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Buying the best smartphone can feel like navigating a maze of technical specs, price tags, and confusing options. If you're looking for an iPhone but feel overwhelmed by the choices, you're not alone.
Should you go with the iPhone 16 or the 15? The regular size or the Plus? What's the difference between the regular iPhone 16 and the Pro? Whether you're upgrading from an older phone, switching over from another brand, or buying someone their first smartphone, finding the right device doesn't have to be complicated.
This guide cuts through the tech jargon and marketing hype to help you make your choice. We've picked only the best iPhone models right now that offer the best performance, reliable camera quality, and battery life.
Best iPhones
Below, we'll break down the pros and cons of each model, helping you understand exactly what you're getting without drowning you in technical details.
From the best affordable phones to top-of-the-line powerhouses, there's an iPhone out there that's just right for your needs and your budget.
How the GH Tech Team tests iPhones
We thoroughly test iPhones by using them as our main devices for at least a full week, if not longer. During this time, we make sure to test out every aspect of the handset, including its display, build quality, speed and efficiency, features, camera performance, ease of use and battery life.
We send messages, play music and videos, use navigation apps, and take photos in various lighting conditions. All of the top iPhones we’ve picked are available SIM-free or on contract, and we’ve personally tested each one.
Pros
- Great battery life
- Speedy performance
- OLED screen
- High-resolution camera
- Compact size
Cons
- Only two colour options
- No ultra-wide camera
- No MagSafe
Who it’s for: This is the ideal iPhone for those who aren't too concerned about flashy features like multiple rear cameras, MagSafe wireless charging and higher refresh rate displays. It’s a simple and minimal option that delivers the essentials only.
Why we like it: The iPhone 16e is speedy, running on Apple’s A18 processor, and it has a huge battery life. It also shoots decent photos and videos and has a pocketable design. Those upgrading from an older device will appreciate the all-screen design with the vibrant OLED display, along with the convenience of fast USB-C charging.
Take note: While it’s the most affordable iPhone, it’s quite pricey for the features it offers, at £599. It’s a shame that it’s missing MagSafe for connecting to accessories, wireless chargers and power banks. Its camera quality is also fine but a notable step down from other iPhones, with many features missing.
Also consider: Depending on how much you need Apple Intelligence features, the iPhone 15 (which only costs slightly more and lacks AI) may be a better option. It has MagSafe, USB-C, the “Dynamic Island” on the display and a significantly better camera system for both photos and videos.
Read our iPhone 16e review
Key specifications
| Display | 6.1-inch OLED |
|---|---|
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Cameras | 48MP main, 12MP front-facing |
| Weight | 167g |
Pros
- Large screens with thin bezels
- Impressive camera system and 5x zoom
- Speedy processor
- Useful Camera Control and Action Button
- Excellent battery life improvement
Cons
- Incremental upgrades for those with recent iPhones
- You might not use Apple’s AI features
- You may find the Camera Control button fiddly to use
Who it’s for: As the top-tier model in the range, the iPhone 16 Pro is for those who want the best features and upgrades. Unlike other iPhones, the Pro models have better displays with higher refresh rates, plus a triple-rear camera setup with a 5x zoom lens.
Why we like it: The upgrade to the Pro is worth it if you love taking photos and videos, and it has a smoother screen with more fluid animations and an “always-on” feature. This shows the time, notifications and wallpaper even when you haven’t woken the display. The Pro also has an even faster chip, improved battery life, a luxe titanium chassis, and is available with an increased maximum storage.
Take note: The Pro models come at a price, and they’re also not available in fun colours like the regular iPhone 16 or iPhone 15. You can only get them in a range of titanium finishes: Black, White, “Natural Titanium”, and “Desert Titanium” (a bronze shade). There isn’t a massive difference, so you need to be sure you want the extra camera, processing power and improved display.
Also consider: Like the sound of the 6.3-inch iPhone 16 Pro but wish it had an even bigger screen and battery life? The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the model for you. It’s also worth considering the iPhone 15 Pro models, which have a lot in common with the 16 Pro and Pro Max.
