iPhone Buying Guide
If you are in the market for a new iPhone, here are my recommendations. In short, buy the latest iPhone model and unless you know you need the extra storage it's likely that you don't need to get an upgraded capacity.
When should I get a new iPhone?
This is largely up to you. Some people upgrade every year, some every 2 or 3 years. But these days iPhones are made so well that you can really go much longer than that if the new features don't excite you. In general, I recommend:
- 1 to 2 years if your iPhone is one of the primary tools you use to make money
- 2 to 4 years if you are a fairly heavy iPhone user
- 4 to 6 years if you are a light iPhone user
This is all assuming you purchase the latest iPhone model. If you purchase a year old iPhone model, you can expect it to last about a year less.
How do I know how old my iPhone is?
Go to the Settings app > General > About. Look for your iPhone model. Below are the release dates for the past several years, along with the headline features, so that you know what you are missing. This does not count all of the various battery and performance improvements we get almost every year.
- iPhone 16: 2024 (3D video and photos, Apple Intelligence, Camera Control button, 48MP Fusion camera)
- iPhone 15: 2023 (USB-C, Dynamic Island)
- iPhone 14: 2022 (Emergency SOS via Satellite)
- iPhone 13: 2021 (Refinement year)
- iPhone 12: 2020 (MagSafe charging, OLED on all models)
- iPhone 11: 2019 (Dual camera system)
- iPhone XS, XR: 2018 (Dual SIM)
- iPhone X: 2017 (Face ID)
Should I get the latest model?
It may sound counterintuitive, but it usually costs less in the long run to get the latest model. You can save $100 on a year-old iPhone or $200 on a two-year-old iPhone, but that just means your iPhone will need to be replaced a year or two sooner. Those discounts are too small to make financial sense, as a 6-year estimated lifespan on the latest model works out to $133 per year. Apple makes more money off of you if you take the small discount because you are back again sooner. Not to mention, the newer model has better battery life and new features such as a better camera and the ability to record in 3D. And if you don’t like change, you have the added benefit of going extra years before getting a new phone.
IPHONE 14
IPHONE 15
IPHONE 16
Release year
2022
2023
2024
Cost as of August 2023
$599
$699
$799
Obsolete year (estimated)
2028
2029
2030
Years before obsolete if you buy now (estimated)
4
5
6
Average cost per year if kept until obsolete
$150
$140
$133
What size screen should I get?
iPhones come in two basic screen sizes. There are the standard-sized iPhone 16e, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Pro, as well as the larger iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro Max. You should be aware that even though the 0.2" size difference sounds huge between the standard and Pro models, that refers to the screen size, not the phone size. The black edge around the screen of the Pro models is significantly thinner, so the Pro model is only 0.08" taller and 0.01" wider despite having a much larger screen.
Standard Size
Large Size
Standard model
iPhone 16 (6.1")
iPhone 16 Plus (6.7")
Pro model
iPhone 16 Pro (6.3")
iPhone 16 Pro Max (6.9")
The iPhone 16 Plus costs $100 more than the smaller iPhone 16, but is appealing to people who like to watch a lot of mobile video, who have difficulty with vision, who have difficulty with motor skills, or want just a little extra battery life.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is $200 more than the iPhone 16 Pro. In addition to having a larger screen, it has the best battery life in an iPhone ever and comes with double the storage capacity to start with.
If you're still not sure I recommend going to an Apple Store to see them. You can even put them in your pocket to see how they feel.
Budget option: iPhone 16e
In February 2025, Apple released a budget "16e" model to replace the iPhone SE. At $599, it's a little more expensive than the $429 SE, but it's also significantly better. It's essentially as powerful as the full iPhone 16 but makes several concessions such as a simpler camera, fewer GPU cores, lack of MagSafe, lack of Camera Control button, lack of mmWave, WiFi 6 instead of 7, no video output (other iPhones support a USB-C to HDMI adapter), and lack of Wideband Chip for directional finding. However, that does provide room for a larger battery.
Because the 16e does not have MagSafe, I recommend getting a third-party case that has MagSafe magnets that will help more accurately align your charger.
iPhone 16 family compared
The table below is not the full list of features. For detailed comparison tables, including compared to older models, see Apple's iPhone comparison tool.
