The perfect 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, they usually’ll embody issues like notification summaries and generative AI-powered writing instruments. It’s all fairly customary fare at this level, however extra promising options will proceed to roll out nicely into 2025 — a minimum of, 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 traditional recommendation about telephone shopping for holds true: cling on to the one you bought. If you happen to’re not the kind of individual to get excited a couple of new digital camera 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 if you happen to’re questioning whether or not it’s the yr to interchange your iPhone 11 or 12 (or perhaps even older, wherein case nicely completed!), 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, nicely, 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 foremost 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} 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 need 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 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 nicely for the 16 sequence staying on the identical replace schedule. And there’s additional RAM on this yr’s base mannequin, which might solely be a very good factor.

The iPhone 16 turned a way more attention-grabbing digital camera this time round, too. The Digicam Management affords a fast technique to launch the digital camera 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 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 methods like 4K recording at 120 fps. However even with out all that, it’s essentially the most customizable digital camera Apple has provided but.

Exterior of digital camera 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 probably solely hassle you if you happen to’re used to a smoother 120Hz show, although it’s annoying on precept that Apple retains this function 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 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 technique 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 most effective telephone.

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 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 most recent system 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 overview.

Display screen: 6.7-inch Tremendous Retina OLED / Processor: A18 Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.6 foremost 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 large telephone is that it has an enormous battery. And whereas that’s simple sufficient to know, it nonetheless feels stunning how rather more efficiency you’ll be able to eke out of the iPhone 16 Plus’ battery. It’ll stretch nicely right into a second day of use, and even if you happen to’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 stable 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 measurement, particularly if you happen to’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 overview.

Display screen: 6.1-inch, 2532 x 1170 OLED, 60Hz refresh fee / Processor: A15 Bionic Cameras: 12-megapixel f/1.5 foremost 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 cost effective 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 most effective deal you may get on a brand new, trendy 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 through satellite tv for pc, which might be a literal lifesaver. And the 14 obtained some useful digital camera enhancements over the 13, together with a bigger foremost digital camera 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, but it surely’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 pay attention to: iPhone 14 sequence house owners have complained of untimely battery rundown, with general battery well being falling a lot sooner 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 regulate. All that mentioned, the 14 ought to obtain software program updates for one more 4 years, and that’s a reasonably good ROI contemplating its new worth.

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 score: IP67

The third-gen iPhone SE, launched in 2022, is the final of its variety. It’s Apple’s least costly iPhone, but it surely’s additionally the final telephone to make use of Contact ID with a devoted residence button. If you happen to’re not a fan of gesture navigation, you need a reasonable iPhone, or perhaps — think about! — you simply desire a small iPhone, then the SE is your finest guess. Properly, it’s your solely guess.

This advice 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, though the SE is barely taller and wider than the Mini. The display screen feels cramped, and the LCD know-how seems dated.

There are a pair different low factors: the digital camera system doesn’t have an evening mode, and there’s solely 64GB of storage on the bottom mannequin. All that mentioned, if you happen to’re accustomed to a much bigger telephone display screen, the SE’s 4.7-inch LCD could be 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 laborious to argue with the SE’s worth.

Learn our full Apple iPhone SE (2022) overview.

Apple nonetheless sells the iPhone 15 new, chopping the worth right down to $699 with the introduction of the 16 sequence. If you happen to’re paying to your telephone out of pocket and need to save a bit of money it’s a stable choice — 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 Digicam Management. If you happen to’re not fussed about getting the most recent options and simply desire a large display screen, then it’s a worthy candidate.