It’s been more than a decade since the first iPhone was released. And in the years that followed, we stood in awe as Apple churned out increasingly better models with equally improved designs. Some of us even camped out and lined up during launch dates! This steady progress in tech is one of the many reasons it can be hard to know which iPhone is the best to purchase — one that fits your budget and meets your needs.
But worry not, we are here to help you avoid analysis paralysis. Check out the list below for guidance.
iPhone XS Max
If you think that the answer to the question “which iPhone is the best” is, quite simply, whichever is the biggest and latest, then the iPhone XS Max is for you. Coming in at 157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7mm and a 6.5-inch OLED screen size, the iPhone XS Max is truly a sight to behold and a joy to use. On top of the large screen with HDR10 support, this iPhone’s best features include the impressive 12MP back camera, IP68 waterproofing, 3D touch, and the fastest processor with new A12 Bionic chip. The XS Max comes with Face ID and wireless charging, too.
The iPhone XS Max is for you if: You are passionate about gaming and multimedia use. With its large screen and edge-to-edge OLED screen, playing games and taking photos is all sorts of fun using the iPhone XS Max.
You might not like the iPhone XS Max if: You don’t want to spend a lot on a smartphone or you don’t like to use mobile phones that are big, bordering on tablet size.
iPhone XS
The iPhone XS is pretty much the XS Max but in a more compact package. For those who find the previous model clunky but love the all the functionality, the powerful iPhone XS might be perfect for you. The iPhone XS measures 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7mm and comes with a 5.8-inch OLED screen. It weighs only 174g, making it safe and efficient for one-hand operation. Just like its bigger brother in the X series, however, it comes with Smart HDR-capable 12MP rear camera, a fast A12 Bionic chip, Face ID, wireless charging, and many other terrific features. It’s smaller size doesn’t mean a much smaller price tag, coming in just $100 less than the XS Max.
The iPhone XS is for you if: You like the powerful features of the XS Max but you want them in a smaller package.
You might not like the iPhone XS if: Your smartphone budget is not that extravagant.
- iPhone XR
Wondering which iPhone is the best value for the buck? In the line of Apple’s latest iPhone releases, the answer is definitely the iPhone XR. The iPhone XR is a little bit bigger than the XS but it does come with a 6.1 screen. While it doesn’t come with the most impressive features of either the XS or the XS Max, it still lets you do a wide range of cool things. All for a much cheaper price tag. The iPhone XR comes with a fast A12 Bionic chipset, a 12MP dual lens rear camera, Smart HDR, Face ID, wireless charging, and other key features from the iPhone X series.
The iPhone XR is for you if: You want a model from the X range that offers the best bang for your buck. This is also perfect for you if you want great battery life and fun options when it comes to colors.
You might not like the iPhone XR if: An LCD screen doesn’t fit your smartphone screen standards. We understand; the OLED of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max is, simply put, gorgeous.
iPhone X
Considered the model that ushered in a new era of powerful iPhones, the X is still a favorite among many fans of of the brand. And even though production has already been discontinued, you can still buy this model from major retailers and carriers. If you come across a 256 GB unit that is tagged lower than $900, consider making it your iPhone of choice. Otherwise, the XR is probably a better way to go, with mainly the same features and at a lower price point. The iPhone X is lighter than the XR, but doesn’t offer any other impressive features absent from the newer, XR model.
The iPhone X is for you if: You want an iPhone from the X series that you can get for a lot cheaper than the newer models and you want it to be light.
You might not like the iPhone X if: You want a much newer model that is not as expensive. The iPhone XR is much cheaper and has some more advanced features.
iPhone 8 Plus
Released in 2017, the iPhone 8 Plus is perhaps already quite dated for some people. But for others, considering the model’s great features, it could very well answer the pervasive “What is the best iPhone” question. The iPhone 8 Plus is a lot cheaper than the X range, of course. But this doesn’t mean that it’s lacking in awesome features. In fact, this iPhone model comes with a fairly decent A11 Bionic chipset, a 5.5-inch screen, and dual lens 12MP rear camera. The front-facing camera is 7MP and makes for lovely selfies. It comes with wireless charging and the battery life is quite impressive, too, better than any iPhone model except for the XR.
