Our Experts
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
Reviews ethics statement
Patrick Holland Managing Editor
Patrick Holland has been a phone reviewer for CNET since 2016. He is a former theater director who occasionally makes short films. Patrick has an eye for photography and a passion for everything mobile. He is a colorful raconteur who will guide you through the ever-changing, fast-paced world of phones, especially the iPhone and iOS. He used to co-host CNET's I'm So Obsessed podcast and interviewed guests like Jeff Goldblum, Alfre Woodard, Stephen Merchant, Sam Jay, Edgar Wright and Roy Wood Jr.
Expertise Apple | iPhone | iOS | Android | Samsung | Sony | Google | Motorola | Interviews | Coffee equipment | Cats Credentials
- Patrick's play The Cowboy is included in the Best American Short Plays 2011-12 anthology. He co-wrote and starred in the short film Baden Krunk that won the Best Wisconsin Short Film award at the Milwaukee Short Film Festival.
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Lisa Eadicicco Senior Editor
Lisa Eadicicco is a senior editor for CNET covering mobile devices. She has been writing about technology for almost a decade. Prior to joining CNET, Lisa served as a senior tech correspondent at Insider covering Apple and the broader consumer tech industry. She was also previously a tech columnist for Time Magazine and got her start as a staff writer for Laptop Mag and Tom's Guide.
Expertise Apple | Samsung | Google | Smartphones | Smartwatches | Wearables | Fitness trackers
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Why You Can Trust CNET
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CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.
What to consider
iOS or Android?
Size
Cameras
Software support
Table of Contents
Best iPhone in 2024: Which Apple Phone Should You Buy?
What's the best iPhone right now?
Best iPhones of 2024
Current iPhone models compared
Other iPhones we tested
How we test iPhone models
Factors to consider when buying a new iPhone
Key terms
iPhone FAQs
Our Picks
Best iPhone camera
iPhone 15 Pro Max
View details
Best larger affordable iPhone
iPhone 15 Plus
View details
View details
Why You Can Trust CNET
16171819202122232425+
Years of Experience
14151617181920212223
Hands-on Product Reviewers
6,0007,0008,0009,00010,00011,00012,00013,00014,00015,000
Sq. Feet of Lab Space
CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.
What to consider
iOS or Android?
Size
Cameras
Software support
Table of Contents
Best iPhone in 2024: Which Apple Phone Should You Buy?
What's the best iPhone right now?
Best iPhones of 2024
Current iPhone models compared
Other iPhones we tested
How we test iPhone models
Factors to consider when buying a new iPhone
Key terms
iPhone FAQs
Apple had an event on Monday, Sept. 9 where the iPhone 16 series was revealed. If you're considering an iPhone 15 model (regular or Plus) you should find it discounted usually $100 or more -- if not wait. Also, we will be testing and reviewing all of the new iPhone models, including the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max which go on sale Friday Sept. 20. All that to say, this list will likely be changing sooner than later.
TheiPhone 15 lineuphas fast performance, USB-C charging and better cameras than previous Apple smartphones. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have the Dynamic Island, which makes them easier to interact with and receive system notifications. The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max meanwhile, now have an outstanding camera, a fresh titanium build and an Action button for easy shortcuts.
This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas.
If you're upgrading from an iPhone that's several years old, any of the new models will feel like a leap forward. But it's not just about the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro. Apple still sells older models like the iPhone 13 and the much smaller and more affordable iPhone SE. These options could be appealing if you're buying a first phone for a child or shopping on a tighter budget. CNET tested all of the iPhone models Apple currently sells to help you make your decision. If you're considering upgrading, don't forget to see if you qualify for any carrier deals.
What's the best iPhone right now?
The best iPhone for most people is the $699 iPhone 15. It has one of Apple's most recent processors, the A16 Bionic chip found in last year's iPhone 14 Pro, meaning it should support new software features for years to come. The iPhone 15 has the best balance of camera performance and features that will feel new to those coming from older iPhones.
The iPhone 15's 6.1-inch size is also small enough to use with one hand but large enough to comfortably read the news and watch videos. It's the cheapest phone in the iPhone 15 lineup, making it more accessible than the larger iPhone 15 Plus or more powerful iPhone 15 Pro.
Best iPhones of 2024
Pros
- USB-C port for more convenient charging
- Colorful matte design
- Improved camera that can automatically take people and pet portraits
- Dynamic Island brings better multitasking
Cons
- No always-on display
- Find My Friends feature only works with other iPhone 15 phones
- Discounted iPhone 14 Pro may be a better value
- Galaxy S24 offers a longer optical zoom
Screen size 6.1 inches or 6.7 inches (Plus)
Processor Apple A16 Bionic
Cameras 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (selfie)
Colors Blue, pink, yellow, green, black
With the launch of the iPhone 16, the regular iPhone 15 is being sold at a discount -- $100 off. That means that the iPhone 15 now starts at $699. And you might be able to find steeper discounts throughout the coming weeks and months.
