What is the newest iPhone? We break it down

Apple has a tendency to push the envelope. If it seems like the tech giant almost always has some new software update or new technology on the market, it’s because it very often does. Everybody wants the latest iPhone, but with new model releases every year, it can be hard to keep up with what’s the most up-to-date phone. The casual phone enthusiast may not even know that their iPhone X is pretty out of date.

Apple is up to the iPhone 14 today and also sells a number of older models. This article is here to keep you up to date on this model and whichever one becomes the hottest new device on the market in the future. We’ll give you the lowdown on the newest iPhones, as well as offer capsule reviews of the latest iPhones Apple is selling through its website. Hopefully, this should keep you up to date with the current state of the iPhone and help you zero in on the one for you.

The newest iPhone

The iPhone 14 is the newest iPhone, and is comprised of the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. But those aren’t the only iPhones Apple currently sells. You can also buy the third edition of Apple’s more budget-friendly Apple iPhone SE (2022). At $429, the iPhone SE is designed to thread the needle of affordability and performance in Apple’s smartphone line. It’s also a more traditional model than the iPhone 14, retaining some classic features like a home button with Touch ID.

The new iPhone 14 and SE aren’t the only iPhones available, though, and you can still purchase three other very recent models from Apple’s website. These are the following:

• iPhone 13 & 13 Mini: 2021’s model has a larger battery than the iPhone 12, more default internal memory, and an upgraded camera on all models. The Mini is the last small iPhone you can buy new.

• iPhone 12: 2020’s model. Very similar in performance to the iPhone 13, albeit with a smaller battery and less default internal memory.

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Apple iPhone 14

The newest basic iPhone

It might not have changed a huge amount, but that’s something of a strength in the iPhone 14’s case. Since the Pro variant was introduced, the basic iPhone has sat at a nice point in Apple’s lineup. Not too expensive, not too big, nice and powerful. This year, there are more disadvantages to picking the basic model, though. Not content with downgrading the camera, Apple has also included an older processor on the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus. Instead of the shiny new A16 Bionic the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max get, both basic iPhones get last year’s A15 Bionic. This isn’t a huge problem, the A15 is still a very strong chip, and isn’t going to fail you — but it does rankle a little bit.

As we’ve already mentioned, the iPhone 14 basically looks the same as the last few generations of iPhone. There’s a dual-sensor camera setup on the back, which takes predictably excellent shots, and the battery life has been excellent, managing a day even when it has been pushed pretty hard. However, another area the iPhone 14 is starting to feel old is the display. It’s bright, crisp, and colorful, but it’s limited to 60Hz. The iPhone 14 Pro’s 120Hz display is missing, which is fine when viewed in isolation However, many midrange Android phones now come with a 120Hz display, and the iPhone 14’s screen is starting to look sluggish in comparison.

Thankfully, iOS 16 isn’t sluggish, and the iPhone 14 shares many of the iPhone 14 Pro’s biggest new features. You obviously don’t get the Dynamic Island feature or the always-on display, but you do get car crash detection and the satellite calling safety feature to boot. We’re not sure about you, but we’d take solid safety features over a couple of additional quality-of-life improvements any day.

Sure, it has some downsides, and you may find yourself coveting your neighbor’s iPhone 14 Pro from time to time. But even with those in mind, the iPhone 14’s value speaks for itself. If you’re looking to upgrade from an iPhone 12, 11, or even earlier, the iPhone 14 is a big enough leap that you won’t feel shortchanged — but it’s also familiar enough that you won’t feel lost after the switch.

Apple iPhone 14

The newest basic iPhone

Apple iPhone 14 Plus

The newest big iPhone

It’s been a while since we’ve seen a “Plus” iPhone, and the iPhone 14 Plus is a worthy successor to the name. It’s big, powerful, and a great choice if you want a big iPhone, but don’t want to spend all that money on the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The big screen is gorgeous and provides strong blacks and vivid colors, but it is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate. The design also leaves a little to be desired. We found the flat sides to be quite sharp, and as a result, it made a slippery phone even more difficult to hold. It’s a little awkward, so maybe check it out in a retailer before you buy it.

Like the iPhone 14 above, the 14 Plus isn’t getting the latest A16 Bionic processor and has the A15 Bionic instead. But even though it’s running a year-old processor, the iPhone 14 Plus is still a smooth performer, and capable of running the latest 3D games without hitches or lag. Add iOS 16 to this, and you’ve got a great experience for everyone, and thanks to Apple’s stellar update record, it’s one that can last a long time too.

As you might expect from an iPhone, the iPhone 14 Plus has a solid camera setup. There are two lenses on the back, a 12MP main lens, and a 12MP wide-angle lens, with another 12MP lens around the front for selfies. It’s outpaced by more camera-focused smartphones, like the Google Pixel 7, but it’s still a great snapper that takes consistently good stills. Video capabilities are just as good, and you’re unlikely to be disappointed by anything it puts out.

