If you're searching for everything there is to know about the Apple iPhone, you've come to the right place. The company currently offers multiple devices to pick between, and with recent generations comprising several models, choosing the right one for your needs has become increasingly difficult. If you're not looking to invest in the latest range, which is now the iPhone 15 series and includes the regular model, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max - there's also the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 models to consider, as well as the entry-level iPhone SE (2022).

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I've used all the models extensively, and all have a place depending on what you are looking for from your iPhone, as well as, crucially, how much you want to spend. Below, I'm explaining and ranking each iPhone model in detail in order to help you figure out where you should spend your cash and which is the best iPhone for you.

Best iPhone: Our top picks

iPhone 15 Pro Max review - 18-1
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
1. Best iPhone overall

The best Apple has to offer

There is no denying it is expensive, but the iPhone 15 Pro Max looks great, is effortless in its performance and delivers in every area, from the stunning display to the excellent camera. It's a fantastic all-round smartphone that's hard to criticise.

SoC
A17 Pro
Display
6.7-inch, OLED, 2796 x 1290, 460ppi, HDR, 2000nits, 120Hz
Storage
256/512GB/1TB
Dimensions
159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25mm, 221g
Colors
Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
Material
Titanium
Pros
  • Lovely premium build quality
  • Excellent and smooth performance
  • Great camera results
Cons
  • Expensive

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max was the shining star of the 2023 iPhone range. It is the most expensive iPhone available, but that's really all that goes against it. This model offers a lighter build than its predecessor thanks to its switch to a titanium frame and it also delivers some big upgrades to performance with a new A17 Pro chip under the hood. Its battery performance doesn't match that of the iPhone 15 Plus, but its day-to-day performance is buttery smooth, the display is quite simply glorious and the design changes are really lovely in the flesh, as well as useful when you consider the Action Button.

iPhone 15 Pro Max review - 4-1

That's all without mentioning the camera too. The iPhone 15 Pro Max doesn't just sit at the top of our best iPhone list for its performance and design. It also features the best Apple has to offer in terms of camera capabilities too, with a switch to 5x optical zoom. The camera results are excellent in my experience and testing, not just from the new 120mm lens, but the main lens and Ultra Wide lens too. This is the best iPhone Apple has made to date - it's superb.

Apple iPhone 15 - 20-1
Apple iPhone 15
2. Best all-rounder iPhone

A great buy if your budget doesn't allow for the 15 Pro Max

The Apple iPhone 15 might not have all the same features as the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but there's still a lot to love with this model. It has a fabulous display, great camera offering and solid performance, and for a very good price too.

SoC
A16 Bionic
Display
6.1-inch, OLED, 2556 x 1179, HDR, 2000nits, 60Hz
Storage
128/256/512GB
Dimensions
147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm
Colors
Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink
Material
Aluminium
Pros
  • Superb design
  • Lovely display with Dynamic Island
  • Excellent camera results, including 2x zoom
Cons
  • No Always-On Display
  • 60Hz only

The Apple iPhone 15 might not offer all the bells and whistles of the iPhone 15 Pro Max above, but it has a lot going for it and it is still a fantastic choice - and a more wallet-friendly one too. The regular iPhone 15 models made a switch from the notch at the top of their displays to the Dynamic Island feature that was first introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro. It makes the regular iPhone 15 far more exciting than the iPhone 14 was in 2022, and the matte glass finish on the back is a lovely change too.

iPhone 15 review -1

That's not all worth mentioning, however. The iPhone 15 sees an upgrade to a 48-megapixel main sensor and it is also now capable of 2x optical zoom, which has never been an option for the regular models in the past. Like the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the iPhone 15 can't match the iPhone 15 Plus in terms of battery performance, but it offers a fabulous display, great overall performance from the A16 Bionic chip and brilliant camera results. If the iPhone 15 Pro Max is too big, or out of budget, this is the iPhone you want.

Apple iPhone 15 Plus -12
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
3. Best iPhone for battery

The iPhone to buy to last you all day and night

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus offers everything the regular iPhone 15 offers but on a larger scale. There's a 6.7-inch display here - which is excellent - but more than that, this model has the best battery of all four iPhone 15 models in my experience.