With the Dynamic Island, a USB-C port for more convenient charging and an upgraded camera with a higher resolution and a crisper zoom, the iPhone 15 is a significant upgrade for those with older iPhones. It feels like a scaled back version of the iPhone 14 Pro, making Apple's entry-level iPhone 15 feel like a bigger leap forward than last year's.
The iPhone 15 is available in two size options: the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus. They run on the same chip as iPhone 14 Pro, the A16 Bionic, which should bring notable performance upgrades to those with an iPhone that's several years old. These phones also have Apple's second-generation ultra wideband chip, enabling a new feature that makes it easier to find friends or family members in a crowd.
Last year's iPhone 14 Pro may be a better choice if you can still find it through third-party retailers at a discount, particularly because it has a dedicated telephoto lens. But the iPhone 15 is the most exciting upgrade Apple's standard iPhone has seen in years.Read our iPhone 15 and 15 Plus review.
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Pros
- Lighter and more comfortable to hold
- A17 Pro for console video games
- Being able to change the focus in Portrait photos is welcome
- Easier and cheaper to repair back glass
Cons
- Action button can only trigger one action
- Baseline 15 Pro Max is $100 more
- The only color option is blue
Screen size 6.1 inches or 6.7 inches (Pro Max)
Processor Apple A17 Pro
Cameras 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (3x telephoto on Pro), 12-megapixel (5x telephoto on Pro Max), 12-megapixel (selfie)
Colors Natural titanium, blue titanium, white titanium, black titanium
Apple announced the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max which go on sale Friday Sept. 20. The iPhone 15 Pro has been discontinued, though you can still buy it at some third-party retailers as they work through their existing stock. All that to say, only buy this phone at a discount.
Apple gave its Pro models a glow-up with a refreshed lighter build, a new shortcut button and the world's smallest processor. And it did all this while managing to keep that tried-and-true iPhone aesthetic front and center. They also made more of a differentiation between the Pro and Pro Max model. The 15 Pro also still has the same familiar 3x telephoto camera found on previous models.
The brain behind the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max is the A17 Pro chip, which has the performance chops to handle console tier video games like Resident Evil Village. If the A17 Pro chip is the brains, then iOS 17 is the 15 Pro and Pro Max's soul. The new OS is filled with lots of quality of life improvements throughout like StandBy mode, Check-In, Stickers in Messages and better autocorrect for the keyboard.
The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are some of the best phones released by Apple or any phone maker this year. Read our Apple iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max review.
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Pros
- Lighter and more comfortable to hold
- A17 Pro for console video games
- 5x optical zoom adds versatility
- Able to change the focus in Portrait photos
- Cheaper to repair back glass
Cons
- Action button can only trigger one action
- Baseline 15 Pro Max is $100 more
- The only color option is blue
Screen size 6.7 inches
Processor Apple A17 Pro
Cameras 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (3x telephoto), 12-megapixel (selfie)
Colors Natural titanium, blue titanium, white titanium, black titanium
Apple's 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max got the same glow-up treatment as the smaller iPhone 15 Pro, complete with a lighter titanium build and a new shortcuts button. But the Pro Max's 5x telephoto, compared to the regular Pro's 3x zoom, makes it the best iPhone for photographers. That extra zoom length gives you more reach to frame subjects that are farther away and should be great for filming kids playing sports or performing in a school concert. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is also rated for longer battery life than the 15 Pro, which could be useful for those who record a lot of video on their iPhone.
The brain behind the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max is the A17 Pro chip, which has the performance chops to handle console tier video games like Resident Evil Village. If the A17 Pro chip is the brains, then iOS 17 is the 15 Pro and Pro Max's soul. The new OS is filled with lots of quality of life improvements throughout like StandBy mode, Check-In, Stickers in Messages and better autocorrect for the keyboard.
The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are some of the best phones released by Apple or any phone maker this year. Read our Apple iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max review.
Photo Gallery 1/1
Pros
- USB-C port is convenient
- Colorful matte design
- Improved camera automatically takes portraits of people and pets
- Dynamic Island brings better multitasking
Cons
- No always-on display
- Find My Friends feature only works with other iPhone 15 models
- Discounted iPhone 14 Pro may be a better value
- Galaxy S24 Plus offers a longer optical zoom
Screen size 6.7 inches
Processor Apple A16 Bionic
Cameras 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (selfie)
Colors Blue, pink, yellow, green, black
With the launch of the iPhone 16, the iPhone 15 Plus is being sold at a discount -- $100 off. That means that the iPhone 15 Plus now starts at $799. And you might be able to find steeper discounts throughout the coming weeks and months.
