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Mar 03, 2025

What's the Best iPhone to Buy or Avoid Right Now? (2025) | WIRED

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more. Best iPhone Overall The Midrange iPhone The Ultimate iPhone The Cheapest iPhone Apple sells seven iPhone models,

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

Best iPhone Overall

The Midrange iPhone

The Ultimate iPhone

The Cheapest iPhone

Apple sells seven iPhone models, from the new $599 iPhone 16e to the $1,199 iPhone 16 Pro Max, but what's the best iPhone for you? Now is a great time to buy a new iPhone if you need to upgrade, as we're still a while away from the iPhone 17—expected this September. I’ve tested every model and outlined their strengths and weaknesses so you can get the right one for you.

Check out our other Apple buying guides, including the Best iPhone 16 Cases, Best MagSafe Accessories, Best MagSafe Chargers, Best MagSafe Wallets, Best iPhone 15 Cases, and Best Apple 3-in-1 Chargers. Wondering what's new in iOS 18? We have details on that too.

Updated February 2025: We’ve added the iPhone 16e, Counterpart's The Charger, and details about buying directly from Apple.

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But First, Sell That Old iPhone!

If you’re upgrading from an iPhone, you can trade it to Apple for a small discount. Before you do that, check whether you can sell it elsewhere for more money. iPhones hold their value incredibly well, particularly if they’re in mint or good condition. We have a guide that runs through the process of selling your phone, and we generally recommend you use websites like Swappa, Gazelle, or Back Market.

We also have a handful of setup guides you should follow:

Buying From Apple vs. a Carrier

Most people in the US purchase iPhones from carriers, which means the devices are locked to that network. If you bought an iPhone from Verizon, that means you can't easily switch to another carrier without breaking a contract and paying extra fees. It also poses headaches for travelers who want to use international SIM cards when traveling.

The easier approach is to buy directly from Apple, though there are some things you should know:

Connect to any carrier later: Choose this option for the most hassle-free experience. You get an unlocked iPhone, and then all you need to do is transfer the SIM card from your old iPhone to the new one to get started. This might be painless, though you may need to contact your carrier if the iPhone can't complete the eSIM transfer as it's a carrier-specific feature. Apple hasn't included a SIM tray since 2022's iPhone 14.

Choose a carrier: If you choose a carrier through Apple.com, you will get an unlocked iPhone no matter which carrier you choose. The downside is that Apple doesn't have the same offers as the carriers, so you may lose out on a deal. However, carrier offers often require new lines, trade-ins, or an upgraded plan, and the savings come in the form of bill credits, so these deals aren't as amazing as they may seem.

Finance: You can finance your iPhone through Apple either with Apple Card monthly installments, if you have an Apple credit card, or as Apple iPhone Payments. You need to choose a carrier here, but Apple confirmed these devices are all unlocked. You have to fill out a credit application to see if you qualify. If you opt to finance through a carrier on Apple.com, only the T-Mobile and Verizon models will be unlocked. The AT&T and Boost Mobile options are locked iPhones, so it's no different from buying it on an installment plan directly from those carriers.

iPhone Upgrade Program: Buying directly from Apple also nets you access to the iPhone Upgrade Program. Is it worth it? Broadly speaking, no. Most people do not need to upgrade to a new iPhone every single year. It's expensive, though it does include two years of the company's AppleCare+ protection plan. If you really want to get the latest iPhone every year, then this program makes more sense, but it's still expensive.

What’s the Deal With eSIMs?

All iPhone 14 and newer devices completely ditch the physical SIM tray in the US, meaning you can no longer just pop your physical SIM inside to turn on cellular connectivity. Instead, you'll have to rely on an eSIM. You can read more about them here. This tech has been available in iPhones since the iPhone XS and XR, but now you have to use it. When you're setting up your new iPhone, you'll automatically be asked to transfer your number from your previous iPhone, and the whole process should take a few minutes without any hassle. (eSIMs are more secure than physical SIMs.) Once you transfer your number, your physical SIM card won't work anymore.

There's a chance you may still run into some issues, especially if you're coming from an Android phone (or want to switch back to an Android phone) or use a carrier that doesn't support eSIM transfer. You'll have to check with your carrier to get your cellular connection in working order again. It shouldn't take long, but it's not as simple as popping in a physical card—yet.

