eSIM Guide

Should I Buy iPhone 14 Pro Max For My Next Trip

Written by Harry
August 4, 2023
8 Mins Read

The introduction of the iPhone 14 Pro Max has marked a new era in smartphone technology, notably with its advanced eSIM compatibility and dual SIM options. In this blog post, we will explore the capabilities of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, focusing on its eSIM features, camera, battery life, cellular connectivity, and market price.

iPhone 14 Pro Max - The Best Traveling Companion

If you have $1k and want to purchase an iOS phone, you should get an iPhone 14 pro max. Here is why:

  • Best Camera with abundant functionalities
  • Can use multiple eSIM simultaneously. Great for frequent short business trips.
  • One of the best battery performance in the iPhone series
  • Brighter display with Dynamic Island, ProMotion, and always-on function
  • A16 Bionic Chip

It is a strong contender even after a year after its release. Here is a summary of comparison between iPhone Pro Max and it's competitors:

Model Camera Capability Connectivity Weight Score
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 200 MP (wide) + 10 MP (periscope telephoto, 10x optical zoom) + 10 MP (telephoto, 3x optical zoom) + 12 MP (ultrawide) Android 13, One UI 5.1 5G 234g 9
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max 48 MP (wide) + 12 MP (telephoto, 3x optical zoom) + 12 MP (ultrawide) iOS 16, upgradable to iOS 16.5 5G 240g 9
Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate 50 MP (wide) + 13 MP (ultrawide) + 5 MP (macro) Android 13 5G 239g 8
Xiaomi 13 Ultra 50 MP (wide) + 50 MP (telephoto, 5x optical zoom) + 50 MP (ultrawide) Android 13, MIUI 14 5G 227g 8
Honor Magic V2 50 MP (wide) + 20 MP (telephoto, 2.5x optical zoom) + 50 MP (ultrawide) Android 13, MagicOS 7.2 5G 231g 7
Sony Xperia 1 V 48 MP (wide) + 12 MP (telephoto, 3.5x-5.2x optical zoom) + 12 MP (ultrawide) Android 13 5G 187g 7
Google Pixel 7 Pro 50 MP (wide) + 48 MP (telephoto, 5x optical zoom) + 12 MP (ultrawide) Android 13 5G 212g 7
Vivo X90 Pro+ 50.3 MP (wide) + 64 MP (periscope telephoto, 3.5x optical zoom) + 50 MP (telephoto, 2x optical zoom) + 48 MP (ultrawide) Android 13, Funtouch, OriginOS 3 5G 221g 7
Huawei P60 Pro 48 MP (wide) + 48 MP (telephoto, 3.5x optical zoom) + 13 MP (ultrawide) HarmonyOS 3.1, EMUI 13.1 5G 200g 6.5
Motorola Razr 40 Ultra 12 MP (wide) + 13 MP (ultrawide) Android 13 5G 184.5g 6

iPhone 14 eSIM International Compatibility

The iPhone 14 Pro Max is a traveler's dream come true, boasting eSIM capabilities and dual SIM options. You can use dual SIM with either two active eSIMs or a nano SIM and an eSIM, depending on your needs1. This feature is not only limited to iPhones but also available in other smartphone models like Google Pixel 7 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. However, the iPhone 14 Pro Max takes a leap forward by supporting multiple eSIMs at the same time. In the US, all iPhone 14 models excluded physical SIM card tray and relies entirely on the eSIM technology.

When it comes to 4G/5G connectivity, the iPhone 14 Pro Max excels with its seamless internet speed. Its global availability makes it a go-to choice for many users. However, the number of eSIMs that can be used may vary based on carrier and country support.

The downside of having only eSIM also means that traditional SIM cards can’t be used…If you are traveling or have a business trip, visit Textr eSIM store and explore what eSIMs you can purchase. You can purchase a data plan for just one country, regional and global plans. The best part of having an eSIM phone is that you do not need to take apart your phone to change your SIM cards. Just download Textr eSIM app and install eSIM into your phone. Activate your eSIM when you arrive at your destination.

Take Professional Photos with iPhone 14 Pro Max

Moving onto the camera capabilities, the 14 Pro Max features a 48MP primary camera with a Quad-Bayer color filter, a 1/1.28" sensor, and a 24mm f/1.78 lens. Offering 4 times the resolution compared to 12MP cameras used in previous generations. The primary camera has an pixel size of 1.22µm before binning, and an impressive 2.44µm with binning.

