You may have heard that “the iPhone” is the most popular smartphone(Opens in a new window) in the US. But that’s not quite accurate, because Apple currently sells a lot of different iPhone models (eight, at the time of this writing). Survey the shelves at the three major US carriers, as well as Cricket and Metro, and that number might rise even higher.
Apple’s eight models include the older iPhone 12 and 13 mini, along with the refreshed iPhone SE, as well as the latest iPhone 14 and 14 Pro Max. Each has a specific appeal, whether it’s in terms of price, size, features, battery life, or a combination thereof.
We’ve tested every Apple phone since the first-generation iPhone in 2007. Here’s what we’ve learned about how to choose the best iPhone right now.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Apple iPhone 14
Best iPhone for Most People
Why We Picked It
The iPhone 14 walks a solid middle ground for most buyers. It’s the latest model, with mostly new hardware. It may have carried over the 2021-era A15 Bionic processor, and it lacks the exciting screen changes of the Pro line, but just about everything else gets a refresh of some sort. The $799 price isn’t too high, though it’s not quite what some would call affordable. Between the upgraded performance, appealing screen, and attractive design, there’s plenty to like about the iPhone 14.
Who It’s For
This is the perfect iPhone for, well, anyone. It handles all the modern smartphone basics with aplomb and tosses in several bonus features from Apple, including crash detection and emergency SOS via satellite for those moments when you really need help. It’s the phone for those who want something that is simple to use and gets the job done day in and day out. Basically, if you’re the kind of person who wants a great phone, but doesn’t necessarily need the best phone, the iPhone 14 is for you.
PROS
- Solid performance
- Capable cameras
- Helpful emergency features
CONS
- Not that different from the iPhone 13
- Dated design and Lightning connector
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Best iPhone Battery Life
Why We Picked It
While there are eight iPhone models, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the biggest and best model on the market. It comes with every feature Apple offers, including the most capable cameras; the largest, brightest screen; and the biggest, longest-lasting battery. We gave the iPhone 14 Pro Max the highest review of any recent model. It’s our Editors’ Choice for 2022 iPhones.
Who It’s For
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is Apple’s top-tier model. If you’re the type of buyer who wants the best-possible version of whatever it is that you’re buying, this is the model to pick. Moreover, if long battery life is high on your list of must-haves, the 14 Pro Max outlasts nearly every other phone on the market. Last, it’s also for people with deep pockets. The $1,099 starting price is nothing to blink at, even if carrier deals break that down over time.
PROS
- High-quality hardware
- Always-on display includes widgets
- Top-notch cameras
- Stellar wireless performance
CONS
- Pricey
- Dated design and Lightning connector
Apple iPhone 13 mini
Best Small iPhone
Why We Picked It
We had to include a small iPhone on the list, and this is the smallest one of the bunch. Apple dropped the mini from its iPhone 14 model lineup in 2022, leaving the 2021 device on its own. While the iPhone SE is also small, it can’t hang with the iPhone 13 mini in terms of power and performance. Just because you want a small phone doesn’t necessarily mean you’re willing to give up power.
Who It’s For
Not everyone wants a big, bulky phone. That’s where the iPhone 13 mini comes in. It’s the smallest iPhone still available, and it’s perfect for people who look back longingly on the days of more compact phones that were easy to tote about. It’s still relatively current in terms of hardware and software support, so you’re getting a fast phone with great performance in a smaller—and relatively cheaper—package.
PROS
- Most powerful small smartphone
- Beautiful build
- Better battery life than iPhone 12 mini
CONS
- Shortest battery life of iPhone 13 family
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Best Zoom Camera for the Money
Why We Picked It
The iPhone 14 Pro is the phone to pick for anyone who wants high-end performance, an excellent display, the latest features, and the best cameras, all while avoiding the size and price of the iPhone 14 Pro Max. It’s a fantastic phone with everything you could want, and its reduced footprint may feel more comfortable if you have smaller hands or don’t like the biggest phones.
Who It’s For
This is for the iPhone shopper who wants all the features of the Pro line but wants to save a little money on something that’s not quite as large.
PROS
- Excellent build quality
- Stellar cameras
- Always-on display
- Top-notch wireless performance
- Useful safety features
CONS
- Recycled design and dated Lightning connector
- Weaker battery life than Pro Max model
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Best Affordable iPhone
Why We Picked It
Apple products aren’t always known for affordability, but the iPhone SE (3rd Gen) bucks the trend by offering many of the features that make the iPhone so beloved at a substantially lower price. Moreover, the iPhone SE is the second-smallest iPhone available from Apple right now (only a bit bigger than the iPhone 13 mini), so it works well for people who don’t want to carry around a big phone. It’s also the last iPhone to offer Touch ID.
Who It’s For
The iPhone SE is perfect for the budget-conscious shopper who likes iOS, but doesn’t need one of the more advanced models or want to spend more than $500. The iPhone SE is also the last iPhone to include Touch ID for security. If you’d rather use your fingerprint to unlock the iPhone than your face, this is the only option.
PROS
- Most affordable new iPhone
- Speedy performance
- Supports T-Mobile and Verizon mid-band 5G
- Longer battery life than the previous model
CONS
- Outdated body design
- No Night mode in camera
- Lacks support for AT&T’s 3.45GHz mid-band 5G
- Shortest battery life of any current iPhone model
Apple iPhone 12
Best Balance of Features and Price
Why We Picked It
The iPhone 12 might be two models removed from the newest iPhone 14 family, but it still comes with lots of features that make it worthwhile. It ships with the capable A14 processor, a dual-camera system with Night mode, 5G connectivity, and at least three more years of software support from Apple, which make it a perfectly viable option even in 2022.
Who It’s For
The iPhone 12 is great for anyone who wants an affordable 5G iPhone. Because it’s a slightly older model, Apple sells it for hundreds less than current models. Despite its age, the iPhone 12 is still plenty powerful.
PROS
- Excellent Night mode camera
- Better 4G (and 5G) than previous iPhones
- Beautiful build
- Solid battery life
CONS
- Several similar, but not-quite-the-same models
- AT&T and Verizon 5G underwhelms
- Charging and power adapter situation is confusing
Apple iPhone 14 Plus
Best Affordable Large-Screen iPhone
Why We Picked It
The iPhone 14 Plus is a new model from Apple. It’s designed to offer the larger screen size of the iPhone 14 Pro Max but at a significantly lower price. It’s a powerful phone with the A15 processor and killer battery life, though it lacks the premium camera and display features found in the Pro Max.
Who It’s For
Just because you want a big screen doesn’t mean you want to spend a lot of money. The iPhone 14 Plus is designed for exactly that person. You get a large phone at a $200 discount compared with the costly iPhone 14 Pro Max.
PROS
- Outstanding hardware
- Big, high-resolution screen
- Excellent battery life
- Clean cameras
- Swift performance
CONS
- Dated design and Lightning port
- No telephoto camera
Buying Guide: What’s the Best iPhone to Buy in 2023?
When Is the New iPhone Coming Out?
The next iPhone release will be the iPhone 15 line, likely in September of 2023. We could see an iPhone SE refresh in the early months of 2023, but that remains to be seen. The latest iPhone SE arrived in March 2022, and the iPhone 14 line followed in September 2022.
The Most Powerful iPhone
Every year brings faster and more powerful iPhones. If you tend to play a lot of games or even surf a lot of image-heavy web pages, a faster processor is better. Apple’s top iPhones are the Pro models.
We expect a 15% to 20% jump in overall performance, including web browsing, for each new generation of Apple’s A-series chips. There’s not that big a difference between the A15 Bionic (in the iPhone 13) and the A16 Bionic (in the iPhone 14), but there’s a palpable difference between either of those and the A13 (in the iPhone 11).
Do You Need a 5G iPhone?
The iPhone 12, 13, and 14 series (namely, all the iPhones Apple sells) are all 5G devices that support the new C-band networks. That’s a strong argument for not choosing anything older than the iPhone 12. Fast 5G coverage isn’t yet universal, but it’s getting there. T-Mobile has already expanded its speedy mid-band 5G network to much of the country, and Verizon launched C-band that covers about 100 million Americans in January 2022. Both systems make a considerable difference in connection speed and performance. AT&T is catching up, but it falls a bit behind the other two.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
We explore some hands-on test results that show the difference between 4G and 5G performance on iPhones in our story on whether you need a 5G iPhone.
To see if 5G really matters where you live, head over to our story on the Best Mobile Networks.
Apple’s iPhone 13 Lineup Reviewed
The Best iPhone Camera
How serious are you about taking photos with your smartphone? That can help determine your choice of iPhone.
All iPhones have a main camera that shoots solid images in the day. Night mode, introduced several years ago with the iPhone 11, assists in low-light settings.
The vanilla iPhone 12, 13, and 14 models each have wide-angle cameras, too, which help you fit more scenery into a shot. They’re great if you’re trying to take photos of groups or crowds of people. Pro iPhones, meanwhile, have 2x or 3x telephoto cameras that help with crisp close-ups thanks to optical zoom.
Our photo expert Jim Fisher goes into much more depth in his story on the iPhone 13’s camera. (This applies to the iPhone 14 camera, as well.) Put simply, to get the best camera, one of the Pro models is the way to go.
Four iPhone 12 models together
(Credit: Molly Flores)
The Best iPhone Size
Some people like big phones. Some like small phones. The iPhone lineup offers both.
If you’re upgrading from a very old iPhone, all of the new phones will seem large. The iPhone SE is the same size as the old iPhone 8 and will be most familiar to folks with devices from 2016 or older. The iPhone 13 mini is the smallest currently available iPhone—and yet it has a bigger screen than the SE because of its smaller bezel and deleted home button.
