Which iPhone Should You Buy (or Avoid) Right Now?
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Apple sells eight iPhone models, from the $429 iPhone SE (2022) to the $1,199 iPhone 16 Pro Max. The company just debuted the iPhone 16 range, meaning now is the best time to buy a new iPhone if you've been meaning to upgrade. I’ve tested every iPhone model and outlined their strengths and weaknesses so you can get the best bang for your buck.
Check out our other Apple buying guides, including the Best iPhone 16 cases, Best MagSafe Accessories, Best iPhone 15 Cases, Best iPhone 14 Cases, Best iPhone 13 Cases, Best iPhone SE Cases, and Best Apple 3-in-1 Chargers. Wondering what's new in iOS 18? We have details on that too.
Updated September 2024: We’ve overhauled this guide to include the iPhone 16.
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But First, Sell That Old iPhone!
If you’re upgrading from an iPhone, you can trade it to Apple for a small discount. Before you do that, check whether you can sell it elsewhere for more money. iPhones hold their value incredibly well, particularly if they’re in mint or good condition. We have a guide that runs through a few websites you can use.
Don’t forget to back up your old iPhone before you switch to a newer model, which will help you transfer everything without losing any data. Remember to factory reset your old iPhone before selling it. You might find our guides on setting up a new iPhone and how to fix it helpful. And if you don’t want to sell it, we have some ideas on how to repurpose your old device.
What's the Deal With eSIMs?
All iPhone 14 and newer devices completely ditch the physical SIM tray in the US, meaning you can no longer just pop your physical SIM inside to turn on cellular connectivity. Instead, you'll have to rely on an eSIM. You can read more about them here. This tech has been available in iPhones since the iPhone XS and XR, but now you have to use it. When you're setting up your new iPhone 15 or 16, you'll automatically be asked to transfer your number from your previous iPhone, and the whole process should take a few minutes without any hassle. (eSIMs are more secure than physical SIMs.) Note: Once you transfer your number, your physical SIM card won't work anymore.
However, there's a chance you may still run into some issues, especially if you're coming from an Android phone (or want to switch back to an Android phone). You'll have to check with your carrier to get your cellular connection in working order again. It shouldn't take long, but it's not as simple as popping in a physical card—yet.
What's MagSafe? And Yes, Get a Case
Magnetic MagSafe wireless charging is available only on iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 models. You can get first-party accessories like Apple's wireless MagSafe Charger, which sticks to the back of the phone for faster charging. Or snag the MagSafe Wallet. There are plenty of third-party accessories (you'll find quite a few in our guide). MagSafe doesn't just have to be charging accessories like MagSafe power banks or wireless chargers. There are a wealth of useful tools, from tripods and camera cages to notepads and ring lights that can attach to the back of the iPhone and add extra versatility.
If you use a case, get one that's MagSafe compatible to ensure a strong magnetic connection with Apple's accessories. All of the cases in our guides are MagSafe-tested by yours truly. And yes, iPhones are made of glass, and glass breaks, even if Apple uses ceramic to strengthen it. You need a case and screen protector. I've already cracked my iPhone 16 Plus after a 4-foot drop to pavement—this model's ceramic glass is supposed to be twice as strong as previous iPhones, too! Ouch. Remember, glass is still glass. We've rounded up our favorite cases for the iPhone 16, iPhone 15, iPhone 14, and iPhone SE.
The iPhone's Charging Port Is USB-C
The iPhone 15 range ditched the long-standing Lightning port for USB-C, and it's now in the iPhone 16 range too. This is the same charging port on iPads, MacBooks, Android phones, Windows laptops, and many more personal tech gadgets. USB-C is often called the “universal port” because it can technically handle various responsibilities. For example, you can plug in external displays and extend the iPhone's screen or connect the same USB-C accessories you might be currently using on your laptop, like SD card readers. Sadly, it does mean your Lightning accessories won't work unless you get dongles. You can read more about what the new port does here, but there are two important things to note:
The iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Plus support the USB 2.0 standard just like the iPhones before, so you'll max out at 480 megabits per second of data transfer speeds. The iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max support the USB 3.0 standard and are capable of up to 10 gigabits per second of data transfer speeds.
