Here is how the new iPhone 14 Pro lineup compares to its predecessors. This Specs Appeal article lets you see the differences and specifications of the iPhone 14 Pro, 13 Pro, and 12 Pro side-by-side together with their Max variants.
Unlike the iPhone 14, which can offer only a larger Plus model for those planning to upgrade from the iPhone 13 or 12, the Pro lineup has more significant and exciting changes this year. Apple has ditched the notch for the first time since the iPhone X, offering buyers something called "Dynamic Island"—a pill-shape cutout that integrates into the operating system by providing extra information, fancy animations, and convenient gestures. Besides, the iPhone 14 Pro series features an eye-burning display that can peak at 2000 nits brightness outdoors and lower its refresh rate from 120Hz to 1Hz for the always-on feature.
Cameras are another area where the iPhone 14 Pro lineup offers significant changes. Apple has opted for a 48MP primary camera, ditching the good-old 12MP array it has been using since the iPhone 6S. Also, a new flash consisting of 9 LEDs can adapt to the scene.
Another notable feature in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max is satellite communication that lets you send emergency SOS. And if you happen to end up in a car crash, new sensors will detect air pressure change due to the airbag deploying and up to 256G acceleration. Like the Apple Watch and its fall detection system, the iPhone 14 Pro series can notify emergency services and contacts once a car crash is detected.
Finally, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max have the next-gen Apple A16 processor. It maintains the previous 6 CPU and 5 GPU cores configuration, but the raw performance went up about 25%.
Here are the key changes summed up in a list:
- Significantly brighter display with up to 2000 nits outdoors.
- A reworked pill-shaped notch called "Dynamic Island."
- The new A16 Bionic CPU.
- Significantly upgraded camera with a 48MP primary sensor, second-gen sensor-shift stabilization, Photonic Engine, and an adaptive flash.
- Action mode for video with gimbal-like stabilization.
- Improved front-facing camera with a wider aperture and 4K HDR video support.
- Bluetooth 5.3, emergency SOS via a satellite, and car crash detection.
- eSIM-only (only in the US).
- Notably better battery life.
- New colors.
Now here is a more detailed spec comparison with the main improvements in the iPhone 14 Pro series highlighted:
| iPhone 14 Pro / Pro Max | iPhone 13 Pro / Pro Max | iPhone 12 Pro / Pro Max | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1" 2556x1179 1000/1600/2000 nits brightness Dynamic Island Always-on-Display 1-120Hz | 6.7" 2796x1290 1000/1600/2000 nits brightness Dynamic Island Always-on-Display 1-120Hz | 6.1" 2532x1170 1000/1200 nits brightness Narrower Notch 10-120Hz | 6.7" 2778x1284 1000/1200 nits brightness Narrower Notch 10-120Hz | 6.1" 2532x1170 800/1200 nits brightness Regular Notch 60Hz | 6.7" 2778x1284 800/1200 nits brightness Regular Notch 60Hz |
| CPU | 6-core A16 Bionic 5-core GPU | 6-core A15 Bionic 5-core GPU | 6-core A14 Bionic 4-core GPU | |||
| RAM | 6GB | |||||
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | ||||
| Cameras | 48MP wide + 12MP ultra-wide + 12MP telephoto f/1.78 + f/2.2 + f/2.8 aperture Second-gen sensor-shift OIS Adaptive True Tone Flash Photonic Engine Deep Fusion Smart HDR 4 for photos Photographic Styles Macro Photography 3x optical zoom in 2x optical zoom out 6x optical zoom range | 12MP wide + ultra-wide + telephoto f/1.5 + f/1.8 + f/2.8 aperture Sensor-shift OIS True Tone flash with Slow Sync Deep Fusion Smart HDR 4 for photos Photographic Styles Macro Photography 3x optical zoom in 2x optical zoom out 6x optical zoom range | 12MP wide + ultra-wide + telephoto f/1.6 + f/2.4 + f/2.2 aperture Sensor-shift OIS True Tone flash with Slow Sync Deep Fusion Smart HDR 3 for photos 2.5x optical zoom in 2x optical zoom out 5x optical zoom range | |||
| Video | Cinematic mode for videos with shallow depth of field 4K HDR 30 fps ProRes video up to 4K at 30 fps 4K video at 60 fps Macro video recording Sensor-shift OIS Action Mode 3x optical zoom in 2x optical zoom out 9x digital zoom | Cinematic mode for videos with shallow depth of field 1080p 30 fps ProRes video up to 4K at 30 fps 4K video at 60 fps Macro video recording Sensor-shift OIS 3x optical zoom in 2x optical zoom out 9x digital zoom | 4K video at 60 fps Sensor-shift OIS 2.5x optical zoom in 2x optical zoom out 7x digital zoom | |||
| Front Camera | 12MP f/1.9 aperture Photonic Engine Smart HDR 4 Photographic Styles Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR 30 fps HDR video with Dolby Vision 4K 60 fps | 12MP f/2.2 aperture Smart HDR 4 Photographic Styles Cinematic mode 1080p 30 fps HDR video with Dolby Vision 4K 60 fps | 12MP f/2.2 aperture Smart HDR 3 HDR video with Dolby Vision 4K 30 fps | |||
| Data | GSM/EDGE/UMTS/HSPA+ 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) Wi-Fi 6 UWB chip Bluetooth 5.3 Emergency SOS via Satellite Crash Detection | GSM/EDGE/UMTS/HSPA+ 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) Wi-Fi 6 UWB chip Bluetooth 5.0 | ||||
| SIM | No physical SIM Dual eSIM support | Dual SIM (physical nano-SIM and eSIM) Dual eSIM support | Dual SIM (physical nano-SIM and eSIM) | |||
| Battery | 3200 mAh 23 h video playback | 4323 mAh 29 h video playback | 3095 mAh 22 h video playback | 4352 mAh 28 h video playback | 2815 mAh 17 h video playback | 3687 mAh 20 h video playback |
| Ports | Lightning, MagSafe and Qi Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with a 20W adapter | |||||
| Colors | Deep Purple, Gold, Silver, Space Black | Alpine Green, Silver, Gold, Graphite, Sierra Blue | Pacific Blue, Gold, Graphite, Silver | |||
| $$$ | $999 and $1099. iPhone 13 Pro and 12 Pro are now discontinued | |||||
You can also check out our other Specs Appeal articles where we compare the entire iPhone 14 lineup side-by-side and figure out how the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus compare to the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12.
Do you plan to buy the iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max, or will you stay with the smartphone you currently own?