These are iPhone models that are considered the best according to each criterion such as battery, screen, camera.
Rumors and leaks about the iPhone 16 have begun to appear more frequently in recent months, but something much more important is on the horizon: iOS 18. Developer betas and updates are available now. The full range is expected to launch this fall with the iPhone 16.
And you won't need a new iPhone to download, all that's needed is an iPhone XS or newer. From the looks of it, you get a ton of cool home screen customization options, a redesigned photo gallery, and much better messaging with Android devices.
It's also worth noting that when the iPhone 16 launches in the fall, prices for predecessor iPhone models will likely drop. If you want to buy a new phone, this might be a good time. These are the best iPhone models according to each criterion as rated by The Verge:
iPhone 15: The best standard iPhone
The standard version of the iPhone 15 has an A16 chip, a 6.1-inch screen, a USB-C port and a 48-megapixel main camera, with storage configurations starting at 128GB.
iPhone 15 is a mix of features from previous generation Pro models like Dynamic Island and the A16 Bionic chip, adding some unique touches with a new high-resolution image sensor and USB-C port. The iPhone 15 isn't exactly new, but it's a solid step up from the iPhone 14. It's exactly the update users expect from the standard iPhone line.
The 48-megapixel sensor on the 15 and 15 Plus is new but physically smaller than the one used on the Pro series. And the iPhone 15 still features a standard 60Hz display in a year when most mid-range Android phones have at least 90Hz displays.
There's a lot of the iPhone Pro that won't be available on the iPhone 15, but what you get is very appealing, especially if you're upgrading from an iPhone 11 or 12. The new camera's 2x optical zoom is a Great option for portraits, and Dynamic Island is helpful for bringing important information to the top of the screen when you need it.
Switching to USB-C may be a bit annoying when you're juggling your charging cables, but it will be a significant positive change in the long run.
If you're the type of person who wants to get the most out of your phone, then you'll want to consider the Pro models. But if you just want an iPhone that keeps you comfortable throughout the day, takes great photos, and lasts for years to come, the iPhone 15 is your best bet.
iPhone 15 Pro: The best high-end iPhone
iPhone 15 Pro has a lighter titanium case, faster USB-C 3.0 port, improved camera, customizable action mode button instead of the old ring/mute button, and thinner bezels around the screen 6, 1 inch.
There are and are not many new features on the iPhone 15 Pro. Like the 14 Pro, it has a 6.1-inch ProMotion display, three rear cameras with Dynamic Island, and an always-on display.
But pick up the 15 Pro, and you'll immediately realize that this is a very different device indeed. It's 19 grams lighter than the 14 Pro, so it's significantly easier to hold, and the edges are gently curved for more comfortable holding.
Inside, the new A17 Pro chipset helps you play AAA games on your phone and will soon experience the Apple Intelligence platform. There are some great camera improvements, including two new 28mm and 35mm "lenses" for the main camera to complement the 3x telephoto lens (about 77mm).
Like the 15 and 15 Plus, you can also apply Portrait Mode to photos after taking them. Videographers will also appreciate access to the new ProRes Log recording option that makes it easy to incorporate iPhone footage into multi-camera shoots.
Those are some powerful new features, the iPhone 15 Pro is worth the extra money over the standard 15 if you value customization and flexibility from your device, more customization with the action button and you'll take advantage of additional camera options.
iPhone 15 Pro Max: iPhone takes the best photos
iPhone 15 Pro Max is the largest and most advanced version of Apple's iPhone 15 options. It's similar to the iPhone 15 Pro in most specs and features but has a 6.7-inch screen, larger battery, and 5x telephoto lens. It also starts with 256GB of storage, double the capacity of the base 15 Pro.
In recent years, the two iPhone Pro models included quite similar camera hardware. That changed this year when the larger model got a bit of a makeover with a new 5x zoom lens. It replaces the 3x telephoto lens, which is still used on the 15 Pro. Besides the different screen size and battery, that's the only real difference in features between the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. And for photographers, that will make the phone much more attractive.
The 15 Pro Max's 12-megapixel, 5x lens is equivalent to 120mm on a full-frame camera. It produces dramatic portraits and lets you play with subject compression in a way that's not possible with a 3x lens.
It's worth noting that the regular 15 Pro performs better than the Pro Max at 3x focal length, which makes sense since it uses optical zoom instead of digital zoom.
But most photographers will appreciate the added versatility of the 5x lens, and the 2x crop mode on both models gives a good enough impression of a shorter zoom lens.
The 15 Pro Max is also 19 grams lighter than the 14 Pro Max, a significant number. If the heavy weight of its predecessor discouraged you, you'll probably find the 15 Pro Max more appealing.
iPhone 15 Plus: iPhone has the best battery
There are only a few spec differences between the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, but they make a big difference.
The 15 Plus has a larger 6.7-inch screen and a larger battery, it can play 20 hours of video compared to 16 hours on the regular 15. That means you can use the 15 Plus for more than a day of heavy use before needing to recharge, and many people will easily get through two days of basic tasks.
That's better than the similarly sized 15 Pro Max, which has more power-hungry features like the ProMotion display, and it makes the 15 Plus easily the best iPhone at any price in terms of battery performance.
Of course, the larger screen will also appeal to those who like big screens. If your phone is where you watch most of your shows and movies, that may well be a feature worth the extra money.
iPhone SE 2022: The best cheap iPhone
The third-generation iPhone SE, launching in 2022, is the cheapest iPhone you can buy, it includes some key feature upgrades that most phones Mid-range phones don't have, like wireless charging, a top-of-the-line processor, and an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance.
But the experience of using the SE is hampered by its small screen, a carryover from the old iPhone design that no longer fits. The iPhone SE 2022 is hard to beat in terms of features in the same segment.
iPhone SE 2022 still has a few weaknesses such as the camera system without night mode and only 64GB of storage on the basic model. The device also uses Apple's Lightning connector. That's fine if you have plenty of Lightning cables lying around, but Apple switched to USB-C starting with the 15 series, so Lightning is slowly disappearing.
If you're used to large phone screens, the iPhone SE's 4.7-inch LCD screen may be the hardest to accept. But if the small screen doesn't bother you, there's no better choice than the iPhone SE.
What about iPhone 13 and 14?
When the iPhone 15 series launched, it replaced the 14 Pro and 13 Mini models, but the iPhone 13, 14, and 14 Plus are still sold new by Apple. Of course, the device has been greatly discounted compared to when it was first launched.
If you want to stay on budget, then one of these previous generation models would be a good choice. The iPhone 13 will probably only get three or four more iOS updates at this point, but if you're likely to switch to a new phone in about three years, that's not something to worry about.
There's also a compelling argument to buy the iPhone 14 Plus at the new price. Its battery life is just as good as the iPhone 15 Plus, and it has the same large screen. But at this point, if possible, you should switch to USB-C on iPhone 15 Plus and experience Dynamic Island with it.