Which iPhone is right for you and how do the different models compare?

Apple's new iPhone 14 line brings fresh appeal, but older generations including the iPhone 13, iPhone 12, and iPhone SE are just as compelling to buy.

Apple's iPhones are arguably the best smartphones available, with reliable and consistent performance, regular updates for years, proven photo and video output, and an ecosystem that appeals to the masses. The company may not be paving the way for smartphone innovation, but it's the safest bet if you want a handset that just works.

Over the last decade, ZDNET's team of mobile experts has been daily-driving, carefully testing, and evaluating each iteration of the iPhone so that we can provide you, the consumer, with not only the best advice on which model to buy but also the key aspects to look out for when you do. From the latest iPhone 14 Pro to older models that Apple still has to show, here are the best iPhones you can buy in 2022.

Tech specs: Processor: Apple A16 | Display Size: 6.7 inches | Storage Options: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB | Rear Cameras: 48MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, and 12MP telephoto | Front Camera: 12MP f/1.9 | Colors: Silver, Space Black, Gold, Deep Purple | Size: 160.7 x 77.7 x 7.85mm | Weight: 240g | Starting Price: $1,099

This year's best overall iPhone goes to the iPhone 14 Pro Max. It's a mouthful, but for good reason. The 6.7-inch model is the largest of the iPhone 14 line and comes stacked with the latest features that Apple has to offer. That includes "Dynamic Island," which replaces the iconic (but controversial) notch with a pill that doubles as a live status indicator, eSIM, A16 Bionic chip, and a new 48MP main sensor that shoots some of the most detailed imagery that our reviewers have ever seen on an iPhone.

Battery life and general performance get a bump, too, with the iPhone 14 Pro Max proving its endurance during ZDNET's testing period. The rest is nearly identical to last year's "best overall iPhone", the iPhone 13 Pro Max. It's still a big device to carry around, Ceramic Shield and an IP68 rating are the foundation of the iPhone's durability, and you can expect years and years of iOS updates to keep the software fresh.