What Is Apple Intelligence?

The most hyped-up feature in the iPhone 16 range is Apple Intelligence, which rolled out in the iOS 18.1 update. This is Apple's suite of artificial intelligence features, following the wave started by the likes of ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. Apple Intelligence is also available on the iPhone 16e, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, not to mention select iPads and MacBooks.

What exactly is Apple Intelligence in the first place? It's a collection of features that draw on the power of large language models to introduce “smart” capabilities. For example, in the Voice Memo and Notes app, you can now start a recording and get a real-time transcription. You can even record a call and get the transcription saved in the Notes app. Siri has been redesigned and can understand when you misspeak, and can even plug into ChatGPT for more powerful responses to open-ended questions. There are writing tools available throughout the operating system that let you change the tone of your emails or proofread text so you don't make an unnecessary typo on Threads.

This is just a small sampling, I've boiled down many of the Apple Intelligence features in my iOS 18 guide, and additional features keep rolling out in iOS updates. For example, Genmoji—which lets you create your own emojis—debuted alongside the AI image generation app, Image Playground, in iOS 18.2.

If you don't care for Apple Intelligence and want to turn it off, you can! We have a helpful guide detailing the exact steps.

What’s MagSafe?

Magnetic MagSafe wireless charging is available on the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 models (except the iPhone 16e), and it allows you to magnetically attach various accessories to the back of the iPhone. You can get first-party accessories like Apple's MagSafe Wireless Charger, which sticks to the back for faster charging. Or snag the MagSafe Wallet so you can keep your credit card attached to your phone. There are plenty of third-party accessories (you'll find quite a few in our guide), and MagSafe doesn't just have to be charging accessories like power banks or wireless chargers. There are a wealth of useful tools, from wallets, tripods and camera cages to notepads and ring lights that can attach to the back of the iPhone and add extra versatility.

If you plan to use a case, get one that has MagSafe embedded inside to ensure a strong magnetic connection with Apple's accessories (non-MagSafe cases can interrupt MagSafe and make the magnetic connection weaker). All of the cases in our case guides are MagSafe-tested by yours truly. And yes, a case is a smart investment because iPhones are made of glass, and glass breaks, even if Apple uses ceramic to strengthen it. I cracked my iPhone 16 Plus after a 4-foot drop to the pavement—this model's ceramic glass is supposed to be twice as strong as previous iPhones too! Ouch. See my favorite cases for the iPhone 16, iPhone 15, and iPhone 14 ranges.

The iPhone’s Charging Port Is Now USB-C

The iPhone 15 range ditched the long-standing Lightning port for USB-C, and it's now in the iPhone 16 range too. This is the same charging port on iPads, MacBooks, Android phones, Windows laptops, and many more personal tech gadgets. USB-C is often called the “universal port” because it can technically handle various responsibilities. For example, you can plug in external displays and extend the iPhone's screen or connect the same USB-C accessories you might be currently using on your laptop, like SD card readers. Sadly, it does mean your Lightning accessories won't work unless you get dongles. You can read more about what the new port does here, but there are two important things to note:

The iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, and iPhone 16e support the USB 2.0 standard just like the iPhones before, so you'll max out at 480 megabits per second of data transfer speeds.

The iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max support the USB 3.0 standard and are capable of up to 10 gigabits per second of data transfer speeds.

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are some of the best non-Pro iPhones the company has shipped in some time. They share many features with the iPhone 16 Pro models—at least, many of the ones that really matter—and they also look fantastic in vibrant colors: ultramarine, teal, and pink. They're powered by a more powerful chip, the A18, which can handle all the Apple Intelligence features. (I have more details on Apple's artificial intelligence improvements here and evaluated the experience in my iPhone 16 Pro review.)

Both of these phones have the same features, so you're largely choosing whether you want a small or big phone. That said, the 6.7-inch iPhone 16 Plus offers some of the best battery life I've seen to date in an iPhone. I hit more than seven hours of screen-on time, and it had 42 percent left in the tank; that beats my real-world results from the iPhone 16 Pro Max! The 6.1-inch iPhone 16 can get you through a day, but heavy users may need a top-up before bedtime. New in these phones is the Action button from the Pro models—it replaces the mute switch, but you can bring that functionality back or customize this button to do something else. There's also Camera Control, which launches the camera and doubles as a shutter button. A light amount of pressure on this button lets you switch camera modes, and you can slide your finger to cycle through them.

