Introduction
In 2022, Apple will do something for the first time: Cupertinians will release a more affordable version of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, called the iPhone 14 Max. This indicates a major change in Apple’s device policy and a move away from small phones, as there will be no iPhone 14 mini. The iPhone 14 Max is expected to be the same size as the iPhone 14 Pro Max, but differs in a number of key areas, namely camera number and chipset generation.
So, who will prove to be the most popular iPhone by the end of 2022? Would the iPhone 14 Pro Max keep the crown, or could it be the iPhone 14 Max that would steal its thunder? Let’s break down all the differences and come up with an expectation, right?
- Triple camera (iPhone 14 Pro Max) versus dual camera (iPhone 14 Max)
- 120Hz OLED (iPhone 14 Pro Max) versus 60Hz OLED (iPhone 14 Max)
- i-shaped notch (iPhone 14 Pro Max) versus traditional notch (iPhone 14 Max)
- Apple A16 Bionic (iPhone 14 Pro Max) vs. Apple A15 Bionic (iPhone 14 Max)
- Always screen (iPhone 14 Pro Max)
- 1TB storage option (iPhone 14 Pro Max)
Table of contents:
Design and Display Quality
Same size, but lots of differences to expect
The big difference here will be in the camera and screen departments. True to its nature, the iPhone 14 Pro Max will retain the triple camera configuration that was introduced with the iPhone 11 Pro Max. Meanwhile, Apple’s flagship phone will introduce a new, i-shaped notch that will replace the regular iPhone notch. This would achieve a more futuristic look for the iPhone 14 Pro Max and would likely allow iOS to show more status-breaking names up there thanks to the recently recovered on-screen property.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 14 Max certainly remains a more traditional iPhone device: with a dual camera setup and a traditional notch. Basically, it will be a bigger iPhone 14 for all those big screen gamers.
As for the screen, both phones will come with the same size, 6.7-inch OLED screens. The main difference will be in the refresh rate of the two different screens. The more affordable phone will come with a 60Hz screen with a more traditional notch, while the high-end model would boast a 120Hz LTPO display with a new i-shaped notch. It would make the front camera easier as well as the Face ID module and enable some screen property advertising that could be used to display more status bar elements.
Another important particular point between the two phones will always be on screen, which is said to appear on the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max. They would allow a clock and other useful information to be displayed on the screen at all times. Apple is already doing this feature on the Apple Watch and it makes sense to finally have it on the iPhone. Although this feature doesn’t necessarily require an LTPO display (many Android phones have had it in the past), Apple will likely decide to use this new feature only in the Pro / Max versions to further differentiate the premium from the more affordable lot.
Performance and Software
A new chip for the iPhone 14 Pro Max, but a well-known unit in the iPhone 14 Max
The main difference between the iPhone 14 Pro Max and the iPhone 14 Max will be the chip that drives each phone. The iPhone 14 Pro Max will receive a newer generation Apple A16 Bionic chip, while the iPhone 14 Max will use last year’s Apple A15 Bionic chip. This will be the first time that Apple has differentiated its higher-end models with the newer chipset and the affordable set with last year’s processor.
Mind you, the Apple A15 is still the best around a mobile chip, so there’s nothing wrong with reusing it another year. However, many may be annoyed by Apple’s decision because the company has always used its latest chipset across all of its current devices.

Speaking of the Apple A16 Bionic, it is expected to be manufactured on a 5nm node by TMSC and offer some efficiency gains compared to the A15 Bionic. The latter was used to power the full iPhone 13 lineupand apparently, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 114 Max. If you need a refresh on how the Apple chip works, check out the comparison standards just below.
In terms of memory, we expect 6 or 8GB of RAM to appear on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, and 4 or 6GB of RAM on the iPhone 14 Max. The higher-end model is sure to start at 128GB and will also offer 256GB, 512GB or even a full 1TB of storage.
When it comes to software updates, iPhones are famous for their five- to six-year software update policy. With that in mind, both the iPhone 14 Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max will certainly be upgraded to 2027 or 2028, which is the best that the mobile industry currently has to offer.
Both phones will have 5G support, and there are even rumors that we may see a satellite call on the iPhone 14 series.