Read our iPhone 16 Pro review
Key specifications
| Display | 6.3-inch OLED |
|---|---|
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Cameras | 48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 12MP 5x telephoto, 12MP front-facing |
| Weight | 199g |
Pros
- Lightweight design with great colours
- Great cameras with more customisation
- Faster processor
- Handy additional buttons
Cons
- Not that many changes from the previous version
- No always-on display
- You may not find Camera Control useful
Who it’s for: This iPhone is the sweet spot for the majority of us, delivering upgraded features compared to the iPhone 15. This phone comes in bolder colours than the 15 and has an Action Button and Camera Control button for quick access to customisable controls and the camera. It also has a faster processor than the 15.
Why we like it: This is the closest a “standard” iPhone has got to feeling like a “Pro” yet. It has an excellent high-resolution camera system with customisable “Photographic Styles” and both the handy custom Action Button and Camera Control. It supports Apple Intelligence, comes in lovely colours, and delivers a powerful performance.
Take note: The iPhone 16 is still missing the smooth animations you’ll get from the display of the 16 Pro and its always-on capabilities. It doesn’t have a telephoto zoom, which we find useful. The 16 Pro also has an increased battery life compared to the regular 16, which may be important to you.
Also consider: The larger iPhone 16 Plus is the model to pick if you’d like a bit more room on the screen and a noticeably increased battery life. It has a 6.7-inch display, offering a lot more room to view articles, photos and videos.
Read our iPhone 16 review
Key specifications
| Display | 6.1-inch OLED |
|---|---|
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Cameras | 48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP front-facing |
| Weight | 170g |
Which iPhone has the best battery life?
Nobody wants to be hunting for a charger halfway through the day.
If battery is your top priority, the iPhone 16 Pro Max or the iPhone 16 Plus are larger phones that offer the best battery performance, lasting more than a full day or more with heavy use.
For a compact iPhone with incredible battery life, pick the affordable iPhone 16e, which can match its bigger siblings for longevity.
Verdict: Best iPhones
Before you buy a new iPhone, it’s important to understand the range of available smartphones from Apple.
The most affordable is the iPhone 16e, the default recommendation for most users will be the iPhone 16, and the high-end model is the iPhone 16 Pro. The regular 16 and 16 Pro are also available in bigger “Plus” and “Pro Max” variants, respectively, with these delivering larger screens and more battery.
We would recommend that most people pick the iPhone 16, although it’s worth considering the comparable iPhone 15 for a bit of a saving. The iPhone 16e is the best value pick, while the iPhone 16 Pro is the best overall and is loaded with the most premium features and specifications.
The most important iPhone specifications to consider
The essential specs to look at are storage space, camera quality, battery life, and screen size.
Ask yourself about how you actually use your phone: Do you take lots of photos? Store loads of apps and videos? Need a screen big enough for comfortable reading? Here’s how to understand the jargon before you buy.
Cameras
All smartphones have rear cameras and front-facing cameras, although they will differ in quality and features. On iPhones, every model in the latest range now offers a 48-megapixel wide main camera, which is the one you’ll use the most. You can zoom in to the centre of this large sensor for a 2x zoom, too.
It’s also beneficial to have an ultra-wide lens – this enables you to fit more into the frame, such as an expansive landscape, a big group photo or a dramatic architectural shot. Support for “macro” photography means you can get close-up shots of flowers and details. Lastly, a much longer telephoto zoom (5x on iPhone 16 Pro models) is great for photos and videos of things that are further away, and it is a great perspective for portraiture.
Newer iPhones support extra focal lengths, stabilised video in “Action Mode”, blurry backgrounds for videos in “Cinematic Mode” and for photos in “Portrait Mode”, and customisable “Photographic Styles” where you can tweak colours and tones to your liking. You can also take super smooth slow-motion clips and control the audio mix after shooting, depending on the model you pick.
Storage space
Every iPhone available in the current range comes with either 128GB, 256GB or 512GB of storage. However, it’s worth noting that the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at 256GB and that on the Pro models, you can go up to a huge 1TB of space.
What does this mean? You’ll find that even 128GB is more than enough space to store a good amount of photos, music, files and videos that are downloaded to the device rather than streamed or kept in the cloud.
256GB is a sweet spot if you know you’re going to want to download loads of films and high-resolution music. You’d only need those maximum storage sizes for large apps like graphics-intensive games or if you’re taking a lot of large videos and editing high-quality photos.
Processor and AI
The processor, or chip, inside each iPhone is best described as the brain that powers everything. Apple designs its own chips so you won’t see certain brand names that you might with Android phones. The current chip is the A18, and the A18 Pro is featured in the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max models.
