As part editor for Digital Developments’ Cell part, I often use rather a lot of various telephones. However no matter which glorious Android cellphone or bleeding-edge folding cellphone I’m reviewing, I’m all the time utilizing an iPhone on the similar time. From September 2022 till early March 2023, my iPhone of selection was the iPhone 14 Professional Max. However after getting irritated with its gargantuan measurement and weight, I downgraded to the smaller (and extra manageable iPhone 14 Professional).
I’ve been utilizing the iPhone 14 Professional since then, and it’s been an excellent expertise. It does the whole lot the iPhone 14 Professional Max does, however in a kind issue that’s considerably simpler to make use of — particularly one-handed. However in preparation for the iPhone 15 sequence coming quickly, I lately went again to the iPhone 14 Professional Max to see how I’d get together with it after months of dwelling with its smaller sibling. And in doing so, I noticed one thing. That is nonetheless a fairly darn good cellphone — and one which makes me excited for the iPhone’s future.
The battery life state of affairs
Complaints in regards to the iPhone 14 Professional’s battery first began rolling in shortly after people acquired their arms on the cellphone final September. Since then, it’s been a curler coaster of ups and downs. Some iOS updates over the previous couple of months appeared to have improved issues, whereas others appeared to do the other. The overall consensus, although, is that battery life nonetheless isn’t notably good — even after 11 months.
That is one thing I observed myself — and complained about shortly after switching to the iPhone 14 Professional. With reasonable use, I used to be discovering myself hitting 20% (or decrease) by late afternoon. That by no means improved because the months went on, and it solely acquired worse after I downloaded the iOS 17 beta. I’ve by no means felt assured within the iPhone 14 Professional’s battery life, and whereas that’s not a large situation after I’m at dwelling all day, it’s extremely annoying after I’m touring or hanging out with mates within the night. Eager about after I ought to seize a charger is all the time oin the again of my thoughts with the iPhone 14 Professional, and that type of battery anxiousness isn’t enjoyable to dwell with.
I’ve been utilizing the iPhone 14 Professional Max on the iOS 17 public beta since I switched again to it, and even on beta software program, battery life has been considerably higher. It doesn’t final fairly so long as it did throughout these first couple of months in September and October of final yr, but it surely’s nonetheless excellent. Even with 6 to 7 hours of display screen time — with over an hour of that being me taking part in Name of Obligation: Cell — I can comfortably get to 11 p.m. earlier than I dip to 10% battery remaining. If I restrict my gaming time, I can simply get by a day-and-a-half on a single cost.
Sure, I want the iPhone 14 Professional Max wasn’t fairly so large and heavy, however I’m changing into extra prepared to miss these issues when there’s such a giant distinction in its endurance. It’s not very best, but when it means I don’t have to fret about battery life 24/7, I’ll fortunately use a heavier cellphone than I’d like.
Large screens simply do it higher
Nevertheless it’s not only a larger battery that’s helped me recognize the iPhone 14 Professional Max once more. A lot of the telephones I’ve used this yr have had large shows. Whether or not it’s the Motorola Edge Plus, OnePlus 11, or Nothing Telephone 2, I’ve gotten used to smartphones with 6.7-inch shows. As such, going again to the 6.1-inch display screen on the iPhone 14 Professional got here with some sudden penalties.
I really like how compact the iPhone 14 Professional feels and the way simple it’s to handle with one hand, however I additionally discovered it was feeling a bit cramped. It’s tremendous for shopping Threads or checking Microsoft Groups messages, but when I wish to do something extra immersive — comparable to following Apple Health+ exercises, watching YouTube movies, or taking part in too many matches on Name of Obligation: Cell — the iPhone 14 Professional Max is way and away the extra pleasurable cellphone.
There are many telephones that provide a giant display screen in a extra manageable kind issue, together with all the Android telephones talked about above. However after utilizing each Professional iPhones and desirous about the place my priorities lie, I’ve discovered myself being extra prepared to place up with the cumbersome measurement if it means getting an even bigger, extra expansive show. Movies look higher, exercises are simpler to comply with, and video games are extra immersive. It appears like such a easy factor on paper, however I didn’t understand how a lot I really valued the iPhone 14 Professional Max’s larger show till I needed to dwell with out it.
I can’t look forward to the iPhone 15 Professional Max
I wished to revisit the iPhone 14 Professional Max for a few causes. The primary was to see if I had made the correct selection in downgrading to the common iPhone 14 Professional earlier this yr, and to that finish, I discover myself a bit conflicted. I nonetheless vastly choose how the iPhone 14 Professional feels. It’s a way more comfy cellphone in nearly each regard, and for a gadget you primarily work together with by holding it, that’s a giant deal.
However as I take advantage of the 2 telephones facet by facet, it’s laborious to disclaim how the iPhone 14 Professional Max outclasses its smaller sibling. The iPhone 14 Professional’s battery life downside has solely endured because the yr has gone on, and whereas the Professional Max isn’t a battery champion, it nonetheless fares much better. Additionally, as somebody who’s discovered myself taking part in extra cell video games and watching extra movies on my cellphone, the bigger display screen measurement has been a big constructive I can’t overlook.
So, what does all of this imply? I’m going to maintain utilizing the iPhone 14 Professional Max for the quick future, but when something, it’s solely made me extra excited for the iPhone 15 Professional Max. Rumors closely counsel that Apple is switching to a titanium physique this yr as a substitute of chrome steel, which ought to assist tackle my concern in regards to the iPhone 14 Professional Max’s weight.
I’ve only a few bones to select with the iPhone 14 Professional Max, so if its weight is addressed in a significant approach, that’s actually thrilling. And that’s earlier than we even begin desirous about the robust chance of a USB-C port, a periscope zoom digicam, and a brand new A17 chipset with (hopefully) higher energy effectivity.
The iPhone 14 Professional Max stays certainly one of my favourite telephones of the previous yr, and if Apple delivers on the iPhone 15 Professional Max rumors we’ve been listening to, that appears like a cellphone I can’t wait to get my arms on.
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