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It’s a question you’ve probably heard many times before: “Which iPhone should I buy?” Most of the time, the answer is simple: Get the best one you can afford. And if you’re happy with your current model, don’t feel like you have to upgrade at all. But if you’re ready to make a change, we’ve tested all seven models in Apple’s current smartphone lineup and picked out the best iPhones for most people.Before you dive in, note that we’ve based this guide on the list prices for new, unlocked iPhones on Apple.com. If you can find a heavy discount from another trustworthy retailer or a good deal on a refurbished model, that could always change the value equation.

Table of contents

Best iPhones for 2025

The rest of Apple's iPhone lineup in 2025

iPhone FAQs

Recent updates

Best iPhones for 2025

The rest of Apple's iPhone lineup in 2025

The iPhone 16.

Billy Steele for Engadget

Apple iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus

The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus have made genuine improvements over their predecessors and generally feel more “Pro-like” than they have in years past. They also come in a range of vibrant colors. If the iPhone 16 Pro or 16 Pro Max are just too pricey, especially if you want extra storage space, they’re fantastic compromises. Still, they are compromises. If you can afford it, the Pro should hold up a bit better over time.

Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus

The iPhone 15 and 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus still get you many key upgrades over the iPhone 16e, including a superior two-camera system, a brighter display, MagSafe and the Dynamic Island. The 15 Plus is particularly appealing as the most affordable big-screen iPhone in Apple’s current lineup. It has excellent battery performance as well.

At $699 or $799, though, both phones are priced in something of a no man’s land. Most people who care about ultrawide cameras and MagSafe support should just spend another $100 for the iPhone 16 or 16 Plus, which add AI features, a slightly improved ultrawide lens with macro support, an extra hour or two of battery life, faster wireless charging (25W vs. 15W), a quicker processor, more RAM, the Action button and the Camera Control button.

Those who just want the essentials, meanwhile, are probably happy to save an extra $100 on the iPhone 16e, which is still better equipped for the long-term thanks to its faster chip and Apple Intelligence support. As a result, the 15 and 15 Plus will probably make the most sense if you can find a good price on a refurbished model.

iPhone FAQs

Brian Oh for Engadget

When is the best time of year to buy an iPhone?

The best time to buy an iPhone, or really any product, is whenever you need one. But if you want to maximize how long your iPhone is considered “current,” plan to upgrade in late September. Apple almost always introduces its new core models around then. SE and “e” iPhones, meanwhile, have arrived between February and April, but those aren’t guaranteed annual releases.

Cash discounts on new unlocked iPhones are rare, so there usually isn’t much reason to wait for a deal before buying (as is often the case with Samsung or Google phones). Carriers will run their own sales, but those typically involve locking you into years-long service plans. The exception would be if you specifically want an older iPhone, since Apple typically cuts the price of its last-gen devices by $100 or more when it introduces a new model. So, for instance, if you know you won’t care about the inevitable iPhone 17’s upgrades, you could wait until that device is announced and get the iPhone 16 for a little cheaper.

How long does an iPhone last?

This depends on the person and how they define “last.” If we had to give a broad estimate, we’d say most iPhone users keep their device between two and four years. If you’re particularly sensitive to performance and camera improvements, you might want to upgrade on the earlier side of that timeline. If you’re not as picky, you could hold out for even longer — though you’ll likely want to get a battery replacement sometime around the three- or four-year mark (or whenever you notice your battery life has severely degraded).

Software support shouldn’t be a problem regardless: Apple is renowned for keeping its devices up-to-date long-term, and the most recent version of iOS is available on iPhones dating back to 2018. Most of those older phones don’t support Apple Intelligence, so there isn’t total parity, but that’s not a big loss in the grand scheme of things.

How do I know how old my iPhone is?

Go to your iPhone’s Settings, then tap General > About. You should see the Model Name right near the top. You can also tap the Model Number below that, then verify the resulting four-digit code on Apple’s identification page to further confirm.

If you don’t want to use software, for whatever reason, you can also find your iPhone’s model number printed within its USB-C or Lightning port, if the device lacks a SIM tray. For older devices, you can alternatively find that number within the SIM slot or — if you’re still hanging onto an iPhone 7 or older — right on the back of the handset.

Recent updates

May 2025: We’ve lightly edited this guide for clarity and added a few common FAQs. Our picks remain unchanged.

February 2025: The new iPhone 16e replaces the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus as our “budget” pick. We’ve also removed our notes on the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE (3rd generation), as each has been formally discontinued.

January 2025: We've made a few minor edits for clarity and ensured our recommendations are still up to date.

