Comparing iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus: A Detailed Review

In the comparison review, we will explore what's the difference between iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus and assist the right consumer's choice.

These two smartphones are the base models of the iPhone 14 series. They lack some of the advantages found in the top flagship models of the series, such as the Pro and Pro Max, but still provide excellent value for money.

Key difference

The more affordable iPhone 14 comes with smaller dimensions and a smaller screen diagonal, while the 14 Plus offers improved battery life.

Table of content:

Apple iPhone 14 vs Apple iPhone 14 Plus: Specs comparison

Design Features and Size Comparison: Is more better?

Externally, the model's differences are solely in their sizes. The larger Plus model is 14.3 mm longer, 6.5 mm wider, and 31 grams heavier than the smaller version of the smartphone. Otherwise, the design elements are identical.

• the body is made of glass with aluminum frames, 
• featuring identical camera setups on the rear panel,
• the Lightning port serves as the charging connector, 
• and the smartphone's body is protected against water and dust with an IP68 rating.

The devices are available in six identical colors: there is a model in yellow, blue, red, black, white, and purple.

Display comparison: what is the difference between iPhone 14 and 14 Plus

In the comparison of iPhone 14 vs 14 Plus, there is another key difference: the screen size. The iPhone 14 features a 6.1-inch diagonal, while the iPhone 14 Plus is equipped with a much larger 6.7-inch screen.

In terms of display quality, they are nearly identical. Both devices feature the Super Retina XDR, a proprietary type of OLED screen that Apple has been using in its devices since 2010. The screens have the same aspect ratio of 19.5:9, a minimum refresh rate of 60 Hz, and a maximum brightness of 800 nits (1200 nits in HDR). The resolution slightly differs, with the 14 Plus having a slightly larger one.

If you are in need of Dynamic Island and a high refresh rate ProMotion, they are not present here. These smartphone technologies have been incorporated only into the 14 Pro and Pro Max models.

Battery life: Plus is in the lead, but is it much ahead?

Moving on to another difference between the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus — battery life. Since the larger model is equipped with a more capacious battery (4325 mAh compared to 3279 mAh), it leads in battery lifespan. However, these metrics, to be honest, do not vary significantly to justify the additional cost. For instance, in real-world web browsing tests, the iPhone 14 Plus lasted only 2 minutes longer than the iPhone 14 (13:47 versus 13:45 hours). The difference was more noticeable during video playback — 17:29 versus 15:35 hours.

Apple iPhone 14 vs 14 Plus: Charging speed

Both smartphones support fast charging to approximately 50% in half an hour, but the 14 Pro charges a bit faster. However, to fully charge the battery, you will need 2 hours for the Plus and 1.5 hours for the base model. The smartphones also feature 7.5W wireless charging.

Speaker test: same results

With each generation, the company slightly improves the quality of the speakers, but the difference between models is practically imperceptible to the regular user. The stereo speakers deliver loud and high-quality sound, with the Plus model having a slightly better audio experience. This is attributed to its larger chassis, which makes it easier to accommodate superior acoustics.

iPhone 14 vs 14Plus: Performance is no different

Despite both smartphones utilizing the A15 Bionic Chip released in 2021, the performance remains at a high level and is expected to be sufficient for several more years. The models are also equipped with a 5-core graphics processor and 6 GB of RAM for handling the data load from applications. Storage options are also consistent, with configurations available in 128, 256, or 512 GB of internal memory.

At the time of their release, the smartphones were shipped with iOS 16 but have since been updated to the latest version of the operating system. They will continue to receive iOS updates for a minimum of 4 more years.

Camera comparison iPhone 14 versus iPhone 14 Plus

The camera quality in both smartphones is indistinguishable. They feature a dual rear camera setup consisting of 12 MP wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle sensors, as well as a 12 MP front camera. There are no additional features or advantages in either model.

Price Comparison & Availability: users are waiting for discounts

The initial pricing for the base model after the smartphone release was as follows:

• $699 for the 128 GB version,
• $799 for 256 GB,
• $999 for 512 GB.

Each configuration with the "Plus" designation was sold for an additional $100. Now, with the release of new devices, prices for the previous lineup are expected to decrease, making it an opportune time to consider getting a new iPhone.

Conclusions: choose big or cheap?

The presented smartphones iPhone 14 vs 14 Plus do not differ significantly. They share the same camera and display quality, as well as power. The distinctions between the models lie in the screen and display sizes, as well as in battery life and price. Consider what is more important to you and make the consumer's choice wisely.