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But which model should that be?
If money is no object, I’d steer you toward theiPhone 16 Pro Max.
Based on the hands-on testing by the Tom’s Guide staff and multiple head-to-head comparisons with other phones.
Apple’s premium flagship offers the best performing A series chip it’s possible for you to get.
The Pro Max has also beat out most every challenger in our camera face-offs.
You’ve also got a very expensive phone at $1,199.
If you’re on a budget, your choices boil down to the iPhone 16e and theiPhone 16.
My colleague Mark Spoonauer breaks downthe differences between the iPhone 16e and iPhone 16.
It still offers solid cameras and strong performance courtesy of the A18 chipset.
Best cameras
If the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s price is too high, try the iPhone 16 Pro.
And the design is finally more modern looking.
My name is Philip Michaels, and I’ll be your guide into Apple’s latest iPhones.
If you want to capture crisp, engaging images, you’ll want an iPhone 16 Pro Max handy.
If the $1,199 starting price isn’t a problem, don’t hesitate to grab this phone.
(And if price is an issue, read on.)
Read our fulliPhone 16 Pro Max review.
That includes the new Camera Control button that promises easy access to the camera prefs and modes.
The iPhone 16 also adopts the Action button that Apple introduced to the iPhone 15 Pro models.
That allows you to capture spatial video and photos to enjoy on VR headsets like theApple Vision Pro.
And the iPhone 16’s camera performance in low light and other challenging tweaks remains superlative.
Read our fulliPhone 16 review.
Read our fulliPhone 16 Pro review.
Goodbye, SE models hello, iPhone 16e.
(In other words, theres no Dynamic Island feature on this model.)
That’s impressive given the Pixel 8a’s status as the best camera phone under $500.
The iPhone 16e supports wireless charging, though it lacks MagSafe magnets for a secure fit with compatible accessories.
(Picking up one of thebest iPhone 16e caseswith MagSafe compatibility takes care of that problem.)
But for me, the biggest downside to the new phone is its higher $599 price.
Read our fulliPhone 16e review.
Only the iPhone 16 Pro Max lasts longer among Apple’s phones.
That’s appealing to big-screen phone lovers on a budget.
Read our fulliPhone 16 Plus review.
It can also approximate a 2x zoom for solid close-ups.
The iPhone 15’s 6.1-inch display has the same brightness specs as the iPhone 16.
In our testing, the iPhone 15 even managed a marginally higher reading on a light meter.
The point is, you’ll get a bright, colorful screen even if you choose the older model.
Read our fulliPhone 15 review.
Which iOS version do the best iPhones run?
Every equipment on our best iPhone list runsiOS 18.
(Even the AI-focused Apple Intelligence features are pretty basic at this point.)
That said, I thought updates to the Notes, Fitness and Messages apps were particularly welcome.
The Photos app features a redesign that some users dislike, thoughI’ve come to appreciate the changes.
Apple Intelligence has started rolling out to iPhones via iOS 18 updates.
Bear in mind that not every phone that supports iOS 18 can also run Apple Intelligence features.
iOS 19rumors are starting to emerge ahead of the software update’s likely preview this summer.
How can I save money on an iPhone purchase?
After Apple dropped the iPhone 12, you no longer have to worry quite as much about storage.
We also bring along a comparable smartphone to see how the iPhone’s photographic output measures up.
