Best iPhone in 2023: Which Apple Phone Should You Buy?
Apple's iPhone lineup ranges from $429 to $1,599. Here are the best iPhone models to match your needs and budget.
Apple presently sells eight unique iPhone models that date back to 2020. Contrast that with when Steve Occupations sent off the first iPhone in 2007 where the main choice was getting 4GB or 8GB of stockpiling. While a valid "best" iPhone, contingent upon your requirements, spending plan and inclinations, some iPhone models will be preferred for you over others can't really exist. With the expansion of the iPhone 14 series and the iPhone 11, 13 Master and 13 Expert Max being ended, settling on the right one can befuddle.
As far as costs, the ongoing iPhone setup begins as low as $429 for the 2022 iPhone SE and tops off at $1,599 for the iPhone 14 Genius Max with an incredible 1TB of stockpiling. The following are the different models, their delivery date, the quantity of back cameras they have, their processor and their ongoing rundown cost, which for certain telephones incorporates a $30 initiation charge that is deferred in the event that you enact your iPhone on a transporter at the hour of procurement. Furthermore, in the event that you're searching for the best iPhone bargains, we take care of you there as well.
Whether it's the little iPhone 13 Smaller than usual and its 5.4-inch screen or the 2020 iPhone 12, you really have a ton of choices to decide for your ideal telephone. Exploring Apple's iPhone range can be overpowering, whether you're thinking about colors (the iPhone 13 comes in six), or elements like the iPhone 14 Ace's Powerful Island, which extends and agreements to show framework cautions.
Then, at that point, there are the cameras. The iPhone ordinarily has probably the best cameras tracked down on any telephone. In any case, the iPhone SE has only one on the back. The 12, 13, 13 Smaller than expected, 14 and 14 Or more each have double back cameras. And afterward there's the 14 Master and 14 Ace Max that have a triplet of cameras as well as accompanied highlights like the capacity to take ProRaw photographs or record ProRes recordings.
To additionally muddle things, transporters like AT&T, T-Portable and Verizon as well as outsiders can imagine Best Purchase and Amazon keep on selling ended models like the iPhone 13 Ace and 13 Genius Max. And afterward there's the costs. Apple's beginning cost for each model isn't really what you'll pay. Virtually the telephones on this rundown can be all purchased for essentially less with a combination of exchange ins or potentially administration responsibilities with most US remote transporters.
I know, it's a great deal. Yet, I've tried each of the eight forms of the iPhone and can assist you with exploring through all the clamor.
iPhone 14
Best iPhone for most people
At the point when I assessed the iPhone 14, I said it was basically the iPhone 13 Genius' processor and principal camera inside the body of an iPhone 13. Presumably, some will be disheartened that the iPhone 14 isn't drastically not quite the same as past models. However, that is essential for its appeal. Commonality has been one of the keys to Apple's prosperity with the iPhone. Furthermore, as the truism goes, "in the event that it ain't down and out, don't fix it."
The iPhone 14's best elements are ones you might in all likelihood never see or use - - and that is not really something terrible. That incorporates Crash Discovery, which can advise crisis administrations when you're in an auto collision. Beginning in November, you'll get Crisis SOS through Satellite that allows you to involve a satellite to message crisis dispatchers in places without cell inclusion.
And keeping in mind that the iPhone 14 has an almost indistinguishable level sided plan as the iPhone 12 and 13, including an earthenware safeguard covering and a water safe body, within has been totally overhauled. The 14's back-glass is simpler and more reasonable to fix since it's not generally joined to internals.
All telephones in the iPhone 14 series just use eSIMs in the US and have a new selfie camera that unexpectedly has self-adjust. Include another video adjustment apparatus called Activity mode, an overhauled Realistic mode that can catch 4K video at 24fps and iOS 16, and you have a superb telephone. On the off chance that you initiate it on a transporter, Apple drops the cost to $799. Peruse our Apple iPhone 14 audit.
iPhone 14 Pro
Best premium iPhone
From the back, the $999 iPhone 14 Pro looks identical to last year's 13 Pro. But don't let that sameness fool you. It's the 14 Pro's screen where there's something different and wonderful going on. The display notch, that defined previous Face ID iPhone models, has morphed into a pill-shaped screen cutout that can show system alerts and background activities like when you receive a call or play music. Apple calls this functionality the Dynamic Island. I know, it's not the best name, but it's truly one of the best features.
