Introduction
The iPhone 14 Pro Max remains one of Apple’s most premium devices even in 2025. With its stunning ProMotion display, powerful A16 Bionic chip, advanced triple-camera system, and premium build quality, it still delivers flagship-level performance and features. Whether you’re upgrading from an older iPhone or deciding between recent models, the 14 Pro Max continues to be a strong contender for those who want top-tier performance without necessarily paying for the newest model.
Price & Value in 2025
According to UpTrade’s Price Tracker, Certified Used or Refurbished iPhone 14 Pro Max models now start around $440+ in 2025. This represents a significant price drop from its original $1,099+ launch cost, making it far more affordable while still delivering a premium experience.
For comparison:
- iPhone 13 Pro Max starts around $390+, offering similar performance but slightly older hardware.
- iPhone 15 Pro Max starts around $590+, bringing newer features but at a much higher price.
Given the balance between price, performance, and longevity, the iPhone 14 Pro Max offers excellent value for buyers in 2025.
Key Features That Make the iPhone 14 Pro Max Stand Out
ProMotion Display
The iPhone 14 Pro Max features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology, offering an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz. This makes scrolling, animations, and gameplay feel incredibly smooth while also conserving battery life when a high refresh rate isn’t needed. HDR support and peak brightness of up to 2,000 nits ensure excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions.
A16 Bionic Performance
Powered by Apple’s A16 Bionic chip, the 14 Pro Max remains a powerhouse in 2025. This processor delivers exceptional speed and efficiency, handling demanding apps, high-end games, and multitasking with ease. It also ensures the device will remain compatible with iOS updates for several more years, giving you long-term performance reliability.
Camera System & Photographic Capabilities
The triple-lens camera system — featuring a 48MP main sensor, 12MP ultra-wide, and 12MP telephoto — produces outstanding photos and videos in virtually any lighting condition. The 48MP main sensor allows for enhanced detail and ProRAW capabilities, while cinematic mode, ProRes video recording, and Night mode elevate both photography and videography to professional levels.
Build Quality & Design
Crafted from surgical-grade stainless steel and ceramic shield glass, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is as durable as it is premium. Its IP68 water and dust resistance adds to its resilience, while the refined design, flat edges, and premium finish make it feel like a true flagship device. Despite being two generations old in 2025, it still matches or exceeds the build quality of many newer smartphones.
Software Support & iOS Compatibility in 2025
The iPhone 14 Pro Max runs iOS 26 in 2025 and is expected to receive full iOS updates for at least four more years. This ensures access to the latest features, security patches, and app compatibility well into the future. Apple’s track record of long-term software support means that even in 2029, the 14 Pro Max should still be usable and secure, making it a strong investment for buyers looking for longevity.
Battery Life & Charging Performance
With its large battery and power-efficient A16 Bionic chip, the iPhone 14 Pro Max offers all-day battery life, even for heavy users. Many owners report getting 8–10 hours of screen-on time, making it ideal for gaming, streaming, and productivity. It supports 20W wired fast charging (50% charge in about 30 minutes) and 15W MagSafe wireless charging, ensuring quick top-ups whether you’re at home or on the go.
When buying refurbished, battery health is also a key consideration. All Apple Certified Refurbished iPhone 14 Pro Max units come with a brand-new battery. For Amazon Renewed devices, battery health will be at least 80%, and if the phone is in Pristine condition, it will have a minimum of 90% battery health — giving you plenty of usage before any battery replacement is needed.
iPhone 14 Pro Max vs iPhone 13 Pro Max
Specs Comparison
| Feature |
iPhone 13 Pro Max |
iPhone 14 Pro Max |
| Launch Date | September 2021 | September 2022 |
| Chipset | A15 Bionic (5-core GPU) | A16 Bionic |
| Display | 6.7" Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 120Hz | 6.7" Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 120Hz, Always-On |
| Main Camera | 12MP triple camera system | 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 12MP telephoto |
| Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth | 12MP TrueDepth with autofocus |
| Battery Life | Up to 28 hours video playback | Up to 29 hours video playback |
| Charging | 20W wired, 15W MagSafe | 20W wired, 15W MagSafe |
| Dynamic Island | No | Yes |
| Weight | 240g | 240g |
| Software Support in 2025 | iOS 26 (3+ years support left) | iOS 26 (4+ years support left) |
| Current Price (Certified Used) | $390+ | $440+ |
Performance
The A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 14 Pro Max is more efficient and slightly faster than the A15 Bionic in the 13 Pro Max. While both are powerful, the A16 handles sustained performance better, especially in demanding apps and games, and runs cooler under heavy load.
Camera
The biggest upgrade is the main camera — the 14 Pro Max’s 48MP sensor delivers higher resolution shots, better low-light performance, and allows for 2x lossless zoom by cropping into the sensor. The 13 Pro Max still produces excellent photos, but the 14 Pro Max’s detail and dynamic range are noticeably better.
Display
Both have ProMotion 120Hz displays, but the 14 Pro Max adds Always-On Display and higher peak brightness, making it easier to view in sunlight and giving quick access to information without unlocking the phone.
