We’re rapidly approaching Apple’s fall iPhone occasion. The “wonderlust” presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 12, on the firm’s HQ in Cupertino, California — and we anticipate Apple to unveil the iPhone 15. But till CEO Tim Cook steps onstage at Apple Park’s Steve Jobs Theater, now we have to attend to know for positive what the brand new iPhones might be like. So for those who’re seeking to purchase a brand new iPhone, my normal recommendation can be to not. Wait and see what Apple publicizes and the reductions that older iPhone fashions will probably get.
Currently, Apple sells eight iPhone fashions launched between 2020 and 2023. There’s no such factor as a real “finest” iPhone, however relying in your wants, price range and preferences, some fashions might be higher for you than others. Prices begin at $429 for the 2022 iPhone SE and prime out at $1,599 for the iPhone 14 Pro Max with a whopping 1TB of storage. If you are in search of the finest iPhone offers, now we have you coated there, too.
Navigating Apple’s iPhone spectrum could make your head spin, whether or not you are contemplating colours (the iPhone 14 is available in six), or options just like the iPhone 14 Pro’s Dynamic Island, which animates system alerts and background actions equivalent to taking part in music. Luckily, I’ve examined all eight variations of the iPhone and might help you navigate via all of the noise.
What is the perfect iPhone proper now?
The very best iPhone is the $999 iPhone 14 Pro. It has all of Apple’s latest options, together with an A16 Bionic chip, upgraded fundamental digicam, the Dynamic Island, in addition to instruments like Car Crash Detection and SOS through Satellite. Not everybody seeking to purchase a telephone from Apple wants the 14 Pro, however if you’d like the perfect get the iPhone 14 Pro. Want one thing larger? Get the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which is the common 14 Pro in a much bigger physique.
Best iPhones of 2023
When I reviewed the iPhone 14, I stated it was primarily the iPhone 13 Pro’s processor and fundamental digicam contained in the physique of an iPhone 13. No doubt, some might be disillusioned that the iPhone 14 is not radically totally different from earlier fashions. But that is a part of its appeal. Familiarity has been one of many keys to Apple’s success with the iPhone. And because the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, do not repair it.”
From the again, the $999 iPhone 14 Pro seems to be equivalent to final 12 months’s 13 Pro. But do not let that sameness idiot you. It’s the 14 Pro’s display the place there’s one thing totally different and great occurring. The show notch, that outlined earlier Face ID iPhone fashions, has morphed right into a pill-shaped display cutout that may present system alerts and background actions like while you obtain a name or play music. Apple calls this performance the Dynamic Island. I do know, it is not the perfect title, however it’s actually among the best options.
The $729 iPhone 13 remains to be a wonderful telephone. In reality, for those who’re tempted by the iPhone 14 and need to avoid wasting cash, seize a 13. They have primarily the identical physique, similar display and similar A15 Bionic processor. Although technically, the iPhone 14’s processor does have an additional GPU core.
The $929 iPhone 14 Plus is both an enormous iPhone 14 or a scaled-back iPhone 14 Pro Max, relying in your perspective. Ever because the iPhone XS Max launched in 2018, there was just one choice for many who love huge screens: Pay prime greenback and get a Max mannequin with further options you won’t essentially want (like a telephoto digicam or a excessive refresh charge show). I do know many CNET readers, buddies and colleagues who’ve shelled out $1,100 or extra for an iPhone 12 Pro Max or 13 Pro Max as a result of it was the one solution to get a telephone within the dimension they needed. But that adjustments now.
Who stated small telephones do not exist in 2022? The $629 iPhone 13 Mini is good as a result of it has every part the iPhone 13 has — it is simply smaller. It has the identical square-edged seems to be, assist for 5G and the identical cameras. The 13 Mini’s defining function is its 5.4-inch OLED display that helps Dolby HDR. If that sounds too small, think about that Plus fashions, just like the iPhone 8 Plus, had a 5.5-inch display inside a a lot bigger physique. The 13 Mini’s secret is that it lacks these large brow and chin bezels that outlined the iPhone for its first decade.
The $1,099 iPhone 14 Pro Max is only a huge model of the iPhone 14 Pro. It has the identical A16 Bionic processor, the identical cameras and the identical options. But it does differ in two huge methods from the 14 Pro: It has a much bigger 6.7-inch high-refresh charge display and a much bigger battery. In reality, in our checks, the iPhone 14 Pro Max had the longest battery lifetime of any telephone on this checklist.
The $629 iPhone 12 and its flat-sided design marked the start of the present era of Apple telephones. Of every part on this checklist, it is the oldest but in addition one of many most cost-effective, particularly if you wish to snag an iPhone with a recent look and Face ID.
At $429, you would possibly suppose the one attraction of the iPhone SE (2022) is its value. And admittedly that could be a huge issue. On the skin, the iPhone SE has the identical physique because the iPhone 8, which makes it the one iPhone on this checklist that also has Touch ID. On the within, the SE has the identical A15 processor because the iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 14 and 14 Plus which takes the 2017 digicam {hardware} and provides it an injection of Apple’s computational pictures magic.
