Everyone will undoubtedly have a different opinion about the best iPhone for 2022, and it will mostly rely on your wants and financial situation. Apple currently offers eight distinct models with the introduction of the iPhone 14 series, with prices ranging from $429 for the iPhone SE (2022) to $1,599 for an iPhone 14 Pro Max with 1TB of storage.
The eight iPhone models that Apple now offers include a mixture of recent releases and devices from as far back as 2020. The several versions are shown here, along with their release date, number of rear cameras, CPU, and current list price. Some phones also have an activation charge of $30, although this money is eliminated if you activate your iPhone with a carrier at the time of purchase.
Comparing current iPhone models
| Model | US starting price | Screen size | No. of rear cameras | CPU | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone SE | $429 | 4.7 inches | 1 | A15 Bionic | March 2022 |
| iPhone 12 | $629 | 6.1 inches | 2 | A14 Bionic | October 2020 |
| iPhone 13 Mini | $629 | 5.4 inches | 2 | A15 Bionic | September 2021 |
| iPhone 13 | $729 | 6.1 inches | 2 | A15 Bionic | September 2021 |
| iPhone 14 | $829 | 6.1 inches | 2 | A15 Bionic | September 2022 |
| iPhone 14 Plus | $929 | 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 |
You truly have a lot to consider when choosing your ideal phone, regardless of whether it’s the little iPhone 13 Mini with its 5.4-inch screen or the 2020 iPhone 12. It may be confusing to navigate Apple’s iPhone lineup, whether you’re looking at colors (the iPhone 13 comes in six different shades) or features like the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro, which extends and contracts to display system notifications.
The cameras come next. Generally speaking, the iPhone offers some of the greatest phone cameras available. The iPhone SE, however, just has one on the rear. Every model of the 12, 13, 13 Mini, 14, and 14 Plus has two back cameras. The 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max also have three cameras and include capabilities like the ability to capture ProRaw images and record ProRes movies.
The fact that discontinued versions like the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max are still being sold by service providers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon as well as independent retailers like Best Buy and Amazon only serves to muddle matters further. And then there’s the pricing. The beginning price listed by Apple for each model may not be what you end up paying. With a combination of trade-ins and/or service agreements with the majority of US cellular carriers, almost all of the phones on this list may be purchased for substantially less money.
It’s a lot, I realize. Fortunately, I have tried and evaluated each of the eight iPhone models, so I can guide you through the confusion.
1. The Best iPhone 14
I stated in my evaluation of the iPhone 14 that it was effectively an iPhone 13 with the CPU and primary camera of an iPhone 13 Pro. The fact that the iPhone 14 isn’t significantly different from earlier versions will undoubtedly disappoint some people. However, that adds to its appeal. One of the secrets to Apple’s success with the iPhone has been familiarity. Furthermore, “if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it,” as the adage goes.
The finest features of the iPhone 14 may never be seen or used, but that isn’t always a negative thing. Included in this is Crash Detection, which may alert emergency personnel when a car accident occurs. Beginning in November, you’ll have access to Emergency SOS by Satellite, which enables you to send messages to emergency dispatchers from locations without cell service using a satellite.
The interior of the iPhone 14 has been significantly overhauled while having a flat, almost similar exterior to the iPhone 12 and 13 that includes a ceramic barrier coating and a water-resistant shell. Since it is no longer connected to the internals, the rear glass of the 14 is simpler and more reasonably priced to repair.
Every phone in the iPhone 14 series features a new selfie camera that, for the first time ever, has autofocus and only accepts eSIMs in the US. The Action mode, an updated Cinematic mode that can record 4K video at 24 frames per second, and iOS 16 make this phone even better. Apple reduces the cost to $799 if you activate it on a carrier.
2. iPhone 14 Pro in 2022
Back view of the $999 The 14 Pro iPhone resembles the 13 Pro from the previous year. But don’t be fooled by that similarity. The screen of the 14 Pro is where something unique and great is happening. The pill-shaped screen cutout that replaces the display notch that characterized earlier Face ID iPhone models may display system notifications and background activities like when you get a call or are listening to music. Apple refers to this feature as Dynamic Island. Although it may not be the finest name, this is unquestionably one of the nicest features.
The 6.1-inch adaptive-refresh-rate screen on the iPhone 14 Pro varies between 1 and 120Hz depending on what is displayed. Additionally, it receives iOS 16 and new security features including Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via Satellite. It also has updated cameras, a speedier CPU, an always-on display, and more. The new A16 Bionic chip from Apple, which feels brisk when used, is what’s powering all these advancements.
A new, bigger 48-megapixel sensor is added to the primary camera. Apple separates the pixels into groups of four and combines them into one bigger pixel, even though having more megapixels doesn’t always equate to better images. A 12-megapixel photo that is brighter, has less image noise and has higher detail as a consequence.
3. best iPhone 13
The iPhone 13 is still a great phone for $729. In fact, if you want to save money and are tempted by the iPhone 14 instead of the 13, choose the 13. They share mostly the same body, screen, and A15 Bionic CPU. The iPhone 14’s CPU does, in fact, include one additional GPU core.
