What is the Newest iPhone Out Right Now? [Sept. 2022]

_{Content updated on Sept. 26, 2022 by Steve Larner to confirm the latest iPhone models/releases.}

Apple’s iPhone lineup for 2022 proved to be well worth the wait. Gone are the days of the one-size-fits-all iPhone; it seems Apple developed a device for everyone, regardless of your budget or hand size.

If you’re ready to explore Apple’s changes to the iPhone, you’ve come to the right place. From the basic model to the Max Pro, there are four different iPhone 14 models plus the iPhone SE 2022 (3rd Gen.) to choose from and customized features such as internal storage size and body color.

Note: Some iPhone models may not show the current year because none have replaced them yet.

There a currently five iPhone models available with a fifth one (iPhone 14 Plus) releasing in October 2022:

• iPhone 14 (Sept. 2022)
• iPhone 14 Pro (Sept. 2022)
• iPhone 14 Pro Max (Sept. 2022)
• NOT RELEASED YET—iPhone 14 Plus (Oct. 2022)
• iPhone SE 3rd Gen (Mar. 2022)

There is one other iPhone mentioned briefly in this article (iPhone 13 mini) that was excluded as one of the latest phones because a new model replaced it (iPhone 14 Plus). The mini is gone, at least for now, but the SE 3rd Gen (March 2022) is still on the table.

Note: Although we attempt to confirm accuracy on model specifications and comparisons (there’s a lot), the content is subject to potential inaccuracies or outdated information and serves as a guide only.

What are the Latest iPhone Models?

iPhone 14 2022

Let’s kick things off with the namesake itself: the iPhone 14. This model is the first one in the lineup. We’re not talking about the iPhone Pro, Pro Max, or Plus models just yet. Apple’s design language for the iPhone hasn’t changed much since the launch of the iPhone X in 2017, and the rounded aluminum body of the device goes back to the launch of the iPhone 6 in 2014.

The processor is the same one used in the iPhone 13 model, which is the A15 Bionic chip. However, the iPhone 14 adds one extra core to the GPU, going from the four found on the iPhone 13 to five.

The display is pretty much the same as the iPhone 13 model. You get the 6.1-inch OLED display with a typical max brightness of 800 nits and 1200 nits peak for HDR. The higher the nits, the easier it is to see in direct sunlight. Therefore, the iPhone 14 models are more viewable outdoors just like the iPhone 13 compared to the 12.

The camera features HDR4 just like the iPhone 13 versus HDR3 on the iPhone 12, plus the storage capacity options are the same to meet ever-changing demands (128GB, 256GB, or 512GB versus iPhone 12 with 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB).

The 6.1″ iPhone and 5.4″ iPhone SE (3rd Gen.) pixel densities match the iPhone 12’s specs (460 ppi), and they are identical for both sizes, so buyers no longer have to choose based on the screen quality.

Most changes extend to all four of Apple’s newest phones (iPhone, iPhone Pro, Pro Max, iPhone Plus, along with the previously released iPhone 13 Mini. According to Apple, they introduced a new Ceramic Shield front covering for the iPhone’s glass that is stronger than any other glass, and it initially made its appearance on iPhone 12. The company also reintroduced MagSafe as a brand-new feature for the iPhone 12, which continues on the iPhone 14, allowing you to charge wirelessly with magnets while including a whole new line of magnetically equipped accessories.

One more thing that carries over from the iPhone 13 to the 14 is the price, which matches the original launch prices, excluding the Plus (October 2022) that replaces the Mini (March 2022) in the new product lineup. That’s right, the iPhone Mini got replaced, but it still could come back in the future. Apple’s iPhone 14 starts at $799 on all major carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile.

Here’s the complete spec list for the baseline iPhone 14:

• Weight: 172g (6.07oz)
• Dimensions: 71.5mm x 146.7mm x 7.8mm
• Operating System: iOS 16
• Screen size and type: 6.1-inch OLED
• Resolution: 2532 x 1170 pixels (460ppi) 
• Chipset: A15 Bionic
• Storage: 128/256/512GB
• Battery: 3,279mAh
• Cameras: 12MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP front-facing
• Starting price: $799

iPhone 14 Plus 2022 (Releasing Oct. 2022)

Before we head into this year’s Pro lineup of phones, it’s worth quickly looking at the iPhone 14 Plus, which replaces the iPhone Mini. This model switches from the March 2022 3rd Gen. Mini’s 4.7-inch screen to 6.7 inches.

