Yep, the brand-new iPhone 14 is finally here, and it … doesn’t add much over last year’s iPhone 13. Apple has instead reserved many of the cool upgrades for the pricier iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. You might be disappointed to hear there’s no new iPhone Mini—it’s been replaced by the iPhone 14 Plus, a big-screen version of the standard model, like the iPhone 8 Plus. 

It’s all a mishmash of different names now, which can be confusing. But we’re here to help. Below, we break down the primary differences among the iPhone 14 range and have details on how to preorder them—and whether you should. Be sure to check out our Best MagSafe Accessories guide for more.

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If your iPhone is working just fine, then there’s no need to upgrade. If your device’s battery isn’t doing so well, you can spend a small amount to replace it through Apple and that might add another year or two to the iPhone’s shelf life. We’ve also got tips on how you can fix your iPhone if you’re encountering strange problems. However, if your handset is absolutely on its last legs (or you just want the latest and greatest), then you win—you can upgrade. 

But before you do, read our guide on How to Sell Your iPhone. Yes, you can use Apple’s Trade-In program, but you can probably get more money by selling it yourself, as iPhones hold a lot of value. Make sure to backup your iPhone first and then factory reset it to wipe your data. Once you get your shiny new model, read our guide on How to Set Up Your New iPhone for more tips and tricks. 

So you’re going to upgrade to the new iPhone 14 range. Great! The next step is to choose which model to buy: iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. The good news is the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are exactly the same except for size (and thereby battery life). The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max have the same guts, too, and are different only in size. 

All of the new iPhone 14 models support Apple’s new Emergency SOS via Satellite feature, which lets you access emergency services in the most remote locations, as well as Crash Detection if you (god forbid) are ever in an accident. There’s broad 5G support across the board, Face ID, ultra-wideband chips to find the precise location of your AirTags, OLED screens, MagSafe connectivity, Apple’s Ceramic Shield glass to protect the screen, and IP68 water resistance. As for the cameras, the whole range uses Apple’s new Photonic Engine for purportedly better low light images and features Apple’s new Action video stabilization mode for smoother footage.

We’ll be testing these devices soon, but here’s how they differ: 

1. iPhone 14 ($829): The 6.1-inch iPhone 14 is likely all the phone you need. It has a dual 12-MP primary camera and ultrawide with larger sensors to capture brighter low light photos, with additional help from Apple’s new Photonic Engine, which improves the image processing. It’s powered by the same A15 Bionic processor in last year’s iPhone 13 Pro—still a speedy chip, but it’s the first time Apple has skipped using the latest processor in a brand-new iPhone. Expect this device to last around a full day and not much more.
2. iPhone 14 Plus ($929): The 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus can do all the same things as the standard iPhone 14, except for slightly longer. Apple claims up to 26 hours of video playback, whereas the iPhone 14 gets 20—it might last a little more than a day.
3. iPhone 14 Pro ($999): It’s almost unfair how many more features there are in the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro. For starters, the infamous notch is gone. You still get Face ID, but Apple has slimmed down the selfie camera and sensors into a pill-shaped cutout called the Dynamic Island. Interestingly, the island expands to show passive information, like music that’s playing, a timer that’s running—and you can expand it to see some controls. The phone is powered by the A16 Bionic chip, which will deliver a smoother experience over the standard iPhone 14 when playing demanding mobile games. The screen generally can get brighter and supports a 120-Hz refresh rate, too, so every interaction with the phone looks and feels more fluid. For the first time, there’s an always-on display, so you can see the time and notifications with just a glance.
4. iPhone 14 Pro Max ($1,099): The Max is the same as the iPhone 14 Pro, except it has a bigger 6.7-inch screen. Both the new Pro models have a new 48-MP primary camera, which is joined by the 12-MP ultrawide and a 12-MP telephoto, giving you more versatility when shooting photos over the non-Pro models. The 48-MP camera should net you brighter images with more detail than ever before. These iPhones also feature Apple’s second-gen Sensor Shift stabilization technology for fewer blurry images, support for Night Mode Portrait photos, macrophotography mode, and the option to capture images and videos in Apple’s ProRAW and ProRes formats. If battery life is your biggest concern, then the Max is the way to go, as Apple cites up to 29 hours of video playback whereas the iPhone 14 Pro sits at 23 hours.

Apple is still selling the iPhone 13 ($699), iPhone 13 Mini ($599), and iPhone 12 ($599), and there’s the new iPhone SE 2022 as well for $429. Point is, you have options if the asking prices for the latest and greatest are too high. All of these are still great buys, though you can likely find them for less in “used, like new” condition on sites like Swappa and eBay. 

There are no SIM card slots on the new iPhones in the US, but there is dual eSIM support. We have a guide on how you can use both for two numbers (and more details about eSIM in general). That aside, we strongly recommend you buy your iPhone unlocked. It’s just easier and hassle-free to switch networks without having to interact with your carrier. You can buy them all unlocked at Apple’s website. If you do choose to activate your network through Apple, the company says its carrier models are all unlocked—except for AT&T when you purchase on an installment plan. 

Preorders are live as of September 9 at 5 am PT (8 am ET). They’ll officially go on sale starting September 16. However, the iPhone 14 Plus will arrive later on October 7. 

If you buy the carrier version, you’ll automatically get a $30 discount off the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, bringing the prices down to $799 and $899. Here are a few promotions that carriers are running on the iPhones.

• AT&T says new and existing customers can get the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone 14 Pro for free (or the iPhone 14 Pro Max for $99) when you trade in an eligible smartphone on a qualifying installment plan with an unlimited plan. 
• T-Mobile says you can get a free iPhone 14 Pro (or up to $1,000 off any iPhone 14) with a qualifying trade-in and you need to be on its Magenta Max plan. You'll see the savings in 24 monthly bill credits. If you don't have that plan, you can get half off the iPhone 14 Pro (or up to $500 off any iPhone 14) in 24 monthly bill credits when you add a line on nearly all T-Mobile plans.
• Verizon's offer nets you up to $1,000 off any iPhone 14 series when you trade in a select phone and activate a new line on a select unlimited plan. If you're switching from Verizon, you'll get a $200 online gift card.