Eearly Verdict
The Apple iPhone 14 Plus offers a big-screen alternative to the standard iPhone 14 model.
With the difference of screen size and battery life, the iPhone 14 Plus is almost identical to the iPhone 14 and still features the notch.
However, this model will enable big-screen iPhone fantasies without costing the earth, giving it a welcome counterbalance to the usual go big, go Pro Max, or go home approach to purchasing iPhones.
In some ways, the iPhone 14 Plus, which Apple revealed on September 7, is a wonderful homage to the first Plus-era iPhones.
For the first time, Apple simultaneously unveiled a large-screen variation, the iPhone 6 Plus, together with the iPhone 6.
This new iPhone 14 Plus is practically identical to the new iPhone 14, with the exception of the 6.7-inch display, which replaces the 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR one.
But unlike the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, you don’t get a ton of extra functions.
You see, Apple decided to move their large-screen phones into the Pro-only area at some point, which forced iPhone users who desired a larger screen into a much more expensive area.
iPhone 14 Plus price and availability
Finally, the iPhone 14 Plus allows you to eat your big-screen cake and have it too while keeping your budget largely intact.
Getting a large, 6.7-inch iPhone for only $100 extra than the base model is very amazing.
The entry-level 128GB iPhone 14 Plus costs $899, £949, or AU$1,579.
Preorders for the iPhone 14 series began on September 9, and the devices went on sale on September 16.
Of course, the iPhone 14 Plus, which will go on sale on October 7, is the only exception.
That coincides with reports of manufacturing delays prior to the introduction of the iPhone 14, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max and comes after those devices by a few weeks.
The delayed release also means a longer wait for a comprehensive review, but in the interim, feel free to peruse our iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max reviews. If you find yourself intrigued by any of them, you can purchase one at a discount by looking through our most recent iPhone 14 bargains.
Design, materials, and display
The iPhone 14 Plus, like its 6.1-inch sister, borrows heavily from the iPhone 13 in terms of style.
It also resembles the iPhone 13 Pro Max in terms of size, but the materials are all those of the iPhone 14 base model: the frame is made of textured aluminum rather than polished stainless steel.
The back glass, which may or may not be made of Gorilla Glass, as well as the hot new purple color option, are additional considerations.
Again, that Ceramic Shield layer continues to shield the front screen.
The flat metal band that surrounds the glass, the power, sleep, and Siri buttons on opposite sides, and the volume control buttons all adhere to the design of the iPhone 14.
Despite the iPhone 14 Plus’ dimensions (160.8 x 78.1 x 7.8 millimeters, or 0.31 inches), we found that handling it made it feel much lighter than an iPhone 13 Pro Max of a same size.
It turns out that it only weights 203 grams (the 13 Pro Max weighs 240 grams).
Apple is completely eliminating the SIM slot on US models.
That tiny panel’s disappearance makes one lengthy edge stand out as cleaner-looking than ever before (and one fewer point of ingress for dust or water).
Cameras and battery life
Although it is strange to see such a large iPhone sporting only two cameras, that square array corresponds to the iPhone 14.
12MP wide and 12MP ultra-wide lenses.
You must upgrade to a Pro camera if you want greater megapixels or zoom.
The front of the device features a huge 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with a crucially significant 2778 x 1284 resolution and 458ppi.
That has a tiny bit more pixels than the iPhone 14 base model, but when the size difference is taken into consideration, the pixel density (i.e. sharpness) is roughly the same.
There isn’t an always-on display or variable refresh rate like on the new iPhone 14 Pro duo.
Which is unfortunate because consumers who enjoy inexpensive big-screen phones would also value the power savings provided by variable refresh rate, not to mention the practicality of an always-on display.
When compared to the conventional 14-inch screen, the notch at the top of the panel appears a tiny bit smaller (and 13).
It includes TrueDepth Face ID and, consequently, selfie camera components.
The dual-camera system on the back of the iPhone 14 Plus is identical to that of the iPhone 14.
There is a 12MP main camera and a 12MP ultrawide camera on it.
A 12MP camera with autofocus is also present on the front of the device for the first time on an iPhone generation.
The main camera on the iPhone 14 Plus is an improvement over the iPhone 13’s 12MP wide camera.
It has a /1.5 aperture and is supported by a bigger sensor and larger 1.9 m pixels, which should improve low-light performance. This sensor is really the main sensor from the iPhone 13 Pro/13 Pro Max, which will be released in 2021.
Even though we only got a short amount of time with the phone, we did use the wide and ultra-wide cameras to capture some shots at the Apple HQ hands-on session, and the pictures turned out well.
Additionally, we might witness the new autofocus feature for the 12MP front camera in action, which will definitely be popular with FaceTime and selfie enthusiasts.
The larger iPhone 14 Plus claims 26 hours of video playback, compared to the current iPhone 14’s approximately 20-hour battery life rating.
Investing in a larger phone will pay off in spades.
Clearly, these are battery allegations.
After we have had a chance to test the new smartphone, we will know more.
With everything else about this large-screen iPhone 14 Plus remaining the same, there are two additional features that these less expensive phones do receive: crash detection and emergency SOS through satellite.
The iPhone 14 Plus can detect if you are in a car crash and assist you in contacting emergency services owing to some updated sensors and new software. Crash detection is pretty much what it sounds like.
The iPhone 14 Plus has satellite communication functionality, which uses its antennas to connect to orbiting satellites for emergency communication circumstances (like as when you’re injured and trapped in the mountains).
When there is no mobile coverage, it can be helpful.
Apple did make an effort to lower the bandwidth needed for, say, text messages so they could fit through the minuscule space-based conduit of a satellite.
To use the service, you must be outside with a clear view of the sky. It will initially be free (and only available in the US and Canada at launch), but after a few years of use, there may be a subscription, possibly a monthly one.
Performance and software
At debut, Apple didn’t provide any details.
The A15 Bionic CPU from Apple, which has been in use for a year and was the same chip used in the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max of 2021, powers everything (complete with five-core GPU).
Apple has taken a different approach this year, splitting the lineup into two categories and providing the entry-level models slightly less performance than you’d likely get from the new A16 Bionic in the iPhone 14 Pro.
The A15 Bionic is still a great chip, but Apple no longer makes the newest and finest mobile silicon.
The iPhone 14 Plus comes pre-installed with iOS 16, much as the other iPhone 14 models.
The iOS 16 beta has been available to us for months, and it’s very nice.
Although it isn’t a total makeover, it does offer some significant adjustments.
The new lock screen is where the largest change is located.
The platform really advances with the addition of larger fonts, customisable widgets, and image segmentation that enables you to place a portion of your photo subject in front of the clock.
Newly added text features include limited text editability and focus settings that are specific to each lock screen.
New maps and significantly improved notifications are available.
iOS 16 has been made by Apple to be both new and instantly identifiable.
The 6.7-inch display of the iPhone 14 Plus proves to be an excellent blank slate for this new UI.
There is a ton of space, and the redesigned lock screens look especially gorgeous.
Final verdict
The Apple iPhone 14 Plus is a large, practical, and moderately powerful phone that will appeal to a whole new group of iPhone customers with its big-screen deliciousness and more reasonable price.
It’s not the flashiest huge iPhone, with only two cameras on the back, no zoom, an always-on or variable refresh rate display, and aluminum rather than stainless steel, but at this price and with the claim of “the longest battery life ever in an iPhone,” it might be among the best iPhones available.
Just before its release on October 7 we should have a thorough review for you.
