Skip to player
Skip to main content
Skip to footer
Search
Connect
Watch fullscreen
Like
Comments
Bookmark
Share
Add to Playlist
Report
iPhone 14 Pro Max Review 6 Months Plus Later
Tom's Guide
Follow
28/07/2023
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is still a great phone, especially the 48MP camera, always-on display and long battery life.
But should you wait for the iPhone 15 Pro Max instead?
Let's break down the pros, cons and all the biggest rumors.
Category
🤖
Tech
Transcript
Display full video transcript
00:00
I've been using the iPhone 14 Pro Max as my main phone for the past six months, and
00:04
in short, it's great.
00:05
I'm almost always pleased with the results when I snap a photo, the A16 Bionic chip can
00:09
keep up with whatever I'm doing, and the battery will easily last me through a day
00:13
of heavy use, commuting, or just streaming shows.
00:16
But with the Galaxy S23 Ultra having launched, there is real competition in the market.
00:21
Not to mention, the iPhone 15 series is on the way.
00:24
And so, is the iPhone 14 Pro Max a good purchase right now?
00:29
And are there better options you should be looking into?
00:32
Or should you save your money for now and wait for the new iPhone 15 Pro in the fall?
00:36
I'm going to break it down all for you and help you figure it out.
00:49
First up, let's chat about the main reason people are usually willing to spend upwards
00:52
of a grand on a phone.
00:54
The cameras.
00:55
The cameras on the iPhone 14 Pro Max are superb.
00:58
The 48 megapixel main sensor is a huge step up for Apple, offering far more detail in
01:03
images when shooting in the RAW format.
01:05
Most people won't need all that detail though, and by default, the sensor will group every
01:08
four pixels in a quad pixel and optimize for better light capture in 12 megapixel photos.
01:14
It all results in stunning pictures no matter the environment, from nighttime shots outside
01:19
to dimly lit bars.
01:21
Just point, shoot, and you'll be surprised by how much detail the iPhone can retain in
01:26
your scene.
01:27
But in less challenging scenarios, the iPhone often comes up on top with more pleasing colors
01:32
and dynamic range, resulting in more social media-ready images without the need for editing.
01:37
The iPhone is still undoubtedly the king when it comes to video on a smartphone.
01:41
With its 4K resolution in its Cinema Mode and Action Mode that offer stabilization that
01:46
the competition simply can't keep up with, the iPhone 14 Pro Max offers the best pocket
01:51
video camera money can buy.
01:53
So overall, we really like the video from the iPhone 14 Pro Max, and one of the features
01:57
that we're testing out right now is the Action Mode.
02:01
So it goes up to 2.8K.
02:02
Part of the reason for that is that it's cropping the video as we go.
02:06
So you're not getting that full 4K resolution, but you are getting super steady action as
02:12
both the shooter and the subject are moving at the same time.
02:16
One area where Apple is way behind the competition is telephoto zoom lenses.
02:20
The Galaxy S23 Ultra crushes the iPhone with its 200-megapixel sensor, 10x optical zoom,
02:26
30x digital zoom, and 100x space zoom.
02:28
Yes, you lose some quality when using digital zoom, but at least you have the option to
02:32
snap a long-range shot and read that sign or see that landmark from afar.
02:37
Thankfully, it appears that the iPhone 15 Pro Max should be catching up in a major way.
02:43
Rumor has it that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will boast a periscope zoom lens with 6x optical
02:48
zoom, a big jump from the 3x telephoto camera on the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
02:54
It still may not match the Galaxy S23 Ultra, but we expect a boost in digital zoom too.
02:59
Just don't expect a 100x zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro.
03:03
Let me know in the comments, do you care about how far your camera phone can zoom?
03:07
Do expect improvements across the board when it comes to the cameras and their integrations
03:12
with Apple's next-generation A17 Bionic chip.
03:15
I'd expect even better low-light performance and other upgrades, but I'd also expect
03:19
those improvements to be marginal.
03:21
If you're looking for an amazing camera phone and you're locked into the Apple ecosystem,
03:25
then the iPhone 14 Pro Max is an amazing choice, and I don't think you'll experience too
03:30
much FOMO when the iPhone 15 Pro launches.
03:34
But if you're looking for the absolute best and most versatile smartphone camera available,
03:38
the S23 Ultra is our recommendation right now.
03:41
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has some of the best battery life available, and in our Tom's Guide
03:45
battery test, it lasted an average of 13 hours and 39 minutes surfing the web over 5G.
03:51
That outperforms the S23 Ultra, which went dead around 30 minutes quicker, even though
03:55
it technically has a larger battery.
03:57
Since launch, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has lasted me through the day without a problem, but
04:02
the always-on display does drain power.
04:05
So how much better could the iPhone 15 Pro Max be?
04:08
The new 3nm A17 Bionic chip is said to be as much as 35% more power efficient compared
04:14
to the A16 Bionic, so this will almost certainly result in an even longer runtime.
04:19
Unfortunately, the iPhone 14 Pro Max lags behind the industry standard with 20W charging.
04:24
When charging a drained iPhone 14 Pro Max, you'll get just 42% in 30 minutes.
04:29
Other phones like the Galaxy S23 Ultra gets to 58% in 30 minutes with its 45W charger,
04:35
and the OnePlus 11's 80W charger can get to 100% in a half hour.
04:40
We're hoping that Apple will do better this year and introduce faster charging as it ditches
04:44
the Lightning port and reluctantly implements a USB-C port instead.
