Mario Bautista
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When we first reviewed the iPhone 14 in 2022, it was an excellent device, even if its upgrades over the iPhone 13 were underwhelming.
After the release of the iPhone 16, the iPhone 14 now starts at $599, and it’s the best iPhone you can buy on a budget from Apple’s current lineup thanks to its modern features like MagSafe, a contemporary design, Face ID, dual cameras, satellite-based safety features, and solid battery life.
Indeed, with all these features combined, we think the iPhone 14 is a better value than the iPhone SE (2022), an entry-level model that is relatively antiquated. Still, the iPhone SE is available starting at $429 if you’re truly looking to spend as little as possible on an iPhone.
The iPhone 14 lacks new standard features like USB-C, Dynamic Island, the Action button, and the new Camera Control button. While still capable, its cameras, battery, and processor are much older.
And when iOS 18.1 rolls out in October, the iPhone 16 will run Apple Intelligence while the iPhone 14 won’t. You could easily argue the iPhone 16 is worth the extra $200 for the upgrades.
However, for its sheer value, the iPhone 14 is tough to beat.
Apple iPhone 14
The iPhone 14 could be a worthy choice for people upgrading from the iPhone 11 or older. It’s the only current “budget” option somewhat comparable to the iPhone 16 as a standard iPhone.
Design: The modern iPhone design with a ‘classic’ touch
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At a glance, you could easily mistake the iPhone 14 for a more recent iPhone, though several design distinctions arose with the iPhone 15 series.
The iPhone 14 series was the last generation before Apple slightly rounded the iPhone’s edges and gave all models the Dynamic Island, which Apple introduced exclusively in the iPhone 14 Pro models. Relative to all newer models, that means the iPhone 14 has slightly sharper edges (which you might find less comfortable in the hand) and a notch of black “dead space” rather than an interactive oval cutout at the top of the screen.
Mostly thanks to the notch, the iPhone 14 retains a bit of Apple’s older iPhone design, which I optimistically prefer to call “classic,” but some may view it as outdated.
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The iPhone 14 has a matte-textured metal frame and a clear glass back. Apple switched from clear glass to a color-infused frosted glass texture for the backs of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16. It’s a slight difference that shouldn’t weigh on your decision of which model to buy, especially if you typically use a case.
Apple has also narrowed the black borders around its iPhone displays year over year, so the iPhone 14’s borders are somewhat thicker than those of newer base models. The border discrepancy is not strikingly noticeable; coupled with the notch, however, the effect is that the iPhone 14 has less interactive real estate than subsequent base iPhones.
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Display: Effectively the same quality as newer base iPhone models
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The iPhone 14 has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, so color, contrast, and the quality of text, images, and video are identical to newer base iPhone models, which have the same display technology.
Apple also kept the iPhone 14’s 60Hz refresh rate on newer base iPhone models. With that in mind, you’re not missing out on smoother animations and the always-on display afforded by Apple’s 120Hz ProMotion display, which remains exclusive to iPhone Pro models. If you’re looking for a high-end display experience from Apple, the iPhone 16 Pro is your only current option, or the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro if you can still find them from third-party retailers.
While the iPhone 14’s display is not as bright as the newer models, screen content is still comfortably visible under bright sunlight. Conversely, the iPhone 14’s display doesn’t get as dim as the iPhone 16’s 1-nit minimum brightness, which means it’s not as comfortable in a dark environment, but it’s an acceptable compromise considering the iPhone 14’s value.
Lack of new standards: No Dynamic Island, Action Button, and Camera Control Button
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Apple denied the base iPhone 14 models the Dynamic Island, which was exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro models and subsequently trickled down to the base iPhone 15 and iPhone 16. Instead, the iPhone 14 has the same static notch as the iPhone 13, which houses the front camera and Face ID sensor.
The Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro and all newer models is an interactive oval cutout that expands and contracts to show basic information, media controls, and shortcuts to apps running in the background.
It’s innovative and a smarter use of space than the static notch, and it’s sleeker. It offers appreciable convenience for simple things like quickly returning to the call screen or quickly pausing or resuming music while using another app. We can’t say that the Dynamic Island alone is worth the $100 upgrade to the iPhone 15, however.
The iPhone 14 also lacks subsequent high-end features like the Action button, introduced in the iPhone 15 Pro phones and included in all iPhone 16 models, and the new Camera Control button introduced across the iPhone 16 series.
Safety features: Tools you never want to use, but they’re incredibly meaningful
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The iPhone 14 series introduced Apple’s satellite-based safety features, which are now included across the available iPhone lineup, except for the iPhone SE (2022).
Apple’s satellite-based safety features include Crash Detection, which automatically contacts emergency services if you’ve been in a car crash. There’s also Emergency SOS via satellite functionality if you get lost or injured “off the grid” in the US, Canada, or more than a dozen other countries.
These are features you hope to never use, but you might be incredibly thankful to have them for “that one time.” While it’s not a guarantee these new safety tools could make a difference or save your life, their existence offers a higher chance of getting the help you need than with any previous iPhone.
While Crash Detection happens automatically when it detects that you’ve been in an accident, Emergency SOS via Satellite requires more input. Apple thoughtfully added a way to try the Emergency SOS via satellite feature before you head off on an off-grid adventure, so you know what to expect should you need to use it.