The iPhone 14 Pro has a 6.1-inch adaptive-refresh-rate screen that adjusts between 1 and 120Hz depending on what's on the screen. It also gets upgraded cameras, a faster processor, an always-on display, iOS 16 and new safety features like Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via Satellite. Driving all these upgrades is Apple's new A16 Bionic chip, which in use feels peppy.
The main camera gets a new larger 48-megapixel sensor. While more megapixels doesn't necessarily mean better photos, Apple divides the pixels into groups of four and combines them into one larger pixel. The result is a 12-megapixel photo that's brighter and has less image noise and better detail.
The iPhone 14 Pro is the one of the best phones released by Apple or any phone-maker this year. Read our Apple iPhone 14 Pro review.
iPhone 13
Best iPhone value
The $729 iPhone 13 is still an excellent phone. In fact, if you're tempted by the iPhone 14 and want to save some money, grab a 13. They have essentially the same body, same screen and same A15 Bionic processor. Although technically, the iPhone 14's processor does have an extra GPU core.
The iPhone 13, like the 12 before it, is defined by its square-sided design. It supports 5G, MagSafe charging and has cameras on par with the ones from 2020's top-of-the-line iPhone 12 Pro Max.
But the iPhone 13's best feature is its larger battery that, in our tests, lasted 4.5 hours more on a single charge than the iPhone 12, and nearly 3 hours longer than the new iPhone 14.
The 13 also has Cinematic mode, which is basically a video version of Portrait mode, and iOS 16, This all adds up to an excellent phone. The iPhone 13 earned a 2021 CNET Editors' Choice Award. Also, if you activate it on a select carrier at purchase, Apple drops the price to $699. Read our Apple iPhone 13 review.
iPhone 14 Plus
Most reasonable huge iPhone
The $929 iPhone 14 Or more is either a major iPhone 14 or a downsized iPhone 14 Master Max, contingent upon your viewpoint. Since the iPhone XS Max sent off in 2018, there has been just a single choice for the people who love huge screens: Pay as much as possible and get a Maximum model with additional elements you could not be guaranteed to require (like a fax camera or a high revive rate show). I know numerous CNET perusers, companions and collaborators who have laid out $1,100 or something else for an iPhone 12 Genius Max or 13 Ace Max since it was the best way to get a telephone in the size they needed. In any case, that changes now.
The 14 Or more has the iPhone 14's all's elements and, similar to the 14 Star Max, it has a 6.7-inch show that gives you a bigger material for watching recordings, messing around and taking photographs. The 14 Or more can either allow you to fit more onto the screen or simply show everything the iPhone 14 does however a lot greater. An amplified view seems like such an unremarkable element, yet as my eyes progress in years, I most certainly welcome it.
On the off chance that you are settling on the iPhone 14 Or more and the iPhone 14 Genius Max and you needn't bother with a fax camera, a high-revive rate screen or additional weight, I express go with the 14 Or more and save $200. On the off chance that you enact it on a transporter, Apple drops the cost to $899. Peruse our Apple iPhone 14 Or more audit.
iPhone 13 Mini
Best small iPhone
Who said small phones don't exist in 2022? The $629 iPhone 13 Mini is brilliant because it has everything the iPhone 13 has -- it's just smaller. It has the same square-edged looks, support for 5G and the same cameras. The 13 Mini's defining feature is its 5.4-inch OLED screen that supports Dolby HDR. If that sounds too small, consider that Plus models, like the iPhone 8 Plus, had a 5.5-inch screen inside a much larger body. The 13 Mini's secret is that it lacks those giant forehead and chin bezels that defined the iPhone for its first decade.
