You probably bought the iPhone 14 Plus for that massive 6.7-inch screen and the battery life that seemingly lasts forever. It was a weird bridge between the standard model and the Pro Max, and honestly, a lot of people still love it. But maybe you’re eyeing the Titanium frames of the newer models or you just realized you don’t need a phone the size of a small tablet. Whatever the reason, if you want to sell iPhone 14 Plus handsets today, you’re looking at a market that is surprisingly volatile.
Price drops happen fast. One week you’re looking at a $500 valuation, and the next, a major trade-in provider adjusts their algorithm and you’ve lost fifty bucks just by waiting until Tuesday. It’s annoying.
The 14 Plus occupies a specific niche. It has the older A15 Bionic chip—the same one from the 13 Pro—but it lacks the 120Hz ProMotion display. Because of that middle-child status, its resale value behaves differently than the Pro models. You have to be smart about where you list it. If you just walk into a carrier store, they’ll likely give you "bill credits" spread over 36 months, which is basically a trap to keep you locked into a high-priced data plan. If you want actual cash in your pocket, you’ve got to do a little more legwork.
Why the iPhone 14 Plus Value is Dropping (And Why You Should Hurry)
Apple products hold value better than almost any other tech on the planet, but they aren't magic. The iPhone 14 Plus was unique because it replaced the "Mini" line. It was an experiment in giving people size without the "Pro" price tag. Now that the 15 and 16 series have refined that formula with USB-C and the Dynamic Island, the 14 Plus is starting to feel its age in the eyes of buyers.
Depreciation is a monster.
Typically, an iPhone loses about 40% to 50% of its retail value within the first two years. Since the 14 Plus launched at $899, you’re likely looking at a secondary market price that fluctuates based on storage capacity. A 128GB model in "Good" condition isn't going to fetch the same as a 512GB model that’s been living in a OtterBox since day one.
The biggest hit to your resale value? Battery health. If your settings menu shows anything below 85%, buyers are going to use that as a massive lever to pry the price down. They see a "Service" warning and they immediately think about the $99+ they'll have to pay Apple to swap the cell. If you’re at 90% or above, shout it from the rooftops. That is your biggest selling point right now.
Where to Sell iPhone 14 Plus for the Highest Return
You have three main paths. Each one has a "catch," and pretending otherwise is just lying to you.
First, there are the instant buy-back sites. Think of companies like Gazelle, Decluttr, or Back Market. These are for people who value their time more than a few extra dollars. You go to the site, click a few buttons about the condition, and they give you a quote. It’s easy. You ship it, they inspect it, and you get paid. The downside? They have to make a profit, so they’re going to offer you roughly 20% to 30% less than what the phone is actually worth on the street. It’s the "convenience tax."
Then you have peer-to-peer marketplaces. Swappa is arguably the gold standard here. Unlike eBay, which has become a bit of a Wild West for scammers and high fees, Swappa requires verification photos. You’ll get more money here than anywhere else. You’re selling directly to another human. If a buy-back site offers you $400, you might get $500 on Swappa. But—and this is a big but—you have to deal with shipping, potential disputes, and the occasional "is this still available?" message from people who never reply again.
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Finally, there’s the local meetup. Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Honestly, this is the highest risk but the fastest cash. You meet at a Starbucks or a police station, they hand you a stack of twenties, and you’re done. No fees. No waiting for a check. Just be careful. Check the bills with a counterfeit pen. Don't go alone.
The Hidden Trap of Carrier Trade-ins
Carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile love to scream about "$800 off" a new phone. Don't be fooled. That $800 isn't cash. It’s a series of small discounts on your monthly bill that only add up to $800 if you stay with them for three years. If you want to leave or sell that new phone in 18 months, you lose the remaining "value" of your trade-in. If you want to sell iPhone 14 Plus units to actually pay a bill or buy something else, stay away from the carriers.
