The best iPhone models right now (and they're not just from last year)

After weighing all the available models and options, the iPhone 14 Pro Max stands tall as the best iPhone overall. It features the latest A16 Bionic processor, the best iPhone camera system to date, and a dynamic design that laps even last year's lineup. Still, there are more affordable and smaller alternatives that are worth your consideration. The chart below gives you a snapshot comparison of our top picks.

It used to be fairly easy to choose an iPhone model as you typically selected either the "big" iPhone or the "small" one. With four models available in the iPhone 14 series alone, you have to dig a bit deeper to choose which is best for you. This is especially true of the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro that are nearly the same hardware so check out our question above for more on this decision.

Size is generally the first factor to consider, followed by price. Price limits will also drive the amount of internal storage you select for your iPhone.

One fantastic aspect of the Apple iPhone line is that all iPhones receive software support for years, so it's okay to buy an older model and trust that it will work well for you for years.

The process to make our selections includes testing the phones for weeks, reading reviews from colleagues, researching reviewer guides and manufacturer websites, talking with colleagues, analysts, and other industry experts who have hands-on experience with the phones, and then selecting the best from all of the available choices. 

For this iPhone list, I also only included iPhone models that are available directly from the Apple Store where you will get official support and can purchase Apple Care Plus. There may also be older models of iPhones still available from third-party vendors or wireless carriers.

ZDNET has reviewed the top iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max cases in a guide here.

It wasn't until 2021 that Apple began selling both its non-Pro and Pro iPhones with a base storage of 128GB. The only exception here is the iPhone SE model. While not as flashy of an upgrade as larger camera sensors and 120Hz displays, this double-up of storage meant that consumers had more space than ever to store apps, photos, videos, and more.

Maurice Klaehne, senior market research analyst at Counterpoint Research, suggests that higher storage options are generally better as they will help with the longevity of the device, and his firm has generally seen an uptick in postpaid customers opting for higher storage sizes when they can afford them. "Currently, the 256GB option is sufficient for most people," Klaehne adds.

At the time of writing, the iPhone 13 is the best phone you should buy for a parent. While it's not as glass-heavy or flashy as the newer iPhone 14 Pro models, the 13 is still a formidable pickup for its durability, long battery life, and SIM card support. The latter of which is particularly important if your parent travels overseas or just prefers the simplicity of swapping a physical SIM card to transfer contacts and data.

The cameras on the iPhone 13 are also reliable enough for clear-looking video calls, the occasional outdoor flick, and capturing images of children and pets.

Embedded Subscriber Identity Module, or eSIM in short, is the electronic version of the classic SIM card. That means your eSIM carries your phone number, mobile data plan, and telephone carrier info, just like a regular SIM card. The major difference between eSIM and SIM is that the former does not need to be physically installed onto your phone, which is why the new iPhone 14 line no longer has a dedicated slot for it. Instead, you'll have to transfer the information wirelessly via Apple's file transfer service, or with the help of your local carrier representatives. 

Also: eSIM vs. SIM: What's the difference?

There is one problem that ZDNET Editor-in-Chief Jason Hiner sees with Apple forcing eSIM adoption on U.S. consumers. "There are a variety of good reasons why some people will still need or prefer a phone with a physical SIM card. The top reason is privacy. This is especially true for some journalists and populations at risk of persecution around the world. Removing the physical SIM card option reduces privacy for millions of people, especially some of the most vulnerable," said Hiner. 

Note that if you buy an iPhone 14 anywhere outside of the U.S., the device will come with a regular SIM card slot. 

The iPhone 14 Pro Max has the best selfie picture-taking capabilities of all iPhones. I included a spec chart below which includes the capabilities and details of the selfie photo and video capabilities.

All models within the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 line, as well as select iPhone 12 models, support 5G wireless technology. Even the new iPhone SE (2022) supports Sub-6, low-band 5G networks.

5G continues to roll out across the U.S., and while it is debatable if there are benefits to the speeds of the network, in my experience, the broad coverage of low-band 5G has solved my connectivity issues in spotty coverage areas with past iPhone models.

Even more importantly, the 5G iPhone models have Qualcomm chipsets inside that are proving to provide better RF reception than we saw in past iPhones that had Intel chipsets. 

All of the iPhone models in this list support Qi wireless charging technology. Wireless charging is becoming an expected feature for modern smartphones from all manufacturers.

Meanwhile, Apple's proprietary MagSafe technology is only supported by the iPhone 14, iPhone 13, and iPhone 12 models. 

Also: Best MagSafe accessories for your iPhone

MagSafe provides a secure magnetic connection system so that you can connect to wireless chargers with perfect positioning and alignment. MagSafe can also be used with other accessories, such as wallets and kickstands. While the extra security when your iPhone is docked to a wireless charger can be a nice bonus, it's not vital and probably shouldn't be a major determiner in your choice. Apple's first-party wallets and battery packs that use MagSafe have also received somewhat mixed reviews, making them a hard sell for all except the most die-hard Apple enthusiasts. 

While this number varies greatly depending on how you handle a smartphone -- perhaps you're a construction worker whose phone will be put through the harshest climates or you have kids who may drop the phone ever so often -- the iPhone will typically run efficiently for three to four years. 

Then, you'll likely experience more frequent app crashes, lag, storage problems, and more. Those are common issues that any piece of technology will inhibit, not just the iPhone, after years of constant usage. 

If you'd like to prolong that time, I'd recommend visiting your local Apple store to have the phone's battery replaced every three to four years and also consider backing up files to an external hard drive for safekeeping. As a last resort, a factory reset, followed by data restoration, should give your phone a brand-new feel.

Be sure to check out ZDNET's comparison of the best Android phones available. We've listed the top pick from that guide below for your convenience.