December 2024: We’ve made a few edits to reflect the release of Apple Intelligence, though our picks remain the same.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/best-iphone-160012979.html?src=rss

A Konami Press Start livestream has been announced for June 12, 2025The broadcast will offer an extended look at Silent Hill f and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake EaterThe event will be 37 minutes longKonami has announced a special livestream taking place this week that will offer an extended look at Silent Hill f and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater.The Konami Press Start broadcast is scheduled to begin on June 12, 2025, at 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET / 3 PM CEST / 2 PM BST.The livestream is expected to be 37 minutes long and can be watched on Konami's YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook."Tune in live for the official Konami Press Start livestream event, featuring game updates and appearances from Konami Digital Entertainment developers and producers," Konami said in a press release.The publisher confirmed that the event will also feature "extended looks" at Silent Hill f and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and offer new insight from the creative minds behind both games, suggesting that we may get to see new gameplay sequences.⬆⬆⬇⬇📢Global Premiere📺⬅➡⬅➡Join our KONAMI PRESS START livestream on June 12th for the latest franchise updates. Plus, hear directly from our passionate developers! 🎮📺 Where to watch: 🔴 https://t.co/c4ZWd1T7a4🟣 https://t.co/QAOiv3SQ9cSee showtimes below 👇🇺🇸… pic.twitter.com/xwo9Ngzev6June 9, 2025During PlayStation's June State of Play, it was announced that Silent Hill f will officially launch on September 25 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC. The broadcast also offered a brand new look at the horror game with a chilling gameplay trailer captured on PS5.Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, which just got a new gameplay trailer at the State of Play, will also be launching this summer on August 28. It's coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.It was previously confirmed that all the original voices from the 2004 Metal Gear Solid 3 will be used in the remake.You might also like...Nintendo Switch 2: review in progressCall of Duty: Black Ops 7 officially announced and it stars that one Gilmore Girls actorXbox Games Showcase 2025: everything revealed from Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Persona 4 remake to a new handheld

Marks and Spencer restarts some online ordersThis follows a major cyberattack earlier in 2025Some systems have still not recoveredMarks & Spencer (M&S) has resumed online orders, over a month after the high street giant was hit by a major cyberattack.46 days after the incident, standard home delivery for most of M&S' clothing range is now available again across England, Scotland and Wales.Click and collect orders are still suspended for now, with the company saying these will resume within "in the coming weeks", with a company spokesperson telling Reuters, "It's not the full range at the moment, we've focused on best sellers and newness...We'll be bringing product online everyday so customers will see that grow over the coming days."Save up to 68% on identity theft protection for TechRadar readers! TechRadar editors praise Aura's upfront pricing and simplicity. Aura also includes a password manager, VPN, and antivirus to make its security solution an even more compelling deal.Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View DealM&S orders restartM&S was apparently hit by the attack on April 22, revealing news of the incident several days later.It is thought the attackers were able to break into its systems by compromising workers at Tata Consultancy Services, an Indian firm which provided third-party services to M&S.The company has forecast the attack could cost it around £300 million in lost operating profit in its financial year.It was recently revealed the hackers contacted M&S CEO Stuart Machin in a mocking email the day after the attack, demanding payment for the attack.This email was sent from the DragonForce hacking collective, which carries out such attacks in return for payment or reward from other parties in exchange for a cut of any ransom payments.M&S has not confirmed whether it has paid a ransom to the hackers, but did admit some customer data was stolen in the attack. This did not include any passwords or card or payment details, but home addressess, phone numbers and dates of birth may have been affected.Anyone concerned their data may have been taken, we recommend using a dark web monitoring service, or using a breach monitor such as Have I Been Pwned to check for potential exposures.You might also likeTake a look at our picks for the best malware removal software aroundCheck out our choice for best antivirus softwareFBI warns Play ransomware hackers have hit nearly a thousand US firms

