Review · Apple
iPhone 14 Review (2026): Bust of the Year 2022, Now an Awkward Position
MKBHD called the iPhone 14 the Bust of the Year at the 2022 Smartphone Awards because it was essentially an iPhone 13 with the same A15 chip and minimal upgrades. Three years on, the criticism still applies — and the iPhone 14 does NOT support Apple Intelligence. Buy the iPhone 15 instead.
By SmartphoneAwards Editorial · Published · Updated
Pros
- Refurbished pricing $399–$499
- Three+ years of iOS updates remaining
- Same camera array as iPhone 13
- iOS 19 is fully supported
Cons
- MKBHD's 2022 Bust of the Year
- Does NOT support Apple Intelligence
- Same A15 chip as iPhone 13 (recycled)
- Lightning connector — last-gen
Why MKBHD called it Bust of the Year
MKBHD's 2022 Bust of the Year award explanation: 'a recycled iPhone 13 with negligible improvements at the same price.' Apple recycled the A15 chip from the previous generation and made only minor changes. Three years on, the iPhone 14 is showing exactly that — limited Apple Intelligence support and minimal differentiation from the cheaper iPhone 13 it replaced.
Display & build
6.1-inch OLED at 60Hz. Aluminum frame. Identical industrial design to iPhone 13.
Performance & Apple Intelligence
A15 Bionic + 6GB RAM. Does NOT support Apple Intelligence (RAM threshold not met). This is the most material limitation in 2026.
Camera
Dual: 12MP main + 12MP ultrawide. Same as iPhone 13 with marginal processing tweaks.
Battery
Real-world: 5–6 hours of screen-on time on new units.
Verdict · 4.5 / 5
Don't buy the iPhone 14 unless budget is absolutely the only consideration. The iPhone 15 at $499 refurbished is a meaningfully better buy (USB-C, 48MP main); the iPhone 16 at $599 (MKBHD's 2024 Best Small Phone) adds Apple Intelligence support and is the smartest discounted iPhone in 2026.
🛒 Buy the iPhone 14 on AmazonAlternatives to consider
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did MKBHD call the iPhone 14 the Bust of the Year?
Apple recycled the A15 chip from the iPhone 13 with negligible improvements at the same price. Considered the most disappointing major iPhone launch of 2022.
Does the iPhone 14 support Apple Intelligence?
No — the 6GB RAM doesn't meet the threshold. Apple Intelligence requires iPhone 15 Pro+ or all iPhone 16/17 models.
iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 in 2026?
iPhone 15 — USB-C, 48MP main camera, and same Apple Intelligence limitation but at the same approximate refurbished price ($499 each).
How we rate
Our editorial score is anchored to outcomes from MKBHD's annual Smartphone Awards (2014–2025), then refined for everyday usability. Phone of the Year winners earn 5/5; category winners 4.5/5; runners-up 4/5; otherwise we score on merit. We earn a commission on purchases via our retailer links — at no extra cost to you.