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In the market for a new iPhone? You're in the right place. We're here to help you decide which iPhone is worth the upgrade based on your budget and preferences — from the all-new, decadently luxurious iPhone 14 Pro to the entry-level iPhone SE.
During the “Far Out” keynote event in early September, Apple launched four new iPhones, with the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Pro leading the way. Instead of a mini sidekick like the last two iterations, the iPhone 14 got a big-screen sibling — the iPhone 14 Plus. Sporting a 6.7-inch screen, the latter is the first iPhone to rock a Plus moniker since 2017’s iPhone 8 Plus.
Today’s iPhone Lineup
- Best iPhone: iPhone 14 Pro
- A Great iPhone for Less: iPhone 14
- The Most Affordable iPhone: iPhone SE
- The Most Compact iPhone: iPhone 13 mini
- The Ultimate iPhone: iPhone 14 Pro Max
The iPhone 14 debut brought significant changes to Apple’s iPhone lineup. After 3 years on the shelves, Apple's iPhone 11 is no longer available. The iPhone 12 received a price cut and replaced its predecessor as an entry-level big-screen offering.
On the other hand, the iPhone 12 mini — Apple’s first compact all-screen iPhone — is no longer for sale. The iPhone 13 mini that replaced it is still available at a lower price.
Earlier this year, the tech giant launched an updated iPhone SE with the same design as the outgoing version, a beefier chip, and 5G. The starter iPhone debuted alongside a refreshed iPad Air and an all-new Mac Studio desktop.
Adding 5G to the SE and phasing out the iPhone 11 ensures that every new iPhone has up-to-date network connectivity. And save for the old-school iPhone SE, all iPhones are MagSafe-compatible. The magnetic technology makes the iPhone compatible with snap-on accessories like chargers, battery packs, and wallets, to name a few.
It's important to note that we included contract-free pricing for each iPhone. You can also opt to order the product and pay monthly installments to your phone carrier. The trade-in program that Apple and its carrier partners offer is also excellent — depending on your outgoing phone and which iPhone model you pick, it might cost you next to nothing to upgrade.
Whether you’re looking to snag your first iPhone or set your iCal for Apple’s new launches every year, check out our decoded guide to the best available today. Because, after all, there’s an iPhone out there for everyone.
Best iPhone
Pros
- Excellent camera
- Bright and vibrant display
- Sleek and luxuroius
- Dynamic Island display is convenient and fun
Cons
- Pricey
Key Specs
| Chip | A16 Bionic chip with 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with 460 pixels per inch, ProMotion |
| Camera | 48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto with sensor-shift optical image stabilization, Dolby Vision-enhanced 4K video recording, 12MP Face ID camera |
| Memory | Up to 1TB of storage |
The iPhone 14 Pro is Apple’s best smartphone to date and the one to get if your budget permits. It has a fresh new design with a groundbreaking Dynamic Island for novel interactions, a next-level camera with more megapixels than any other iPhone, and a Super Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion tech and an always-on feature that’s perfect for showcasing the new widgets in iOS 16.
Compared to the iPhone 14, the Pro model has a more capable chip, a vastly superior triple camera, and a brighter display with ProMotion tech. It also offers a more luxurious build, headlined by a steel frame and glass back with a matte finish.
ProMotion and higher maximum brightness for impeccable outdoor visibility are features that set the display of the iPhone 14 Pro apart from all other iPhones. The former brings an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, resulting in smoother and faster onscreen interactions. The smoother display and the powerful chip also make the product a better mobile gaming rig.
To say the Pro's camera is impressive would be an understatement. It has a 48MP main sensor, a bigger zoom range, and LiDAR. The latter allows the flagship iPhone to snap better portrait photos and deliver next-level augmented reality experiences.
The entry-level iPhone 14 Pro comes with 128GB of storage, while camera power users can level up to a whopping 1TB of memory. You can order the product in gold, silver, Space Black, and Deep Purple, with the last two being all-new color options.
