iPhone 14 Plus: The Sweet Spot Between Performance and Size – Mobile Updates Hub | New Phones, Software, and Tips
Introduction iPhone 14 Plus,specs at a glance iPhone 14 Plus,Unboxing iPhone 14 Plus,Design iPhone 14 Plus,Build quality iPhone 14 Plus,Controls and connectivity iPhone 14 Plus,Lab tests: display iPhone 14 Plus,Battery life iPhone 14 Plus,charging speed iPhone 14 Plus,Loudspeakers iPhone 14 Plus,Software iPhone 14 Plus,performance iPhone 14 Plus,Camera iPhone 14 Plus,photo and video quality iPhone 14 Plus,Alternatives iPhone 14 Plus,pros and cons iPhone 14 Plus,verdict iPhone 14 Plus,

iPhone 14 Plus: The Sweet Spot Between Performance and Size

Introduction: iPhone 14 Plus

In September 2022, Apple announced the iPhone 14 Plus, which is effectively its big-screen answer for those who long after a large-sized iPhone but can’t stomach the Pro Max. The iPhone 14 Plus slots in the middle of the typical iPhone 14 and high-end iPhone 14 Pro Max, offering a compelling balance between performance, screen size, and battery life that casual phone users will love just as much as streaming fans or gamers.

With a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel, this becomes an ideal vessel to consume videos, browse or game. It stays at 60Hz unlike the Pro models but still offers wonderful color accuracy, brightness and sharpness.

The iPhone 14 Plus gets the A15 Bionic chip with a 5-core GPU which, like last year’s iPhone 13 Pro ensures excellent performance and efficiency. The camera module offers good photography output with enhanced low light capabilities along with the new Photonic Engine and Cinematic Mode.

Its biggest strength? Battery life. For those who are always on the go, the iPhone 14 Plus has the longest standard iPhone battery life ever.

Specs at a Glance: iPhone 14 Plus

  • Release Date: September 7, 2022
  • Body: Aerospace-grade aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, glass back
  • Dimensions: 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.8 mm
  • Weight: 203 grams
  • Display:
    • 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
    • 2778 x 1284 resolution (~458 ppi)
    • HDR10, Dolby Vision, True Tone, 800 nits typical brightness (up to 1200 nits HDR)
  • Chipset: Apple A15 Bionic (6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine)
  • Operating System: iOS 16 (upgradeable to latest iOS versions)
  • Storage Options: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
  • RAM: 6GB
  • Rear Cameras:
    • 12MP Main (f/1.5, sensor-shift OIS)
    • 12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.4, 120° FoV)
    • 4K video at 24/30/60fps, Cinematic Mode, Photonic Engine
  • Front Camera:
    • 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus, 4K video support
  • Battery:
    • Estimated up to 26 hours video playback
    • 20W wired charging (50% in ~30 minutes)
    • 15W MagSafe wireless, 7.5W Qi
  • Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC with Apple Pay
  • Water/Dust Resistance: IP68 (up to 6m for 30 minutes)

Unboxing: iPhone 14 Plus

If Apple is really going to start focusing on the environmental aspect of its design as they keep saying, then it would make sense for unboxing an iPhone 14 Plus not to be particularly enriching (especially when we compare it with what Huawei did with its P50). The box itself is narrow-AF by iPhone standard, since Apple parted ways with its power adapter and even EarPods to cut back on electronic waste.

The iPhone 14 Plus is the first thing you see when you open the box, screen down with a thin piece of paper protecting the phone. The size of the device is apparent thanks to its 6.9-inch screen, and though the true formlessness can scarcely be felt at first touch, it immediately telegraphs both size and elegance due to the thinness of the thing.

In the box, below the phone, is a USB-C to Lightning cable for charging and data transfer, plus a SIM ejector tool an Apple sticker, and a small booklet of introduction material and legal information. New buyers will not get a charger in the box and so they would require their existing ones or can buy compatible ones for fast charging.

It all ships in a well-ordered manner which is totally Apple deboxing experience. There is not much in it, but the task work experiences high-quality as a result of the device’s structure and also for the lover of detail packaging.

