Iphone 14 | Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro Max in the test: gigantic good, gigantic expensive | apple iphone

Apple’s smartphone giant iPhone 14 Pro Max in the test: gigantic good, gigantic expensive

The iPhone 14 Pro Max weighs a full two grams more than its predecessor. 240 grams, i.e. almost half a pound. But those few grams reinforce the impression that this Apple giant is even bigger than its predecessor. Although many things have remained the same compared to the 13 Pro Max, such as scope and storage equipment, the top configuration of the new iPhone flagship is even more expensive than the brand new MacBook Air with a 1 terabyte SSD and the new M2 chip (2079 euros).

A smartphone as expensive as a high-end laptop from your own company – why is that? Of course, Apple has also been hit by the semiconductor crisis. Again and again, news of production outages in China made the rounds. Whether it was the lack of hardware or the absence of workers due to Corona – production problems of this kind certainly do not make a product cheaper. Inflation may also do the rest.

But a comparison with the USA is worthwhile. There, the top model, as we have it here as a test device, costs $1599 – which, as of December 22, amounts to exactly EUR 1502. If we add the expensive German VAT of 19 percent to the US price, we arrive at a total of 1787.62 euros. Where in the transatlantic value chain at a German price of 2099 euros 311.38 euros get stuck – around 17.5 percent cost increase – Apple did not know exactly when asked.

Why is storage so expensive?

The question of why storage space is so expensive could not be answered either. Because the 744 gigabytes difference between a 256 GB memory and the 1 TB memory costs 520 euros. Experienced electronics hobbyists currently pay around 70 euros for 1 terabyte of internal SSD storage. So it’s clearly the storage capacity that makes the top model so exorbitantly expensive – for whatever reason.

Therefore, the tip right at the beginning: save on memory, otherwise the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the top device on the market. 128 GB is available for 1449 euros, 256 GB for 1579 euros, 512 GB for 1839 euros and, as mentioned, the top model with 1 TB for 2099 euros.

The fact that the processing and materials of the iPhone Pro Max are flawless does not need to be mentioned separately. Just as little as the fact that the specially hardened special glass that encases the device really withstands falls – just like the stainless steel frame doesn’t actually need a protective cover. You can really wear the device, which is available in dark purple, gold, silver and space black, without it.

Dynamic Island – the finder of the iPhone

The most noticeable external change to the model, which otherwise passes as a twin of its predecessor, is the absence of the “Notch”. That static, oval, black area at the top edge of the screen, behind which sensors and lenses were previously hidden. Instead, the so-called Dynamic Island is enthroned there, which is both an information area for active software and an input area. What is charming about this kind of finder in the iPhone is the graphic flexibility and the view of apps that work in the background.

Another innovation is the permanently active screen, which, in a darkened version, still makes it possible to read important information. These can be configured individually. In addition to the wireless option, charging is still carried out via an Apple Lightning cable. The EU standardizers recently decided its death, which is a step backwards from a technical point of view, since the Lightning cables can communicate bidirectionally and thus also peripheral devices could be connected to the iPhone. But we will probably have to get used to USB-C ports from the iPhone 15 onwards.

The physical SIM card still fits

It is also likely that this edition of the iPhone will be the last with a physical SIM card. The American iPhones of the model year 2022 are already only available with e-Sim. Also new is a small symbol at the top right, where the signal strengths of the telephone networks are indicated. In the absence of cell phone reception, a small satellite symbol is now emblazoned there. In emergencies in remote areas, calls for help can be made, even if there is no mobile network available. This feature has recently also been activated in Germany and, like the fall and accident report, should contribute to the safety of iPhone users.

The central object of desire for Pro Max fans is and remains the triple camera on the back. For the first time, it doesn’t offer any extras compared to the smaller iPhone Pro. The most striking features are the new optical image stabilization and the new 48 MPix sensor, which further optimizes the already excellent and balanced image compared to the previous model. The triple optical zoom also seems to have been improved, which certainly has something to do with the overall performance of the new Apple A16 Bionic chip.

The digital zoom has also become significantly less noisy up to medium ranges such as five or six times. In video, the most notable change is the Cinema mode, which can now record in Ultra HD at 30 frames per second and, of course, continue to switch focus between foreground and background subjects like a pro behind a Hollywood camera.

The screen as the center

Naturally, the luminous center of everything is the radiantly bright 120 Hz OLED display. 2796 x 1290 pixels ensure color fidelity and a good white balance. The brightness of the screen is particularly important in sunshine. Here everything is clear and easy to see.

The iPhone 14 Pro Max performs exceptionally well outdoors, which is mainly due to the high peak brightness, which ensures that the display remains very easy to read in any lighting situation. The ambient light sensor also reacts quickly and appropriately to changing, complex light situations or flat viewing angles.

The battery life has also been significantly optimized. However, what used to be the case with desktop computers is increasingly true: the software is becoming increasingly complex and computationally intensive, which leads to higher battery consumption. Closing open apps from time to time can certainly extend the battery life.

Conclusion

The best iPhone is undoubtedly the pinnacle of smartphone art. It is recommended to every professional user and technology lover who does not have to pay attention to the price. If you still don’t want to go without and are willing to pay the corresponding prices for top quality, we recommend the edition with 256 GB – or the smaller, but almost as powerful iPhone 14 Pro.