Which Apple iPhone should I buy?

Apple iPhones are incredibly popular, but they're also very expensive, especially if you go for the latest model. 

Thanks to Apple's long support periods (iPhones tend to get support for over six years from launch), the savvy shopper can save by picking the right model, which isn't always the latest. 

Our tests allow you to compare exactly how well different generations of iPhone performed at our labs, plus find out what else you need to know about making the right purchase.

See how many iPhones phones made it into our guide to the best smartphones – or check out the best iPhone deals.

Best iPhones - top scoring iPhones from our tests

Apple hasn't always got it right. We've seen older iPhones outperform the latest model, so there are cases where you can make savings with an older phone that's just as good or better.

Find results for over 20 models of iPhone in our Apple iPhone reviews.

How much do Apple iPhones cost?

Apple iPhones are typically very expensive, with no particularly budget-friendly options when you buy brand new.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max (256GB) is the highest-spec phone in the 15 series, launched in September 2023. It has Apple's most premium cameras with exciting upgrades from the 14 series. But it's a big device with a 6.7-inch OLED screen. The other iPhones in the 15 series are cheaper than the Pro Max, but they're still expensive. 

• £999 - iPhone 15 Pro (128GB) Has a powerful camera with similar specs to the 15 Pro Max, but with a slightly smaller 6.1-inch screen.
• £899 - iPhone 15 Plus (128GB) A big-screen version of the iPhone 15 with its 6.7-inch display.
• £799 - iPhone 15 (128GB) The cheapest in the 15 series but it still has impressive array of features.

The most recent iPhone 15 and 14 series don't have the small-screen models we saw in the iPhone 13 Mini and iPhone 12 Mini. 

Apple iPhones are typically very pricey, but the SE model is Apple's mid-range option. The iPhone SE 2022 (64GB) starts at £419.

If you're not committed to always having the latest iPhone, it can pay to wait until the model you want has been succeeded by a newer model. Prices of older iPhones typically drop when there's a new kid on the block, even if not by much. For instance, when the iPhone 15 (128GB) launched at £799, the iPhone 14 (128GB) was £699, the iPhone 13 (128GB) was £599, and the iPhone 12 64GB was £499.

Want to save more money? Take a look at our guide to the best mobile phone deals right now.

Is it worth buying an Apple iPhone Pro or Pro Max?

There are a few reasons why the Pro and Pro Max iPhones more expensive than the standard models, but the main upgrades your paying for are in the cameras. This includes the addition of a telephoto lens to improve the quality of zoomed-in pictures. Other features combine with the high-resolution lenses to get you professional-looking shots, especially in unusual conditions. For example, the latest LiDAR scanner understands depth information to sharpen dark images, combined with a bigger aperture on the ultrawide lens to capture more light.

Usually, the only difference between the Pro and the Pro Max iPhones is the physical size of the device. However, with the 15 series, the Pro Max got some extra camera features. The most significant is a 5x telephoto camera for optical zoom. This is to give you clearer images from a distance when you zoom in.

In the latest iPhone 15 series, the Pro and Pro Max also get the most efficient A17 Pro chip, a titanium design, and Apple's new Action button for shortcuts.

Trade-ins are a great way to save on a new phone – find out how to recycle your old smartphone and get some extra cash.

Small-screen iPhones – the SE and Mini range

Small-screen iPhones are still on the market and Apple has released two new models since September 2021. Expect a smaller screen and a smaller battery, but not necessarily less power. 

Apple first introduced a 'mini' version of its standard release in November 2020 with the iPhone 12 Mini. Compared to the iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 Mini has a smaller 5.4in OLED display and a smaller 2,227mAh battery. However, it has the same two 12Mp rear cameras and software. 

The more recent iPhone 13 Mini has an upgraded processor, a bigger battery and starts with 128GB memory.

A year before the iPhone 12 Mini, we got the first iPhone SE. This is a more limited, but cheaper, iPhone. Apple has released two more versions since then – the iPhone SE 2022 is its latest offering. The iPhone SE 2022 has one rear camera lens, a 2,018mAh battery and a 4.7in LCD display, which is smaller than the iPhone 13 Mini.

Do you need an antivirus app for your iPhone? We explain the benefits in our guide to the best mobile antivirus software. 

What to look for when choosing an Apple iPhone

There are a few things to think about when deciding which iPhone to choose. Here’s our shortlist of what to consider:

• Size If you want an iPhone that you can easily use with one hand, the iPhone SE or Mini variations are a good bet with a 4.7-inch or 5.4-inch display respectively. You'll need two hands for comfortable use for any of the bigger models.
• Storage space Three phones in the iPhone 15 series start at 128GB and the iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at 256GB. The 15 Pro and the Pro Max models go up to a monstrous 1TB. The iPhone SE starts at 64GB. If you want the larger storage option, these usually cost £100-£150 more. If you're happy to delete old photos or apps you don't use much, a smaller option should be fine. Bear in mind that iPhones don't have a micro-SD card slot, so you can't boost space with a separate card but you can pay for storage using iCloud.
• Speed When Apple launches a new phone, it often features the brand's latest chipset, promising the fastest speeds. However, previous processors may well be up to the job of playing the latest games, or running the latest apps with ease. To find out more about iPhone speed, you'll need to read our iPhone reviews.
• Camera The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max come with a high-spec camera and settings, but they aren't hugely different from their predecessors. MaDifferences are even smaller on the standard iPhones. It's elements such as the size of the sensors and the software upgrades that change from series to series. The iPhone SE camera is more limited with only one rear lens.

Stuck between choosing an Apple iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy mobile phone? Find out the differences in Apple iPhone vs Samsung Galaxy mobile phones