It’s the iPhone season once again which means you’re probably torn between a few different models and can’t decide which to buy. To make things more confusing, Apple has launched a new variant of the iPhone this time — the iPhone 14 Plus — that is just $100 lesser than the elder sibling — the iPhone 14 Pro.
With so many options around, you might be wondering which iPhone is best for you. Should you get the large-screen iPhone 14 Plus and save a hundred bucks? Or, should you splurge on the iPhone 14 Pro for those additional ‘Pro’ features? Here’s a detailed iPhone 14 Plus vs iPhone 14 Pro comparison to help you decide.
Also Read: Apple iPhone 14 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro – What’s the Difference
Key Differences Between iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro
While numbers only tell a part of the story, it’s important to go over them to highlight some immediate differences. Here are all the technical specifications of the iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro.
| iPhone 14 Plus | iPhone 14 Pro | |
| Size | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.8mm | 147.5 x 71.5 x 7.9mm |
| Weight | 203g | 206g |
| Display | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED 1284 x 2778 pixels | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED 1179 x 2556 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | Up to 120Hz ProMotion (LTPO) |
| Peak Brightness | 1200nits | 2000nits |
| Processor | A15 Bionic 5nm 6GB RAM | A16 Bionic 4nm 6GB RAM |
| Rear Camera | 12MP Primary, f/1.5 12MP Ultra-wide, f/2.4 | 48MP Primary, f/1.8 12MP Ultra-wide, f/2.2 12MP Telephoto, 3X, f/2.8 |
| Front Camera | 12MP Front-facing, f/1.9 | 12MP Front-facing, f/1.9 |
| Battery | 4,325mAh | 3,200mAh |
| Software | iOS 16 | iOS 16 |
| Colors | Midnight Starlight Blue Purple (Product) Red | Space Black Silver Gold Deep Purple |
| Additional Features | IP68 Stereo speakers Aluminum frame | IP68 Stereo speakers Stainless steel frame Dynamic Island ProRes video Precision dual-frequency GPS |
| Price | Starts at $899 | Starts at $999 |
Some differences like the additional camera on the Pro and a bigger display on the Plus are straightaway evident. But, let’s delve deeper and discuss aspects that affect usability.
iPhone 14 Plus vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Design and Build
The most obvious difference between the iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro is in terms of size. The iPhone 14 Plus has a huge 6.7-inch display while the iPhone 14 Pro has a more manageable real estate that spans 6.1-inches.
Despite the larger size, though, the iPhone 14 Plus is 3g lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro. This is due to the different materials used in the construction of both phones. While the Plus model has an aluminum frame, the Pro variant gets stainless steel. As a result, the iPhone 14 Pro feels more premium to hold in the hand.
The premium in-hand experience further extends onto the back of the phone where you find frosted glass on the iPhone 14 Pro. The iPhone 14 Plus uses glossy glass which is still premium but gathers a lot of fingerprints and smudges.
Build materials aside, it all comes down to the preferred size. Some users prefer large phones while others like compact phones that are easily usable with one hand. If you belong to the former category, the iPhone 14 Plus is the ideal pick in this category.
iPhone 14 Plus vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Display
The preference in size extends to the display department too. The larger display on the iPhone 14 Plus may attract gamers or users who consume a lot of content on their smartphones. However, there’s a big difference in the display tech between the iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro that might make you lean towards the latter.
Both phones have an OLED panel but the one on the iPhone 14 Pro is a ProMotion LTPO display which means it can refresh at up to 120Hz for smoother animations and scrolling. You will notice the high refresh rate kicking in when you’re scrolling through social media or even playing games.
Thanks to the LTPO panel, the refresh rate can go down to as low as 1Hz which enables the new Always On Display to show off the iPhone 14 Pro wallpapers. The iPhone 14 Pro can also hit an insane 2000nits of peak brightness when viewing HDR content, compared to the 1200nits on the Plus.
Not to forget, the iPhone 14 Pro gets the new Dynamic Island which replaces the age-old notch. It makes the display look more modern while also being functional as a notification hub. The iPhone 14 Plus, on the other hand, has the same notch as the last-gen iPhone 13 making it look dated.
