The best iPhones to buy in 2024

New iPhones are right here, however Apple Intelligence is MIA. The much-hyped AI options will begin to ship with iOS 18.1 in October, they usually’ll embrace issues like notification summaries and generative AI-powered writing instruments. It’s all pretty standard fare at this point, however extra promising options will proceed to roll out effectively into 2025 — no less than, that’s what Apple says.

All of it places the iPhone 16 and 16 Professional in an uncommon spot: even as soon as 18.1 drops, Apple Intelligence will nonetheless be a piece in progress. That provides one other dimension to the perennial query: “Is that this the yr to improve?”

Regardless of all of the fuss about AI, our regular recommendation about cellphone shopping for holds true: hold on to the one you bought. In the event you’re not the kind of particular person to get excited a couple of new digicam button, up to date photograph processing choices, or incremental efficiency upgrades, then there’s no purpose to hurry out and purchase an iPhone 16.

However for those who’re questioning whether or not it’s the yr to interchange your iPhone 11 or 12 (or possibly even older, during which case effectively finished!), then I believe the reply is a straightforward sure. There are actual positive aspects this yr, particularly within the fundamental iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, with out even contemplating AI. And if Apple Intelligence seems to be one thing particular, effectively, you’ll be prepared for it.

Display screen: 6.1-inch, 2556 x 1179 OLED, 60Hz refresh fee / Processor: A18 Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.6 important with sensor-shift IS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not marketed / Charging: 27W wired, 25W wi-fi MagSafe, 15W Qi2, 7.5W Qi / Climate-resistance score: IP68

Apple’s fundamental iPhone loved a major {hardware} increase this time round, enjoying an overdue sport of catch-up to the Professional sequence. The iPhone 16 contains the Motion Button from final yr’s Professional fashions — helpful if there’s an app in your life you need to entry on the contact of a button — and the brand new Digital camera Management. So if buttons are something to go by, this cellphone is two higher than final yr’s mannequin.

There’s extra occurring below the hood, too. The A18 chipset is in the identical technology because the processor on the Professional fashions, which hasn’t been the case for the previous couple of years. That bodes effectively for the 16 sequence staying on the identical replace schedule. And there’s additional RAM on this yr’s base mannequin, which may solely be a great factor.

The iPhone 16 grew to become a way more fascinating digicam this time round, too. The Digital camera Management affords a fast approach to launch the digicam app and regulate settings like publicity compensation. However there’s additionally a brand new set of Photographic Type filters this time round, with choices to regulate distinction, brightness, and undertones to dial in your most popular rendering of pores and skin tones. You’ll get higher low-light efficiency by stepping as much as the 16 Professional fashions, and different cool tips like 4K recording at 120 fps. However even with out all that, it’s essentially the most customizable digicam Apple has provided but.

Outdoors of digicam efficiency, there are two main drawbacks to choosing the common 16 over a Professional mannequin: no zoom lens, and no ProMotion display screen. Solely the Professional has a devoted 5x lens, which is helpful for inventive framing. And the usual 60Hz display screen on the iPhone 16 will possible solely trouble you for those who’re used to a smoother 120Hz show, although it’s annoying on precept that Apple retains this characteristic to its Professional telephones when just about each different high-end cellphone has one.

Read my full Apple iPhone 16 review.

Display screen: 6.3-inch, 2622 x 1206 OLED, 120Hz refresh fee / Processor: A18 Professional Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.8 with sensor-shift IS; 12-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 48-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not marketed / Charging: 27W wired, 25W MagSafe wi-fi, 15W Qi2, 7.5W Qi / Climate-resistance score: IP68

The iPhone 16 Professional will get a small however significant improve this time round: a bump as much as a 5x zoom, which on the 15 sequence was reserved for the Professional Max. And whereas the change from a 3x to 5x zoom doesn’t look that spectacular on paper, it goes an extended approach to making the smaller 16 Professional really feel like an equal to the 16 Professional Max. For as soon as, you don’t have to get the most important cellphone to get the perfect cellphone.

The 16 Professional is roughly the identical measurement because the 15 Professional, but it surely has a much bigger display screen: 6.3 inches, up from 6.1 inches. There’s additionally the brand new Digital camera Management, an upgraded 48-megapixel ultrawide on board, and naturally, a brand new chipset that’s prepared and ready for Apple Intelligence.

There’s nothing right here that makes the 16 Professional an absolute must-upgrade. Nonetheless, loads of folks will need the newest machine with all of the bells and whistles, and the 16 Professional represents a possibility to get all of these options with out having to purchase the most important cellphone.

Read our full Apple iPhone 16 Pro review.

