By clicking a retailer link you consent to third-party cookies that track your onward journey. If you make a purchase, Which? will receive an affiliate commission, which supports our mission to be the UK's consumer champion.

Which Apple iPhone should I buy?

Apple iPhones are hugely popular. But are they worth the high cost, and which model is best for you?
Amy AxworthySenior researcher & writer
Apple Store iPhone

In this article

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.

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

Plenty of older Apple iPhones stay on sale for years after launch. Be wary of models older than a few years, though – they might lose security and software support, which makes the phone less secure. To balance price and specs, go for the iPhone 13. It’s on sale for under £500 Sim-free for the first time but still has a high-resolution 6.1-inch screen and versatile cameras.

Amy AxworthyMobile phones expert

Popular iPhone Comparisons

Read our dedicated comparison guides to see which iPhone is worth splashing out for.

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 16 series is Apple's latest release. Like we've seen for the last few years, there are four phones in the series:

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max. It is the highest-spec phone in the 16 series. It has premium camera specs and it's a big device with a 6.9-inch OLED screen. (SQUIRREL_TEXT_50017624)
  • iPhone 16 Pro. Has a powerful camera with practically identical specs to the Pro Max, but with a slightly smaller 6.3-inch screen. (SQUIRREL_TEXT_50016617)
  • iPhone 16 Plus. A big-screen version of the iPhone 16 with its 6.7-inch display. (SQUIRREL_TEXT_50016626)
  • iPhone 16. The cheapest in the 16 series but it still has impressive array of features, including the new Camera Control button on its side. (SQUIRREL_TEXT_50016616)

The most recent iPhone 16, 15 and 14 series don't have the small-screen models like the iPhone 13 Mini and iPhone 12 Mini, though you will find a smaller screen on the mid-range iPhone SE 2022 (SQUIRREL_TEXT_12853025).

Not in a rush to upgrade? iPhone prices often drop when a new model comes out

If you're not committed to always having the latest iPhone, 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 16 (128GB) launched at £799, the iPhone 15 (128GB) was £699, the iPhone 14 (128GB) was £599, and the iPhone 13 (128GB) was £499.

Take a look at our guide to the best iPhone deals to see how much you could save with an older handset. 

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.

Usually, the only difference between the Pro and the Pro Max iPhones is the physical size of the device. However, in 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. Both Pro variants in the latest 16 series have these zoom capabilities.

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

iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max

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 16 series start at 128GB and the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at 256GB. The 16 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 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max come with a high-spec camera and settings, but they aren't hugely different from their predecessors. Differences 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

Get the right mobile deal

Use our Which? provider rating, based on real customer feedback, to find the best Sim and contract deals

Compare deals today

More on this

Related articles

View mobile phone reviews

Latest News In

Which?

View all news