Is iPhone 14 Plus Still Good In 2026?

Jacob Bergman

iPhone 14 Plus

The iPhone 14 Plus brings a bigger screen to Apple’s standard iPhone lineup. This model boasts a 6.7-inch display, matching the size of the Pro Max versions. The iPhone 14 Plus features a 2778 x 1284 pixel resolution at 458 ppi, offering crisp visuals on its large HDR display.

Apple packed the iPhone 14 Plus with the A15 Bionic chip, the same processor found in the iPhone 13 Pro models. This ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks and demanding apps alike. The device also comes with improved camera capabilities, including a new Action mode for stable videos and enhanced low-light performance.

Battery life is a standout feature of the iPhone 14 Plus. Its larger size allows for a bigger battery, providing extended usage time compared to the standard iPhone 14. This makes it an ideal choice if you need a phone that can keep up with your busy day without frequent charging.

FeatureSpecification
Display6.7-inch Super Retina XDR
Resolution2778 x 1284 pixels
ChipA15 Bionic
StorageUp to 512 GB
Main Camera12 MP dual-lens system
BatteryUp to 26 hours video playback

Is iPhone 14 Plus Still Good in 2026?

Apple released the iPhone 14 Plus in 2022 as a large‑screen alternative to the Pro models, offering long battery life and a familiar iPhone experience at a lower price. But in 2026, with newer iPhones on the market, is the iPhone 14 Plus still worth buying or keeping?

Let’s break it down by performance, software support, camera quality, battery life, and overall value.


Quick Verdict

Yes, the iPhone 14 Plus is still good in 2026—especially for users who want:

  • A large display
  • Excellent battery life
  • Long‑term iOS support
  • Reliable everyday performance

❌ It may not be ideal if you want:

  • Cutting‑edge AI features
  • High refresh rate displays
  • Pro‑level cameras

Key Specs at a Glance

FeatureiPhone 14 Plus
Release Year2022
Display6.7‑inch OLED, 60Hz
ChipA15 Bionic
CameraDual 12MP (Wide + Ultra‑Wide)
Battery LifeExcellent
Face IDYes
5GYes
iOS Support (Estimated)Through 2027–2028

Performance in 2026

The iPhone 14 Plus uses Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, which continues to perform well in 2026.

What It Handles Well

  • Social media and web browsing
  • Streaming and gaming
  • Multitasking and productivity apps
  • Photo and video editing (casual to moderate)

Limitations

  • Not optimized for Apple’s newest AI‑heavy features
  • Slower than newer A17/A18 chips in demanding tasks

✅ For everyday use, performance still feels smooth and responsive.


Software Support & Longevity

Apple is known for long‑term updates, and the iPhone 14 Plus benefits from this.

Expected Support

  • iOS updates through at least 2027 or 2028
  • Ongoing security patches beyond that

✅ This makes it a safe choice for users who plan to keep their phone for several more years.


Display Quality

The 6.7‑inch OLED display remains a strong point.

Pros

  • Bright, sharp, and color‑accurate
  • Excellent for watching videos and reading
  • Large screen improves productivity

Cons

  • Limited to 60Hz refresh rate
  • No always‑on display

📱 While smooth enough for most users, those coming from Pro models may miss ProMotion.


Camera Performance

The dual‑camera system still delivers solid results in 2026.

Camera Strengths

  • Excellent daylight photos
  • Reliable video quality
  • Strong stabilization

Camera Limitations

  • No telephoto lens
  • Night photography lags behind newer models
  • Fewer AI‑powered features

📸 Great for casual photography, but not ideal for advanced mobile photographers.


Battery Life in 2026

Battery life remains one of the iPhone 14 Plus’s biggest advantages.

What to Expect

  • Full‑day use even after years of ownership
  • Larger battery than standard iPhone models

🔋 If battery health has declined, a replacement can restore near‑new performance at a relatively low cost.


Connectivity & Features

Still relevant in 2026:

  • 5G support
  • Face ID
  • Emergency SOS via satellite
  • Crash Detection
  • MagSafe accessories

Missing features:

  • USB‑C (uses Lightning)
  • Latest AI‑exclusive features
  • ProMotion display

Price & Value in 2026

As of 2026, the iPhone 14 Plus is significantly cheaper on the used and refurbished market.

Value Proposition

  • Great option under mid‑range pricing
  • Premium build without premium cost
  • Excellent longevity

💰 It offers better long‑term value than many newer mid‑range Android phones.


Who Should Buy or Keep the iPhone 14 Plus?

