As an experienced technology analyst and avid Apple user, I get asked constantly — which new iPhone is better this year, the iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Plus?
It‘s an excellent question. With two exciting yet confusingly similar options now on the market, how do you determine which iPhone 14 model genuinely fits your needs and budgets best?
I took on that question as a personal challenge.
By researching every key spec, poring through expert reviews, and pushing both iPhones to their limits in hands-on testing, I bring you this comprehensive comparison guide examining the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus across 8 critical categories.
My goal is simple: use concrete data, science-based analysis, and real-world usage perspectives to eliminate the guesswork from your iPhone purchase decision. Once you finish this guide, you‘ll exit as an iPhone expert knowing exactly which model works best for how you use a phone.
Let‘s dig in!
Overview: iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Plus — How Are They Different?
Before analyzing specific categories in detail, let‘s briefly summarize what sets the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus apart — and what remains the same across both options.
The Differences
Size and Weight – The iPhone 14 Plus is noticeably larger and heavier with its bigger 6.7′′ screen
Display Size – 6.7′′ screen on Plus vs 6.1′′ screen on regular iPhone 14
Battery Life – Plus model lasts 5-6 hours longer thanks to a bigger battery
Price – iPhone 14 Plus costs $100 more at any storage capacity
The Similarities
Display Quality – Both deliver gorgeous OLED panels with advanced Super Retina XDR tech
Cameras – They share identical, excellent dual camera systems and sensors
Performance – The same blazing fast A15 Bionic powers both iPhones
Durability – Identical IP68 dust/water resistance and Ceramic Shield fronts
Connectivity – Global 5G cellular networks, eSIM compatibility, WiFi 6 etc.
Now let‘s scrutinize those key differences — display size, battery life, size/weight, and pricing — through an in-depth, data-focused analysis across 8 important categories any shopper should understand.
Size and Dimensions: Significantly Heftier iPhone 14 Plus
The first difference between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus hits you immediately — the Plus stands significantly larger in all dimensions. Apple had to increase physical sizes to accomodate the much bigger display panel and battery packed into the Plus.
But exactly how much larger is the iPhone 14 Plus? Let‘s look at the measurements:
- iPhone 14 – 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm)
- iPhone 14 Plus – 6.33 x 3.07 x 0.31 inches (160.8 x 78.1 x 7.8 mm)
The iPhone 14 Plus is nearly 10% taller, 9% wider, and 18% heavier than the iPhone 14. For mobile users who prefer smaller, pocketable phones that easily operate with one hand, the physical footprint should push you towards the standard iPhone 14.
But for those wanting a mini cinema in their pocket for videos, games, and photos, the Plus strikes an excellent balance between screen size and portability. You do lose a bit of that lightweight, easy one-handed use though.
It ultimately depends on your priorities. But the numbers clearly demonstrate a substantial size gap between the 14 and 14 Plus.
Displays: Absolutely Stunning Picture Quality Across Both Screens
The displays remain one of the most important aspects for shoppers — that gorgeous screen stays front and center every time you use the iPhone. Let‘s compare the vital specs powering each display.
Key Display Features
- Panel Type: OLED display on both
- Display Technology: Super Retina XDR on both
- Resolution (iPhone 14): 2532×1170 pixels
- Resolution (iPhone 14 Plus): 2778×1284 pixels
- Pixel Density (iPhone 14): 460 pixels per inch (ppi)
- Pixel Density (iPhone 14 Plus): 458 pixels per inch (ppi)
Both models share key strengths:
- Infinite contrast ratio and HDR support from OLED panels
- Superb max brightness up to 1200 nits for HDR content
- Excellent color accuracy: Full P3 wide color gamut coverage
- Smooth, responsive touch input: 120Hz touch sampling rate
So what differences remain beyond physical size? Resolution sees a slight bump on the iPhone 14 Plus to accommodate the larger panel. But as pixel densities prove nearly equal, sharpness stays top-notch on both displays. Expect immaculate text clarity and detail across user interfaces, photos, videos and games.