Features
The 14 Pro Max introduces Dynamic Island, replacing the notch with an interactive notification area. It’s not a must-have, but it adds a more modern, functional feel compared to the 13 Pro Max.
Recommendation
For only $50 more, we suggest upgrading to the iPhone 14 Pro Max. It offers a major camera improvement and a modern design that aligns more closely with newer iPhone models.
iPhone 14 Pro Max vs iPhone 15 Pro Max
Specs Comparison
| Feature |
iPhone 14 Pro Max |
iPhone 15 Pro Max |
| Launch Date | September 2022 | September 2023 |
| Chipset | A16 Bionic | A17 Pro |
| Display | 6.7" Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 120Hz, Always-On | 6.7" Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 120Hz, Always-On |
| Main Camera | 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 12MP telephoto | 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 12MP 5x telephoto (Pro Max exclusive) |
| Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth with autofocus | 12MP TrueDepth with autofocus |
| Battery Life | Up to 29 hours video playback | Up to 29 hours video playback |
| Charging | 20W wired, 15W MagSafe | 20W wired, 15W MagSafe, USB-C 10Gbps (Pro Max) |
| Frame Material | Stainless Steel | Titanium |
| Weight | 240g | 221g |
| Software Support in 2025 | iOS 26 (4+ years support left) | iOS 26 (5+ years support left) |
| Current Price (Certified Used) | $440+ | $590+ |
Performance
The A17 Pro chip in the 15 Pro Max is built on a 3nm process, offering better efficiency and gaming capabilities, including hardware-accelerated ray tracing. The A16 in the 14 Pro Max is still excellent, but the 15 Pro Max’s GPU performance is a step ahead for high-end gaming and intensive tasks.
Camera
The 15 Pro Max introduces a 5x telephoto zoom (exclusive to the Pro Max model) versus the 3x zoom on the 14 Pro Max. This makes it much more versatile for distant shots without losing quality, a clear advantage for photography enthusiasts.
Build & Weight
The 15 Pro Max uses a titanium frame instead of stainless steel, making it significantly lighter (19g less) while maintaining durability. This makes it more comfortable to hold for extended periods.
Ports & Connectivity
The 15 Pro Max replaces Lightning with USB-C, and on the Pro models, supports USB 3 speeds (up to 10Gbps) for much faster wired data transfers — useful for creators moving large ProRes video files. The 14 Pro Max is still limited to Lightning and USB 2.0 speeds.
Recommendation
The iPhone 14 Pro Max looks very similar to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and in our opinion, the hardware differences are minimal and don’t justify the $150+ price difference. We recommend choosing the 14 Pro Max for better value.
Conclusion: iPhone 14 Pro Max Worth Buying in 2025
The iPhone 14 Pro Max continues to be an excellent flagship choice in 2025, especially at its current Certified Used and Refurbished price point ($440+). It offers premium build quality, cutting-edge performance from the A16 Bionic chip, and a powerful camera system that still rivals the latest models.
When compared to the iPhone 13 Pro Max, the 14 Pro Max delivers notable improvements in camera technology, display features, and design — making it worth the small price increase.
Against the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the 14 Pro Max holds its own in nearly every category, making the extra $150+ for the 15 Pro Max difficult to justify for most buyers. We still recommend the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Overall, if you want a phone that will last for years, run the latest iOS, and deliver a top-tier experience without overspending, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is one of the smartest buys in 2025.
FAQ: Buying the iPhone 14 Pro Max in 2025
1. How much does the iPhone 14 Pro Max cost in 2025?
Certified Used or Refurbished iPhone 14 Pro Max models start around $440+, depending on storage capacity and condition.
2. Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max still supported by iOS updates?
Yes. It supports iOS 26 in 2025 and should receive updates for at least 3–4 more years.
3. Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max camera still competitive?
Absolutely. The 48MP main sensor delivers excellent detail and low-light performance, and it remains one of the best smartphone cameras available.
4. How does the battery hold up in refurbished models?
Apple Certified Refurbished units come with a brand-new battery. Amazon Renewed devices have at least 80% battery health, and Pristine condition units have at least 90% battery health.
5. Should I get the iPhone 13 Pro Max instead to save money?
If the budget is extremely tight, the 13 Pro Max is still excellent. However, for only $50 more, the 14 Pro Max gives you a better camera, Always-On Display, and a more modern design.
6. Is it worth paying extra for the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
For most people, no. While the 15 Pro Max has a lighter titanium frame, faster USB-C transfer speeds, and a 5x telephoto zoom, the $150+ price gap may not be worth it unless you need those specific upgrades.
7. Where can I find the best deals on a Certified Used or Refurbished iPhone 14 Pro Max?
You can compare trusted sellers like Apple, Amazon, Best Buy, and Gazelle in one place using UpTrade’s price comparison tool to find the best available offer.
8. How many years will the iPhone 14 Pro Max last?
With proper care, it should easily last 5–6 years from its 2022 release date, including at least 3–4 more years of iOS updates from 2025 onward.
9. How old is iPhone 14 Pro Max?
The iPhone 14 Pro Max was released in September 2022, making it about 3 years old in 2025.
Sale