The square-sided design of the iPhone 13, like that of the iPhone 12 before it, defines it. It boasts cameras on par with the top-tier iPhone 12 Pro Max from 2020, supports 5G, and MagSafe charging.
The iPhone 13’s bigger battery, though, which in our tests lasted over 3 hours longer than the new iPhone 14 and 4.5 hours longer than the iPhone 12 on a single charge, is its finest feature.
Additionally, the 13 includes iOS 16 and Cinematic mode, which together make for a great phone. Cinematic mode is essentially a video version of Portrait mode. CNET’s Editors’ Choice Award for 2021 went to the iPhone 13. Additionally, Apple reduces the cost to $699 if you activate it on a carrier at the time of purchase.
4. New iPhone 14 Plus
Depending on your point of view, the $929 iPhone 14 Plus is either a large iPhone 14 or a smaller iPhone 14 Pro Max. For those who enjoy huge displays, there has only ever been one choice since the iPhone XS Max was introduced in 2018: Spend a lot of money on a Max model with features you might not actually need (like a telephoto camera or a high refresh rate display). The only option to buy an iPhone in the size they desired was to spend at least $1,100 on an iPhone 12 Pro Max or 13 Pro Max, according to several techjazzup readers, colleagues, and coworkers I know. But that is different today.
The 14 Plus offers all the capabilities of the iPhone 14 and, like the 14 Pro Max, has a 6.7-inch display that provides you with a bigger screen on which to view films, play games, and take pictures. The iPhone 14 Plus can either display what the iPhone 14 does but is considerably larger, or it can fit more on the screen. Although a magnified vision may seem like a simple feature, as my eyes become older, I absolutely appreciate it.
When choosing between the iPhone 14 Plus and the iPhone 14 Pro Max, I advise choosing the 14 Plus to save $200 if you don’t want a telephoto lens, a high-refresh-rate screen, or more weight. It costs $899 if you activate it through a carrier.
5. iPhone 13 Mini 2022
Who said there wouldn’t be little phones in 2022? Because it contains every feature of the iPhone 13 but is smaller, the $629 iPhone 13 Mini is great. It features the same square-edged appearance, 5G support, and cameras. The 5.4-inch OLED screen of the 13 Mini, which supports Dolby HDR, is its distinguishing feature. Consider Plus variants, like the iPhone 8 Plus, which featured a 5.5-inch screen inside of a considerably bigger chassis if that seems too little. The big forehead and chin bezels that characterized the iPhone for its first ten years are absent from the 13 Mini, which is its secret.
The body, like almost all of the phones on our list, has an IP68 classification for dust and water resistance, and the screen is protected by Apple’s ceramic barrier. The performance of the 13 Mini is comparable to that of the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus thanks to its A15 Bionic CPU.
The iPhone 13 Mini costs the same as the iPhone 12, however, the smaller iPhone 13 Mini lasts longer on a single charge. You should only buy the 13 Mini for its size, in my opinion. If a little phone bothers you, you can feel dissatisfied or annoyed. Additionally, Apple reduces the price to $599 if you activate it on a carrier.
6. iPhone 14 Pro Max in 2022
Simply said, the $1,099 iPhone 14 Pro Max is the iPhone 14 Pro in a larger size. The A16 Bionic CPU, cameras, and features are all the same. However, it does have two significant differences from the 14 Pro: a larger 6.7-inch high-refresh-rate screen and a larger battery. The iPhone 14 Pro Max really had the best battery life of any phone on our list in our tests.
In every regard, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is exceptional. However, due to its weight, I only advise purchasing it if you desire a larger Pro model iPhone. It weighs 37 and 34 grams more than the iPhone 14 Plus and the iPhone 14 Pro, respectively. The stainless steel body of the 14 Pro Max contributes the majority of that weight.
7. iPad 12
The launch of the current series of Apple phones was distinguished by the $599 iPhone 12 and its flat-sided construction. It’s the oldest item on the list, but it’s also one of the least expensive, especially if you want to get an iPhone with a modern design and Face ID.
The iPhone 12 features a 5G-capable, still-extremely-fast A14 Bionic CPU, a 6.1-inch display protected by Apple’s ceramic barrier for durability, and MagSafe charging.
The 2022 TECHJAZZUP Editors’ Choice Award went to the iPhone 12. I strongly advise upgrading from 64GB to 128GB of storage if you decide to get an iPhone 12 and have the extra $50 to spare. Apple reduces the price of the iPhone 12 to $599 if you activate it with a carrier from its starting price of $629.
8. New iPhone SE 2022
You might assume that the iPhone SE (2022)’s $429 price tag is its lone draw. That is undoubtedly a significant factor. The iPhone SE is the only iPhone on our list that still features TouchID because it shares the same exterior design as the iPhone 8. The SE shares the same A15 CPU seen in the iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 14, and 14 Plus, which allows Apple to add its computational photography wizardry to the 2017 camera hardware.
The SE has the same iconic iPhone design as the first iPhone, but it also supports the most recent iOS apps. The SE’s rear was changed to the same back glass as the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini in 2022, which was one of the more understated improvements. Simply said, the iPhone SE is the most cost-effective way to use all of Apple’s services, including FaceTime, iMessage, and iCloud.