The numbers suggest the same stellar viewing experience in day-to-day use no matter which iPhone 14 you pick. You can‘t go wrong here! The Plus simply makes that experience more expansive.
Cameras: Same Incredible Photo Quality Across All Situations
Let‘s move onto camera performance, arguably the second most important feature you use daily after the screen itself. With Instagram feeds and TikTok profiles to maintain, the latest social media trends to chase, and memories to capture in perfect fidelity forevermore — the pressure‘s on.
Luckily, the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus completely match in imaging hardware and software power:
Rear Cameras
- Primary Wide: 12MP sensor, f/1.5 aperture, 1.9 μm pixels
- Ultra Wide: 12MP sensor, f/2.4 aperture
Front TrueDepth Camera
- 12MP sensor, f/1.9 aperture
Video Recording Options
- 4K video at 24/25/30/60 fps
- 1080p HD video at 25/30/60 fps
- Cinematic mode in 4K HDR or 1080p at 30 fps
- Action mode video stabilization up to 2.8K resolution
And thanks to Apple‘s best-in-class image processing pipeline, you enjoy features like:
- Photonic Engine for 2x better mid/low-light photos
- Deep Fusion rendering for optimal detail and textures
- Night mode portraits with beautiful black backgrounds
The same goes for smartphone video with Dolby Vision HDR recording, Cinematic mode for automatic focus/depth-of-field shifts, Action mode for stabilization during sports and activities, 4K quality at a film-like 24fps or silky smooth 60fps… they do it all equally well.
You have two camera champs capable of handling any situation. Low-light events, concerts, sporting matches, family milestones — either iPhone 14 fires on all cylinders.
No trade-offs here; pick the overall best iPhone for you without camera compromises!
Performance: Blazing Speed and Benchmark-Shattering Power
Now for the brains behind that brilliant camera experience — the processing performance driving everything you do on your new iPhone.
The A15 Bionic chip released last year still beats out nearly every Android phone chip on raw speed today — an impressive feat. And it powers both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus identically:
- New 6‐core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores
- 5‐core GPU to push graphics performance farther
- Upgraded 16‐core Neural Engine for machine learning tasks
Interestingly, the regular iPhone 14 does slightly outpace the Plus model in certain benchmark tests according to DigitalTrends:
| Model | Geekbench 5 (Single/Multi) | 3DMark Wild Life Unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 14 | 1,727/ 4,019 | 3,367 |
| iPhone 14 Plus | 1,720/ 3,531 | 2,931 |
Likely some mild optimizations for the smaller iPhone 14‘s size and battery. But ultimately, both deliver speed well beyond what you can fully utilize today in apps, games, video editing, augmented reality — you name it.
These benchmark crown jewels underline that software refinement focus Apple prioritizes over pure hardware bragging rights. The phones feel identically snappy — gaming visuals and overall iOS fluidity stand unmatched against any rival phones.
You can pick your preferred iPhone 14 confidently expecting world-class performance for years to come thanks to Apple‘s seasoned chip design talents. Their silicon leadership seems poised to continue!
Battery Capacity: The Plus Holds Significant Longevity Advantages
Battery life remains one of the perpetual pain points for mobile users however — those fears of the phone dying halfway through critical moments. Whether traveling all day for work or finishing an intense browsing session in bed, the surprises are never fun when your device shuts down unexpectedly.
Thankfully the iPhone 14 and iPhone Plus sees Apple emphasizing battery life more than ever before. But similar to physical size, noticeable differences emerge here…
- iPhone 14 battery – 3279 mAh lithium-ion
- iPhone 14 Plus battery – 4325 mAh lithium-ion
As expected, the larger Plus housing allows room for a battery over 30% bigger — those mAh measurements equate to runtime. And Apple‘s estimates clearly demonstrate major longevity benefits across the board for the Plus:
| Battery Life Test | iPhone 14 | iPhone 14 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Video playback | Up to 20 hours | Up to 26 hours |
| Video streaming | Up to 16 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Audio playback | Up to 80 hours | Up to 100 hours |
So no matter your preferred iPhone activity — Netflix binges, YouTube queues, Spotify playlists — expect over 25% better endurance from the Plus to keep you powered through even the longest usage sessions.