This feels like a win as there’s definitely no Pro-level jump with the new larger screen.

Design: iPhone 14 Plus

The iPhone 14 Plus measures the appearance in a 6.7-inch size and can remain slim by being thin with a balanced weight of only 203 grams. The phone is available in several eye-catching colours, including Midnight and Starlight Black, Blueberry Purple, Martian Red in the initial stages followed by Lemon Yellow at a later date – giving you options to personalise without losing refinement.

Doing essentially the opposite of combining elegance and a sense of luxury, the iPhone 14 Plus has a sophisticated, yet also familiar design. Instead, it continues the new design language that was passed down from the iPhone 12 series such as flat edges, rounding aluminum frame and ceramic shield front which all add up to a feeling of modern solid build. The rear is glossy glass that feels premium but smudges with fingerprints whenever you touch it without a case.

On the back, the dual-camera system is placed in an independent, slightly raised oblique layout design that is also seen on the iPhone 13. Cyber Security • The top of the screen remains notched with Face ID sensors and a camera, though Apple’s new Dynamic Island as seen in the Pros is missing here.

In general, the design of the iPhone 14 Plus is clean, durable and long-lived.

Build Quality: iPhone 14 Plus

Design: The iPhone 14 Plus carrying the premium build quality tradition of Apple. It has an aluminum body (glass front and back) that feels both sturdy and surprisingly light. It has a new ceramic shield front, developed with Corning for improved drop and scratch resistance, making it one of the toughest screens on the smartphone market.

The iPhone 14 Plus weighs in at 203 grams, making it not too heavy or overly bulky. It is comfortable to carry around as the weight distribution has been slightly taken care of and well this might be because you are supposed to hold the monster device with a 6.7-inch screen. A matte-finished aluminum rim adds some grip and is relatively smudge-resistant, but the glossy back — which Gorilla Glass — looks good yet already has a few fingerprints on it; this phone will probably pick up your prints like a not-so-kid-friendly element picks up lint from its matted carpet.

The phone is IP68-rated, which means it’s protected for 6 meters of water for 30 minutes and completely dust protected. The cut-outs for the buttons, SIM tray, and Lightning port are all accurate and tactile, which means they have been made to Apple’s usual high standards of quality.

This makes the iPhone 14 Plus strong and reliable enough to be used with or without a case, providing significant confidence to users for daily use of this phone. That’s palpably fortified — thanks to the form and function of its chassis and finish —making it one of the best-built phones in its price range.

Controls and Connectivity: iPhone 14 Plus

According to the latest schematics, the iPhone 14 Plus includes a mostly familiar and user friendly control layout that clearly reflects Apple’s more recent design language. The other side, as ever, offers volume up/down buttons and the familiar ring/silent switch which I love for how quickly and easily it allows you to silence or un-silence your device. The right has the Side button, which as you know is how you wake your device or launch Siri or Apple Pay.

Its bottom contains an Apple Lightning port for both charging and data. Apple is still using basic Lightning instead of USB-C across its standard iPhone lineup — though that could change in eventual models.

IPhone 14 Plus has the wireless connectivity to be on par with its bigger brother and the time is right for that. It also supports Wi‑Fi 6 for faster, more secure wireless connections1 and Bluetooth 5.3 with longer range and reduced power consumption. Comes with standard NFC with Apple Pay for secure contactless payments.

In most markets, the 14 Plus is a dual-SIM phone with one nano-SIM slot and an eSIM but some U.S. versions are eSIM-only.

Overall, the control method is simple and effective, and with good connectivity features, the iPhone 14 Plus should handle mobile life well.

Lab Tests: Display – iPhone 14 Plus

The iPhone 14 Plus has a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, coming in at a resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels and delivering a pocket-pleasing pixel density of 458 ppi. The screen delivers well in lab tests also with strong marks for brightness, contrast and color reproduction across the board.

