Iphone 14
The iPhone 14 came out in late 2022 and Apple still sells it. In 2026 it's the value pick — half the price of whatever the latest model is, runs every app, and the battery lasts a day. Here's whether it makes sense as your next phone, and what to pair with it if you do.
Who should still buy an iPhone 14
Anyone who doesn't care about the camera. Anyone who hates the idea of paying $1,200 for a phone they'll drop. Anyone whose iPhone is older than the X and who just needs a working device for the next four years.
You're getting the 6.1-inch screen at 1,200 nits — bright enough in daylight, sharper than anything Android was selling in 2022, and good for another five years of iOS updates. The A15 Bionic is still fast for everything except the very edge of mobile gaming. The camera is the one place you feel the age — the iPhone 15 Pro and later jumped substantially.
Skip the iPhone 14 if you take a lot of low-light photos. Skip it if you use your phone for video editing. Buy it if you're a normal person who just needs a phone.
The case
Apple's own silicone case is fine but it picks up lint like a magnet and falls apart after a year. The Spigen Ultra Hybrid for iPhone 14 is the right answer at $15 — clear back, protected corners, MagSafe still works through it.
If you actually drop your phone, the Otterbox Defender for iPhone 14 is bulky but it survives. About $60. Worth the bulk if your hands are wet half the time.
For the minimalist crowd, a Peel super-thin case is basically invisible — but it offers zero drop protection and you have to be honest with yourself about that.
Screen protector
Don't pay $40 for one at the carrier store. A three-pack of Ailun tempered glass is $8 and the install is easier than the expensive ones because they include alignment trays. The glass is identical.
Charging
The iPhone 14 doesn't come with a charger in the box. You need a USB-C charger and a Lightning cable. The Anker Nano 20W USB-C charger at $15 does the same fast-charge as Apple's $20 brick. The Anker Powerline II Lightning cable at $12 outlasts the Apple one by a factor of three.
For MagSafe wireless, the Anker MagGo is the right pick at $30 — magnetic alignment, 15W charging, doesn't slip. Skip the $99 Apple version unless you want the logo.
What's actually different from the iPhone 15
USB-C versus Lightning. That's the headline. The iPhone 15 also got Dynamic Island and a slightly better main camera. The 15 Pro got the A17 chip and a titanium frame. If you're not coming from an iPhone Pro before, you won't miss anything. If you can find a refurbished 14 for $400, it's the best phone deal currently available.
Where to actually buy
Apple refurbished (their certified program) is the safest — full warranty, looks new. Amazon Renewed is cheaper but the seller matters. Avoid the "open box" listings on third-party marketplaces unless they have hundreds of reviews. Check eBay's refurbished iPhone 14 listings for the cheapest legitimate prices.
Get the 128GB if you don't shoot a lot of video. Get the 256GB if you do. Don't pay for the 512GB — by then you'd be better off with a 15.
Ready to shop? Compare Trending Now across stores →
