iPhone 14 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: which one to choose?
iPhone 14 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: which one to choose?
Blog Article
You make an informed decision. Every year, Apple introduces new advances, and this time you might want to ask yourself whether the iPhone 14 Pro Max still holds its own against the new iPhone 15 Pro Max. This comparison looks at the key differences in terms of design, camera, performance and more, to help you decide whether an upgrade is worthwhile.
At the end of 2023, Apple unveiled the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models, featuring a sleek titanium design and promising cutting-edge advances. But for owners of an iPhone 14 Pro Max, the question isn't just whether it's better, but whether it's better for me.
We'll explore key aspects such as design, camera performance, battery life and more, to help you decide whether to upgrade your iPhone or keep your trusty 14 Pro Max.
Design and build quality
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is undeniably the most beautiful. Thanks to its titanium chassis, it's ridiculously smooth and light, as if it were a miniature luxury item. But let's face it: most of us encase our 900-1500 euro phones in protective shells. Once wrapped up, this sense of luxury doesn't necessarily carry over into everyday use. On the other hand, the 14 Pro Max's stainless steel casing exudes solidity and elegance. Some may even prefer its slightly heavier weight, which lends it a reassuring appearance.
Materials and construction
The iPhone 15 Pro Max features a luxurious titanium chassis, both stronger and lighter than the stainless steel chassis of the iPhone 14 Pro Max. This change gives the iPhone 15 Pro Max the impression of being a high-end, luxurious object. However, most users place their phone in a protective case, which may attenuate the tactile differences between the two models. The titanium case of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is lighter (221 g) than that of the stainless steel iPhone 14 Pro Max (240 g), but the difference in everyday use may be minimal once the case has been applied.
Dimensions and weight
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 160.7 x 77.6 x 7.9 mm, 240 g
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm, 221 g
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is slightly smaller and lighter, which may make it more comfortable to hold and use, especially for longer periods.
Colors
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is available in space black, silver, gold and deep purple. The iPhone 15 Pro Max, meanwhile, is available in titanium black, titanium white, titanium blue and titanium natural, offering a fresh, refined palette for users who prefer a modern look.
Screen
Screen size and type
Both the iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature a stunning 6.7-inch OLED display that delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks. OLED technology guarantees high contrast ratios and faithful color reproduction, making both models ideal for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution and brightness
Both models offer the same 2,796 x 1,290 pixel resolution, guaranteeing sharp, detailed images. The iPhone 15 Pro Max, however, benefits from slightly higher brightness, which improves visibility in bright sunlight and makes the display more vivid.
Dynamic island and borders
Both phones feature the innovative Dynamic Island function, which enhances the user interface by using the space around the front camera cutout for notifications and interactive elements. The iPhone 15 Pro Max features thinner edges, offering a larger screen area without increasing the overall size of the device.
Performance
Processor
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is equipped with the A16 Bionic chip, offering outstanding performance for everything from browsing and social media to gaming and video editing. The iPhone 15 Pro Max takes this a step further with the A17 Pro chip, which offers enhanced efficiency and even faster processing speeds. This makes iPhone 15 Pro Max a little more powerful for demanding applications and for preparing your device for upcoming software updates. However, for most everyday tasks such as browsing, social media and even the occasional game, the 14 Pro's A16 Bionic chip remains a powerhouse. You might not even notice the difference in speed in your day-to-day use.
RAM and storage
Both models come with 6GB of RAM, ensuring smooth performance and multitasking. The iPhone 15 Pro Max, however, starts with a minimum of 256GB of storage, eliminating the 128GB option available on the iPhone 14 Pro Max. This change is aimed at users who need more storage space for their apps, photos and videos.
Battery life
Apple claims that both models offer similar battery life, with the iPhone 14 Pro Max offering up to 29 hours of video playback and the iPhone 15 Pro Max matching this performance. However, the more recent model benefits from increased efficiency thanks to the A17 Pro chip, which could enable better battery management under real-life conditions.
For most users, both phones will easily last a full day, if not the next. They both support fast charging, with the 15 Pro offering even faster MagSafe charging and a new USB-C port. However, unless you're constantly plagued by low-battery anxiety, the charging differences may not have a significant impact.
The camera
Both cameras offer advanced features such as night mode, ProRAW and cinema mode. The iPhone 15 Pro Max introduces additional features such as ProRes video recording and enhanced optical image stabilization, making it a slightly better choice for photography enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Both phones excel in the art of capturing memories. The iPhone 15 Pro boasts a slightly larger main sensor, better low-light performance and extra zoom to get closer to distant subjects. Tactically, the only notable difference is the different zoom lengths you can now use on the 15 by touching the yellow focal circles.
This is more of a feature than an update, and is something you can already do on the iPhone 14 Pro Max by sliding it inside the camera. It's simply more convenient, but even after a few months of use, we're not used to using it.