| Spec | Notes | iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $599 | $799 | $899 | $999 | $1,199 | |
| Starting Capacity | The 16 Pro Max starts at double the storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |||
| Screen Refresh Rate | Higher refresh means smoother scrolling. You can actually read text while you scroll on 120Hz | 60Hz | 120Hz | |||
| Screen Size | This is the viewable diagonal of the screen, not the size of the phone | 6.1" | 6.7" | 6.3" | 6.9" | |
| Body Width | 2.82" | 2.82" | 3.06" | 2.81" | 3.06" | |
| Body Height | 5.78" | 5.81" | 6.33" | 5.89" | 6.42" | |
| Weight | 5.88 oz | 6 oz | 7.03 oz | 7.03 oz | 7.99 oz | |
| Cameras | Single 48 megapixel camera | Dual camera (48 megapixel + 12MP ultrawide) | Triple camera (48 megapixel + 48MP ultrawide + 12MP telephoto) | |||
| LiDAR | Faster camera focus, better augmented reality, and room mapping apps | ❌ | ✅ | |||
| GPU Cores | More cores allow for more advanced video features and better video game performance | 4 | 5 | 6 | ||
| Battery Life (video playback) | Yes, these numbers may sound insane, but this is under extremely controlled conditions, not real world use | 21 hours | 18 hours | 27 hour | 27 hours | 29 hours |
| HDMI Output | ❌ | ✅ (with USB-C to HDMI adapter) | ||||
| Wi-Fi | 6 | 7 | ||||
| mmWave 5G | Allows for cellular speeds well over a gigabit | ❌ | ✅ | |||
| Wireless Charging | Qi up to 7.5W | MagSafe up to 25W | ||||
| Camera Control Button | ❌ | ✅ | ||||
What storage capacity should I get?
Apart from color, the only other option to choose is how much storage you should get. In the past, iPhone storage was anemic at just 16 or 32 GB. Luckily, today's devices now start at 128 GB, which is enough for most people. But to be sure, you should check to see how much storage you are currently using. Go to the Settings app on your current iPhone then General > iPhone Storage. It will show you the capacity of your current iPhone and how much you are using. If you are the sort of person who likes to keep their iPhones for as long as possible, you might want to consider getting an iPhone that has at least twice the amount you are currently using. If you are the type of person who upgrades every year or two, you probably want to make sure you get at least 20-30% more than you are currently using. It's better to err on the higher side; you cannot upgrade this later without replacing your phone. The big disadvantage of overbuying, apart from the obvious up front cost, is that when you later trade it in, most trade-in offers don't take into account how much storage you have.
Should I get AppleCare?
I don't have a general recommendation on AppleCare. It can be a good program but like any insurance, it's statistically a loss. However, if you do end up needing it it can be very valuable. If you answer yes to any of these questions then you might want it: Do you often drop things? Do you use your iPhone without a case? Is this iPhone for a child or teenager? Does the thought of spending $800 on a new iPhone make you want to cry?
A lot of cell phone carriers and third parties offer insurance. However, if you want insurance I really recommend AppleCare. Insurance from other providers can be lousy. They may look for ways to get out of paying you, they may replace your phone with a used device that might not have authentic parts. Getting your iPhone covered with AppleCare is so much easier and faster.
Unfortunately, in the beginning of 2025 Apple no longer offers plain AppleCare+ for iPhone. Now the only option includes Theft & Loss Protection. Though it does also cover you in the case of theft or loss, it also costs much more, with pricing ranging from $99-$139/year depending on your iPhone model.
You can get AppleCare when you buy your iPhone, or if you want to take some time to think it over you can buy it within the Settings app on your iPhone within 60 days of purchase.
A few credit cards (American Express Platinum, Capital One Venture X, Chase Freedom Flex, Chase Ink Business Preferred, and Wells Fargo Active Cash) offer cell phone insurance as long as you pay your monthly cell phone bill with their card. Generally, the way they work is you get the iPhone repaired at Apple and file a claim with your credit card that includes photos of the damage, a detailed report, and a receipt. They will reimburse you minus a deductible.
Where should I buy it?
I typically recommend buying either from your cellular carrier or (if you are using T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T) direct from Apple. If you are a deal hunter you should definitely check both sources, because in the end it doesn't make a whole lot of difference between the two.
The advantage of buying directly from Apple is that they are often better able to help you transfer your data to your new iPhone. And since they are not employees of your carrier they are often more able to honestly advise you on what plan you should be on.
The advantage of buying direct from your carrier is that they sometimes have access to deals and inventory that Apple doesn't have. You can get those either from your carrier's website or at a store in person. If you are buying an iPhone within the first few weeks of release, going to a store might not prove fruitful because they often don't have them in stock.
Be wary of stores that are labeled "Authorized" dealers. For the best customer service, I recommend going to corporate stores only. An Authorized Dealer is required to include something about that in their signage next to the Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile logo. Dealers can include independent stores or big stores like Best Buy. While you might have a lousy experience with a corporate store or you might have a great experience at a dealer, corporate stores are a bit more consistent.
When should I buy it?
The best deals are usually available in the first month or so that a new iPhone is announced in September. And if you are coming close to September, I recommend holding off to take advantage of the features of the upcoming iPhone.
What deals are available?
This is a really difficult question to answer because there are so many variables and deals change constantly. It can depend on your cell phone company, what they offer at the time, what cell phone plan you are on, and what phone you might be trading in. In general, the best thing to do is to buy a new iPhone within the first couple weeks of it being available for sale. Some carriers give you huge discounts for trading in your old iPhone. Many deals are as good as giving you the new iPhone for free if you are trading in a recent model. Be sure to compare what your carrier offers vs. what trading in to Apple directly offers. Apple does offer carrier deals through their Apple Store app, but I've seen times where the carrier has some specials they only offer directly.
What about accessories?
Refer to my Product Recommendations list for any accessories such as a case, battery, etc.