Deciding between an iPhone and its Pro counterpoint has long been an area of interest for potential buyers. Because of the $200 starting price difference between the regular and Pro models, questions often arise: Do I need the Pro's features? Will they really benefit the things I use my phone for? Plus the all-important consideration of the different color options, some only available on either the regular iPhones or the Pro ones.
Unfortunately, I can't help you pick a color. If you're drawn, for example, to the shiny, stainless steel frame, you're going to need to pick the Pro model. What I can help with, however, is understanding how the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus differ from the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
To give a quick overview upfront, the iPhone 14 Pro has a much better camera system along with a technically advanced display. Both the cameras and the display on the iPhone 14 are great, compared with past phones, but the new Pro phones significantly differentiate themselves in these two areas.
This year, the iPhone 14 Pro models include a new A16 Bionic system on a chip, while the regular 14 models kept last year's A15 Bionic, which also appeared in the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. There will certainly be some speed and processing benefits with the A16 chip compared with the A15, but it likely isn't a defining difference. That alone probably shouldn't determine whether you pick the regular phone or the Pro option.
The discussion of the iPhone 14 below also applies to the 14 Plus model. They both have the same components and specs, minus the different screen sizes. Similarly, talk about the 14 Pro applies to the 14 Pro Max, as well, because they feature the same capabilities and only differ with regard to screen size.
Every year, each iPhone gets a new camera system of some sort, and it instantly makes previous iPhones seem inferior. The question you should be asking yourself about the camera system is not, Will I use it?—everyone uses their camera heavily—but rather, How will I use it?
In general, I would recommend that people who are creating video or photo content opt for a Pro model phone with the best camera system. Similarly, even if you aren't taking photos for real estate listings or filming money-making YouTube videos but you're still obsessed with photo editing and printing or cataloging your images, you should also probably be looking at the Pro phones.
Even though the iPhone 14 Pro has a listed 48-megapixel main camera, most of the time it will combine pixels to act as a 12 MP camera with much larger pixels. The Quad Bayer pattern used here should keep image sizes lower while increasing the photo quality. Using Apple's ProRAW format will allow access to all 48 MP.
If none of that means much or piques your interest, the regular iPhone 14 and its camera system should perform great for you. It does have an upgraded front camera with auto-focus. Selfies should be more dynamic than with past iPhones. As has been the case comparing many of these phones' features: It's not good versus bad, it's good versus better. The 14 Pro simply goes above and beyond with more capabilities.
The display on the Pro phones has been better than the one on regular iPhones in the past, but this year there is a bigger delta. On the Pro models, you'll always be able to see the time and any widgets you've set up. You'll also be able to still see your wallpaper when the phone is asleep.
The always-on display should not drain the battery, so it comes with almost no downsides. If you don't want to see it continually, you can turn it off. Interestingly, if you do wear an Apple Watch and leave the room where the phone is, the watch will trigger the screen to turn off completely—for privacy and extra battery savings.
The notch area on the 14 Pro phones is different this year, too. It's now the Dynamic Island, which will show system alerts and things like music that's currently playing. It's neat and should be useful now, but it might take some time to reach its full potential.
Beyond the camera system and the screen, there are still some other differences between the phones. Mostly, these are features or details that, on their own, wouldn't justify picking one phone over another.
Both phone models include Emergency SOS via satellite and crash detection. Both can now record in cinematic mode at 4K at 24 frames per second. And for better or worse, neither phone uses physical SIM cards from network carriers—they use eSIMs.
Apple positions the iPhone 14 Pro to be better so, of course, it's the more attractive device. Most people, however, are really trying to figure out whether those advanced features are of value to them—and do not make the choice solely based on cost.
Upgrading from an iPhone 13 to an iPhone 14 this year won't yield much gain—don't do it if your 13 isn't broken. However, you will see a more noticeable difference moving from a 13 or 13 Pro to the iPhone 14 Pro.
Other people upgrading from older iPhones, like an 11 or earlier, will be treated to plenty of upgrades all-around moving to a new 14. The 14 Pro will provide even more capabilities. To make matters more complicated, the iPhone 13, 13 mini and iPhone 12 are all still available starting at $599.
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