Which iPhone should I buy? Its a question you might have heard many times over the years. Much of the time, the answer is simple: Get the best iPhone you can afford. If youre happy with your current iPhone, meanwhile, dont feel like you have to make a change at all. But if youre ready to upgrade, allow us to help. Weve reviewed just about every iPhone ever released, so weve picked through all nine models in Apples current smartphone lineup and highlighted the ones that should satisfy most people below.Before we dive in, note that weve based our guide on the MSRPs of new, unlocked iPhones on Apple.com. If you can find a heavy discount from another trusted retailer or a good deal on a refurbished model, that could always change the value equation. With that disclaimer out of the way, here are the best iPhones you can buy as of early 2025. Table of contents Best iPhones for 2025 The rest of Apple's iPhone lineup in 2025 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 As noted above, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus have made genuine improvements over last years models 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, theyre fantastic compromises. Still, they are compromises. If you can afford it, the Pro should hold up a bit better over time. Apple iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus are fine phones in a vacuum, but we just dont have the stomach to recommend a $600 or $700 phone without USB-C in late 2024. You lose out on the Dynamic Island and Apple Intelligence as well. The 14 Plus may be justifiable if you just want the cheapest large-screen iPhone out there, but most should look for a trade-in or refurbished deal on an iPhone 15 or, if your budget allows it, iPhone 16 instead. Apple iPhone SE (3rd gen) The iPhone SE (3rd gen) isn't just the cheapest iPhone that Apple sells, its also the smallest and lightest. It retains the look and feel of the iPhone 8, which was released all the way back in 2017, but some may appreciate the older design and tactile Home button. The SE uses the same A15 Bionic chip as the old iPhone 13, but it still runs fine for everyday tasks. It might be OK if you just want the cheapest route into iOS or youre buying a first iPhone for your kids. For most, though, the SEs small display, single-rear-camera setup and limited memory and storage are tough to accept in 2024. It also lacks ultra-wideband (UWB), so its not as adept at finding nearby AirTags. Bloombergs Mark Gurman has reported that Apple could release a new iPhone SE by early 2025, so anyone in need of a true budget iPhone should try to hold out for a little longer. Recent updates January 2025: We've made a few minor edits for clarity and ensured our recommendations are still up to date. December 2024: Weve 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