UP
Our takeEditorialThe iPhone 14 is a modest step over the iPhone 13 - satellite emergency and the autofocus selfie camera are the real additions at $100 more.
Midnight, Purple Starlight, (Product) RED, Blue
Apple
Apple iPhone 14
7.5/10 UpPhone score
The iPhone 14 at $299 keeps the A15 Bionic from its predecessor but adds crash detection and emergency SOS via satellite.
Verified for iOS
Storage
Screen
6.1"
Chip
Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
Camera
12 MP
Battery
8h 35min
The verdict, & two little voices
Should you actually get the Apple iPhone 14?
The editor weighs in — flanked by the optimist on her shoulder and the cynic on the other.
“Emergency SOS via satellite is the one feature that matters without a signal - nothing else on this list provides that.”
“Apple shipped the year-old chip and called it new - the $100 premium over the iPhone 13 is mostly satellite insurance.”
Our take
The iPhone 14 at $299 keeps the A15 Bionic from its predecessor but adds crash detection and emergency SOS via satellite.
The Apple iPhone 14 launched in fall 2022 and is available from Straight Talk at $299 in 2026 - the same chip as the iPhone 13 (A15 Bionic) in a body that's nearly identical. Apple saved its new A16 chip for the iPhone 14 Pro models, so the standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 share the same core processor. The differences are real but modest: Emergency SOS via satellite is exclusive to the iPhone 14 and newer, crash detection uses accelerometer and gyroscope to call emergency services automatically, and the front camera gained autofocus for sharper selfies and FaceTime. The dual 12 MP rear camera improved over the 13 in low-light performance. Battery at 3279 mAh is a slight step up from the 13's 3227 mAh. The 6.1-inch OLED at 2532 x 1170 and 1200 nits matches the iPhone 13 display spec. Build uses aluminum and glass with IP68 protection. At $299 outright, the iPhone 14 makes a reasonable case as a buy over the iPhone 13 primarily for satellite emergency features and the improved front camera. If those don't matter, the iPhone 13 at $199 leaves $100 in the buyer's pocket.
What we love
- Emergency SOS via satellite works in areas with no cell or WiFi coverage
- Crash detection automatically contacts emergency services
- Front camera gained autofocus for sharper selfies and video calls
- A15 Bionic handles iOS 18 without friction
- IP68 water resistance
- 5G including mmWave
- Available across Straight Talk, Verizon, and Visible
What we don't
- A15 Bionic is the same chip as iPhone 13 - no performance upgrade
- 60 Hz display, same as iPhone 13
- No telephoto camera
- Lightning connector still
- A15 with 6 GB RAM still misses Apple Intelligence features
- At $299, only $100 more than iPhone 13 with modest tangible improvements
Full specifications
Display
Size6.1"
TypeOLED
Resolution2532 x 1170 px
PPI460
Performance
ChipApple A15 Bionic (5nm)
RAM6 GB
Storage128 GB
OSiOS
Camera
Rear camera12 MP
Rear camera 212 MP
Front camera12 MP
VideoYes
Battery
Video playback8h 35min
Wireless charging15 W wireless
Design
Dimensions146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm
Weight172
ColorsMidnight, Purple Starlight, (Product) RED, Blue
Form factorSlate
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6
Bluetooth5.3
NFCYes
USBUSB 2.0 (480 Mbps)
SIMeSIM only
Apple iPhone 14 on individual carriers
Showing 20 of 26 plans with Apple iPhone 14
Carrier: Any ▾Lines: 1 ▾Sort: Lowest ▾
CarrierPlanDataTermMonthly
Unlimited
36-mo term
$17.49/mo
total $47.49 over term
Unlimited
24-mo term
$26.25/mo
total $76.25 over term
Unlimited
36-mo term
$17.49/mo
total $77.49 over term
Unlimited
24-mo term
$26.25/mo
total $91.25 over term
Unlimited
24-mo term
$26.25/mo
total $96.25 over term
Unlimited
24-mo term
$26.25/mo
total $96.25 over term
Unlimited
24-mo term
$26.25/mo
total $96.25 over term
Frequently asked questions about the Apple iPhone 14
What kind of display does the Apple iPhone 14 have?
The 6.1-inch OLED panel at 2532 x 1170 and 460 PPI matches the iPhone 13 display exactly. Peak brightness of 1200 nits handles bright outdoor conditions. True Tone, P3 wide color, and Ceramic Shield front glass are consistent with the rest of the lineup. The 60 Hz refresh rate is the same as the iPhone 13 and a point where the iPhone 14 trail the 14 Pro models, which run at 120 Hz. For most content consumption and productivity the 60 Hz experience is smooth.
What kind of camera does the Apple iPhone 14 have?
The rear system uses 12 MP wide and 12 MP ultrawide, as on the iPhone 13. Apple improved the main sensor's low-light capability through a new sensor design and sensor-shift OIS. The main camera's Action Mode provides stabilized handheld video without a gimbal - a notable upgrade for outdoor and sports video. The front camera's addition of autofocus is a meaningful improvement for selfies and FaceTime, bringing sharper focus on the subject across a range of distances. No telephoto is present. Photonic Engine, Apple's computational photography pipeline, improves mid-light and low-light results compared to the iPhone 13.
What is the battery life of the Apple iPhone 14?
At 3279 mAh, the iPhone 14 is a marginal battery step up from the iPhone 13's 3227 mAh - a difference that is not measurable in day-to-day use. Apple's efficiency work with iOS and the A15 chip means the real-world battery life is similar to the 13 but with Apple quoting slightly higher numbers. MagSafe at 15W and wired at 20W are the charging options. The 20W adapter is not in the box. Heavy-use days need a charge by evening; light-use days have room to spare.
What processor does the Apple iPhone 14 use?
The A15 Bionic with 6 GB RAM (the Pro-tier configuration from the iPhone 13 Pro) is the same chip as the iPhone 13 standard's A15. The 6 GB RAM versus 4 GB in the iPhone 13 gives slightly more headroom for background apps and tab switching, but iOS's memory management keeps the practical difference subtle. The chip runs iOS 18 without friction. Apple Intelligence requires A17 Pro or newer, so the iPhone 14 misses on-device AI. Apple's chip support cycle puts iOS updates for this device through roughly 2029.
How much storage does the Apple iPhone 14 have?
The 128 GB configuration is the available option at $299. For iPhone 14 users, 128 GB is sufficient for a standard app library, a year's worth of photos at normal shooting frequency, and some downloaded content. iCloud offloading handles overflow. No expandable storage.
What kind of speakers does the Apple iPhone 14 have?
Stereo speakers are configured identically to the iPhone 13 - earpiece plus bottom-firing driver with Spatial Audio for Dolby Atmos content. Volume and clarity hold up in 2026. The hardware has not changed versus the prior generation.
Does the Apple iPhone 14 support fingerprint or face unlock?
Face ID with TrueDepth camera in the notch. The Dynamic Island was reserved for the Pro models; the iPhone 14 standard retains the notch design from previous generations. Face ID performance and accuracy are consistent with the rest of the iPhone 13/14 family. No fingerprint sensor.
Is the Apple iPhone 14 water-resistant?
IP68 rated to 6 meters for 30 minutes - the same spec as the iPhone 13. The iPhone 14 added a more survivable internal structure for drop protection (the back glass can now be replaced from the rear rather than requiring full disassembly), which is relevant for repair costs but not IP rating.
