The very best iPhones

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, and so they’ll embrace issues like notification summaries and generative AI-powered writing instruments. It’s all fairly normal fare at this level, however extra promising options will proceed to roll out properly into 2025 — at the least, 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 12 months to improve?”

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

However in the event you’re questioning whether or not it’s the 12 months to switch your iPhone 11 or 12 (or perhaps even older, during which case properly performed!), then I feel the reply is a straightforward sure. There are actual features this 12 months, particularly within the fundamental iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, with out even contemplating AI. And if Apple Intelligence seems to be one thing particular, properly, you’ll be prepared for it.

Display: 6.1-inch, 2556 x 1179 OLED, 60Hz refresh charge / Processor: A18 Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.6 primary 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 ranking: IP68

Apple’s fundamental iPhone loved a big {hardware} increase this time round, taking part in an overdue recreation of catch-up to the Professional collection. The iPhone 16 consists of the Motion Button from final 12 months’s Professional fashions — useful if there’s an app in your life you need to entry on the contact of a button — and the brand new Digicam Management. So if buttons are something to go by, this cellphone is two higher than final 12 months’s mannequin.

There’s extra happening below the hood, too. The A18 chipset is in the identical era because the processor on the Professional fashions, which hasn’t been the case for the previous couple of years. That bodes properly for the 16 collection staying on the identical replace schedule. And there’s additional RAM on this 12 months’s base mannequin, which may solely be factor.

The iPhone 16 turned a way more fascinating digicam this time round, too. The Digicam Management presents a fast option 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 probably the most customizable digicam Apple has supplied 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 useful for artistic framing. And the usual 60Hz display screen on the iPhone 16 will possible solely hassle you in the event you’re used to a smoother 120Hz show, although it’s annoying on precept that Apple retains this characteristic to its Professional telephones when nearly each different high-end cellphone has one.

Learn my full Apple iPhone 16 evaluation.

Display: 6.3-inch, 2622 x 1206 OLED, 120Hz refresh charge / 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 ranking: 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 collection 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 a protracted option to making the smaller 16 Professional really feel like an equal to the 16 Professional Max. For as soon as, you don’t must get the most important cellphone to get the perfect cellphone.

The 16 Professional is roughly the identical dimension because the 15 Professional, however it has an even bigger display screen: 6.3 inches, up from 6.1 inches. There’s additionally the brand new Digicam 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 most recent gadget with all of the bells and whistles, and the 16 Professional represents a chance to get all of these options with out having to purchase the most important cellphone.

Learn our full Apple iPhone 16 Professional evaluation.

Display: 6.7-inch Tremendous Retina OLED / Processor: A18 Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.6 primary 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 ranking: IP68

The factor a few huge cellphone is that it has an enormous battery. And whereas that’s simple sufficient to know, it nonetheless feels stunning how far more efficiency you may eke out of the iPhone 16 Plus’ battery. It’ll stretch properly right into a second day of use, and even in the event you’re conditioned to cost your cellphone each night time, you’ll be amazed how a lot you’ve gotten left within the tank on the finish of every day. It’s a stable antidote to battery nervousness.

Naturally, the 16 Plus’ big-ness comes with one other bonus: an even 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 mild it feels for its dimension, particularly in the event you’re evaluating it to the 16 Professional Max. If you happen to like an enormous show however don’t want the entire weight of the Max — metaphorically and bodily talking — then the Plus is the best way to go.

Learn our full Apple iPhone 16 Plus evaluation.

Display: 6.1-inch, 2532 x 1170 OLED, 60Hz refresh charge / Processor: A15 Bionic Cameras: 12-megapixel f/1.5 primary with sensor-shift IS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not marketed / Charging: Wired, 15W wi-fi MagSafe, 7.5W Qi / Climate-resistance ranking: 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 distinct sort of iPhone totally. Within the meantime, the 2022 iPhone 14 has been marked down twice to $599, making it the perfect deal you may get on a brand new, fashionable iPhone.

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

Then again, the 14 was the final era 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, however it’s not fairly as useful as having it out there at a look it doesn’t matter what you’re doing in your cellphone.

One other factor to concentrate on: iPhone 14 collection homeowners have complained of untimely battery rundown, with general battery well being falling a lot sooner than it ought to. Many of the battery complaints I’ve seen heart on the 14 Professional fashions; nonetheless, it’s one thing to keep watch over. 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 worth.

Learn my full Apple iPhone 14 evaluation.

Display: 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 ranking: IP67

The third-gen iPhone SE, launched in 2022, is the final of its sort. It’s Apple’s least costly iPhone, however it’s additionally the final cellphone to make use of Contact ID with a devoted dwelling button. If you happen to’re not a fan of gesture navigation, you need a cheap iPhone, or perhaps — 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, although the SE is barely taller and wider than the Mini. The display screen feels cramped, and the LCD expertise seems 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, in the event you’re accustomed to an even bigger cellphone display screen, the SE’s 4.7-inch LCD could be the factor that’s hardest to reside with. But when a small display screen doesn’t hassle you and also you simply want that dwelling button, then it’s onerous to argue with the SE’s worth.

Learn our full Apple iPhone SE (2022) evaluation.

Apple nonetheless sells the iPhone 15 new, chopping the worth all the way down to $699 with the introduction of the 16 collection. If you happen to’re paying to your cellphone out of pocket and need to save a bit of money it’s a stable choice — simply know that it gained’t be eligible for Apple Intelligence. The 15 Professional will have the ability to run Apple’s AI options once they arrive, however the usual 15 gained’t.

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