iPhone 14 Plus Review: Big in Size, But Smaller in Price
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The iPhone 14 Plus is Apple’s first 6.7-inch smartphone priced below $1,000. Apart from its size, it’s nearly identical to the iPhone 14 that I reviewed in September. But the iPhone 14 Plus has something going for it that you're going to want and I'm not talking about its bigger-than-average-sized screen. The 14 Plus boasts the best battery life ever in an iPhone — so, no matter what model you're upgrading from, you'll be able to stretch your screen time further.
The device is equipped with the same ultra powerful A15 Bionic processor (which was in last year’s iPhone 13 Pro series), the same cameras, and similar OLED display tech as what you'll find in the iPhone 14. But you can view more content on its screen and use it for even longer. After about a week of using it as my primary device, the 14 Plus made me see the appeal of big-screen smartphones.
Whether you are considering upgrading your current iPhone or you’re an Android user thinking about making the switch to an iPhone, here are five reasons the iPhone 14 Plus should be on your radar.
1. The iPhone 14 Plus is the most affordable big-screen iPhone
With the discontinuation of the iPhone 8 Plus in April 2020, the only path to getting a big-screen iPhone was dropping some serious dough on one of the company’s Pro Max models, which have been consistently priced at $1,099.
The iPhone 14 Plus starts at a still expensive but much more reasonable price of $899. Upgrading the entry-level 128GB variant to one with double the storage space costs only $100 extra. For comparison’s sake, a 256GB iPhone 14 Pro Max would cost you $1,199.
Assuming it's not on sale, the 14 Plus is technically less expensive than Samsung’s Galaxy S22+, which starts at $1,000. Having tested both devices, I think the iPhone is a much better buy, even if the Galaxy is on sale. Simply put, the 14 Plus has a faster chip and 5-core GPU for outstanding graphics, provides longer battery life, delivers better video quality, and has louder speakers. And while the cameras on the Galaxy S22+ are very impressive, trust me, the iPhone cameras are plenty capable.
2. The iPhone 14 Plus has amazing battery life
Apple claims that the iPhone 14 can play up to 20 hours of video before needing to be charged. The iPhone 14 Plus, on the other hand, gives you 6 more hours. Impressively enough, the 14 Plus’ battery even surpasses the battery of the iPhone 14 Pro, which delivers a maximum of 23 hours of video playback. On the other hand, if you're willing to pay $1,099 for the 14 Pro Max, you'll get 29 hours of video playback.
Simply put, I was blown away by how long the battery on the 14 Plus lasts. Throughout my testing, I found myself consuming much more video than usual because of its beautiful larger display. Ordinarily, I cast videos to my smart TV or watch on an iPad, so having a jump in battery life was much appreciated. I think some users will be able to stretch it for 2 days.
3. Its larger screen is highly immersive and shows more content
If you want to view more content on your display, increase your phone’s text size, or prefer a more immersive display for gaming and video consumption, I highly recommend opting for the 14 Plus over the iPhone 14. The screen is 30% brighter than the iPhone 12 and provides excellent contrast ratios and HDR support.
Not only did its larger screen come in handy for binge-watching, it also gave me a better view of maps while driving for editing larger-sized spreadsheets. Its bigger display also made video calls more enjoyable, allowing me to see more of my friend’s lovely faces.
As much as I love how inviting and immersive the iPhone 14 Plus is, I’d be lying if I said the device was easy to handle — because I struggled at holding and texting with the device using just one hand. If you’re a multitasker, you’ll realize that you can’t always do two things at once with the iPhone 14 Plus in hand. With the iPhone 14, I was able to respond to texts one-handed while simultaneously walking my dogs, but with the 14 Plus, I had to stop and text with two hands for fear that I'd drop it if I wouldn't otherwise. It's a sacrifice worth making, but something important to note about this device.
4. It Feels Lighter Than Other Big Screen iPhones
In a continuation of my ranting about how unwieldy big-screen phones are, they oftentimes weigh a lot, too, which can put unnecessary strain on my pinky finger. Fortunately, the iPhone 14 Plus weighs a little less than its other big-screened brothers, making it easier to handle (and easier on my mighty little finger).
Weighing in at 7.2 ounces, it feels a bit lighter than a similarly sized iPhone 13 Pro Max and 14 Pro Max, which weigh 8.5 ounces. For comparison, the Google Pixel 7 Pro weighs 7.1 ounces, and the Samsung Galaxy S22+ weighs a little less at 6.9 ounces. You may not think that weight matters, but if you endlessly scroll a TikTok feed, trust me, every ounce counts!
5. The iPhone 14 Plus Is an Excellent Choice for Users With Accessibility Needs
The iPhone 14 Plus features a 10% bigger display than the iPhone 14, measuring 6.7 inches. The additional surface area provides easier interactions for anyone that experiences motor difficulties. If you mount your iPhone on a wheelchair or close to your bed, its larger display makes it easier to read and interact with at a distance. Since the display is larger, you won’t have to use three-finger gestures as much, either, in the event you rely on Apple’s VoiceOver screen reader to interact with your iPhone.
The iPhone 14 series of smartphones also have an optional setting that makes it play a chime whenever the device is powered on or off, which will come in handy for blind and low-vision users. I tip my hat to Apple for making its devices even more accessible.
Wrap-Up
Overall, the iPhone 14 Plus is the one to buy if you want a big-screen phone with the best battery life for a budget-friendly price point. Its stellar features bear similarities to the iPhone 13 Pro, which my colleague hailed as a “technological tour de force,” thanks to its best-in-class craftsmanship and hardware performance — just with a different aluminum shell and one less camera. It’s an outstanding smartphone and is worthy of upgrading from your current device if you have the budget for it.
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