The best iPhones of 2024: Expert tests and reviews

The iPhone is one of the best smartphones out there, but finding the right one can be challenging as various models come with different features and prices. The best iPhones offer high-end performance and large displays, while more affordable models offer compact sizes and a smooth user experience for most tasks.

Our Pocket-lint team specializes in testing phones, laptops, and other devices. We spent a few days trying out various iPhones to see what they can do and put together a list of options for every buyer and budget, so there’s something for you.

Best iPhone overall

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is the shining star of the 2023 iPhone lineup. It’s the most expensive iPhone out there, but that’s really its downside. This model is lighter than its predecessor thanks to a switch to a titanium frame, and it also gets some serious performance upgrades with the new A17 Pro chip. Its battery performance isn’t on par with the iPhone 15 Plus, but its day-to-day performance is smooth, the display is beautiful, and the design changes are charming and useful when you think about it. Action button.

All this without even mentioning the camera. The iPhone 15 Pro Max tops our list of the best iPhones not just for its performance and design. It also has the best camera feature Apple has to offer, switching to 5x optical zoom. In my experience and testing, the camera’s results are excellent, not only from the new 120mm lens, but also from the main and ultra-wide angle lenses. This is Apple’s best iPhone ever.

Best iPhone for Beginners

The Apple iPhone 15 may not have all the features of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but it has a lot going for it, and it’s still a great choice, and a more affordable one too. Regular iPhone 15 models switch from a notch at the top of the display to the Dynamic Island feature first introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro. It makes the regular iPhone 15 a lot more exciting than the 2022 iPhone 14, and the matte glass finish on the back is also a visually interesting update.

However, that’s not all that’s worth mentioning. The main sensor of the iPhone 15 has been upgraded to 48 megapixels and now also supports 2x optical zoom, which was never available on the regular models in the past. Like the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the iPhone 15 can’t match the iPhone 15 Plus in terms of battery performance, but it offers a great display, great overall performance from the A16 Bionic chip, and great camera results. If the iPhone 15 Pro Max is too big or too expensive, this is the iPhone you want.

Best iPhone for Batteries

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus offers all the features of the iPhone 15, but in a larger size. The larger size brings a bigger display, but there’s also a bigger battery under the hood. The larger display is great, with plenty of punch and plenty of brightness, but it’s the device’s battery capabilities that make it the real winner. If overall battery performance is the most important feature to you on a new device, then you’ll want to buy the iPhone 15 Plus.

In addition to battery performance, you also get general performance. However, the iPhone 15 Plus offers a smooth and consistent experience. Like the iPhone 15, the iPhone 15 Plus gets an upgrade to a 48-megapixel main sensor with frosted contoured glass on the back and a dynamic island on the front. This is an overall very good iPhone, and if you want a big iPhone with smooth performance, it’s worth your attention.

Best performing iPhone

Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro succeeds the iPhone 14 Pro, which had been at the top of the list until the latest model was released. This year it’s not as exciting as its bigger brother, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but that’s not to say it doesn’t perform. It has optical zoom capability of up to 3x instead of 5x, and a slightly smaller display and battery, but otherwise it’s a capable little device.

Performance across the board is excellent, not just in terms of the chipset powering the device, but also in terms of its great display, great camera, and general day-to-day experience. The iPhone 15 Pro Max will be too expensive and too big for some people, and the iPhone 15 may not beat it in every aspect of functionality, especially if you consider yourself a photographer. If this is you, the iPhone 15 Pro is a good choice.

Best value iPhone

The iPhone 14 is the entry-level model of the 2022 series and has been replaced by the iPhone 15 model. It offers the same design as the iPhone 13 models, a lovely OLED display with a notch at the top, an aluminum frame with flat edges that’s nice and light, dual rear cameras that offer some great results and some upgrades from the iPhone 13. Like the latest iPhone 15 models, there’s IP68 water and dust resistance, but you’ll miss out on the dynamic island design and camera improvements.

The iPhone 14 runs the A15 Bionic chip with a penta-core GPU, the same as the 2021 iPhone 13 Pro. It’s powerful hardware, and while it doesn’t match the iPhone 15 models, there’s still a great experience here. If you want a smaller iPhone but your budget doesn’t allow for a well-designed iPhone 15 with extra features, then the iPhone 14 is your best choice.

Bottom line: What’s the best iPhone?

The best iPhone is the 15 Pro Max because of its excellent performance, which justifies its price compared to the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15. The iPhone 15 Pro Max gives you all the Apple features, and its overall performance is excellent. The iPhone 15 Plus has the same size display as the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but has better battery performance. The iPhone 15 is cheaper than both of these models, making it a good choice if you’re looking for value and versatility.

How did we choose these iPhones?

We’ve been reviewing Apple’s iPhones for years and have extensive knowledge and hands-on experience with all the models on this list. Which iPhone you choose will depend on many factors, not only your budget but also which features are most important to you. If you want an iPhone that offers the best camera experience Apple has to offer, you’ll want to go for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

If you want an iPhone that lasts all day, you need to choose the iPhone 15 Plus. If you want portable performance, the iPhone 15 Pro is the model you want. All models selected on this list have their place. They’re all great for certain features or requirements, and there’s an iPhone model to suit most needs, no matter what they are. We tried to determine which models are best for specific needs so you can easily browse the list and decide which iPhone is best for you and what you might be looking for.

FAQ

Q: Is iPhone 15 worth buying?

Yes, the iPhone 15 is worth buying, even more so than the 2022 iPhone 14. This is a great phone with great overall performance. For those deciding between the regular models, the iPhone 15 Plus will give you better battery performance, but both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are devices I’d happily recommend.

Q: Which iPhone has the best camera?

The iPhone 15 Pro Max currently offers the best camera features among the models, followed by the iPhone Pro.

Q: Is iPhone suitable for playing games?

The current iPhone 15 models are great for gaming and can easily handle demanding games that require fast hardware.