Expert review Apple iPhone 14 Pro (Max)
First impression of the Apple iPhone 14 Pro
The box of the Pro models used to be black. This time it's white, just like the box of the iPhone 14 (Plus). After I lift the lid, I see the device with the backside upwards. Underneath the iPhone 14 Pro, there's a 1m Lightning to USB-C cable. In addition, I find a package with a SIM needle, booklets with brief technical information, and an Apple sticker. Apple doesn't provide a charger with the iPhone since the iPhone 12, so you have to buy it separately.
The iPhone 14 Pro is no longer available, but you can still buy it as a refurbished iPhone.
Familiar design
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The matte glass back
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The glossy side
The back is made of dark purple glass and the sides are made of purple glossy stainless steel. The new purple color is darker than on the photos. Especially in low light does the device look more dark gray. There are 2 things that stand out. The notch is replaced by a pill-shaped Dynamic Island. This Dynamic Island has sensors and the selfie camera. The camera island on the back is higher and wider. Because of that, you need a new case if you upgrade from a device like the iPhone 12 Pro or 13 Pro.
Powerful A16 Bionic chip
I smoothly perform all my tasks. From editing photos and videos to playing demanding 3D games. A game like Call of Duty opens quickly. When I play, everything runs smoothly and it doesn't slow down. I can also easily multitask, thanks to the 6GB RAM. This way, I can quickly switch from my social media apps to Safari and Netflix. In addition, the A16 processor is a bit more energy-efficient. This way, the battery lasts an hour longer compared to the iPhone 13 Pro. The total battery life is 1 day.
Fast controls of apps with Dynamic Island
The iPhone 14 Pro doesn't have a notch anymore with sensors and the selfie camera. These components are smartly built into the screen. This way, I see a sort of floating pill at the top of the screen. Apple calls this the Dynamic Island. I notice the 'dynamic' when I use it. When I start a timer, the pill gets wider and I see the countdown. In addition, I can quickly use it to control my music. In the article below, we'll tell you more about this useful new function.
Useful Always On screen
It's not the latest function, but the iPhone 14 is the first iPhone with an Always On screen. Thanks to the Always On display, I can see the time, my widgets, and notifications when the device is locked. That's especially useful when I'm at my desk. I notice right away that the screen is pretty bright compared to other Always On displays. I notice that the battery drains faster when I turn on the function. Luckily, I can easily turn it off in the settings.
Action mode and a main 48-megapixel camera
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3 different camera lenses
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The colors are realistic and the image is sharp
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With the macro function, you can also see small details
I tested the special action mode during a run. I could easily turn it on in the video mode. When I recorded, I moved a lot and jumped a few times. Afterwards, I could see the image of the video stayed stable. That's more comfortable to look at. With the main camera, you can also take 48-megapixel photos. That's not turned on by default. I didn't see much difference at first, until I enlarged some details in Photos. The details are sharp and less grainy.
The larger Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
In addition to the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro, there's also a larger 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max. The big difference between these 2 iPhone models is the larger screen and the battery. That lasts longer. The Pro Max version easily lasts a day and a half. The larger screen of the iPhone 14 Pro Max is nice when you watch series, but it's less compact. This way, clearly feel the device when it's in my pocket. That doesn't feel comfortable. In addition, I can't control the screen with 1 hand.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max also is no longer available as new, but you can still buy it as a refurbished iPhone.
Conclusion
The iPhone 14 Pro is a high-end device that's future-proof. Thanks to the powerful A16 chip, everything from playing 3D games and video editing runs smoothly. With the different cameras, you can take razor-sharp photos in every situation. Especially with the new 48-megapixel camera. If you have an iPhone 11 Pro or older, this is a good upgrade. Do you watch many series on the go? Choose the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
