Best iPhones in 2024: Which iPhone should you buy? (2024)

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the best iPhone you can buy right now, but its time in the top spot could be ticking down. In a few months, the new iPhone 16 models arrive, and that will introduce new iPhones to the mix. So should you upgrade now or wait for the iPhone 16 to see what Apple has in store?

Unless you really need an iPhone right now, we think you should try to put off your purchase until the fall. The new iPhones figure to get some noteworthy upgrades, including a more advanced processor, a new Capture button for more easily taking photos and — in the case of the iPhone 16 Pro — improvements to the camera hardware. Plus, all new models should have the processing power to run the Apple Intelligence features coming later this year.

Still, sometimes waiting isn't an option. If you need an iPhone now, our iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max comparison outlines the differences between the current models. That way, you can decide whether it's best to pay top dollar for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, save some money with the iPhone 15 or get any of the other devices in Apple's lineup.

You're not limited to just the iPhone 15 family, by the way. You can also save some money by buying an older iPhone. The iPhone 14 remains part of Apple's lineup as does the iPhone 13, with Apple cutting the price on both phones last fall. And the best iPhone deals can help you save more, even on the iPhone SE — currently the cheapest iPhone Apple sells.

Whether you're a long-time iPhone fan or you're just making the switch from Android to iPhone, we can help you find a phone you'll be happy to use. Here's how we rank the best iPhones currently available.

The quick list

The best iPhone overall

Who should get the iPhone 15 Pro Max: Anyone who wants the best iPhone around, regardless of price

Every premium feature Apple packs into its phones is on display with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the phone has the price tag to show it. While this is the most expensive iPhone, you also get the super-fast A17 Pro processor, an improved 12MP telephoto camera with 5x zoom, and an eye-catching titanium alloy frame. Plus, the Pro Max offers an expansive 6.7-inch display with a big battery to match. That battery kept the iPhone 15 Pro Max running for more than 14 hours in our test, placing it near the top of the best phone battery life rankings.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s hits keep on coming. The new Action button replaces the mute switch and can be programmed for a number of functions — including acting as the mute switch. Its most notable new addition is its improved telephoto camera range, which now extends to 5x zoom, the longest in an iPhone to date. To see how the iPhone 15 Pro Max compares to other best camera phone contenders, check out our 200-photo face-off between this iPhone and the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Even with the iPhone 16 Pro Max likely to replace this model in Apple's lineup in a few months, it's worth considering the iPhone 15 Pro Max, as the phone's A17 Pro chipset will allow it to run Apple Intelligence features when those AI capabilities come to iPhones later this year. The standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus can't make that claim.

We struggle to come up with any serious complaints about the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which is not only the best phone you can buy right now, but the best iPhone Apple’s ever made.

Read our full iPhone 15 Pro Max review.

The best iPhone for most of us

Who should get the iPhone 15: Anyone who wants the least expensive model of Apple's latest phone.

The iPhone 15 doesn’t have the flashier features found in its Pro siblings, but it’s still a solid upgrade, particularly if you’re looking to make the move from an older iPhone — we're thinking iPhone 13 or later.

The notch is gone, and now in its place, the Dynamic Island that it borrows from the iPhone 14 Pro series. The iPhone 15 features an A16 Bionic chipset instead of the newer A17 Pro. But at least the iPhone 15’s version of the A16 features it the extra GPU muscle to boost it over the iPhone 14.

While the 5x telephoto camera in the iPhone 15 Pro Max is grabbing most of the attention, the iPhone 15’s camera improvements are noteworthy — so much so that this model ranks among the top camera phones even without a dedicated telephoto lens, which Apple is able to do with some hardware and software magic. A larger sensor with bigger pixels powers the main camera, improving performance in low light and makes its 2x zoom photos usable. The iPhone 15 also benefits from Apple’s enhanced Photonic Engine, which delivers brighter images.

Action mode for capturing smoother video continues to be available to iPhone 15 owners, while its new USB-C port allows it to charge all of your other favorite gadgets — like the AirPods and Apple Watch, And that comes in a device that continues to cost $799, making it one of the more affordable flagships out there.

Read our full iPhone 15 review.

Best battery life in an iPhone

Who should get the iPhone 15 Plus: Big-screen phone fans on a budget.

The iPhone 15 Plus is the best iPhone for people who prefer a larger display but don't want to pay big bucks for one of the best big phones. For $300 less than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the iPhone 15 Plus gives you an expansive 6.7-inch OLED screen, whether you want to watch movies and shows on the go or you just want a bigger viewfinder for your photos. And the photos look amazing from the improved cameras on the iPhone 15 Plus, thanks to a bigger main sensor and Apple’s Photonic Engine for better pics in low light.

As much as we like the regular iPhone 15, you’ll want to get the Plus if you want more time between charges. The iPhone 15 Plus lasted more than 14 hours on our web surfing test, giving it the longest battery life we've ever recorded for an iPhone on our test. There’s some things we don’t like about the iPhone 15 Plus — including its dated 60Hz refresh rate and slow charging via its new USB-C port — but overall it’s a great value.And like the iPhone 15, the iPhone 15 Plus is available in a handful of charming color options.

