Everything you need to know about the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max

iPhone 14 Pro Series Overview

Apple iPhones have reigned supreme in the smartphone market particularly in the US over the past couple of decades and in 2022 we were introduced to the newest flagship devices in the iPhone 14 series. iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 stunned the market in 2020 and 2021, but now at the top of the newest series are the two powerful, albeit expensive models: the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which will cost you $999 and $1099, respectively.

The Pro and Pro Max versions of any iPhone series have often been associated with top of the line sophistication, size and general performance. With updates to the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13, Apple ensured the newest iPhone 14 features would showcase a longer-lasting camera, always-on display screen, advanced low-light sensitive camera, improved Dynamic Island, and better performance. The updated models allow 5G connectivity and emergency satellite connectivity for those that need the most coverage no matter where they are.

A quick look at the iPhone 14 Pro or the bigger iPhone 14 (6.7”) Pro Max, doesn't show much improvement in technical, design or even user experience, especially for those who've been using iPhone 13 Pro Max or the iPhone 12 Pro Max. However, for users of earlier iPhone models such as the iPhone 11 Pro Max, the experience will be notably improved and might be worth considering an upgrade. So if you’re considering an upgrade, we’ll help you break down the Pro/Pro Max so you can determine the answer to the question, ‘is the iPhone 14 worth it?’

iPhone 14 Pro Spec Review

iPhone 14 Pro Dimensions: The iPhone 14 Pro is light, weighing 7.3 ounces (206 g), and measures (147.5 x 71.5 x 7.9 mm) making it pocket-sized.

iPhone 14 Pro Upgrades 

• 48MP camera sensor

• A16 Bionic chipset

• New and better Dynamic Island

• An Always-on Display

• Life-saving SOS via satellite

iPhone 14 Pro Price and Memory Capacity

The iPhone 14 Pro is available in 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB models.

The iPhone prices vary depending on the memory capacity. The iPhone 14 Pro price ranges starting at $999 for the 128 GB model, and increases to $1,099 for the 256 MB, $1,299 for the 512 GB, and $1,499 for the most storage at 1 TB. The iPhone 14 Pro is available in Space Black, Silver, Gold, and Deep Purple, with Deep Purple replacing the Sierra Blue color from the iPhone 13 Pro series.

Remember, you can always check Back Market for reliable iPhone options at a steep discount! Our prices will get progressively lower for the iPhone 14 as newer generations come out, but you can be sure you're getting a certified refurbished phone that has been cleaned, repaired, inspected and tested by professionals to ensure it's working like new.

iPhone 14 Pro Camera

The iPhone Pro 14’s 48MP Quad-pixel main sensor improvements in the camera are one of the model's major upgrades. The software is a quad, meaning it gives four times the image details while adapting the image to the environment's lighting. The 48MP ProRAW camera version offers overall smoother textures, higher resolution and truer to life colors for a superb photo experience. We’ll go over the main camera features here, but make sure to check out our full iPhone 14 camera spec review for even more details.

The selfie camera: Since the front camera connects to the photonic Engine and the updated version has a Standard self-focus, users get better selfie results. Again, the camera produces low-light photos due to its fast apertures. The camera is also fitted with a face recognition app for instant recognition and isolation. The Siri knowledge-included app does an excellent job with animals and plants. However, don't lean your full weight on its editing tools. The tools are quite slow and poor in filters.

The new Photonic Engine: Ever wondered why iPhone 14 Pro's images in dark or dim places turn out perfect? Before compressing any image frames, the photonic engine feature uses Apple's TrueDepth deep infusion tech to enhance low-light zoom pictures.

Optical Zoom: Although the camera gives a 3x optical zoom and 0.5x wide angle, you will still have the best photos with an iPhone 14 Pro's 2x shots. Through the cinematic mode, up to 4K at 60fps resolution videos can be recorded in 256 GB and larger pro versions. The new Action mode feature with Dolby Vision and ProRes allows stable shots and recordings even when the object or photographer are in motion.

The 12MP Ultrawide sensor: It boasts two-times greater sense when compared to the iPhone 13 Pro. The Telephoto lens remained at 3x while a 2x optical zoom was added to the main sensor making four zoom options; ultrawide's 0.5x, the main lens' 1x, and 2x. We expect more updates that match up to their counterpart, Pixel 7.

Telephoto modes: The iPhone 14 Pro has two telephoto modes with a 3x optical zoom. With the modes, the photos appear brighter, though some details may be over saturated with color or be lost.

iPhone 14 Pro OS Performance

The A15 Bionic chipset in iPhone 13 Pro can't compare to the A16 Bionic chipset in iPhone 14 Pro. It is the secret behind the power efficiency, fantastic display engine, and novel image signal processor. While featuring a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine, the Apple Silicon chip improves the iPhone's performance. When it comes to gaming, it is as smooth as it can be. For video enthusiasts, superb video editing is a guarantee. On-go video edits turn out just cool.

In terms of improvement and performance, Apple is leading over its counterparts when it comes to Geekbench scores. Additionally, there are more memory options and modem upgrades with iPhone 14 Pro.

iPhone 14 Pro Dynamic Island Display

The iPhone 14 Pro 6.1-inch screen display comes with a beautiful Dynamic Island. It features a hardware and software amalgamation that houses the iPhone's front camera and the biometric ID TrueDepth sensors. The faceID sensor helps the user to unlock the iPhone screen. You can access the music album art from Apple Music or Spotify, adjust your Airpod volume and even view your timer on display.

Only swipe up to leave an active app and leave the Dynamic Island display on. To get back to the streaming app, tap on the Island Icon. But, if you want to make an action on the Island, long-press on the icon you want to use. For instance, long press on the timer, and once it is fully displayed, you can stop it or adjust it as you wish. The Dynamic Island is an interactive interface, so users can expect more upgrades to this nifty feature down the road.

iPhone 14 Pro Battery life

There were high expectations for the iPhone 14 Pro expected battery life, as this is normally one of the major upgrades we'll see from model to model. However, the iPhone 14 Pro battery is disappointing compared to the latest version of the iPhone 13 Pro. The 13 Pro boasted an extra two-hour battery life when set in similar conditions. That said, the iPhone 14 Pro 3,200 mAH battery still provides an average 10-hour battery life when tested using online browsing, light usage, active photography, and a dynamic display screen. The average charging speed is 20W, 15W MagSafe, and 7.5W wireless.

iPhone 14 Pro Connectivity

All iPhone 14 models come without a SIM card track in the US. This is a slight inconvenience if you plan on using your phone internationally. On the positive side, US-based users enjoy 5G connectivity, thanks to the X65 modem. Additional connectivity advantages are the Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 support (an improvement on previous versions).

Advantages

• Camera improvements mean great photos and cinematic videos

• The always-on display looks fantastic

• Powerful A16 Bionic processor provides powerful performances

• A vibrant screen and clear speakers gives you excellent clarity and audio quality

• Long-term software support

Disadvantages

• Worse battery life than the iPhone 13 Pro

• Battery life further negatively impacted by always-on display feature

• Relatively slow charging speed (this may also be an advantage to some, since the slower speeds improve total battery life before requiring a replacement)