Buying guide for Best iPhones
Smartphones have become a modern necessity. One of the most popular smartphones is Apple’s iPhone. In the U.S., roughly 45% of all smartphone owners own iPhones. Some people enjoy having the latest iPhone, regardless of expense. Others are happy to keep using the same iPhone for years.
If you like the idea of owning an iPhone, but you don’t want to overspend for features you may not use, you can purchase older versions of unlocked iPhones and take them to your cellular service provider to have them activated. If you like the idea of owning the latest iPhone, unlocked versions of these phones can be purchased, too.
There are a number of factors to consider when shopping for an iPhone, including storage capacity, screen size, battery life, and even color. This buying guide outlines everything you need to know to select the right iPhone for your smartphone needs. For the fastest shopping, browse our five favorite iPhones in the matrix above.
New releases
On September 12, Apple announced the new Apple iPhone 15 line of phones. This includes the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus as well as the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. Here’s a look at what we know so far.
Apple iPhone 15 and 15 Plus
Product Specifications
Battery Life: Up to 20 hours of video playback (15) and 26 hours (15 Plus) | Screen Size: 6.1 inches (15) and 6.7 inches (15 Plus) | Material: Aluminum with color-infused glass back | Camera Types: 48MP main and 12MP Ultra Wide | Chip: A16 Bionic
The biggest change coming to all iPhones this year is the new charger type required: USB-C. This replaces the old Lightning charger that Apple has been using for years, and it’s a direct result of a European Union law passed in 2022 that mandates all electronic devices use the same charger to reduce tech waste.
Other major changes include the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus getting the Dynamic Island found only on the Pro line of iPhone 14s last year, plus improved cameras and general performance increases thanks to the new A16 Bionic chip. One final major addition is a new Ultra Wideband chip that gives increased precision of your phone’s location.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max
Product Specifications
Battery Life: Up to 23 hours of video playback (15 Pro) and 29 hours (15 Pro Max) | Screen Size: 6.1 inches (15 Pro) and 6.7 inches (15 Pro Max) | Material: Titanium with textured matte glass back | Camera Types: 48MP main, 12MP Ultra Wide and 12MP Telephoto | Chip: A17 Pro
The iPhone 15 Pro line is getting much bigger changes than the base 15 line. One of those big changes is the replacement of the ringer silent switch with a programmable button. The button will still change between silent and ring by default, but you can set it to a range of functions that best fit your needs. There’s also a new standby mode triggered by turning the Pro and Pro Max sideways while charging to turn it into a display.
The feature causing the most buzz, though, is that the iPhone Pro and Pro Max have a dedicated ray-tracing chip as well as the new A17 Pro chip, both of which turn your iPhone into a high-end mobile gaming device not seen before. It’s even getting native ports of major AAA games, such as Resident Evil: Village, Assassin’s Creed: Mirage and Death Stranding.
BestReviews is currently testing this product; we will update this article when we’re done.
Key considerations
When searching for the right iPhone, the most important thing to consider is which model is best for you. You can save quite a bit of money by buying an older iPhone model. Or you can pick up a new model if you don’t mind paying a premium price. Newer generations of iPhones come in four different varieties: the iPhone, the iPhone Mini, the iPhone Pro, and the iPhone Pro Max.
iPhone
Standard iPhones are for most users. They have a solid set of features that work well for what the majority of people need.
iPhone Mini
The features of iPhone Minis are very similar to standard iPhones, but they're physically smaller. They work well for young people or users with small hands, and they also fit well into smaller pockets and purses.
Expert TIp
Apple iPhones don’t always include headphones, or a headphone jack, for that matter. If you plan on using your iPhone with headphones, you’ll need to get a set of Bluetooth headphones or true wireless earbuds.
BestReviews Electronics Expert
iPhone Pro
Users who rely on a fast phone and increased storage capacity for work will want to choose the iPhone Pro.
iPhone Pro Max
These take the specs to the next level with a larger screen and even more power.
Within the different iPhone generations, product variations exist that potential buyers should know about. We include this information in our buying guides.
A larger screen takes up more room in your purse or pocket, but it also makes text, images, and videos easier to see. Screen size is one of the specifications we consider when researching iPhones.
We carefully compare the storage capacity of various iPhones in our research process. Among other things, the amount of onboard storage affects an iPhone’s price.
A new iPhone should provide 9 to 11 hours of battery life, reducing the frequency at which you need to charge it. We note the maximum battery life of every smartphone we research.
Apple is the only company that produces iPhones that operate using iOS. We make sure every iPhone we research is a genuine Apple product.
We find out whether the iPhone in question has one or two cameras. Newer iPhones have both a front and rear camera.