The 6.9-inch Fluid AMOLED panel offers a maximum brightness of 800 nits with normal usage, while HDR content can be played back at around 1200 nits. Which means, it will be a breeze to see even in the blazing sun. They feature an infinite contrast ratio without blooming or halos, which results in excellent deep blacks and sharp visuals — perfect for HDR content watching, gaming, and light photo editing.

You also get excellent color accuracy. This model features P3 wide color gamut and True Tone, which adjusts the white balance “on the fly” based on ambient light. Lab measurements confirm good color calibration out of the box, which is great for everyday viewing as well as those more concerned with a higher degree of accuracy.

The display refresh rate is limited to 60Hz (as opposed to the Pro models, with their 120Hz ProMotion) but iOS animations are still polished and fluid due to first-class software optimization.

The iPhone 14 Plus’ display is bright, color-accurate, and immersive (perhaps the best we’ve seen at this price) both in real-world use as well as controlled tests.

Battery Life: iPhone 14 Plus

My iPhone 14 Plus review sample had some of the best battery life I’ve ever seen on an iPhone. This is mostly thanks to the 6.7-inch dimensions allowing Apple to insert a significantly larger battery, so in theory anyway the iPhone 14 Max should be better than every other model of iPhone 14 and some Pro ones too.

Apple officially claims this thing can play 26 hours of video, stream video for 20 hours and play audio for 100. In daily life, the iPhone 14 Plus is guaranteed to last a whole day and usually even two days when used normal to heavy with web surfing, video telephony, streaming and navigation.

All told, the iPhone 14 is one of the longest-lasting phones available among those we have tested, while the iPhone 14 Plus excels even further in this regard. Besides, the A15 Bionic is a power-efficient chip and with intelligent iOS optimizations that know how to manage background activity this results in increased battery efficiency.

Long battery life is a standout feature of the iPhone 14 Plus, making it one of the best performers in Apple’s lineup for anyone who travels, games or simply doesn’t want to worry about having to recharge during the day.

The iPhone 14 Plus supports fast charging of up to 20W using a USB-C charger (sold separately) and Apple’s USB-C to Lightning cable. Although an Apple charger does not come in the box, the manufacturer has managed to recharge about 50% in just half an hour with a lab and real test using an official 20W adapter or even with a good third party.FirebaseAuth

It should take 100 to 110 minutes to recharge from the complete low-charge state, depending on background activity and charging conditions. The fastest not being the smartphone market, but fast enough to always be safe and as cautious with battery health.It of course pompomsims); isnt so aggressively geared toward providing us with miles and miles per hour.

Also MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W and Qi-certified wireless charging at up to 7.5W MagSafe has an efficient magnetic alignment for a better wireless charging experience, though nothing beats wired. This makes it perfect for an overnight charge, or a quick top-up during the day.

The iPhone 14 Plus isn’t a rapid charging phone in the way that some Android phones are, but it does have good battery life, so you might need fewer chargers throughout the day. That said, the mix of really good power delivery makes for a very useful and dependable power experience for almost all users.

Loudspeakers: iPhone 14 Plus

Apple has optimized the sound for Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos support. It works especially if you watch a lot of movies or stream shows on Apple TV+, Netflix, YouTube and others.

Stereo speakers on iPhone 14 Plus give big and balanced sound better than most other phones in its class. They flank the handset next to the earpiece behind top and bottom slots, surrounding a dual speaker system of a bottom-firing speaker, as well as an earpiece enclosure with a second speaker.

It operates on iOS, Apple’s polished and secure mobile OS and provides an intuitive experience out of the box for everyone. It was launched with iOS 16 version and it is upgradable up to the latest ios versions as iOS 17 or higher. •

We performed the test iPhone 14 The Plus makes loud and well-defined shots overall with very little distortion even at high volume. ’ The soundstage is impressively wide for a phone, and has distinguishable stereo separation. With clear vocal and well-defined mid-range, the bass isn’t as deep as in a full-size speaker, but it is rich enough for all-day listening.

The iPhone 14 Plus is amazing in the loudspeaker performance whether you are on a FaceTime call or enjoying a podcast or watching a movie, etc. as it delivers good amount of voice which also feels great and clear which makes it best for media playback without headphones.