(Photo: Molly Flores)
The iPhone 13 mini is perfect if you’re a fan of smaller phones. It combines a relatively hand-friendly and pocket-friendly size with many of the latest features.
If you have poor eyesight or shaky hands, you might like the larger touch targets and bigger screens on the Plus or Max models. These are also great if you watch a lot of videos on your phone, but they can be heavy.
Larger iPhones generally have longer battery life than smaller iPhones (because they have larger batteries), but the new iPhone 14 models all have better battery life than the same-sized iPhone 13 models, so going with a newer model will get you some extra juice.
Recommended by Our Editors
Touch ID and Headphone Jacks
Two features have mostly vanished from the iPhone line: Touch ID and the headphone jack.
The iPhone SE is the only current iPhone with a physical Home button and Touch ID scanner. The aging and outdated iPhone 8 series also has Touch ID. All non-SE models from the 2017-era iPhone X and up rely on Apple’s Face ID as your main point of security. If Touch ID is your thing, your options are limited to the iPhone SE or a used iPhone 8.
The last iPhone with a headphone jack was the 2015-era iPhone 6s, meaning that ship has long-since sailed. At this point, you should have already given in and picked up wireless earbuds or an adapter for your Lightning port.
The iPhone 13 (front) has a smaller notch than the iPhone 12 (rear)
(Credit: Molly Flores)
Your iPhone Is a Ticking Clock
iPhones do eventually run out of software support. The latest iPhone operating system, iOS 16, only runs on the 2017-era iPhone X or later models. Expect that each year, a generation of iPhones will get sloughed off as the latest software requires more powerful processors than the very old models have.
We no longer recommend phones older than the iPhone 11 line; they will likely get at least two more years of OS support. If you want a phone with long-term resale value, go for the iPhone 12 generation or higher.
And if your heart isn’t set on an iPhone, alternatives abound. Check out our favorite Android phones and the best phones overall.
Deciding which iPhone to buy has always been tricky. Which screen size is best for you, and how much storage do you need? Should you save money by selecting an older model, or should you splash out on the latest iPhone? Which iPhone is the best compromise between specs and value for money?
In this article we talk you through each of the phones currently available from Apple, to help you decide which is best for you. We discuss iPhone prices, specs and features, paying particular attention to the cameras, screens and durability, so you should leave feeling much more confident about which iPhone you should get.
For more help with your choice see our reviews of the latest iPhones and our Best iPhone chart.
- iPhone 14 Pro Max review
- iPhone 14 review
- iPhone 14 Pro review
- iPhone 14 Plus review
What iPhones does Apple sell?
Apple introduced four new phones in September 2022, bringing the number of new phones launched in 2022 to five. But there are actually eight iPhones in Apple’s line up right now. If you are looking to upgrade an old iPhone or move to iPhone from another manufacturer, here’s the low down on what Apple sells.
We’ll start of by looking at how the design of each handset differs, so you can tell which iPhone is which at a glance, before going on to discuss how the iPhones compare in other ways including screens, cameras, safety features, specs and battery life.
Before we start, a quick-at-a-glance comparison of the iPhones:
iPhone 14 – This is the handset for those who don’t need all the bells and whistles of the Pro handsets, but want new camera features like the Photonic Engine and better low light photos and the Action mode, which aren’t available on the iPhone 13. Starting at $799/£849.
iPhone 14 Plus – This iPhone is identical to the iPhone 14 except for one big difference: it’s bigger. If you prefer a larger iPhone but you don’t need all the features of the Pro Max, or would rather save your money, this is the iPhone for you. Starting at $899/£949.
iPhone 14 Pro – If you want the best features on an iPhone right now, but you’d prefer an average sized handset this is the one for you. Starting at $999/£1,099.
iPhone 14 Pro Max – If you want the best features on an iPhone right now in a large handset this is the one for you. Starting at $1,099/£1,199.
iPhone 13 – There’s not a huge difference between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13. They both feature the A15 Bionic, but there’s an extra GPU core in the 14, which might matter if you are a keen gamer. If that, and the missing camera features, don’t matter to you then you could certainly save your money and get the 2021 iPhone. Starting at $699/£749.
iPhone 13 mini – This is the only small iPhone you can buy – Apple has decided not to introduce an iPhone 14 mini. If you want a small iPhone with FaceID this is your only option right now. Starting at $599/£649.
iPhone SE (3rd gen) – Apple introduce the iPhone SE 3rd generation earlier in 2022. It’s the cheapest iPhone you can buy and it has a Home button. This is the best iPhone for those people that want or need a Home button – perhaps the lack of a button could cause accessibility problems (although there is a way to add a software Home button if you need to). Starting at $429/£449.
iPhone 12 – The iPhone 12 has been around for a while now, it was the iPhone Apple launched in 2020. While it lacks the headline features of the past couple of years, it offers many of the most popular features like Night mode, and if you want an iPhone with FaceID then this is your cheapest option. Starting at $599/£649.
Here’s an overview of Apple’s current iPhone range:
| Model | Release date | Storage options | Prices | View on Apple’s website |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | September 2022 | 128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB |
$1,099/£1,199 $1,199/£1,309 $1,399/£1,529 $1,599/£1,749 |
Apple Store |
| iPhone 14 Pro | September 2022 | 128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB |
$999/£1,099 $1,099/£1,209 $1,299/£1,429 $1,499/£1,649 |
Apple Store |
| iPhone 14 | September 2022 | 128GB 256GB 512GB |
$799/£849 $899/£959 $1,099/£1,179 |
Apple Store |
| iPhone 14 Plus | September 2022 | 128GB 256GB 512GB |
$899/£949 $999/£1,059 $1,199/£1,279 |
Apple Store |
| iPhone 13 | September 2021 | 128GB 256GB 512GB |
$699/£749 $799/£859 $999/£1,079 |
Apple Store |
| iPhone 13 mini | September 2021 | 128GB 256GB 512GB |
$599/£649 $699/£759 $899/£979 |
Apple Store |
| iPhone 12 | October 2020 | 64GB 128GB 256GB |
$599/£649 $649/£699 $749/£809 |
Apple Store |
| iPhone SE (3rd gen) | March 2022 | 64GB 128GB 256GB |
$429/£449 $479/£499 $579/£609 |
Apple Store |
In the U.S. prices for the iPhone 14 series are the same as the iPhone 13 was in 2021. Unfortunately if you are outside the U.S. prices have risen for the 2022 models (including the iPhone SE 3), although at least prices for the older iPhones have all dropped. Read our iPhone deals roundup for more advice on getting the lowest possible price.
Also see our comparison of iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 14 Pro.
Design: How do the iPhones compare?
Apple
There are a couple of headline features for the iPhone 14 Pro and Max, but one of the most notable is the reimagining of the notch. Rather than a notch we now have a black cutout that conceals the TrueDepth camera and other Face ID tech. This is more than a black blob though, Apple’s calling it Dynamic Island and it can grow. This repurposing of the notch turns the black area at the top of the iPhone into something like the menu bar of a Mac. The Dynamic Island grows to incorporate elements such as low battery alerts, unlocking, Silent mode, privacy indicators and more.
Thanks to this new ‘notch’ (apparently 30% smaller than the old one) it’s easy to recognise the iPhone 14 Pro and Max as they are the only iPhones that offer this features. If you wait a year though rumour has it that the feature will come to all of 2023’s iPhones.
The iPhone 14, on the other hand, looks similar to the iPhone 13, there’s no Dynamic Island here. However, if you are upgrading from an iPhone that’s older than the iPhone 13 then the notch is smaller on both the iPhone 13 and 14. The best way to differentiate between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 is the colour options – expect that even the colours aren’t all that different. The iPhone 14 offers blue (pale), purple, Midnight, Starlight and a red (bright). A new yellow color joined the line up in March 2023. The iPhone 13 comes in green, pink, blue (dark), Midnight, Starlight and red (dark).
The only other difference is the cameras protrude slightly further on the back of the iPhone 14, which means that if you lay the iPhones on the table the iPhone 14 will be slightly less flat than the iPhone 13 (as you can see from the dimensions below). The iPhone 14 Pro models also have rear cameras modules that protrude more than the previous generation did.
The iPhone 14 Plus looks like the iPhone 14 but is a bit larger. In fact the dimensions are similar to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, but you can tell those two phones apart because the 14 Plus has the notch. The iPhone 14 Plus could feasibly be mistaken for an iPhone 13 Pro Max, but for the fact that the Pro and Max models have a more metallic color finish, and Apple no longer sells that model.
The iPhone 13 mini is distinctive because it is the only diminutive iPhone with Face ID that Apple sells. The iPhone SE (now in its 3rd generation) is also small, but it has the telltale Home button.
