Apple iPhone 14 Review

The iPhone 14 is a competent but dated phone. Its camera and connectivity are strong, but the poor battery life and 60Hz screen are major letdowns at this price. Only worth it for iOS die-hards on a budget. Score: 36.3/100. Skip if you can spend a little more.

The iPhone 14 is a weird spot in Apple's lineup now. It's the 'old new' phone, sitting between the cheaper 13 and the fancier 14 Pro. You get the core iPhone experience with a solid dual-camera setup and Apple's latest safety features, but you're also buying a design that's been around for a few years.

Our data shows it's a strong pick if you care about connectivity and camera quality for the price, but it falls short in a few key areas that newer budget phones have started to nail. It feels more like a reliable holdover than an exciting new buy.

Performance is where things get tricky. The A15 Bionic chip is still plenty fast for daily tasks and games, landing it in a solid middle-of-the-pack position. But the battery life is a real weak spot, scoring in the bottom third of phones we track. You'll likely need a midday top-up if you're a heavy user. The 6.1-inch display is also underwhelming, with a standard 60Hz refresh rate that feels dated next to even budget Android phones offering 90Hz or 120Hz.

At between $413 and $455 for a refurbished or 'excellent' condition model, the value proposition is shaky. You're paying for the Apple brand and iOS, but you're getting last year's specs in key areas like the display and battery. If you're locked into Apple's world and need a cheaper entry point, it has a role. But if you're open to other options, more modern phones at this price offer better screens, longer battery life, and often better performance.

Stack it up against the competition and the cracks show. The Google Pixel 10 Pro will demolish it in camera computational photography and likely offer a smoother 120Hz display. The Samsung Galaxy S26+ will have a far superior screen and better battery life. Even budget warriors like the Motorola Moto G stylus 2025 offer features like a stylus and massive batteries for less money. The iPhone 14's main advantage is simply being an iPhone with iOS updates for years to come.

Skip this phone if battery life is your top priority or if you've gotten used to a high refresh rate screen. You'll find the endurance disappointing and the scrolling experience jarringly less smooth. Also, avoid it if you need a rugged device—it scores abysmally low there. Look at phones like the 8849 Tank 3 instead for that.

Buy this only if you are a dedicated iPhone user on a tight budget who is upgrading from an iPhone 11 or older and values camera consistency over everything else. It's a safe, familiar upgrade that gets you into the modern Apple ecosystem with 5G and the latest iOS features, but you'll be making clear compromises on daily quality-of-life features like screen smoothness and battery endurance.