It’s that time of year again – Apple has unveiled its latest and greatest iPhones. The new iPhone 14 lineup brings some key upgrades, especially to the Pro models. I’ve spent the past week testing out the top-shelf iPhone 14 Pro Max to see if it’s worth your hard-earned cash. Here’s my full review for the Philippine market!
Design and Build Quality
As expected, the iPhone 14 Pro Max sports the same premium build as prior models. It’s got a stainless steel frame sandwiched between glass on the front and back. The rear glass has a silky matte texture that resists fingerprints.
The most noticeable change is the replacement of the notch with a pill-shaped cutout for the front camera and Face ID tech. It looks sleeker while still packing in all the necessary components.
The phone feels substantial and well-balanced in hand. It’s a bit hefty at 240g but retains the durability we’ve come to expect from iPhone Pro builds. No issues with overheating even after prolonged use.
Display
Apple has equipped the 14 Pro Max with a brilliant 6.7″ OLED Super Retina XDR display. It’s sharp, vivid, and incredibly responsive. The 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate makes scrolling silky smooth.
This is the first iPhone with an always-on display that dimsStandby content but keeps date, widgets and notifications visible. It learns your behavior to turn off when in your pocket or bag. Useful for quick glances!
For the Philippine’s tropical climate, the peak 1200 nits max brightness will make using the phone outdoors a breeze. Display quality is simply top-notch.
Cameras
The headline upgrade is the new 48MP main camera sensor that uses pixel-binning technology for detailed 12MP photos. The larger sensor and f/1.78 aperture take in more light for improved low light shots.
The triple camera array also includes a 12MP ultra-wide and 12MP 3x telephoto. Optical image stabilization across the sensors result in crisp images and steady 4K video recording.
Apple’s Photonic Engine supercharges the image processing. Night mode and action shots look fantastic with heightened detail and color. This is arguably the best mobile camera system on any smartphone today.
Performance and Battery Life
Powering the iPhone 14 Pro Max is Apple’s latest A16 Bionic chip. Combined with 6GB RAM, it delivers blazing fast performance whether gaming, editing videos, or jumping between multiple apps. This chip smokes the competition.
Battery life has also been improved to meet the demands of 5G connectivity. I used the phone extensively – streaming, gaming, calls, etc – and it consistently lasted 1.5 days on a single charge. Very impressive! 30 mins charging juices up to 50%.
The 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB storage options ensure you have ample space for apps, videos, photos and more. Given local download speeds, 256GB seems the sweet spot.
iOS 16
The iPhone 14 Pro Max comes with iOS 16 out of the box. The updated operating system adds useful features like customizable lock screens, intelligent dictation, improved Apple Maps, and the ability to easily unsend or edit iMessages.
Everything runs smoothly and fluidly, as expected from Apple’s intuitive iOS platform. You’ll immediately feel at home if upgrading from an older iPhone.
Is it Worth the Price?
The iPhone 14 Pro Max costs a staggering P84,990 for the base 128GB model in the Philippines. That’s a hard pill to swallow and puts it out of reach of many buyers.
However, for folks who rely heavily on their smartphone as their primary computer, the Pro Max does deliver meaningful upgrades in nearly every category. From the dynamic new display, vastly improved cameras, faster performance and longer battery life – it fires on all cylinders.
For those who want the absolute cutting-edge iOS experience, the iPhone 14 Pro Max won’t disappoint. Power users will find it a worthwhile investment. But more casual users may be just as well served by last year’s excellent iPhone 13 series to save some cash.
So there’s my full review! Let me know what you think of the iPhone 14 Pro Max and if you’ll be upgrading in the comments below!
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