The screen is covered with Apple's ceramic shield and the body, like nearly all phones on this list, has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The 13 Mini has an A15 Bionic processor which puts it on the same level of performance as the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus.
The iPhone 13 Mini is the exact same price as the iPhone 12, but the Mini actually lasts longer on a single charge than the bigger iPhone 12. I only recommend you get the 13 Mini for its size. If you aren't OK with a small phone, you might be disappointed or frustrated. And if you activate it on a carrier, Apple drops the price to $599. Read more about the Apple iPhone 13 Mini.
iPhone 14 Pro Max
Best battery duration
The $1,099 iPhone 14 Ace Max is only a major variant of the iPhone 14 Genius. It has similar A16 Bionic processor, similar cameras and similar elements. However, it varies in two major ways from the 14 Ace: It has a greater 6.7-inch high-revive rate screen and a greater battery. As a matter of fact, in our tests, the iPhone 14 Genius Max had the longest battery duration of any telephone on this rundown.
The iPhone 14 Ace Max is remarkable all around. Yet, I possibly suggest getting it in the event that you need a greater Genius model iPhone, in light of the fact that it gauges a ton. It's 34 grams heavier than the iPhone 14 Master and 37 grams heavier than the iPhone 14 Or more. The greater part of that weight comes from the 14 Ace Max's tempered steel body. Peruse our Apple iPhone 14 Master Max audit.
iPhone 12
Best iPhone around $600
The $629 iPhone 12 and its flat-sided design marked the beginning of the current generation of Apple phones. Of everything on this list, it's the oldest but also one of the cheapest, especially if you want to snag an iPhone with a contemporary look and Face ID.
The iPhone 12 has a 6.1-inch display covered in Apple's ceramic shield for durability, a still-very-fast A14 Bionic chip, 5G support and MagSafe charging.
The iPhone 12 earned a 2020 CNET Editors' Choice Award. If you choose to get an iPhone 12 and can afford to pay $50 more, I definitely recommend upgrading from 64GB of storage to 128GB. The iPhone 12 starts at $629, but if you activate it on a carrier, Apple drops the price to $599. Read our Apple iPhone 12 review.
iPhone SE
Best cheap iPhone
At $429, you might think the only appeal of the iPhone SE (2022) is its price. And admittedly that is a big factor. On the outside, the iPhone SE has the same body as the iPhone 8, which makes it the only iPhone on this list that still has Touch ID. On the inside, the SE has the same A15 processor as the iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 14 and 14 Plus which takes the 2017 camera hardware and gives it an injection of Apple's computational photography magic.
The SE represents the classic iPhone design but with the added ability to run the latest version of iOS and apps. One of the quieter updates in 2022 was that the SE's back was upgraded to the back glass used on the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini. The iPhone SE is simply your most affordable way into all of Apple services like FaceTime, iMessage and iCloud. Read our Apple iPhone SE (2022) review.
Key terms
eSIM
An eSIM takes all of the significant data about your telephone account - - including its number, remote transporter and membership - - and stores it in programming rather than on an actual SIM card.
With the iPhone 14, Apple eliminated the actual SIM card plate and embraced implanted SIM cards. This implies you can't simply cull your SIM card out of your ongoing telephone and put it into another one. Yet, this shouldn't influence your experience since every one of the significant US transporters and various more modest administrators work with eSIM.
Apple has long upheld eSIM, dating as far as possible back to 2018's iPhone XS, XS Max and XR. While setting up another iPhone 14, the gadget will direct you through moving your ongoing supplier over to the new telephone. A rundown of upheld remote organizations can be tracked down on Apple's site.
iOS 16
Apple's iOS 16 is the most recent adaptation of Apple's iPhone programming. It's on the iPhone 14 of course and is additionally accessible as an update for the iPhone 8 and later. iOS 16 incorporates new elements, for example, adaptable lock screens, an update to the Messages application that takes into account unsending and altering iMessage messages and new photograph altering apparatuses.