The other major differences between the iPhone 14 Pro and Max models is that they are constructed from Surgical-grade stainless steel, while the other models sold by Apple are aluminium. All but the iPhone SE (3) offer a Ceramic Shield front, which should hopefully mean that the glass doesn’t smash the first time you drop it.
| iPhone | Dimensions | Weight | Colours |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | 6.33 inches (160.7 mm) x 3.05 inches (77.6 mm) x 0.31 inch (7.85 mm) | 8.47 ounces (240 grams) | Deep Purple, Gold, Silver, Space Black |
| iPhone 14 Pro | 5.81 inches (147.5 mm) x 2.81 inches (71.5 mm) x 0.31 inch (7.85 mm) | 7.27 ounces (206 grams) | Deep Purple, Gold, Silver, Space Black |
| iPhone 14 Plus | 6.33 inches (160.8 mm) x 3.07 inches (78.1 mm) x 0.31 inch (7.80 mm) | 7.16 ounces (203 grams) | Blue, Purple, Midnight, Starlight, Red |
| iPhone 14 | 5.78 inches (146.7 mm) x 2.82 inches (71.5 mm) x 0.31 inch (7.80 mm) | 6.07 ounces (172 grams) | Blue, Purple, Midnight, Starlight, Red |
| iPhone 13 | 5.78 inches (146.7 mm) x 2.82 inches (71.5 mm) x 0.30 inch (7.65 mm) | 6.10 ounces (173 grams) | Green, Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, Red |
| iPhone 13 mini | 5.18 inches (131.5 mm) x 2.53 inches (64.2 mm) x 0.30 inch (7.65 mm) | 4.97 ounces (141 grams) | Green, Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, Red |
| iPhone 12 | 5.78 inches (146.7 mm) x 2.82 inches (71.5 mm) x 0.29 inch (7.4 mm) | 5.78 ounces (164 grams) | Purple, Blue, Green, Red, White, Black |
| iPhone SE 3 | 5.45 inches (138.4 mm) x 2.65 inches (67.3 mm) x 0.29 inch (7.3 mm) | 5.09 ounces (144 grams) | Midnight, Starlight and Red |
Screen: How are the iPhone displays different?
The Pro and Pro Max iPhones have the best screens available on an iPhone – in fact there are a few more pixels on the screens of the 2022 Pro and Max compared to the previous generation. Like the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max offer ProMotion, which allows for an adaptive refresh rate. Like the 13 Pro the 14 Pro goes as high as 120Hz for really smooth scrolling, but the 14 Pro refresh rate can go as low as 1Hz, which helps with the new features of the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max: an Always-On display. The Always-On display is thus only available on the 14 Pro and Max.
IDG
Thanks to the Always-On screen you will always be able to see elements such as the time and date, notifications and Lock Screen widgets without waking the iPhone. The screen dim to minimise onscreen power usage to preserve battery life and it will turn off should you place it face down or walk away while wearing an Apple Watch.
Aside from the ProMotion capabilities, the iPhone 14 Pro and Max also offer 1,000 nits max brightness and 1,200 nits peak brightness (HDR), but boost to 2,000 nits peak brightness for when you are outdoors in the sunshine. The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus only go to 800 nits max brightness or 1,200 nits peak (HDR). Those figures for the iPhone 14 were the same for the iPhone 13. The iPhone 12 and SE (3) are both 625 nits max brightness, 1200 nits peak brightness (HDR). The brighter the iPhone screen the easier it will be to see detail when it’s really sunny.
The screen size may be the most important factor in your decision. If you want the biggest iPhone screen you can get the good news is that Apple no longer requires you to spend all your money on the most expensive iPhone. There is now a larger version of the standard iPhone: the iPhone 14 Plus. The iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro Max both have a screen that measures 6.7-inches diagonally. The extra space means you can fit a few extra lines of text on the screen, or comfortably bump up the text size. The larger screens are also preferable if you watch a lot of media on your iPhone. It’s likely that if you have previously owned a Max or Plus handset you will feel like your iPhone screen is cramped if you upgrade to a smaller display.
On the other hand, for many the larger iPhone sizes are far too large. Small handed people holding the giant iPhones may be afraid that they are going to drop the hefty and expensive device. Apple sells three iPhones with a 6.1-inch screen: the iPhone 14, iPhone 13 and iPhone 12. Even these handsets are considered to large by some though, so there are also two smaller iPhones on offer: the iPhone SE with its 4.7-inch screen, or the iPhone 13 mini with its 5.4-inch screen.
| iPhone | Screen size & pixels | Screen technology | Screen features |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | 6.7-inch screen, 2796-by-1290-pixel resolution at 460 ppi | 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical), 2000 nits peak brightness (outdoor), 1000 nits max brightness, 1600 peak brightness (HDR) | Super Retina XDR, OLED, ProMotion, Dynamic Island, Always On |
| iPhone 14 Pro | 6.1-inch screen, 2556-by-1179-pixel resolution at 460 ppi | 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical), 2000 nits peak brightness (outdoor), 1000 nits max brightness, 1600 peak brightness (HDR) | Super Retina XDR, OLED, ProMotion, Dynamic Island, Always On |
| iPhone 14 Plus | 6.7-inch screen, 2778-by-1284-pixel resolution at 458 ppi | 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical), 800 nits max brightness, 1200 nits peak brightness (HDR) | Super Retina XDR, OLED |
| iPhone 14 | 6.1-inch screen, 2532-by-1170-pixel resolution at 460 ppi | 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical), 800 nits max brightness, 1200 nits peak brightness (HDR) | Super Retina XDR, OLED |
| iPhone 13 | 6.1-inch screen, 2532-by-1170-pixel resolution at 460 ppi | 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical), 800 nits max brightness, 1200 nits peak brightness (HDR) | Super Retina XDR, OLED |
| iPhone 13 mini | 5.4-inch screen, 2340-by-1080-pixel resolution at 476 ppi | 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 800 nits max brightness (typical), 1200 nits peak brightness (HDR) | Super Retina XDR, OLED |
| iPhone 12 | 6.1-inch screen, 2532-by-1170-pixel resolution at 460 ppi | 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 625 nits max brightness (typical), 1200 nits peak brightness (HDR) | Super Retina XDR, OLED |
| iPhone SE 3 | 4.7-inch screen, 1334-by-750-pixel resolution at 326 ppi | 1400:1 contrast ratio, 625 nits max brightness (typical) | LCD display with IPS technology |
Camera: How do the iPhone cameras compare?
For many it’s the capabilities of the cameras that sell the iPhones, so it’s no wonder that every year Apple improves the camera on its iPhones, sometimes improving the tech, sometimes the software. For the iPhone 14 series there are some technical improvements with both Pro and non-Pro iPhones getting camera upgrades.
The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus still feature a dual-camera array with 12MP wide and ultra-wide lenses. But for this generation Apple includes a faster aperture (ƒ/1.5 rather than ƒ/1.6) and larger sensor on the main camera, which should lead to better performance and improvements in low-light shooting. Indeed, Apple claims 49 percent better performance in such conditions.
The TrueDepth (FaceTime and Face ID) camera has also been upgraded on the front of the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus. It gains autofocus and improved low-light performance thanks to a wider aperture. If you use your iPhone for photography these are good reasons to choose the iPhone 14 over the 13 or 12.
The iPhone 14 series all benefits from a new Photonic Engine computational system which helps capture more detail when light is limited. This Photonic Engine means all the cameras on the iPhones are able to produce more detail in low-light shots. This new computational system will also aid features such as the new Foreground Blur feature that complements the Portrait Mode. There is also a new Action Mode for video shooting that is designed to improve stabilization. It applies extreme video stabilization so you can capture video while you are moving.
However, those who want the best cameras on an iPhone need to look to the more expensive iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max gain a 48MP wide-angle camera on the rear. However, most photos you take with the 14 Pro won’t be 48MP at all; they will be 12MP but with more detail because the camera uses image processing to combine four pixels into one. You can take full 48MP shots if you want to, but you need to shoot in ProRAW format.
iPhone 14 Pro Max camera
Foundry
Another benefit of being able to shoot in 48MP is that you can zoom and crop and still have enough resolution to get a really good quality image. The main 48MP wide lens camera also gains a 2x optical telephoto mode, while the ultra-wide camera steps down to an f/2.2 aperture, but with a larger sensor with 1.4 micron pixels (up from 1.0 micron). As a result you can expect your low light ultra-wide shots to look much better (Apple says low-light performance is up to 2x better). The front camera also gets a wider f/1.9 aperture (the iPhone 13 Pro’s is f/2.2) and autofocus, which should make for better selfies and video calls, especially in low light.
The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models, just like the iPhone 13 Pro and Max did, are able to shoot Macro photos. New for the iPhone 14 Pro and Max is the ability to shoot Macro photography.
Despite all this you don’t have to buy the newest iPhones to get a good set of cameras. For many the camera on the older iPhones that Apple still sells will be good enough. All models on sale currently offer Portrait Mode and the Portrait Lighting effects on the rear cameras for images with depth of field. The only camera that doesn’t offer Night Mode is the iPhone SE 3. The only model to not offer Photographic Styles (a choice of filters that are set when taking photos) is the iPhone 12. Aside from the iPhone SE 3 all the iPhones offer a dual camera set up on the rear so that you can choose from wide or ultra wide shots.