SoC
Apple A16 Bionic
Display
6.7-inch, OLED, 2796 x 1290, HDR, 2000nits, 60Hz
Storage
128/256/512GB
Dimensions
160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8mm, 201g
Colors
Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink
Material
Aluminium
Pros
  • Lovely refined design
  • Superb battery life
  • Great camera and hardware performance
Cons
  • No Always-On Display
  • Only 60hz refresh rate

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus offers everything the iPhone 15 does, but in a larger format. With that larger format not only comes a bigger display, but there's a bigger battery under the hood too. The larger display is fabulous, with some serious punch and plenty of brightness, but it's the battery capabilities of this device that make it a real winner. If overall battery performance is the most important feature to you in a new device, then it's the iPhone 15 Plus you'll want to buy.

Apple iPhone 15 Plus review -6

Alongside that battery performance, you get general performance too, however, with the iPhone 15 Plus offering a smooth and consistent experience. Like the iPhone 15, the iPhone 15 Plus also gets an upgrade to a 48-megapixel main sensor, along with a matte and contoured glass rear and Dynamic Island on the front. This is an excellent iPhone overall and one that is well worthy of your attention if you want a big iPhone with big performance.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro - 7-1
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
4. Best iPhone for performance

The iPhone to buy if you want pocketable power

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro doesn't have as many features in the camera department as its larger sibling, but it delivers excellent performance, a wonderful display and a compact and pocketable design.

SoC
Apple A17 Pro
Display
6.1-inch, OLED, 2556 x 1179, HDR, 2000nits, 120Hz
Storage
128/256/512GB/1TB
Dimensions
146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25mm, 187g
Colors
Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
Pros
  • Lovely, premium design
  • Beautiful display
  • Great camera results
Cons
  • Misses out on 5x zoom
  • Battery could be better

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro succeeds the iPhone 14 Pro, which was top of this list until the latest models came out. It's not as exciting this year as its larger brother - the iPhone 15 Pro Max - but that's not to say it doesn't deliver. Its optical zoom capabilities top out at 3x rather than 5x and it has a slightly smaller display and battery capacity, but otherwise, this is a small powerhouse of a device.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro - 6-1

Performance across the board is excellent and that's not just in terms of the chipset powering this device, but also in terms of its glorious display, fantastic camera results and general day-to-day experience. The iPhone 15 Pro Max will be too expensive and too large for some and the iPhone 15 might not cut it in every aspect in terms of features - especially if you consider a photographer of sorts. If that's you, the iPhone 15 Pro is an excellent choice.

Apple iPhone 14 Plus review: Is bigger better? photo 23
Apple iPhone 14 Plus
5. Best value iPhone

A great option to buy if you want battery and performance without spending a fortune

The Apple iPhone 14 Plus has all the same hardware and features as the iPhone 14 but with a larger display and battery - the latter of which is excellent on this model. It comes in the same five colour options as the iPhone 14 and retains the notch, setting it apart from the latest iPhone 15 models.

SoC
A15 Bionic
Display
6.7-inch, OLED, 2778 x 1284, HDR, 1200nits
Storage
128/256/512GB
Dimensions
160.8 x 78.1 x 7.8mm, 203g
Colors
Blue, Purple, Yellow, Midnight, Starlight, Product(RED)
Pros
  • Big and lightweight design
  • Great battery performance
  • Great camera performance
Cons
  • Small chip upgrade over iPhone 13
  • No ProMotion
  • No Always-On Display

The Apple iPhone 14 Plus has the same design and hardware as the iPhone 14 (below), but on a larger scale. It was the first time Apple had announced a larger model of the standard iPhone since the Pro models were introduced and it replaced the iPhone mini. It has an aluminium frame, which means this model is lighter than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, whilst still delivering a lovely big 6.7-inch OLED display and a fantastic battery life - the latter of which is better than its predecessor, the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Apple iPhone 14 Plus review: Is bigger better? photo 16

The phone is equipped with easy-to-hold flat-edges, a notch at the top of the screen and a dual camera on the rear that delivers some great shots and some upgrades compared to the iPhone 13. As with the iPhone 14 below, the iPhone 14 Plus runs on the A15 Bionic chipset, but it offers a much bigger battery than its smaller sibling as I mentioned, which makes it better value overall. The iPhone 14 Plus is the iPhone to buy if you want an iPhone on a larger scale with a bigger battery but the iPhone 15 Plus is too much to justify.

iPhone 14 Yellow - 8
Apple iPhone 14
6. Best compact iPhone

A great buy if your budget doesn't allow for the iPhone 15

The Apple iPhone 14 is the base model of the 2022 models, featuring the same hardware as the iPhone 13 but with a faster GPU, upgraded main camera and front camera improvements. It comes in five colour options and retains the notch.