A Great iPhone for Less
Pros
- Elegant and durable
- Fast and powerful
- Excellent dual camera
Cons
- Same design as the iPhone 13
Key Specs
| Chip | A15 Bionic chip with 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with 460 pixels per inch |
| Camera | 12MP dual camera, 12 MP Face ID camera |
| Memory | Up to 512GB of storage |
The iPhone 14 is a fantastic upgrade option since it’s packed with cutting-edge hardware specs at an agreeable price. The highlights include Apple’s powerful A15 Bionic chipset, a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, excellent stereo speakers, a stellar dual camera, and solid battery life.
Starting at $799, the iPhone 14 is competitively priced by today’s top-shelf smartphone standards. It's the best pick in its price range by an overwhelming margin.
Compared to the stellar iPhone 13 that it replaces, the iPhone 14 has a more powerful GPU, a more sophisticated main camera with a brighter lens, and more reliable safety features that include crash detection and support for emergency SOS via a satellite connection. Overall, the device’s ability to deliver better-quality memories and more peace of mind is why you consider it, even if you currently own an iPhone 13.
Apple offers the iPhone 14 in several eye-catching colors: blue, purple, midnight, starlight, and (PRODUCT)RED. The starter iPhone 14 comes with ample 128GB of storage, and you can spec it with up to 512GB of memory.
With a bigger 6.7-inch display and incredible battery life, the iPhone 14 Plus is a phenomenal option for big phone buyers looking to keep their upgrade budget below $1,000. The rest of the Plus model’s specs are identical to those of the iPhone 14. So are the available color options.
For $100 less for a variant with the same storage capacity, the iPhone 13 is an affordable alternative to the iPhone 14 that's still among the best smartphones for the money. However, given the camera and safety improvements the iPhone 14 brings, I highly recommend you spend an extra $100 to snag one.
The Most Affordable iPhone
Pros
- Compact and durable
- Robust hardware performance
- Solid camera
- Affordable price
Cons
- Dated design
Key Specs
| Chip | A15 Bionic chip with 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine |
|---|---|
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD display with 326 pixels per inch |
| Camera | 12 MP main camera, 7 MP front camera |
| Memory | Up to 256GB of storage |
Starting just a tad above $400, the latest iPhone SE is an excellent buy for users who don't need or want the most tricked-out smartphone. It has the same compact and familiar design as its predecessor, but vastly more futureproof hardware. You can grab one in midnight, starlight, or (PRODUCT)RED.
Equipped with the same A15 Bionic chip with a Neural Engine as the iPhone 14, the iPhone SE is the most powerful smartphone in its price range ... and well beyond. Like all new iPhones, it has a water-resistant housing, built-in stereo speakers, and fast wired and wireless charging support. MagSafe support, however, is not available.
The new iPhone SE can capture excellent images with its primary camera and selfie snapper, as well as portrait photos with a blurred background. It can also record crisp 4K video with high-quality stabilization and stereo sound.
It’s important to note that the SE is the only iPhone with a Touch ID fingerprint sensor. The feature is fast and reliable, but a bit old-school when compared to the Face ID of the pricier iPhones. Face ID-equipped iPhone models have bigger displays with a different aspect ratio than the SE, offering more immersive iOS, app, and gaming experiences.
The Most Compact iPhone
Pros
- Best-in-class graphics and processing power
- Superb ergonomics
- Great dual camera
- Better battery life than iPhone 12 mini
Cons
- Could use a zoom lens
Key Specs
| Chip | A15 Bionic chip with 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU |
|---|---|
| Display | 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with 476 pixels per inch |
| Camera | 12MP dual camera, 12 MP Face ID camera |
| Memory | Up to 512GB of storage |
The iPhone 13 mini, as its name suggests, is the smartphone to buy if you're looking for a smaller-sized model that doesn’t skimp on features. It has the same design, craftsmanship, specs, and performance as the iPhone 13, but a smaller 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR display.
With a new starting price tag of $599, the mini is also the most affordable member of the iPhone 13 product family. It's available in pink, blue, green, midnight, starlight, and (PRODUCT)RED.
