Apple iPhone 14 vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

Our Verdict: Apple iPhone 14 keeps a 6.1-inch OLED screen in a 172g handset, whereas Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max expands to 6.9 inches and 249g. The Max supplies adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz and extends storage to 2TB against 512GB. The older phone remains easier to handle; the Max is a more deliberate choice for large-screen reading, media and extensive file storage.

Over a full contract, the 14 5G works out around £478 all-in, about £864 less than the 18 Pro Max.

Release Date
16 September 2022 18 September 2026
Expert Rating
3.9
12 reviews
4.5
11 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.9"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
1170 x 2532 1320 x 2868
Pixels Per Inch
457 458
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) Apple A20 Pro (2 nm)
Battery
3,279 mAh 5,391 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
OS
Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.3 with A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm
Weight
172 grams 249 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts
£13.99/mo (£109.00 upfront) £11.95/mo (£1085.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£200.00 £1297.00
Apple iPhone 14 Apple iPhone 14 Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Release Date 16 September 2022 18 September 2026
Expert Rating 3.9
12 reviews
4.5
11 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.9"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1320 x 2868
Pixels Per Inch 457 458
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) Apple A20 Pro (2 nm)
Battery 3,279 mAh 5,391 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
OS Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.3 with A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm
Weight 172 grams 249 grams
Water Resistance IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts £13.99/mo
£109.00 upfront
£11.95/mo
£1085.00 upfront
SIM-free £200.00 £1297.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 14
Apple iPhone 14

24 Months

128GB

Blue

Refurbished

50GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£13.99 a month, £109 upfront.

Monthly payment will increase to £15.79 on 1 April 2027. Then to £17.59 on 1 April 2028.

Use code: SAVING10 (£10 off)

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Silver

15GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£11.95 a month, £1085 upfront.

No mid-contract price increases.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30 off)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 14 or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 14 is cheaper on contract at £477.96 over the life of the deal from £13.99 per month with £109.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 14 or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Apple iPhone 14's 6.1", both screens are similarly sharp at around 457 pixels per inch, and both use Super Retina XDR OLED panels.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 14 or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 14 features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 48 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 14 or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 14 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £200.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 14 and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 14 is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 14 and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max use?

The Apple iPhone 14 is powered by the Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm), while the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max uses the Apple A20 Pro (2 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 14 or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 14 is the more portable of the two: it's 77g lighter at 172 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm, and is slimmer at 7.8mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 14 or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The Apple iPhone 14 is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes, while the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 14 and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max run?

Both phones run Apple iOS.