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Now that the iPhone 16 lineup is available, there are currently nine iPhones to pick from — the most we’ve ever seen. For some, having so many iPhones available complicates choosing the best iPhone. On the other hand, it also means you can find the one that’s right for you.
Whether your decision-making is based on performance, features, display size, or price, our buying guide can help you home-in on the best option. Collectively, our tech reviewers have tested and reviewed iPhones since the first device, so our picks can assure you. Many of our tech reviewers also use iPhones daily as personal devices, and we can confidently comment on their long-term use and identify shortcomings.
The iPhone 16 is our top pick as the best iPhone for most people with its combination of performance, new features, and overall value. For those on a budget, we recommend the iPhone 14, which is relatively similar to the iPhone 16 but considerably lower priced.
Our top picks for the best iPhone
Best overall: iPhone 16 – See at Best Buy
Best budget: iPhone 14 – See at Best Buy
Best premium: iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max – See at Best Buy
Best battery life: iPhone 15 Plus – See at Best Buy
Best small size: iPhone SE (2022) – See at Best Buy
Best overall
Apple’s latest entry-level phone, the iPhone 16, is set to run the company’s new AI suite, Apple Intelligence, and boasts some hardware upgrades like useful new buttons and a new-generation processor.
The iPhone 16 is the best option for most people in the current lineup. It comes with many new upgrades and features, including the latest A18 processor, the Action button, and an improved ultrawide camera. It even includes new features we’d expect as Pro model exclusives, like the Camera Control button, macro photography, ray tracing for games, and faster MagSafe charging. And when iOS 18.1 is released in October, the iPhone 16 will support Apple Intelligence, too.
The iPhone 16 is incredibly powerful thanks to the A18 processor, even beating out the iPhone 15 Pro models in benchmarks. You won’t feel a dramatic difference in day-to-day use if you have a recent iPhone model, but it’ll be noticeable if you own an iPhone 12 or older, which is a testament to the iPhone’s longevity when it comes to running apps and games. Plus, the iPhone 16’s sheer power suggests it’ll last even longer than a typical iPhone release before showing signs of slowing down.
The new Camera Control button is a useful shortcut for opening the camera app and snapping a quick photo or video recording. It also makes common camera controls that require two hands accessible with one hand, like exposure, depth, zoom, Photographic Styles, and Tones. With that said, using Camera Control with one hand when holding the iPhone 16 horizontally is awkward, and it’s most useful when holding the iPhone 16 vertically with one hand.
The iPhone 16’s main camera takes similarly high-quality photos as the iPhone 15, and it supports Apple’s new Photographic Styles that can be applied after taking a photo. It can also take spatial photos and videos thanks to the camera system’s new vertical alignment, which only matters if you or anyone you know has an Apple Vision Pro headset or a supported AR and VR headset.
The new ultrawide camera is still 12MP, but it captures more light for better quality, especially in low light. It also features autofocus now, which helps enable macro photography for beautiful and detailed up-close shots.
The antiquated 60Hz display refresh rate is our biggest complaint with the iPhone 16. We expect an $800 phone in 2024 to come with a 120Hz display, like the iPhone 16 Pro models, and some of the best budget Android phones that cost as low as $300. Compared to a 120Hz display, animations can appear choppy at 60Hz and deliver a less-than-premium experience.
Nonetheless, the iPhone 16 is Apple’s best entry-level model to date thanks to its collection of other high-end features and you can’t go wrong with it.
Read our full iPhone 16 review, and see our guide to the best iPhone 16 cases to protect the phone.
Best budget
The iPhone 14 could be a worthy choice for people upgrading from the iPhone 11 or older. It’s the only current “budget” option that is somewhat comparable to the iPhone 16 as a standard iPhone.
Starting at $599, the iPhone 14 stretches the definition of a “budget” option, especially when the iPhone SE (2022) starts at $429. However, the iPhone 14 comes recommended over the iPhone SE because the former actually offers better value in the long run.
In many ways, the iPhone 14 can be considered a cheaper version of the iPhone 16. Both have 6.1-inch displays and include most of Apple’s modern iPhone design and features, like MagSafe, Face ID, an ultrawide camera, and satellite-based safety features.
