Apple iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Is it time to upgrade?

Apple typically doesn't change too much about the iPhone for it to be worth upgrading each and every year but if you're still hanging on to the iPhone 14 Pro four years later then you might want to consider an upgrade to the new iPhone 18 Pro or the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The latter is basically the same as the iPhone 18 Pro but features a larger screen, a bigger battery, and a steeper price-tag.

The difference between the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro can be a little harder to parse. If you're not sure where to start when it comes to comparing the two, we're here to help and cover off everything you need to know about this year's new iPhone and whether it's worth the upgrade. 

To start, let’s compare the specifications of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro:

iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Price

In Australia, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at $2,099. Here’s the outright price that you’ll pay for each model variant of the iPhone 18 Pro, including the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you're after a larger screen:

While the iPhone 14 Pro has been discontinued since 2023, it launched at a recommended retail price of $1,749. These days, you might be able to acquire one through a merchant selling refurbished iPhones.

Check out the cheapest iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max plans below.

• iPhone 18 Pro
• iPhone 18 Pro Max

iPhone 18 Pro 256GB Plans

#1	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $97.30/mth Min. cost $2,137.80 Go to Site	$97.30/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,137.80	Go to Site
#2	Vodafone	Vodafone $58 Small Plan 65GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices 36 mths device payments Deal: Incl. $13/mth off plan fees for first 12 months + Get $200 Bonus Trade-in Credit. T&Cs apply $103.30/mth Min. cost $2,143.80 Go to Site	$103.30/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,143.80	Go to Site
#3	Telstra	Telstra $74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan 50GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices 36 mths device payments Deal: Order the new iPhone 18 Pro and get $300 bonus trade-in credit. Ends 09.10.26. T&Cs apply. $132.30/mth Min. cost $2,172.80 Link not supplied	$132.30/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,172.80	Link not supplied

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iPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB Plans

#1	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $102.86/mth Min. cost $2,337.96 Go to Site	$102.86/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,337.96	Go to Site
#2	Vodafone	Vodafone $58 Small Plan 65GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices 36 mths device payments Deal: Incl. $13/mth off plan fees for first 12 months + Get $200 Bonus Trade-in Credit. T&Cs apply $108.86/mth Min. cost $2,343.96 Go to Site	$108.86/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,343.96	Go to Site
#3	Telstra	Telstra $74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan 50GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices 36 mths device payments Deal: Order the new iPhone 18 Pro Max and get $300 bonus trade-in credit. Ends 09.10.26. T&Cs apply. $137.86/mth Min. cost $2,372.96 Link not supplied	$137.86/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $2,372.96	Link not supplied

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iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Camera

While the camera on the back of the iPhone 14 Pro was plenty impressive back in 2022, you don't have to scroll too far down the spec sheet to see how the iPhone 18 Pro has the edge over its predecessor.

Where the iPhone 14 Pro has a 48MP main camera, it comes accompanied by a 12MP ultrawide camera and a 12MP telephoto camera. By comparison, the iPhone 18 Pro has 48MP sensors across the board. The main camera also ups the ante with a variable aperture, which promises to offer additional flexibility.

It's a similar story for selfie lovers. The front of the iPhone 14 Pro features a 12MP selfie camera. Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 Pro also features the upgraded Centre Stage selfie camera introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro. In addition to offering more megapixels, this upgraded camera also offers superior subject tracking and image stabilisation.

In general, the more recent iPhone benefits from improvements to the image processing pipeline that are only found with the newer A20 Pro processor. For power users, the iPhone 18 Pro also comes with new Pro Camera controls that let you get more out of the high-end hardware.

iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Connectivity

The iPhone 18 Pro is a natural upgrade when it comes to connectivity. Although both it and the iPhone 14 Pro come with 5G connectivity and eSIM, only the newer device also boasts WiFi 7 connectivity, which is an easy upgrade over the WiFi 6 connectivity found with the older model. 

iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Design

The iPhone 18 Pro comes with an updated design that offers better durability and additional functionality not found in the older iPhone 14 Pro. To start with, the newer device features the Action Button and a dedicated Camera Control button on the side. It also features an aluminium frame and a camera plateau on the back. 

While both devices come with an IP68 rating for water and dust damage, the iPhone 18 Pro has a clear lead when it comes to durability. It features both Ceramic Shield 2 glass on the front and the Ceramic Shield protection on the back. 

For comparison, the sides of the iPhone 14 Pro are stainless steel, and the device only features Apple’s Ceramic Shield glass on a single side.  

iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Display

Although both devices leverage LTPO OLED display technologies to achieve greater power efficiency and more dynamic refresh rates, the screen on the iPhone 18 Pro is both larger and more versatile than its 2022 counterpart. 

The iPhone 14 Pro is built around a 6.1-inch Super XDR Retina Display clocked at 120Hz, which features a Dynamic Island. At the time, this display cutout was cutting-edge. However, you don't have to look at the screen on the iPhone 18 Pro to see how far Apple has come since then. 

This year's small-size Pro-grade iPhone features a larger 6.3-inch Super XDR Retina display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an upgraded Dynamic Island that is slightly smaller but can handle additional activities.

