Apple sells eight different iPhone models dating back to 2020. Compare this to when Steve Jobs launched his first iPhone in 2007. There is no such thing as a true “best” iPhone, but depending on your needs, budget, and preferences, some iPhone models are better than others. Below are his three highest-rated iPhones as currently selected by CNET.
what iPhone 14
cost $799
available from apple.com
The best iPhone 14 features are the ones you never see or use. This is not necessarily a bad thing. This includes Crash Detection, which can notify emergency services when you’re in a car accident. And now you can get Emergency SOS via satellite. This allows satellites to be used to send messages to emergency dispatchers in locations without cell coverage.
The iPhone 14 also has nearly the same flat design as the iPhone 12 and 13, with a ceramic shield cover and waterproof body, but with a completely redesigned interior. The 14’s back glass is not internally mounted, making it easy and affordable to repair.
what iPhone 14 Pro
cost $999
available from apple.com
From the back, the $999 iPhone 14 Pro looks identical to last year’s 13 Pro, but don’t let that identity fool you. Something different and great is happening on the screen of the 14 Pro. The display notch that defined previous Face ID iPhone models has been replaced by a pill-shaped screen cutout that can display system alerts and background activity, such as incoming calls or music playing.
The iPhone 14 Pro has a 6.1-inch adaptive refresh rate screen that adjusts between 1 and 120 hertz depending on what’s on the screen. You also get an upgraded camera, a faster processor, an always-on display, iOS 16, and new safety features like collision detection and emergency SOS via satellite. Driving all these upgrades is Apple’s new A16 Bionic chip.
what iPhone13
cost $599
available from apple.com
If you’re tempted by the iPhone 14 and want to save money, get the 13. It has basically the same body, same screen, and the same A15 Bionic processor. The iPhone 13 features a square design. It supports 5G, MagSafe charging, and has a camera on par with the 2020 top-of-the-line iPhone 12 Pro Max.
The biggest feature of the iPhone 13 is its large battery, which in our tests lasted 4.5 hours longer than the iPhone 12 and nearly 3 hours longer than the new iPhone 14 on a single charge.
The following CNET staff contributed to this article: Senior Editors Eli Blumenthal and Mike Sorrentino, Editor-in-Chief Patrick Holland, and Copy Editor Jim Hoffman. For more reviews of personal technology products, please visit: cnet.com.
