For the first time, we have an iPhone with a large screen that isn’t the most expensive. The iPhone 14 Plus was introduced to replace the mini line, which reportedly wasn’t selling as well as Apple would have liked. But that raises the question of how the iPhone 14 Plus differs from the iPhone 14, which costs $100 less. Bigger screen, sure, but what else?

And which is the best one for you? So, let’s look at specs, battery life and endurance, cameras, and the overall feel of the devices. 

Design and Display Quality 

At the most basic level, these two phones are the same. The Plus is simply large. The screen on the iPhone 14 is 6.1 inches, while the Plus has a 6.7-inch display. 

The iPhone 14 is large enough for most needs and cases, and there is rarely a reason or excuse to go with the Plus instead. However, some users who do a lot of gaming or movie watching may find the 6.7″ display slightly more comfortable, and the increased battery size is a huge plus. 

Both devices still have the notch, though it is smaller. Of course, this is where the selfie camera and Face ID sensors are located. It is simple to unlock the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus with a glance because Apple’s face unlocking has improved over time and is now incredibly quick and dependable. Even when you are wearing a face mask, they still support facial scans.

The entry-level iPhone 14 models have a flat aluminum frame on the sides and glossy glass backs. Both versions will have a Lightning port for charging and data transfer. They are both, of course, IP68 water- and dust-resistant. 

Performance and Software 

Some people might be alarmed by Apple’s choice to include the 2021 iPhone SoC, and A15 Bionic, in the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. This is the first time Apple introduced a new generation of iPhones with a chip from a previous year. Apple A15 Bionic is still superior to everything its Android rivals offer.

The performance should be the same since the chips are the same as last year, except for an 18% improvement in graphics performance because the iPhone 14’s chip uses a 5-core GPU rather than a quad-core one. The iPhone 14 Plus has better thermal management, undoubtedly due to its size, as it outperformed the regular iPhone 14 in the 3D Mark WildLife Extreme stress test’s final stages.

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus most likely have 6 GB of RAM each. This is enough for them to run iOS, Apple’s incredibly effective operating system that uses background freezes to keep the phones responsive.

Personalized Spatial Audio for AirPods users, a Mail app, the ability to unsend and edit iMessages, SharePlay within iMessage, improved voice dictation, new dynamic widgets on the lock screen that can update sports scores in real-time, and Tap to Pay for small vendors are all included with the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus with iOS 16. 

Unsurprisingly, iOS 16 runs flawlessly, quickly, and responsively on these phones. Despite having 60 Hz screens, iPhone operation feels very smooth. However, returning to a standard screen after using a Pro’s 120 Hz ProMotion screen takes some time to get used to.

The inclusion of satellite connectivity in the iPhone 14 lineup is odd. This feature, which enables you to call for assistance even when cellular coverage is unavailable, is designed to be used in emergencies. The function will be available on the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, as well as the Pros. 

Camera 

The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus remain in the past, while the iPhone 14 Pro models have brand-new 48 MP sensors for their primary cameras. Again, the wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle cameras on the entry-level iPhones have 12 MP sensors. There are no differences between the 14 and 14 Plus because both have identical cameras and image processing.

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus both have excellent audio quality. Considering that these phones provide a respectable number of audible bass and high-frequency clarity. Apple maintains a slightly V-shaped EQ curve on these speakers, but we don’t say that many midrange details are lost. At total volume, iPhones can sound shrill.

Battery Life and Charging 

The massive battery endurance numbers of the iPhone 13 Pro Max astounded users. We got a big battery (by iPhone standards) and excellent thermal management thanks to the phone’s massive chassis, which no doubt helped.

In the case of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, the capacities are 3,279 mAh and 4,325 mAh, respectively.

Yes, the iPhone 14 Plus has some impressive endurance figures. It can be a two-day phone when you do not torture it with benchmarks. However, the standard iPhone 14 is just a little behind. Both of these devices have very dependable battery performance. 

Final Thoughts 

While the iPhone 14 is the right size for most people, providing a good compromise between a large enough screen on a device that isn’t too large to handle, the iPhone 14 Plus will undoubtedly have a niche. It’s aimed at a small subset of fans who require a larger battery and consume a lot of media on their smartphone, whether gaming or video.

Devout Apple Arcade and Apple TV+ subscribers will undoubtedly find value in the large-screen iPhone 14 Plus, which costs less than a Pro Max. If you don’t see yourself as someone who spends a lot of time staring at a phone screen, the iPhone 14 and its more easily pocketable size is a good choice.