If you want a big screen without splurging on the Pro Max, the iPhone 15 Plus is the way to go. It has all the same perks as the iPhone 15 -- such as USB-C charging, the Dynamic Island and a 48-megapixel camera -- but inside a larger body with a 6.7-inch screen. The iPhone 15 Plus should also get longer battery life than the iPhone 15, according to Apple's claims.
Apple still sells the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus, but the iPhone 15 Plus' benefits are worth the extra $100. The changes mentioned above, along with the iPhone 15 Plus' newer chip and fresh design, will make it feel like a worthwhile upgrade, particularly for those coming from older phones. Read our iPhone 15 and 15 Plus review.
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Pros
- Good cameras
- Solid battery life
- Cinematic mode is fun
Cons
- Notch is still noticeable
- Cinematic mode is more of a novelty than a pro feature
- Selfie camera could be better
Screen size 6.1 inches
Processor Apple A15 Bionic
Cameras 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (selfie)
Colors Blue, pink, midnight, starlight, green, red
The iPhone 13 is still an excellent phone. If you're considering buying an older iPhone to save money, the iPhone 13 is the best choice for most people. It has a lot in common with the iPhone 14, considering both phones run on the same A15 Bionic processor and have a 12-megapixel camera system. The iPhone 14's processor has an extra GPU core, but those who primarily use their phone for casual gaming, social media, checking email and watching video likely won't mind.
But the iPhone 13's best feature is its larger battery that, in our tests, lasted 4.5 hours more on a single charge than the iPhone 12, and nearly 3 hours longer than the new iPhone 14. The 13 also has Cinematic mode, which is basically a video version of Portrait mode, and iOS 17. The iPhone 13 earned a 2021 CNET Editors' Choice Award. Just remember the iPhone 13 lacks satellite connectivity for contacting emergency services without a cell service and car crash detection, both of which are available on the iPhone 14 and 15 series. Such features may be important to consider if you're purchasing a phone for your child.Read our Apple iPhone 13 review.
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Pros
- Affordable
- Home button FTW
- Good battery life so far
- Camera takes good photos and videos
Cons
- Lacks night mode for photos
- Screen could be brighter
- Bezels above and below screen look dated
- Selfie camera not on par with rear camera
- 20-watt USB-C charger not included
Screen size 4.7 inches
Processor Apple A15 Bionic
Cameras 12-megapixel (wide), 7-megapixel (selfie)
Colors Midnight, starlight, red
At $429, you might think the only appeal of the iPhone SE (2022) is its price. And admittedly that's a big factor. But now that iPhone has stopped selling the iPhone 13 Mini, it's also a solid option for those who prefer smaller phones. On the outside, the iPhone SE has the same body as the iPhone 8, which makes it the only iPhone on this list that still has Touch ID. On the inside, the SE has the same A15 processor as the iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 14 and 14 Plus which takes the 2017 camera hardware and gives it an injection of Apple's computational photography magic.
The SE represents the classic iPhone design but with the added ability to run the latest version of iOS and apps. One of the quieter updates in 2022 was that the SE's back was upgraded to the back glass used on the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini. It's also your most affordable way into all of Apple services like FaceTime, iMessage and iCloud. Read our Apple iPhone SE (2022) review.
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Current iPhone models compared
| Model | US starting price | Screen size | No. of rear cameras | CPU | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone SE | $429 | 4.7 inches | 1 | A15 Bionic | March 2022 |
| iPhone 13 | $599 | 6.1 inches | 2 | A15 Bionic | September 2021 |
| iPhone 14 | $699 | 6.1 inches | 2 | A15 Bionic | September 2022 |
| iPhone 14 Plus | $799 | 6.7 inches | 2 | A15 Bionic | September 2022 |
| iPhone 15 | $799 | 6.1 inches | 2 | A16 Bionic | September 2023 |
| iPhone 15 Plus | $899 | 6.7 inches | 2 | A16 Bionic | September 2023 |
| iPhone 15 Pro | $999 | 6.1 inches | 3 | A17 Pro | September 2023 |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | $1,199 | 6.7 inches | 3 | A17 Pro | September 2023 |
Other iPhones we tested
While Apple doesn't sell the iPhone 14 Pro, you can still find it at carriers and third-party retailers. The 14 Pro's display notch has morphed into a pill-shaped screen cutout called the Dynamic Island that can show system alerts and background activities like when you receive a call or play music. The 6.1-inch adaptive-refresh rate screen that adjusts between 1-120Hz depending on what's on the screen. It has excellent cameras, a fast processor, an always-on display, iOS 17 and new safety features like Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via Satellite. Driving all these upgrades is Apple's new A16 Bionic chip which in use feels peppy.