It’s true that the iPhone 14 runs on the four-year-old A15 Bionic processor, but it still easily runs any app and almost any game perfectly well. Just don’t expect it to run the AAA game titles available in the App Store.
To be sure, the iPhone 14 isn’t “just” the iPhone 16 with an older processor. It doesn’t include the latest features, like the Action button, the Camera Control button, USB-C charging, the Dynamic Island, or Apple Intelligence.
The iPhone 14 is the last to use Apple’s 12MP main camera after the company equipped the base iPhone 15 and 16 series with 48MP main cameras. Still, the iPhone 14 takes very good photos that few can realistically complain about.
The iPhone 15 also comes with several major year-over-year upgrades, like Dynamic Island, USB-C charging, and a newer processor. For $100 more, it’s worth considering, but if $599 is your limit, you’ll be perfectly happy with the iPhone 14.
Best premium
The iPhone 16 Pro models have the highest-end, new-generation processor for running Apple Intelligence and an upgraded camera system with a renovated sensor that reduces shutter lag for even better photography of moving objects.
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are the only Pro options in Apple’s entire iPhone lineup currently, so the choice depends on your personal size preference.
Speaking of size, the iPhone 16 Pro introduces a new and larger 6.3-inch display, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max has a new 6.9-inch display. Both iPhone 16 Pro models are slightly larger as a result, but thinner black borders around the display prevent them from feeling too big and are a point of high-end separation relative to the display borders of the base iPhone 16 models.
Unlike the iPhone 15 Pro models, which had differing zoom cameras (3x and 5x, respectively), the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max have exactly the same camera specs and features. They primarily differ only in size and battery life, which makes things easier for you.
The iPhone 16 Pro models run on the latest A18 Pro processor, which is even more powerful than the A18 in the base iPhone 16 models. Most people simply don’t need that much power, nor will they use the exclusive features the A18 Pro powers, like super-fast USB 3 transfer speeds and better overall performance for games and demanding applications. Yet, it’s there for those who do.
Those features that are exclusive to the iPhone 16 Pro, many of which are powered by the A18 Pro processor, include 4K videos recording at 120 frames per second (fps) in Dolby Vision; the ProRes, Log, and ACES video recording formats; ProRAW photos, and a studio-quality four-microphone system.
Otherwise, while the iPhone 16 Pro models are truly excellent, Apple made it harder than ever for most people to justify buying one over a base iPhone 16 model. All four models in the iPhone 16 lineup now include the Action button, Camera Control button, 48MP main cameras, the Dynamic Island, and super bright displays.
For casual users, that leaves a dedicated 5x zoom camera, a higher-resolution 48MP ultrawide camera, and Apple’s ProMotion 120Hz display as the main differentiating factors for the iPhone 16 Pro models. The new larger 6.3 and 6.9-inch displays on the iPhone 16 Pro model can also be appreciated by pro and casual users alike.
See our guides to the best iPhone 16 Pro cases and best iPhone 16 Pro Max cases to protect either phone.
Best battery life
The iPhone 15 Plus had the top battery test result among all phones prior to the release of the iPhone 16 series and remains one of the best phones to last over a day without recharging.
While we’re still performing battery tests on the iPhone 16 series, we can only select the iPhone 15 Plus as the top battery life option for now, according to our testing. However, this is very likely subject to change, as Apple listed battery life improvements across the iPhone 16 lineup thanks to bigger batteries and enhanced efficiency in the new A18 generation of processors. Apple even claimed the iPhone 16 Pro Max has the best battery life of any iPhone.
Taking Apple’s video streaming test as an example, the company listed these battery life improvements for the iPhone 16 lineup compared to the iPhone 15 series:
- iPhone 16: 18 hours (16 hours for iPhone 15)
- iPhone 16 Plus: 24 hours (20 hours for iPhone 15 Plus)
- iPhone 16 Pro: 22 hours (20 hours for iPhone 15 Pro)
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: 29 hours (25 hours for iPhone 15 Pro Max)
Our tests of the iPhone 15 Plus yielded approximately 73% battery life remaining after we played a 4K YouTube video for two hours, streamed music to a Bluetooth speaker for an hour, and ran several benchmark tests that taxed the chipset’s processors. That’s 7% more than the iPhone 15 across the same testing. Your mileage will vary, but in terms of real-world performance, you could get more than a day’s worth of use before recharging.
