Which Apple iPhone Is The Best

The Biggest iPhone With The Best Cameras: iPhone 13 Pro Max

*At the time of publishing, the price was $1,100.

You probably already know if youre a big-screen person or pro-phone person, and if you arent one, you dont have a lot of reasons to get the Pro Max version of the iPhone 13. We think almost anyone will find the iPhone 13s screen to be roomy enough, but the iPhone 13 Pro Max has an even larger, 6.7-inch screen that makes games easier to play, video more pleasant to watch, and typing feel less cramped. The screen is even bigger than those on older large phones such as the iPhone XS Max and 11 Pro Max, but the body has grown only a few millimeters. And thanks to that bigger screen and body, theres more room inside the iPhone 13 Pro Max for a larger, longer-lasting battery than in the other iPhone 13 models. The cameras on the Pro models are better, too, and theres one more of them . These Pro models also support ProMotion, Apples variable-refresh-rate screen technology, which is another nice-to-have but not altogether necessary feature.

To get fair comparisons, we ran battery stress tests with the Geekbench 4 diagnostic app. The larger iPhone 13 Pro Max lasted for 6 hours 58 minutes with the screen brightness turned all the way up, whereas the iPhone 13 survived for 5 hours 42 minutes in our measurements . The larger body has its drawbacks, though, as many people will find the 13 Pro Max too big for their hands, their pockets, or both.

So Which iPhone 14 Should You Buy

Compared to other previous models, wed say its a very good time to buy a Pro-tier iPhone, and a good year to skip the standard iPhone. With a modified version of last years chips and only a couple of notable hardware features, the standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus dont necessarily warrant an upgrade unless you really need a new phone. Meanwhile, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max offer some really exciting changes, big and small, such as an always-on display, Dynamic Island, and an upgraded set of cameras

Theres definitely an argument to go for the iPhone 14 over an older model. Features like Emergency SOS via satellite and Crash Detection offer great infrastructure changes that are great to have, even if you never want to use them. That said, we wouldnt blame anyone for buying a used iPhone 13 or 13 Pro to save a little money. Ultimately, its about finding the right balance of hardware, software features, and price that works best for your needs.

Best Budget iPhone: iPhone Se 3

If you want the absolute cheapest iPhone possible , the iPhone SE 3 is the only sub-$430 iPhone around. It may lack the flashier all-screen design of the other iPhones listed here, but it comes in a petite size, and in this age of constant mask-wearing, having Touch ID instead of Face ID may actually be appealing to consumers. In fact, there are people who would actually very strongly prefer the familiar Touch ID and home button setup, and for them, the iPhone SE 3 is the only real option left.

With this model, youre still getting the Apple A15 Bionic, 5G support, IP67 water and dust resistance , and a good single camera with OIS. As usual, video recording is a strong point with this device. And this is one of the cheapest iPhones that you can officially buy right now that will receive the longest software support.

The smaller size has its appeal too, as before Apple introduced the iPhone 12 and 13 Mini, this was the phone people who really dislike big phones went for. At 144g, its a really easy carry in your hand or pocket.

The 4.7-inch, 750 x 1334 screen isnt going to compete with other iPhones on this list, but its still a good LCD panel for its price, with Apples fine-tuning producing excellent colors and acceptable maximum brightness. You also get stereo speakers. The battery life is on the less generous side, so look out for newer options if you want something that lasts confidently through the day. With this phone, its best to have humble expectations.

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Best iPhone Overall: iPhone 13

The iPhone 13 checks off the core boxes in a size that lets you get a lot done. While the iPhone 13 Mini is identical in terms of performance, the iPhone 13s extra screen real estate makes it more usable and the keyboard feels much less cramped.

The 6.1-inch screen size is plenty big for browsing webpages, scrolling through timelines and, more crucially, using the keyboard. Unlike the 13 Mini, which can feel cramped, the 13 has a roomy keyboard thats both easy to learn and will feel more akin to previous iPhones. The iPhone 13 features an OLED display, which delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks for text.

What you wont find on the iPhone 13 is a high refresh rate, though. It isnt a deal breaker if youre coming from a device with the same lower but standard refresh rate. While the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max feature a higher refresh rate and therefore content streams a bit more seamlessly, the difference will still be too subtle to the average person to warrant the steep price to upgrade.

The iPhone 13 starts with 128GB of internal storage , which should be plenty for most users. The phones also support 4G LTE and 5G in the United States across a bevy of carriers.

Those who want a smaller-sized phone with the same features can opt for the 5.4-inch iPhone 13 Mini, which starts at $699.

