So you want to know which iPhone is best for you. We’re here to help you separate marketing slogans from reality – we’ve tested all the latest models and outlined their pros and cons here, from the iPhone 13 Pro Max to the iPhone SE 2022. However, it’s better to wait now. Apple will unveil its next-generation iPhones, presumably called the iPhone 14 series, on Wednesday, September 7th. That doesn’t just mean exciting new smartphones – it also means existing and previous models will see lower prices. Our iPhone buying guide can help you decide.
Be sure to check out our other guides including Best iPhone 13 Cases & Accessories, Best iPhone 12 Cases, Best iPhone SE Cases, Best iPads, and Best iPhone 12 Cases Best MacBook.
Updated September 2022: We’ve added suggestions ahead of Apple’s September event.
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com and our print magazine (if you wish). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day. But first, sell that old iPhone! If you are upgrading from an iPhone, you can exchange it for Apple for a small discount. Before you do this, check to see if you can sell for more money elsewhere. iPhones hold their value very well, especially when they’re in perfect condition or undamaged. We have a guide running through several sites you can use. Before you switch to a newer model, don’t forget to backup your old iPhone, it will help you transfer everything without losing any data. And remember to factory reset your old iPhone before selling it. You may also find our guide on setting up a new iPhone and how to fix it helpful. If you don’t want to sell it, we have some ideas on how to repurpose your old device.
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Picture: Apple
Wait for apple event
Apple’s annual iPhone event in September Held on the 7th, we expect it to launch the iPhone 14 series. Prices are likely to be similar to the current iPhone 13 lineup, which means the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 could see some discounts soon. Rumor has it that the iPhone 13 Mini is on the chopping block. Apple has a 50/50 chance of continuing to sell it for a year, as it did with the iPhone 12 Mini, or will stop selling it entirely. If you desperately want a smaller iPhone with Face ID, it’s not a bad idea to snap up the iPhone 13 Mini before it’s gone forever. Otherwise, we recommend waiting.
What do you expect from the iPhone 14? MacRumors points to four devices: iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Max, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. The infamous notch on the iPhone, used to store the camera assembly needed for Face ID, will likely be redesigned as a hole-punch camera (as it is on most Android phones), although this will likely be relegated to the Pro model. It’s possible that Apple will stick with the A15 Bionic processor on the iPhone 14 and introduce a new A16 Bionic for the Pro phones, and the main camera on the iPhone Pro devices could be 48 megapixels.
If you don’t want to spend money on a new iPhone, consider replacing the battery. If your aging iPhone’s biggest problem is battery-related, replacing it might make it feel like new. The replacement price for the old iPhone is $49, and the replacement price for the new iPhone is $69. If that doesn’t solve the problem, read our guide on how to fix iPhone problems, or our guide on selling your iPhone to get the most out of it.
Picture: Apple
Best iPhone Deals
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Apple updated its third most affordable iPhone earlier this year (7/10, recommended by WIRED), although you’d be hard-pressed to spot the difference. On the outside, no — even the case for the 2020 model will fit the iPhone SE 2022. (We’ve rounded up our favorite cases and accessories here.) That means you still get a narrow but 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 here, and the headphone jack is still absent, but at least you still get regular wireless charging. It’s also the only iPhone in the series without Ultra Wideband support, which improves AirDrop and lets you pinpoint nearby AirTags.
Internally, it is much more powerful than the previous generation. It has the same A15 Bionic processor as the iPhone 13 model, making this budget phone a powerhouse in its class capable of running the most demanding games. The chip also brings better battery life, but the SE will last about a day of use — less if you’re a heavy user. It gets a sub-6 5G connection, which means it can’t reach the blazing fast internet speeds available on pricier iPhones, but that’s not a big deal since you rarely encounter this type of 5G. The single-lens rear camera takes great photos during the day, but unfortunately, with no night mode, low-light images are lackluster compared to phones like the Google Pixel 6A.
Picture: Apple
Use this option to upgrade
Apple iPhone 13
Worth waiting for iPhone 14 for now, but iPhone 13 (8/10, WIRED) Recommended) is the best iPhone for most people right now. Apple has introduced features from previous Pro models, such as sensor-shift stabilization on the main camera to correct your shaking hands, and 128 GB of base storage instead of the paltry 64 it previously offered. The 6.1-inch OLED screen is also just right. One of the best new additions is Movie Mode, which combines portrait mode with video and adds a blur effect around your subject. It can be a bit finicky, though. Overall, the camera has improved. Wide and ultra-wide angles absorb more light, resulting in sharper, brighter night shots.
The battery life is better, easily lasting a full day, then some heavy use, and the A15 Bionic chip that powers it is no slouch. It’s IP68 water-resistant, 5G-capable, and keeps the MagSafe accessory system of its predecessor. If you think the original release color is a bit dull, you can make it green.
Notice: with without charging adapter any iPhone 13 model Both are included (and earbuds are also not included), all you need is a USB-C to Lightning cable. If you don’t, you may need to buy an adapter with A USB-C one.
Picture: Apple
Use this option to upgrade
Apple iPhone 13
Worth waiting for iPhone 14 for now, but iPhone 13 (8/10, WIRED) Recommended) is the best iPhone for most people right now. Apple has introduced features from previous Pro models, such as sensor-shift stabilization on the main camera to correct your shaking hands, and 128 GB of base storage instead of the paltry 64 it previously offered. The 6.1-inch OLED screen is also just right. One of the best new additions is Movie Mode, which combines portrait mode with video and adds a blur effect around your subject. It can be a bit finicky, though. Overall, the camera has improved. Wide and ultra-wide angles absorb more light, resulting in sharper, brighter night shots.
The battery life is better, easily lasting a full day, then some heavy use, and the A15 Bionic chip that powers it is no slouch. It’s IP68 water-resistant, 5G-capable, and keeps the MagSafe accessory system of its predecessor. If you think the original release color is a bit dull, you can make it green.
Notice: with without charging adapter any iPhone 13 model Both are included (and earbuds are also not included), all you need is a USB-C to Lightning cable. If you don’t, you may need to buy an adapter with A USB-C one.