Marvel has released the final trailer for its forthcoming Ironheart TV showThe 80-second-long teaser arrives two days after the series' first official clip was unveiledIts latest footage has got fans talking about Tony Stark and a long-rumored MCU villainMarvel has debuted one final trailer for its forthcoming Ironheart TV series – and, surprise surprise, it's sparked a couple of big conversations among the comic giant's fanbase.Released yesterday (June 9), the 80-second-long teaser is the last official look we'll get at the Disney+ show before it launches later this month.Predictably, the trailer's release has not only drummed up further interest in the Marvel Phase 5 TV show, but also sparked fresh fan theories and discussions about Riri Williams' first standalone adventure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).One such topic of conversation is centered around Tony Stark and Iron Man, aka the playboy philanthropist billionaire played by Robert Downey Jr between 2008 and 2019.Ironheart's latest teaser shows Dominique Thorne's Williams using an anvil to make a new super-suit in the same way that Downey Jr's Stark did to make the first version of his armored suit in 2008's Iron Man. The creation of an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant – N.A.T.A.L.I.E, which Williams bases on her late stepsister Natalie – further links Williams and Stark. After all, Stark made two AI programs before his death in 2019's Avengers: Endgame – those being J.A.R.V.I.S, who became the android known as Vision in 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron, and F.R.I.D.A.Y.Stark is a mentor to Williams in Marvel's source material, so it isn't a great surprise that Ironheart pays tribute to this teacher-student dynamic that exists in the comics. What is unexpected, though, is the dark magic-infused supersuit that we see Williams wearing towards the end of Ironheart's latest footage.THE NEW IRONHEART SUIT IS INFUSED WITH MAGIC??? THIS GOES SO HARD pic.twitter.com/qvLcANEHrqJune 9, 2025Marvel President Kevin Feige has confirmed that Ironheart will pit the worlds of technology and magic against one another. However, while Ironheart's inaugural trailer and Ironheart's first official clip heavily implied that Williams will initially ally herself with the charismatic dark-magic wielder known as The Hood (played by Anthony Ramos), I don't think anyone expected to see them create a magic-infused armored suit together.That's not the only thing that's got Marvel fans in a tailspin. The final trailer includes some shots of what appear to be satanic symbols and Ramos' The Hood attempting to summon some form of demonic entity. Marvel Comics is full of such individuals, but MCU devotees are already convinced that one specific demon lord will appear in Ironheart.The dark-magic wielder in question? Mephisto. Yep, the same Lord of Evil who was at the center of numerous fan theories concerning WandaVision in early 2021. Back then, viewers were adamant that Marvel's take on Satan would be one of the best Disney+ shows' primary villain. Long story short: he wasn't.Fast-forward to the present, and fans now believe Mephisto is Ironheart's actual Big Bad. Indeed, threads on ResetEra, plus various Marvel subreddits, are filled with comments from MCU fans opining that they think Mephisto will finally make his long-awaited MCU debut in Marvel's next TV show. There have been rumors that Sacha Baron Cohen will play and/or voice Mephisto in Ironheart since October 2022, so it's certainly a possibility.We won't know if Marvel will grant fans' wishes until Ironheart debuts on one of the world's best streaming services. Speaking of which: Ironheart will launch with a three-episode premiere on June 24 in the US, and June 25 in the UK and Australia. Before it arrives, learn more about the series via my Ironheart hub.You might also likeFind out how to watch the Marvel movies in orderOr get the lowdown on every Marvel Phase 6 film and TV seriesNew The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer confirms two of the worst-kept secrets about the Marvel Phase 6 movie

ChatGPT is experiencing a major outage as users across the internet report problems with OpenAI's chatbot.Techradar is covering the disruption live, so stay tuned to this live blog to find out what's going on with the world's most popular AI tool.Hello and welcome to TechRadar's live coverage of ChatGPT's error-filled morning.I'm John-Anthony Disotto, Senior AI Writer, and I'll be covering the AI outage bringing you all the info you need on the OpenAI disruption.ChatGPT is experiencing "elevated error rates"(Image credit: Shutterstock/One Artist)Initial reports of errors started around three hours ago, but issues seem to have ramped up as Europe and the UK wake up.You can follow OpenAI's server status on the official website, but as it stands, the company is reporting "elevated error rates."According to OpenAI, "Some users are experiencing elevated error rates and latency across the listed services. We are continuing to investigate this issue."

Google has confirmed that Android 16 is landing todayInitially it will only be available for Pixel phonesThe big visual overhaul won't be landing until later this yearWe knew Android 16 would be coming soon, but it turns out it’s coming very, very soon, as the Android Developers account on Twitter has posted that it’s launching today.Specifically, the post (via Android Police), says “It's almost time for the Android 16 final release! See you back here tomorrow.” But the post was made last night, so the update must be landing today (June 10).They don’t get specific about what time, but we do know what to expect from Android 16, with one of the highlights being improvements to Advanced Protection Mode, which will help keep your phone safe from thieves and hackers.It's almost time for the Android 16 final release! See you back here tomorrow. 😉 pic.twitter.com/oChA0pxeFaJune 10, 2025New features, but no new lookThese improvements include automatically rebooting phones after a period of inactivity, and providing extra protection against USB hacks.There’s also a new battery health feature, a Live Updates feature that allows for persistent and more detail-rich lock screen notifications, and more.When Android 16 launches today you’ll presumably only be able to get it on Google Pixel devices, since other manufacturers will need a bit of time to add their own customizations, but hopefully other handsets should start getting it soon. And if your phone is older than the Pixel 6 you’ll also be out of luck, as the Pixel 5 isn’t getting Android 16.However, the biggest Android 16 change – namely the Material 3 Expressive visual overhaul – won’t be coming to anyone yet, as this is set to land later this year, as part of Android 16 QPR1 (quarterly platform release 1). If you want to try that out early though, there is an Android 16 QPR1 beta.You might also likeGoogle Pixel 10 rumors – 5 things we think we know and 3 we don'tBest Google Pixel phones: our reviews help you choose the Google phone that's right for youGoogle Pixel 9 Pro review: the AI phone is here, but the future is not