SoC
A15 Bionic
Display
6.1-inch, OLED, 2532 x 1170, HDR, 1200nits
Storage
128/256/512GB
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8mm, 172g
Colors
Blue, Purple, Yellow. Midnight, Starlight, Product(RED)
Pros
  • Upgraded main camera over iPhone 13
  • Lovely colour options
  • Excellent display
Cons
  • No design changes over iPhone 13
  • No Always-On Display

The Apple iPhone 14 is the entry-level model to the 2022 iPhones, which have now been replaced by the iPhone 15 models. It offers an identical design to the iPhone 13 models, with a notch at the top of its lovely OLED display, an aluminium frame with flat edges that's nice and light and a dual camera on the rear that delivers some great results and some upgrades from the iPhone 13. There's IP68 water and dust resistance, like the latest iPhone 15 models, but you miss out on the Dynamic Island design and the camera improvements.

iPhone 14 Yellow - 17

The iPhone 14 runs on the A15 Bionic chip with five-core GPU, which is the same as the iPhone 13 Pro from 2021. It's powerful hardware and while it doesn't match the iPhone 15 models, there's still a great experience here. The iPhone 14 is the iPhone to buy if you want a smaller iPhone, but your budget doesn't allow for the iPhone 15 with its design refinements and extra features.

Apple iPhone 13 could launch 14 September, with 1TB option photo 2
Apple iPhone 13
7. Best budget iPhone

Still a great buy if your budget is tighter

$679 $729 Save $50

The Apple iPhone 13 offers exactly the same hardware and features as the now discontinued iPhone 13 mini but on a larger scale, with a 6.1-inch display like the iPhone 14, and battery improvements over the iPhone 12.

SoC
A15 Bionic
Display
6.1-inch, OLED, 2532 x 1170, HDR, 1200nits
Storage
128/256/512GB
Front camera
12MP f/2.2
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65mm, 174g
Colors
Blue, Pink, Green, Midnight, Starlight, Product(RED)
Pros
  • Big and bright display
  • Good camera performance
  • Solid performance
Cons
  • No telephoto zoom lens
  • 60Hz refresh rate display

The Apple iPhone 13 has the same design, features and specifications as the now discontinued iPhone 13 mini but on a bigger scale. With this device, you have a flat edge design like the latest models, and it is an aluminium build with IP68 water resistance, making for a light and durable build. The iPhone 13 has a 6.1-inch display, so it's the same size as the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15. The notch has been reduced at the top compared to the iPhone 12, but you'll still find Face ID and a 12-megapixel front-facing camera with Night mode.

If you have an iPhone 11, now is the time to upgrade to iPhone 13: Here are the key differences photo 1
Pocket-lint

The iPhone 13 runs on pretty much the same hardware as the iPhone 14 so you don't lose much by opting for the iPhone 13 over the iPhone 14, except the camera improvements. The iPhone 13 is therefore the iPhone I would recommend if you can't stretch your budget to the newer models, whether that's the iPhone 14 from 2022 or iPhone 15 from 2023. It's a powerful device with plenty of life left in it.

Apple iPhone SE (2022) review product shots photo 25
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
8. Best iPhone for entry

A good entry level model

$404.99 $429.99 Save $25

The iPhone SE (2022) carries over the design from the second-gen iPhone SE from 2020, and, consequently, the iPhone 8. The display isn't quite as impressive as the other models in the company's portfolio, but it has the same core hardware as the iPhone 13 models, 5G capabilities and a single camera on the rear.