The iPhone 8 Plus is for you if: You just can’t let go of the classic iPhone design with the home screen button.
You might not like the iPhone 8 Plus if: You want an OLED screen, HDR support, or the Face ID features of more advanced models.
iPhone 8
The iPhone 8 boasts the classic 4.7-inch screen, the size that longtime iPhone users have come to know and love. While its size may trigger nostalgia, it still comes equipped with a long list of modern, impressive features. Wireless charging launched with this particular model. It also comes with the same chipset as the iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X, A11 Bionic. Showcasing a 12MP back camera and a 7MP front one, you will no doubt love documenting your days on this phone.
The iPhone 8 is for you if: You like your powerful iPhone on the small and light side, and you prefer sporting the classic bezel-heavy design.
You might not like the iPhone 8 if: You don’t like a small screen or if an impressive dual lens camera matters to you.
iPhone 7 Plus
For those who think that size matters when it comes to the question of “what iPhone is the best,” the 7 Plus model is a fantastic option. Measuring 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3mm, the iPhone 7 Plus sports a 5.5-inch screen with 1080p display. Even though this was released in 2016, it remains one of the brilliant iPhones that you can choose as an integral part of your everyday essentials. This phone comes with dual 12MP lens camera and a 7MP front one.
The iPhone 7 Plus is for you if: You want an oldie but a goodie. You want a more than decent iPhone that can handle the load of your daily use without breaking the bank.
You might not like the iPhone 7 Plus if: You want wireless charging or a faster processor.
iPhone 7
So you want a good iPhone that comes with top of the line features but without the complicated bells and whistles of the latest models, then the iPhone 7 is just what you need. This is, without a doubt, a solid phone. It comes with key Apple phone features: Apple Pay, Touch ID, 3D Tough, Retina display, and many others. These and more come in a much cheaper package, too.
The iPhone 7 is for you if: You want an iPhone on the classic 4.7-inch size, with great features and very friendly price tag (half as much as the XS models).
You might not like the iPhone 7 if: You want a fast processor or you want the nifty portrait mode functionality in your camera.
To help you decide which iPhone is the best for you, take a look at the following comparison table:
| iPhone XS Max | iPhone XS | iPhone XR | iPhone X | iPhone 8 Plus | iPhone 8 | iPhone 7 Plus | iPhone 7 | |
| Size | 157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7mm | 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7mm | 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3mm | 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7mm | 158.4 x 78.1 x 7.5mm | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mm | 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3mm | 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1mm |
| Weight | 208g | 174g | 194g | 174g | 202g | 148g | 188g | 138g |
| Storage | 64/256/512GB | 64/256/512GB | 64/128/256GB | 64/256GB | 64/256GB | 64/256GB | 32/128/256GB | 32/128/256GB |
| Screen size | 6.5” | 5.8” | 6.1” | 5.8” | 5.5” | 4.7” | 5.5” | 4.7” |
| Rear Camera | Dual lens 12MP | Dual lens 12MP | Dual lens 12MP | Dual lens 12MP | Dual lens 12MP | 12MP | Dual lens 12MP | 12MP |
| Front Camera | 7MP | 7MP | 7MP | 7MP | 7MP | 7MP | 7MP | 7MP |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Price Range: | $1099-$1499 | $999-$1349 | $749-$899 | $999-$1149 | $699-$849 | $599-$749 | $769-$969 | $449-$549 |
Do you want the biggest and the latest? Are you looking for the best screen and fastest chipset? Do you want an iPhone that will allow you to take your mobile photography skills to the next level? All of these questions are answered in this iPhone buying guide. Go ahead, make your choice, and enjoy having a reliable daily tech companion. Of course, you could also wait until iPhone 11 is released later this year. We’re sure it will be as great, if not better, than the ones we have listed here.
