When you’re setting out to buy an iPhone, you’ve probably noticed that there’s like a gazillion of them out there right now. Instead of releasing a single model and calling it good, the best iPhones come in large sizes, small sizes, and some even have different internals, meaning you have to pay close attention to the device you’re actually buying. But while the iPhone 15 Pro Max might be the best iPhone from a pure specs perspective, the best iPhone for most people is going to depend on what they actually need from the device.
TL;DR – The Best Apple iPhones to Buy Now
The one thing that unites every current-generation iPhone, though, is software. And while we’re waiting for WWDC 2024 to get a sneak peek at iOS 18, every phone on this list is running on iOS 17. So, whether you’re looking for the best of the best, or something on a more reasonable budget, you can rest assured that you’re going to get the same software and app experience no matter what you pick.
You can also check out our guide to the best iPhone accessories to help you find the right peripherals for a new phone.
Best Apple iPhones in 2024
1. Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Best iPhone
iPhone 15 Pro
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Breeze through any task on this powerful iPhone with stunning cameras and tons of handy features like Dynamic Island and an Action Button.
Pros:
- Solid battery life
- Impressive display
Cons:
- The Action button isn’t as intuitive as it should be
Similar to the iPhone 15, the most significant change we see to the iPhone 15 Pro from previous generations is the replacement of the lighting port with a USB-C. But there are a few other useful new additions to this premium offering.
Design-wise, there is nothing remarkably different from last year’s model, though you get a new stunning titanium chassis, and it’s slightly lighter. There’s also a new Action Button that replaces the toggle used to go from vibrate to ring. However, you can still have the button perform that action, or do something else like open the camera, record a voice memo, or turn on the flashlight.
Inside, there’s a speedy A17 Pro processor that Apple claims can take on some AAA games and even has enough power to enable ray-tracing lighting effects–though we haven’t been able to test that just yet. While playing demanding games, the phone did get hot, but not nearly as hot as the iPhone 14 Pro. Still, it’s a capable gaming phone ready to take on anything you throw its way.
The iPhone 15 Pro cameras are similar to last year. You get a slightly larger main 48-megapixel sensor that defaults to shooting 24-megapixel pictures while all the other sensors remain virtually unchanged. However, the 15 Pro Max gets a tetraprism lens for the telephoto. Still, these cameras shoot gorgeous pictures and videos. There’s also a handy new feature to make taking portraits easier.
The iPhone 15 Pro is the crème de la crème of iPhones to buy in 2023. It comes in four colors: black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium. The device also offers four storage options, including 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.
2. Apple iPhone 15
Best Midrange Option
iPhone 15
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With a USB-C port, Dynamic Island feature, a 48-megapixel main camera, and running on an A16 Bionic chip, the iPhone 15 is a solid phone choice for most.
Pros:
- Sleek and stylish design
- A16 Bionic chip
Cons:
- Limited to a 60Hz display
The Apple iPhone 15 is the latest smartphone from the popular tech company. With this model, we finally say goodbye to the lighting port in exchange for the much more universal USB-C—shout out to the EU. Another new addition includes Dynamic Island, which replaces the selfie camera notch and displays handy information, something we first saw on last year’s 14 Pro models. The cameras also got an upgrade, with a new 48-megapixel main camera, though the 12-megapixel ultrawide appears unchanged. There are even some new camera features to make getting a great portrait shot even easier.
Running the iPhone 15 is an A16 Bionic chip, the same reliable and familiar processor as the 14 Pro. It offers speedy machine learning, and your phone should have no problem running apps, using the cameras, or even doing some light gaming. However, we still don’t get an “always-on” display.
The iPhone 15 comes in five colors, including black, blue, pink, green, and yellow, and offers a few storage-size options, such as 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
3. Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Best Battery Life
iPhone 15 Plus
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Go for a bigger screen and longer battery life with this phone offering all the same features as the iPhone 15.
