The best Apple phones tested and reviewed

Our top iPhone pick of this year, the iPhone 16 Pro is a great handset for anyone due a smartphone upgrade. With features including a three-camera system that mirrors the Pro Max, solid battery life and a powerful processor, the iOS experience doesn’t get any better than this (unless you opt for the iPhone 16 Pro Max). 

Measuring in at a slightly boosted 6.3 inches compared to the 15 Pro, it’s still much smaller than the 6.9-inch 16 Pro Max but sports similarly rounded edges and slimline bezels that make for a premium viewing experience. Importantly, it still sits nicely in the hand despite its slightly increased dimensions, making it a perfect antidote to the sea of competing big-screen phones.

The iPhone 16 Pro runs on the top-end A18 Pro chipset that, as usual, offers stunning performance with oodles of CPU and GPU power that can beat most other phones on the market, with a healthy gap between the iPhone 16 Pro and competing Android phones – for now, anyway.

That chipset also powers the all-new Apple Intelligence experience, though the rollout is slower than expected; at the time of writing, only a handful of the advertised features are available, and only in the US. More features and a wider rollout are planned, but we wouldn’t describe it as the reason to upgrade right now.

Elsewhere, the iPhone 16 Pro features a three-lens rear camera system which includes a 48MP main lens, a 48MP ultrawide lens and a 12MP 5x telephoto lens, so images are crisp and detailed in both well-lit and even low-light conditions.

Other notable changes include a new Camera Control button that lets you change photo modes and take photos, though we found the execution to be a bit flawed with an odd placement.

Still, if you want a truly powerful smartphone that offers speedy performance, high-end camera quality and impressive durability then the iPhone 16 Pro is a near-perfect choice.

Reviewer: Max Parker

Full review: Apple iPhone 16 Pro review

You might be looking for an iPhone that can deliver all the very best that Apple has to offer, along with the biggest screen you can fit your hands around as well. No problem: that’s what the iPhone 16 Pro Max is for.

It’s bigger than ever, measuring in at an increased 6.9 inches compared to the 6.7 inches of previous models of Pro Max, but much of that is down to impressively thin bezels, meaning its footprint isn’t much larger than before.

Sheer size aside, the 120Hz OLED screen delivers a truly immersive experience when watching films and playing games in a way that smaller-screened devices simply can’t compete with. It also allows Apple to fit a larger battery within, meaning battery life is much better than the iPhone 16 Pro, easily lasting well into the second day of use much of the time.

In all other ways, it’s identical to the iPhone 16 Pro, with the same A18 Pro chipset with support for Apple Intelligence, a new Camera Control button and the same combination of a 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide and 12MP 5x telephoto cameras. It’s just a bigger, more expensive variant.

Reviewer: Lewis Painter

Full review: iPhone 16 Pro Max review

The iPhone 16 Pro might be the best iPhone but, for many people, the Pro model simply isn’t necessary. After all, the iPhone 16 is just as capable as the Pro and Pro Max in many areas and comes at a much lower price. 

The base model received a significant upgrade with the iPhone 16, not only featuring the Action Button previously exclusive to the Pro and Pro Max models but also the new Camera Control button. And, not to miss out on the AI hype, the regular model also boasts support for Apple Intelligence in regions where it’s available.

What’s more, the iPhone 16 does away with the odd chipset split that left the regular iPhones on year-old chipsets, now sporting the A18 chipset for a two-generation jump. That also means that the regular iPhone can now play AAA mobile games like Resident Evil Village without issue.

The phone also packs an all-day battery and a bright display, though the 16 Pro has kept its exclusive hold on the 120Hz refresh rate and telephoto camera. 

If you want the smoothest screen and most advanced camera on an iPhone, it’s worth spending extra on the iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max. However, if you’re happy with these sacrifices, the iPhone 16 remains a fantastic smartphone for most people. 

