We're just around the half-way mark between the release of the last batch of new iPhones and the ones still to come in 2024—not to mention all the great choices outside of those parameters! With the ever-evolving lineup of Apple smartphones, each boasting groundbreaking features, exceptional performance and unique designs, it can seem overwhelming to find the right iPhone for you. Fear not, as our guide is here to help you navigate the best iPhones available as of right now—with a thorough analysis of top models, highlights, and expert advice.
Let's dive into the world of Apple and explore a few of our favorite iPhone picks.
Best Overall: iPhone 15
Apple’s latest iPhone generation has set a new standard for innovation and user satisfaction. iPhone 15 introduces groundbreaking features that redefine smartphone excellence.
Dynamic Island: A notch-free future
Say farewell to the traditional notch on your iPhone's screen. iPhone 15 comes with the revolutionary Dynamic Island, a pill-shaped innovation that replaces the notch. Unlike the iPhone 14 series, there's no need to upgrade to a Pro or Pro Max model to get it. Dynamic Island expands to offer a multitude of functionalities—from delivering notifications to providing real-time battery updates and granting quick access to your favorite apps. It transforms your user experience seamlessly.
6.1" Super Retina XDR: Stunningly bright display
iPhone 15 boasts a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR Display with a stunning peak brightness of 2,000 nits outdoors, about double that of iPhone 14.
Color-infused glass: Distinct pastel palate
iPhone 15 now features an aluminum design complemented by eye-catching back glass that has color infused throughout the material. Plus, for those who have been longing for a pink iPhone, you can finally get it on iPhone 15! The gorgeous pink pastel option is definitely a showstopper and it's not available on its predecessors. You can also choose from soft yellow, green, blue or basic black.
USB-C Charging: No more lightning port
It's one of the biggest changes to all iPhone 15 series devices. Gone is Apple's proprietary Lightning port, replaced instead by USB-C charging, the universal standard. USB-C means you can charge all your devices, from your iPhone 15 to your Nintendo Switch, even your AirPods and Apple Watch, with the same cable.
Key Features
- 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR Display with Peak Brightness of 2,000 Nits
- Dynamic Island for a notch-free display
- Aluminum and colored-infused glass design
- Splash, water, and dust resistance (IP68)
- A16 Bionic Chip
- 5G connectivity for blazing-fast speeds
- USB-C charging
What we like most
iPhone 15 boasts a stylish aluminum design with color-infused back-glass, now available in a beautiful soft pink color option. Updates to the phone include the game-changing Dynamic Island, and a new super-bright display that you can easily see outdoors.
Along with these great features are the many cool enhancements iPhone 15's camera brings to the table, including:
- High-Resolution 48MP Main Camera: iPhone 15 boasts a powerful 48-megapixel (48MP) main camera, a significant leap in resolution compared to iPhone 14's 12MP camera. This upgrade translates to photos with unparalleled detail, sharpness, and vibrancy, ensuring your memories come to life vividly.
- 2X Zoom: With the inclusion of the 2X optical zoom option, iPhone 15 empowers you to capture distant subjects with remarkable clarity and precision. Whether you're zooming in on far-off objects or getting up close and personal, you get the highest image quality, offering unparalleled flexibility in your photography endeavors.
- Versatile Ultra Wide Camera: iPhone 15 retains its versatile Ultra Wide camera, a cornerstone of its camera system. Ideal for sweeping landscapes, group portraits, and creative wide-angle shots, it seamlessly complements the main camera, delivering versatility that inspires your photographic creativity.
- Next-Level Portraits: Elevating portrait photography, iPhone 15 has advanced features for improved focus and depth control. This innovation enables you to craft stunning portrait shots with captivating background blur (bokeh) and precise subject emphasis, transforming your portraits into works of art.
- Cinematic Mode: Continuing its tradition, iPhone 15 offers Cinematic Mode, enabling you to produce professional-looking videos enriched with depth-of-field effects. Even after recording, you can fine-tune the focus, adding a cinematic flair to your video creations.
Other considerations
While iPhone 15 offers a host of new features, it's important that you also compare it to iPhone 15 Plus, Pro and Pro Max to make the best iPhone-15 series device for your needs.
Best Entertainment Value: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Major improvements to the camera are a big part of the reason it’s one of the best iPhones for photographers. It’s also an entertainment powerhouse thanks to its impressive screen size, enhanced video capabilities, and overall multimedia performance, making it a top choice for users who prioritize entertainment and media consumption on their smartphones. As for value, with the iPhone 15 series already here, and the next iPhone batch on the horizon, you can get some pretty amazing deals on this phone.
iPhone 14 Pro Max’s video capabilities are noticeably better compared to previous generations, plus you get up to 29 hours of video playback. While Apple has always led the pack in great video, Action Mode technology means that videos are more stable than ever before, even video taken while in motion. The 14 Pro series also marked the first time that Apple has updated its 12-megapixel camera in nearly a decade, now boasting a 48 MP main camera (like the new iPhone 15) that uses technology called pixel-binning to create vivid, true-to-life, 12-megapixel images. Plus, photos and videos look bigger than life on the giant 6.7" screen.