✅ Recommended For:

  • Users upgrading from iPhone 11 or older
  • People who value battery life and screen size
  • Casual photographers and content consumers
  • Budget‑conscious buyers wanting iOS longevity

❌ Not Recommended For:

  • Power users and mobile gamers
  • Users who want the latest AI features
  • People who prefer compact phones

Final Thoughts

In 2026, the iPhone 14 Plus remains a solid and dependable smartphone. While it lacks some modern flagship features, it excels where it matters most for everyday users: battery life, display size, stability, and long‑term software support.

If you can find it at a good price—or already own one—there’s little reason to upgrade unless you want cutting‑edge features or Pro‑level photography.

Design and Build Quality

The iPhone 14 Plus boasts a premium build and sleek aesthetic. Its large form factor combines durability with style, offering users a sizeable device that feels robust in hand.

Materials and Durability

Apple crafted the iPhone 14 Plus with high-quality materials for longevity. The device features a Ceramic Shield front that’s tougher than any smartphone glass. This protective layer helps guard against accidental drops and scratches.

The frame is made of aerospace-grade aluminum, balancing strength with lightweight properties. On the back, you’ll find a glass panel that enables wireless charging.

The iPhone 14 Plus carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. This means it can withstand submersion in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes. The rating also ensures protection against dust ingress.

Color Variants

Apple offers the iPhone 14 Plus in a range of attractive colors to suit various tastes:

ColorDescription
MidnightA deep, almost black shade
StarlightAn off-white with subtle warm tones
BlueA vibrant, eye-catching blue hue
PurpleA soft, pastel purple
YellowA bright, sunny yellow (new addition)

These color options allow you to pick a device that matches your style. The aluminum frame and glass back panel showcase each color beautifully, giving the iPhone 14 Plus a premium look and feel.

Display Features

The iPhone 14 Plus boasts a large screen with advanced display technology. Its high-resolution panel offers vibrant colors and sharp visuals for an immersive viewing experience.

Screen Size and Resolution

The iPhone 14 Plus features a 6.7-inch display, providing ample screen real estate for various tasks. This sizeable screen makes it ideal for watching videos, browsing the web, or working on documents.

The display offers a resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 458 ppi (pixels per inch). This high pixel density ensures crisp text and detailed images.

Apple has designed the screen with rounded corners that follow the device’s curved edges. When measured as a standard rectangle, the diagonal screen size is slightly larger at 6.68 inches.

Display Technology

The iPhone 14 Plus uses an OLED panel with Super Retina XDR technology. This display type offers several benefits:

  • Deep blacks and high contrast ratios
  • Wide color gamut for vivid and accurate colors
  • HDR10 and Dolby Vision support for enhanced video playback

The screen can reach a typical maximum brightness of 800 nits. For HDR content, it can peak at 1200 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions.

Apple has applied a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating to the display. This helps reduce smudges and makes the screen easier to clean.

Display FeatureSpecification
Size6.7 inches
Resolution2778 x 1284 pixels
Pixel Density458 ppi
TechnologyOLED (Super Retina XDR)
Peak Brightness1200 nits (HDR)
HDR SupportYes (HDR10, Dolby Vision)

Camera System

The iPhone 14 Plus boasts an advanced camera system with powerful features for photography and videography. Its dual-camera setup and innovative technologies enable users to capture stunning images and videos in various conditions.

Front and Rear Cameras

The iPhone 14 Plus features a dual-camera system on the rear. The main camera is a 12MP sensor with a 26mm focal length and a wide f/1.5 aperture. It uses sensor-shift optical image stabilization for sharper photos. The ultra-wide camera offers a 120-degree field of view.

The front-facing TrueDepth camera is 12MP with an f/1.9 aperture. It supports Face ID and various selfie features. Both front and rear cameras benefit from the Photonic Engine, which enhances low-light performance.

CameraMegapixelsApertureFeatures
Main12MPf/1.5OIS, 100% Focus Pixels
Ultra-Wide12MPf/2.4120° field of view
Front12MPf/1.9Face ID, Retina Flash

Photographic Capabilities

The iPhone 14 Plus offers enhanced photographic capabilities. The Photonic Engine improves mid to low-light performance across all cameras. This technology processes uncompressed images earlier in the capture process, preserving more data.

Smart HDR 4 balances subjects with backgrounds for natural-looking images. Deep Fusion analyzes multiple exposures pixel by pixel for improved texture and detail. Night mode automatically activates in low light, allowing for brighter photos with reduced noise.

Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control lets you adjust the background blur after taking the photo. The camera system supports various photographic styles, allowing you to customize the look of your images.