In addition, the Pro camera system includes a 12MP Ultra Wide camera with a 13mm, f/2.2 aperture and a wide 120° field of view, offering superb low-light performance. It features Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control, as well as Portrait Lighting with six effects and other advanced features, enhancing the selfie-taking experience.

The camera also supports Animoji and Memoji, Night mode, Deep Fusion, and Smart HDR 3. It can record HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 30 fps and 4K video at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps.

For telephoto capabilities, it offers a 12MP 2x Telephoto with optical-quality zoom, as well as a 12MP 3x Telephoto with a 77mm, f/2.8 aperture.

Lets take a look how powerful is iPhone 14 Pro Max's camera with a $30,000 professional camera.

iPhone 14 Pro Max Battery Life vs. Other Flagships

The iPhone 14 Pro Max boasts a long-lasting battery life with 4,323 mAh capacity. It has dominated other flagship smartphones including Google’s Pixel 7 and Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra in recent battery life tests. In fact, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has the smallest battery compared to the other large flagships, despite lasting the longest in all the tests. Here is a comparison chart:

Battery comparison between iPhone Pro Max, Pixel 7 Pro, and Galaxy S22 Ultra

Maximize iPhone 14 Pro Max battery health

There are several ways to make your battery last even longer2. Here are some tips that you can try:

  1. Turn off Live Activities: With iOS 16.1, Apple added a Live Activities feature that allows apps to keep an ongoing notification on the Lock Screen or in the iPhone 14 Pro’s Dynamic Island.
  2. Delete Lock Screen Widgets: Widgets are constantly visible on the Lock Screen and many are refreshing in the background, which means they’re eating up battery.
  3. Turn off Always-On Display: The always-on display for iPhone 14 Pro Max displays all the elements that are normally visible on your iPhone’s lock screen in a dimmed state and updates the widgets in real-time.
  4. Disable ProMotion: ProMotion is a feature that adjusts the frame rate of your iPhone’s display based on what you’re doing.
  5. Disable Auto-Brightness: Auto-Brightness adjusts the brightness of your iPhone’s display based on the ambient light around you. Disabling this feature can help save battery life.
  6. Limit Background App Activity: Background App Refresh allows apps to refresh their content when on Wi-Fi or cellular in the background.

iPhone 14 Cellular Connectivity Problem

The iPhone 14 Pro Max is equipped with advanced cellular technologies, including 5G (sub‑6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO, Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO and LAA. This ensures a fast, reliable internet connection almost anywhere in the world. However, like any other device, there have been reports of users experiencing some connectivity issues.

According to various user discussions on Apple's official forum, some iPhone 14 Pro Max owners have reported slow and unreliable 5G cellular connections and calls, especially those on the Verizon network in the U.S. It's worth noting that these issues might be carrier-specific or related to the location and coverage area.

If you're in an area with weak signals, there are several ways to boost your reception. One method is by turning on Airplane Mode for about 10 seconds and then turning it off. This can help reset the network settings and improve signal strength.

To check your iPhone's cellular signal strength, you can go to Settings > Cellular. If the signal bars are low, try moving to a different location where the signal might be stronger. Alternatively, you can also use Wi-Fi calling if your carrier supports it, which can improve call quality in areas with poor cellular reception. For more details, consider checking out our articles on ***tools to boost reception and how to check your iPhone's cellular signal strength***.

iPhone 14 Pro Max Market Price in 2023

The iPhone 14 Pro Max starts at $1,099 for the base model with 128GB of storage. This is quite comparable to other high-end smartphones in the market. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, one of its closest competitors, is priced at around $1,199 for the 256GB base model. Below are iPhone 14 Pro Max prices at varying storage capacity:

128GB - $1099

256GB - $1199

512GB - $1399

1TB - $1599

Is iPhone 14 Pro Max Worth It?

In today's fast-paced tech world, a year can feel like a lifetime. However, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has managed to remain at the forefront of smartphone technology, even a year after its debut. With its eSIM compatibility, powerful battery life, excellent cellular connectivity, and overall performance, the iPhone 14 Pro Max remains a compelling choice for travelers and tech enthusiasts alike. While it comes with a premium price tag, those seeking a high-end smartphone will find it a worthy investment.

About the Writer

Written by Harry

A marketer with a background of electrical engineering and developer. Passion in researching, executing, and evaluating new tech innovations.

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