When you're setting out to buy an iPhone, you've probably noticed that there's like a gazillion of them out there. Apple released the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro models in 2024, the 16e earlier this year, and with its latest September event, the iPhone 17 series and the super-slim, super-rumored iPhone Air, making the list of options even longer. This doesn't make it any easier to pick out a new phone for yourself unless you just want the latest and greatest. Even if that is you, it's still worth considering all of your options.
No matter which iPhone you choose, each supports iOS 18 that was announced at WWDC 2024, which brings a ton of AI features to every iPhone on this list, along with an all-new Photos app that's way better organized. Though if you want to tap into Apple Intelligence, you'll be looking at any iPhone 15 and above.
You can also check out our guide to the best iPhone accessories to help you find the right peripherals – especially screen protectors for your new phone. We got a chance to review the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC, and they rival the AirPods 2 in several categories, so these earbuds may be worth investing in.
Contributions by Georgie Peru and Rudie Obias
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The iPhone 17 lineup has been revealed during Apple's 2025 September event (along with some next-gen watches and AirPods). We'll be testing how they run in the coming weeks to see if they'll be worth upgrading to (and if you're still holding on to an iPhone XR, I'm not sure what will convince you to upgrade).
While there are a number of different models, the user experience is essentially the same. That’s one of the Apple iPhone’s biggest draws and why it’s the most popular smartphone in the world. However, the differences between models can make it tougher to find the best one for you. Here’s what to look out for in an Apple iPhone in 2025.
Phone Size
When it comes to the iPhone, size matters. If you want to be able to use it with just one hand, finding the best size is key. For bigger hands,the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is the perfect fit, thanks to their larger displays and wider builds. But if you’re on the smaller side, then the Apple iPhone 16 or iPhone 14.
Storage Capacity
Additionally, storage size is also something to think about. If you want to take a lot of high resolution photos, then the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max with 1TB of storage is the best option. Other models listed here come with a base of 128GB, which should do if you don’t want to use a lot of apps and just use it very casually.
Price
If price is a consideration, the Apple iPhone ranges from the new cheapest iPhone, the iPhone 16e, at $599 to the totally maxed out iPhone 16 Pro Max (1TB) at $1,599. Best of all, even if you go with the most inexpensive model, Apple iOS operating system will be included – which will receive updates for the next five-to-six years after purchase. So whatever the budget, each model gets about the same software experience and support.
Overall, the most important thing to look for when buying an iPhone is how you’ll use it. For most people, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro is the best pick because it's the most well-rounded with a fast processor, fantastic camera system, timeless colors, and a wide range of storage options at a good price.
What are the best iPhone alternatives?
Although iPhones dominate a large sector of the smartphone market these days, there are quite a few Android phones that match up well to the latest Apple devices. The best iPhone alternatives include the OnePlus 13 and Google Pixel 9 Pro which are at the top of the Android market. There are other brands like Asus and RedMagic that offer some decent phones as well that have many of the features and iOS user would expect.
The iPhone Air’s battery pack is slim, but not as slim as the iPhone Air