Can the iPhone 14 Pro Max Reach 120 FPS in BGMI? Exploring Performance and Stability.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is often seen as a top performer in the smartphone arena, but how does it hold up for competitive gaming, especially for popular games like BGMI and PUBG Mobile? Gamers are eager to know if this device can provide a steady 120 FPS while playing. After testing it for 45 minutes of serious gameplay, here’s a look at how it performs, stays stable, and manages heat.
The Importance of 120 FPS in Gaming
When it comes to gaming, 120 FPS means more than just a figure; it shapes the whole experience. This frame rate delivers smooth visuals, quicker reactions, and a better advantage in fast-moving games like BGMI.
However, hitting this performance mark isn't just about the hardware—software tuning is just as important. The iPhone 14 Pro Max has the capability to run at 120 FPS, but there are concerns about how stable it stays during longer gaming periods.
PUBG Mobile: First Thoughts and Hurdles
Jumping into PUBG Mobile, the iPhone 14 Pro Max kicked things off with solid performance. I set the graphics to "Smooth" and turned on 120 FPS manually, while turning off power-saving features to get the best output.
What I Noticed:
Stable in Quiet Moments:
When playing in less crowded places, like solo matches or areas with few players, the FPS hovered around 120. This made for a really smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.
Drops in Busy Situations:
However, in more intense situations, like during shootouts or team fights, the FPS took a hit, dropping to between 70 and 80. These drops sometimes came with slight lags, which could be a problem in competitive play.
Heat Management:
After about 15 minutes, the front of the phone warmed up to around 38°C, while the back hit about 42°C. This increase in temperature affected performance, causing some frame rate issues.
Although PUBG Mobile ran better than many other games, it still had its ups and downs, especially during longer play sessions or in fast-paced action.
BGMI Performance: A Real Test of Stability
BGMI, with its high graphics demands and heavy resource use, really pushed the iPhone 14 Pro Max to its limits. To keep things fair, we used the same settings for the test: "Smooth" graphics, 120 FPS mode, manual tweaks, and we turned off power-saving.
What We Discovered:
Early Performance:
At the start, the FPS was around 120, but things changed when the game moved into more visually intense spots, like landing zones. The frame rate dropped to 90-100 and sometimes even fell below 70 during long action scenes.
Small Improvements with Manual Settings:
By switching from automatic to manual settings, we saw a slight improvement in stability, around 5-10%. However, this was still not enough to fully stop the FPS drops.
Heating Problems:
After half an hour of play, the back of the phone got quite warm at 43-44°C. This heat buildup caused throttling, which further affected the frame rate consistency.
Why iPhones Have Trouble with Stability
It's interesting to see that this problem isn’t just found in the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The newer iPhone 15 Pro Max and 16 Pro Max also face challenges in keeping a steady 120 FPS while playing BGMI. This might be because the iOS platform isn't fully optimized for certain games like BGMI.
iPhone vs. Android: Where It Lags Behind
An interesting takeaway from this comparison is how well Android phones, especially the iQOO 13, manage gaming at 120 FPS. Android appears to do better when it comes to optimizing software for games like BGMI.
On the iQOO 13, the frames per second are more stable, with less variation and improved heat management.
While the iPhone 14 Pro Max is powerful, it can't quite keep up with this level of consistent performance.
Even newer models like the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max struggle with the same issues, suggesting that iOS still has some work to do when it comes to supporting high-FPS gaming.
Battery and Heat: The Unseen Compromise
It's also important to think about how battery life and heat generation play a role. After playing both PUBG Mobile and BGMI for 45 minutes, the device showed a marked drop in battery power and started to get quite warm.
These problems not only impact how well you can play but also make you worry about how long the device will last and how comfortable it will be during long gaming sessions.
Can you game at 120 FPS on the iPhone 14 Pro Max?
The quick answer is: Yes, but there are some drawbacks.
If you just play games for fun, this phone gives you a great experience with clear graphics and quick response times. But for those who play competitively or want everything to be perfectly smooth, the occasional frame drops and heating issues could be a problem.
It's worth mentioning that these issues don't only affect the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Even the newest Pro models have similar struggles, showing that iOS games could use some more fine-tuning.
Takeaway: Is It Really Worth It?
If you’re thinking about using the iPhone 14 Pro Max for gaming, it’s good to stay grounded in your expectations. It’s a really great choice for daily tasks, taking photos, and light gaming. But when it comes to high-energy games at 120 FPS, it might not hold up as well as some Android options.
Right now, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is a solid all-around phone, but for those who game seriously, something like the iQOO 13 could offer a more reliable performance.
So, how do you feel about the gaming experience on the iPhone 14 Pro Max? Does it live up to your hopes, or do you think there’s room for Apple to make it better?