Below are the assorted fashions, their launch date, the variety of rear cameras they’ve, their processor and their present checklist value, which for some telephones features a $30 activation price that is waived for those who activate your iPhone on a provider on the time of buy.
Current iPhones, in contrast
| Model | US beginning value | Screen dimension | No. of rear cameras | CPU | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone SE | $429 | 4.7 inches | 1 | A15 Bionic | March 2022 |
| iPhone 12 | $599 | 6.1 inches | 2 | A14 Bionic | October 2020 |
| iPhone 13 Mini | $599 | 5.4 inches | 2 | A15 Bionic | September 2021 |
| iPhone 13 | $699 | 6.1 inches | 2 | A15 Bionic | September 2021 |
| iPhone 14 | $799 | 6.1 inches | 2 | A15 Bionic | September 2022 |
| iPhone 14 Plus | $899 | 6.7 inches | 2 | A15 Bionic | October 2022 |
| iPhone 14 Pro | $999 | 6.1 inches | 3 | A16 Bionic | September 2022 |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | $1,099 | 6.7 inches | 3 | A16 Bionic | September 2022 |
How we take a look at iPhone fashions
Emergency SOS could be some of the necessary options to return out on any telephone this 12 months.
I take a look at each iPhone in real-world eventualities specializing in its options, design, efficiency, cameras, battery life and total worth. I doc our findings in an preliminary overview that’s periodically up to date when there are new iOS updates or to match in opposition to new telephones from rivals like Samsung, Google and OnePlus.
Photography
Photography is a significant focus for the iPhone, so we take footage and movies of varied topics in quite a lot of settings and lighting eventualities. We check out any new digicam modes, equivalent to Action mode that debuted with the iPhone 14 line.
Battery life
Battery testing is carried out in quite a lot of methods. We assess how lengthy the iPhone lasts throughout a typical day of use, and notice the way it performs throughout extra targeted classes of video calls, media streaming and gaming. I additionally conduct a video playback take a look at, which is not at all times included within the preliminary overview and added later in an replace.
Performance measuring
We use benchmarking apps to measure the efficiency, alongside our personal anecdotal experiences utilizing the telephone for our overview. Of specific notice are how graphics and animations look. Are they easy? Or do they lag or stutter? We additionally take a look at how rapidly the telephone switches between horizontal and vertical orientations and how briskly the digicam app opens and is able to take a photograph.
We carry out processor-heavy duties like modifying pictures and movies, exporting movies and taking part in video games. We consider whether or not a more recent model of the iPhone consists of sufficient options to make it price upgrading from older fashions.
Read More: How CNET checks telephones
Key phrases
eSIM
An eSIM takes the entire necessary details about your telephone account — together with its quantity, wi-fi provider and subscription — and shops it in software program as a substitute of on a bodily SIM card.
With the iPhone 14, Apple eliminated the bodily SIM card tray and embraced embedded SIM playing cards. This means you cannot simply pluck your SIM card out of your present telephone and put it into a brand new one. But this should not have an effect on your expertise since all the foremost US carriers and a variety of smaller operators work with eSIM.
Apple has lengthy supported eSIM, courting again to 2018’s iPhone XS, XS Max and XR. When organising a brand new iPhone 14, the system will information you thru transferring your present supplier over to the brand new telephone. A listing of supported wi-fi networks might be discovered on Apple’s web site.
iOS 16
Apple’s iOS 16 is the most recent model of Apple’s iPhone software program. It’s on the iPhone 14 by default and can also be accessible as an replace for the iPhone 8 and later. iOS 16 consists of new options equivalent to customizable lock screens, an replace to the Messages app that permits for unsending and modifying iMessage texts and new photograph modifying instruments.
iPhone FAQs
How dependable is an iPhone?
Apple has been making iPhones for 16 years. The present lineup was launched in September 2022 and all have a mud and water resistance ranking of IP68, which implies they will survive being submerged below 6 meters of water (about 20 toes) for half-hour. The screens are coated in Apple’s Ceramic Shield which is a glass-ceramic materials created by Corning, in collaboration with Apple, and consists of nano ceramic crystals embedded within the glass matrix. It’s extremely clear, and in keeping with Corning, the robust construction shaped by the crystals means it is much less prone to break.
How lengthy does an iPhone final?
One solution to measure how lengthy an iPhone will final is to take a look at the software program and safety assist Apple provides for older fashions. iOS 16 can run on Apple telephones as previous as 2017’s iPhone X, iPhone 8 and eight Pro. That’s practically 6 years of software program assist. Compare that to Samsung, who provides 5 years of Android software program assist for upgrades. But software program is simply half the equation. The different half is {hardware} and sturdiness. Fortunately, each iPhone Apple sells has an IP ranking for mud and water resistance. Newer fashions just like the iPhone 12, 13 and 14 sequence even have Ceramic Shield, a glass/ceramic hybrid, that covers the show and may be very sturdy.