With Apple’s regular updates, the iPhone 14 Plus is secured with new patches and performance boosts for several years. Whether you scratch the surface and use your phone for basic tasks or if this is your main device when it comes to productivity.

The 14 Plus makes the most of iOS, running fast and smooth with very few compromises in animations or stuttering, helping matters is tight integration between Apple services and hardware. Face ID authentication, AirDrop, iPhone trackpad mode, iCloud synchronization support and macOS Handoff.

Additionally, the software features customizable lock screens, Focus Modes, Live Text and Visual Look Up abilities and enhanced messaging tools. The device also features works Emergency SOS via satellite and Crash Detection.

In the end, the iPhone 14 Plus delivers a mature and full-featured software experience that you will guarantee to keep for years to come.

Performance: iPhone 14 Plus

Built for performance, the iPhone 14 Plus features Apple’s A15 Bionic chip which comes with a fast 5-core GPU (the same design we that saw in the iPhone 13 Pro). Though it is not the latest chip from Apple, it still can beat many speed and power efficiency Android flagships.

The 14 Plus does the job from daily multitasking to graphics-heavy gaming with it’s world class 6-core CPU, a powerful 5-core GPU, and an industry-leading 16-core Neural Engine. No-doubt with Samsung Exynos 990, apps fire up instantly and transitions smooth AF; this SoC can run any power-demanding app like video editing, AR apps e.t.c without breaking a lag or hiccups for long hours.

This performance is consistent even for a long time due to awesome thermal management and iOS software optimization. Paired with the large screen and beefy battery, the iPhone 14 Plus makes a good media consumption, productivity or mobile gaming machine.

It was slightly behind the A16 Bionic in benchmarks (eg the iPhone 14 Pro) but there was almost zero difference for daily activities. And therein lies the key: a future-proof phone that can beat what current (and near-future) apps request from your device, resulting in an iPhone 14 Plus with a decent speed and stability combo.

Camera: iPhone 14 Plus

There is a 12MP main (wide) camera and another 12MP ultra-wide camera on the rear side of the iPhone 14 Plus, which gives us a dual-camera system. Even if it doesn’t feature the triple-lens setup of the Pro models, in most conditions it provides amazing camera performance, helped by Apple’s pro photo features and the Photonic Engine.

The primary camera has an down to f/1.5 aperture, in-body sensor-shift optical image stabilization (OIS) and larger pixels for increased light sensitivity. Images are sharp, bright, well-balanced and have decent dynamic range. An ultra-wide camera for fitting more scene in each frame, perfect for landscapes or group shots but not quite as adept in low light.

Apple introduced its Photography Engine for even more detailed photos and better color accuracy by performing some deep computational photography work earlier in the processing pipeline. You are also entitled to Night Mode, Portrait Mode with improved bokeh, Smart HDR 4 and Cinematic Mode for video recording with transitions in real-time effect of depth.

It also allows selfies to be more refined because it has added autofocus and this is why FaceTime video calls are better than ever.

With a competent, no-fuss camera system that performs well in just about any shooting situation, the iPhone 14 Plus remains an attractive option for casual photographers and video creators.

Photo and Video Quality: iPhone 14 Plus

The daytime images are sharp with correct color reproduction, good contrast level and nice dynamic range. Smart HDR 4 means that highlights and shadows are retained — even in difficult lighting.

The iPhone 14 Plus takes great photos and video from the standard wide lens — no telephoto zoom or 48MP sensor as on the Pro model. All thanks to the 12MP main and ultra-wide cameras that have Apple’s ideal weapon, The Photonic Engine.

The iPhone 14 Plus is excellent in video It offers 4K recording at up to 60fps, Dolby Vision HDR, Cinematic Mode (now in 4K), and sensor-shift stabilization that keeps your footage smooth and ultra-detailed.

The Portraits get a bit of punch from better-defined edges and more realistic depth-of-field effects, while Photographic Styles make it easier to add tones and warmth for creative control without turning an image into a soft blob with skin.