So does this mean the battery is the weak point? Thankfully, not at all. The iPhone 14 Plus consistently showed us a solid two days of battery life, even with heavy use, and careful users could find their phone stretching into the third day. That’s an exceptional showing, and it’s the one reason to really buy the iPhone 14 Plus over its smaller sibling, the iPhone 14.

The iPhone 14 Plus starts from $899, with 128GB of storage, and stretches up to $1,199 for the 512GB variant. It’s far from the cheapest iPhone, but certainly not the most expensive, and its battery expertise probably makes it the iPhone of choice if you need a long-lasting phone.

Apple iPhone 14 Plus

The newest big iPhone

Apple iPhone 14 Pro

The newest and most advanced iPhone

Now we’re hitting the big time. Looking for the most advanced iPhone you can get your hands on? It’s the Pro range you want. This year, Apple has diverged the iPhone Pro and iPhone lines, killing the notch in the Pro, and adding a new pill-shaped hole-punch named the “Dynamic Island.” Other than that though, there’s not too much to separate the two phone ranges design-wise, except for the third camera lens in the Pro’s rear camera.

It looks great. This is a stylish phone, and class oozes from every port. The body is made from stainless steel, and the glass body comes in a number of great-looking colors too. It’s less great to hold though, with the straight sides being just a little too sharp to rest comfortably in the hand. It’s not too heavy to hold for long periods of time, which makes the sharp sides a bit easier to deal with. Sure, it looks much the same as previous models in a lot of ways, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

One of the biggest new additions to the 120Hz screen is an always-on display. Yes, it’s old hat on Android, but it’s new and shiny on iOS. But it’s trumpeted for a reason, because Apple has really sought to make it something different. The always-on display is basically a dimmed version of the lock screen, complete with widgets and notifications, and that’s a big difference from Android’s much simpler version that basically shows the time and date on a black screen.

Unfortunately, it’s possible that complexity has hurt the battery life somewhat, as the iPhone 14 Pro only has a battery life of a single day. Moderate use will see the battery drop fairly quickly, and be sat on the lower end by the evening. It’s disappointing, given how good the iPhone 13 Pro was. There’s fast charging too, but it’s nowhere near the speeds you can access on other phones, and Apple is really starting to fall behind here.

Thankfully, it’s not falling behind where the camera is concerned, and the iPhone 14 Pro is an excellent image shooter. The triple-lens rear setup has a 48MP main lens and a pair of 12MP wide-angle and telephoto lenses. It’s not a massive improvement over the iPhone 13 Pro’s camera, but that’s still saying something when you consider how good that phone was.

Why haven’t we really touched on the new Dynamic Island? Largely because there’s not a huge amount to say. Dynamic Island enlarges the black area around the selfie camera’s pill-shaped cutout and uses it to show off widgets for music playing, Bluetooth connections, and other such features. It’s not quite ready for mass adoption yet though, as the Live Activities feature isn’t quite ready. Still, we expect it to become more useful in the future, even if the name is a little cringe-worthy.

It’s a pricey phone though, and even the basic version sets you back $999. Want 2TB of storage? That’ll cost you an eye-watering $1,499. Still, it’s an incredible phone, and it could easily last you a very long time if you want it to, look after it, and slap a case on it.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro

The newest and most advanced iPhone

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

The newest, most advanced, big iPhone

The iPhone 14 Pro Max is the iPhone to buy if you want an advanced phone that’s also massive. It’s basically just a bigger version of the iPhone 14 Pro, and as such, most of the same points from the above also apply here. But it also means some of the bad points about the 14 Pro are amplified here, most notably the sharp edges now being harder to deal with due to the weight and size of the 14 Pro Max.

But that might not matter to you if you’re here for the screen. There are 6.7-inches of screen real estate for you to play with here, and it’s quite the device as a result. It’s pin-sharp and can go all the way up to 2,000 nits, making it visible even in bright sunlight. Add Apple’s 120Hz ProMotion to that and you’ve got an exceptional display. That big screen also means you can really take advantage of iOS 16’s new always-on display, adding informative (or fun) widgets safe in the knowledge they’ll always be easily visible.

Like most big phones, the battery really shines in the 14 Pro Max. Unlike the 14 Pro, which tended to struggle, the larger sibling excels at lasting. We could see this device potentially lasting two days if used sparingly, though you’ll probably have to turn off your always-on display to really take advantage of that.

