The iPhone 14 Plus marked Apple’s return to larger-screen options at a more accessible price point. Released in October 2022, this device bridged the gap between the standard iPhone and the premium Pro Max models. With its spacious 6.7-inch display and impressive battery life that can stretch to 26 hours of video playback, the 14 Plus carved out a unique position in Apple’s lineup. I’ve spent considerable time with this device, and despite newer models hitting the market, the 128GB variant remains a compelling option for many users in 2025. The question is: does this bigger iPhone still deliver enough value to warrant consideration today?

Design & Display Features

The iPhone 14 Plus showcases a generous 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, delivering vibrant visuals with a crisp 2778 x 1284 resolution at 458 pixels per inch. This expansive screen makes the device ideal for content consumption, whether you’re streaming videos, browsing photos, or playing games.

Built with durability in mind, the iPhone 14 Plus features an aluminum frame complemented by Apple’s Ceramic Shield front glass, which offers improved drop protection compared to standard smartphone glass. The glass back not only contributes to the premium feel but also enables wireless charging capabilities.

For those concerned about environmental exposure, the IP68 water and dust resistance rating provides protection against accidental submersion in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes. This robust defense against the elements makes the iPhone 14 Plus a reliable companion for various activities.

Apple offers the iPhone 14 Plus in six attractive colors: Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, (PRODUCT)RED, and Yellow. Each finish maintains Apple’s signature minimalist aesthetic while providing personal expression options.

The display retains the traditional notch design housing the Face ID sensors, unlike the Dynamic Island found in the Pro models from the same generation. While functional, this design choice feels somewhat dated in 2025 as most newer models have transitioned to the more interactive Dynamic Island interface.

One notable limitation is the 60Hz refresh rate, which lacks the smoother ProMotion technology found in the Pro lineup. For everyday scrolling and navigation, this refresh rate is adequate, but the difference becomes noticeable when compared directly with 120Hz displays, particularly during fast-motion content and gaming.

The screen achieves 800 nits of typical brightness, ensuring good visibility in most conditions, while reaching up to 1200 nits when displaying HDR content. This HDR capability, combined with the OLED’s 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, delivers impressive dynamic range for photos, videos, and supported streaming content.

Performance & Hardware Specifications

The iPhone 14 Plus is powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, specifically the variant with a 5-core GPU that was previously exclusive to the iPhone 13 Pro models. This processor continues to deliver excellent performance for everyday tasks in 2025, handling everything from email and social media to photo editing with remarkable efficiency.

With 6GB of RAM, the iPhone 14 Plus maintains smooth multitasking and app switching capabilities. Apps remain in memory longer than in earlier iPhone models, reducing reload times when switching between multiple applications.

The 128GB base storage configuration provides sufficient space for most users, though those with extensive photo libraries or large app collections might find this limiting. The device is also available in 256GB and 512GB configurations for those requiring additional storage.

Launching with iOS 16, the iPhone 14 Plus now runs iOS 18.x, benefiting from Apple’s continued software support. This extended update cycle represents a significant advantage over many Android competitors, ensuring access to the latest features and security patches years after purchase.

The hexa-core processor architecture—featuring two high-performance 3.23 GHz Avalanche cores and four efficient 1.82 GHz Blizzard cores—manages tasks intelligently, balancing performance and power consumption. This design contributes significantly to the device’s impressive battery life and thermal management.

Gaming performance remains competitive even by 2025 standards. The iPhone 14 Plus handles demanding titles like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, and Asphalt 9 with minimal frame drops and manages heat efficiently during extended gaming sessions.

In benchmark comparisons, the A15 Bionic still outperforms many mid-range Android processors from 2025 and remains reasonably competitive with higher-end chips. While newer iPhone models show expected performance improvements, the difference in day-to-day usage is less pronounced than benchmarks might suggest.

Camera System & Photography

The iPhone 14 Plus features a capable dual 12MP rear camera system consisting of a main sensor with f/1.5 aperture and an ultra-wide lens with f/2.4 aperture covering a 120° field of view. This setup, while not as versatile as triple or quad-camera arrays found in other flagships, delivers consistently excellent results in most shooting scenarios.

The 12MP front-facing camera includes autofocus capability, a significant upgrade that ensures sharper selfies with better focus accuracy compared to fixed-focus implementations. This improvement is particularly noticeable in group selfies and variable-distance shots.

