The best iPhones you can buy right now

The iPhone 16 Plus is an excellent device for users who want a big-screen iPhone experience without the higher cost of the Pro models. From the A18 chipset to the new Camera Control and improved battery life, this phone hits the mark for performance, photography, and daily use.

While it misses out on some of the Pro-exclusive features like the 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate and a telephoto lens, the iPhone 16 Plus offers plenty to be excited about. Still, the full potential of Apple Intelligence features is not yet available, so bear that in mind if you were wowed by Apple’s AI launch promises.

Overall, the iPhone 16 Plus offers superb value for money. It offers an almost identical experience to the iPhone 16 Pro Max for most, while still delivering the larger screen and 16 hours of battery life. In all honesty, for most, this might be a better buy.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max builds on what Apple does best – elegant design, powerful performance, and excellent cameras.

The introduction of Apple Intelligence and the Camera Control button makes this phone especially appealing to photographers and those interested in AI-enhanced functionality. The 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen is the best Apple has ever produced, while the A18 Pro chip ensures that the phone is future-proofed for years to come.

However, the full potential of Apple’s AI features is not yet available, and some users may not want to invest in such a powerful phone at this stage.

Ultimately, if you need an iPhone that pushes the boundaries of photography and performance, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is an excellent choice. But it’s also a very expensive one.

If you prefer smaller phones but still want the best iPhone experience, this is the model to go for. Aside from slightly worse battery life, the 16 Pro is just a more compact version of the 16 Pro Max at a more affordable price. 

It means you get almost everything that makes that phone so great. Sublime A18 Pro performance, a gorgeous 120Hz display and a slick premium design. Battery life is still very solid, too.

The 16 Pro also has some of the best cameras in the business, including the 5x telephoto that was previously exclusive to the Pro Max. Even if you don’t use the Camera Control button, it excels for both photos and videos. 

However, it’s important to be aware that not all of the promised Apple Intelligence features have yet rolled out, so don’t buy it just for the AI.

The other frustration is charging speeds, though these are slow regardless of the iPhone you choose, and MagSafe is a convenient wireless option. 

Ultimately, if you want the best iPhone experience in a more compact package, the 16 Pro is the phone for you.

The iPhone 16 is a solid all-rounder, but it only really appeals to people who want one of the latest compact iPhones but can’t afford the 16 Pro.

If you’re considering an upgrade to the iPhone 16, we can’t say it’s worth it just to get the Action Button and Camera Control, and a partial suite of Apple Intelligence features.

That’s not to say there isn’t plenty to like here, though. The iPhone 16 delivers excellent performance and very good cameras for the price, all wrapped up in a sleek, premium design.

And even without a higher refresh rate, the 60Hz display is still very good.

Overall, it’s a solid phone, but the weakest of the iPhone 16 range.

The iPhone 15 Pro was the highlight of Apple’s 2023 phones, and it remains a great option – especially if you can find a big discount.

Not only is the screen a crystal-clear OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate, it gets incredibly bright. You’ll be able to see the display on even the brightest of days.

The 12Mp 5x periscope lens being exclusive to the Pro Max is a shame, but the 3x one on the iPhone 15 Pro is still very good. It’s joined by a 48Mp main, 12Mp ultrawide and 12Mp 2x telephoto, all of which take excellent photos.

Apple’s A17 Pro chipset takes already-great performance to the next level, while the titanium build and action button are nice touches.

Then there’s the much more versatile USB-C port, with Apple finally shifting away from Lightning. Battery life is fine, charging is slow, but this is still a superb phone, and will be for many years to come.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a great phone, but its predecessor is still worth considering. Aside from a smaller screen, older chipset and inferior ultrawide camera, the 15 Pro Max doesn’t miss out on much, including Apple Intelligence.

Performance from the A17 Pro chip is superb, while the Action Button and shift to USB-C are both welcome changes. You miss out on the Camera Control button, but that won’t be a big loss for many people.

With a stunning screen, excellent cameras and a premium titanium build, the iPhone 15 Pro Max stands the test of time. If you can put up with only average battery life and don’t mind a bulky device, this could be the iPhone for you.

The regular iPhone 15 was a solid option at launch, and the prospect of big discounts now make it worth considering.

While the specs aren’t quite top-tier, Apple’s A16 Bionic chip from 2022 still delivers great performance, and it’s nice to see the useful Dynamic Island come to non-Pro models.

The 6.1-inch display below it is impressive, though you’ll still have to make do without a high refresh rate. You can still get some great shots with the 48Mp main, 12Mp ultrawide and 12Mp selfie cameras, but there’s no telephoto of any description here.

Ultimately, you’re getting an iPhone 15 Pro design in a much more affordable form. Despite some compromises, it’s still a great phone.

With the iPhone 15 Plus, Apple is offering an impressive big-screen iPhone experience without the hefty price tag of the newer models.

As expected, there are a few compromises compared to the iPhone Pro and Pro Max. You’ll have to make do with the A16 Bionic chip that debuted in 2022, though performance is still excellent. While the display is still very decent, the refresh rate tops out at 60Hz, so you don’t get the silky-smooth scrolling and extra responsiveness of 120Hz.

There’s also no telephoto lens whatsoever, meaning zoom shots suffer. But photos from the main, ultrawide and selfie cameras are all very impressive. The latter is housed within Apple’s Dynamic Island, which arrives on the non-Pro phones for the first time, and USB-C also makes its debut.

And battery life is the best you’ll find on an iPhone. It can last even the most intensive days with ease, and with lighter usage can last two or even three days on a single charge.

If that’s a top priority for you, or you simply want a big iPhone without the bells and whistles of the newer phones, the 15 Plus is a great choice.

If even the 6.1in display of the regular and Pro iPhones are too big for your liking, the iPhone 13 mini is the device for you.

It offers the same experience as the standard iPhone 13, complete with an A15 Bionic chip, Apple’s Super Retina XDR display (albeit at a smaller 5.4in) and excellent main and ultrawide lenses, sporting sensor-shift OIS like the more premium models, but in a much smaller form factor.

The iPhone 13 mini is the perfect iPhone to use one-handed, but the smaller display also means it’s not the best for watching YouTube videos and movies on Netflix.

The small dimensions also mean that battery life isn’t the greatest, while charging via MagSafe is limited to just 12W.

But with Apple having discontinued the mini, it’ll remain the small iPhone to beat for a while.

Apple’s iPhone SE range is devoted to function over form, prioritising raw performance over design or aesthetics, and that’s just as true with the final SE before the 16e arrived – but possibly to its detriment.

Sporting the same A15 Bionic chipset and 5G connectivity as the iPhone 13 series, the iPhone SE outperforms every Android competitor in its price range and 5G connectivity is a welcome addition, but that performance comes at a cost.

The dated design of the iPhone SE feels older than ever, and the 720p LCD display seems not only small but increasingly unable to render apps and webpages designed for bigger mobile displays. 

There’s also the single 12Mp snapper on the rear. It’ll take decent photos in good and even marginally low light, but it lacks advanced shooting modes like Night Mode and Cinematic Video mode despite featuring a chipset more than capable of doing so. 

The iPhone SE is really only for those who must have an iPhone, but can’t afford other models or don’t want to goodbye to Touch ID. For practically everyone else, there’s a better iPhone available.