Preparing Your Device So You Don't Get Screwed
I’ve seen so many people lose money because they didn't do the basics. If a buyer sees a fingerprint-smudged screen and a charging port full of pocket lint, they assume you didn't take care of the internals either. Perception is reality in the used tech market.
- Unpair your Apple Watch. People forget this constantly. If the watch is still synced, it can cause activation locks later.
- Turn off Find My iPhone. This is the dealbreaker. If you ship a phone with Find My turned on, the buyer literally cannot use it. It’s a brick. Most buy-back sites will send the phone back to you (at your expense) or slash your payout by 50% because they have to bypass it or use it for parts.
- Clean the speakers. Use a soft toothbrush. It takes ten seconds. A buyer who hears muffled sound is going to claim the device is defective.
- Take photos in natural light. If you’re listing it yourself, don’t take photos in a dark room with a flash. Go near a window. Show the edges. Show the screen with the light hitting it so they can see there are no deep scratches.
The Storage Capacity Factor
The 14 Plus came in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. In the resale world, the jump from 128 to 256 adds about $40 to $60 in value. However, the 512GB model is a harder sell. Most people looking for a used 14 Plus are budget-conscious; they don't want to pay a premium for massive storage. If you have a 512GB model, you might find it takes longer to sell because your "fair price" is close to what people pay for a used 15 Pro.
Real-World Price Expectations (Early 2026)
Prices change by the hour, but here is what the data from sites like PriceCharting and Flipsy suggests for a 14 Plus in "Good" condition:
- 128GB: Expect between $380 and $430 for a quick sale.
- 256GB: Look for $440 to $490.
- 512GB: You might touch $550, but it’s a niche market.
If someone offers you $600 for a base model 128GB, they are likely a scammer. If a site offers you $200, they are lowballing you. Knowing these numbers keeps you from getting emotional during the negotiation. It's just a piece of glass and aluminum.
Why "Unlocked" is the Magic Word
If your phone is still locked to AT&T, your pool of buyers is tiny. You are only selling to people who also use AT&T. If you’ve paid off the device, call your carrier and ask them to unlock it. It’s free. It takes about 24 to 48 hours. An unlocked iPhone 14 Plus can be worth $50 more than a locked one because it works on any network globally. It’s the easiest way to "earn" fifty bucks in two minutes of work.
Dealing with Scammers and Lowballers
If you list on Facebook, you will get a message within three minutes saying, "I'll give you $100 and a broken Xbox." Ignore them. Don't even reply.
The most common scam right now is the "overpayment" scam. Someone will offer to pay you via Zelle or Venmo before they meet you. Then they’ll "accidentally" send too much money and ask you to send the difference back. Or they’ll send a fake email that looks like it’s from PayPal saying the funds are "held" until you provide a tracking number.
Keep it simple: Cash in person at a safe location, or use a platform like Swappa/eBay that has built-in protections. If it feels weird, walk away. There are millions of people who want an iPhone 14 Plus. You don't need to settle for the weirdo.
Practical Steps to Take Right Now
Don't let your phone sit in a drawer. Every day it sits there, the battery chemically ages and the market value ticks down.
First, check your battery health in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. If it’s high, take a screenshot of that screen. It’s your most important photo. Next, find your original box if you still have it. It sounds stupid, but having the original box can actually add $10-$20 to the price because it makes the buyer feel like you’re a responsible person who keeps things organized.
Once you have your photos and your data backed up to iCloud, do a "Erase All Content and Settings." Do not just delete photos manually. You need a factory reset to ensure your Apple ID is completely detached from the hardware.
Choose your platform based on your patience. If you need the money for rent tomorrow, hit up a local "EcoATM" or a local repair shop—just know you're taking a massive haircut on the price. If you can wait five days, list it on Swappa. The extra $100 you'll get is worth the trip to the post office.
Stop thinking about it and just do it. The iPhone 16 is already out, and every "Leaked" video of the next model is a direct hit to the resale value of your 14 Plus. Sell while the screen is still crack-free and the battery is still holding a charge.