You’ve probably seen the name floating around on forums, in sketchy marketplace listings, or maybe you even typed it into Google yourself today. You’re looking for the iPhone 14 Max. It makes sense, right? Apple has a Pro and a Pro Max, so logically, there should be a regular Max.
Except, there isn't.
Honestly, it’s one of the most common tech mix-ups of the last few years. When Apple refreshed their lineup in late 2022, they did bring back a giant, non-Pro phone for the first time since the 8 Plus. But they didn't call it the Max. They called it the iPhone 14 Plus. If you’re holding out for a device with that specific "14 Max" branding, you’re basically chasing a ghost—or a very well-made knockoff.
Why everyone gets the iPhone 14 Max name wrong
Before the "Far Out" event in September 2022, every leaker and their mother was convinced Apple would use the "Max" suffix across the board. It fit the pattern. If you wanted the big expensive one, you got the Pro Max. If you wanted the big cheap one, surely you'd get the iPhone 14 Max.
Apple, being Apple, zagged. They revived the "Plus" moniker, likely to prevent people from getting confused between the two 6.7-inch models. It didn't really work. People still walk into carrier stores asking for a 14 Max every single day.
If you're looking for that specific blend of a massive screen without the Pro price tag, the 14 Plus is what you’re actually hunting for. It’s got that same 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display you’ll find on the flagship, but it cuts out the heavy stainless steel and the extra camera lenses.
The weird reality of the 14 Plus vs. the Pro Max
So, if you’ve been searching for an iPhone 14 Max, you’re essentially looking for a phone that sits in this weird middle ground.
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Let's look at the actual hardware. The iPhone 14 Plus (the "Max" in spirit) uses the A15 Bionic chip. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it’s the same processor from the previous year's iPhone 13 Pro. Apple basically took the engine from last year's luxury car and put it into this year's mid-range SUV. It’s still incredibly fast—we're talking 5-core GPU levels of fast—but it isn't the A16 chip found in the 14 Pro Max.
Weight is the sleeper hit here.
The 14 Pro Max is a tank. It weighs about 240 grams. That is heavy enough to give you "smartphone pinky" within twenty minutes of scrolling TikTok. The 14 Plus? It’s only 203 grams.
That 37-gram difference doesn't sound like much on paper. In your hand? It’s massive. Because it uses aluminum instead of stainless steel, the 14 Plus feels like it's floating compared to the Pro Max. If you’ve ever dropped a Pro Max on your face while lying in bed, you know exactly why this matters.
Battery life is where it gets interesting
For a long time, the "Max" was the undisputed king of battery. But the 14 Plus actually challenged that. Because it doesn't have the Always-On display or the power-hungry ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate, it’s remarkably efficient.
Apple advertised it as having the "best battery life ever in an iPhone" at launch. While the Pro Max can technically last longer in video playback (about 29 hours vs 26 hours), many real-world users found the 14 Plus lasted longer in daily mixed use. It’s a marathon runner. It doesn't have the flashy 120Hz sprint, but it just keeps going.
What you lose by not going Pro
Since the iPhone 14 Max isn't a thing, you're usually choosing between the 14 Plus and the 14 Pro Max.
Here is what you actually give up if you go for the non-Pro version:
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- The Dynamic Island: You’re stuck with the notch. No shifting pill-shape at the top for your Uber alerts or music.
- The 48MP Camera: You get a dual 12MP system. It’s great for Instagram, but you lose the telephoto zoom and the raw detail of the Pro sensor.
- ProMotion: This is the big one. Once you see the 120Hz smoothness of a Pro screen, the 60Hz screen on the 14 Plus feels... sorta laggy. Even though it isn't.
It’s worth noting that neither of these phones—not the Plus, nor the Pro Max—will support the new Apple Intelligence features coming in 2025 and 2026. Only the 15 Pro and 16 series have the RAM and Neural Engine guts to handle the local AI processing. If you’re buying a phone today for the long haul, that’s a massive factor to weigh.
Is the "14 Max" (14 Plus) still worth it in 2026?
We're a few years out from the original release now. You can find these devices refurbished for a steal. Honestly, for most people who just want a big screen for Netflix or reading emails, the 14 Plus is a better value than a used Pro Max.
The screen is just as big. The battery is arguably more reliable as it ages. It’s easier to hold.
The only real "danger" is the Lightning port. The 14 series was the last generation to use Apple's proprietary plug before they switched to USB-C with the iPhone 15. If you're trying to move toward a "one cable for everything" lifestyle, the 14 series will be the annoying outlier in your drawer.
Actionable Steps for Buyers
If you are currently looking for an iPhone 14 Max, here is how to proceed without getting scammed or disappointed:
- Stop searching for "Max" on marketplaces: Search specifically for the iPhone 14 Plus. If a seller is listing an "iPhone 14 Max," they either don't know what they have, or they are selling a fake.
- Check the Battery Health: If buying used, anything below 85% capacity will start to feel sluggish. These phones are approaching four years old; a battery swap might be necessary.
- Compare to the iPhone 15 Plus: Before you pull the trigger, check the price of a used 15 Plus. You get the Dynamic Island and USB-C, which might be worth the extra $100.
- Verify the Model Number: Go to Settings > General > About. A genuine 6.7-inch non-Pro 14 will always show as "iPhone 14 Plus."
Don't let the naming confusion trip you up. The "Max" experience exists in the 14 series—you just have to look for the "Plus" label to find it.