| iPhone | Cameras | Video | Photo & video features |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | Three rear cameras: 48MP Main (ƒ/1.78 aperture), 12MP Ultra Wide (ƒ/2.2 aperture) and 12MP Telephoto (ƒ/2.8 aperture), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilisation, 3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 6x optical zoom range, digital zoom up to 15x, Adaptive True Tone flash Front camera: TrueDepth front camera, 12 MP (ƒ/1.9 aperture) |
Video: ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps, 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps, Sensor-shift optical image stabilisation for video | Photonic Engine, Night mode portraits, Night mode, Photographic Styles, Macro photos, ProRaw, Smart HDR 4 Cinematic mode, Macro video recording, Action Mode, Audio zoom |
| iPhone 14 Pro | Three rear cameras: 48MP Main (ƒ/1.78 aperture), 12MP Ultra Wide (ƒ/2.2 aperture) and 12MP Telephoto (ƒ/2.8 aperture), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilisation, 3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 6x optical zoom range, digital zoom up to 15x, Adaptive True Tone flash Front camera: TrueDepth front camera, 12 MP (ƒ/1.9 aperture) |
Video: ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps, 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps, Sensor-shift optical image stabilisation for video | Photonic Engine, Night mode portraits, Night mode, Photographic Styles, Macro photos, ProRaw, Smart HDR 4 Cinematic mode, ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps, Macro video recording, Action Mode, Audio zoom |
| iPhone 14 Plus | Two rear cameras: 12MP Main (ƒ/1.5 aperture), 12MP Ultra Wide (ƒ/2.4 aperture), sensor-shift optical image stabilisation, 2x optical zoom out, digital zoom up to 5x, True Tone flash Front camera: TrueDepth front camera, 12 MP (ƒ/1.9 aperture) |
Video: 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps, Sensor-shift optical image stabilisation for video | Photonic Engine, Action Mode, Night mode, Photographic Styles, Smart HDR 4 Cinematic mode, Audio zoom |
| iPhone 14 | Two rear cameras: 12MP Main (ƒ/1.5 aperture), 12MP Ultra Wide (ƒ/2.4 aperture), sensor-shift optical image stabilisation, 2x optical zoom out, digital zoom up to 5x, True Tone flash Front camera: TrueDepth front camera, 12 MP (ƒ/1.9 aperture) |
Video: 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps, Sensor-shift optical image stabilisation for video | Photonic Engine, Action Mode, Night mode, Photographic Styles, Smart HDR 4 Cinematic mode, Audio zoom |
| iPhone 13 | Two rear cameras: 12MP Main (ƒ/1.6 aperture), 12MP Ultra Wide (ƒ/2.4 aperture), sensor-shift optical image stabilisation, 2x optical zoom out, digital zoom up to 5x, True Tone flash Front camera: TrueDepth front camera, 12 MP (ƒ/2.2 aperture) |
Video: 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps, Sensor-shift optical image stabilisation for video | Night mode, Photographic Styles, Smart HDR 4 Cinematic mode, Audio zoom |
| iPhone 13 mini | Two rear cameras: 12MP Main (ƒ/1.6 aperture), 12MP Ultra Wide (ƒ/2.4 aperture), optical image stabilisation, 2x optical zoom out, digital zoom up to 5x, True Tone flash Front camera: TrueDepth front camera, 12 MP (ƒ/2.2 aperture) |
Video: 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps, Sensor-shift optical image stabilisation for video | Night mode, Photographic Styles, Smart HDR 4 Cinematic mode, Audio zoom |
| iPhone 12 | Two rear cameras: 12MP Main (ƒ/1.6 aperture), 12MP Ultra Wide (ƒ/2.4 aperture), optical image stabilisation, 2x optical zoom out, digital zoom up to 5x, True Tone flash Front camera: TrueDepth front camera, 12 MP (ƒ/2.2 aperture) |
Video: 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 30 fps, Optical image stabilisation for video | Night mode, Audio zoom, Smart HDR 3 |
| iPhone SE 3 | One rear camera: 12MP (ƒ/1.8 aperture), optical image stabilisation, digital zoom up to 5x, True Tone flash Front camera: FaceTime HD camera, 7MP (ƒ/2.2 aperture) |
Video: 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, Optical image stabilisation for video | Photographic Styles, Smart HDR 4 |
Safety features: Emergency protection
Apple has added some new safety features to all the iPhone 14 series. The 2022 phones offer a Crash Detection feature and Satellite Connectivity for emergency phone calls, just like the 2022 Apple Watches.
Crash detection uses an upgraded gyroscope and accelerometer in the 14 series iPhones that can recognise if the vehicle you are in has crashed. If the iPhone thinks you’ve been involved in a crash, it will call emergency services and notify your preferred contacts (unless you tell it not to).
All phones offer the ability to send an Emergency SOS, but only the iPhone 14 series offer the ability to do so via satellite, which would be useful if you were in an area with no signal. You just need to be able to establish a clear view of the sky, and be in a country that supports the feature (initially that was only the U.S. and Canada, but it’s now extended to U.K. and parts of Europe). Thanks to the feature your iPhone can alert the emergency services to your location in an emergency, the iPhone will also contact your emergency contact.
Durability: Which iPhone is toughest?
Another factor in the choice of which iPhone to choose is how durable the model is. How likely are you to damage the iPhone.
As you can see from the section on design (above) the majority of iPhones on sale right now (except for the iPhone SE 3) offer a Ceramic Shield front, which should mean that the glass on the front is less likely to smash if you drop it. Only the Pro and Pro Max are constructed from stainless steel, which is a bit more durable than aluminium, which all other iPhones are encased in. All iPhones have a glass back (which is necessary for MagSafe charging). This does mean that if you drop your iPhone with no case on then you are pretty much guaranteed to break the glass on the back. So be sore to pop your new iPhone in a case. Speaking of cases, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 might look identical, but the iPhone 14 is a bit thicker so you won’t be able to use the same case. See: Best iPhone cases.
The other way people damage their iPhones is by dropping them in water. Most iPhones are rated as water resistant to a depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes (IP68), the iPhone SE 3 only offers water resistance to a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes (IP67). We still wouldn’t recommend getting your iPhone wet though because Apple will know if it’s gotten wet and it could void your warranty should anything go wrong.
Apple
Specs: Storage and processor options
In the past each year when Apple has introduced new iPhones each of the new models has featured the same processor, or at least a variant of the same processor. 2022 was different though. The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max both feature the new A16 chip, while the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus will feature the A15 chip found in the 2021 iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max.
The iPhone 13 and the iPhone SE 3 also offer the A15 chip, but this version of the chip has a 4 core GPU, while the version in the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus has a 5 core GPU. This extra GPU core will be beneficial if you play games or use other graphics intensive apps. Apple’s decision to reserve the new chip for the top-of-the-range phones does make the iPhone 14 will less attractive than it would otherwise have been, but there is an argument that we don’t really need new chips every year, especially since Apple’s processors are so far ahead of the competition. It does mean that if you are choosing between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 the decision isn’t going to be dictated by how long Apple will support the chip inside the iPhone.
Not that Apple isn’t singing the praises of the A16 Bionic, which is made using a 4nm rather than 5nm process for improved performance and power efficiency. The new chip is apparently the “fastest in any smartphone”, 40 percent faster than the closest competition, 10% faster than the A15 Bionic and 20% more power efficient, according to Apple. Apple also claims 50 percent more memory bandwidth, which could be due to a shift from LPDDR4x to LPDDR5 memory.
Storage is likely to be a factor in your decision too. Only the Pro and Pro Max models offer 1TB onboard storage, but do you need that much storage? Perhaps if you are purchasing one of these models you do need that much storage – if you record, and need to have continual easy access to, large quantities of high-resolution video, this may be a boon. But for most it will be overkill.
Each iPhone is available in between three and four capacity options. It’s important to consider how much you need before buying because iPhones don’t have a microSD card slot that will allow you to add additional storage at a later date; but these days, with the minimum allocation a very respectable 64GB, this may be less of a worry. It all depends how much stuff you like to put on your device and whether you would consider paying a monthly fee for iCloud storage, which has the benefit of meaning all your data is available on any of your devices. See How much does iCloud cost for more information.
Before you decide how much storage you need have a look at your current phone’s usage (go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage) and think about how much space you really need. Read How much storage do you need on an iPhone? for more advice.
| iPhone | Processor | Storage | Battery life |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | A16 Bionic chip, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU | 128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB |
Up to 29 hours video playback, up to 50% charge in 35 minutes with 20W adapter or higher |
| iPhone 14 Pro | A16 Bionic chip, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU | 128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB |
Up to 23 hours video playback, up to 50% charge in 35 minutes with 20W adapter or higher |
| iPhone 14 Plus | A15 Bionic chip, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU | 128GB 256GB 512GB |
Up to 26 hours video playback, up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher |
| iPhone 14 | A15 Bionic chip, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU | 128GB 256GB 512GB |
Up to 20 hours video playback, up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher |
| iPhone 13 | A15 Bionic chip, 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU | 128GB 256GB 512GB |
Up to 19 hours video playback, up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher |
| iPhone 13 mini | A15 Bionic chip, 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU | 128GB 256GB 512GB |
17 hrs video playback, up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher |
| iPhone 12 | A14 Bionic, 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU | 64GB 128GB 256GB |
17 hrs video playback, up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher |
| iPhone SE 3 | A15 Bionic, 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU | 64GB 128GB 256GB |
15 hrs video playback, up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher |
Battery life and charging
Another way that the iPhone tends to improve with every generation is battery life and the iPhone 14 series is no different. The iPhone 14 now claims up to 20 hours video playback, compared to 19 hours for the iPhone 13. The iPhone 14 Plus offers 26 hours video playback, the iPhone 14 Pro 23 hours and the iPhone 14 Pro Max up to 29 hours video playback.
The older iPhones still on sale offer less, with 17 hours offered by the iPhone 13 mini and the iPhone 12 and the iPhone SE 3 offering 15 hours video playback. In typical use though, you can expect to get more than a day of use out of all iPhones, it’s been a few years since it has been necessary to charge your iPhone every night, although you likely will maintain a habit of doing so.
Should you forget to charge your iPhone the important question is how much time would you need to plug it in for to get a reasonable amount of charge? All smaller iPhones offer “Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher”, while the larger models require 35 minutes to offer the same.
As for how you charge the iPhone, fast charging requires a 20W adapter or higher that plugs into the Lightening port on your iPhone. All but the iPhone SE 3 can also be charged wirelessly via MagSafe.
