One of the best 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 normal fare at this level, however extra promising options will proceed to roll out nicely into 2025 — at the very 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 this the year to upgrade?”

Regardless of all of the fuss about AI, our standard recommendation about telephone shopping for holds true: cling 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 photograph processing choices, or incremental efficiency upgrades, then there’s no cause to hurry out and purchase an iPhone 16.

However in case you’re questioning whether or not it’s the yr to exchange your iPhone 11 or 12 (or perhaps even older, wherein case nicely executed!), then I believe the reply is a straightforward sure. There are actual positive factors 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, nicely, you’ll be prepared for it.

Display screen: 6.1-inch, 2556 x 1179 OLED, 60Hz refresh charge / Processor: A18 Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.6 principal 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 major {hardware} enhance this time round, enjoying an overdue recreation 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 wish to entry on the contact of a button — and the brand new Digicam Management. So if buttons are something to go by, this telephone 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 nicely for the 16 sequence staying on the identical replace schedule. And there’s further RAM on this yr’s base mannequin, which might solely be a superb factor.

The iPhone 16 grew to become a way more fascinating digicam this time round, too. The Digicam Management gives a fast strategy to launch the digicam app and regulate settings like publicity compensation. However there’s additionally a brand new set of Photographic Fashion 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 methods like 4K recording at 120 fps. However even with out all that, it’s probably 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. Solely the Professional has a devoted 5x lens, which is helpful for artistic framing. And the usual 60Hz display on the iPhone 16 will possible solely trouble you in case you’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 telephone has one.

Learn my full Apple iPhone 16 assessment.

Display screen: 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 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 a protracted strategy 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 telephone to get the perfect telephone.

The 16 Professional is roughly the identical dimension because the 15 Professional, however it has a much bigger display: 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 individuals will need the newest machine 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 telephone.

Learn our full Apple iPhone 16 Professional assessment.

Display screen: 6.7-inch Tremendous Retina OLED / Processor: A18 Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.6 principal 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 an enormous battery. And whereas that’s straightforward sufficient to grasp, it nonetheless feels stunning how rather more efficiency you possibly can eke out of the iPhone 16 Plus’ battery. It’ll stretch nicely right into a second day of use, and even in case you’re conditioned to cost your telephone each night time, 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. 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 in case you’re evaluating it to the 16 Professional Max. In case you like an enormous show however don’t want the entire weight of the Max — metaphorically and bodily talking — then the Plus is the way in which to go.

Learn our full Apple iPhone 16 Plus assessment.

Display screen: 6.1-inch, 2532 x 1170 OLED, 60Hz refresh charge / Processor: A15 Bionic Cameras: 12-megapixel f/1.5 principal 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 form of iPhone fully. 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 numerous 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 might be a literal lifesaver. And the 14 acquired some useful digicam enhancements over the 13, together with a bigger principal digicam picture sensor and higher low-light picture processing because of some processing pipeline updates.

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

One other factor to concentrate on: iPhone 14 sequence homeowners have complained of untimely battery rundown, with total battery well being falling a lot quicker than it ought to. A lot 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 reasonably good ROI contemplating its new worth.

Learn my full Apple iPhone 14 assessment.

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 variety. It’s Apple’s least costly iPhone, however it’s additionally the final telephone to make use of Contact ID with a devoted house 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 guess. Effectively, it’s your solely guess.

This advice comes with some large caveats, beginning with that display. 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 feels cramped, and the LCD know-how 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, in case you’re accustomed to a much bigger telephone display, the SE’s 4.7-inch LCD is likely to be the factor that’s hardest to reside with. But when a small display doesn’t trouble you and also you simply want that house button, then it’s exhausting to argue with the SE’s worth.

Learn our full Apple iPhone SE (2022) assessment.

Apple nonetheless sells the iPhone 15 new, chopping the value right down to $699 with the introduction of the 16 sequence. In case you’re paying to 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 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 charge of $699. Its large battery will go all day after which some, although you’ll miss out on the Dynamic Island, Motion Button, and Digicam Management. In case you’re not fussed about getting the newest options and simply desire a large display, then it’s a worthy candidate.