iPhone 14 Plus vs iPhone 13 Pro: Which One Wins?

In this comparison, iPhone 13 Pro vs iPhone 14 Plus, we delve into the distinctive features and betterment of these two smartphones. Let's explore the differences and advantages each model brings to the table.

Key difference

Each of these models has its own advantages, and the choice depends solely on the user's preferences. However, in general, the following can be highlighted. iPhone 14 Plus comes in more colors, has a larger screen, and offers longer battery life. iPhone 13 Pro is thinner, provides more storage options, and features a triple camera with 3x optical zoom.

Read the detailed comparison of Apple iPhone 14 Plus vs Apple iPhone 13 Pro specs to make an informed decision.

Table of content:

Specifications

Design and Size comparison

Externally, these two smartphones differ significantly from each other. The 13 Pro is 14 mm shorter, 6.6 mm narrower, and 0.15 mm thinner than its successor. Despite the difference in sizes, the smartphones have the same weight - 203 g. This became possible because the 14 Plus replaced the steel frame with aviation aluminum. However, the newer model lacks a matte back surface, using smooth glass instead, which is more prone to fingerprints. The camera block on the rear panel is also noticeable, distinguishing one model from the other.

On the front side of the chassis, there are no differences, except for the variation in the screen diagonal. The dynamic interactive panel is placed in the more premium models of the 14 series, while the 14 Plus retains the same notch as the earlier smartphones.

Additionally, the models come in different color options. For tradition, the company offers base smartphones in brighter colors; for instance, the 14 Plus comes in red and yellow, while premium devices feature more subdued tones.

Display comparison

The smartphone screens have several key differences. Firstly, it's the display diagonal— the 13 Pro features a 6.1-inch screen, while the 14 Plus boasts a 6.7-inch display. Due to the larger screen size, the Plus also has a slightly higher resolution, but the pixel density is higher on the 13 Pro. However, the distinction is hardly noticeable in everyday use—both smartphones are equipped with high-quality Super Retina OLED displays with Ceramic Shield coating, providing enhanced protection against drops.

Another difference is the screen refresh rate. Apple equipped the premium models of the 13 series with adaptive 120Hz, providing smooth animations and conserving battery when displaying static elements on the screen. Unfortunately, the basic devices of the 14 series, including the 14 Plus, did not receive this technology, and they feature a 60Hz screen.

Battery life

The large chassis allows for a larger battery in the smartphone: the 14 Plus comes with a 4325 mAh battery, whereas its predecessor had only 3095 mAh. However, how has this impacted the devices' overall autonomy? Often, such an increase in capacity is made to offset higher energy consumption from a larger screen or new features.

According to official data, the model with the larger battery indeed demonstrated better performance. In watching video tests, the manufacturer claims up to 26 hours compared to 20 hours, and in music playback, it boasts 100 hours versus 75 hours.

In independent tests for web browsing and gaming, the iPhone 14 Plus also outperformed its competitor. Moreover, in standby mode, it lasted a remarkable 29 hours longer. However, it's important to remember that an iPhone is a device for daily use, and you'll need to charge it daily regardless. This is the trade-off for incorporating new energy-intensive technologies.

Charging speed

Both smartphones feature fast charging, but the 13th charges faster, reaching around 60% battery capacity in half an hour, while the iPhone 14 Plus charges only up to 47%. The full charging time is approximately 100 minutes for the 13 Pro and 120 minutes for the 14 Plus. Additionally, phones support wireless charging with MagSafe.

Speaker test

As usual, the company incorporates high-quality stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos technology in its devices. While you won't notice significant differences in sound, the 14 Plus sounds slightly louder than its counterpart.

Performance

In this section, there is no difference between iPhone 13 Pro and 14 Plus. Both smartphones utilize the same processor and have identical RAM capacity. Therefore, there is no expected increase in performance. However, in terms of storage capacity, the older model offers more – the iPhone 13 Pro has a version with 1 TB of storage, while the maximum capacity in the 14 Plus is 512 GB.

Camera comparison

The most interesting and significant differences between them lie in the camera section. In this regard, the iPhone 13 Pro outpaces its successor. To begin with, the "Pro" model has more lenses. In addition to the main and ultra-wide-angle lenses, there is also a telephoto lens for better quality in macro photography and optical triple zoom. Among the advantages is also the support for ProRAW, which edits original frames in RAW format.

On the software photo processing level, the iPhone 14 Plus has received some enhancements. For instance, it replaces the Deep Fusion technology with the Photonic Engine, which works with uncompressed images and does so much faster. Additionally, Smart HDR, portrait mode, and night mode have all been improved in the lineup.

Price & availability 

The prices for the iPhone 14 Plus at the time of its release were as follows:

• $799 for 128 GB,
• $899 for 256 GB,
• $1099 for 512 GB.

Upon the announcement, the iPhone 13 Pro started at a higher price, beginning at $999 for the version with the smallest storage.

Conclusions

Despite one of these smartphones being a year old and the other two years since its release, they are still worthy models that will outperform many Android devices for years to come. The choice between the Apple iPhone 14 Plus vs Apple iPhone 13 Pro depends more on your personal preferences. If you want a larger device with a better battery, go for the 14 Plus, plus it's more affordable. If you need a triple camera or larger storage, the 13 Pro is the one for you.