There are two major players in the smartphone market. And Apple might be considered the Coke to Samsung’s Pepsi. While Apple focuses on design and aesthetic, Samsung is all about specs and innovation.
For Apple loyalists however, choosing an iPhone as your next handset is probably a no-brainer. But which iPhone should you go for? Based on our research (April 2023), here’s our latest pick of the top models.
1. iPhone 14 Pro Max
The best iPhone you can buy
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size: 6.7-inch OLED (2796 x 1290; 120Hz)Processor: A16 BionicCameras: 48MP (f/1.8) main with 2x optical zoom, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 12MP (f/2.8) telephoto with 3x optical zoom, LiDAR / 12MP front (f/1.9)RAM/Storage: 6GB/128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
REASONS TO BUY
+Superb 48MP camera
+Very smart Dynamic Island
+Best-in-class battery life
REASONS TO AVOID
-Still just 20W charging
-A bit thicker and heavier than the iPhone 13 Pro Max
Every premium feature Apple packs into its phones is on display with the iPhone 14 Pro Max, and the phone has the price tag to show it. While this is the most expensive iPhone, you also get the super-fast A16 Bionic processor, an improved 48MP camera and the eye-catching Dynamic Island feature that replaces the notch. Plus, the Pro Max offers an expansive 6.7-inch display with a big battery to match. That battery kept the iPhone 14 Pro Max running for more than 14 hours in our test, placing it near the top of the best phone battery life rankings.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max’s hits keep on coming. The new Action mode captures smooth video even when you and your subject are on the move. The always-on display brings a long-requested feature to the iPhone and does so in an elegant way. Even the front camera sees an improvement with addition of autofocus and a wider aperture to let in more light.
We struggle to come up with any serious complaints about the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which is not only the best phone you can buy right now, but the best iPhone Apple’s ever made.
2. iPhone 14 Pro
Apple’s best features for under $1,000
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen size: 6.1-inch OLED (2556 x 1179; 120Hz)CPU: A16 BionicCameras: 48MP (f/1.8) main with 2x optical zoom, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 12MP (f/2.8) telephoto with 3x optical zoom, LIDAR / 12MP front (f/1.9)RAM/Storage: 6GB/128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
REASONS TO BUY
+Dynamic Island is a good notch replacement
+Best performance in a smartphone
+Incredible cameras
REASONS TO AVOID
-No physical SIM tray in U.S. models
Who should get the iPhone 14 Pro: Anyone who wants the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s features, but at a lower price
You don’t necessarily have to pay $1,099 for the best iPhone features. Most everything you find in the iPhone 14 Pro Max is also available in the iPhone 14 Pro, but for $100 less. You’ll sacrifice battery life — the battery inside the iPhone 14 Pro is smaller — and the Pro model only offers a 6.1-inch display (though it matches the 144Hz refresh rate of the larger Pro Max).
The A16 Bionic chipset is here, as is the improved 48MP main camera. Dynamic Island replaces the iPhone’s notch and does more than just provide a home for Face ID sensors and the improved front camera; it’s also a hub for notifications that will only become more powerful as app makers take advantage of the space. From cameras to display brightness to the way it handles demanding apps, the iPhone 14 Pro is a winner, and a way to enjoy the high-end Pro features Apple has added to its lineup without paying Max prices.
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best iPhones featuring the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro Max
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The best iPhones are set for the time being, with Apple’s iPhone 14 launch well behind us and this fall’s rollout of new models still months away. So if you were going to pick up an iPhone, now’s the perfect time with Apple’s lineup set until the fall.
But which iPhone should you get? Our guide to the best iPhones can help you pick out the right model, as we turn to all the testing we’ve done on Apple’s phones to identify who should pick which version of Apple’s phones. If you’re weighing an iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 14 Pro decision, it’s a matter of deciding whether the Pro models’ more premium features are justified by their higher price. iPhone 14 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 14 Plus decisions come down to screen size preference and budget.
Of course, if it’s bargains you’re after, why not get an older iPhone? Apple has kept three models around at reduced prices — the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 12 mini — and they just might fit your needs without requiring you to pay out big bucks. And that’s before we even consider the least expensive phone in Apple’s lineup, the iPhone SE.
Whether you’re a long-time iPhone fan or just making the switch from Android to iPhone, we can help you find a phone you’ll be happy to use. Here’s how we rank the best iPhones currently available.
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The best iPhones you can buy right now
Why you can trust Tom’s Guide? Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what’s best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.
best iphones iPhone 14 Pro Max and dynamic islandEditor’s Choice
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
1. iPhone 14 Pro Max
The best iPhone you can buy
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size: 6.7-inch OLED (2796 x 1290; 120Hz)Processor: A16 BionicCameras: 48MP (f/1.8) main with 2x optical zoom, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 12MP (f/2.8) telephoto with 3x optical zoom, LiDAR / 12MP front (f/1.9)RAM/Storage: 6GB/128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
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REASONS TO BUY
+Superb 48MP camera
+Very smart Dynamic Island
+Best-in-class battery life
REASONS TO AVOID
-Still just 20W charging
-A bit thicker and heavier than the iPhone 13 Pro Max
Who should get the iPhone 14 Pro Max: Anyone who wants the best iPhone around, regardless of price
Every premium feature Apple packs into its phones is on display with the iPhone 14 Pro Max, and the phone has the price tag to show it. While this is the most expensive iPhone, you also get the super-fast A16 Bionic processor, an improved 48MP camera and the eye-catching Dynamic Island feature that replaces the notch. Plus, the Pro Max offers an expansive 6.7-inch display with a big battery to match. That battery kept the iPhone 14 Pro Max running for more than 14 hours in our test, placing it near the top of the best phone battery life rankings.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max’s hits keep on coming. The new Action mode captures smooth video even when you and your subject are on the move. The always-on display brings a long-requested feature to the iPhone and does so in an elegant way. Even the front camera sees an improvement with addition of autofocus and a wider aperture to let in more light.