Of course, all this super-sizing comes at a price. The iPhone 14 Pro Max starts at $1,099 and goes all the way to a stunning $1,599 for 2TB of storage. Still, you get a lot of phone for that, and you could easily see this iPhone going for more than a few years, as well as just being an exceptional piece of tech. It’s probably the best iPhone of its generation, as long as you can handle the hit to your wallet, and the weight in your hand.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

The newest, most advanced, big iPhone

Apple iPhone SE (2022)

The newest cheap iPhone

The Apple iPhone SE 2022 is one of the best bang-for-your-buck phones Apple has ever offered. It uses the same A15 Bionic processor as the iPhone 13 series, so it delivers elite performance despite the smaller price tag. Unfortunately, the design is lifted straight from 2017’s iPhone 8, with a 4.7-inch Retina HD screen, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, and a single 12MP camera on the back that has been overhauled with Apple’s Deep Fusion technology. Despite the design inspiration, the new SE’s CPU is 1.8-times faster than the iPhone 8 and the GPU is 2.2 times faster. Its case is also made from Apple’s toughest glass yet and boasts an IP67 water-resistance rating.

Just like other iPhones you can buy from new, the iPhone SE runs iOS 16 so you’ll have all the same features and apps you’d get on more expensive iPhones. It’s also the first SE model to have 5G connectivity. It offers models with onboard storage of 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB.

Apple iPhone SE (2022)

The newest cheap iPhone

Apple iPhone 13

The 2021 iPhone

It’s no longer the most advanced iPhone model, but it’s still a great choice if you’re looking for an iPhone — at least when cost is factored into the equation. It carries some strong Apple hardware, most notably the A15 Bionic chip, which harnesses 5nm transistors and is the same processor you’ll get on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. It also comes with 128GB of internal memory as standard, which is an upgrade from previous generations. It also packs 4GB of RAM, which is more than enough to get the best out of the A15.

Its camera provides a subtle yet noticeable refinement compared to the iPhone 12. The basic setup is largely the same, comprising a dual-lens rear camera with a 12MP wide and a 12MP ultrawide lens. However, the main wide lens has been enhanced with sensor-shift OIS (optical image stabilization), ensuring that photos are clearer and crisper than ever before. Otherwise, it continues to harness Smart HDR and Deep Fusion technologies, which helps it compensate for any shortcomings as a photographer, providing consistent results under the vast majority of conditions. Its Portrait Mode remains excellent, as does its Night Mode, which copes very well with low light.

It’s also worth pointing out that the iPhone 13’s battery builds on the improving reputation of its predecessors, offering a great lifespan even to heavier users. At 3,240mAh, it looms large over the 2,815mAh cell of the iPhone 12 and is capable of lasting a day and a half under a heavier regime, compared to just over a day for the older device. Apple’s software optimization allows it to outlast the considerably larger batteries you find on many Android phones, while it recharges pretty speedily as well, with 23W fast charging support, meaning you can go from 0% to 50% in about 30 minutes.

While the iPhone 13 looks eerily similar to the iPhone 12, a couple of design alterations serve to distinguish it. For one, its notch is now 20% smaller than last year’s model, meaning you get a little bit more touchscreen real estate to work with. At the same time, its rear camera module has been given a slight makeover, with the two lenses now appearing in a diagonal (rather than vertical) formation. In other words, it may not be a massive departure from the iPhone 13, but it’s certainly an improvement.

Apple iPhone 13

The 2021 iPhone

Apple iPhone 13 Mini

The newest small iPhone

A lower-cost — and physically smaller — alternative to the iPhone 13 is the iPhone 13 Mini. It’s practically identical to the iPhone 13, with the same camera setup, internal hardware specs, and software support. However, where it does differ is having a 5.4-inch display (as opposed to a 6.1-inch display) and a smaller, 2,438mAh battery. It’s also $100 cheaper than the iPhone 13, so if you want to save some money and would prefer a smaller phone (and don’t mind a less-long-lasting battery), it’s a great option.

Apple iPhone 13 Mini

The newest small iPhone

Apple iPhone 12

The oldest iPhone you can buy new from Apple

The iPhone 12 is 2020’s model, and despite its relative age, it remains a great smartphone. As with the iPhone 13’s A15 Bionic chip, its A14 also harnesses 5nm transistors, which really do get the best out of its 4GB of RAM. One downside, however, is that it comes with only 64GB of internal memory as standard, which may be too little for many users.

That said, its camera is very nearly as good as the iPhone 13’s, given that it offers the same basic dual-lens arrangement and many of the same software enhancements. On the other hand, its battery is smaller at 2,815mAh, but it is still capable of lasting more than a full day under pretty heavy use.

It’s also worth remembering that the iPhone 12 was the first iPhone to support 5G networks, another feature that puts it on a level footing with the newer iPhone 14.

Apple iPhone 12

The oldest iPhone you can buy new from Apple

Editors’ Recommendations