- Courtesy of Apple
Best Overall
Apple iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 PlusThe iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are some of the best non-Pro iPhones the company has shipped in some time. They share many features with the iPhone 16 Pro models, at least, many of the ones that really matter, and they also look fantastic in the vibrant new colors: ultramarine, teal, and pink. They're powered by a more powerful chip, the A18, which can handle all the Apple Intelligence features coming later this year. (I have more details on Apple's artificial intelligence improvements here and evaluated the experience in my iPhone 16 Pro review.)
Both of these phones have the same features, so you're largely choosing whether you want a small or big phone. That said, the 6.7-inch iPhone 16 Plus has some of the best battery life I've seen to date in an iPhone. I hit more than 7 hours of screen-on time and it had 42 percent left in the tank; that beats my real-world results from the iPhone 16 Pro Max! The 6.1-inch iPhone 16 can get you through a day but heavy users may need a top-up before bedtime. New in these phones is the Action Button from the Pro models; it replaces the mute switch, but you can bring that functionality back or customize this button to do something else. There's also Camera Control, which launches the camera and doubles as a shutter button. A light amount of pressure on this button lets you switch camera modes, and slide your finger to cycle through them.
As for the cameras, I compared the photos from these devices to the iPhone 14 Pro, and they're remarkably similar (that's a good thing!). The ultrawide camera is more versatile as it now has a macro mode for close-up shots, and the new Photographic Styles make it very easy to get gorgeous color-graded shots with minimal effort. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are very well-rounded smartphones. I just wish Apple added a 120-Hz display for smoother animations.
- Photograph: Apple
The Midrange iPhone
Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 PlusThe best iPhone is whatever lasts a long time, and it's tough to recommend an iPhone without USB-C since Apple abandoned the Lightning charging port (you can read more about this here). If you are hunting for a new iPhone—and don't care for all the bells and whistles—you can save some cash with the iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus (7/10, WIRED Recommends). Both have the same features, but the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 is nicer for people who like small phones, and the 6.7-inch Plus is better suited for large-screen devourers. The Plus also has better battery life. They have OLED displays that get bright enough to see on sunny days, MagSafe support, IP68 water resistance, plus plenty of power thanks to the A16 chipset.
Apple erased the notch and replaced it with the Dynamic Island in this model, the pill-shaped cutout at the top of the display that houses the selfie camera and Face ID sensors. It also doubles as a way to show passive information, like the ETA for your Uber ride without constantly opening the Uber app. You get a similar camera experience as the iPhone 16 above, except there's no Action Button or Camera Control button.
- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
The Ultimate iPhone
Apple iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro MaxIf you want the best iPhone no questions asked, that'd be the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max (8/10, WIRED Recommends). These phones have a lot of rare photo and video features that cater specifically to creators you won't find on the non-Pro iPhones, like ProRes video recording. If you know what that means, then you already know you want this iPhone. But what about everybody else? There are still some reasons to go Pro even if you won't use those fancy features. These iPhones are still the only ones with a 120-Hz screen refresh rate, what Apple calls “ProMotion." Trust me, it's noticeable going from an iPhone 16 to an iPhone 16 Pro because everything feels super smooth. There's also support for the always-on display, in case you like seeing the clock on the screen all the time. The Pro phones are made from titanium, too, though this doesn't really impact durability.
These iPhones have a better cooling system and the A18 Pro chipset —slightly faster than the A18 in the iPhone 16—so they will perform better whether you're playing graphically demanding games or running AI-intensive tasks. The 48-megapixel ultrawide camera is also superior, especially in low light, and arguably the biggest reason to upgrade is the excellent 5X optical zoom camera. Take high-quality pics of your kid on stage at the recital! Even a feature as simple as the ability to record in 4K at 120 frames per second is something to be envious of because it just looks pretty!
Both of these devices have feature parity so you are choosing between sizes, and they're bigger this year. The iPhone 16 Pro is 6.3 inches and the iPhone 16 Pro Max is 6.9 inches. They're taller than ever before, which means the Max is even more unwieldy. However, it does have some of the best battery life in an iPhone.