Leather Case For iPhone 14 Pro And Pro Max By Woolnut

The Woolnut Leather Case is made from full-grain leather from Scandinavia, with TPU sidewalls for protection and a soft microfiber lining. The side walls extend slightly to protect the front screen and camera from scratches when laid on a surface, while the side and volume buttons are made of aluminum for a tactile feel.

The case is MagSafe compatible with a built-in magnet array, so it works with both MagSafe accessories and chargers.

Available in four colors, the Woolnut Leather Case for both iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max costs 44.25 euro with a 10% preorder discount. Orders will start shipping in late September.

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Biliz Cooling Case By Benks

Designed for the iPhone Gamer, the Biliz Cooling Case is a MagSafe-compatible case that helps cool down your iPhone while gaming.

It features shock-resistant bumpers and helps move airflow around your iPhone to cool it up to 4 degrees.

The Biliz Cooling Case costs $34.99 and is available from Benks.

How We Tested The Best Apple iPhones

When there are so many iPhones deserving of our attention we look at a series of criteria and take cost into account. We weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of each model and explore the overall impact of any shortcomings.

Design and set-up are really important. For an iPhone to score highly, it must be enjoyable to use and comfortable in hand, built from high-quality materials.

Cameras are one of the focal points of assessing iPhones as theyre a defining quality of smartphone technology. We analyse image quality in all scenarios to find out how the lenses perform in the real world, pixel-peeping to see where theres a lack of detail and how the iPhone fares in trickier lighting scenarios.

Performance is another key metric for testing. We run Geekbench tests and stack up all the competitors to show where the A16, A15 and other Bionic Chips stand. More than that, though, we test these phones with heavy gaming, video editing, and multitasking to see how they cope when the going gets tough.

Finally, what good is any of this if the battery life ends up being rubbish? Thats why we take detailed notes on the handsets battery life specs and take this into consideration when working out which iPhone deserves a spot in the list.

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Best iPhone For Most People: iPhone 13

You may be wondering why we kept the iPhone 13 on this list when the iPhone 14 exists. Well, its because this category isnt necessarily about the absolute most powerful or newest phone that money can buy, but rather the best option for the average consumer after taking into account all the features and price. Its about recommending the most practical and value-oriented option, without being majorly outdated or having any deal-breaking flaws. Also, if were being honest, the iPhone 14 really doesnt bring many useful upgrades over the iPhone 13, particularly since they run on the same chip.

The iPhone 13, which is still on sale officially at the Apple Store, can be had now at a discount on retailers such as Best Buy or Amazon, and its usually about $100 cheaper than the iPhone 14. The iPhone 13s Apple A15 Bionic is still extremely powerful today and more powerful than any chip in Android phones and the 12MP main and ultra-wide camera remain very capable. With the help of Apples computational photography, the iPhone 13 cameras excel in day and night, and can shoot some of the best videos on smartphones. You also get the impressive Cinematic Mode that creates a semi-convincing artificial bokeh in video.

Crafted out of an aluminum body with Ceramic Shield, the iPhone 13 is relatively comfortable to hold compared to the heavier Pro iPhones or the huge Pro Max iPhones. We here at XDA have a fondness for the white model in particular.

Buy from AT& T

Vcommute Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max Wallet Case By Vena

The vCommute Pro comes with a removable MagSafe Wallet integrated into the back of the case. The wallet can be used independent of the case since it attaches via MagSafe.

The case offers military-grade drop protection with up to 26 drops from four feet high. Remove the wallet to use other MagSafe accessories with the case.

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Tech21 Evo Sparkle Magsafe Case

• Not the easiest to remove

Want to show off your new iPhone but find clear cases a bit boring? This sparkle case from Tech21 has you covered. It boasts anti-yellowing technology and an exclusive sparkle effect that glitters and sparkles when it catches the light. It’s more than just a pretty case, though, with up to 12 feet of drop protection and advanced antimicrobial protection built in. There’s also a raised bezel around the camera to keep it safe from harm and superb scratch resistance so your case and your phone stay looking as good as new.

Best Buy Customers Often Prefer The Following Products When Searching For Apple iPhone

Apple’s iPhone is one of the most popular smartphones in the world, and for good reason. It’s sleek, powerful, and packed with useful features that make it a great choice for both business and personal use. Browse the top-ranked list of Apple iPhone below along with associated reviews and opinions.

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Best Big Premium iPhone For Less

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is still a good choice for those who want a long-lasting battery, gigantic screen, and sophisticated camera as long as you can find a good deal on it. Aim for $1,000 or less.

• Screen: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR
• Camera: 12-megapixel wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto with LiDAR
• Processor: A14 Bionic
• Battery Life: Up to 20 hours
• Check out our full review of the iPhone 12 Pro Max here.