As for the cameras, I compared the photos from these devices to the iPhone 14 Pro, and they're remarkably similar (that's a good thing!). The ultrawide camera is more versatile, as it now has a macro mode for close-up shots, and the new Photographic Styles make it very easy to get gorgeous color-graded shots with minimal effort. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are very well-rounded smartphones. I just wish Apple added a 120-Hz display for smoother animations.

The best iPhone is whatever lasts a long time, and it's tough to recommend an iPhone without USB-C since Apple abandoned the Lightning charging port (you can read more about this here). If you are hunting for a new iPhone—and don't care for all the bells and whistles—you can save some cash with the iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus (7/10, WIRED Recommends). Both have the same features, but the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 is nicer for people who like small phones, and the 6.7-inch Plus is better suited for large-screen devourers. The Plus also has better battery life. They have OLED displays that get bright enough to see on sunny days, MagSafe support, IP68 water resistance, plus plenty of power thanks to the A16 chipset.

Apple erased the notch and replaced it with the Dynamic Island in this model, the pill-shaped cutout at the top of the display that houses the selfie camera and Face ID sensors. It also doubles as a way to show passive information, like the ETA for your Uber ride without constantly opening the Uber app. You get a similar camera experience as the iPhone 16 above, except there's no Action button or Camera Control button. These two phones do not support Apple Intelligence.

If you want the best iPhone no questions asked, that'd be the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max (8/10, WIRED Recommends). These phones have a lot of rare photo and video features that you won't find on non-Pro iPhones, like ProRes video recording. If you know what that means, then you already know you want this iPhone. But what about everybody else? There are still some reasons to go Pro even if you won't use those fancy features. These iPhones are still the only ones with a 120-Hz screen refresh rate, what Apple calls “ProMotion." Trust me, it's noticeable going from an iPhone 16 to an iPhone 16 Pro because everything feels super smooth. There's also support for the always-on display, in case you like seeing the clock on the screen all the time. The Pro phones are made from titanium, too, though this doesn't really impact durability.

These iPhones have a better cooling system and the A18 Pro chipset—slightly faster than the A18 in the iPhone 16—so they will perform better whether you're playing graphically demanding games or running AI-intensive tasks. The 48-megapixel ultrawide camera is also superior, especially in low light, and arguably the biggest reason to upgrade is the excellent 5X optical zoom camera. Take high-quality pics of your kid on stage at the recital! Even a feature as simple as the ability to record in 4K at 120 frames per second is something to be envious of because it just looks pretty.

Both of these devices have feature parity, so you are choosing between sizes, and they're bigger this year. The iPhone 16 Pro is 6.3 inches and the iPhone 16 Pro Max is 6.9 inches. They're taller than ever before, which means the Max is even more unwieldy. However, it does have some of the best battery life in an iPhone, easily going into a second day with average use.

The new iPhone 16e (7/10, WIRED Review) may be Apple's cheapest iPhone, officially replacing the $429 iPhone SE, but that doesn't mean it's a good value. It omits a few too many convenient Apple features, despite the $599 price, like the Dynamic Island, MagSafe, and the Ultra Wideband chip for precise AirTag tracking, not to mention it has only one rear camera. What you do get in return is fantastic battery life. It's a 6.1-inch iPhone (the smallest and same size as the iPhone 16), but it crept close to the battery performance of the large iPhone 16 Plus. It'll easily last even heavy users a full day. This is thanks to Apple's first-ever custom modem—the C1—which is more efficient than the previous modems in older iPhones.

Even if you don't care for those missing features, the iPhone 16e still doesn't quite justify its high price, especially when compared to what other phones in this bracket offer. But if you just want a new iPhone and want to pay very little, this handset does the job.

Apple completely canceled the 2023 iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max (8/10, WIRED Recommends), but they're still great iPhones if you can find them for a good price. They have speedy processors and are the only older iPhones that will support Apple Intelligence—Apple is even bringing its Google Lens-like Visual Intelligence feature to these devices soon via a software update.

