The iPhone 14 is one of the last iPhones with a Lightning port, so the cable and charger you need differ from every iPhone since the iPhone 15. Apple no longer lists it on its main iPhone page, but it is still common on the used and refurbished market. This page collects Apple’s documented specifications and iFixit’s repair information, and explains what they mean for the cable and charger you need. Every figure is traced to a source listed at the bottom of the page.
Key specs
| Release date | 2022-09-16 |
|---|---|
| Status | Older model |
| Charging port | Lightning |
| Wireless charging | Qi, MagSafe |
| Charger in box | No |
| Display type | OLED |
| Display size (in) | 6.1 |
| Chip | A15 Bionic |
| Storage options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Launch price (USD, MSRP) | $799 |
| iFixit repairability score | 4/10 |
Four blanks are deliberate. The USB spec row is empty because Apple lists a Lightning connector without a USB data speed on its specification page. The wired charging row is empty because Apple gives a fast-charge claim tied to a 20W adapter, not a maximum wattage. The refresh rate row is empty because Apple lists no ProMotion or refresh rate for this model.
Where does the iPhone 14 fit?
Apple introduced the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus together in September 2022, with pre-orders from Friday, September 9, availability for the iPhone 14 from Friday, September 16 and availability for the iPhone 14 Plus from Friday, October 7. The iPhone 14 started at $799 in the US, and Apple notes that pricing included a $30 carrier instant discount that requires carrier activation. Apple’s specifications list 128GB, 256GB and 512GB capacities and six finishes: midnight, purple, starlight, (PRODUCT)RED, blue and yellow, while the launch post named five of them.
We found no sales ranking that names the iPhone 14, so it ranks thirty-ninth in our library on the strength of Apple’s own compare page, which lists it among older iPhones. Apple’s main lineup page now lists the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17e and iPhone 16, so we mark the phone as discontinued; carriers and retailers may still stock it. See the Apple hub for current models, including the iPhone 15, which moved to USB-C.
What cable does the iPhone 14 use?
The iPhone 14 has a Lightning connector. Apple’s specifications list a USB-C to Lightning cable in the box and say it supports fast charging and is compatible with USB-C power adapters and computer ports. Apple also encourages you to re-use your current USB-A to Lightning cables and power adapters, which are compatible with these models.
Apple’s page about the USB-C to Lightning cable says it can charge and sync devices including iPhone and that certain iPhone models are fast-charge compatible when connected to certain USB-C power adapters using the cable. Our Lightning page summarizes the connector, and USB-C versus Lightning compares the two. If you want a USB-C cable for your other devices, read our USB-C explainer and cable buying safety. The USB-IF says USB products run at the lowest common speed; see the USB speed guide.
What charger does the iPhone 14 need?
Wired. Apple lists the iPhone 14 as fast-charge capable: up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with a 20W adapter or higher paired with a USB-C cable, both available separately. The phone does not include a power adapter, and Apple notes the box has a USB-C to Lightning cable. See the wattage guide and USB Power Delivery.
MagSafe. Apple lists MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W. Apple’s MagSafe page groups this generation with models that reach up to 15W with a 20W or greater USB-C power adapter and a MagSafe Charger with part number A2140, and says charging is limited to 7.5W while USB-C or Lightning accessories are connected. Plug the charger into power before placing the phone on it, so MagSafe can verify it is safe to deliver maximum power.
Qi. Apple lists Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W and does not list Qi2 for the iPhone 14; see Qi explained, Qi2 explained and the wireless charger guide. For a checklist, read which charger is safe for my phone.
The screen, explained
The iPhone 14 has a 6.1-inch all-screen OLED display, branded Super Retina XDR, at 2532-by-1170 pixels and 460 ppi. Apple lists a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical), 800 nits typical maximum brightness and 1200 nits peak for HDR. OLED means each pixel makes its own light, which is why dark areas can be very dark; see OLED explained. Apple lists no ProMotion or adaptive refresh rate for this model, so our table leaves the refresh rate blank; the refresh rate guide explains the numbers on other iPhones, and LTPO OLED explains the panel type behind adaptive refresh.