If you're looking at the iPhone 18 Pro Max, you'll get a larger 6.9-inch display. 

iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Performance

If we're going by the numbers, the iPhone 18 Pro shouldn't have to work too hard to beat its 2022 counterpart when it comes to performance. It's got a more recent and powerful processor, larger storage options, and additional under-the-hood enhancements on its side.

Apple's silicon has come a long way since 2022, and the iPhone 18 Pro reaps the rewards of that investment in the form of the new A20 Pro processor. The gains that come with this new component are further boosted by the addition of a dedicated vapour chamber that promises to prime the more recent of the two devices for better performance when it comes to things like gaming, multitasking, and more.

As for on-board storage, the iPhone 14 Pro starts at 128GB and is available in as much as 1TB of storage. By comparison, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at 256GB but is also available in 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB variants. While the higher base capacity does come with a steeper asking price, we're going to give this one to the more recent device, as it's a little easier to make do with 256GB than it is with 128GB.

As for memory, the math is a little hazier. Apple doesn't usually disclose details when it comes to this specific spec. Fortunately, thanks to the usual post-launch teardowns, we know that the iPhone 14 Pro came with 6GB of RAM. 

Given that subsequent iPhones have included additional RAM, it seems like that the iPhone 18 Pro has more to offer on this particular front. However, we won’t know for sure how the newer iPhone 18 Pro compares until it gets the same treatment.

iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Battery

Apple hasn't made as many strides when it comes to improving battery life as it has in other aspects of the iPhone experience, but a few years of gradual gains can add up when you're comparing the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro.  

According to Apple, the iPhone 18 Pro delivers up to 36 hours of video playback per charge while the iPhone 14 Pro offers just 23 hours of video playback per charge.

Of the two devices, it's no great surprise that the more recent model features a larger 4,056mAh battery. While the 3,200mAh battery inside the older iPhone 14 Pro can still provide plenty of playback, the advantages of having more juice to work with per charge are easy to grasp. If you shell out for the iPhone 18 Pro Max instead, you'll get an even bigger 5,319mAh battery to match the device's larger screen. 

Meanwhile, when it comes to wireless charging, the iPhone 14 Pro supports speeds of up to 15W via MagSafe. That's pretty good, but the iPhone 18 Pro is better with wireless charging speeds of up to 25W.

Is the iPhone 18 Pro worth the upgrade? 

It's unlikely to be all that great a shock to those keeping score, but the further back you go, the longer the list of reasons to upgrade to the new iPhone 18 Pro becomes. If you take the opportunity to trade out the iPhone 14 Pro for this year's iPhone 18 Pro, then you'll get the benefits of a better processor, superior durability, upgraded cameras on both sides of the device and new features like the Camera Control and Action Button.

The iPhone 18 Pro isn't cheap, but it is a timely reminder of how far Apple's iconic smartphone has come in the past four years.

Looking to ditch your internet service provider?

These are the most popular NBN plans with speeds of 50Mbps or higher:

Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo FTTP, HFC Editor's Pick nbn500 Unlimited Plan FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/48 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $30/mth discount for 6 months based on the standard price $92.99/mth*. Ends 08.12.26. T&Cs apply. $62.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.99/mth Min. cost $62.99 Go to Site	$62.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.99/mth Min. cost $62.99	Go to Site
Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom FTTP, HFC Speedy Max NBN 500/50 FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/42.5 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $33/mth off for the first 6 mths, $59.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.90/mth. Ends 30.10.26 $59.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.90/mth Min. cost $59.90 Go to Site	$59.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.90/mth Min. cost $59.90	Go to Site
amaysim	amaysim FTTP, HFC NBN500 FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/43 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $40/mth off for the first 6 months ($30 NBN Sale + $10 Standard Intro Offer), then $90/mth. Ends 20.10.26 $50/mth for first 6 months, then $90/mth Min. cost $50 Go to Site	$50/mth for first 6 months, then $90/mth Min. cost $50	Go to Site
Belong	Belong FTTP, HFC NBN Fast – Unlimited FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/40 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $36 off for 6 months - $59/mth for first 6 mths, then $95/mth (Offer ends 04.11.26) + Free $80 Mobile SIM $59/mth for first 6 mths, then $95/mth Min. cost $59 Go to Site	$59/mth for first 6 mths, then $95/mth Min. cost $59	Go to Site
Superloop	Superloop FTTP, HFC Family Max nbn500/50 FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/45 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $21/mth off for 6 mths! $74/mth for 6 mths, then $95/mth + Bundle & Save $74/mth for first 6 mths, then $95/mth Min. cost $74 Go to Site	$74/mth for first 6 mths, then $95/mth Min. cost $74	Go to Site

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_{Note: Plans with speeds over 100Mbps are only available to premises with FTTP and HFC connection types.}

Fergus Halliday

Digital Content Editor

Fergus Halliday is a journalist and digital content editor at WhistleOut Australia. He’s written about technology, telecommunications, gaming and more for over a decade. He got his start writing in high school before interning at magazines like CRN Australia and freelancing for publications like the AU Review, Gizmodo, Kotaku, GamesHub, Press Start, ScreenRant, Superjump, Nestegg, and more.

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