Display screen: 6.7-inch Tremendous Retina OLED / Processor: A18 Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.6 important with sensor-shift IS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not marketed / Charging: 27W wired, 25W wi-fi MagSafe, 15W Qi2, 7.5W Qi / Climate-resistance score: IP68

The factor a couple of huge cellphone is that it has a giant battery. And whereas that’s straightforward sufficient to know, it nonetheless feels stunning how far more efficiency you’ll be able to eke out of the iPhone 16 Plus’ battery. It’ll stretch effectively right into a second day of use, and even for those who’re conditioned to cost your cellphone each evening, you’ll be amazed how a lot you’ve got left within the tank on the finish of every day. It’s a strong antidote to battery anxiousness.

Naturally, the 16 Plus’ big-ness comes with one other bonus: a much bigger display screen. The advantages are apparent right here, too. However one thing that stands out to me after I use the cellphone is simply how gentle it feels for its measurement, particularly for those who’re evaluating it to the 16 Professional Max. In the event you like a giant show however don’t want all the weight of the Max — metaphorically and bodily talking — then the Plus is the best way to go.

Read our full Apple iPhone 16 Plus review.

Display screen: 6.1-inch, 2532 x 1170 OLED, 60Hz refresh fee / Processor: A15 Bionic Cameras: 12-megapixel f/1.5 important with sensor-shift IS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not marketed / Charging: Wired, 15W wi-fi MagSafe, 7.5W Qi / Climate-resistance score: IP68

Technically, the iPhone 14 isn’t the most affordable new iPhone you should purchase. That honor goes to 2022’s iPhone SE, which begins at $429. However the SE makes use of an older design that makes it really feel like a special type of iPhone fully. Within the meantime, the 2022 iPhone 14 has been marked down twice to $599, making it the perfect deal you will get on a brand new, fashionable iPhone.

The common iPhone 14 didn’t include quite a lot of upgrades; it felt extra like an iPhone 13S. Nevertheless it was within the first wave of iPhones to incorporate Emergency SOS by way of satellite tv for pc, which could possibly be a literal lifesaver. And the 14 acquired some useful digicam enhancements over the 13, together with a bigger important digicam picture sensor and higher low-light picture processing due to some processing pipeline updates.

Then again, the 14 was the final technology of iPhone to return with out the Dynamic Island, which is the pill-shaped notch that homes time-sensitive updates and standing indicators. You’ll nonetheless get that data as notifications, but it surely’s not fairly as helpful as having it obtainable at a look it doesn’t matter what you’re doing in your cellphone.

One other factor to concentrate on: iPhone 14 sequence homeowners have complained of premature battery rundown, with general battery well being falling a lot quicker than it ought to. Many of the battery complaints I’ve seen middle on the 14 Professional fashions; nonetheless, it’s one thing to control. All that mentioned, the 14 ought to obtain software program updates for an additional 4 years, and that’s a fairly good ROI contemplating its new value.

Read my full Apple iPhone 14 review.

Display screen: 4.7-inch Retina LCD / Processor: A15 Bionic Cameras: 12-megapixel f/1.8 with OIS, 7-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not marketed / Charging: Wired, 7.5W Qi / Climate-resistance score: IP67

The third-gen iPhone SE, launched in 2022, is the final of its form. It’s Apple’s least costly iPhone, but it surely’s additionally the final cellphone to make use of Contact ID with a devoted dwelling button. In the event you’re not a fan of gesture navigation, you need an affordable iPhone, or possibly — think about! — you simply desire a small iPhone, then the SE is your greatest wager. Properly, it’s your solely wager.

This suggestion comes with some huge caveats, beginning with that display screen. It’s small — at 4.7 inches, it’s considerably smaller than the iPhone 13 Mini’s show, despite the fact that the SE is barely taller and wider than the Mini. The display screen feels cramped, and the LCD expertise seems to be dated.

There are a pair different low factors: the digicam system doesn’t have an evening mode, and there’s solely 64GB of storage on the bottom mannequin. All that mentioned, for those who’re accustomed to a much bigger cellphone display screen, the SE’s 4.7-inch LCD is perhaps the factor that’s hardest to reside with. But when a small display screen doesn’t trouble you and also you simply want that dwelling button, then it’s laborious to argue with the SE’s value.

Read our full Apple iPhone SE (2022) review.

Apple nonetheless sells the iPhone 15 new, reducing the worth all the way down to $699 with the introduction of the 16 sequence. In the event you’re paying on your cellphone out of pocket and need to save a bit of money it’s a strong choice — simply know that it received’t be eligible for Apple Intelligence. The 15 Professional will be capable of run Apple’s AI options after they arrive, however the usual 15 received’t.

There’s additionally a compelling argument for purchasing an iPhone 14 Plus at its twice-discounted fee of $699. Its huge battery will go all day after which some, although you’ll miss out on the Dynamic Island, Motion Button, and Digital camera Management. In the event you’re not fussed about getting the newest options and simply desire a huge display screen, then it’s a worthy candidate.