iPhone 14 Plus vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max

October 08, 2022

Now that the new iPhone 14 Plus is in stores, anybody who wants a plus-size iPhone faces a big decision.

Should you go all out for the iPhone 14 Pro Max, and savor its high-end extras, including a better camera and the shape-shifting Dynamic Island?

Or should you save a couple hundred bucks and get the iPhone 14 Plus, which boasts the best battery life of any iPhone ever?

If you're determined to go large with this year's iPhone, our head-to-head comparison between the two models will give you all the info you need to decide which one is right for you.

Enjoy your weekend,

-- Lewis Wallace, managing editor

News and opinion

If you want an iPhone 14 with a large screen, you now have two choices: iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro Max. That’s because Apple tweaked its iPhone 14 lineup this year, replacing the “mini” model with a “Plus” variant.

An analysis of user reviews made in the weeks since iOS 16 debuted finds that social networking and dating apps are more likely to have problems on iPhones running Apple’s latest OS.

Early reviews of the iPhone 14 Plus praise its long battery life and large display. There are also positive comments on the camera and the smartphone’s weight.

It looks like the end of the line for Lightning is coming soon.

Tim Cook reveals what it takes to get -- and keep -- a job at Apple. The company seeks out candidates with four specific skills that lead to success.

The Connectivity Standards Alliance, which includes Apple, Amazon and many more, finally introduces the cross-platform home-automation standard.

Deals

Whether you work or study on your Mac, Microsoft Office and its suite of apps -- Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Teams and OneNote -- is essential. It usually costs $349. But you can set yourself up for life with the entire MS Office suite during our Deal Days event for just $35.99. That’s an all-time low price for Microsoft Office for Mac.

People put their iPhones in cases all the time, so why not Apple’s wearable? SwitchEasy makes a pair of aluminum cases that are protective yet subtle, saving your smartwatch from bumps, scrapes and drops.

Elago’s new cases — in clear polyurethane or colorful silicone — and a handy strap can shield your earbuds from damage and loss.

Prism Drive lets you access all your files from anywhere. Prism Drive comes highly recommended by users. And right now, you can get lifetime access to 2TB of cloud storage space for $39.99 (regularly $700), a price you won’t find anywhere else.

Reviews

The sky is falling this week on See, Apple TV+’s fantasy epic about a world with no sight. In the penultimate episode of the series, Baba Voss and Maghra have precious few resources left at hand to defend themselves from Sibeth Kane and Tormada’s explosives.

The OWC Envoy Pro mini is a small external SSD with both USB-C and USB-A connectors so it works with Mac and iPad but also Windows, Android and more. It’s rugged, fast and comes with up to 1TB of storage. I ran the tiny drive through a battery of tests. It passed with flying colors.

Apple TV+’s dark comedy has one last twist of fate in store for the Garvey girls and their target, dastardly brother-in-law John Paul.

You have plenty of options for customizing Apple’s toughest timepiece. Like the Ultra itself, these rugged bands can handle whatever you throw at them.

The Gamevice Flex mimics the design of the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con, with the controls set on either side of the iPhone's display. Similar controllers make you take the case off your phone to play, but not the Flex.

Setups

Who says Macs aren’t good for gaming? M1 Macs seem to be improving Apple’s reputation on that front, as shown in this M1 Max MacBook Pro setup. With Apple’s most powerful laptop driving a stunning 5K Studio Display, this player is in gaming paradise.

Graphic design is one of the best uses of a powerful computer like the Mac Studio -- assuming it’s paired with a magnificent display.

You, like many people, may build your computer setup around a MacBook Pro. But is yours the “standard setup” for MacBook Pro users? If you answered “there’s no such thing,” you’re right.