Pros:
- Excellent performance
- Decent camera system
Cons:
If you want an iPhone to go for hours (and sometimes even days), then the Apple iPhone 15 Plus is the model for you. While it has the same processor, camera, color availability, storage options, and features as the iPhone 15, the 15 Plus is much bigger—thanks to its larger display (6.1 inches compared to 6.7 inches, respectively). In this instance, the byproduct of a larger smartphone is a bigger battery, with more juice to get you through the day.
While the iPhone 15 Plus is the same size as the iPhone 15 Pro Max, it’s not as power-hungry, meaning the battery life is more efficient and lasts much longer. On average, the iPhone 15 Plus could get you through a day or two of light use before it needs to be charged.
4. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Best Budget Option
iPhone SE (2022)
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Get Apple iOS on the cheap with this phone running on an A15 Bionic chip but be prepared for a lackluster screen.
Pros:
- Great value for money
- Very good performance
Cons:
Starting at $429, the Apple iPhone SE (third generation) is our pick for the best cheap iPhone to buy and by far the cheapest iPhone. On the outside, the iPhone SE has the same body—4.7-inch display, and 12-megapixel wide rear and 7-megapixel selfie camera system—as the Apple iPhone 8, which was released in 2017. However, on the inside, the smartphone features the A15 Bionic processor, the same one fueling the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Plus. As the old saying goes, “it’s what’s inside that counts.”
It also features the same access to the Apple App Store and just about every Apple service, including FaceTime, iMessage, iCloud, Apple Music, and much more, but at an affordable price.
The iPhone SE comes in three colors, including Midnight, Starlight, and red, as well as a few storage options, such as 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB.
5. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Best Large Display
Pros:
- High-end performance
- Triple lens rear camera system and 5x optical zoom
Cons:
- The action button is limited to one task
If you want a large iPhone display in 2023, then the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is our pick. It features a massive 6.7-inch display—the same size as the iPhone 15 Plus. However, the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s display is brighter—it’s also brighter than last year’s iPhone 14 Pro Max. That display produces smoother motion and animations with a 120Hz refresh rate compared to the 15 Plus’ 60Hz refresh rate, and it features an “Always On” display that makes it easier to check the time and notifications when the smartphone is asleep.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max offers almost all the same features as the iPhone 15 Pro but has slightly better cameras. That’s thanks to the tetraprism lens that delivers double the optical zoom of the iPhone 15 Pro. You also get a beefier battery.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is available in four colors, including black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium, as well as 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options.
Upcoming iPhones
Typically, Apple releases iPhones every Fall, with an announement landing in September – so we have a pretty good idea of when to expect the iPhone 16. However, at WWDC 2024 on June 10, we’re going to get a peek at iOS 18, the software the new iPhones will be built around. We probably won’t get any hardware information about the new phones at the event, but we’ll at least get an idea of what using the iPhone 16 will generally be like.
What to Look for in an Apple iPhone
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 2024.
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 15 Plus or the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is the perfect fit, thanks to their 6.7-inch displays. But if you’re on the smaller side, then the Apple iPhone 13 Mini or Apple iPhone SE (third generation) might be best with 5.4-inch or 4.7-inch displays, respectively.
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 15 Pro with 1TB of storage is the best option, while the iPhone SE has the smallest amount of storage with just 64GB—if you don’t want to use a lot of apps and just use it very casually.
Price
Meanwhile, if price is a consideration, the Apple iPhone ranges from the very wallet-friendly iPhone SE (64GB) at $429 to the totally maxed out iPhone 15 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 5-to-6 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 15 is the best pick because it’s the most well-rounded with a fast processor, fantastic camera system, fun colors, and a wide range of storage options at a good price.
Best iPhone FAQ
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 Samsung Galaxy S23 and Google Pixel 8 which are at the top of the Android market. There are other brands like Asus and OnePlus that offer some decent phones as well that have many of the features and iOS user would expect.
Rudie Obias is a contributing freelance writer and editor for IGN with a speciality in all things Apple products.