Battery life and charging times can be seen in the table above.
Which iPhone should I buy?
Clearly the best iPhone you can buy right now is the iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max, depending on whether you want a large of standard screen size. There is an even bigger gap between the standard iPhone and the Pro model this year due to Apple’s decision to only add the A16 to the Pro models. However, the introduction of the iPhone 14 Plus does at least mean that those who just want a larger screen no longer need to buy the most expensive iPhone, which will be one reason why some will choose the Plus over the Pro Max.
The choice between an iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 will depend on how much the camera improvements and the extra hour of battery life in the newer iPhone matter. There’s also the new safety features, but we don’t think people will be buying new iPhones just because of these features.
It’s now two years since the introduction of the iPhone 12, which is a good reason to avoid it, but it actually offers a lot of things that the iPhone SE 3 lacks, despite the iPhone SE 3 being a newer iPhone. So it’s still worth considering the iPhone 12 if you are looking for a cheaper iPhone. The iPhone 13 mini is the best choice if you want a small iPhone, the only reason to choose the iPhone SE 3 over the 13 mini is if you really don’t feel comfortable about leaving the Home button behind. For some people the Home button is still essential, but its days are probably numbered and this is likely to be the last iPhone which offers the feature.
One thing more to note is that where prices for the iPhone 14 generation didn’t rise compared to the previous generation in the US, they did elsewhere, so if you are upgrading expect to pay more than you would have, hence if you live outside the US the top of the range iPhones cost more than ever this year and we’d recommend looking for the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max because if you can find these still on sale they are likely to represent a good deal in comparison.
Once you have chosen your new iPhone be sure to read our iPhone set up guide.
iPhone 14 Pro Max
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iPhone 13 Pro Max
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iPhone 11
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Buying an iPhone on contract
The two most common ways to buy an iPhone are SIM-free from Apple itself or a third-party reseller (which is where the pricing information throughout this information fits in, because you’ll be paying upfront for the phone, you will own it, and you will then need to pay for a SIM-only contract for minutes, texts and data), or buying an iPhone on contract.
A contract usually starts with an upfront payment that will vary depending on the iPhone model you go for and also how much you’ll be paying each month. That upfront payment is followed by monthly payments, normally for a total of 24 months, after which you own the phone (in most cases). Those monthly payments also cover data, minutes and texts.
The following networks are worth checking for their contract offers:
- AT&T
- Sprint
- T-Mobile
- Verizon
UK readers can find iPhone contracts from the following networks:
- O2
- EE
- Vodafone
- Three
- Tesco Mobile
- Sky Mobile
- Virgin Mobile
And from the following third-party resellers:
- Carphone Warehouse
- Mobiles.co.uk
- E2save
- Mobile Phones Direct
The iPhone Upgrade Programme
Apple offers a scheme called the iPhone Upgrade Programme, which works with your carrier and starts at $35.33 per month. You can then upgrade to the new iPhone each time one is announced, staying on the same or a very similar plan.
You should be cautious about the value this offers, but in some circumstances it may be the right approach for you.
The scheme works slightly differently in the UK, where you make an upfront payment of £69 followed by regular monthly payments of between £38 and £64. It’s also important to note that this is for a SIM-free iPhone. You will then need to get a SIM-only contract for your data, minutes and texts.
You do get AppleCare+ included in the Upgrade Programme, though, which is a two-year insurance for your iPhone that will cover you for two incidents of accidental damage. You’ll still have to pay an excess fee should you need to use it, but it’ll be much cheaper than having to cough up the full price of a repair.
You can find out more about the iPhone Upgrade Programme on Apple’s website.
Second-hand iPhones
You’ll have noticed that buying an iPhone doesn’t come cheap. However, if you’re strapped for cash you don’t have to dismiss the idea of buying an iPhone completely. You may be able to get a good deal on one of the older handsets if someone is looking to sell their current handset. Here’s how to buy a second-hand iPhone.
Bear in mind that if you want to run iOS 15 (the current version of Apple’s mobile operating system, although that will change this fall) you’ll need an iPhone 6s or later; the same was true of the two previous versions, iOS 13 and iOS 14. iPhones reaching back to the iPhone 5s can run iOS 12, but that really is quite an old operating system to be running and some features such as AR won’t work properly on older models anyway.
iPhone deals are always in season. From the budget-friendly iPhone SE to the powerful iPhone 14 Pro Max, we’re seeing some of the best cheap iPhone deals ever. Plus, with Memorial Day around the corner, prices will remain cheap.
Currently, one of the best iPhone deals comes courtesy of Verizon. The retailer is offering multiple iPhones for free when you trade in an old phone and/or sign up for an eligible 5G unlimited plan. Free models include the iPhone 13, iPhone 12, and iPhone SE. (No trade-in is required for the free models).
Meanwhile, AT&T is taking up to $800 off all iPhone 14 models when you trade-in your old phone and with qualifying unlimited plans. That’s one of the best iPhone deals you’ll find right now. (For more deals on Apple gear, read our guide to the best Apple Store coupons this week).
Not sure which iPhone is right for you? Be sure to check out our best iPhones guide to help you decide. Otherwise, here are the best cheap iPhone deals you can get right now from carriers and retailers. Also, check out our coverage of the best cell phone deals and best AT&T phone deals.
Today’s best iPhone deals at a glance
- iPhone 14: up to $1,000 off w/ trade-in + unlimited @ Verizon
- iPhone 14 Pro: up to $800 off w/ trade-in + unlimited @ AT&T
- Mint Mobile: 6 free months of data w/ select iPhones
- iPhone 13 mini: free w/ new line + Unlimited @ Verizon
- T-Mobile: up to $1,000 off iPhone 14 w/ trade in + unlimited
- Refurb iPhone deals: from $649 @ Apple Store
Best iPhone deals right now
iPhone 14
iPhone 13
iPhone SE
iPhone 12
- Save big: Best Apple deals right now
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- Protect your data: Best iPhone VPN
iPhone 11
iPhone XR
Refurb iPhones
iPhone Accessories
Tips on finding the best iPhone deals
- Start with mobile carriers: Mobile carriers tend to offer the best iPhone deals. There is one catch — in order to get their best deals, you’ll have to switch to their service. In some instances, you may also have to sign up for an unlimited plan.
- Trade-in your old phone for credit: If you have an older phone to trade in, many carriers will give you a generous credit that could range from $100 to as high as $1,000 off. As a result, it pays to keep your smartphone’s cables, box, and accessories in good condition so you can get the most from your trade-in.
- Check out MVNOs: Short for mobile virtual network operator, MVNOs operate on the infrastructure of existing networks. For instance, Verizon-owned Visible works on Verizon’s network, whereas Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile’s. MVNOs offer less costly plans than their bigger counterparts. In some instances, there are some trade-off such as less readily available customer support or slightly slower data speeds.
- Don’t be afraid of refurbs: Apple offers some of the best refurbs in the industry. They refurbish their iPhone to look like new and we especially like the company’s refurbs because they’re all backed by the same 1-year warranty you’d get with a new Apple device.
- Wait for the new models (if you can): If Apple follows its traditional keynote timeframe, the iPhone 15 will likely to be unveiled sometime in September. The launch of the new phone will likely bring about a price drop in the iPhone 14 family. If you can, we recommend waiting until Apple’s September keynote before buying a new iPhone.
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Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
As deals editor at Tom’s Guide, Louis is constantly looking for ways to avoid paying full price for the latest gadgets. With over 10 years of deals-hunting experience, Louis price checks against multiple retailers and searches high and low for the best deals to bring readers. A born-and-bred New Yorker, Louis is also an avid swimmer and marathoner. His work has appeared on Gizmodo, CNET, and Time Out New York.
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(Image credit: TechRadar / Apple)
Singling out the best iPhone in 2023 can be tricky. With so many different options at different price points, where do you begin? A model from the new iPhone 14 line – that’s the standard iPhone 14, the big-screened iPhone 14 Plus, the iPhone 14 Pro or the iPhone 14 Pro Max – might seem like the no-brainer choice, but there are plenty of exceptional older models to consider, too.
Fortunately, we’re on hand to help you sift through the myriad options. We know every single iPhone inside and out, so you can be confident that our recommendations are based on expert knowledge, in-depth analysis, and intelligent comparisons between other iPhones and rival phone-makers.
We’ve looked at key factors such as screen quality, performance, camera quality, and battery life in our testing, so you can find the best iPhone for your needs. We’ve ranked them all below, with links to our in-depth reviews included alongside a quick overview of each model.
Once you’ve trawled through our findings, head over to our iPhone 14 deals roundup if your heart is set on picking up one of Apple’s latest iPhones. Alternatively, our best iPhone deals page has a list of discounts currently available on older iPhone models. Finally, don’t forget to see what Apple promo codes can be used with your purchase.
The best iPhone 2023
Why you can trust TechRadar
We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
The best Apple iPhone
Specifications
Weight: 240g
Dimensions: 160.7 x 77.6 x 7.9mm
OS: iOS 16
Screen size: 6.7-inch
Resolution: 1290 x 2796
CPU: A16 Bionic
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery: 4,323mAh
Rear camera: 48MP+12MP+12MP
Front camera: 12MP
Reasons to buy
+
Bold new camera upgrades
+
Excellent battery life
Reasons to avoid
–
Longevity can vary wildly
–
3x zoom is now lagging behind the market
The latest everything iPhone brings a higher resolution camera, better battery life, more performance, all-new functionality and, at last, no notch to the table.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max takes over as the new head of the household in Apple’s iPhone portfolio, offering the same sizeable 6.7-inch 120Hz display as last year but granting it more power efficient always-on functionality and ditching the long-standing notch in favor of the new Dynamic Island.
