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 commonplace fare at this level, however extra promising options will proceed to roll out properly 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 that this the yr to improve?”

Regardless of all of the fuss about AI, our common recommendation about telephone shopping for holds true: cling on to the one you bought. When you’re not the kind of individual to get excited a couple of new digital camera button, up to date picture 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 possibly even older, during which case properly carried out!), then I feel the reply is a simple sure. There are actual features 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, properly, 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 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 ranking: 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 — useful 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 happening underneath 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 properly 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 grew to become a way more fascinating digital camera this time round, too. The Digital camera Management presents a fast method to launch the digital camera app and alter settings like publicity compensation. However there’s additionally a brand new set of Photographic Model 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 digital camera Apple has supplied but.

Exterior of digital camera efficiency, there are two main drawbacks to choosing the common 16 over a Professional mannequin: no zoom lens, and no ProMotion display. Solely the Professional has a devoted 5x lens, which is useful for artistic framing. And the usual 60Hz display on the iPhone 16 will possible solely hassle 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 evaluation.

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 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 most important 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: 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 individuals 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 telephone.

Learn our full Apple iPhone 16 Professional evaluation.

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 ranking: IP68

The factor a couple of huge telephone is that it has a giant battery. And whereas that’s straightforward sufficient to know, it nonetheless feels shocking 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 case you’re conditioned to cost your telephone each night time, you’ll be amazed how a lot you will have left within the tank on the finish of every day. It’s a stable 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 after 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. When you like a giant 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 screen: 6.1-inch, 2532 x 1170 OLED, 60Hz refresh charge / 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 ranking: 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 unique type of iPhone completely. 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 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 may very well be a literal lifesaver. And the 14 acquired some useful digital camera enhancements over the 13, together with a bigger foremost digital camera 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 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 info as notifications, nevertheless it’s not fairly as useful as having it obtainable 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 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 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 evaluation.

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 sort. It’s Apple’s least costly iPhone, nevertheless it’s additionally the final telephone to make use of Contact ID with a devoted house button. When you’re not a fan of gesture navigation, you need a cheap iPhone, or possibly — think about! — you simply desire a small iPhone, then the SE is your finest wager. Effectively, it’s your solely wager.

This advice comes with some huge 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 expertise appears to be like 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 stated, in case you’re accustomed to a much bigger telephone display, the SE’s 4.7-inch LCD is perhaps the factor that’s hardest to stay with. But when a small display doesn’t hassle you and also you simply want that house button, then it’s exhausting to argue with the SE’s value.

Learn our full Apple iPhone SE (2022) evaluation.

Apple nonetheless sells the iPhone 15 new, slicing the worth all the way down to $699 with the introduction of the 16 sequence. When you’re paying to your telephone out of pocket and wish 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 be capable 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 Digital camera Management. When you’re not fussed about getting the most recent options and simply desire a huge display, then it’s a worthy candidate.