We struggle to come up with any serious complaints about the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which is not only the best phone you can buy right now, but the best iPhone Apple’s ever made.
Read our full iPhone 14 Pro Max review.
best iphones: iPhone 14 Pro shown from front displaying iOS16 home screenEditor’s Choice
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
2. iPhone 14 Pro
Apple’s best features for under $1,000
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen size: 6.1-inch OLED (2556 x 1179; 120Hz)CPU: A16 BionicCameras: 48MP (f/1.8) main with 2x optical zoom, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 12MP (f/2.8) telephoto with 3x optical zoom, LIDAR / 12MP front (f/1.9)RAM/Storage: 6GB/128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
View at Apple India
View at Croma [CPS] IN
Check Amazon
REASONS TO BUY
+Dynamic Island is a good notch replacement
+Best performance in a smartphone
+Incredible cameras
REASONS TO AVOID
-No physical SIM tray in U.S. models
Who should get the iPhone 14 Pro: Anyone who wants the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s features, but at a lower price
You don’t necessarily have to pay $1,099 for the best iPhone features. Most everything you find in the iPhone 14 Pro Max is also available in the iPhone 14 Pro, but for $100 less. You’ll sacrifice battery life — the battery inside the iPhone 14 Pro is smaller — and the Pro model only offers a 6.1-inch display (though it matches the 144Hz refresh rate of the larger Pro Max).
The A16 Bionic chipset is here, as is the improved 48MP main camera. Dynamic Island replaces the iPhone’s notch and does more than just provide a home for Face ID sensors and the improved front camera; it’s also a hub for notifications that will only become more powerful as app makers take advantage of the space. From cameras to display brightness to the way it handles demanding apps, the iPhone 14 Pro is a winner, and a way to enjoy the high-end Pro features Apple has added to its lineup without paying Max prices.
3. iPhone 14 Plus
Best low-cost big-screen iPhone
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen size: 6.7-inch OLED (2778 x 1284)CPU: A15 BionicCameras: 12MP (f/1.5) main, 12MP (f/2.4) ultrawide / 12MP front (f/1.9)RAM/Storage: 6GB/128GB, 256GB, 512GB
REASONS TO BUY
+Big screen for a good price
+Long battery life
+Great cameras with Action mode video
REASONS TO AVOID
-No telephoto lens
-Display refresh rate stuck at 60Hz
Who should get the iPhone 14 Plus: Big-screen phone fans on a budget
The iPhone 14 Plus is the best iPhone for people who prefer a larger display but don’t want to pay big bucks for one of the best big phones. For $200 less than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the iPhone 14 Plus gives you an expansive 6.7-inch OLED screen, whether you want to watch movies and shows on the go or you just want a bigger viewfinder for your photos. And the photos look amazing from the improved cameras on the iPhone 14 Plus, thanks to a bigger main sensor and Apple’s Photonic Engine for better pics in low light.
As much as we like the regular iPhone 14, you’ll want to get the Plus if you want more time between charges. The iPhone 14 Plus lasted nearly 12 hours on our web surfing test. There’s some things we don’t like about the iPhone 14 Plus — including the 60Hz refresh rate and lack of telephoto lens — but overall it’s a great value. And like the iPhone 14, the iPhone 14 Plus has added another color option, with a yellow iPhone joining the black, white, blue, purple and red colors.
4. iPhone 14
The best iPhone for most people
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen size: 6.1-inch OLED (2532 x 1170)CPU: A15 BionicCameras: 12MP (f/1.5) main, 12MP (f/2.4) ultrawide / 12MP front (f/1.9)RAM/Storage: 6GB/128GB, 256GB, 512GB
REASONS TO BUY
+Excellent cameras
+Vibrant display
+Action mode video impresses
REASONS TO AVOID
-Display refresh rate stuck at 60Hz
-Uses A15 Bionic chipset found in iPhone 13 lineup
Who should get the iPhone 14: Anyone who wants the least expensive model of Apple’s latest phone
The iPhone 14 doesn’t have the flashier features found in its Pro siblings, but it’s still a solid upgrade, particularly if you’re looking to make the move from an older iPhone — we’re thinking iPhone 12 or later.
The notch is still around on the iPhone 14, and like the iPhone 13, the iPhone 14 features an A15 Bionic chipset instead of the newer A16. But at least the iPhone 14’s version of the A15 features an extra GPU core, giving it a boost over the iPhone 13.
While the 48MP main camera on the iPhone 14 Pro is grabbing most of the attention, the iPhone 14’s camera improvements are noteworthy — so much so that this model ranks among the best camera phones even without a dedicated telephoto lens. A larger sensor with bigger pixels powers the main camera, improving performance in low light. The iPhone 14 also benefits from Apple’s new Photonic Engine, which delivers brighter images.
Action mode for capturing smoother video is available to iPhone 14 owners, and later this fall, the new phone will add support for crash detection and Emergency SOS via satellite. And that comes in a device that continues to cost $799, making it one of the more affordable flagships out there.
