iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro Max
It depends
Too close to call outright
These two are within 4 points overall, so it depends on you: keep phones for years → iPhone 14 (supported until Sep 2029); want maximum speed → iPhone 14 Pro Max (Apple A16 Bionic).
Value Score: iPhone 14 63 · iPhone 14 Pro Max 67 — methodology
Who should pick which
Beyond the scores — our take on each phone and the buyer it actually suits.
At ~$285 used with an estimated three-plus years of updates left, the iPhone 14 is a sensible budget iPhone — just know you're buying a 2021-class chip with a Lightning port in 2026.
Pick it if
- ✓ Budget iOS buyers
- ✓ Kids' or first iPhones
- ✓ Anyone upgrading from an iPhone 11 or older
Skip it if
- ✗ You want USB-C — the iPhone 15 starts the new connector era
- ✗ You keep phones 4+ years
The 2022 flagship at ~$437 used: 120Hz 6.7-inch display, 3x telephoto, big battery, and an estimated three-plus years of updates. Strong — but a used 15 Pro Max isn't much more per month.
Pick it if
- ✓ Flagship camera and display on a sub-$450 budget
- ✓ Big-screen power users
- ✓ Keeping a phone ~3 years
Skip it if
- ✗ You want USB-C or AI features — a used 15 Pro Max adds both plus a year of support
- ✗ 240g is too heavy for you
The lifespan decider
When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.
Category by category
The iPhone 14 Pro Max's screen is the better one — 6.7-inch ltpo super retina xdr oled, promotion 120hz, always-on, up to 2000 nits peak.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max's Apple A16 Bionic is simply the faster chip.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 2).
4,323mAh vs 3,279mAh — the iPhone 14 Pro Max lasts longer between charges.
Both phones' support windows end around the same time.
Overall value goes to the iPhone 14 Pro Max at $11.60 per month of safe use.
Frequently asked
Is the iPhone 14 still supported in 2026?
Yes. The iPhone 14 runs the latest iOS in 2026 and Apple confirmed at WWDC 2026 that it will get iOS 27. On Apple's typical seven-year pattern, we estimate updates until around September 2029 — a bit over three more years.
Is the iPhone 14 worth buying in 2026?
Used at around $285, yes — that's roughly $7 per month of remaining safe use, which is solid value. Don't pay much more: above ~$350 you're better off with a used iPhone 15 or a new iPhone 16e for the longer runway and USB-C.
Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max still supported in 2026?
Yes. It runs the latest iOS in 2026, and Apple confirmed at WWDC 2026 that it will get iOS 27. Based on Apple's typical seven-year pattern, we estimate updates until around September 2029 — just over three more years.
Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max worth buying used in 2026?
At around $437 it's a fair buy — about $11 per month of remaining safe use for a phone whose display and cameras still feel flagship. But compare prices before committing: used 15 Pro Max units add USB-C, a 5x zoom, Apple Intelligence, and an extra year of support.
Full spec table
| Spec | iPhone 14 | iPhone 14 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Price (street) | $285 | $437 |
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, 1200 nits HDR peak | 6.7-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 120Hz, always-on, up to 2000 nits peak |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic (5-core GPU) | Apple A16 Bionic |
| RAM | 6GB | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB |
| Battery | 3,279 mAh | 4,323 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired (50% in ~30 min), MagSafe 15W wireless | 20W wired (50% in ~30 min), MagSafe 15W wireless |
| Rear cameras | 12MP main, 12MP ultra-wide | 48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto 3x |
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.8 mm | 160.7 × 77.6 × 7.85 mm |
| Weight | 172 g | 240 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Supported until | Sep 2029 | Sep 2029 |
More comparisons
Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.