Apple’s Photonic Engine technology—which applies Deep Fusion processing earlier in the imaging pipeline—enhances low-light photography considerably. The system produces noticeably better detail and color accuracy in challenging lighting conditions compared to the iPhone 13 series.

Video capabilities remain impressive, with support for 4K recording at up to 60fps from both front and rear cameras. The Action mode stabilization feature deserves special mention, providing remarkably smooth footage even during significant movement, making it ideal for capturing sports, running, and other high-motion activities.

Cinematic mode brings professional-looking depth-of-field effects to video recording, allowing for post-capture focus adjustments. While initially introduced as a somewhat experimental feature, software updates have improved its edge detection and overall reliability.

Night mode performance on the iPhone 14 Plus captures surprisingly detailed and clean images in very low light. The system automatically detects when it’s needed and suggests longer exposure times in extremely dark environments, though a tripod is recommended for exposures beyond a few seconds.

In real-world photography scenarios, the iPhone 14 Plus produces images with excellent dynamic range, natural color reproduction, and strong detail preservation. While lacking the optical zoom capabilities of more premium models, the main camera’s quality ensures that digital zoom remains usable for moderate magnification.

Battery Life & Charging Capabilities

The iPhone 14 Plus houses a substantial 4325 mAh battery, providing exceptional endurance that remains one of its strongest selling points. This capacity, combined with the efficient A15 Bionic chip, delivers remarkable battery performance that often outlasts many newer smartphones.

Users can expect up to 26 hours of video playback on a single charge according to Apple’s ratings, but real-world usage often exceeds these figures. With moderate use including social media browsing, messaging, and occasional photography, many users report easily achieving two full days between charges—an impressive feat even by 2025 standards.

Charging capabilities include support for 20W wired charging, which can restore approximately 50% battery capacity in about 30 minutes when using a compatible power adapter. While not the fastest charging solution available in the smartphone market, it provides reasonable recharge times for most scenarios.

The device also supports 15W MagSafe wireless charging, allowing for convenient alignment and faster wireless charging speeds when used with compatible MagSafe chargers. Standard Qi wireless charging is supported at up to 7.5W, offering compatibility with a wide range of existing wireless charging pads and stands.

For long-term ownership in 2025, battery health considerations become increasingly important. The iPhone 14 Plus benefits from Apple’s battery optimization features, which help minimize degradation over time. Users who plan to keep their device for several more years should consider enabling Optimized Battery Charging in settings to reduce battery wear.

To maximize battery longevity, several power management strategies can be implemented: maintaining charge levels between 20% and 80% when possible, avoiding exposure to temperature extremes, updating to the latest iOS version for efficiency improvements, and occasionally checking battery health in settings to monitor degradation.

Connectivity & Everyday Usage

The iPhone 14 Plus offers comprehensive 5G connectivity, ensuring fast mobile data speeds on compatible networks. This capability has become increasingly valuable as 5G coverage has expanded significantly since the device’s launch in 2022.

Dual SIM functionality provides flexibility for personal and business lines or international travel. Most regions receive a model with physical nano-SIM plus eSIM support, while U.S. models are eSIM-only—a trend that has since expanded to other markets with newer iPhone generations.

Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) support delivers faster and more reliable wireless connections on compatible networks, with noticeable improvements in congested environments like offices and public hotspots. This standard remains relevant in 2025, though newer devices have begun adopting Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7.

Bluetooth 5.3 ensures stable connections with wireless audio devices and accessories, with improved range and power efficiency compared to earlier standards. The technology handles multiple connected devices with minimal interference, making it ideal for users with wireless earbuds, smartwatches, and other peripherals.

The Final Verdict

After thorough testing and daily use, the iPhone 14 Plus with 128GB storage remains a solid contender in 2025, particularly for users who prioritize screen size and battery life over cutting-edge features. While it lacks some refinements of newer models like Dynamic Island and ProMotion display, its A15 Bionic chip still handles everything from social media to graphics-intensive games with ease. The camera system continues to deliver excellent photos and videos, especially with the Photonic Engine’s improved processing. For those who find the Pro Max models too expensive but crave a larger display, the 14 Plus hits a sweet spot of performance and value. Before making your decision, consider how long you plan to keep your next phone and whether the features in newer models justify their premium price tags.