So, unless you're a keen photographer or frequently zoom in on distant objects, the 14 Pro's excellent camera should suffice. It produces stunning photos and videos, even if it lacks the 15 Pro's features.
Main camera
Both the iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature a 48MP main camera, capable of capturing stunning detail and vivid color. The iPhone 15 Pro Max benefits from minor enhancements for better low-light performance and image processing, thanks to the A17 Pro chip.
Telephoto and ultra-wide
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 12 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 12 MP periscope telephoto lens with 6x optical zoom
The telephoto lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers greater zoom capabilities, making it ideal for capturing distant subjects. Both models share an ultra-wide 12 MP lens, guaranteeing high-quality wide-angle shots.
Camera modes and features
Both phones offer Cinematic mode, which adds an artistic blur to the background of videos. What's more, the 15 Pro introduces ProRes, a high-quality video format for professional editing.
ProRes video recording: Both models now support ProRes video recording, a professional-quality video format that offers greater dynamic range and flexibility in color grading.
Focus transitions: Cinematic mode now enables smoother focus transitions between subjects in your video, creating a more cinematic feel.
However, unless you're a YouTuber or filmmaker, the 14 Pro Max's capabilities will be more than enough for your Instagram stories and casual content creation.
Beyond the specs: feel the difference
The 15 Pro's elegant titanium frame and slightly slimmer profile might tempt you to abandon your 14 Pro. However, as most of us use phone cases, the luxury feel of the 15 Pro fades once it's encased, leaving you with a similar in-hand experience. The 14 Pro's stainless steel case remains solid and elegant, and some might even prefer its slightly heavier feel.
Key features to highlight:
ProMotion 120 Hz screen: Both phones feature a ProMotion 120 Hz screen, ensuring smooth scrolling and a responsive touch experience. This high refresh rate is ideal for gaming, video playback and general browsing, eliminating the need for an upgrade based on display technology alone.
Portrait mode and selfies: Both models excel at capturing high-quality portraits and selfies. Both cameras' portrait modes deliver stunning results with advanced depth-of-field effects and precise flesh tones, guaranteeing impeccable selfies whatever your choice.
ProRes video recording: Both phones support ProRes video recording, but this high-quality format is primarily aimed at professionals or those heavily involved in video editing. It offers greater dynamic range and flexibility in color grading, but for most users, the standard video recording capabilities of the 14 Pro are more than sufficient.
The verdict: Move up a gear or stay put?
The choice between the iPhone 14 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 Pro Max ultimately depends on your personal needs and budget.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max brings only a few minor improvements, such as a lighter, more durable titanium frame, slightly better camera capabilities with 6x optical zoom, and the powerful A17 Pro chip for better performance and efficiency. These improvements make it an excellent choice for technology enthusiasts, photographers and anyone looking for the latest in smartphone technology. There's nothing notable that the average smartphone user will notice or miss.
But here's the thing: the 15 Pro Max is considerably more expensive than the 14 Pro Max. So, is it worth paying more? For heavy users, photography enthusiasts and fans of the latest and greatest technology, the 15 Pro may be worth spending.
However, the iPhone 14 Pro Max remains an excellent, high-performance device. Its stainless steel frame offers a solid feel, and its camera, with slightly less zoom capacity, still delivers outstanding photos and videos. The A16 Bionic chip enables it to handle everyday tasks and more demanding applications with ease. For the average user who uses his phone for everyday tasks and appreciates good photos, the 14 Pro offers incredible value for money. It's a fantastic phone at a more affordable price, and it's unlikely that you'll miss the fancy extras of the 15 Pro in your daily life.
The decision depends on your needs and your budget:
Upgrade if :
You're a photography enthusiast who needs advanced features like 6x optical zoom and slightly enhanced image stabilization.
You're a technology expert who demands the latest, most powerful A17 Pro chip to ensure the camera's longevity.
You prefer the lightweight, high-quality feel of a titanium frame.
Do not move if :
The excellent camera and performance of the iPhone 14 Pro Max already meet your needs.
You value value and want to save money without compromising on quality.
The additional features of the iPhone 15 Pro Max are not essential to your daily use.
Ultimately, both models are excellent choices, and the ideal phone is the one that best suits your needs and budget. For those currently using older models like the iPhone 8 or X, upgrading to the iPhone 14 Pro Max or iPhone 15 Pro Max will be a significant improvement.
Buying certified pre-owned or refurbished will allow your budget to stretch that bit more, without the compromise on quality. Our “Excellent” grades are just that – like new, and we guarantee you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.
Ultimately, both models are excellent choices, and the ideal phone is the one that best suits your needs and budget. For those currently using older models like the iPhone 8 or X, upgrading to the iPhone 14 Pro Max or iPhone 15 Pro Max will be a significant improvement.
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