Key Features
- 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR Display with ProMotion
- 48MP Main camera
- Cinematic mode
- Action Mode for smooth, steady, handheld videos
What we like most
Apple has outdone itself with Action Mode, and the 48-megapixel camera is a welcome addition. To top it off, the huge screen brings it all to life in living color.
Other considerations
This is the premium model of the 14 series, but with the new iPhone 15 series out and the next series on the horizon, you can definitely get a good deal. Another consideration is that it’s Apple’s first foray into a more powerful main camera.
Best Compact: iPhone 13 mini
Since the mini model was phased out in 2023, the previous generation iPhone 13 mini is a great option for those who want a truly compact device that is just about as powerful as its larger counterparts. At around the size of an iPhone 5, it still uses the A15 Bionic Chip, meaning it’s nice and fast. iPhone 13 mini also features the same excellent dual-camera system and vivid HDR. Good things do sometimes still come in small packages!
Key Features
- 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR Display
- Cinematic Mode
- Advanced Dual-Camera System
- Smart HDR 4
- Night Mode
- 4K Dolby Vision HDR Recording
- 12MP TrueDepth Front Camera
- A15 Bionic Chip
What we like most
The main selling point of iPhone 13 mini is, of course, its size. At 5.4 inches, it’s significantly smaller than the newer flagship phones. And while most smaller smartphones aren’t as super-fast or functional as the newer versions, iPhone 13 mini still has excellent speed and camera capabilities.
Other considerations
There is one consideration to the more compact body of iPhone 13 mini: battery life. Although it does improve on the relatively short battery life of its predecessor compared to its bigger devices.
Best Value: iPhone 13 Pro
For iPhone fans who are looking for an upgrade at a great price, there are some amazing deals on iPhone 13 Pro Series. Now that many iPhone users are interested in the 14 and 15 series, it’s a great time to trade in older iPhones for a top-of-the-line 13 Pro at a fraction of what the device cost a year or two ago.
In addition to being a great value, iPhone13 Pro has some standout features. For starters, the battery life beats that of iPhone 14 Pro Max, and it operates on a super-fast A15 bionic chip. iPhone 13 Pro is also optimized for a 5G future, meaning that it should work well on 5G networks for years to come.
Key Features
- 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR Display with ProMotion
- Cinematic Mode
- Pro Camera System
- LiDAR Scanner
- 6x Optical Zoom Range
- ProRes Video
- Smart HDR 4
- Night Mode
- Apple ProRAW
- A15 Bionic Chip
What we like most
iPhone 13 Pro is an affordable option for upgrading if you’re willing to skip or delay getting one of the newer iPhone 14 or 15 series devices. It also has a great camera, a superfast chipset and 5G capabilities.
Other considerations
There are some features, like Dynamic Island, that you won’t get without upgrading to the iPhone 15 or 14 Pro Series. And while iPhone 13 Pro comes with updates like Cinematic Mode for more vivid video, along with better low light photography capabilities, those upgrading from iPhone 12 might not see much difference between the two models.
Best Budget: iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
There are lots of reasons to love iPhone. After all, its stylish appearance, intuitive design, and exclusive features like iMessage have made iPhone the best-selling smartphone in the US for years. However, some people are looking for the classic design and size of an older-generation iPhone without all the bells and whistles. And for those who prefer simplicity, the third-generation iPhone SE is an incredible bargain. It’s compact, at just 4.7 inches, but it still has 5G capabilities and the same fast processor as iPhone 13 at a much lower price.
Key Features
- 5G Cellular
- 4.7-inch Retina HD Display
- Advanced Single-Camera System
- 7MP FaceTime HD Camera
- A15 Bionic Chip
What we like most
Small, stylish, and affordable, iPhone SE is still just as fast and 5G-ready as some of its larger counterparts. It's perfect as a starter smartphone or for anyone who likes the design of older generation iPhones and doesn’t need all the extras.
Other considerations
Though users get 15 hours of video playback (five hours more than the second generation) SE may require a touch more frequent charging compared to its larger counterparts. Also, it has a pared-down single camera, but it does have many of the features today’s latest iPhone users are accustomed to, such as Night Mode. While iPhone SE does provide a strikingly bright display within a budget-friendly range, some might find the experience of video viewing on its petite screen just a tad challenging. It's important to note, however, that there are folks who might be perfectly comfortable with this screen size and may not necessarily require a larger display.
Apple's iPhone continues to shine as one of the best devices out there. Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly options or high-end powerhouses with all the bells and whistles, our comprehensive gives you a detailed breakdown of what our favorite models bring to the table so you can find the perfect iPhone for you. No matter which one you choose, you know you’re getting cutting-edge technology and outstanding performance. Happy hunting!