Read our full iPhone 15 Plus review.

The most affordable iPhone Pro

Who should get the iPhone 15 Pro: Anyone who wants the iPhone 15 Pro Max's features, but at a lower price.

You don't necessarily have to pay $1,199 for the best iPhone features. Most everything you find in the iPhone 15 Pro Max is also available in the iPhone 15 Pro, but for $200 less. You'll sacrifice battery life — the battery inside the iPhone 15 Pro is smaller — and the Pro model only offers a 6.1-inch display (though it matches the 144Hz refresh rate of the larger Pro Max).

The A17 Pro chipset is here, meaning you'll be able to run Apple Intelligence features as part of this year's software updates. You also get an improved 48MP main camera and a sturdy titanium alloy frame, programmable Action button, and USB-C port. From cameras to display brightness, to the way it handles demanding apps, the iPhone 15 Pro is a winner, and a way to enjoy the high-end Pro features Apple has added to its lineup without paying Max prices.

Read our full iPhone 15 Pro review.

Best discounted big iPhone

Who should get the iPhone 14 Plus: Big-screen phone fans on a budget.

The iPhone 14 Plus is the best iPhone for people who prefer a larger display but don't want to pay big bucks for one of thebest big phones. For $200 less than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the iPhone 14 Plus gives you an expansive 6.7-inch OLED screen, whether you want to watch movies and shows on the go or you just want a bigger viewfinder for your photos. And the photos look amazing from the improved cameras on the iPhone 14 Plus, thanks to a bigger main sensor and Apple’s Photonic Engine for better pics in low light.

As much as we like the regular iPhone 14, you’ll want to get the Plus if you want more time between charges. The iPhone 14 Plus lasted nearly 12 hours on our web surfing test. There’s some things we don’t like about the iPhone 14 Plus — including the 60Hz refresh rate and lack of telephoto lens — but overall it’s a great value.And like the iPhone 14, the iPhone 14 Plus includes ayellow color optiongo with its black, white, blue, purple and red colors.

Read our fulliPhone 14 Plus review.

A good iPhone at a discount

Who should get the iPhone 14: Bargain hunters who are unimpressed with the new features included on the standard iPhone 15.

Even with the iPhone 15 available, the iPhone 14 remains a viable choice for many people, especially now that Apple's older phone costs a lot less. By skipping more recent iPhones, you won't get a slightly improved A16 Bionic chipset in the iPhone 15 or the camera improvements in the new models. But the iPhone 14 is a worthy upgrade from older phones, and now it costs less than before at $699. (Our iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 14 comparison has more on the differences.)

One of the best things about this model is its storage — Apple includes 128GB with the base model after years of forcing people to upgrade from the skimpy 64GB if they wanted a higher capacity. The A15 processor remains a solid processor, though upcoming Android devices are likely to out-muscle it if Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 benchmarks are any indication.

As with any iPhone 14 model, the real story here is the cameras. The iPhone 14 still features two rear lenses, but they have bigger sensors than the iPhone 13's, leading to improved low-light photography. The iPhone 14 also supports Cinematic mode for shifting the focus in videos.

Read our full iPhone 14 review.

The least expensive iPhone

Who should get the iPhone SE 2022: Anyone who wants the least expensive iPhone

The iPhone SE (2022) is the most budget-friendly option in the current iPhone lineup. Starting at $429 for the 64GB model, the latest SE is a veritable powerhouse that runs laps around anything else at this price point. You will not find something that performs better under $500, even if its lone camera loses some luster when compared against the the more recently released Pixel 8a. (See our 200-photo Pixel 8a vs. iPhone SE photo face-off to get a sense of how the iPHone is beginning to lag behind.)

With the same A15 Bionic chipset that’s in the iPhone 13 — but lacking the extra GPU core found in the A15 powering the iPhone 14 — the iPhone SE (2022) can handle any task you set before it, all in an incredibly compact body. However, the 4.7-inch LCD is a bit of a letdown with a low resolution by today’s standards (1344 x 750). The chunky bezels of the classic iPhone design also look incredibly dated.

Perhaps the most egregious omission from the iPhone SE is the lack of Night mode. It’s even sadder because the phone takes great photos in daylight. And it also lacks mmWave 5G, so people hoping to take advantage of Verizon’s Ultra Wideband network will be left out in the cold with the latest iPhone SE.

Read our full iPhone SE (2022) review.

Best iPhone for bargain hunters

Who should get the iPhone 13: Bargain hunters who are unimpressed with the new features included on the standard iPhone 14.

Even with the iPhone 14 available, the lack of major changes to Apple's $799 phone means the iPhone 13 remains a viable choice for many people, especially now that Apple's older phone costs less. By skipping more recent iPhones, you won't get a slightly improved A15 Bionic chipset in the iPhone 14 or the camera improvements in the new models. But the iPhone 13 is a worthy upgrade from older phones, and now it costs less than before at $699. (Our iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 13 comparison has more on the differences.)