- Photograph: Apple
Best Budget iPhone
Apple iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 PlusI strongly suggest you look for a used iPhone 15 before looking at the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus (7/10, WIRED Recommends). That's because the iPhone 14 generation uses the Lightning port instead of USB-C, so many of the newer accessories you may buy might not cater to the Lightning port anymore, and most of your other gadgets probably already have USB-C.
That said, you can get by without ever plugging in since these iPhones still have MagSafe wireless charging. If these devices fit your budget, they're still powerful smartphones thanks to the A15 Bionic chipset. It has the old notch design and all the basics you'd want, from 5G, Face ID, and an OLED display to IP68 water resistance. I've found the 6.1-inch iPhone 14's battery lasts a full day with medium to heavy use, but the iPhone 14 Plus often had enough juice to last until the afternoon of the second day off the charger.
Apple is still offering free access to Emergency SOS via Satellite, Crash Detection, and Roadside Assistance—these tools will help you reach emergency services if you're in an area with no service or if you're unresponsive after a car crash.
- Photograph: Apple
The Cheapest iPhone
Apple iPhone SE (2022)Apple is rumored to release a significant update to the iPhone SE in early 2025, which lines up with when its cheapest iPhone has typically launched. I do not recommend purchasing the 2022 iPhone SE anymore because you will inevitably get mad at me (and yourself) when the new one rolls around so soon.
Either way, here are the details on this model if you are stubborn and want one anyway. The 2022 refresh is the third-generation iPhone SE (7/10, WIRED Recommends), though you'll be hard-pressed to spot the differences from prior models. Externally, there are none—even cases for the 2020 iPhone SE will fit this version. (We've rounded up our favorite cases and accessories here.) That means you still get a cramped yet compact 4.7-inch LCD screen with a physical home button, thick bezels around the screen, and Touch ID. There's no MagSafe accessory system or headphone jack, but at least you still get plain old wireless charging. This is also the only iPhone in the lineup without ultra-wideband support, which improves AirDrop and lets you precisely find nearby AirTags.
Internally, the SE has the same A15 Bionic processor as the iPhone 13 models, and it's still a capable processor in 2024. That chip also brings better battery life, but the SE will last you roughly a day of use—less for heavy users. It gets sub-6 5G connectivity, meaning it won't be able to hit the super-fast internet speeds available on pricier iPhones but this isn't a big deal as you rarely run into that type of millimeter-wave 5G. The single-lens rear camera takes pretty good daytime shots, but there's no night mode, and low-light images are lackluster compared to competing phones like the Google Pixel 8A.
- Photograph: Apple
If It's $800 or Less
Apple iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro MaxApple completely canceled the 2023 iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max but they're still fine to buy for the right price. They have speedy processors and are the only older iPhones that will support Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1. The three rear cameras deliver near-identical photos to the latest iPhone 16 Pro models, so you can zoom out with the ultrawide or zoom in with the telephoto. You get stainless steel frames, excellent OLED displays, daylong battery life, water resistance, and wireless charging. Since the iPhone 16 starts at $829, don't spend more than $800 on these phones. Practically speaking, these models will start to disappear from retailers, but you can buy renewed ones from Amazon. You also may be able to snag one in new or mint condition on resale websites like Swappa.
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are also fine to buy right now, as long as you can find them for $600 or less. Anything more and you may as well pay for the newer devices.
Photograph: Josh Valcarcel/WIREDAvoid These iPhones!
Apple iPhone 1-12, iPhone X, iPhone SE (2016)The iPhone 13, 13 Pro, 12, 12 Pro, 11, 11 Pro, XS, XR, X, 8, 7, 6S, SE (2016), and every older iPhone that came before them are probably available somewhere, but you shouldn't take the bait. They don't have the processing power to keep up with the latest software, and even if they do, they will have a much shorter software shelf life. The iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus are cut off from receiving the iOS 18 update. Without software support, your device will slowly become less secure and could become a slow, buggy mess. The camera tech in these models isn't as refined, either. Unless they're almost free, we think you're better off with the new iPhone 16 or another model on this list.
