iPhone 14 vs iPhone 17: A 3-Year Upgrade Worth Making
iPhone 17 won Phone of the Year at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards. iPhone 14 was MKBHD's 2022 Bust of the Year. Three years on, this is one of the easiest upgrade calls in the iPhone lineup.
Updated · Verdict based on MKBHD Smartphone Awards results and spec analysis.
iPhone 14
Apple · 2022 · From $799
iPhone 17
Apple · 2025 · From $799
Round wins
iPhone 14: 0 · iPhone 17: 7
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone 14 | iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz | 6.1-inch OLED, 120Hz ProMotion |
| Processor | Apple A15 Bionic | Apple A19 |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB |
| Camera | 12MP main + 12MP ultrawide | 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 12MP front |
| Battery | 3,279 mAh | 3,279 mAh |
| OS | iOS 16 | iOS 19 |
| Starting price | $799 | $799 |
| Released | 2022 | 2025 |
Round-by-round breakdown
Display
Winner: iPhone 17iPhone 17 has ProMotion 120Hz; iPhone 14 is 60Hz. Material everyday improvement.
Performance
Winner: iPhone 17A19 outperforms the A15 in the iPhone 14 by roughly 60%. Big gap.
Apple Intelligence
Winner: iPhone 17iPhone 17 fully supports Apple Intelligence. iPhone 14 does NOT (6GB RAM threshold not met). Decisive.
Camera
Winner: iPhone 17iPhone 17: 48MP main with refined processing. iPhone 14: 12MP with the same fundamental hardware as iPhone 13. Material improvement.
Connectivity
Winner: iPhone 17iPhone 17: USB-C. iPhone 14: Lightning. Universal connector matters.
Battery
Winner: iPhone 17iPhone 17 averages 6.5–7.5 hours screen-on; iPhone 14 on a 3-year-old battery typically 4.5–5.5 hours.
Software longevity
Winner: iPhone 17iPhone 17: ~5 more years of iOS support. iPhone 14: ~3 more years.
Final verdict
Yes, upgrade — and not even close. iPhone 14 was widely panned as a recycled iPhone 13 with the same A15 chip; iPhone 17 won Phone of the Year. ProMotion 120Hz, Apple Intelligence, USB-C, and a faster chip make this a transformative upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the iPhone 17 worth upgrading from iPhone 14?
Yes — easy upgrade call. Apple Intelligence, ProMotion 120Hz, USB-C, faster chip, and 5+ years of iOS support. iPhone 14 was MKBHD's 2022 Bust of the Year for a reason.
Does iPhone 14 support Apple Intelligence?
No — the 6GB RAM threshold isn't met. Apple Intelligence requires iPhone 15 Pro+ or all iPhone 16/17 models.
iPhone 14 or iPhone 16 (discounted) for new buyers?
iPhone 16 at $599–$699 (MKBHD's 2024 Best Small Phone) — supports Apple Intelligence and is meaningfully better than the iPhone 14.