Camera
Triple versus double, the difference is clear
For the iPhone 14 Pro Max, Apple is considering a major camera upgrade. Apple is expected to introduce a new and considerably larger primary camera sensor, a giant 1 / 1.3-inch 48MP main sensor, but only the most advanced flagship iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are likely to have this. Even if it gains such a large sensor, the iPhone Pro family will likely use pixels to merge four pixels into one and eventually output 12MP images, as it does now, but with superior dynamic range and better light sensitivity during weak conditions. . Meanwhile, the iPhone 14 Max is likely to retain the 12MP sensor used in most previous iPhones.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is ready to arrive with a pull-out camera system, like all its predecessors: the 48MP wide-angle camera is combined with an ultra-wide and telephoto lens to achieve maximum versatility. The ultra-wide and telephoto cameras will still clock at 12MP.

Most likely there is also a LiDAR sensor on the back of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, enabling in-depth capabilities of the phone.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 14 Max will use the same camera layout found on the iPhone 14. A 12MP utlra-width main camera will be attached to a 12MP utlra-width, possibly achieving the same overall picture quality as the iPhone 13.
Battery Life and Charging
Best battery in any iPhone ever
Coupled with the more efficient chip set, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is likely to break its predecessor’s battery endurance record, while the iPhone 14 Max could achieve battery life similar to the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
In terms of charging, Apple is likely to decorate the iPhone 14 Pro Max with 27W wired charging and the iPhone 14 Max with 20W wired charging, because that’s what the charging situation looked like on the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 13, respectively. Both will have a 15W MagSafe wireless charge, but USB Type-C on both devices is likely still out of the question in 2022, but next year’s iPhone crop is likely to finally make the switch to the USB standard.
Specific Comparison
And this is how the specifications of the iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Max mostly differ. You can also check ours iPhone 14 Pro Max vs. iPhone 14 Max dedicated species comparison.
Specifications | iPhone 14 Max | iPhone 14 Pro Max |
---|---|---|
Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.65 mm | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.65 mm |
Weight | 219 g | 240 g |
Screen | 6.7 “60Hz OLED Notched Face ID 19.5: 9 |
6.7 “OLED 120Hz ProMotion i-shaped Face ID 20: 9 |
Processor | A15 Bionic | A16 Bionic |
RAM | 6GB LPDDR4X | 6GB LPDDR5 |
Rear Cameras | 12MP Main (1X), 26mm f / 1.6 12MP Ultra (0.5X), 13mm f / 2.2 |
48MP Main (1X), 26mm f / 1.5 12MP Ultra (0.5X), 13mm f / 1.8 Phone 12MP (3X), 77mm f / 2.8 |
Front Camera | 12MP Front with AF, f / 1.9 | 12MP Front with AF, f / 1.9 |
Battery Size | 4,352 mAh | 4,352 mAh |
Charging speeds | 20W wired charging 15W MagSafe wireless |
27W wired charging 15W MagSafe wireless |
Price | from $ 899 for 128GB | from $ 1,199 for 128GB |
As seen in the table above, the differences are found mostly in the camera and performance section, which justifies the higher price of the iPhone 14 Pro Max versus the iPhone 14 Max.
Summary and Final Verdict
So, as stated in this preliminary comparison, the main differences between the iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Max will be some particular features in favor of the iPhone 14 Pro max. Its cool screen, faster chipset, more storage and additional telephoto camera will be the core of differences.
But how do these differences translate to the possible price tags of the iPhone 14 Max and the iPhone 14 Pro Max?
We expect the iPhone 14 Pro Max to start at $ 899 for the 128 GB version, while the top iPhone 14 Pro Max is likely to start at $ 1,199 for the 128 GB version. Those prices are a $ 100 increase over the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the iPhone 13, which start at $ 1,099 and $ 799, respectively.
The price increase for the iPhone 14 Pro Max could be justified by all the new features that will be included, but don’t quickly ignore the iPhone 14 Max as well. Due to its large size and fairly affordable price compared to the Pro Max version, it could be the possible bestseller among all iPhone 14 models.
With both phones, it’s clear that big phone lovers will have a field day with Apple’s upcoming big iPhones. As we know more, so will you, but for the time being, Apple’s next major phones are shaping up to be major winners.