While the large screen is great for viewing, the device’s overall size may not be for everyone. Following the new iPhone launch, the iPhone 15 Plus has remained in Apple’s lineup and received a $100 discount.
Read our full iPhone 15 Plus review, and see our guide to the best iPhone 15 Plus cases to protect the phone.
Best small size
Apple’s smallest model, the third-generation iPhone SE, runs on the same A15 Bionic processor as the iPhone 13 series, and it’s the cheapest current phone you can buy for access to Apple’s ecosystem of software and devices.
Ever since the iPhone 14 generation, when Apple discontinued its Mini series of iPhones, the iPhone SE (2022) has been the best (and only) option for a truly small iPhone.
With its 4.7-inch display, the iPhone SE is the smallest iPhone you can buy. While it lacks the modern features of other iPhones, it appeals to buyers who want a smaller device and older but familiar tech, like Touch ID. Just be aware that the phone has an outdated user experience.
Powering the iPhone SE is Apple’s A15 Bionic processor — the same one that’s used in the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 — which is still powerful and fast enough to run any app or game in the App Store. It also supports some of the most popular features on the iPhone, like iMessage and FaceTime, and is compatible with Apple’s ecosystem of devices, like the Apple Watch and AirPods.
Our main gripes with the iPhone SE are its short battery life compared to larger iPhones and that it’s a little spartan in terms of features and design. It has a single camera lens, no MagSafe technology (although it supports wireless charging), and a dated design with huge borders below and above the display to accommodate the front camera, earpiece speaker, and home button for Touch ID. And the entry model only offers 64GB of storage, which goes fast if you shoot many photos and videos.
If you want a more substantial and up-to-date iPhone experience with two cameras and modern features like Face ID and MagSafe, check with your carrier to see if the iPhone 13 Mini is still available, or buy one refurbished through Apple.
Apple did not release a new iPhone SE generation with the launch of the iPhone 16 series, as analysts have collectively predicted a new version will launch early next year.
Avoid these iPhones
We don’t recommend buying the iPhone 12 or any older model. You might find them refurbished for less than the iPhone 14, but you won’t be getting your money’s worth, whatever the price, as they won’t last very long in terms of performance or iOS updates for new features and security patches.
If you’re looking to spend under the iPhone 14’s starting price for a modern-looking iPhone, a refurbished iPhone 13 for around $300 or less can still be worthwhile, but expect a shorter lifespan in iOS upgrades and support from Apple.
Which is the best iPhone?
The best iPhone for most people is the iPhone 16. For those who want longer battery life or a larger screen (or both), the iPhone 16 Plus is the next best option. Those looking for the most premium iPhone experience should look at the iPhone 16 Pro models, but their extra performance, features, and build quality lead to a higher price tag that may not be worth the cost for most people.
How we test iPhones
To test iPhones, we use them as if they were our main daily drivers for at least a week, if not longer. That way, we can get an overall sense of their performance, camera quality, battery life, and new features and compare them to our experience with other models within the same generation and previous iPhone generations.
We expect the latest iPhones to run quickly, smoothly, and flawlessly. To test performance, we run popular and widely used apps and look for any sign of stuttering or slower-than-expected loading times. We also run the Geekbench 6 benchmark to give us an idea of performance improvements over the previous generation.
To test camera quality, we take photos of the same scenes and subjects with each lens and compare them to the same images taken with different phones. For greater consistency, we’ve started taking photos of our typical scenes at the same time and place with all the latest, generationally current phones available in the US.
We also take several, often hundreds, personal photos with iPhones, like those of friends and family, which we aren’t comfortable posting in our review for the sake of privacy. However, these photos weigh heavily in our assessments, as they reveal positives and negatives that testing scenes don’t, like the ability to capture a clear image of moving subjects and the everyday experience of using the cameras.
For battery life, we put each iPhone through a stress test that simulates a blend of typical casual and intensive daily usage that includes two hours of video streaming at a set brightness, one hour of music streaming while connected to Bluetooth speakers, five runs of the Geekbench 6 CPU benchmark test, and two runs of the 3D Mark Wild Life Stress Test. We then note the remaining battery percentage.