The iOS 16-based (out the box at least) user experience offers a number of new features, and works with the Dynamic Island to offer adaptive functionality from this new display element that breaks away from the bezel.
For the iPhone 14 generation, only the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max get a taste of Apple’s latest and greatest mobile silicon – the A16 Bionic – which delivers class-leading performance and improved power efficiency over its predecessor.
That chipset also supports the new triple camera array, which for the first time showcases a 48MP quad-pixel lead sensor that offers superior photography and video capabilities than its predecessor, as well as 2x lossless optical zoom, without the need for an additional sensor. This main snapper comes accompanied by an improved ultrawide and a familiar 3x telephoto camera – that’s arguably one of the 14 Pro/Pro Max’s weakest bits of hardware.
Provided you’re okay with its large size and big price tag (which is pricier year on year in markets like the UK and Australia), there’s no greater iPhone than the new iPhone 14 Pro Max.
- Read more: iPhone 14 Pro Max review
The power of the Pro Max made more pocketable
Specifications
Weight: 206g
Dimensions: 147.5 x 71.5 x 7.9mm
OS: iOS 16
Screen size: 6.1-inch
Resolution: 1179 x 2556
CPU: A16 Bionic
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery: 3,200mAh
Rear camera: 48MP+12MP+12MP
Front camera: 12MP
Reasons to buy
+
Outstanding performance
+
Powerful new camera
Reasons to avoid
–
High(er) price YoY
–
Still Lighting (no USB-C)
If the iPhone 14 Pro Max is too big or too expensive for your tastes, the standard iPhone 14 Pro is the perfect antidote.
The latest Apple A16 Bionic chip underpins one of Apple’s best iPhones ever, not to mention it’s now one of the most powerful phones on the market. While the 6.1-inch screen size remains from its predecessor (the iPhone 13 Pro), like the 14 Pro Max, this generation of Pro shrugs the notch in favor of the new Dynamic Island – a smart new cutout within the display that houses the Face ID components but also adapts to offer a range of functionality, from music playback controls to connecting AirPods and more.
While ProMotion tech means visuals can range from 10Hz to a super-smooth 120Hz in general use, a new 1Hz mode enables always-on display functionality, paired to smart new lock screens, courtesy of iOS 16.
The rear triple camera is now fronted by a 48MP main sensor that takes better stills and video than any of its predecessors while also serving as the most versatile iPhone camera to date; narrowing the gap with key camera rivals, from the likes of Samsung and beyond.
Provided you can swing the high asking price, the 14 Pro operates as one of the most capable phones on the market, while also being more pocket friendly than the Pro Max.
- Read more: iPhone 14 Pro review
One of the most powerful big-screened iPhones
Specifications
Weight: 240g
Dimensions: 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.7mm
OS: iOS 15
Screen size: 6.7-inch
Resolution: 1284 x 2778
CPU: A15 Bionic
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery: Up to 28 hours
Rear camera: 12MP+12MP+12MP
Front camera: 12MP
Reasons to buy
+
Useful camera upgrades
+
Excellent battery life
Reasons to avoid
–
120Hz screen is minimal upgrade
–
Cinematic mode is quite basic
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is the best and most exciting of Apple’s iPhone 13 range, with the battery life being an unexpected highlight. This thing can last and last, and while it’s not quite up there with the very longest-lasting phones, it’s easily got some of the best battery life on an iPhone to date.
There’s also a whole lot of power here, with Apple’s A15 Bionic chipset providing significantly better performance than previous iPhones, as well as many of the best Android phones. That said, we mostly know this thanks to benchmark scores – in the real world, most users will struggle to truly tap into its potential.
The camera has also seen an upgrade, with low-light shots particularly impressing, and the new macro mode opening the iPhone range up to a whole new type of photography.
In practice, the hyped Cinematic mode and 120Hz screen didn’t impress us as much, and we’re pleased that this is the last Pro with a notch (now that the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max have introduced the Dynamic Island), but overall this is a fantastic upgrade for Apple’s Max line, and it’s still one of the very best iPhones.
- Read more: iPhone 13 Pro Max review
Big screen, big battery but no Pro price premium
Specifications
Weight: 203g
Dimensions: 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.7mm
OS: iOS 16
Screen size: 6.7-inch
Resolution: 1284 x 2778
CPU: A15 Bionic
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB
Battery: 4,325mAh
Rear camera: 12MP+12MP
Front camera: 12MP
Reasons to buy
+
Great design and build quality
+
Excellent battery life
Reasons to avoid
–
60Hz, notched display feels dated
–
Last year’s chipset
While fans were made to wait a little longer for the fourth member of Apple’s 2022 iPhone 14 series, the iPhone 14 Plus replaces the mini entry from the previous two generations, instead dragging the slider the other way and offering a super-sized iPhone experience that, in recent years, was exclusive to the line’s Pro Max entries.
As such, you get a 6.7-inch display, similarly to the 14 Pro Max, however the rest of the phone’s sensibilities are more closely tied to the standard iPhone 14, with the same dual 12MP rear cameras and enhanced A15 Bionic chip lifted from the previous year’s iPhone 13 Pro, as well as a repeat of the notch instead of the 14 Pro line’s flashy new Dynamic Island.
The display is still 60Hz too, but better cooling and more modest display tech twinned with the Plus’ large battery means it delivers some of the best iPhone battery life ever. Apple claims it’s also easier to repair… in places.
- Read more: iPhone 14 Plus review
The better iPhone 14
Specifications
Weight: 204g
Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7mm
OS: iOS 15
Screen size: 6.1-inch
Resolution: 1170 x 2532
CPU: A15 Bionic
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery: Up to 22 hours
Rear camera: 12MP+12MP+12MP
Front camera: 12MP
Reasons to buy
+
Strong battery life
+
Great performance
Reasons to avoid
–
Limited design changes
–
4K ProRes limited in 128GB
The iPhone 13 Pro has most of the same strengths and weaknesses as the iPhone 13 Pro Max, with its battery life being a highlight in our tests, if not quite as good as the Max model, and its A15 Bionic chipset providing stunning amounts of power.
Eagle-eyed users might notice that the iPhone 14’s most notable upgrades borrow from the 13 Pro; with the same lead 12MP camera and the enhanced five-core GPU variant of the A15 at its heart.
Provided you can get a good 13 Pro deal that undercuts the 14, you get the same lead camera and chip but also gain a 120Hz ProMotion display, faster charging, better battery life, a better camera system, more memory and a nice finish, to name but a few benefits.
Speaking of the camera, the 13 Pro debuted macro mode; for taking clearer photos of tiny subjects. Elsewhere, you also get that 120Hz screen, and a slightly refined design – including a smaller notch, compared to the 12 Pro.
Collectively, these factors mean this is still an outstanding iPhone for those who want a relatively compact 6.1-inch display, or don’t want to spend as much as the iPhone 13 Pro Max costs. Hopefully, now that its successors are here, pricing will continue to drop, too.
- Read more: iPhone 13 Pro review
A minor but powerful upgrade
Specifications
Weight: 172g
Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8mm
OS: iOS 16
Screen size: 6.1-inch
Resolution: 1170 x 2532
CPU: A15 Bionic
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB
Battery: 3,279mAh
Rear camera: 12MP+12MP
Front camera: 12MP
Reasons to buy
+
Nice camera improvements
+
Unique new features
Reasons to avoid
–
Relies in previous year’s internals
–
Still no 120Hz screen
Apple made an interesting move with its iPhone 14 lineup, splitting chipsets between the standard and Pro models. As such, the base iPhone 14 uses the same A15 Bionic chipset as the previous year’s iPhone 13 Pro (the one with a five-core GPU).
In real-world use, this differentiation will make very little difference, with superb performance and benchmarking results that stand strong against most Android rivals.
Along with the chip, Apple has also pulled the 13 Pro’s superior 12MP main camera onto the iPhone 14, while the notch (which was made smaller with the 13 series) now plays host to a new slicker, autofocus-capable 12MP front-facing camera.
Apple also added SOS satellite functionality and car crash detection to the whole iPhone 14 range, so if you’re likely to find yourself out in the wilderness without signal more than the average user, this might be what sets the 14 apart from its predecessor.
The five launch colors also include a tasteful pastel purple that the iPhone 13 lacks.
- Read more: iPhone 14 review
Still the best small iPhone out there
Specifications
Weight: 131g
Dimensions: 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.7 mm
OS: iOS 15
Screen size: 5.4-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2340
CPU: A15 Bionic
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/
Battery: 2,438 mAh
Rear camera: 12MP+12MP
Front camera: 12MP
Reasons to buy
+
Gorgeous design
+
Great hardware
Reasons to avoid
–
Limited charging compatibility
–
Higher price than previous model
While the iPhone 14 line is now here, one big omission is a new mini iPhone, making the iPhone 13 mini the last of its kind right now.
The iPhone 13 mini is arguably still the best small phone on the market, thanks to a gorgeous compact design and some great hardware under the hood.
Its 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen is smaller than many smartphones, but that means the phone fits comfortably in your hand and is easy to use single-handed. It looks great too, being notably brighter than the iPhone 12 mini before it.
