Updated September 2026: in September 2022 I called the base iPhone 14 a disappointment: essentially the iPhone 13's chip at the same launch price, while the 14 Pro got the new Dynamic Island. I have rewritten it into a guide to choosing between the two today, when both are sold refurbished or used.
My complaint in 2022 was that the iPhone 14 used the A15 Bionic chip already found in the iPhone 13 series, and launched at the same $799 US price as the iPhone 13 had, without a meaningful performance jump. The iPhone 14 Pro was the real update, with a redesigned display and the new Dynamic Island. For many buyers, the iPhone 13 at a reduced price looked like the smarter purchase.
What actually changed from iPhone 13 to iPhone 14?
- Chip: the same A15 Bionic family, with the iPhone 14 getting the extra graphics core from the 13 Pro.
- Camera: a larger main sensor and better low-light performance.
- Safety features: Crash Detection, which works in India. Emergency SOS via satellite launched only in selected countries.
- Design: nearly identical, with an internal redesign that made repairs easier.
Was the iPhone 14 a disappointment?
As an upgrade from the iPhone 13, yes. Owners of a 13 had little reason to change. For people coming from an older phone, the 14 was a solid phone; it just offered little over the 13 for the money at launch.
Which should you buy now, if either?
Both run current versions of iOS, but support will end sooner for these models than for newer ones. If buying used or refurbished, the difference between them is small, so buy on condition, battery health and price. Neither supports Apple Intelligence; if you want those features, you need a newer model.
What should you check on a used iPhone 13 or 14?
- Battery health in Settings, ideally above 85 percent.
- That Find My is switched off and the phone is not locked to someone else's Apple Account.
- Face ID, cameras, speakers and charging, all tested before paying.
- A receipt or warranty from the seller.
What was the wider lesson?
Base-model iPhone upgrades are sometimes minor, and last year's model at a lower price is often the better buy. Reading what actually changed, rather than the launch marketing, is the best protection against paying for very little.
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