The first thing I noticed when I picked up the iPhone 14 was how good it feels in the hand. It’s got that flat-edged design Apple started with the iPhone 12, and I love how sleek it looks. The iPhone 14 is 6.1 inches, which feels just right—not too big, not too small. The iPhone 14 Plus, though, is a beefier 6.7 inches, perfect if you’re into bigger screens for movies or gaming. The Plus is a bit heavier at 203 grams compared to the 14’s 172 grams, but it’s still lighter than the Pro Max, which is a win for me since I hate carrying a brick in my pocket.
Both phones have this super tough Ceramic Shield glass on the front and back, and I’ve dropped mine a couple of times (oops) without a scratch. The aluminum frame gives it a premium vibe, and the colors are awesome. I went with the Blue on my iPhone 14—it’s subtle but pops in the light. My friend got the Purple 14 Plus, and it’s honestly gorgeous, though they also come in Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red. Oh, and they’re water-resistant (IP68), so I wasn’t freaking out when I spilled coffee near it. Plus, the MagSafe thing is cool—I got a magnetic wallet that snaps right on, and wireless charging is a breeze.
The screens are stunning. Both have Super Retina XDR OLED displays, and whether I’m scrolling through Instagram or watching Netflix, everything looks sharp and colorful. The 14 has a 2532 × 1170 resolution, and the Plus is 2778 × 1284—both are crisp enough that I can’t see pixels. They get bright enough to use outside, hitting 1200 nits for HDR stuff, but I wish they had the 120Hz smooth scrolling the Pro models have. Still, for everyday use, these screens are hard to beat.
| Additional details |
| Operating System | iOS 16 |
| Processor Type | A15 Bionic Chip, 6 Core Processor Processor • |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 128 GB , 256 GB , 512 GB |
| Colour | Blue , Midnight , Purple , Starlight |
| Camera | 12+12 MP , 12MP Front |
| Connector Type | Lightning |
| Form Fator | Smartphone |
| Biomatric Security Feature | Face Recognition |
| Sim Card Size | Nano + eSIM |
| Water Resistance Level | Water Resistant |
| Product Features | Camera Front Camera ; Dual Camera |
Performance and Battery
Under the hood, both phones run on the A15 Bionic chip, which Apple used in the iPhone 13 Pro. I was a bit bummed it’s not the newer A16, but honestly, this chip is a beast. I play games like Genshin Impact, edit photos, and have a million apps open, and it never lags. The 14 and 14 Plus have 6GB of RAM (more than the iPhone 13’s 4GB), so switching between apps is super smooth. Storage-wise, you can pick 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB. I got 256GB since I take tons of photos and videos.
Battery life is where these phones shine. The iPhone 14 lasts me a full day of heavy use—think texting, streaming, and GPS—giving about 20 hours of video playback. The 14 Plus is even better, pushing up to 26 hours because of its bigger battery. I can go a day and a half without charging, which is awesome for travel. They charge fast too—20W wired charging gets you to 50% in about 30 minutes, though you’ll need to buy a charger separately. MagSafe wireless charging at 15W is handy, but I stick to a cable most nights.
One cool feature is the Emergency SOS via satellite. I haven’t needed it (knock on wood), but it’s reassuring to know I could contact emergency services if I’m stuck somewhere without signal, like on a hike. The Crash Detection feature is another lifesaver—it uses sensors to detect car accidents and call for help. I tested it (not by crashing, don’t worry), and it’s pretty impressive how it picks up on motion.
Cameras: Snapping Like a Pro
The cameras on the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus are a big step up from my old iPhone 12. They’ve got a dual setup: a 12MP wide camera with a faster f/1.5 aperture and a 12MP ultra-wide for those big landscape shots. The wide camera lets in more light, so my nighttime photos look way clearer—Apple says it’s 49% better in low light, and I believe it. I took some shots at a concert, and the colors and details were spot-on, even in dim lighting.
The front 12MP camera is great for selfies and FaceTime, and now it has autofocus, so my group shots are sharper. The new Photonic Engine makes photos pop with better colors, especially in tricky lighting. I love playing with Cinematic mode for videos—it records in 4K HDR and blurs the background like a movie. There’s also Action mode, which keeps videos steady when I’m moving around, like filming my dog running at the park. Night mode, Portrait mode, and Smart HDR make every shot look professional, even if I’m just pointing and shooting.
Software and Extras
Both phones launched with iOS 16, but I updated to iOS 18, and it’s super user-friendly. I customized my lock screen with widgets, and the Focus modes help me stay off my phone during work. Face ID works like a charm for unlocking and payments. The stereo speakers are loud and clear—I’ve watched movies without needing earbuds, and Dolby Atmos makes it feel immersive.
One thing to note: the U.S. versions are eSIM-only, so no physical SIM card slot. It was a bit of a hassle to set up at first, but once I got it, it’s been fine. They also support 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0, so everything feels fast and connected.
Price and Final Thoughts
I got my iPhone 14 for $799 (128GB), and the 14 Plus was $899. You can find them cheaper now in 2025, especially with the iPhone 15 and 16 out. Compared to the Pro models, you’re missing the fancy 48MP camera and Dynamic Island, but for most people, the 14 and 14 Plus are plenty. The Plus is great if you want a big screen without the Pro Max price, and the regular 14 is perfect for one-handed use.
Overall, I’ve loved using these phones. They’re fast, the cameras are amazing, and features like satellite SOS give me peace of mind. If you’re upgrading from an older iPhone or want a reliable, high-quality smartphone without breaking the bank, the iPhone 14 or 14 Plus is a solid pick. They’re not the flashiest, but they get the job done and then some.