Whether you’re planning to switch from Android or you’re a first-time buyer, Apple’s iPhone is the most popular smartphone. Apple iPhone users love its ease of use, wide range of apps, compatibility with other Apple products, and premium look and feel (it’s made of either aluminum or stainless steel and glass, after all).
However, long gone are the days of the one-size-fits-all Apple iPhone. There are now so many different templates that it might seem difficult to find the best one for you. The iPhone comes in many shapes and sizes, but not all are created equal, some are more powerful than others. While there are a handful of templates to choose from, we’re here to help you find the best one.
Whether you want something small or powerful, here are the best Apple iPhone models to buy in 2023.
TL; DR The best Apple iPhones to buy now
Apple iPhone 14
The best all round
The Apple iPhone 14 is the latest smartphone from the popular tech company. While it sports the same camera system as last year’s model (dual 12-megapixel main and ultra-wide-angle rear cameras and 12-megapixel front-facing selfie camera) and the same processor (A15 Bionic chip), its reliability and familiarity is its the biggest attraction especially for first-time iPhone buyers.
However, the iPhone 14 offers key features that are not available on the iPhone 13 or earlier models, namely crash detection and emergency SOS via satellite. These new safety features can save your life, respectively if you are involved in a car accident or lost in the wilderness. Every iPhone 14 model also uses built-in eSIM instead of physical Nano SIM cards, so smartphones are easier to use abroad without inserting a new SIM card.
The iPhone 14 is available in six colors, including Midnight, Starlight, Product (RED), blue, purple and yellow, and offers a few storage size options, such as 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
Apple iPhone 14 Plus
Better battery life
If you want an iPhone to work for hours (and sometimes even days), then the Apple iPhone 14 Plus is the model for you. While it has the same processor, camera, color availability, storage options, and features as the iPhone 14, the 14 Plus is much bigger thanks to its larger display (6.1 inches vs 6.7 inches, respectively). . The byproduct of a bigger smartphone in this case is a bigger battery, with more juice to get you through the day.
While the iPhone 14 Plus is the same size as the iPhone 14 Pro Max (further down the list), it’s not as power-hungry, meaning battery life is more efficient and lasts much longer. On average, the iPhone 14 Plus could get you through two days of light use before needing to charge.
Apple iPhone 13 Mini
Best small model
Not everyone wants a giant iPhone. Sometimes small smartphones are the best, both for easier portability to carry in your pocket or purse, and for easier usability, especially with one hand.
Enter the cute and fun Apple iPhone 13 Mini. This 2021 model features a 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display and A15 Bionic chip (which is the same processor found inside the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus), as well as a 12-megapixel front-facing selfie camera and dual 12 -megapixel rear camera system with one main and one ultra wide-angle camera. It is essentially a smaller version of the iPhone 14, but without the Crash Detection and Emergency SOS functions via Satellite.
The iPhone 13 Mini is available in six colors, such as Product (RED), Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink and Green. It also comes in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Best camera
The premium Apple iPhone 14 Pro comes with one of the best cameras the tech company has packed into their smartphones. It not only produces sharp and detailed photos but also delivers sharp, clear and stable videos thanks to its advanced camera system.
For photos, the iPhone 14 Pro offers more flexibility with its triple rear camera system (compared to the dual system of standard models), which offers photos with sharper details. It gives you a wider range of options when shooting photos for better clarity and depth of field with its 48-megapixel wide-angle main camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide for sharper details, and a 12-megapixel telephoto camera. It also comes with a 12MP front facing camera for selfies and video calling.
Speaking of video, the 14 Pro can capture video at up to 4K and 60FPS (frames per second) quality, while the camera system supports high-end Dolby Vision HDR (high dynamic range) format for sharp and detailed video quality. It also comes with cinematic video stabilization capabilities for smoother motion while shooting.
The iPhone 14 Pro is the crme de la crme of iPhones to buy in 2023. It is available in four colors, such as Space Black, Deep Purple, Silver and Gold, while the device is also available in four storage options, including 128 GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Best budget option
Starting at $429, the Apple iPhone SE (third generation) it’s our pick for the best cheap iPhone to buy. On the outside, the iPhone SE has the same 4.7-inch display and 12-megapixel rear camera and 7-megapixel selfie camera system as the Apple iPhone 8, which was released in 2017. However, on the inside, the smartphone features the A15 Bionic processor, the same one that powers iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. As the old saying goes, it’s what’s inside that counts.
It also offers the same access to the Apple App Store and virtually all Apple services, including FaceTime, iMessage, iCloud, Apple Music and more, but at an affordable price.
The iPhone SE comes in three colors, including Midnight, Starlight, and Red, as well as a few storage options, like 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Best large display
If you want a great iPhone display in 2023, then the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max it is our choice. It features a massive 6.7-inch display, which is the same size as the iPhone 14 Plus, however, the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s display is brighter. It also produces smoother movement and animations with a 120Hz refresh rate compared to the 14 Plus 60Hz refresh rate, and has an Always On display that makes it easy to check the time and notifications when your smartphone is idle.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is available in four colors, including Space Black, Deep Purple, Silver and Gold, as well as 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB storage options.
What to look for in an Apple iPhone
While there are different models, the user experience is essentially the same. This is one of the biggest attractions of the Apple iPhone and why it is the most popular smartphone in the world. However, the differences between the models can make it more difficult to find the best one for you. Here’s what to look for in an Apple iPhone in 2023.
Phone size
When it comes to iPhones, size matters. If you want to be able to use it one-handed, finding the best size is key. For larger hands, the Apple iPhone 14 Plus or Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max are the perfect fit, thanks to their 6.7-inch displays. But if you are on the smaller side, then the Apple iPhone 13 Mini or Apple iPhone SE (3rd Generation) might be best with 5.4-inch or 4.7-inch displays respectively.
Memory capacity
Additionally, the size of the storage space is also something to think about. If you want to take a lot of high-resolution photos, then the Apple iPhone 14 Pro with 1TB of storage is the best option, while the iPhone SE has the least amount of storage with just 64GB if you don’t want to use many apps and just use it very casually.
Price
Meanwhile, if price is a consideration, Apple’s iPhones range from the very wallet-friendly iPhone SE (64GB) at $429 to the fully maxed out iPhone 14 Pro Max (1TB) at $1,599. Best of all, even if you choose the cheapest model, Apple’s iOS operating system will be included, which will receive updates for the next 5-6 years after purchase. So whatever the budget, every model gets the same expertise and software support.
Overall, the most important thing to look for when buying an iPhone is how you’re going to use it. For most people, the Apple iPhone 14 is the best choice because it is the most complete with a fast processor, a great camera system, fun colors and a wide range of storage options at a good price.
