Best iPhone for 2022: Which of Apple's 8 Phones is Right for You?
Apple's iPhone lineup used to be rather limited and simple. When Steve Jobs announced the original iPhone over 14 years ago, there was just one model and it was only available on AT&. So, if you wanted an iPhone, the only decision you had in 2007 was whether you wanted 4 or 8GB of storage.
Much has changed in the past decade and a half. You can find an iPhone to fit into any budget and meet anything you need your smartphone to do. When Apple released four new iPhone 13 models in 2021, we were impressed by the upgrades. The phones had new cameras, more stage-struck, bigger batterie , and brighter screens.
That doesn't mean they are the best iPhone options for everyone, though. Apple currently has a total of eight iPhone variants on the market right now, with prices ranging from $429 for the iPhone SE to $1,599 for the iPhone 13 Pro Max, when configured with the maximum 1TB of storage. The best iPhone for you will be one that has the technology you'll use and one that's offered at a price in your comfort zone.
We've broken down all the models on the market so you can decide on the best iPhone to suit your needs. Miss the home button? Then check out the iPhone SE. Like the iPhone 13 design, but not its price? Consider last year's iPhone 12 and 12 Mini. Want a small phone with a goo, battery life? Then the iPhone 13 Mini is a must. And what about the two-year-old iPhone 11, is it still worth it? In short, yes.
CURRENT IPHONES, COMPARED
| Model | Starting price | Screen size | No. of rear cameras | CPU | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone SE | $429 | 4.7 inches | 1 | A15 Bionic | March 2022 |
| iPhone 11 | $499 | 6.1 inches | 2 | A13 Bionic | September 2019 |
| iPhone 12 Mini | $599 | 5.4 inches | 2 | A14 Bionic | November 2020 |
| iPhone 12 | $699 | 6.1 inches | 2 | A14 Bionic | October 2020 |
| iPhone 13 Mini | $699 | 5.4 inches | 2 | A15 Bionic | September 2021 |
| iPhone 13 | $799 | 6.1 inches | 2 | A15 Bionic | September 2021 |
| iPhone 13 Pro | $999 | 6.1 inches | 3 | A15 Bionic | September 2021 |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | $1,099 | 6.7 inches | 3 | A15 Bionic | September 2021 |
To complicate your decision, some iPhones have two cameras, others have three and still, others have four (including the front-facing selfie camera). There's also the fact that nearly every current iPhone model has Face ID except one: the iPhone SE. Having a lot of options isn't bad, but can feel overwhelming when buying a new iPhone.
To help you figure out which is the best iPhone for you, I thoroughly reviewed and tested each one on this list, from their batteries to camera performance. I included current iPhone prices, though iPhone deals happen, so don't assume your only option is paying full price. Also, this list is based on current models that Apple sells. If you're shopping around, you might notice that carriers and third-party sellers offer discontinued models, like the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max.
Also, if you're looking for an Android phone or another smartphone outside of Apple's offerings, read our guide to help find the best phone for your needs.
iPhone 13
It comes with new cameras on par with the ones from last year's top-of-the-line iPhone 12 Pro Max. It also gets a larger battery which in our tests lasted 4.5 hours more on a single charge than the iPhone 12.
Add in the A15 Bionic chip, a new Cinematic mode which is basically a video version of Portrait mode and iOS 15 and you have an excellent phone. The iPhone 13 earned a CNET Editors' Choice Award. Also, if you activate it on a carrier, Apple drops the price to $799.
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