Few mobile manufacturers arouse as many passions as Apple. And it is that some do not want a phone, they want an iPhone, and it is not just a matter of the iOS operating system. The iPhones are known for their premium proposal and price. However, Cupertino’s has been diversifying its market with more models and “veteran” phones that are still in the catalog. If you want an iPhone and are unsure which one to buy, in this article, we look for the best iPhone mobile of 2022 based on different criteria.
How to choose an iPhone
The “harvest” of new iPhones arrives like grapes: in September, although Apple phones have also suffered delays from the pandemic, which caused the Keynote to wait a few weeks last year.
Likewise, Apple usually takes the opportunity to renew its iPads in March-April. That date was chosen by those from Cupertino also for the two iPhone SE, although it was necessary to wait four years between both models.
Thus, the Keynote months are a good time to get those of the previous batch at a lower price. Although Apple began by launching the iPhone, over the years, Apple has expanded its proposals, presenting up to four models at once. It was in 2020 with the iPhone 12; this trend continued in September 2021 with the iPhone 13 and has been confirmed with the iPhone 14, although changing his commitment to small phones towards just the opposite. (Yes, we are talking about the existence of the iPhone 14 Plus to the detriment of an iPhone 14 Mini that has not existed)
Apple’s strategy for its catalog of telephones involves having the latest batch of models and keeping certain models from previous years for those who lower their PVP. Of course, in other shops, we can always find them cheaper than their recommended (and updated) sale price.
Thus, its current catalog is made up of the following:
- iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Plus, from the Fall 2022 Keynote.
- iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini, from the Fall 2021 Keynote.
- iPhone SE (2022).
- iPhone 12, from the Fall 2020 Keynote.
Whichever iPhone you choose, there are certain particularities to take into account when choosing an Apple mobile:
- Your screen size. Although, in general, Apple panels offer a great user experience (something that you can verify in our analysis), the difference in diagonal is notable, going from 4.7″ on the iPhone SE (2022) to 6.7 inches on the iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Plus.
- Design. Although there are few disruptive differences, the new Pro models arrive with a “dynamic island” to replace the already classic notch present since the iPhone X. If you prefer something more conservative, the iPhone SE (2022) has the design of the iPhone 8, that is, edges and Home button with Touch ID.
- iOS is a stable, optimized, and fluid operating system that provides years of updates. In this sense, all the models for sale have years of support, but the older models, when they are updated, usually lack the latest and most innovative functions. Do you need to have the latest?
- Storage space. iPhones do not have a slot to insert SD cards, so cloud services aside, the space you choose at the time of purchase will be the one you will have. Be careful because this feature is responsible for many users renewing their phones. Find a balance between budget, the use you will give it, and how long you estimate you will be with your new iPhone. And keep in mind that apps and quality photos/videos are taking up more and more.
- Apple does not usually provide data on the mAh of its batteries but on autonomy with use, taking into account both its capacity and the efficiency of the hardware and software. In any case, it is always possible on websites like GSMArena to come up with figures. Its newest phones with space to house a larger battery are the iPhone 14 Plus, its 3,240 mAh ( according to GSMArena ), and the iPhone 14 Pro Max, for which a capacity has not yet been estimated. In any case, they are usually significantly lower than the 5,000 mAh in a few Androids. In this sense, it is worth looking at our analyses to know its autonomy in real-time. Another advantage is fast charging: in the absence of knowing this information about the iPhone 14, the iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max has a faster charge (27W compared to 20W for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 11), although, yes, remember that the latest generations come without a charger.
Best iPhones (2022)
Specifications aside, to carry out this buying guide, we consulted our comparisons, analyses, and Xataka editors specialized in smartphones for their experience.
In certain cases, the choice has been unanimous; in others, we have proposed several alternatives considering that more than one terminal meets the search criteria based on our tests.
If you are looking for a cheap but modern iPhone
In that case, your ideal candidate is probably the iPhone SE 2022, Apple’s latest version of this phone with conservative handling and aesthetics but with all the power of the A15 Bionic chip.
Thus, it has a 4.7″ IPS LCD screen with 1,334 x 750 px resolution, True-tone technology, and new features such as 5G connectivity.
In any case, it’s a good option whether that’s your budget and you want an iPhone if you prefer the more conservative handling of the Home button or a compact phone. Be careful because even if it is a compact mobile considering what is common today, the edges of this phone are remarkable.