As the name might suggest, the product’s size is its most impressive selling point. Because it has such a compact display, it's perfect for one-handed interactions, allowing your thumb to easily stretch from the top of the screen to the bottom. Even if it seems like a small detail, while testing the product, I enjoyed being able to crank out texts and emails with one hand, without fear of dropping the device.
Compared to the iPhone 12 mini, the sequel brings a more powerful chip, better camera, and longer battery life.
The Ultimate Big iPhone
Pros
- Sleek and tough
- Beautiful display with Dynamic Island
- Superb camera
- Fast and powerful
Cons
- Some might find it a tad too heavy
Key Specs
| Chip | A16 Bionic chip with 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with 460 pixels per inch, ProMotion |
| Camera | 48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto with sensor-shift optical image stabilization, Dolby Vision-enhanced 4K video recording, 12MP Face ID camera |
| Memory | Up to 1TB of storage |
Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro Max is today’s biggest and most capable iPhone. Thanks to a much bigger screen and longer battery life, it is a luxurious productivity and entertainment powerhouse worth the extra $100 over the iPhone 14 Pro. This is the Pro iPhone to get as long as you don’t mind its size and heft (it weighs more than 8 ounces).
Having the biggest and brightest Super Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion tech ensures that the range-topping iPhone is the best for gaming, watching videos, and staying productive on the go. The captivating screen is also great for editing photos and videos captured by the best-in-class triple camera. Of course, the screen also has a Dynamic Island for countless new interactions.
The 14 Pro Max has the biggest battery of any iPhone. Depending on how you manage your screen-on time, it can last for 2 days between charges, making it a great option for those who are constantly on the go (or hate charging up). The product’s battery performance is a worthy tradeoff for its considerable size and weight.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is available in the same color and storage options as the smaller iPhone 14 Pro — gold, silver, Space Black, and Deep Purple. It starts at $1,099 for a model with 128GB of storage.
Here’s Everything Else We Love About Apple’s iPhone Lineup
→ Specs & Performance
The iPhone's hardware specs and overall performance are second to none — giving Apple loyalists good reason for their dedication to the tech giant. An OLED display panel, which delivers vibrant colors and even more captivating HDR-enhanced content, now comes standard on most iPhones — and it makes a major difference.
→ Connectivity
From the iPhone 12 onwards, all iPhone models have 5G. The next-generation network connectivity brings faster data speeds and many other advantages over the older 4G LTE standard. All currently available iPhones have futureproof Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 (or higher) on board, too.
→ Water-Resistance
From the iPhone 7 onwards, every iPhone has robust water resistance with an official IP rating. The latest models are even tougher than their rating suggests: They're capable of surviving depths of up to 6 meters (20 feet) — deeper than an Olympic diving pool.
→ Accessories
MagSafe arrived alongside last year's iPhone 12 lineup and is also available in the succeeding generation. It's a convenient magnetic tech for accessories and is available in everything from convenient chargers to cool protective cases and handy snap-on wallets.
We're also constantly impressed by the wide range of accessories available for iPhones, from wallets to charging stands to eco-friendly cases. This allows you to customize your gadget to fit your individual personality.
→ iOS Software
If investing in a futureproof device is a priority to you, you're in luck. Every iPhone comes with many years’ worth of iOS firmware and security updates, allowing even generations-old Apple smartphones the ability to stay up to date. For comparison, most Android smartphones come with firmware and security updates for only 2 to 3 years.
→ Environmental Impact
Before you buy, keep in mind that Apple is packaging the latest iPhones in more compact boxes without a charging adapter, in order to reduce their environmental impact. If you don't have a solid charger lined up for your new device, we have you covered with plenty of affordable options. And if you want to avoid accumulating more cables in your life, every new iPhone is also compatible with wireless charging.
Stefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015. He has more than a decade of experience covering consumer tech products, especially smartphones, tablets, laptops, and audio gear. He was previously the US editor for GSMArena.com; his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics and other Hearst publications.In the rare moments when he’s not playing with a new gadget, Stefan likes to watch live Premier League games or hang out with his cat and rabbit. He’s also an espresso snob.