Indeed, there are several examples where these safety features have helped save lives. Emergency SOS via Satellite led to the rescue of a stranded person in Alaska, and Crash Detection notified emergency services when a car plunged 300 feet down a canyon in an area with no cell signal.
The company launched new satellite-based safety features with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 series and retroactively upgraded the iPhone 14 with these new features, too.
These newer features include Roadside Assistance via Satellite, which gets you roadside assistance if you’re off the grid in the US, including Puerto Rico. There’s also Messages via Satellite, which gives you satellite connectivity when there’s no signal to send messages to friends and family. Messages via Satellite recently saved lives by enabling victims of Hurricane Helene to send messages through satellite connections when the disaster downed cell towers in North Carolina. It need not be strictly a safety feature, however, as you can send whatever message you want, and it’s valuable to connect to friends and family at any time in areas with no cell signal.
To note, Apple’s satellite-based features are free for two years from the moment you activate the iPhone 14 (the same goes for newer iPhones, too). It’s unclear how much these satellite-based services will cost after the two-year trial.
Performance: Still running strong
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For the base iPhone 14, Apple used the A15 Bionic processor from the iPhone 13 Pro models — only the iPhone 14 Pro models ran on the newer A16 Bionic processor when the iPhone 14 series launched in 2022.
In 2024, it means the iPhone 14’s processor is three years old, even though the phone is two generations behind the iPhone 16. You’d have every right to question the iPhone 14’s performance, especially as the iPhone 16’s A18 processor scored substantially higher in benchmark tests. Yet, the iPhone 14, running on the latest iOS 18 update, continues to glide through apps and games just as well as the iPhone 16. It’s truly difficult to tell a difference in everyday use at the time of writing.
That said, I expect the iPhone 14’s performance will start to slow down sooner than the iPhone 16. From past testing, I’d estimate that the iPhone 14 will maintain its snappy performance until 2026 before apps and games start to lag noticeably behind newer models.
The iPhone 14 also won’t support Apple Intelligence when it becomes available with the iOS 18.1 update. Only the iPhone 15 Pro models and the iPhone 16 series have the internals to support Apple Intelligence.
Cameras: High-quality results that will satisfy most people
It’s difficult to complain about the iPhone 14’s 12MP camera quality; even if Apple significantly upgraded newer iPhones with 48MP main cameras, the iPhone 14’s results are largely on par with the base iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 thanks to the consistent Photonic Engine across all three models, which produces stellar color, contrast, and brightness in varied lighting scenarios.
While it lacks the larger sensors of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 cameras, which enhance low-light performance, and though it offers only up to 1x optical-quality zoom compared to the newer models’ 2x zoom, the iPhone 14 ultimately takes great photos and videos that most people will be more than happy with, especially considering its value at a lower price.
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Battery life and charging: Largely keeping up with newer models
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In our testing, the iPhone 14’s battery life remains right in line with other phones with 6.1-inch displays, including the iPhone 15, meaning it should likely last the average user throughout the day while necessitating a charge at night.
(We’ve yet to test the base iPhone 16’s battery, which Apple claims offers 22 hours of video playback relative to the 20 hours of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15. If you’re looking for battery life that could last you longer than a day, you’ll have to opt for a larger phone, like the iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 15 Plus, or iPhone 16 Pro Max.)
Apart from the iPhone SE (2022), the iPhone 14 is the only iPhone in Apple’s current lineup that has a Lightning port for charging and data transfers, as the company moved to USB-C starting with the iPhone 15 series.
Despite using the older Lightning standard, the iPhone 14 isn’t inferior to newer USB-C iPhones in the technological sense. It charges just as quickly as the newer base models through wired charging, provided you use a fast charger and a Lightning-to-USB-C cable. However, like the iPhone 15, it only supports Apple’s original MagSafe wireless charging rate of 15W, whereas the iPhone 16 features faster 25W MagSafe charging.
The iPhone 14 uses the same USB 2 standard for data transfers as the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16, so there’s no improvement there.
Should you buy the iPhone 14?
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You should absolutely consider the iPhone 14 if you’re looking for a cost-effective and reliable iPhone that comes with most of the modern amenities included in newer iPhones. It’s a significant upgrade from any model older than the iPhone 11, and it saves you $200 over the iPhone 16 if you usually pay full price for iPhone upgrades.
However, if your budget supports the iPhone 15’s new $699 starting price, the newer model would be a worthwhile option thanks to year-over-year upgrades like a newer processor, USB-C connectivity, a 48MP main camera, and the Dynamic Island. Note, though, that the base iPhone 15 won’t support Apple Intelligence with iOS 18.1, either.
If $600 is the maximum you can spend outright, you’ll be happy with the iPhone 14.
A trade-in offer from Apple or a carrier could entice you to a newer model, however. You’d be remiss to ignore the deals for the iPhone 16 series. Some offer the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models for incredibly low prices, or even free, with relaxed trade-in offers that accept older phones in any condition.
To be sure, carrier deals come with conditions, like signing up for certain unlimited plans, which tend to be expensive in the long run. You’re also on the hook to stay with the carrier for a certain amount of time, like 36 months.