FAQs
Which iPhone has the best camera?
The iPhone 16 Pro models have the best cameras in the iPhone 16 lineup. Although the base iPhone 16’s 48MP camera takes comparable photos, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 48MP ultrawide and 5x zoom camera deliver higher quality ultrawide and zoomed photos.
The iPhone 16 Pro’s three cameras are more versatile than the base iPhone 16’s two, but the iPhone 16 is still multifaceted with its new macro photography and 2x optical quality options.
While the Pro models have advanced features for shooting photos and videos, the standard iPhone 16 camera system can capture great image quality that should satisfy most users, especially for social media.
Even older iPhone models like the iPhone 14 have great cameras. The “worst” camera may be the iPhone SE, which has a single-lens system, but even that model captures great-looking photos under good lighting conditions.
When is the best time to buy a new iPhone?
There is no objective “best time” to buy an iPhone. However, it can be argued that it’s better to buy a new iPhone sooner rather than later after a new iPhone launch. Luckily for you, Apple just released the new iPhone 16 series.
With the launch of the new phones, Apple has also retained older models in its lineup, as described above, and given several phones a $100 price cut, so you could still buy a new-condition iPhone without having to shell out the price of a brand-new phone.
If you need a new iPhone because your current one is broken or not working, the best time to buy a new iPhone is now.
Where is the best place to buy an iPhone?
Carriers tend to have the highest trade-in values for your old phone. We’ve seen trade-in deals where you can get the latest iPhone model for free by trading in an older iPhone. We’ve also seen carriers trade significantly older iPhones for the same value as a year-old iPhone around the time a new iPhone is released.
Do iPhones need cases?
A naked iPhone undoubtedly looks and feels the best, but one drop from a decent height onto a hard floor can crack any iPhone’s back or front glass, so we generally recommend that iPhone owners use both cases and screen protectors.
Some people accept the risk of damage, and some buy AppleCare Plus for this very reason, which offers unlimited repairs for accidental damage with a $29 fee per incident for back or front glass damage on top of the cost of AppleCare Plus.
However, a case and screen protector combination is the best and most cost-effective way to ensure your iPhone’s hardware stays in working order. If you’re leaning toward our top pick, the iPhone 16, see our guide to the best iPhone 16 cases and best iPhone 16 screen protectors to protect the phone and extend its longevity.
Antonio Villas-Boas
Senior Tech Reporter
Antonio is a senior tech reporter for Insider’s Reviews team, where he helps lead coverage, reviews, and guides of smartphones, tablets, accessories, wearables, smart home products, as well as audio devices from Apple, Google, Samsung, OnePlus, and other major tech companies. Before joining Business Insider, Antonio was a consumer-electronics analyst at PCMag. He graduated from Colgate University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in history. You can contact Antonio with tips and cool tech via email at: avillasboas@businessinsider.com Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we test tech and electronics.
Les Shu
Deputy Editor, Insider Reviews
Les is the Deputy Editor for Insider Reviews, primarily overseeing the Tech Reviews sub-vertical, which includes reviews and explainers of consumer electronics, streaming, gaming, and entertainment products and services. Previously, he led Insider Reviews’ Style and Beauty, Tech and Electronics, Health, Fitness, and Outdoors, and Travel teams. He works with Insider Reviews leadership on strategy for all of Insider Reviews. Previously, he was the editor of the many expert product-buying guides that Business Insider recommends. In addition, he covers photography and printing products for the Tech section.Having started his career in print magazines, Les is a journalist with nearly 20 years of experience as a writer, editor, and researcher. Prior to joining Insider, he was a senior editor at Digital Trends (DT), covering photography and in-depth features as well as leading DT’s NYC bureau. His byline has appeared in publications including Computer Shopper, Men’s Journal, and Men’s Fitness.While his specialty is in consumer technology, he’s a versatile writer who has covered various topics, including men’s lifestyle, health and fitness, outdoors, travel, women’s interests, automotive, photography, toys, and more.Originally from California, Les lives in New York City and is obsessed with everything Ikea and Lego.Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.
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