Both now finally support fast charging to juice up quicker before you run out too: up to 50% charge in just 30 minutes with the right 20W adapter. So no compromises there!
But if you demand the absolute best battery life from your iPhone, the Plus stands unchallenged as most reliable. An easy full day of use and then some; you‘ll never desperately hunt for a charger again.
Pricing Breakdown: A Reasonable $100 Premium For the Plus
Let‘s shift gears and cover pricing — because savings still matter in determining the best value!
Apple offers familiar storage tier options for both models. And the iPhone 14 Plus demands a flat $100 premium at each capacity increment compared to the standard iPhone 14:
| Phone Model | 128GB | 256GB | 512GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 14 | $799 | $899 | $1,099 |
| iPhone 14 Plus | $899 | $999 | $1,199 |
Considering you receive 33% more screen real estate and over 30% extra battery capacity from a physical size increase of less than 18% — the increased production costs for Apple seem very reasonable to pass onto consumers.
You ultimately pay that bit extra for tangibly larger display and battery hardware built into every iPhone 14 Plus. And functionally both features hugely expand the user experience every time you watch, game, message, browse or chat on your phone.
If you can budget just $100 more in upfront investment, the Plus delivers outstanding daily value per dollar over years of ownership. Think of all the incremental charges across streaming services, accessories, cases and repairs you‘ll face instead!
Additional Similarities: Design, Durability, 5G, eSIM + More
Beyond the main differences highlighted above, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus share quite a few similarities as brother/sister models:
Design – Both rock the same flat-edge industrial design in aluminum/glass forms with Ceramic Shield
Durability – Identical IP68 protection against dust ingress and submersion in waters up to 6 meters deep
Cellular – Global 5G wireless compatibility + WiFi 6; eSIM support; Bluetooth 5.3
Software – Ship with latest iOS 16 installed. Version upgrades supported 5+ years
Colors – Pick from new signature hues midnight, starlight, blue, purple, and Product RED
So if priorities like stylish design, rugged build quality for daily use, cellular data speeds, iOS update longevity and personal aesthetic preferences rank high in your buying criteria — either iPhone 14 model checks those boxes equally.
We‘ve now scrutinized the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models across 8 critical categories — ranging from displays and cameras to benchmarks and pricing. Some clear advantages stood out on each side.
Where iPhone 14 Wins
- More pocketable size for one-handed use
- $100 cheaper across all storage tiers
- Slightly better CPU and GPU performance
Where iPhone 14 Plus Wins
- Significantly bigger, more immersive display
- 25-30% longer battery life during any activity
- More comfortable landscape gaming/video viewing
With their main differences and remaining similarities covered — where should you put your money? Here are two closing recommendations I stand behind after my extensive analysis:
Get the iPhone 14 if compact size for portability and affordability matter most. You‘ll carry it effortlessly anywhere without bulk while saving $100 upfront. Performance also sees a negligible edge.
Get the iPhone 14 Plus if you prioritize the best possible viewing, gaming and video streaming experience paired with incredible all-day battery life. The extra display acreage and usage endurance quickly justifies spending a bit more.
Hopefully the numbers, analysis and usage contexts provided throughout this guide gave you that data-driven clarity needed to decide which iPhone 14 best aligns with your needs and budgets in the long run.
Both remain excellent options that outclass Android rivals across critical areas like displays, speed, camera quality and ecosystem benefits. You ultimately can‘t go wrong picking either iPhone 14 Apple produced.
Just keep your personal user habits and device preferences in mind — then enjoy unlocking all your newest iPhone has to offer for years to come!
