iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Phone (3a) Pro
It depends
Too close to call outright
These two are within 4 points overall, so it depends on you: keep phones for years → Phone (3a) Pro (supported until Mar 2031); want maximum speed → iPhone 14 Pro Max (Apple A16 Bionic).
Value Score: iPhone 14 Pro Max 67 · Phone (3a) Pro 71 — methodology
The lifespan decider
When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.
Category by category
Both displays are effectively the same class.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max's Apple A16 Bionic is simply the faster chip.
The Phone (3a) Pro has the stronger camera system — same lens count, higher-grade sensors.
5,000mAh vs 4,323mAh — the Phone (3a) Pro lasts longer between charges.
The Phone (3a) Pro is supported until Mar 2031 — 18 months longer than the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Overall value goes to the Phone (3a) Pro at $7.57 per month of safe use.
Full spec table
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Phone (3a) Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price (street) | $437 | $429 |
| Display | 6.7-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 120Hz, always-on, up to 2000 nits peak | 6.77-inch AMOLED, 1080×2392 (FHD+), up to 120Hz, 3000 nits peak |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 |
| RAM | 6GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB | 256GB |
| Battery | 4,323 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired (50% in ~30 min), MagSafe 15W wireless | 50W wired, no wireless |
| Rear cameras | 48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto 3x | 50MP main, 50MP periscope telephoto 3x, 8MP ultra-wide |
| Dimensions | 160.7 × 77.6 × 7.85 mm | 163.52 × 77.50 × 8.39 mm |
| Weight | 240 g | 211 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP64 |
| Supported until | Sep 2029 | Mar 2031 |
Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.