The entire phone industry has primarily left smaller phones behind to focus on producing larger devices—and indeed, Apple’s iPhone 14 Plus (alongside the iPhone 14 Pro Max) is the largest-sized phone the company has ever produced.

Outside of a slight increase in estimated battery life and a slightly larger display size (6.7 inches), there are no other tradeoffs for choosing the iPhone 14 Plus over its 6.1″ iPhone 14 counterpart. The phone continues the benefits of a high-resolution OLED display and features 5G, Magsafe, and has identical camera specs to the smaller model. For anyone stuck between the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Plus, it primarily comes down to the device’s size and how it feels in your hand. For those that love streaming on a larger screen, the iPhone 14 Plus is the better choice.

Apple’s iPhone 14 Plus starts at $899 on Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile.

• Weight: 203g (7.16 ounces)
• Dimensions: 6.33 inches (160.8mm) x 2.82 inches (71.5 mm) x 0.31 inch (7.80 mm)
• Operating System: iOS 16
• Screen size: 6.7 inches (diagonal)
• Resolution: 2778 x 1284 pixels (458 ppi)
• Chipset: A15 Bionic (6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores and 5-core GPU)
• Storage: 125GB/256GB/512GB
• Battery: 4,325mAh
• Cameras: 12MP wide rear + 12MP ultrawide rear, 12MP TrueDepth front-facing
• Starting price: $899

iPhone 14 Pro 2022

The iPhone 11 was the first model to use the “Pro” name back in Sept. 2018, and now, the iPhone 14 Pro is the latest version. The differences between the iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro are less than ever before. The Pro series still uses a stainless steel body like the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 13 Mini, and the display on the iPhone 14 Pro is brighter in everyday use just like the iPhone 13 Pro. However, you only get a 6.1-inch screen versus the 6.7-inch on the Plus model.

Regardless, the most significant difference between the iPhone 14 Pro and the Plus comes down to the camera, boasting a huge 48MP rear camera versus 12MP and a 6x optical zoom versus 2x. This model is for all photo enthusiasts out there.

The iPhone 14 Pro also features Dynamic Island, a new adjustable notification area in the shape of an oval that interacts with iPhone, plus it has the A16 Bionic chip rather than the A15 in the iPhone 14 Plus.

The Pro series also includes the telephoto lens with 6x optical zoom (same as the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max) and a new LIDAR sensor found in the iPhone 13 and first seen on Apple’s iPad Pro. That LIDAR sensor is mainly used for improved augmented reality, though Apple has also enhanced low-light performance and autofocus thanks to the additional sensor. While the bump to the iPhone 13 Pro also increases your storage choices, the iPhone 14 is much easier to justify at its $799 price tag.

As with the previous two models, the iPhone 14 Pro includes everything you’d expect from this year’s iPhone: Ceramic Shield, MagSafe charging, and support for 5G networks.

Here’s the complete spec list for the iPhone 14 Pro:

• Weight: 7.27 ounces (206 grams)
• Dimensions: 5.81 inches (147.5 mm) x 2.81 inches (71.5 mm) x 0.31 inch (7.85 mm)
• Operating System: iOS 16
• Screen size: 6.7 inches
• Resolution: 2796 x 1290 pixels (460 ppi)
• Chipset: A16 Bionic (6‑core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores, 5‑core GPU)
• Storage: 128/256/512GB/1TB
• Battery: 3,200 mAh
• Cameras: 48MP main rear, 12MP Telephoto + Wide + Ultra Wide rear, 12MP TrueDepth front-facing
• Starting price: $999

iPhone 14 Pro Max 2022

If you’re looking to pick up one of Apple’s Pro-series of iPhones, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the device you should consider. While the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro offer some differences, such as the cameras, the iPhone 14 Pro Max takes things to the next level with the best battery life of them all, ranking in with up to 29 hours of video playback.

The 6.7-inch display provides the largest viewing area ever, just like the iPhone 14 Plus. The Pro model was left with the 6.1-inch screen.

Overall, Apple’s best iPhone (iPhone 14 Pro Max) does not have that many differences (as mentioned above) than the iPhone 14 Pro, but it does stand out from the standard iPhone 14 and 14 Plus models. The 48MP rear camera plus the 12MP Ultra-Wide rear lens and 12MP Telephoto lens are the same on both models. The Telephoto lens upgrades the 5x ‘optical zoom range’ to 6x and the ‘Digital zoom’ up to 15x rather than 12x, while the the 3x ‘optical zoom in’ and 2x ‘optical zoom out’ remain the same.

