Not only is the iPhone 13 a great phone, it is the best phone based on our tests and reviews. And if I were to purchase a new iPhone with my own money, I would choose the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Sure, it's pricey at $1,099, but the iPhone 13 Pro Max has almost everything I want in a new phone. A great display, a great camera, and significantly improved battery life over the iPhone 12 Pro Max. According to our iPhone 13 battery life tests, it's nearly an hour and a half longer.

But the iPhone 13 Pro Max doesn't offer enough dramatic improvements to make me upgrade - and now I'm more excited about the iPhone 14 based on early rumors for Apple's 2022 flagship.

The number one iPhone 14 rumor I'm hoping is true is the addition of Touch ID. There are reports that Apple may include a Touch ID sensor under the display on the iPhone 14, which would make life so much easier. Right now, on my iPhone 12 Pro Max, I am constantly entering my passcode when I need to mask in public or at the office.

I don't want to tell you how many times a day I unlock my phone, but let's just say that Touch ID on the iPhone 14 will save me a lot of time. It is possible that Apple will not add a fingerprint sensor to the display, but I would be happy with a reader embedded in the power button.

Another iPhone rumor report notes that Apple is working on improving Face ID so that it can be used while wearing a mask. This technology is apparently being tested, but there is no word on when (or if) it will be implemented.

The iPhone 14 could also be the first iPhone to support USB-C instead of Lightning, although some reports suggest this could be limited to the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. In any case, Apple is under pressure from the European Union to adopt the USB-C standard and may move in this direction.

The addition of USB-C would allow MacBooks, iPads, and iPhones to be easily charged without having to switch to Lightning. More importantly, a USB-C iPhone 14 would likely allow for faster charging, as Apple has only under 30 watts.

In general, the iPhone 13 charges to 50% in 30 minutes, but other flagship phones charge much faster. For example, the OnePlus 9 Pro can charge from empty to 50% in 15 minutes and to 99% in 30 minutes using a 65W USB-C charger, making it the fastest charging phone.

Apple is rumored to be studying a truly portless design for future iPhones, but I doubt that will happen with the iPhone 14. In any case, I am hopeful that fast charging via wireless MagSafe charging will be offered.

There are a few other rumors about the iPhone 14 design, the first being that Apple may finally ditch the notch on the next phone and move to a small punch hold located near the top of the display. The notch is 20% smaller on the iPhone 13 than on the iPhone 12, but it is still obtrusive. Eliminating the notch altogether would require moving Face ID below the display, which has also been rumored.

To add weight to this rumor, Korean publication The Elec reports that Apple will apply a "hole display" to the iPhone 14 Pro series. This means that instead of a notch, only the lens hole for the camera module will remain. And apparently Samsung Display could be the supplier of the equipment to make the panels.

Second, the iPhone 14 is said to have a flatter back and minimize or eliminate the camera bump. The lack of a camera protruding from the design is not only a welcome change in terms of aesthetics, but will also prevent wobbling when the iPhone 14 is placed on a desk or table.

Last but not least, the iPhone 14 is rumored to feature a main camera sensor with an upgraded resolution of 48 MP. As we have mentioned, the iPhone 13's camera is excellent and this model is at the top of our list of best camera phones. However, if I were to spend $1,000 or more on a new iPhone, I would want to see significant improvements from one generation to the next.

The iPhone 14 rumors are still months away, and I'm sure we'll learn more details about Apple's plans as we finally get to see the new device. But based on what I have heard so far ...... I feel quite comfortable to hold onto my current iPhone for a while longer. In the meantime, for all the major new products we can expect, check out our Apple Guide to 2022.