You’re not stuck using the same iPhone model you previously purchased. When the time comes to replace the phone, you are free to switch. We take this possibility into account when researching iPhones.
One of the best ways to protect your phone is to set-up a six-digit passcode or Face ID. The presence of such security features is a criterion we use when evaluating smartphones.
Recognizing the importance of cleaning and caring for an iPhone properly, we note the correct methods in our research.
Recognizing the importance of cleaning and caring for an iPhone properly, we note the correct methods in our research.
Features
Screen size
Some people prefer a larger screen, especially if they use their iPhone for watching movies or streaming TV. However, a larger screen equals a larger unit, which makes it more difficult to carry your phone in a pocket.
Storage capacity
The built-in storage capacity of an iPhone plays a big role in its price. iPhone models are offered with two or three storage options. Older iPhone models are offered with either 32 GB or 128 GB of storage. With newer iPhones, you can choose between 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB.
Camera
All newer iPhone models have both a front camera and a rear camera, both with 12 megapixels of resolution. The number of rear-facing cameras will vary depending on the model with higher-end iPhones having up to three.
Battery life
All iPhone models have a strong battery life when new. But maximum battery life naturally shortens as the smartphone ages. You can expect between nine and 11 hours of battery life with a new iPhone.
Color
For iPhone fans, the range of colors available is a big draw. Gold, silver, and space gray are common across all models. However, some iPhones also come in black, white, and rose gold. Some generations of iPhone's come in unique colors. (e.g., iPhone 11 comes in midnight green, iPhone 12 comes in dark blue, etc.) However, most users choose to protect their phones with a case, and many cases leave only the screen visible, which covers up this color.
Expert TIp
Apple’s iOS includes “Control Center,” a menu you can access by dragging down from the upper right corner of the screen. From the Control Center, you can do everything from quickly adjusting the volume to adjusting your screen brightness. You can even customize what functionality appears in your Control Center.
BestReviews Electronics Expert
iPhone prices
The cost of an iPhone varies quite a bit, depending on the age of the technology and the smartphone’s memory capacity. As a general rule, iPhones with more memory cost more than those with less memory within the same model line. Some colors carry a higher price than others as well.
Inexpensive
You can find iPhones that are three or more generations old for less than $300, but they will almost certainly be refurbished.
Mid-range
On the low end of the $400 and $900 range, you'll see iPhones that are one or two generations old. As you move closer to $900, you'll find basic, current-generation iPhone and iPhone Minis with the lowest storage-capacity offerings.
Expensive
When you get into the $1,000 to $1,600 range, you find high-end models, like the iPhone Pro and the iPhone Pro Max, with the highest storage capacities.
Expert TIp
If you’re an Apple Music subscriber, you can use your iPhone to enjoy music in Lossless Sound. Update your music quality settings in the Settings app and enjoy music as it was meant to be heard!
BestReviews Electronic Expert
Tips
An iPhone is an expensive and important piece of equipment, and you’ll want to keep it in top working condition. Cleaning your phone regularly and protecting it from drops is key. Here are a few other tips to protect your iPhone.
- Clean the screen of your iPhone with water. Never use solvents or cleaning solutions to wipe down the screen on an iPhone. Instead, use clean water and a lint-free, scratch-resistant cloth. Dip the cloth into the water to avoid using too much water.
- Add a case to protect against drops. There are a plethora of iPhone cases on the market for every model. Some cases have thick corner guards that provide maximum protection if dropped.
- Screen protectors are important, too. A glass screen protector provides the highest level of protection for an iPhone’s screen. Plastic screen protectors can protect the screen, but they smudge more easily than glass.
- Protect against thieves by using a six-digit passcode or Face ID. Should someone grab your iPhone, you can protect the data by enabling Face ID or six-digit passcode. These log-ins are more secure than a four-digit passcode.
FAQ
Q. Can I only purchase an iPhone made by Apple?
A. Only Apple manufactures iPhones. This is different from other types of smartphones, such as those running Android. Numerous manufacturers make smartphones that work with the Android operating system. But Apple does not license iOS, the iPhone’s operating system, to other smartphone manufacturers.
Q. How can I turn on Do Not Disturb on my iPhone while I’m driving?
A. Open the Settings app on the iPhone screen. Scroll down until you see Do Not Disturb and turn on this feature. You then can select exactly how and when to employ this feature by changing other commands farther down the page. One of the settings automatically turns on Do Not Disturb when the iPhone determines that you’re driving.
Q. Will Face ID still unlock my iPhone when I’m wearing glasses?
A. Face ID doesn’t rely on superficial parts of your appearance to determine whether it should unlock the phone. Instead, it scans the face with infrared light, taking measurements. Changes like hair length, facial hair, jewelry, makeup, or headwear will not affect Face ID’s measurements.