It’s pretty evident at this point — if you want the sheer size of the iPhone 14 Plus display, that’s the phone to pick. But, if you can deal with a slightly smaller display, the iPhone 14 Pro’s display is leagues ahead.
iPhone 14 Plus vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Battery Life
There’s no competition here at all. The iPhone 14 Plus has a considerably larger battery compared to the iPhone 14 Pro — 4,325mAh vs 3,200mAh — thanks to numbers obtained by MacRumors. If we go by Apple’s claims, the iPhone 14 Plus will last you 3 hours longer during video playback. This should ideally translate to longer real-world usage times as well.
If battery life is your priority, you should pick up the iPhone 14 Plus. This is not saying that the iPhone 14 Pro has bad battery life. You can get through a day’s use with the iPhone 14 Pro but the Plus can push through to the next day too.
When it’s time to plug the phones in, you might want to consider getting a reliable charger for the iPhone 14 series since Apple doesn’t ship one in the box.
iPhone 14 Plus vs iPhone 14 Pro: Processor and Performance
While the iPhone 14 Plus was the outright winner in the battery department, the iPhone 14 Pro hits right back with better performance. It’s got the new A16 Bionic chip based on the 4nm manufacturing node. In simple terms, it’s more powerful and consumers lower battery power.
The iPhone 14 Plus retains last year’s A15 Bionic that was found on the iPhone 13 Pro. It’s still a fantastic chip with reliable performance and excellent battery life. However, the A16 Bionic is just better in terms of efficiency so you’ll have to worry less about your iPhone overheating.
In day-to-day use, both phones will perform similarly meaning you will not have any issues playing even the best of games or while rendering videos. Both phones run iOS 16 out of the box and should ideally receive the same number of software updates. Of course, the newer chipset on the iPhone 14 Pro makes it slightly more future-proof.
iPhone 14 Plus vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Cameras
If you’re a camera enthusiast, just get the iPhone 14 Pro already. It has the new 48MP primary shooter for better details, accompanied by a dedicated 3X telephoto lens for zoom shots. Not to forget, you get LiDAR for portrait mode shots in the dark. ProRes video is also limited to the iPhone 14 Pro.
The iPhone 14 Plus only has a dual-camera setup and skimps out on the telephoto lens. The primary camera sensor is also limited to 12MP, so you’re going to get less-detailed shots. The front-facing cameras on both phones are the same, though, so if you click a lot of selfies, both phones will serve you well.
If you’re not big on photography, the iPhone 14 Plus is a good pick since the cameras onboard are still solid albeit not as good as the ones on the 14 Pro. For camera enthusiasts, the iPhone 14 Pro is a no-brainer.
iPhone 14 Plus vs iPhone 14 Pro: Other Features
Both phones have the all-new emergency SOS via satellite feature for safety along with car crash detection. However, the new precision dual-frequency GPS is exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro. So, if you want precise location tracking, the Pro has an upper hand. The Action Mode in the camera app is thankfully available on both phones.
Apple has done away with a physical SIM slot on all iPhone 14 models in the US this year so you will have to resort to activating and using an eSIM regardless of which variant you get.
iPhone 14 Plus vs iPhone 14 Pro: Storage, Price, and Colors
The iPhone 14 Plus is available in 5 color options — Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, and Product (Red). Apple has added two new color options with the iPhone 14 Pro this time — Space Black and Deep Purple. They are accompanied by the usual Gold and Silver.
As for the storage variants and pricing, here’s a table that will give you the complete idea.
| 128GB | 256GB | 512GB | 1TB | |
| iPhone 14 Plus | $899 | $999 | $1199 | – |
| iPhone 14 Pro | $999 | $1099 | $1299 | $1499 |
iPhone 14 Plus vs iPhone 14 Pro: Which Is Better for You
Considering the fact that the price difference between both phones is just $100, the iPhone 14 Pro is clearly the better choice if the size doesn’t matter to you. It’s more powerful, has a better display, better optics, and offers better value overall.
However, if you specifically want a big screen to watch your favorite shows or play games, the iPhone 14 Plus is the way to go. It also has better battery life so if you travel often and want to stay away from the charger, it’s a good pick.