Reviewer: Lewis Painter

Full review: iPhone 16 review

Editor’s Note: We’re in the process of reviewing the iPhone 16 Plus and will likely replace the iPhone 15 Plus in this chart, but we can’t say for sure right now.

The iPhone 15 Plus makes a lot more sense than its predecessor did, with a price closer to the regular iPhone 15 than the Pro models that make it a tempting alternative to the top-end iPhone 15 Pro Max. The crucial element that helps the 15 Plus stand out? Battery life.

There’s a larger cell in the iPhone 15 Plus than the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, and with its 6.7-inch OLED panel locked at a stable 60Hz, it can even beat the iPhone 15 Pro Max in terms of longevity. It’s a phone that’ll keep on going, as we found out during the review period.

We also prefer the 6.7-inch screen to the 6.1-inch iPhone 15. It’s a little roomier for games and movies, and less cramped for typing emails and browsing the web. Importantly, it’s a much lighter phone than the 15 Pro Max and more comfortable to hold as a result – something also aided by slightly rounded corners, a new touch compared to its predecessor.

The iPhone 15 Plus also enjoys other upgrades present on the regular iPhone 15, like a jump to a 48MP primary camera, the introduction of Dynamic Island tech and the use of the A16 Bionic chipset, all of which culminate in a great big-screen iPhone without the Pro Max price – it’s just a shame the display remains locked at 60Hz, and that it doesn’t offer Apple Intelligence support.

Reviewer: Lewis Painter

Full review: iPhone 15 Plus review

With the release of the iPhone 15, the iPhone 13 mini is starting to show its age, but its small dimensions mean it’s still the most compact iPhone available – and it’s now available for as little as £599.

The iPhone 13 Mini takes everything you’ll find in the iPhone 13 and then shrinks it down to an even smaller size. It has the same duo of 12MP rear cameras, the same Super Retina XDR screen quality and the same overall design as its larger sibling – and it also runs on the same A15 Bionic chipset, so it boasts 5G and excellent general performance.

We’d recommend this as easily the best small phone on the market, but that said, its diminutive size does introduce a couple of issues. These aren’t necessarily downsides, depending on your point of view, but they’re still factors that might influence your buying decision.

The 5.4-inch display is a lot smaller than the 6.1-inch screen on the iPhone 15. That means the Mini isn’t as suitable for gaming or media binges as the regular-sized iPhone, and it also means that the battery size had to be reduced, so it’s the iPhone with the worst battery life – at least in our tests. If you’re a heavy user, you might be reaching for the charger even before the end of the day based on our experience with the Mini.

Still, there isn’t really anything else like this on the market, and if you prize pocketability above all else, then it is a great choice.

Reviewer: Max Parker 

Full review: iPhone 13 Mini review

Apple’s cheapest iPhone is also the most confusing. While we like a lot of stuff about the iPhone SE 2022 and it scored well in our overall review, the tired design and slightly dated screen make it a harder proposition than the other phones on this list.

However, on the inside, there’s no doubt that the iPhone SE 2022 is a winner. The A15 Bionic chipset is the same as you’ll find in the iPhone 13 mini, and in benchmark tests, it outstripped the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra for sheer performance. Considering the price, that’s an impressive feat and it should support software updates for years and years to come, making it a good investment.

We were impressed with the camera here too. The single 12MP unit takes snaps with lovely colour reproduction and accurate skin tones that aren’t too far off what you’d get on the iPhone 13, although that gap has widened with the subsequent release of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15.

Battery life is on par with the iPhone 13 Mini and, like all the phones here, it has an IP rating for dust and water resistance along with 5G and wireless charging. You rarely get this collection of premium features on other phones at this price point.

This phone really isn’t for those who want a phone with a great screen. The 4.7-inch panel is dinky, not nearly as bright or sharp as the 13 series, and comes with chunky black bars on either side to boot. It feels rather old-fashioned, although the home button is nice for navigation and quick unlocking.

Reviewer: Max Parker 

Full review: iPhone SE 2022 review