You can find the 64GB model starting at €529, but unless you’re a very, very light user who doesn’t plan on installing many apps, our recommendation is to go for the 128GB model.
If you do not want to spend more than 800 euros
In this case, the range opens up more. The iPhone 12 ( 725 euros ) appears, a model that repeats the recipe for success of the previous iPhone XR and iPhone 11, with a relatively modern design, very fluid performance with the muscle of Apple’s most powerful processor of the previous generation, the good results of its camera and a qualitative leap in its screen, bright OLED and with a higher resolution compared to the iPhone 11.
Be careful because the base model is 64GB, so we recommend taking advantage of the offers and going for the 128GB one.
However, given its price, it is better to look at the iPhone 13 from last year: the Mini ( 769 euros ) if you like small phones and the iPhone 13 offers ( 875 euros ), since it is usually below this barrier.
If you are looking for the best iPhone at a quality price
Considering the continued commitment and Apple’s price increase in the last Keynote, the main purchase of the moment continues to be the iPhone 13 ( 875 euros ), the best Apple phone in quality price today.
Compared to the previous generation, there was a very important jump in autonomy, the arrival of 5G, which is very interesting, especially in the future, the photo and video quality at a high-end level and good performance.
And what does it lose compared to the iPhone 14? The new best-seller contender offers a brighter screen, slight improvements in photography such as autofocus on the selfie camera, and little else.
However, if you appreciate these improvements or simply want a next-generation iPhone, which can be interesting if you have in mind that it lasts many years a day (updates are key here), then the call to be a bestseller in quality price is the iPhone 14 ( 1005 euros ). Of course, remember that it repeats the processor, design, and screen.
If you are looking for the best camera
Short of passing through our test table, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are Apple’s most ambitious models to date. Although they differ in size, both share a photographic proposal made up of a triple-lens, with a main one with 48 MP and f/1.5 Pixel binning, 12 MP f/1.8 ultra-wide angle, and 12 MP telephoto that promise great results, recording 4K video at 60 frames per second and with Dolby Vision, from 1319 euros.
If you want a compact iPhone
The goodbye to small phones is consummated with the “last of the Mohicans”; the iPhone 13 Mini ( 786 euros ) continues in the Apple catalog for one more year without renewal. If you opt for this terminal, you will have a phone for a while weighing only 140g and a 5.4″ screen. Although, yes, quality and well used: Super Retina XDR OLED with FHD+, HDR, 476 dpi, and 800 nits of brightness resolution.
The best, besides the size? A high-end performance of its own because that is the hardware it integrates, the quality of its camera, and this generation of autonomy is up to par.
If you are looking for the best iPhone to play
Apple’s current flagship is the best iPhone for gaming based on performance, screen size and quality, and stereo sound.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max ( 1,469 euros ) is our recommendation, as it integrates the most powerful processor (Apple A16 Bionic) to date, predictably the highest RAM numbers, and a 6.7″ Super Retina XDR OLED panel with FHD+ and HDR10 resolution for a high-level multimedia experience on this type of device.
Why do you prefer not to spend so much money? In that case, go for the iPhone 14 Plus ( 1,147 euros ), which shares a diagonal with it, although with more modest but solvent features: Super Retina XDR Display with 2,778 x 1,284 px resolution, HDR compatibility, and 1,200 nits of brightness. The processor is from the previous generation, but the A15 still has enough muscle to move smartphone games.
If what you are looking for is the best autonomy
In the absence of knowing the mAh of the iPhone 14 Pro Max ( 1,469 euros ) and testing it, both this and the iPhone 14 Plus –3,240 mAh, according to GSMArena – ( 1,147 euros ) start from a privileged position to establish themselves as the phones with greater autonomy by having space to house a larger battery.
If you are looking for the cheapest iPhone with 5G
If you are looking for the cheapest 5G, you will find two proposals: the veteran iPhone 12 ( 735 euros ) or the iPhone 13 Mini ( 765 euros ), although yes, in a more compact and pocket version. If you agree with that pocket format, you are guaranteed another year of updates and have the latest of the latest.
Although yes, we recommend you look at the offers because the difference compared to the iPhone 13 ( 875 euros ) is still worth it.
Sharlene Meriel is an avid gamer with a knack for technology. He has been writing about the latest technologies for the past 5 years. His contribution in technology journalism has been noteworthy. He is also a day trader with interest in the Forex market.
