Every yr Apple has a shock or two in retailer for its machine lineup, and for 2022 a kind of twists is the iPhone 14 Plus. That’s as a result of as an alternative of constant to make a mini model of the fundamental iPhone, Apple has lastly created a extra reasonably priced big-screen possibility beginning at $899 for anybody who would not want or need to shell out for a $1,099 iPhone 14 Pro Max.
That mentioned, we have already taken a giant take a look at the vanilla iPhone 14. So in lieu of rehashing what is actually the identical cellphone however with an even bigger show, this overview goes to give attention to an important parts together with what’s completely different on this yr’s new Plus mannequin.
Apple
Apple iPhone 14 Plus
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Pros
Bigger 6.7-inch display Outstanding battery life Cheaper than iPhone 14 Pro Max
Cons
No 120Hz refresh price Still no USB-C port
The fundamentals
Packing a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 2778 x 1284 decision, the iPhone 14 Plus is identical measurement because the Pro Max, however with a a lot lighter physique (203 grams vs 240 grams). In truth, attributable to issues like its triple rear cameras and heavy stainless-steel body, the iPhone 14 Pro really weighs a tiny bit extra (206 grams) than the 14 Plus, regardless of having a considerably smaller display.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
The iPhone 14 Plus has the identical fundamental options as the usual iPhone 14. You get a extra playful collection of colours (blue, purple, midnight, starlight and pink) than the Pro line, however lose out on some extra refined tech resembling Apple’s Dynamic Island, the brand new A16 Bionic chip or a devoted telephoto digicam. Instead, you get an A15 Bionic processor (the identical as final yr’s fashions), simply two rear cameras (together with the 12MP important sensor from the iPhone 13 Pro), and a brand new 12MP TrueDepth selfie cam in entrance.
The cellphone nonetheless feels premium although, and has greater than sufficient efficiency to deal with something you may throw at it. And as one other perk for all of the butterfingered folks on the market, the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus have a brand new mid-frame that makes it simpler to exchange back and front glass panels within the occasion of an accident.
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Just do not attempt to carry over the bodily SIM card out of your earlier cellphone, as a result of like the remainder of the iPhone 14 line, the Plus solely works with eSIMs. This change should not be an enormous deal as a result of Apple has supported eSIMs on its cellphone for years. But for individuals who have not made the change, simply keep in mind to save lots of time to contact your service to be able to convert your bodily card right into a digital one.
Display
The most evident benefit of the iPhone 14 Plus’ elevated dimensions is its capacity to suit an even bigger display, and over the course of a couple of week, utilizing it has been a delight. When displaying HDR content material, Apple says peak brightness can go as excessive as 1,200 nits. Meanwhile, utilizing a lightweight meter, I discovered that our overview unit really exceeded its claimed typical brightness of 800 nits, hitting simply shy of 825 nits. And as a result of it is an OLED panel, you get very good distinction and brilliant colours.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Honestly, now and again I discover myself pleasantly stunned {that a} cellphone with a display this massive and vibrant is as gentle as it’s. That weight discount makes it just a bit bit simpler to carry than the Pro Max or comparable big-screen telephones whereas watching films. The one draw back to that’s as a result of the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus nonetheless function 60Hz panels, show aficionados might extra simply discover that quick motion or UI animations do not look fairly as easy as they could on an iPhone or iPad with a 120Hz ProMovement display.
Battery life
The different massive improve on the iPhone 14 Plus over the usual mannequin is battery life, which is solely superior. A whole lot of machine makers discuss making handsets that may final a number of days, however in my expertise, the iPhone 14 Plus is without doubt one of the few that really delivers. Even with me going by normal setup, working a slate of benchmarks, watching a handful of YouTube movies and plowing by a bunch of ranges in Ustwo’s charming ways sport Desta, I nonetheless completed the day with greater than 45 % juice left. That meant even with average use, I did not have to fret about recharging till going to sleep the next evening.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
And whereas I’m primarily an Android consumer, I additionally need to commend the wonderful standby instances you get with iPhones. Typically I’m used to telephones shedding between three and 5 % battery in a single day, however on the iPhone 14 Plus, I’m one, perhaps two %. I do know that does not sound like a ton, but it surely actually goes to point out how environment friendly Apple’s handsets are. And in our normal video rundown check, the iPhone 14 Plus lasted a whopping 21 hours and 17 minutes, which is the second longest time we have seen from any cellphone this yr, solely behind the OnePlus 10T’s mark of twenty-two:59.
Cameras
Unlike the Pro line, the iPhone 14 Plus solely will get two rear cameras: a 12MP main shooter and a 12MP ultra-wide with a 120-degree area of view. In daytime photographs, the iPhone captured wealthy, punchy colours and many element that does not depart a lot room for critique. However, if I’m actually nitpicking, I did discover that when in comparison with the Pixel 6 Pro, the iPhone 14 Plus often overexposed some photographs, which resulted in barely extra washed-out colours and a bit much less dynamic vary.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Meanwhile in low gentle, the iPhone 14 Plus nearly matched the efficiency of Google’s Night Sight mode on the Pixel 6 Pro, capturing brilliant photographs with good element. In one shot at evening of Grogu (aka child Yoda), the iPhone 14 Plus captured a beautiful golden glow from close by lights. Unfortunately, that impact was considerably exaggerated as evidenced by the Pixel 6 Pro’s picture, which seems to be extra balanced whereas additionally that includes barely sharper particulars on Grogu’s gown and the crops in again.
I believe the largest improve to the iPhone 14 Plus’ normal photograph expertise, although, is the Photonic Engine. Low gentle photograph processing is as much as two and a half instances quicker, which implies there’s much less ready round between photographs, and extra importantly, there’s additionally a smaller likelihood you’ll miss out on capturing that magic second.
Gallery: iPhone 14 Plus digicam samples | 6 Photos
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Gallery: iPhone 14 Plus digicam samples | 6 Photos
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Apple’s improved digicam expertise carries over to the iPhone 14’s 12MP front-facing digicam as effectively. That’s as a result of due to the addition of a real autofocus system (as an alternative of a hard and fast focus distance like on lots of different telephones), you may take sharper selfies with method much less effort. And for somebody like me who would not have a tried-and-tested selfie-taking posture like our resident selfie queen Cherlynn Low does, this makes it so much simpler to seize a good trying shot after I do.
Wrap-up
Now I do know that the addition of a barely bigger fundamental iPhone to the road is way from a sport changer. But, the introduction of the iPhone 14 Plus actually fleshes out the lineup. Previously, if you happen to wished an iPhone with a giant display, you had no selection however to shell out for the Pro Max mannequin, which prices over $1,000. But with the 14 Plus, you will get the identical measurement display with out having to pay for fancy options you won’t need or want. As a bonus, its thermal administration is even higher than the usual mannequin, so that you nearly by no means have to fret about getting sweaty palms.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
I’m nonetheless somewhat bummed that it looks like the Mini line needed to die to make method for the Plus, as a result of then the iPhone household would have a very nice vary of sizes and costs. I also needs to level out that Google affords a equally sized display and a devoted telephoto lens for a similar value within the Pixel 6 Pro (and shortly, the Pixel 7 Pro, in all probability). But I do know asking longtime Apple customers to modify OSes is pointless. So for all of the iPhone followers who simply desire a acquainted machine with an even bigger display and excellent battery life, effectively you then’re in luck as a result of the 14 Plus is your new champion.