SoC
A15 Bionic
Display
4.7-inch, LCD, 1334 x 750, 625nits
Storage
64/128/256GB
Dimensions
138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mm, 144g
Colors
Black, White, Product(RED)
Pros
  • Affordable with flagship power
  • Solid performance
  • Good battery life
Cons
  • Old design
  • Poor low light camera performance

The iPhone SE (2022) replaces the iPhone SE (2020) as the entry point into the iPhone ecosystem. It sticks with the iPhone 8 design, retaining the exact same measurements, while also offering IP67 protection. That design means that the iPhone SE features Touch ID, making it the only model that doesn't have Face ID on this list, and the display also sticks to the old 16:9 aspect, rather than the 19:9 aspect of the iPhone 13, iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models.

Apple iPhone SE (2022) review product shots photo 21
Pocket-lint

Outside of the design, the iPhone SE is powered by the A15 Bionic, the same chap that's in the standard iPhone 13 models. That makes it more powerful than the iPhone 12 models, despite looking older in terms of design. It is also 5G capable. There's a single 12-megapixel camera on the back, as well, and it offers the same Portrait Lighting effects as the iPhone 13, as well as Smart HDR 4 for photos and Photographic Styles. That means that it's a better offering on the rear camera than the older iPhone XR, though there is no night mode like the iPhone 12 and later.

The bottom line: What is the best iPhone?

The best iPhone, in my opinion, is currently the iPhone 15 Pro Max, though I fully appreciate the cost of this model and therefore I'd also very highly recommend both the iPhone 15 Plus and the iPhone 15. The iPhone 15 Pro Max gives you all the features Apple offers and its overall performance is superb. The iPhone 15 Plus has the same size display as the iPhone 15 Pro Max however, and it has a better battery performance too. The iPhone 15 is cheaper than both these models though, especially the iPhone 15 Pro Max, so if you're after value and a great all-rounder, the iPhone 15 is a brilliant option.

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs 15 Pro - 2
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Editor's Choice

The very best Apple has to offer

SoC
A17 Pro
Display
6.7-inch, OLED, 2796 x 1290, 460ppi, HDR, 2000nits, 120Hz
Storage
256/512GB/1TB
Dimensions
159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25mm, 221g
Colors
Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
Material
Titanium

How did I choose these iPhone models?

I have reviewed Apple's iPhones for a number of years, and have extensive knowledge and hands-on experience with all the models on this list. Which iPhone you select will depend on a number of factors, not only your budget, but what features are most important to you. If you want an iPhone that will deliver the best camera experience that Apple has to offer, you will want to opt for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. If you want an iPhone that will last all day, you'll want to opt for the iPhone 15 Plus. If you want pocketable performance, the iPhone 15 Pro is the model you want. All the models selected on this list have a place. They are all great for certain features or requirements and there is an iPhone model to suit most needs, whatever they may be. I've tried to determine which models are best suited for particular needs to make it easy to scan the list and decide what the best iPhone is for you and what you might be looking for.

Is the iPhone 15 worth buying?

Yes absolutely, the iPhone 15 is definitely worth buying, more so than the iPhone 14 was in 2022. It is a brilliant phone that delivers excellent performance overall. It's not in this list due to availability, but I would still recommend the iPhone 14 Pro if you can get hold of it for a good price, as it offers the same performance as the iPhone 15 but with a couple of extra camera features. Overall the iPhone 15 is a superb buy this year, however. For those deciding between the regular models, the iPhone 15 Plus will give you better battery performance, but both the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus are devices I would happily recommend.

Which iPhone has the best camera?

The iPhone 15 Pro Max currently offers the best camera capabilities of the iPhone models. In the past, the camera capabilities have been the same between the iPhone Pro models, but that changed in 2023, with the larger model now offering a little extra with its 5x zoom instead of 3x zoom. All four iPhone 15 models have a 48-megapixel main sensor, though it is a different sensor between the iPhone 15 Pro models and the iPhone 15 models. The iPhone 14 Pro models also offer a 48-megapixel main sensor, which is the same as the iPhone 15 Pro models and slightly larger than the iPhone 15 models. It is worth mentioning that most iPhone models have many of the same features though and a similar user experience, and while you will get some additional features from the Pro models - especially the iPhone 15 Pro Max this year, you'll get great results across the board.