The iPhone 14 Pro is still an excellent phone in 2024. Check out our iPhone 14 Pro review.
How we test iPhone models
We test every iPhone in real-world scenarios focusing on its features, design, performance, cameras, battery life and overall value. We document our findings in an initial review that is periodically updated when there are new iOS updates or to compare against new phones from competitors like Samsung, Google and OnePlus.
Photography
Photography is a major focus for the iPhone, so we take pictures and videos of various subjects in a variety of settings and lighting scenarios. We try out any new camera modes, such as ProRes Log video that debuted with the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.
Battery life
Battery testing is conducted in a variety of ways. We assess how long the iPhone lasts during a typical day of use, and note how it performs during more focused sessions of video calls, media streaming and gaming. We also conduct a video playback test, which isn't always included in the initial review and added later in an update.
Performance measuring
We use benchmarking apps to measure the performance, alongside our own anecdotal experiences using the phone for our review. Of particular note are how graphics and animations look. Are they smooth? Or do they lag or stutter? We also look at how quickly the phone switches between horizontal and vertical orientations and how fast the camera app opens and is ready to take a photo.
We perform processor-heavy tasks like editing photos and videos, exporting videos and playing games. We evaluate whether a newer version of the iPhone includes enough features to make it worth upgrading from older models. Some of these tests are added later in updates after the initial review is published.
Read more:How CNET Tests Phones
Factors to consider when buying a new iPhone
Hold the iPhone first:You may love or hate the way it looks and feels in person.
Don't discount the last year's model:Apple has a history of keeping recent iPhone models from previous years around at a lower price. You can get a great phone that does almost everything that a new iPhone 15 can do for a fraction of the price. The iPhone 14 packs a great camera and a big battery, but comes at a more reasonable price.
Buy an iPhone case and screen protector:You'll protect your iPhone from costly damage, and will increase the phone's resale or trade-in value for when you're ready to move on.
Know what you care about most: Is it screen size? Camera quality? Battery life? Phones like the iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, for example, pack incredible cameras that almost rival the quality you'd get from a DSLR. If you're a photographer, then spending money here is a good idea.
Seek out holiday discounts: Look for deep discounts and promo deals around major holidays, especially Amazon's Prime Day and Black Friday. And find out what your grace period is in case you need a quick return or exchange.
Key terms
eSIM
An eSIM takes all of the important information about your phone account -- including its number, wireless carrier and subscription -- and stores it in software instead of on a physical SIM card.
With the iPhone 14 and 15, Apple removed the physical SIM card tray and embraced embedded SIM cards in the US. This means you can't just pluck your SIM card out of your current phone and put it into a new one. But this shouldn't affect your experience since all the major US carriers and a number of smaller operators work with eSIM.
Apple has long supported eSIM, dating back to 2018's iPhone XS, XS Max and XR. When setting up a new iPhone 14 or 15, the device will guide you through transferring your current provider over to the new phone. A list of supported wireless networkscan be found on Apple's website.
iOS 17
Apple's iOS 17 is the latest iPhone software version. It's on the iPhone 15 by default and is also available as an update for the iPhone XR and later, as well as iPhone SE models from 2020 and 2022. iOS 17 includes new features such as Standby mode, which turns your iPhone into a miniature smart display, improved autocorrect and the new Journal app.
iPhone FAQs
Should I wait for the new iPhone model (iPhone 16)?
If you can wait that would be best. Apple will be holding an event on Mon. Sept. 9 where we expect the rumored iPhone 16 to be revealed. So it might be worth your while not to buy an iPhone right now.
How reliable is an iPhone?
Apple has been selling iPhones since 2007. The current lineup was released in September 2024 and all have a dust and water resistance rating of IP68, which means they can survive being submerged under 6 meters of water (about 20 feet) for 30 minutes. The screens are covered in Apple's Ceramic Shield which is a glass-ceramic material created by Corning, in collaboration with Apple, and consists of nano ceramic crystals embedded in the glass matrix. It's highly transparent, and according to Corning, the tough structure formed by the crystals means it's less likely to break.
How long does an iPhone last?
One way to measure how long an iPhone will last is to look at the software and security support Apple offers for older models. iOS 17 can run on Apple phones as old as 2018's iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and XR. That's roughly five years of software support. Compare that to Samsung, which offers four generations of Android version upgrades and five years of security updates. But software is only half the equation. The other part is hardware and durability. Every iPhone Apple sells has an IP rating for dust and water resistance. Newer models also have Ceramic Shield, a glass/ceramic hybrid, that covers the display and is very durable.