Video Recording Features

Video capabilities on the iPhone 14 Plus are equally impressive. It can record 4K video at up to 60 fps on all cameras. Cinematic mode now supports 4K at 30 fps, allowing for automatic focus changes and depth effects in your videos.

Action mode provides smooth, steady video even when you’re in motion. It uses advanced stabilization to reduce shakes, vibrations, and unintended motion. This feature is particularly useful for capturing dynamic scenes or sports activities.

The device supports HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps. Slow-motion video is available at 1080p 240 fps. Time-lapse videos with stabilization can be created easily, and there’s also a night mode time-lapse for low-light scenarios.

Performance and Connectivity

The iPhone 14 Plus offers robust performance and connectivity features. It delivers fast processing speeds a long-lasting battery and wide-ranging network compatibility.

Processor and Memory

The iPhone 14 Plus is powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chip. This processor provides swift performance for demanding apps and games. It also enables advanced camera features and smooth multitasking.

The device comes with 6GB of RAM. This amount of memory helps apps run efficiently in the background. You can choose from three storage options:

  • 128GB
  • 256GB
  • 512GB

Pick the size that best fits your needs for photos videos and apps. There’s no option to expand storage later so choose wisely.

Network and Location Technology

The iPhone 14 Plus supports 5G networks for ultra-fast data speeds. It’s compatible with both sub-6 GHz and mmWave 5G where available. The phone also works with 4G LTE networks worldwide.

For precise location services the device uses:

  • GPS
  • GLONASS
  • Galileo
  • QZSS
  • BeiDou

These systems help with navigation mapping and location-based apps. The U1 chip enables ultra-wideband technology for spatial awareness.

Battery and Charging

You can expect long battery life from the iPhone 14 Plus. Apple claims it offers up to 26 hours of video playback. The large 4323 mAh battery supports various charging methods:

Charging MethodSpeedNotes
WiredUp to 20W50% charge in 30 minutes
WirelessUp to 15WWith MagSafe
Qi WirelessUp to 7.5WWith standard Qi chargers

MagSafe charging aligns perfectly for efficient wireless power delivery. The iPhone 14 Plus also supports reverse wireless charging for accessories like AirPods.

Frequently Asked Questions

The iPhone 14 Plus offers enhanced features in camera capabilities, battery life, display, storage options, and durability. It also has some key differences from the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

What are the camera capabilities of the iPhone 14 Plus?

The iPhone 14 Plus boasts impressive camera features. It has a dual-camera system with 12MP Main and Ultra Wide lenses. The Main camera has a larger sensor and faster aperture, improving low-light photos by up to 2.5x.

You can capture stunning 4K videos at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps. The device also supports Cinematic mode for videos, allowing you to record at 4K HDR up to 30 fps.

How does the battery life of the iPhone 14 Plus compare to previous models?

The iPhone 14 Plus offers extended battery life. You can enjoy up to 26 hours of video playback, which is a significant improvement over previous models.

This longer battery life allows you to use your device for extended periods without frequent charging. It’s especially useful for heavy users or those who are often away from power sources.

What is the display size and resolution of the iPhone 14 Plus?

The iPhone 14 Plus features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display. This OLED display offers a resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels at 458 ppi.

You’ll enjoy vibrant colors and deep blacks thanks to the HDR display. The screen also supports True Tone and Wide color (P3) technologies for an enhanced viewing experience.

What storage options are available for the iPhone 14 Plus?

You can choose from multiple storage capacities for the iPhone 14 Plus. The options include 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.

This range allows you to select the best storage option based on your needs and budget. Consider your usage patterns and the types of files you typically store when making your choice.

Can the iPhone 14 Plus resist water and dust, and to what extent?

Yes, the iPhone 14 Plus is water and dust resistant. It has an IP68 rating under IEC standard 60529.

This means you can submerge your device in water up to 6 meters deep for up to 30 minutes. However, it’s important to note that this resistance may decrease over time with normal use.

How is the iPhone 14 Plus different from iPhone 14 Pro Max in terms of specifications?

While both models have a 6.7-inch display, the iPhone 14 Pro Max offers some advanced features. It has a ProMotion display with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz and Always-On display capability.

The Pro Max also features a more advanced camera system with a 48MP Main camera and an additional Telephoto lens. It uses the newer A16 Bionic chip, while the 14 Plus uses the A15 Bionic.

FeatureiPhone 14 PlusiPhone 14 Pro Max
Display6.7″ Super Retina XDR6.7″ Super Retina XDR with ProMotion
ChipA15 BionicA16 Bionic
Main Camera12MP48MP
Additional LensUltra WideUltra Wide + Telephoto
Dynamic IslandNoYes