Big phones used to be expensive. Really expensive. If you wanted that massive screen to watch Netflix or scroll through endless TikToks, you basically had to sell a kidney for the "Pro Max" version. Then Apple did something kinda weird in late 2022. They killed the "Mini" and gave us the Plus. It’s huge. It’s light. Honestly, it’s probably the most misunderstood device in the lineup. If you’re currently looking for an iPhone 14 Plus for sale, you’re likely realizing that the market is flooded with options, but the prices are finally starting to make sense for what you actually get.
I’ve spent way too much time looking at teardowns from sites like iFixit and comparing battery benchmarks from folks like GSMArena. What most people get wrong about the 14 Plus is thinking it’s just a bigger version of the base 14. Technically, yeah, the guts are similar. But the experience? Totally different.
The battery life is actually the main character
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: the battery. When Apple launched this thing, they claimed it had the "best battery life ever in an iPhone." That was a bold move considering the 14 Pro Max existed. But here’s the kicker—it was mostly true for certain tasks. Because the 14 Plus lacks the heavy, power-hungry Always-On display and the complex LTPO tech found in the Pro models, it just... lasts. It's a tank.
You’ve probably seen those YouTube battery drain tests where the Pro Max wins by a hair. Sure. But in the real world? The 14 Plus is lighter in your pocket. It weighs about 203 grams. Compare that to the 240 grams of the 14 Pro Max. It sounds like a small difference until you’re holding it above your face in bed and drop it on your nose. Trust me, those 40 grams matter.
If you find an iPhone 14 Plus for sale today, you're getting a device that can easily push through two days of light use. That’s not marketing fluff. It’s a result of having a massive 4,323 mAh battery paired with the A15 Bionic chip, which is incredibly efficient. Even though the A15 was "old" when the 14 came out (it was in the 13 Pro first), Apple gave the 14 Plus the 5-core GPU version. It handles Genshin Impact or video editing without breaking much of a sweat.
What about that 60Hz screen?
This is where people get picky. The 14 Plus has a 60Hz refresh rate. The Pro models have 120Hz ProMotion. If you’re coming from a phone that already has 120Hz, you will notice the difference. It’ll look a bit "jittery" for the first hour. But honestly? Most people stop noticing after a day. The Super Retina XDR display is still gorgeous. It’s bright enough to see in direct sunlight (1200 nits peak), and the colors are as accurate as anything else Apple makes.
Is buying an iPhone 14 Plus for sale better than a new iPhone 15?
This is the real debate. Right now, you can often find a used or refurbished iPhone 14 Plus for sale for significantly less than a base iPhone 15. The 15 got the Dynamic Island and the 48MP camera, which are cool. No doubt. But the 15 is smaller.
If you want the 6.7-inch screen size, your options are basically:
- iPhone 14 Plus (The value pick)
- iPhone 15 Plus (Better camera, USB-C)
- iPhone 16 Plus (The newest, fastest)
- Any "Pro Max" (Heavy and expensive)
For a lot of people, the jump to USB-C on the 15 isn't worth the extra $200. If you still have a drawer full of Lightning cables, the 14 Plus is a comfort buy. Plus, the 14 Plus is actually easier to repair than the older Pro models. Apple redesigned the internal structure so the back glass can be popped off separately. This was a huge deal. Before this, if you cracked the back of an iPhone 13 Pro Max, you basically had to replace the entire chassis. Now? It’s a relatively simple (and cheaper) fix.
The camera isn't "Pro," but it's plenty
Don't expect a dedicated telephoto lens here. You won't be taking crisp photos of the moon. But the main 12MP sensor on the 14 Plus is actually the same one that was in the 13 Pro. It has a larger sensor and a faster aperture ($f/1.5$) than the standard iPhone 13.
Low light performance is surprisingly solid thanks to the "Photonic Engine." That’s Apple’s fancy word for "better image processing." It works. Skin tones look natural. The video quality is still the best in the business for this price point. Action Mode is a standout feature too. If you’re chasing your dog or your kid at the park, it uses a heavy crop to stabilize the footage so well it looks like you’re using a gimbal.
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Common pitfalls when shopping
When you're hunting for an iPhone 14 Plus for sale, you have to be careful about battery health. Since these phones are now a few years old, some might be sitting at 85% or 90% maximum capacity.
- Check the Cycle Count: If you can, ask the seller for a screenshot of the battery cycle count.
- Carrier Locks: A lot of "cheap" 14 Plus units on eBay are locked to AT&T or Verizon. If you’re on T-Mobile, it’s a brick. Always verify the IMEI is clean.
- The "Renewed" Trap: Amazon Renewed is generally good, but "Grade B" refurbished units can have scratches on the screen that interfere with the OLED clarity. Aim for "Excellent" or "Premium" condition if you can.
Why the 14 Plus survived the "flop" rumors
When the 14 Plus first launched, tech journalists called it a failure. They said nobody was buying it. They were wrong. It just took a minute for people to realize that not everyone needs a 1-terabyte Pro Max with a titanium frame.
The 14 Plus is for the person who spends four hours a day on YouTube, uses their phone as a GPS for long road trips, and hates carrying a portable power bank. It’s a utility tool. It’s the "Honda Accord" of iPhones—reliable, spacious, and does exactly what it says on the tin.
Making the move: Your checklist
If you've decided to pull the trigger on an iPhone 14 Plus for sale, don't just click "buy" on the first listing you see. Prices fluctuate wildly between retailers like Back Market, Gazelle, and Swappa.
- Verify the storage: The base 128GB is okay for most, but if you take a lot of 4K video, you’ll hit that ceiling fast. Look for the 256GB version; it’s often only $50 more on the used market.
- Inspect the frame: The 14 Plus uses aluminum, which is softer than the stainless steel on the Pros. It dings easily. Look closely at the corners in photos.
- Update immediately: The 14 Plus shipped with iOS 16, but it runs iOS 18 beautifully. The A15 chip still has years of software support left. We’re talking likely until 2028 or 2029.
The 14 Plus isn't the flashy choice anymore. It's the smart choice. You're getting the big screen experience without the "Pro" tax, and in a world where everything is getting more expensive, that’s a win. Stick to reputable sellers with return policies, and you'll end up with a phone that feels brand new for a fraction of the original MSRP.
Find a unit with at least 90% battery health, grab a solid MagSafe case, and you're set for the next three or four years. The market for these is currently at a "sweet spot" where early adopters are trading them in for the 16, meaning the supply is high and the prices are dropping.