iPhone 14 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro: Skip-Generation Upgrade?
iPhone 17 Pro was runner-up Best Camera at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards. iPhone 14 Pro brought Dynamic Island and the 48MP main to the Pro line in 2022. Three years on, is the upgrade worth it?
Updated · Verdict based on MKBHD Smartphone Awards results and spec analysis.
iPhone 14 Pro
Apple · 2022 · From $999
iPhone 17 Pro
Apple · 2025 · From $999
Round wins
iPhone 14 Pro: 0 · iPhone 17 Pro: 7
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz ProMotion | 6.3-inch OLED, 120Hz ProMotion |
| Processor | Apple A16 Bionic | Apple A19 Pro |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB |
| Camera | 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 12MP 3x telephoto | 48MP main + 48MP ultrawide + 12MP 5x telephoto |
| Battery | 3,200 mAh | 3,700 mAh |
| OS | iOS 16 | iOS 19 |
| Starting price | $999 | $999 |
| Released | 2022 | 2025 |
Round-by-round breakdown
Display
Winner: iPhone 17 ProiPhone 17 Pro: ~4,000 nits peak. iPhone 14 Pro: ~2,000 nits peak. 2x brighter outdoor performance.
Apple Intelligence
Winner: iPhone 17 ProiPhone 17 Pro fully supports it. iPhone 14 Pro does NOT — the 6GB RAM threshold isn't met. Decisive.
Camera
Winner: iPhone 17 ProTriple 48MP system on 17 Pro vs 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 12MP 3x on 14 Pro. ProRes Log on 17 Pro is a generational leap for video.
Performance
Winner: iPhone 17 ProA19 Pro is roughly 50% faster than A16 Bionic across CPU/GPU.
Build
Winner: iPhone 17 ProiPhone 17 Pro: titanium frame, USB-C. iPhone 14 Pro: stainless steel, Lightning.
Battery
Winner: iPhone 17 ProiPhone 17 Pro: 7–8 hours screen-on. iPhone 14 Pro on 3-year-old battery: 4–5 hours.
Software longevity
Winner: iPhone 17 ProiPhone 17 Pro: ~5 more years of iOS support. 14 Pro: ~3 more years.
Final verdict
Yes, upgrade — particularly if you're a creator or photographer. The iPhone 14 Pro is the most recent iPhone Pro that does NOT support Apple Intelligence, plus the 17 Pro adds USB-C, titanium, ProRes Log, dramatic camera improvements, and 4+ more years of iOS support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the iPhone 17 Pro worth upgrading from iPhone 14 Pro?
Yes — Apple Intelligence support alone justifies the upgrade. Add ProRes Log, USB-C, titanium, and material camera improvements and this is a clear upgrade call.
Does iPhone 14 Pro support Apple Intelligence?
No — 6GB RAM doesn't meet the threshold. The iPhone 14 Pro is the most recent iPhone Pro that does NOT support Apple Intelligence.
iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro refurbished?
iPhone 16 Pro at $899 — won MKBHD's 2024 Best Camera, supports Apple Intelligence, and is a meaningful upgrade across cameras and chip.