04:48
The EU is mandating that Apple embrace USB-C by the end of 2024, and Apple has admitted
04:54
that it will comply.
04:56
The leaks point to Apple delivering USB-C for all iPhone 15 devices launching this year,
05:01
so it's possible that Apple could reserve faster transfer speeds for the iPhone 15 Pro
05:06
and Pro Max.
05:07
One rumored scenario is that Apple will only guarantee the fastest charging speeds and
05:12
transfer speeds if an Apple-certified USB-C cable or accessory is used, which could cause
05:17
a lot of backlash.
05:19
Regardless, we can anticipate faster charging over USB-C with the iPhone 15 Pro Max versus
05:24
the iPhone 14 Pro Max, and we'll have to see about transfer speeds when it comes to
05:28
connecting things like cameras or external devices.
05:31
This is a case of Apple catching up to the competition for sure, but it will be a welcome
05:36
upgrade.
05:37
There's nothing wrong with the iPhone 14 Pro Max's stainless steel sides, but we're
05:41
excited for the rumors that the next iPhone could be making use of a titanium-alloy body.
05:47
Titanium is super strong while weighing less than aluminum, so it should result in an overall
05:52
lighter big-screen phone from Apple.
05:54
Well, provided the new periscope zoom doesn't add too much weight.
05:58
Another positive rumor has the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max getting more rounded edges, which
06:04
should make the handset more comfortable to hold.
06:07
Some users have complained about the sharper, squared-off edges of the iPhone 14 Pro and
06:11
Pro Max, which can dig into your hands.
06:14
I for one am looking forward to an iPhone 15 Pro Max that weighs down my pocket less,
06:18
and while Apple is at it, I'd like to see better scratch resistance.
06:21
After six months, I've seen several appear on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, even though I carry
06:25
it only in my pocket or a backpack in its own pocket with nothing else in it.
06:30
Although I guess that probably sells more cases.
06:33
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is an incredible phone, and you'll likely not be disappointed if
06:37
you go out and purchase one tomorrow.
06:39
But if you're after the very best camera phone, then I think you might be better off
06:43
going for the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
06:45
If you're locked into Apple, but USB-C, a better zoom, and even better performance
06:50
are important to you, then you should hang on for the fall and see what the iPhone 15
06:54
Pro lineup has in store for us.
06:56
If you're really on a budget, you might want to wait for the iPhone 15 series to launch,
07:00
at which point the iPhone 14 Pro Max will go on a heavy discount.
07:04
Regardless of what happens, though, 2023 is going to be a big year of change for Apple,
07:09
and I can't wait to see if the iPhone 15 Pro Max lives up to the hype.
07:13
If you're looking for an even deeper dive on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, then check out my
07:17
review of the phone when it first launched on the Tom's Guide YouTube channel.
07:21
Will the iPhone 15 Pro live up to the hype?
07:24
Stay tuned for all of our coverage of the rumors and leaks leading all the way up to
07:28
my iPhone 15 Pro Max review.
07:30
I'm Mark Spunhauer, and I'll see you in the next video.
07:33
[music]
07:36
(upbeat music)
Recommended
6:28
|
Up next
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max - Camera Comparison
Tom's Guide
18/08/2024
3:20
iPhone 14 Pro Max HANDS ON
Tom's Guide
14/09/2022
9:26
iPhone 15 Pro Max Review: Is it Worth It? | Tom's Guide
Tom's Guide
19/02/2024
7:54
iPhone 14 Pro Long Term Review
Tom's Guide
28/08/2023
11:34
iPhone 14 Pro Max
Tom's Guide
15/09/2022
3:11
iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max hands-on
The Verge
10/09/2024
5:05
iPhone 14 Pro
Tom's Guide
11/11/2022
7:37
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 14 Pro - Comparing The Cameras
Tom's Guide
16/07/2024
3:30
iPhone 16 Pro Rumors
Tom's Guide
05/08/2024
1:38:37
Diving into Apple's Liquid Glass | The Vergecast
The Verge
yesterday
1:23:22
A-lister antics and Schedule A shenanigans | The Vergecast
The Verge
6 days ago
8:44
Why the Fujifilm X-E5 is the best travel camera
The Verge
6 days ago
13:54
New Accessibility Features for Apple iOS Devices!
Vision Forward's Tech Connect
30/06/2025
14:54
iPhone 16 Pro Max Unboxing and Camera Test! - ASMR
The Unboxing Lab
20/01/2025
11:33
Apple Watch Series 10 46mm Unboxing
The Unboxing Lab
08/01/2025
7:05
MacBook Air Settings | Setup Essentials
Tom's Guide
yesterday
6:15
iPhone 16e Setup Essentials
Tom's Guide
3 days ago
8:12
Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2
Tom's Guide
4 days ago
8:35
Ninja Swirl Review
Tom's Guide
4 days ago
12:07
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro
Tom's Guide
4 days ago
7:16
MacBook Air M4 Review
Tom's Guide
5 days ago
9:09
DJI Osmo Mobile 7P Review
Tom's Guide
6 days ago
4:35
Galaxy S25 Ultra Settings | Set-Up Essentials
Tom's Guide
6 days ago
8:01
7 Best Wireless Earbuds - Noise-Cancelling Review
Tom's Guide
6 days ago
7:00
5 Best Bluetooth Speakers Review
Tom's Guide
23/07/2025