In the end of day, from a casual selfie to family video to short film all together, iPhone 14 Plus produces sheer professional photo and video quality.

Alternatives to iPhone 14 Plus

By opting for the iPhone 14 Plus users looking forward to a big screen and great all-day battery life have, at least one option in that very crowded space. There are many great alternatives, which will depend on your budget, platform of choice and required features.

And if you’re invested in the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is similarly sized and comes with a ProMotion 120Hz display, Dynamic Island enhancements, and a new 48MP triple-cam array to step up your photography game. The iPhone 14 offers the same power and camera quality in a smaller package with a 6.1-inch display but shorter battery life.

The Samsung Galaxy S23+ will be the best competitor on the Android side, however, and that includes a 6.6-inch AMOLED FHD+ 120Hz show and triple cameras with quicker charging USB-C help. It also gives additional customization through One UI.

Intelligent photographic sampling, paired with its basic Android interface and consistent updates makes the Google Pixel 7 Pro another top choice for the best android phone list. It offers a telephoto lens, is powered by the Tensor G2 chipset and features a sizable 6.7-inch screen.

If you need more camera options, speedier refresh rates, or just want to see what else is out there beyond iOS these alternatives provide a strong experience on both platforms.

Pros and Cons: iPhone 14 Plus

Pros

  • Large 6.7-inch Display
    Offers a spacious screen ideal for watching videos, reading, gaming, and multitasking.
  • Outstanding Battery Life
    Among the longest-lasting iPhones, capable of easily lasting a full day or more on a single charge.
  • Fast and Reliable Performance
    Powered by the A15 Bionic chip (5-core GPU), it handles everything from apps to games with ease.
  • Excellent Camera Quality
    The dual-camera system with Photonic Engine provides great results in both daylight and low light.
  • iOS and Apple Ecosystem
    Smooth software experience with long-term updates, tight integration with Apple services, and strong security.
  • MagSafe and 5G Support
    Compatible with MagSafe accessories and fast cellular networks.

Cons

  • No High Refresh Rate Display
    Stuck at 60Hz, while many competitors offer 90Hz or 120Hz for smoother visuals.
  • No Telephoto Lens
    Lacks optical zoom, limiting flexibility for photography enthusiasts.
  • Still Uses Lightning Port
    USB-C is missing, which could limit compatibility and faster charging options.
  • No Charger Included in Box
    Users must purchase a power adapter separately.

Verdict: iPhone 14 Plus

After a while with comfortable action due to the A15 Bionic chip based on a 5-core GPU, which in 2025 still had good power performance. The dual-camera setup performs really well in most conditions, with features like Cinematic Mode, Photonic Engine and Smart HDR 4 improving the quality of photos and videos.

While an iPhone 14 Plus: the feature will be more attractive to consumers looking for a big-screen version of the iPhone that’s more affordable than the Pro Max models. Apple equipped a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display that provides an immersive experience for streaming, gaming and more.

The iPhone 14 Plus also packs and impressive battery, delivering some of the longest lifespans in any iPhone ever.

But some power users may wish the phone had a 120Hz refresh rate, a telephoto lens or USB-C.

All in all, aspiring iPhone 14 Plus customers would appreciate the superior size, battery life and basic iPhone performance without the need for Pro capabilities or pricing.After a while with comfortable action due to the A15 Bionic chip based on a 5-core GPU, which in 2025 still had good power performance. The dual-camera setup performs really well in most conditions, with features like Cinematic Mode, Photonic Engine and Smart HDR 4 improving the quality of photos and videos.

While an iPhone 14 Plus: the feature will be more attractive to consumers looking for a big-screen version of the iPhone that’s more affordable than the Pro Max models. Apple equipped a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display that provides an immersive experience for streaming, gaming and more.

The iPhone 14 Plus also packs and impressive battery, delivering some of the longest lifespans in any iPhone ever.

But some power users may wish the phone had a 120Hz refresh rate, a telephoto lens or USB-C.

All in all, aspiring iPhone 14 Plus customers would appreciate the superior size, battery life and basic iPhone performance without the need for Pro capabilities or pricing.

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