The most effective iPhones to purchase 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, and so they’ll embody issues like notification summaries and generative AI-powered writing instruments. It’s all fairly commonplace fare at this level, however extra promising options will proceed to roll out properly into 2025 — not 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 common recommendation about telephone shopping for holds true: grasp on to the one you bought. In case you’re not the kind of individual to get excited a few new digicam button, up to date picture processing choices, or incremental efficiency upgrades, then there’s no motive 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 perhaps even older, through which case properly accomplished!), then I feel the reply is a straightforward sure. There are actual good points this yr, particularly within the primary 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 screen: 6.1-inch, 2556 x 1179 OLED, 60Hz refresh fee / Processor: A18 Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.6 most 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 ranking: IP68

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

There’s extra occurring beneath 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 sequence staying on the identical replace schedule. And there’s additional RAM on this yr’s base mannequin, which may solely be an excellent factor.

The iPhone 16 turned a way more fascinating digicam this time round, too. The Digital camera Management presents a fast method to launch the digicam app and alter 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 well-liked 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 supplied but.

Exterior of digicam efficiency, there are two main drawbacks to selecting 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 artistic framing. And the usual 60Hz display screen on the iPhone 16 will seemingly solely hassle 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 nearly each different high-end telephone has one.

Learn my full Apple iPhone 16 overview.

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 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 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 method 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 largest telephone to get the perfect telephone.

The 16 Professional is roughly the identical dimension because the 15 Professional, nevertheless it 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 most recent system 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 largest telephone.

Learn our full Apple iPhone 16 Professional overview.

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

The factor a few large telephone is that it has a giant battery. And whereas that’s simple sufficient to know, it nonetheless feels stunning how rather more efficiency you possibly can eke out of the iPhone 16 Plus’ battery. It’ll stretch properly right into a second day of use, and even for those who’re conditioned to cost your telephone 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 nervousness.

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 once I use the telephone is simply how gentle it feels for its dimension, particularly for those who’re evaluating it to the 16 Professional Max. In case 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.

Learn our full Apple iPhone 16 Plus overview.

Display screen: 6.1-inch, 2532 x 1170 OLED, 60Hz refresh fee / Processor: A15 Bionic Cameras: 12-megapixel f/1.5 most 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 ranking: IP68

Technically, the iPhone 14 isn’t the most affordable new iPhone you should buy. 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 form 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, trendy iPhone.

The common iPhone 14 didn’t include a variety of upgrades; it felt extra like an iPhone 13S. But it surely was within the first wave of iPhones to incorporate Emergency SOS through 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 most important digicam picture sensor and higher low-light picture processing because of some processing pipeline updates.

However, the 14 was the final era of iPhone to come back 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, nevertheless it’s not fairly as helpful as having it accessible at a look it doesn’t matter what you’re doing in your telephone.

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

Learn my full Apple iPhone 14 overview.

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 ranking: IP67

The third-gen iPhone SE, launched in 2022, is the final of its type. It’s Apple’s least costly iPhone, nevertheless it’s additionally the final telephone to make use of Contact ID with a devoted residence button. In case you’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. Effectively, it’s your solely wager.

This suggestion comes with some large 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 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 stated, for those who’re accustomed to a much bigger telephone display screen, the SE’s 4.7-inch LCD is perhaps the factor that’s hardest to dwell with. But when a small display screen doesn’t hassle you and also you simply want that residence button, then it’s arduous to argue with the SE’s value.

Learn our full Apple iPhone SE (2022) overview.

Apple nonetheless sells the iPhone 15 new, reducing the worth all the way down to $699 with the introduction of the 16 sequence. In case you’re paying on your telephone out of pocket and wish to save a bit of money it’s a strong possibility — simply know that it received’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 received’t.

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