpaper.

Each page of the Home Screen can feature a unique layout.