If you don't want to spend the money to get a new iPhone, consider a fresh battery. If the biggest issues with your aging iPhone revolve around the battery, replacing it might make it feel brand-new. (Apple's iPhone 16 has an easier-to-replace battery.) Replacements for older iPhones are $89, and $99 or $119 for newer models. If that doesn't do the trick, read our guide on ways to fix your iPhone's problems or our guide on selling your iPhone to get the most money out of it.
- Photograph: Simon Hill
The Right USB-C Cable
Cable Matters USB-C to USB-C Thunderbolt 4The problem with USB-C is that its capabilities are so vast, but not every USB-C cable supports every single function. You need to make sure the cable you buy supports video output, speedy data transfer, and fast charging if that's what you want. The cable Apple includes in the box can carry up to 60 watts of power, and that's pretty much it. You can use this cable to recharge a MacBook, but maybe not a MacBook Pro under heavy load. If you get a cable like this one from Cable Matters, you'll be covered for every scenario. It supports up to 100 watts of power so you can use it for all your gadgets, has DisplayPort to work with external monitors, and supports up to 40 gigabits per second of data transfer. It also comes in multiple lengths. Read our Best USB-C Cables guide for more.
Photograph: AnkerApple Doesn't Include a Charging Brick
Get a 30-Watt ChargerApple hasn't offered a charging brick in the box since the iPhone 12, so if you don't have one, we've got you covered with a few recommendations. These are all 30-watt chargers, which are more beneficial for the iPhone Pro models as they secretly support up to 27 watts, but 30 watts is still handy to have if you want to recharge your iPad too.
- Anker 511 Nano 3 30-Watt Charger for $19: This is one of the tiniest chargers we've tested, and the prongs fold up for even more space savings. It comes in fun colors too.
- Plugable Wall Outlet With 30-Watt USB-C and USB-A for $25: This one's more functional. You can get 30 watts out of the USB-C, but you also get a USB-A port for another gadget (maybe an older Apple Watch charger), plus an outlet to plug in a laptop charger.
- Photograph: Simon Hill
Get a MagSafe Portable Battery
Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) (Qi2)The beauty of MagSafe is that you can pop a battery on the back of your iPhone and you don't have to worry about any wires. This is our top model in our Best MagSafe Portable Batteries guide and it supports the new Qi2 standard, so it will work with any device with Qi2. It has a 10,000-mAh capacity that is good to recharge an iPhone fully once and then some, and there's a built-in kickstand so you can continue watching your favorite show as it charges. Best of all is the built-in LED display, helpful for seeing how much juice the charger has left.
- Photograph: Simon Hill
For Apple Stans
Belkin 3-in-1 Qi2 Charging StandIf you have an iPhone, there's a chance you have another Apple gadget, like AirPods or an Apple Watch. If so, you really should get a 3-in-1 charger for your home. We have tons of options in our Best Apple 3-in-1 Chargers guide, but this Belkin MagSafe model is our favorite. It has an elegant design and charges the iPhone and Apple Watch at the maximum speeds, and you can pop your earbuds on the base to top them up.
Photograph: Julian ChokkattuWhat's Apple Intelligence?
The most hyped-up feature in the iPhone 16 range is Apple Intelligence. This is Apple's suite of artificial intelligence features, following the wave started by the likes of ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. Unfortunately, none of these features are available at launch. Instead, Apple will roll out an update in October—iOS 18.1—that will bring Apple Intelligence to the iPhone 16 lineup as well as the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
But what exactly is Apple Intelligence in the first place? It's a collection of features that draw on the power of large language models to introduce “smart” capabilities. For example, in the Voice Memo and Notes app, you can now start a recording and get a real-time transcription. You can even record a call and get the transcription saved in the Notes app. Siri has been redesigned and can understand when you misspeak, and even can plug into ChatGPT. There are writing tools available throughout the operating system that let you change the tone of your emails or proofread copy so you don't make an unnecessary typo on Threads.
This is just a small sampling, I've boiled down many of the Apple Intelligence features coming soon in my iOS 18 guide. While I was able to experience most of them when testing the iPhone 16 range (you can too because there's a public beta for iOS 18.1), there are still some features that haven't seen the light of day, like Image Playground, which lets you generate images, and GenMoji, which lets you generate emojis. It's going to be a brave new world very soon.
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