One of the best things about this model is its storage — Apple includes 128GB with the base model after years of forcing people to upgrade from the skimpy 64GB if they wanted a higher capacity. The A15 processor remains a solid processor, though upcoming Android devices are likely to out-muscle it if Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 benchmarks are any indication.

As with any iPhone 13 model, the real story here is the cameras. The iPhone 13 still features two rear lenses, but they have bigger sensors than the iPhone 12's, leading to improved low-light photography. The iPhone 13 also supports Cinematic mode for shifting the focus in videos.

Read our full iPhone 13 review.

How to choose the best iPhone for you

When shopping for an iPhone, take stock of the features and capabilities that matter most to you. If battery life is especially important, seek out a larger iPhone, as they tend to have bigger batteries to match their screen size. What's more, because iOS is known to be generally efficient in terms of energy consumption, even the smaller models tend to last longer than average on a charge.

If you're basing your next iPhone purchase off camera quality, the top-tier Pro variants are easy recommendations, thanks to triple-lens designs that allow you to capture multiple different perspectives, from zoomed-out ultra wide-angle images to shallow depth-of-field portraits. They're also remarkably good in challenging lighting scenarios, like when shooting in a dimly-lit indoor space, or outdoors at night.

All that said, if price is king, and saving the absolute most on your next smartphone purchase is your top priority, you should have no reservations about nabbing either the iPhone SE or an older model with a lower price tag. They may be on the cheaper side of Apple's range, but they're still made of flagship-quality materials, with enough power and performance to sustain years of use. iOS software updates, which are available to every model at the same time, generally provide five years of support, adding to the value of older models.

Apple dropped the iPhone 12 from its lineup last fall; as a result, you no longer have to worry quite as much about storage. The base model of nearly every iPhone starts with 128GB of storage — the exceptions are the iPhone SE (a paltry 64GB) and iPhone 15 Pro Max (a more generous 256GB).

If you buy your iPhone through Apple, you may be able to save money by trading in your current phone. Apple offers $170 to $630 off your purchase when you trade-in an iPhone 11 or later. (The more recent your iPhone, the higher the trade-in value, and yes, switchers, Apple will accept Android devices, too.)

Note that if you buy your iPhone unlocked from Apple, you'll need to tack another $30 onto the base price of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. (The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max start at the same price, whether unlocked or not.)

We track special offers from carriers and retailers to find the best iPhone deals by model:

• Best iPhone 15 deals
• Best iPhone 14 deals
• Best iPhone 13 deals
• Best iPhone SE deals

When Apple releases new iPhones, it cuts the price on the models it keeps around. That's why you're paying less for the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 13 after the iPhone 15's September release. That could happen to some of the current models after the iPhone 16's release.

All of the iPhones mentioned here can run iOS 17, Apple's latest iPhone software that came out just ahead of the iPhone 15 release. Read our iOS 17 review for more on the big features. Highlights include the new StandBy mode as well as the Check In feature that lets you tell people through the Message app that you've arrived safely.The latest version of the software is iOS 17.5

When are the next iPhones coming out?

Apple typically releases new iPhones in the fall. That's when we're expecting the new iPhone 16 models which will almost certainly feature an iPhone 16 Pro and an iPhone 16 Pro Max. (Talk of an iPhone 16 Ultra seems to have fizzled out.) Forget about an iPhone SE 4 this year — that's almost certainly not going to arrive until 2025 at the earliest.

Based on Apple's past release schedule, we can make an educated guess as to when we think the iPhone 16 release date will be.

Before then, we would expect to see iOS 18, the next version of Apple's iPhone software. Apple already previewed that software update at WWDC 2024 in June, and a public beta is expected to arrive in July. Highlights include a more customizable home screen, a new Control Center and updates to the Notes, Maps and Safari apps. AI-powered Apple Intelligence features are also coming, but only to phones with an A17 Pro chipset or later.

How we test iPhones

As with any smartphone we test at Tom's Guide, we evaluate iPhones for days in real-world use cases. We also benchmark Apple's phones using a gamut of performance-measuring apps that allow us to compare iPhone performance to what Android devices are capable of. In addition to synthetic benchmarks, we also run real-world tests, including a video transcoding test in Adobe Premiere Rush that compares the iPhone's processing speed with other devices.

In our lab, we use a light meter to ascertain display quality data, like brightness and color accuracy to help us evaluate the display of the best iPhones. Our proprietary battery test determines longevity on a charge by endlessly streaming webpages over an LTE network; we then recharge the iPhones to see how quickly they charge in 15-minute intervals.

To compare cameras, we take any iPhone we review out and shoot photos in a variety of settings. We also bring along a comparable smartphone to see how the iPhone's photographic output measures up.

We explore Apple's iOS improvements, test gaming performance and evaluate the phone's speakers — and each of these factors play a part in our final verdict.