The camera is similarly improved year on year, with a 12MP f/1.6 wide camera packing 1.7µm pixels for better low-light performance, paired to a 12MP f/2.4 ultra-wide camera with 120-degree field of view. Low-light performance is remarkably good on this camera too. What’s more, it’s all backed up by Apple’s A15 Bionic chipset
The iPhone 13 mini is small yet mighty and still one of the only worthwhile options for small phone lovers.
- Read more: iPhone 13 mini review
The best budget iPhone
Specifications
Weight: 144g
Dimensions: 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mm
OS: iOS 15
Screen size: 4.7-inch
Resolution: 750 x 1334
CPU: A15 Bionic
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64/128/256GB
Battery: 2,018mAh
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 7MP
Reasons to buy
+
Powerful for the cost
+
A 5G iPhone that’s still affordable
Reasons to avoid
–
Starts at only 64GB storage
–
Screen is cramped
The iPhone SE (2022) is the best cheap iPhone, as well as being the first – and at the time of writing, only – mid-range iPhone to support 5G.
That’s a major selling point, and a second big selling point is the presence of the same A15 Bionic chipset as you’ll find in the iPhone 13 range, meaning this has more power than most Android flagships, despite costing far less.
With a slim, lightweight build and a compact display and design, too, the iPhone SE (2022) is also a great choice for anyone who wants a smaller iPhone – though it can’t quite match the iPhone 13 mini there.
Its design is, at this point, very dated, mind, thanks to big bezels above and below the display, and it’s more expensive than its predecessor, despite still being affordable. If not for those issues, this iPhone might rank even higher.
- Read more: iPhone SE (2022) review
Great iPhone bang for your buck
Specifications
Weight: 174g
Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7mm
OS: iOS 15
Screen size: 6.1-inch
Resolution: 1170 x 2532
CPU: A15 Bionic
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB
Battery: Up to 19 hours
Rear camera: 12MP+12MP
Front camera: 12MP
Reasons to buy
+
Strong battery life
+
Powerful internals
Reasons to avoid
–
Minimal design changes
–
No 120Hz screen
The iPhone 13 wasn’t the biggest yearly iPhone upgrade we’d ever seen when it arrived in 2021, but almost every aspect of it is a little better than the iPhone 12, which means it’s still a brilliant iPhone overall.
In our review, we found that the phone’s battery life, in particular, was improved, with the iPhone 13 making it through every day that we used it without needing a top-up before bed.
We were also impressed by the design, which includes a smaller notch, and by the sheer amount of power that this phone still has to offer, which comes as a result of its A15 Bionic chipset. Apple claimed this had a 50% faster CPU than the competition at launch, and while that’s hard to confirm, this is certainly a speedy phone.
The lack of a 120Hz screen, which saw its iPhone debut on the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, is a shame, and it’s doubly upsetting that even its successor doesn’t move past 60Hz. Even so, this is still a superb device with plenty of life left in it.
- Read more: iPhone 13 review
A great iPhone for 5G on a budget
Specifications
Weight: 164g
Dimensions: 146.7mm x 71.5mm x 7.4 mm
OS: iOS 14
Screen size: 6.1-inch
Resolution: 1170 x 2532
CPU: A14 Bionic
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB/128GB/256GB
Battery: Unknown
Rear camera: 12MP+12MP
Front camera: 12MP
Reasons to buy
+
Colorful OLED display
+
Future-proofed with 5G
Reasons to avoid
–
Cameras are similar to last year
–
Battery life only okay
With the iPhone 14’s arrival, the iPhone 12 is now the most affordable full-screen iPhone Apple sells in-house.
It’s still relatively future-proofed, courtesy of 5G support and the addition of MagSafe connectivity, which lets you to attach accessories like chargers, wallets and battery packs, magnetically.
We found the camera was a little too similar to the previous year’s iPhone and the battery life remained merely okay, but there’s no denying that the iPhone 12 is a superior beast to the phones that came before it.
Design-wise, the iPhone 12 also marked a return to some of the stylings of the iPhone 4 or 5, and that’s actually a good thing, feeling comfier in your hands. There’s also the overdue switch to a colorful OLED display, which reminds us again that Apple knows how to create a stylish-looking and future-proofed device.
- Read more: iPhone 12 review
How to choose the best iPhone for you
A lot of iPhones are quite similar to each other, so choosing which one to buy mostly just means seeing what’s different between them and finding the right fit.
All iPhones are powerful, and Apple supports them for a long time, so age and chipset needn’t be a big deal, but if you don’t want to upgrade for a long time then a newer model with a faster chipset is ideal.
Bigger factors, though, include the screen size – and bigger isn’t always better here. If you want something compact that you can easily slip into a small pocket, then consider one of the mini or SE models. But if you plan to do a lot of gaming or video-watching, then something larger would be better.
Resolution and refresh rate are also worth paying attention to for the optimal visual experience – the higher the better in both cases, so ideal options will have things like a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution above 1080p.
Camera quality and battery life are important considerations, too, and you can’t get a full picture of these just from a specs list, so read our full entries above (or click through to our detailed reviews) for insights into how these factors are on each phone.
What is the best iPhone?
The best iPhone is usually one of the latest numbered models, but which one specifically will depend on your needs. If you want a big screen, go for a Pro Max (the latest and greatest is the iPhone 14 Pro Max). For top specs in a smaller size, pick a Pro, and if you want to save some money, then get a standard model or the latest SE.
Which iPhone is the best value for money?
Right now, the iPhones that offer the best value for money are the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max – provided you can find either model for a cut price, that is. The iPhone SE (2022) is also good value, and is worth considering if you’re on a tighter budget.
How we test
We’ve reviewed every phone on this list, so for each, we’ve passed our expert verdict on them after extensive testing. This testing saw us use each phone as our main handset for at least a week, and often longer.
In the process, we would explore various use cases, including calls, texts, social media, video streaming, gaming, taking photos and more, with some heavy use days and other lighter ones.
In short, we use our iPhones just like you would – but we make sure to test every key feature, as well as running benchmark tests, checking how long they take to charge, and more.
From that, we’ve then ranked each handset, factoring in price, value, and how they compare to each other, with a particular focus on their screens, designs, battery life, performance, and cameras.
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Axel is a London-based staff writer at TechRadar, reporting on everything from the newest movies to latest Apple developments as part of the site’s daily news output. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and FourFourTwo, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion.
Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining TechRadar in 2020, where he then earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.
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Which iPhone Should You Buy (or Avoid) Right Now?
An iPhone 15 is on the way. If you’re thinking of upgrading, start with our ultimate breakdown of Apple’s smartphones.
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Best iPhone Deal
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Read more
Level Up With This Pick
Apple iPhone 14
Read more
Best Battery on an iPhone
Apple iPhone 14 Plus
Read more
The Ultimate iPhone
Apple iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
Read more
Apple currently sells eight iPhone models, from the $429 iPhone SE to the $1,099 iPhone 14 Pro Max. Which is best for you? We’re here to help you separate the marketing slogans from reality—we’ve tested all the latest models and outlined their strengths and weaknesses. Our iPhone buying guide can help you make a decision.
Check out our other buying guides, including the Best MagSafe Accessories, Best iPhone 14 Cases, Best iPhone 13 Cases, Best iPhone 12 Cases, Best iPhone SE Cases, and Best Apple 3-in-1 Chargers. Wondering what’s new in iOS 16? We have details on that too.
Updated April 2023: We’ve added rumors about the iPhone 15.
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But First, Sell That Old iPhone!
If you’re upgrading from an iPhone, you can trade it to Apple to get a small discount. Before you do that, check whether you can sell it elsewhere for more money. iPhones hold their value incredibly well, particularly if they’re in mint or good condition. We have a guide that runs through a few websites you can use.
Don’t forget to back up your old iPhone before you switch to a newer model, which will help you transfer everything without losing any data. And remember to factory reset your old iPhone before selling it. You might find our guides on setting up a new iPhone and how to fix it helpful. And if you don’t want to sell it, we have some ideas on how to repurpose your old device.
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Photograph: Apple
Best iPhone Deal
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Apple refreshed its most affordable iPhone for a third generation (7/10, WIRED Recommends) in 2022, though you’ll be hard-pressed to spot the differences. Externally, there are none—even cases for the 2020 iPhone SE will fit this version. (We’ve rounded up our favorite cases and accessories here.) That means you still get a cramped yet compact 4.7-inch LCD screen with a physical home button, thick bezels around the screen, and Touch ID. There’s no MagSafe accessory system, and the headphone jack is nonexistent, but at least you still get plain ol’ wireless charging. This is also the only iPhone in the lineup without ultra-wideband support, which improves AirDrop and lets you precisely find nearby AirTags.
Internally, the 2022 SE is a whole lot more powerful than the previous generation. It has the same A15 Bionic processor as the iPhone 13 models, making this budget phone a powerhouse among its peers and capable of running the most demanding games. That chip also brings better battery life, but the SE will last you roughly a day of use—less if you’re a heavy user. It gets sub-6 5G connectivity, meaning it won’t be able to hit the super-fast internet speeds available on pricier iPhones, but this isn’t a big deal as you rarely run into that type of 5G. The single-lens rear camera takes pretty great daytime shots, but there’s no night mode, and low-light images are lackluster compared to phones like the Google Pixel 6A.
Note: Apple hasn’t been including a charging adapter (nor earbuds) in the box since the iPhone 12, just a USB-C-to-Lightning cable, so you might need to buy a 20-watt adapter like this one.