The three rear cameras deliver photos nearly identical to what the latest iPhone 16 Pro models yield, so you can zoom out with the ultrawide or zoom in with the telephoto. You get titanium frames, excellent OLED displays, daylong battery life, water resistance, and Qi2 wireless charging. Since the iPhone 16 starts at $829, don't spend more than $800 on these phones. Practically speaking, these models will start to disappear from retailers, but you can buy renewed ones from Amazon. My recommendation is to snag one in new or mint condition on resale websites like Swappa, Gazelle, and Back Market.

Apple hasn't offered a charging brick in the box since the iPhone 12, so if you don't have one, we've got you covered with a few recommendations. These are all 30-watt chargers, which are more beneficial for the iPhone Pro models as they secretly support up to 27 watts, but 30 watts is still handy to have if you want to recharge your iPad too.

Anker 511 Nano 3 30-Watt Charger for $19: This is one of the tiniest chargers we've tested, and the prongs fold up for even more space savings. It comes in fun colors, and it's nice and cheap.

Counterpart The Charger for $44: Why carry a charger and cable separately when you can get both in one? Retractable chargers are getting popular right now, and I love this attractive model from Counterpart. You can get it in a few colors, and the USB-C cable extends up to four feet. The prongs fold so they won't scratch anything in your bag, and the 35-watt output is enough to fast-charge most iPhones and iPads. It'll recharge a MacBook too, though a MacBook Pro requires a more powerful charger.

Plugable Wall Outlet With 30-Watt USB-C and USB-A for $25: This one's more functional. You can get 30 watts out of the USB-C, but you also get a USB-A port for another gadget (maybe an older Apple Watch charger), plus an outlet to plug in a laptop charger.

The problem with USB-C is that its capabilities are so vast, but not every USB-C cable supports every single function. You need to make sure the cable you buy supports video output, speedy data transfer, and fast charging if that's what you want. The cable Apple includes in the box can carry up to 60 watts of power, and that's pretty much it. You can use this cable to recharge a MacBook, but maybe not a MacBook Pro under heavy load. If you get a cable like this one from Cable Matters, you'll be covered for every scenario. It supports up to 100 watts of power so you can use it for all your gadgets, has DisplayPort to work with external monitors, and supports up to 40 gigabits per second of data transfer. It also comes in multiple lengths.

Read our Best USB-C Cables guide for more.

The beauty of MagSafe is that you can pop a battery on the back of your iPhone and you don't have to worry about any wires. This is our top model in our Best MagSafe Portable Batteries guide and it supports the Qi2 standard, so it will work with any device with Qi2. It has a 10,000-mAh capacity that is good to recharge an iPhone fully once and then some, and there's a built-in kickstand so you can continue watching your favorite show as it charges. Best of all is the built-in LED display, helpful for seeing how much juice the charger has left.

If you have an iPhone, there's a chance you have another Apple gadget, like AirPods or an Apple Watch. If so, you really should get a 3-in-1 charger for your home. We have tons of options in our Best Apple 3-in-1 Chargers guide, but this Belkin MagSafe model is our favorite. It has an elegant design and charges the iPhone and Apple Watch at the maximum speeds, and you can pop your earbuds on the base to top them up. It won't work with the iPhone 16e unless you get a MagSafe case, and even then, you won't be privy to the faster and more efficient charging speeds.

The iPhone 12 and older iPhones are probably available somewhere, but you shouldn't take the bait. They don't have the processing power to keep up with the latest software, and even if they do, they will have a much shorter software shelf life or lack modern features like USB-C. The only older iPhones worth considering at the moment are the iPhone 13 or iPhone 14 series, even better if it's the Pro models if you can find them at low prices. Neither have the USB-C charging port though, which may be annoying.

The iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus are cut off from receiving the iOS 18 update, so they're especially ones to avoid. Without software support, your device will slowly become less secure and could become a slow, buggy mess. The camera tech in these models isn't as refined either.

If you don't want to spend the money to get a new iPhone, consider a fresh battery. If the biggest issues with your aging iPhone revolve around how long it lasts in a day, replacing the battery might make it feel brand-new. (Apple's iPhone 16, 16 Plus, and 16e have an easier-to-replace battery.)

Replacements for older iPhones are $89, and $99 or $119 for newer models. If that doesn't do the trick, read our guide on ways to fix your iPhone's problems or our guide on selling your iPhone to get the most money out of it.