You also get the following:

• The new Dynamic Island feature
• The A16 Bionic chip versus A15
• Four internal storage size options (128, 256, 512GB, 1TB) verses three.
• ProMotion (refresh rates up to 120Hz) for the XDR display
• ProRes video recording up to 4K
• LiDAR Scanner for 3D modeling and imagery
• And much more

All features mentioned above in the list do not come with the standard iPhone 14 or the iPhone Plus. If you don’t need a fancy phone status/notification feature like Dynamic Island, a 1TB storage capacity, highly profesional photography, or innovative 3D imagery, the iPhone Plus is the way to go.

Once again, Apple’s top-end iPhone includes all the standard features, including the Ceramic Shield front display, MagSafe charging, support for MagSafe accessories, and 5G networking.

Here are the full specs for the iPhone 14 Pro Max:

• Weight: 8.47 ounces (240 grams)
• Dimensions: 6.33 inches (160.7 mm) x 3.05 inches (77.6 mm) x 0.31 inch (7.85 mm)
• Operating System: iOS 16
• Screen size: 6.7 inches
• Resolution: 2796 x 1290 pixels at 460 ppi
• Chipset: A16 Bionic
• Storage: 128/256/512GB/1TB
• Battery: 4,352 mAh
• Cameras: 48MP wide rear +12MP telephoto rear + 12MP ultrawide rear, 12MP TrueDepth front-facing
• Starting price: $1099

iPhone SE (3rd Generation) 2022

The iPhone SE 3rd Generation (Mar. 2022) model is similar to the iPhone 13 mini (Sept. 2021) but with lower-grade features, such as lower battery llife, slightly smaller screen size, and lower grade cameras. Regardless, The iPhone SE 3rd Gen. delivers what everyone expects to see, for better or worse. Like the 2nd Gen iPhone SE, the 3rd Gen ditches the iPhone 5S design language and implements the look of 2017’s iPhone 8, right down to the 4.7″ screen and the rounded camera bump on the back. Battery life is not that good compared to other choices, but the a15 Bionic chip increases efficiency to keep it running a little longer.

Compared to the iPhone 11 series, Apple’s redesigned SE is a cost-efficient option with great power in a slightly smaller frame. This phone is perfect for anyone who enjoys the iPhone 8, aside from its downgraded battery life and camera features/specs.

Here are the full specs for the iPhone SE (3rd Gen 2022):

• Weight: 5.09 ounces (144 grams)
• Dimensions: 5.45 inches (138.4 mm) x 2.65 inches (67.3 mm) x 0.29 inch (7.3 mm)
• Operating System: iOS 15
• Screen size: 4.7 inches (diagonal) Retina display
• Resolution: 1334 x 750 at 326 ppi
• Chipset: A15 Bionic
• Storage: 64GB/128GB/256GB
• Battery: 1,821 mAh with offline video playback for up to 13 hours and audio playback for up to 40 hours
• Cameras: 12MP wide rear, 7MP FaceTime HD front-facing
• Starting price: $429

Which iPhone Should You Buy?

This question is more complicated than ever before. If you want the best of the best and you don’t mind the larger display, the iPhone 14 Pro Max or the iPhone 14 Pro include one of the best cameras you can find on a smartphone today. Likewise, if you’ve been dying to return to a smaller phone, Apple’s iPhone SE 2022 is what you’ve wanted for years, and it’s an easy buy at just $429.

For everyone else, the similarities between the iPhone 14 and its Pro counterpart make it challenging to choose. If you don’t mind sticking with 512GB or less of storage or advanced camera features, the cheaper iPhone 14 is probably the right option.

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Ultimately, your final buying decision should likely focus on your budget limit. The consideration should come down to the cameras for those stuck between the iPhone 14/14 Plus and the iPhone 14 Pro/14 Pro Max. If a telephoto lens is worth the price increase, the iPhone 14 Pro is the right phone for you. If you need a phone that easily fits inside your pocket, the iPhone SE 3rd Gen. fits perfectly. Otherwise, you should stick with the standard iPhone 14.

^{If you’re interested in purchasing an iPad, check out the latest iPad models.}