Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max worth its price today?

Apple's 2022 flagship smartphone: The iPhone 14 Pro Max

The iPhone 14 Pro Max was the most expensive of the four iPhone 14 models that released in 2022 at the Apple Keynote event, and offers all the features of the iPhone 14 Pro and more. There are three main features that differentiate the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus to the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone Pro Max models : the camera, the innovative display features and the bionic chip. The iPhone 14 Pro Max is also larger than the standard iPhone 14 Pro model, which is comparable to the iPhone 14 Plus. But the extra size and technical features come at a price, leaving many wondering whether the iPhone 14 Pro Max is really worth the money.

The most expensive model, the iPhone 14 Pro Max with 1 TB storage capacity, was offered new £1,749 from Apple - this is definitely at the upper end of smartphone prices. You can find cheaper offers in the refurbished market, among others. But whether new or refurbished, an iPhone 14 Pro Max is still a considerable purchase. So let's take a closer look at the features of Apple's 2022 flagship phone and find out if it's worth having today.

If you're looking for more detailed info on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, check out our iPhone 14 Pro Max review. You might also be interested in our review of the iPhone 14 series as a whole, or individual reviews of each model with an in-depth iPhone 14 review, iPhone 14 Plus review or iPhone 14 Pro review.

What features does the iPhone 14 Pro Max have?

If you're interested in the iPhone 14 Pro Max, you might be particularly interested in the larger screen. Don't worry, we'll look at the size stats later. But if size is your priority, why would you choose the iPhone 14 Pro Max over the iPhone 14 Plus? Overall, we can say that it's simply a better smartphone if you're looking for a premium smartphone.

What can the camera of the iPhone 14 Pro Max do?

The iPhone 14 Pro Max has three camera lenses. One of the main reasons for the smartphone's superiority, (and thus its high price), but do note that the huge 48-megapixel main camera is available on both the Pro and the Pro Max. This is a big improvement over Apple's previous models. In comparison, the main camera of the iPhone 14/Plus has only 12 megapixels. The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro models both have a 12-megapixel main camera, so only the 14 Pro Max has a true camera upgrade. You don't need an iPhone for that kind of performance, though - Apple's rival Samsung has been offering such a megapixel count for some time. The Samsung Galaxy S22, for example, is available at a much lower price with 50 megapixels! If you're looking for an iPhone with a good camera, you might find the overview of which iPhone is the best iPhone for photos helpful.

The iPhone 14 Pro Max also has a 12 megapixel telephoto lens, which is not present in previous models such as the iPhone 13 Pro, nor in the iPhone 14. The iPhone 14 Pro Max also has a 12 megapixel Ultra Wide camera lens. In addition, both the Pro and Pro Max models have Adaptive True Tone Flash, an upgrade from the True Tone Flash of the 14/14 Plus.

Like the standard iPhone 14, the Pro and Pro Max offer Action Mode, which provides light stabilisation for action videos, as well as Cinematic Mode with 4K resolution. However, only the Pro and Pro Max models have ProRes video recording at up to 30 frames per second. In addition, the Pro and Pro Max models have an optical zoom range of x6, compared to x2 on the iPhone 14/Plus.

How long does the iPhone 14 Pro Max battery last?

Apple has significantly improved the battery life of the iPhone 14 and now offers 20 hours of video playback time. The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a video playback time of 29 hours (even better!). The iPhone 14 Pro offers slightly less with only 23 hours. This is one of the few technical differences between the Pro and the Pro Max.

What other technical features does the iPhone 14 Pro Max have?

Like all iPhone 14 models, the Pro Max also has accident detection and an emergency SOS call via satellite.

Both the Pro and Pro Max are powered by the A16 Bionic chip, the fastest smartphone chip ever, with 16 billion transistors (the same chip now used in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus). This processor is significantly better than the A15 Bionic chip used in the standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. According to Apple, the chip is around 40% faster than a normal smartphone processor and enables the iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max to work at a special pace.

In addition, only the iPhone Pro and Pro Max models have the new Dynamic Island and Always-On Display, two of Apple's much-discussed new feature at the time of release in 2022. The Always-On Display dims the wallpaper and provides an always-lit lock screen that keeps important information and notifications visible. The Dynamic Island is an interactive display that displays and lets you manage notifications and activities, moving dynamically as needed.

How much does the iPhone 14 Pro Max cost?

To find out how much you'll pay for your new Apple device, you'll need to decide on a storage capacity for your iPhone 14 model.

*Prices based on the comparison site idealo, as of: September 2023

💡 For such an expensive device upon release, you'd probably protect your iPhone 14 Pro Max with a phone case. Check out our guide to the perfect iPhone 14 case!

When was the iPhone 14 Pro Max released?

The iPhone 14 Pro Max was unveiled at Apple Park on 7 September 2022, along with the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro. It was available for pre-order from 9 September and in stores from 16 September 2022.

Where can I get the iPhone 14 Pro Max cheaper?

If you have the budget for an iPhone but still want to save money, you can buy a refurbished iPhone 14 Pro Max. The biggest savings are on models with a large storage capacity, such as 512GB and 1TB.

At Back Market you'll find a selection of refurbished iPhone 14 Pro Max smartphones where you can save big compared to the original price. Plus, all models come with a 12-month warranty and every smartphone is guaranteed to work. When you buy a refurbished iPhone from Back Market, just know that the second hand iPhone 14 Pro Max has been renewed to the highest quality by our professional certified refurbishers, and that you're helping the environment by choosing a device that's part of the circular economy. Especially a few months after release, you'll have no problem finding your preferred colour and memory size at Back Market, and you'll certainly notice a positive price trend.

It's an environmentally friendly way to discover why many call Apple's iPhone 14 Pro Max "the best smartphone ever in 2022". Learn more about the differences between a refurbished and a new iPhone!

But if you also want to save a little on your budget, check out the previous iPhone 13 Pro Max or iPhone 12 Pro Max models, which are both much cheaper and still have very modern technology.

👉 Still need help choosing a colour? Find our article on all the colours of the Phone 14 here.