UP
Our takeEditorialCricket's CPO program provides some peace of mind but $579.99 for an iPhone 14 is difficult to justify when new units sell for $299 elsewhere.
Apple
Apple iPhone 14 (Cricket CPO)
5.5/10 UpPhone score
Cricket's certified pre-owned iPhone 14 - the same phone, inspected and refurbished, available through one carrier at a steep premium over the open market.
Verified for iOS
Screen
6.1"
Chip
Apple A15 Bionic
Camera
12 MP
The verdict, & two little voices
Should you actually get the Apple iPhone 14 (Cricket CPO)?
The editor weighs in — flanked by the optimist on her shoulder and the cynic on the other.
“CPO certification with a warranty covers the battery and display unknowns that make buying a used iPhone from a stranger risky.”
“Cricket charges $280 above street price for the word 'certified' - the iPhone 14 is readily available new for half this price.”
Our take
Cricket's certified pre-owned iPhone 14 - the same phone, inspected and refurbished, available through one carrier at a steep premium over the open market.
The Apple iPhone 14 Cricket CPO listing represents a certified pre-owned unit sold through Cricket Wireless at $579.99. The hardware is an iPhone 14 - 6.1-inch display at 2532 x 1170, A15 Bionic chip, dual 12 MP cameras, IP68 water resistance, and 5G including mmWave. The critical context here is price: the same iPhone 14 hardware is available from Straight Talk and Verizon for $299-$337 outright. Cricket's CPO listing at $579.99 carries a significant premium over new units sold by other carriers. A CPO designation typically includes inspection, battery health verification, and a limited warranty period - but at nearly double the price of a new iPhone 14 at a competing carrier, the value proposition is difficult to defend. The hardware specs themselves are the iPhone 14's strengths and limitations: a capable OLED display, a dual-camera system with Photonic Engine processing, Emergency SOS via satellite, crash detection, and the reliable A15 Bionic chip. Storage is not confirmed in the listing.
What we love
- Certified pre-owned includes inspection and limited warranty coverage
- IP68 water resistance
- A15 Bionic handles iOS 18 well
- Emergency SOS via satellite
- 5G including mmWave
- Aluminum and Ceramic Shield construction
What we don't
- At $579.99, substantially more expensive than a new iPhone 14 at other carriers
- Available only through Cricket Wireless, limiting plan options
- Storage capacity not confirmed in listing
- Same hardware limitations as iPhone 14: 60 Hz, no telephoto, Lightning port
- CPO warranty terms typically shorter than manufacturer warranty
Full specifications
Display
Size6.1"
Resolution2532 x 1170 px
PPI460
Performance
ChipApple A15 Bionic
Camera
Rear camera12 MP
Frequently asked questions about the Apple iPhone 14 (Cricket CPO)
What kind of display does the Apple iPhone 14 (Cricket CPO) have?
The iPhone 14's display is a 6.1-inch OLED panel at 2532 x 1170 and 460 PPI with 1200 nits peak brightness. True Tone, P3 wide color, and Ceramic Shield are standard. The panel performs exactly as a new iPhone 14's display would. CPO inspection should catch significant display damage or OLED burn-in, but verify before purchase if possible. The 60 Hz refresh rate is unchanged.
What kind of camera does the Apple iPhone 14 (Cricket CPO) have?
The dual 12 MP camera system - wide with sensor-shift OIS and ultrawide - is the same hardware as the iPhone 14. Photonic Engine computational processing, Action Mode stabilization, and autofocus front camera are all present. At $579.99 this is the same camera you can get for $299 from Straight Talk. Camera hardware should be intact on a CPO unit, but optical elements and lens coatings can degrade in used devices.
What is the battery life of the Apple iPhone 14 (Cricket CPO)?
CPO certification is most valuable for battery health - a used iPhone 14 without certification could have a cell at 80% capacity or below, which meaningfully reduces the already-modest 3279 mAh endurance. A properly certified unit should confirm the battery is at or near a healthy threshold (typically 80%+ minimum). Verify the battery health percentage in Settings before or at purchase.
What processor does the Apple iPhone 14 (Cricket CPO) use?
A15 Bionic with 6 GB RAM runs iOS 18 without friction. The chip's performance in a CPO unit is identical to a new iPhone 14 - processors do not degrade with normal use the way batteries do. iOS updates for this device should continue through approximately 2029.
How much storage does the Apple iPhone 14 (Cricket CPO) have?
Storage capacity is not confirmed in the Cricket CPO listing. iPhone 14 shipped in 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB configurations. The specific storage tier of a CPO unit matters and should be confirmed at the point of sale. At $579.99, a 256 GB or 512 GB configuration would partially justify the premium over a new 128 GB iPhone 14 elsewhere.
What kind of speakers does the Apple iPhone 14 (Cricket CPO) have?
Stereo speakers with earpiece and bottom-firing driver, Spatial Audio for Dolby Atmos content. Performance on a CPO unit should be identical to new unless there's physical damage, which the inspection process should identify.
Does the Apple iPhone 14 (Cricket CPO) support fingerprint or face unlock?
Face ID with TrueDepth camera system in the notch. On a CPO unit the TrueDepth module should be intact and functioning. If the front camera or Face ID module has been replaced outside of Apple's repair program, Face ID functionality can be affected. Confirm Face ID works before purchase.
Is the Apple iPhone 14 (Cricket CPO) water-resistant?
IP68 rated to 6 meters for 30 minutes on a new unit. On a CPO or used unit, the water resistance seals may have degraded from prior use, drops, or repairs. The CPO inspection process may or may not test water resistance. Treat the IP68 rating on a used device as potentially reduced from the original specification.