Pros: Long battery life Excellent camera, ceramic shield glass is very scratch resistant, LiDAR enables portrait mode photos even in the dark

Cons: Limited availability

The iPhone 12 Pro Max shares many qualities as the iPhone 12 Pro and standard iPhone 12. These include Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, Super Retina XDR OLED screen, ceramic shield screen, 5G support, MagSafe accessory support, a triple-lens camera system with wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses like the iPhone 12 Pro, and IP68 water resistance.

Other than its significantly larger size, the main difference between the 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max is in its camera. The Pro Max has a 2.5x optical zoom, a 5x optical zoom range, and a 12x digital zoom, compared to the iPhone 12 Pro’s 2x optical zoom, 4x optical zoom range, and 10x digital zoom.

You can notice the difference, but it’s not a change that’s drastic enough to factor into your buying decision. The iPhone 12 Pro Max also benefits from a sensor shift technology, which further stabilizes the camera to reduce blur.

iPhone 14 Pro Battery And Charging

The iPhone 14 Pros battery performance hasnt been great, but there are signs of improvement. Initially, the battery was never going to last more than a day, and with moderately hard use , it would be down to less than 30% by early evening and that saw some anxiety start to creep in. Heavy use and a trip to the charger were necessary by this point. This was also mostly connected to Wi-Fi, and sometimes with no gaming just GPS, camera, apps, a short amount of video, and a few hours of streaming music.

The battery life and charging technology are the least impressive aspects of the iPhone 14 Pro.

Since those dark, early days, the iPhone 14 Pro seems to have settled down into my own use patterns. While the battery isnt going to suddenly last for two days, it has definitely improved. The arrival of iOS 16.0.2 may also have helped optimize the system. Although its not mentioned specifically as a benefit, the very first version of iOS 16 also dramatically cut the battery life on my iPhone 13 Pro suggesting software may be a factor in the relatively poor battery performance.

There is some anecdotal evidence from people testing beta versions of iOS that battery life has been further extended, and its something we will continue to monitor on the iPhone 14 Pro.

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Best iPhone 13 Pro Max Deals

The iPhone 13 Pro Max was phenomenally powerful and well specced. Apple no longer sells it, but that doesnt mean you wont be able to buy one. Read our guide to the best iPhone 13 deals for dedicated advice on finding a low price on the four late-2021 Apple handsets.

You can find the iPhone 13 Pro Max it the following retailers and networks, assuming they havent run out of stock.

• Amazon UK has the iPhone 13 Pro Max, 1TB SSD, green: £1,433.78

Apple used to sell the 13 Pro Max for $1,099/£1,049.

Incipio Kate Spade New York Protective Hardshell Case

• Designs may not suit all tastes

Want to show off your iPhone 14 but add your own stamp to it? The Kate Spade New York Protective Hardshell Case from Incipio ticks both boxes and provides some serious protection too. In fact, this dual-layer case with its shock-resistant bumper protects against drops up to 10 feet. Made from recycled materials, it’s lightweight and has a grippy finish, plus in-built antimicrobial technology to protect against up to 99.9% of surface bacteria. What’s more, it works with MagSafe charging accessories and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. If you love Kate Spade’s pretty designs but don’t want to skimp on protection, you can snap this case up in a choice of three floral designs, leopard print, or a pink/purple ombre with sparkling gems .

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The Best iPhone To Buy In 202: Which Should You Buy

Youre spoiled for choice if youre about to buy a new iPhone, as Apples iPhone 13 range is incredibly varied, with four different models to choose from currently, not to mention the new iPhone SE . Which one is right for you? Our top pick is the iPhone 13 Pro, which is also currently at the top of our overall list of the best smartphones. This fact alone should give you a good idea of how highly weve rated Apples latest Pro phone.

Once youre ready to pick up your new iPhone, take a good look at our list of iPhone deals to see if you can save some money, and also check all our latest smartphone deals, too. However, keep in mind it seems a brand new iPhone is just around the corner, as iPhone 14 rumors are now reaching a fever pitch. So, it might be worth waiting until September 7 to see what else Apple has to offer.

Want to see what Android has to offer? Here are the best Android phones you can buy for comparison.

• No fast charging

Why you should buy this: The iPhone 13 Pro contains an extremely powerful Apple chip and the best camera system, but its still reasonably priced.

Who its for: Anyone who wants the best Apple phone currently available.

One of the standout features of the iPhone 12 Pro was the camera system, which took exceptional low-light photos. The iPhone 13 Pro improves on this already-phenomenal camera system, with even better low-light capabilities, better apertures, and new features to produce more professional-looking shots.