Tom's Guide treats the iPhone 14 as a familiar but polished base iPhone, with camera improvements, safety features, and solid battery life as the main upgrades.
iPhone 14's A15 power and iOS 18 support at under $300 refurb.
Current refurbished price
Price and availability can change.
Pros & Cons
Why We Like It
Should You Buy This Or New?
| Cost | Refurbished: $264.00 | New: $629.00 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Same chip, screen, and cameras | Same phone hardware |
| Software | No official end-of-life date listed yet; supports OS 26 | Same software support |
| Savings | $365.00 | $0 saved |
Unless you specifically need a sealed retail box, buying refurbished is the better-value move here.
Critic Reviews
We use outside reviews as supporting context, then compare that with current refurbished pricing, software support, and long-term value.
Tom's Guide treats the iPhone 14 as a familiar but polished base iPhone, with camera improvements, safety features, and solid battery life as the main upgrades.
PhoneArena notes that the iPhone 14 keeps the familiar design but improves everyday areas such as video, battery, and camera processing.
TechRadar's review focuses on the iPhone 14's incremental nature, with useful camera and safety upgrades rather than a dramatic leap.
Third-party review references are attributed to their original publishers. KYM summaries are added to help explain whether that review still matters at today’s refurbished price.
Key Specs
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz |
| Processor | Apple A15 Bionic |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Main Camera | 12MP + 12MP dual camera |
| Battery | 3279 mAh, 20W fast charging |
| Water Resistance | IP68 |
| Max OS | iOS 18 |
Our Review
The iPhone 14 nails the essentials with its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display at 2532x1170 resolution—sharp enough for videos and browsing without wasting power on 120Hz gimmicks. IP68 water resistance and a slim 7.8mm build with 172g weight make it pocketable and tough for everyday drops. In my years testing hundreds of phones, Apple's build quality here holds up better than most Android rivals.
Day-to-day, the A15 Bionic processor with 6GB RAM handles multitasking, apps, and light gaming smoothly—no lag even after years of use. iOS 18 keeps it fresh with the latest security and features, a huge edge over Androids dropping support sooner. I've run it alongside newer models, and the difference is minor for most users.
Cameras deliver solid 12MP dual rear shots with good detail in daylight and decent low-light performance—reliable for social media, not pro photography. The 3279mAh battery lasts a full day with moderate use, though heavy screen time needs a top-up. 20W wired charging is fine but slower than rivals; wireless is handy.
At $265.99-$417.99 refurb from Back Market, you're saving massively on a phone originally over $600 new—smart for budget-conscious buyers wanting iPhone reliability. Back Market's certified testing, 12-month warranty, and battery checks make it low-risk. Avoid if you crave 120Hz screens; the 60Hz feels dated now.
Full Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if you want solid performance without new-phone costs—I've used mine daily and it flies on iOS 18. A15 power and cameras hold up for most, with updates likely to iOS 22. Skip if you need top cameras or 120Hz.
our recommended retailers does full testing, repairs like battery swaps, factory resets, and grades like Excellent or Good. They certify functionality so it works like new. Battery health is checked, often replaced for reliability.
Prices run $265.99-$417.99 from our recommended retailers, down from $600+ new— that's 30-50% off. You're getting flagship basics without full price. Warranty covers the value.
our recommended retailers offers 12 months on top of 30-day returns. Covers defects and often battery issues. Beats used phones with no protection.
128GB for basics like apps and photos; 256GB better for videos and files. 512GB rare in refurb. I've always gone 256GB—cloud fills gaps but local storage avoids hassle.
If you're upgrading from a three-year-old phone and want six-plus years of updates without flagship prices, grab this. Perfect for iOS fans on a budget who prioritise reliability over the latest gimmicks.
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