Which new iPhone would you get? The iPhone 14 Plus or the iPhone 14 Pro? Let us know in the comments below!
iPhone 14 Plus vs iPhone 14 Pro Comparison
The article compares the iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro to help users decide which one is best for them. It highlights the key differences between the two models in terms of size, display, battery life, processor and performance, cameras, and other features. Let's dive into each of these aspects in detail.
Size and Design
The most obvious difference between the iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro is their size. The iPhone 14 Plus has a larger 6.7-inch display, while the iPhone 14 Pro has a slightly smaller 6.1-inch display. Despite the larger size, the iPhone 14 Plus is actually lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro, weighing 203g compared to 206g. This is due to the different materials used in their construction. The iPhone 14 Plus has an aluminum frame, while the iPhone 14 Pro features a stainless steel frame. The Pro variant feels more premium in hand due to the stainless steel frame and frosted glass back, while the Plus model uses glossy glass. The choice between the two models ultimately comes down to personal preference for size and design [[13]].
Display
Both the iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro feature OLED displays. However, there are some notable differences between them. The iPhone 14 Pro has a ProMotion LTPO display, which means it can refresh at up to 120Hz for smoother animations and scrolling. In contrast, the iPhone 14 Plus has a standard 60Hz refresh rate. The Pro model also offers a higher peak brightness of 2000nits when viewing HDR content, compared to 1200nits on the Plus. Additionally, the iPhone 14 Pro introduces the new Dynamic Island, which replaces the traditional notch and serves as a functional notification hub. On the other hand, the iPhone 14 Plus retains the same notch as the previous generation, which some users may find dated. If display technology and a higher refresh rate are important to you, the iPhone 14 Pro is the better choice [[14]].
Battery Life
When it comes to battery life, the iPhone 14 Plus has a clear advantage. It is equipped with a larger 4,325mAh battery, compared to the 3,200mAh battery in the iPhone 14 Pro. According to MacRumors, the iPhone 14 Plus can last up to 3 hours longer during video playback. While both models can easily get through a day of use, the larger battery in the Plus model may provide longer real-world usage times and potentially last into the next day. It's worth noting that Apple does not include a charger in the box, so you may want to consider purchasing a reliable charger for the iPhone 14 series [[15]].
Processor and Performance
In terms of performance, the iPhone 14 Pro takes the lead. It is powered by the new A16 Bionic chip, based on a 4nm manufacturing process, which offers improved efficiency and performance compared to the previous A15 Bionic chip found in the iPhone 14 Plus. Both models run iOS 16 out of the box and should receive the same number of software updates. However, the newer chipset in the iPhone 14 Pro may make it slightly more future-proof [[16]].
Cameras
If photography is a priority for you, the iPhone 14 Pro is the better choice. It features a more advanced camera system compared to the iPhone 14 Plus. The Pro model has a 48MP primary shooter for better details, a dedicated 3X telephoto lens for zoom shots, and LiDAR for portrait mode shots in low light. It also supports ProRes video, which is not available on the iPhone 14 Plus. In contrast, the iPhone 14 Plus has a dual-camera setup with a 12MP primary sensor and lacks the telephoto lens. Both models have the same front-facing cameras, so if you take a lot of selfies, either phone will serve you well [[17]].
Other Features
Both the iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro share some common features, such as emergency SOS via satellite and car crash detection. However, the iPhone 14 Pro has an additional feature called precision dual-frequency GPS, which provides more precise location tracking. The Action Mode in the camera app is available on both models. It's important to note that all iPhone 14 models in the US no longer have a physical SIM slot and require activation and use of an eSIM [[18]].
Storage, Price, and Colors
The iPhone 14 Plus is available in five color options: Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, and Product (Red). The iPhone 14 Pro introduces two new color options: Space Black and Deep Purple, in addition to the existing Gold and Silver options. Both models offer different storage variants and pricing. The iPhone 14 Plus starts at $899 and offers storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. The iPhone 14 Pro starts at $999 and offers storage options of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB [[19]].
Conclusion
Considering the $100 price difference between the two models, the iPhone 14 Pro offers better value overall. It has a more powerful processor, a better display with ProMotion technology, an advanced camera system, and additional features like precision dual-frequency GPS. However, if you prioritize a larger screen for media consumption and gaming, as well as longer battery life, the iPhone 14 Plus is a good choice. Ultimately, the decision between the iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro depends on your specific needs and preferences [[20]].
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