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How to buy the new iPhone 14 models and get the best deal

As a part of its Far Out announcement, Apple unveiled its latest iPhone 14 models. We have the scoop on where you can buy it and for how much, while making sure you're still saving money.
Written by Rebecca Isaacs, Staff Writer
iphone-14-plus-models
Jason Hiner/ZDNET

It's finally here: the Apple iPhone 14. During Apple's Far Out event, the iPhone 14 was announced as available for pre-order, and today most models just dropped in stores for pickup. The tech giant released four new phones: the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Max, and the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Here's the scoop on each phone's features, and how to get a great deal on one right now. 

When can you buy the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max?

Pre-orders for all the iPhone 14 models started on Friday, Sept. 9, but the phones themselves launch on different days.

When will Apple release the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max?

While pre-orders dropped on Sept. 9 at most major carriers and at the Apple store, you can expect the phones to start shipping on the following dates:

  • iPhone 14: Sept. 16
  • iPhone 14 Plus: Oct. 7
  • iPhone 14 Pro: Sept. 16
  • iPhone 14 Pro Max: Sept.16

You can get them in store on the same day they start shipping.

How much do the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max cost?

Apple announced the iPhone 14 will start at $799 and the Plus will start at $899. If you want the Pro, you can expect to pay $999, and the Pro Max will start at $1,099.

How to buy the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max

You can get them from Apple directly. But look out for deals from carries such as Verizon and AT&T.

What are the best iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max deals right now?

With the announcement of the iPhone 14, retailers are dropping the prices on these new devices to ensure you can get your hands on them. We rounded up some of the best iPhone 14 deals below, so be sure to check them out. And, if your carrier isn't up here quite yet, don't worry -- we'll be adding deals throughout the day as each carrier announces them.

Apple

Apple may have just dropped the latest phones, but you can pick up some great deals with the tech giant right now. When you order the iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro, you can save up to $720 with any eligible trade-in. You'll have to answer a few questions to determine how much you get, but saving that much on a brand new unlocked phone is a great deal.

T-Mobile

The retailer also wants to make sure that you get a great deal, and if you're in the carrier's family, you can get even more savings. With eligible trade-ins, you can score up to $500 off the latest phones. Plus, when you buy one, you get $700 off when you add two plus lines. If you're in the Magenta Max family, you can get one for free.

AT&T

AT&T is pulling out all stops for the latest iPhone, offering up to $1,000 off in trade-in credits. In other words, with an eligible device, you can get it for free. This is one of the best deals we've seen, and it will apply over the course of a 36-month phone plan. You will still have to pay the $35 activation fee, but for a free phone, that's a very small price to pay.

Verizon

Verizon is also offering some discounts for the new iPhone models. When you trade-in, you can save up to $800 on the iPhone 14 and up to $1,000 on the Pro, so a new iPhone 14 could be free depending on your trade-in. In addition, the carrier will pay up to $200 in costs when you break with another carrier and sign up with them, plus provide up to $120 in credits toward any eligible smartwatch you bundle with your purchase (the credits roll out over 24 monthly billing statements).

What do the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max feature?

Apple iPhone 14

The Apple iPhone 14 is an enhanced version of the iPhone 13's display design. It features a 6.1-inch signature OLED Super Retina XDR display that Apple users have grown to love. The 14 Plus offers a 6.7-inch screen as a larger size option.

While the iPhone 13 features a powerful A15 bionic chip, the Apple iPhone 14 improves this chip with a five-core GPU and six-core CPU. The newest model also features improved all-day battery life.

Now let's talk about the camera. The iPhone 14 features a 12MP camera with 1.5 aperture that includes bigger light sensors, sensor-shift optical image stabilization, and multiple zoom ranges. Night mode exposure snaps twice as fast now, too. The new main camera can auto-focus and uses a hybrid system to focus faster in low light.

The iPhone 14 also features enhanced video modes like action mode and smooth video. It supports Dolby Vision HDR and, like the iPhone 13, enables you to create upgraded video content in 4K and 1080 HD.

Like the new Apple smartwatch line, the iPhone 14 includes Crash Detection technology which automatically contacts emergency services if you're in a severe car crash. The phone can also connect to emergency satellite services to secure help.

Apple iPhone 14 Plus

The iPhone 14 Mini isn't an option, as Apple has retired the smallest phone in its lineup and replaced it with a larger screen iPhone 14 Plus.  It has a 6.7-inch screen size. 

Apple iPhone 14 Pro

Like the iPhone 14, the 14 Pro features improved upon specs including a larger 6.1-inch screen and a better phone resolution of OLED Super retina display with Dolby Vision and 460ppi. You can enjoy always-on display and works as low as 1Hz with low-power mode for intelligent dimming to maximize battery life while allowing you to monitor activities.

Additionally, the Pro camera offers higher megapixels so you can take beautiful images on the 48MP camera with a 65% larger sensor and 1.78 aperture. You can also get a 12MP telephoto lens with 2x zoom and a ProRAW image with 48MP for ultimate editing flexibility. The ultrawide camera features a 12MP lens to capturing beautiful imagery with other shooting options. Like the iPhone 14, the video camera offers action modes and 30 fps with recording options in 4K HDR formatting so you can shoot great content, too.

The largest change however is in the front facing side. The front-facing true-depth camera has been replaced with a pill-shaped display called Dynamic Island that not only has the face ID sensor for unlocking your phone, but it will also house the front-facing camera and notifications. The Dynamic Island will also monitor events like Lyft ride ETAs and more while allowing you to remain in your app while you wait. Like the iPhone 14, it comes with enhanced imaging, offering upgraded light sensors, portrait shots, and more. 

You can also enjoy the upgraded A16 chip built into this phone, making it easier to multitask, stream, and more on the device.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

For those that want the best of everything, take a look at the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max. It offers a 6.7-inch OLED Super retina display. It uses an A16 bionic chip that is 40% faster than competition with 2 high-performance cores at 20% lower power.

Like the iPhone 14 Pro It also uses the always-on display and works on only 1Hz with low-power mode for intelligent dimming.

But let's talk about that 48MP camera. It captures images with a 65% larger sensor and 1.78 aperture. Off to the side, the 12MP telephoto lens operates with up to 2x zoom and a ProRAW image with 48MP to allow you to edit to your preference. The ultrawide camera features a 12MP lens to capturing beautiful landscapes. Like the iPhone 14 Pro, the video camera offers action modes and 30 fps with recording options in 4K HDR formatting so you can shoot great content, too.

The front-facing true-depth camera is still there, but it also added a Dynamic Island pill-shaped display that houses the front-facing camera and all your notifications. The Dynamic Island will also monitor events like Lyft ride ETAs, game updates, and more while allowing you to use other apps. Like the iPhone 14, it comes with enhanced imaging, offering upgraded light sensors, portrait shots, and more. 

And with the upgraded A16 chip built into this phone, you can multitask, stream, and more on the device.

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