For all everyday tasks – including multitasking, app launching, photo editing and web browsing – every iPhone is speedy and efficient. They’re also all optimised for artificial intelligence (AI) tasks, such as Apple Intelligence features that are only available on the iPhone 16 models.
Battery life and charging
Something else that the Apple-designed chips optimise for is battery life and efficiency. The actual battery life that you get from your phone depends on several factors, including your usage, whether you have background processes (like checking your email) running, and your display’s brightness and refresh rate.
Generally, performance is improved through a more efficient chip and a larger battery size. We would always suggest holding onto one of the best power banks if you’re concerned about running out of juice, though. All the latest iPhones charge via a USB-C port or wireless charging, with the 15, 16 and 16 Pro models supporting “MagSafe” magnets for the attachment of accessories and reliable “inductive” charging.
Size and weight
Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t make a “mini” iPhone anymore. In recent years, trends have shown a shift toward larger devices and manufacturers across the smartphone industry now focus on bigger models. Apple is no exception, and it discontinued its smallest model, the iPhone 13 mini, due to lower demand. Many of us do prefer larger screens for a more expansive viewing experience and longer battery life, but they’re not always the easiest to hold.
We’d say the smaller 6.1-inch iPhones are not too tricky to handle and use, and they weigh around 170g. The iPhone 16 Pro is a little bit heavier, at 199g, but it’s still practical, and it’s the same weight as the iPhone 16 Plus. The biggest one is the 16 Pro Max, and it’s the heaviest and most cumbersome to use at 227g. It will suit some, but we find it easier to use with two hands.
What’s the difference between an iPhone and an Android Phone?
They’re the two main operating systems, and it can be very difficult to switch from one to the other. In many ways, Apple and Android phones are like two different languages in the smartphone world.
Apple’s iPhones offer a user-friendly experience with consistent software updates and tight integration with other Apple products.
Android phones, on the other hand, offer more customisation and often come at lower price points. This isn’t always the case, though. In many ways, the “clean” Android of Google’s Pixel phones is even more user-friendly than Apple’s iOS. It may just come down to what you’re most used to.
If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem – using a Mac, iPad, AirPods or Apple Watch – an iPhone will feel like a natural extension of your digital life.
Should you pick a refurbished iPhone?
It’s potentially a good idea to consider buying a refurbished phone. There typically aren’t huge differences between the models that get launched each year. Because of this, an older iPhone can work just as well as the newest ones and will last for several years.
These have been professionally restored to near-new condition and are sold at a significant discount. Apple and other reputable sellers offer refurbished phones with year-long warranties. The best refurbished smartphone deal can be perfect for budget-conscious buyers or those who want a recent model without the full price tag.
Just make sure you’re buying from a trusted source – Apple’s own refurbished store, Back Market, Music Magpie, Giffgaff, or certified refurbished products on eBay are your best bet for getting a phone that’s practically new at a fraction of the cost.
Simon Cocks is Good Housekeeping UK’s Technology Editor, overseeing tech shopping content and strategy for the title. He previously also worked across other titles including Esquire UK, Digital Spy, Men’s Health UK and Women’s Health UK.
Simon specialises in testing the latest smart gadgets, home entertainment gear, headphones, speakers, portable chargers, radios, e-book readers and smartphones. He's reviewed top tech products from brands including Google, Apple, Amazon, JBL and Bose.
A magazine journalism graduate from Kingston University in 2014, Simon also worked on the Discovery and Silkroad inflight magazines. He then gained experience writing about entertainment at SFX and Total Film. He also contributed reviews and interviews to TwitchFilm (later ScreenAnarchy), CultBox and Frame Rated.
He joined Good Housekeeping UK as the Editorial Assistant for Special Projects and was part of Good Housekeeping’s Consumer Affairs Team between 2014 and 2019. In this role, he conducted price comparison research, wrote detailed household and money-saving advice guides and edited thousands of in-depth reviews for the Good Housekeeping Institute.
He has focused on technology and gadgets since 2020, where he started by testing out power banks and instant cameras. He writes reviews, roundups, news articles and deals updates, and also covers top tech deals during sales like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
When not testing out the latest gizmos, you’ll find Simon either catching up with the newest releases at his local cinema or out shooting with his beloved compact camera.
You can follow Simon on Instagram, on Bluesky, on LinkedIn and on Threads.
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