Performance, cameras and battery
The A15 Bionic chip has a 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores, a 5-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine, according to Apple’s specifications. Apple’s launch post says the 5-core GPU enables smoother graphics and powers computational photography features.
The camera system is a 12MP Main camera (26 mm, f/1.5, sensor-shift optical image stabilization) and a 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.4, 120-degree field of view). Apple’s launch post says the Main camera has a larger sensor and larger pixels and that Photonic Engine improves mid- to low-light performance by up to 2.5x on the Main camera. The front TrueDepth camera is 12MP at f/1.9 with autofocus, a first for the front camera according to Apple. Apple lists Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 frames per second and a new Action mode up to 2.8K at 60.
For battery life Apple lists up to 20 hours of video playback, up to 16 hours of streamed video and up to 80 hours of audio playback. These are manufacturer figures.
Build, safety and connectivity
The iPhone 14 has an aluminum design with a Ceramic Shield front and a glass back. It is rated IP68, with a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes under IEC standard 60529. It measures 5.78 inches tall, 2.82 inches wide and 0.31 inch deep and weighs 6.07 ounces (172 grams). It supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 and 5G on sub-6 GHz and mmWave bands with 4x4 MIMO. It uses dual eSIM, and Apple says it is not compatible with physical SIM cards, though a SIM tray is available on models bought outside the US.
Apple’s launch post says the iPhone 14 lineup introduced Crash Detection, which uses a dual-core accelerometer capable of detecting G-force measurements of up to 256Gs and a high dynamic range gyroscope, and Emergency SOS via satellite, which lets antennas connect directly to a satellite to message emergency services when outside cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. Satellite features depend on region.
How it compares with the iPhone 15
Apple’s pages show the iPhone 15 as a clear step. It moves from Lightning to USB-C, from the A15 Bionic to the A16 Bionic, and from a 12MP Main camera to a 48MP one, and it adds Dynamic Island and lists MagSafe and Qi2 up to 15W. Both are 6.1-inch OLED phones that launched at $799, and neither lists ProMotion. The iPhone 14 lists up to 20 hours of video playback, the same as the iPhone 15.
What is in the box
Apple’s specifications list the iPhone, a USB-C to Lightning cable and documentation, and say the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus do not include a power adapter or EarPods. Apple encourages you to re-use your current USB-A to Lightning cables, power adapters and headphones.
Repair overview
iFixit’s device page for the iPhone 14 shows a repairability score of 4 out of 10 and lists guides for parts including the battery, rear glass, speakers and cameras. Two guides we verified are iPhone 14 Battery Replacement and iPhone 14 Rear Glass Replacement. We link to the pages and never copy iFixit’s text.
Read our repair overview for the iPhone 14, battery replacement basics, screen replacement basics and how to read repairability scores. Apple says a professional provider using genuine parts is the safest route for most battery repairs.
Video reviews
We have not verified individual review videos for this phone, so we do not list any. You can browse more video reviews of the iPhone 14 on YouTube.
Compatible accessories
Categories to look at: MagSafe cases, 20W chargers, USB-C to Lightning cables and screen protectors. We do not have affiliate links yet; when we do they will be marked as paid links.
See the accessories hub, chargers and power banks, which have airline rules.
Who should buy it, and who might skip it
Facts that help you decide:
- You already own Lightning cables and chargers. The iPhone 14 uses them and Apple encourages re-using them.
- You want Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite. Apple lists both for this model.
- You want easy repair. iFixit scores it 4 out of 10, lower than the iPhone 15’s 7.
- You want USB-C. The iPhone 14 has a Lightning port.
- You want a charger included. None is in the box.
- You want a phone Apple still lists. It is not on Apple’s main lineup page.