Apple thinks the iPhone 14 Plus will be a hit

I liked Apple’s iPhone Mini range, but even when it was first introduced I didn’t expect it to be a big seller for the tech giant.

In the back of my mind, I hypothesized that this very specific audience remained relatively small, despite the clamor of many on social media for a smaller iPhone. Fast forward to 2022, and the 5.4-inch mini line is mostly dead (Apple is still selling the iPhone 13 mini for now), so maybe I was right on some level.

That’s where the new 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus comes in.

Everything I wrote in my last Phone 14 review also applies to the new Plus, including the same overall aesthetic as the iPhone 13, its great display that lacks a 120Hz refresh rate, and a camera that’s compared to theirs predecessor offers only minor improvements. You still don’t get the new “Dynamic Island”, an additional zoom lens, or even the A16 chip. Aside from its larger size, the iPhone 14 Plus is completely identical to the iPhone 14.

In terms of both the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Plus, no smartphone is a bad device and in fact they are among the most solid smartphones out there, but they’re not particularly exciting either – especially if you’re planning on using an iPhone 12 or Move iPhone 13 to iPhone 14.

Whether Apple’s iPhone 14 Plus — which will be released on October 7, just weeks after the rest of the iPhone 14 lineup — will find an audience remains to be seen, but anecdotally I know at least five people who’ve been waiting for the tech giant, one release an entry-level 6.7-inch iPhone and buy the Plus.

While I’ve recently switched from the Pro Max to the Pro, there are some advantages to Apple’s big smartphones. The larger display makes watching TV shows or movies and playing games a more enjoyable experience. Even reading and web browsing is better on the Plus’s 6.7-inch screen. For almost any task, the more real estate you have on the screen, the better.

Where the great Boi phone experience breaks down for me is when I have to slide the device into my pocket or hold it in my hand for long periods of time. I’d say my hands are pretty average sized, and holding the iPhone 14 Plus for more than a few minutes is a far less comfortable experience than the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro. It also barely makes it into my pockets. However, the Plus is lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, weighing 203g compared to 240g. If you hold both smartphones in your hands at the same time, the difference in weight is immediately noticeable.

There’s also the price of the iPhone 14 Plus to consider. At $1,249, it’s $300 more than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, making it a decent deal if you’re just looking for a big display but don’t want to spend the extra money on the Max or aren’t interested are high-end features.

I can’t help but think Apple has market research to back up the death of the Mini and the launch of the Plus, but then again I assumed that was the case when it first released its tiny smartphone, and here we are . Only time will tell if the somewhat oddly named iPhone 14 Plus finds an audience large enough for Apple to keep it.

Apple’s iPhone 14 Plus will be released on October 7th, starting at $1,249.

Note: In the coming days, my iPhone 14 Review will be updated with my thoughts on the iPhone 14 Plus.

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