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Photograph: Apple
Level Up With This Pick
Apple iPhone 14
The iPhone 14 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is an awful lot like the iPhone 13 that came before, which isn’t a bad thing. It has a similar processor—the A15 Bionic with one additional graphics core, so gaming performance is (almost imperceptibly) better. It has the old notch design, with all the basics you’d want, from MagSafe and wireless charging to IP68 water resistance. I’ve found the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 is perfectly manageable in one hand, and it roughly lasts a full day with medium to heavy use. It even now comes in yellow!
Many of the improvements are in the cameras, which have larger sensors and are powered by a new image-processing pipeline called the Photonic Engine that Apple says produces brighter and sharper photos, but we haven’t noticed much of a difference from the iPhone 13. There are some nice new perks, like how Cinematic mode (Portrait mode but for video) now films in 4K instead of just 1080p. A new Action video mode lets you capture super-stabilized videos. Two new passive features you’ll appreciate are Emergency SOS via Satellite and Crash Detection. Both will help you reach emergency services if you’re in an area with no service or if you’re unresponsive after a car crash.
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Photograph: Apple
Best Battery on an iPhone
Apple iPhone 14 Plus
One major change in the iPhone 14 lineup? There’s no new iPhone Mini. Instead, Apple replaced it with the iPhone 14 Plus. It’s identical to the iPhone 14 in every way except for size and battery life. The latter is where it really shines. I routinely had to charge the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro at the end of a busy day, but the iPhone 14 Plus often had enough juice to last until the afternoon of the second day off the charger. It even bested the iPhone 14 Pro Max in my testing. If you’re frequently turning on Low Power Mode, this is the iPhone to buy.
The 6.7-inch screen is wonderfully vast, but it’s a shame Apple didn’t add a 120-Hz refresh rate for smoother interactions. That’s really my only major complaint, besides the fact that its price is a little too close to the iPhone 14 Pro. Considering the bigger size, I expected the Plus to be unwieldy like the iPhone 14 Pro Max, but it’s surprisingly manageable. A big reason why is weight—it’s 3 grams lighter than the smaller 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro.
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Photograph: Apple
The Ultimate iPhone
Apple iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
When you get down to brass tacks, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max (7/10, WIRED Recommends) aren’t markedly different from their predecessors. They do have a shiny new design on the front—the notch is gone in favor of the newly named Dynamic Island. This pill-shaped cutout doesn’t just house the selfie camera and Face ID sensors, but it also fluidly expands to show passive information, like music playback, call controls, and navigation details. It’s almost like a fun second screen. These are the only iPhones that have an always-on display, which leaves the screen on so you never have to reach for it to see your notifications or the time. (It doesn’t drain the battery much, and you can turn it off.) You also get the SOS and Crash Detection upgrades like in the iPhone 14, which are reassuring features.
These devices differ only in size and battery life. The iPhone 14 Pro Max lasted a little more than a day, whereas the iPhone 14 Pro will need to be recharged by bedtime (with heavy use). The Pro models add a 120-Hz screen refresh rate, which makes all interactions look and feel more responsive, the screens can get brighter, and they’re made of stainless steel instead of aluminum, so they’re a smidge more durable. The triple-camera system is now led by a 48-megapixel primary camera, which can also capture 2X zoom photos in pretty great quality, effectively giving you four zoom levels with the ultrawide and telephoto. We haven’t seen a huge difference in our photo tests compared to the iPhone 13 Pro, so don’t expect a major upgrade here.
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Photograph: Apple
The Midrange iPhone
Still Great iPhones
If you don’t need the latest iPhone and you don’t want to buy used, then Apple has a few other good choices: the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12. Both are perfectly fine options at those prices, though you can probably find them for even cheaper (and in good condition) at sites like Swappa and eBay. Both feature MagSafe support, physical SIM trays, dual-camera systems with Night mode, and wireless charging. Read our Best iPhone 13 Cases and Best iPhone 12 Cases guides if you’re on the hunt for accessories and protection.
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Photograph: Apple
Best for Small-Phone Lovers
Apple iPhone 13 Mini
Hate giant phones? This is the smallest iPhone, and it’s one of the tiniest smartphones on the market, period. This also might be the last iPhone Mini for the foreseeable future, as Apple didn’t introduce a new model alongside the iPhone 14 range. Apple has employed the modern iPhone design—slim borders around the screen and Face ID instead of Touch ID—so you get a larger 5.4-inch OLED screen than on the iPhone SE 2022, even though the phone itself is physically smaller. It has the exact same features as the iPhone 13, including MagSafe support, but since it’s so small, it does suffer from lackluster battery life. The Mini will keep the lights on until bedtime, but you may need to tote around a portable charger, depending on how heavily you use it.
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Photograph: Apple
Is Now a Good Time to Buy?
You Betcha
It depends. If you need an iPhone right now, then the answer is yes. All of the iPhones above will serve you well for years to come. In September, however, Apple will debut new models, and there are reasons to wait if you’re in no rush. Read the section below on iPhone 15 rumors for more.
If you don’t want to spend the money to get a new iPhone, consider a fresh battery. If the biggest issues with your aging iPhone revolve around the battery, then replacing it might make it feel brand-new. Replacements for older iPhones are $69, and $89 or $99 for newer models. If that doesn’t do the trick, read our guide on ways to fix your iPhone’s problems or our guide on selling your iPhone to get the most money out of it.
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Photograph: Qi Heng/Getty Images
A New iPhone Arrives in September
iPhone 15 Rumors
In September, Apple will likely take the wraps off of the iPhone 15 series, and there are a few big changes, according to MacRumors. Most notably, Apple is expected to finally replace the Lightning port with USB-C, the universal port available on iPads, MacBooks, Android phones, Windows laptops, and other devices. The Dynamic Island pill-shaped cutout for the selfie camera is expected to land on all iPhone 15 models instead of just the Pro versions, though the latter may transition to titanium instead of stainless steel for the build materials. The Mute switch might be converted to a Mute button that can also be reconfigured, like the Action button on the Apple Watch Ultra.
As for cameras, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to gain a periscope zoom lens, which would let you capture subjects farther away, much like the 10X zoom camera on Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra. If much of this sounds appealing to you, it’s worth waiting until September to buy a new iPhone.
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Photograph: Apple
If It’s $800 or Less
Apple iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple completely canceled the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max from 2021, but they’re still fine to buy. They have speedy processors and three rear cameras that deliver near-identical photos to the latest iPhone 14 Pro models, so you can zoom out with the ultrawide or zoom in with the telephoto. Everything else is par for the course, with stainless steel bodies, excellent OLED displays, daylong battery life, water resistance, and wireless charging. Since the iPhone 14 starts at $829, try not to spend more than $800 on these phones. Practically speaking, most retailers no longer have them, but you can buy renewed ones from Amazon. You also may be able to snag one in new or mint condition on resale websites like Swappa.
The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max are also totally fine to buy right now, as long as you can find them for $600 or less. Anything more and you may as well pay for the newer devices.
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Photograph: Josh Valcarcel/WIRED
Avoid These iPhones!
Apple iPhone 1-8, iPhone X, iPhone SE (2016)
The iPhone 11 and 11 Pro, XS, XR, X, 8, 7, 6S, SE (2016), and every older iPhone that came before them are probably available somewhere, but you shouldn’t take the bait. They don’t have the processing power to keep up with the latest software, and even if they do, they will have a much shorter software shelf life. The iPhone 6S, iPhone SE 2016, and iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are cut off from receiving the iOS 16 update. Without software support, your device will slowly become less secure and could become a slow, buggy mess. The camera tech in these models isn’t as refined, either. Unless they’re almost free, we think you’re better off with the new iPhone SE or another model on this list.
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Photograph: Apple
Don’t Overpay for a Case
And a Word on MagSafe
iPhones are made of glass, and glass breaks, even if Apple uses ceramic to strengthen it. You need a case. Wireless carriers and Apple know this and will try to upsell you on $70 cases and expensive accessories. If the cost doesn’t matter to you, go for it. We’ve rounded up our favorite iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone 12, and iPhone SE cases here.
Magnetic MagSafe wireless charging is available only on iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and iPhone 14 models. You can get first-party accessories like Apple’s wireless MagSafe Charger, which sticks to the back of the phone for faster charging. Or snag the MagSafe Wallet. There are plenty of third-party accessories (you’ll find quite a few in our guide). If you use a case, get one that’s MagSafe compatible to ensure a strong magnetic connection with Apple’s accessories. Most of the cases we recommend are MagSafe-tested by yours truly.
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Photograph: Apple
What’s the Deal With eSIMs?
The iPhone 14 Goes eSIM Only
The iPhone 14 completely ditches the physical SIM tray in the US, meaning you can no longer just pop your physical SIM inside to turn on cellular connectivity. Instead, you’ll have to rely on an eSIM. You can read more about them here. This tech has been available in iPhones since the iPhone XS and XR, but now you have to use it. When you’re setting up your new iPhone 14, you’ll automatically be asked to transfer your number from your previous iPhone, and the whole process should take a few minutes without any hassle. (eSIMs are more secure than physical SIMs.) Note: Once you transfer your number, your physical SIM card won’t work anymore.
However, there’s a chance you may still run into some issues, especially if you’re coming from an Android phone (or want to switch back to an Android phone). You’ll have to check with your carrier to get your cellular connection in working order again. It shouldn’t take too much time, but it’s not as simple as popping in a physical card—yet. It’s likely we’ll start seeing more phones ditch the physical SIM card, and that could force carriers to make the process even easier.
Julian Chokkattu is the reviews editor at WIRED, covering personal technology and reviewing consumer products. Previously he was the mobile and wearables editor at Digital Trends, steering coverage and reviews of smartphones and smartwatches, and an intern at TechCrunch. He graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in English… Read more