- For $699, the $4 is the best choice for most buyers because it has nearly all the same specs as the high-end $4, but it costs $300 to $400 less.
- The $4 are also fantastic phones, but they're best for people who want the absolute best new tech and the three cameras.
- The $4 is still a great buy - especially at its new $599 price. The $4 continue to be good options if you can get a deal on them.
- The two-year-old $4 and $4 are decent alternatives to save a few hundred dollars, but we think you'd do better to buy the $4 or 11.
- Do not buy the iPhone 7 or an older model or you'll be wasting your money. A smartphone is an investment, so it's worth spending extra or buying $4 instead.
Apple's iPhone lineup has grown to include three new phones: the $4, the $4, and the $4.
We highly recommend the $4, which costs a relatively reasonable $699, but still includes the most important new tech on any phone: the latest processor.
The $4 and the $4 are great buys for tech addicts who want the absolute best, shutterbugs who love high-end camera tech, and people who want a larger (Max) or smaller phone (11 Pro). Last year's $4 is still a great choice, thanks to its new lower $599 price tag. If you can find a good deal on the $4 at $4 or from your carrier, they are still solid options, though it'd be smarter to buy the iPhone 11.
The two-year-old $4, $4, and $4 are still decent options if you can find a deal, but you'd do better to buy the $4.
There are so many options now it can seem overwhelming when it comes time to choose the right iPhone for you. We break it down so you know exactly which iPhone to buy for your needs and budget. We also tell you which ones to avoid at all costs so you don't end up paying hundreds of dollars for a three-year-old iPhone that is already obsolete.
Why should you listen to me? I've personally reviewed every iPhone since the iPhone 6 in a professional capacity as a tech writer and editor. Before that, I owned an iPhone 3GS and an iPhone 5, so I have run the gamut, so to speak.
Here are some key things to know before you decide which iPhone to buy:
- Processor and RAM: The processor and RAM are the two most important parts of any phone. They determine how smoothly it runs and works through intense tasks like gaming or multitasking. The newer your iPhone, the better the processing power and RAM. That's why we recommend you buy the most recent iPhone models and we don't recommend any iPhones from three years ago.
- Storage space: Storage is also incredibly important because the amount of storage you have determines how many photos, songs, videos, and apps you can have downloaded on your phone. Never buy a 16GB iPhone - you will run out of space and regret it. 32GB is okay for most people, but if you take a lot of photos, have tons of songs or videos downloaded, or you're an app junkie, you will want 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of storage. Unfortunately, adding storage costs money. Luckily, the newest phones start at 64GB, which is a truly respectable amount of space.
- Screen size: iPhones come in several screen sizes now: 4 inches (iPhone SE), 4.7 inches (iPhone 6, 6S, 7, 8), 5.5 inches (iPhone 6 Plus, 6S Plus, 7 Plus, 8 Plus), 5.8 inches (iPhone 11 Pro and XS), and 6.2 inches (iPhone 11 Pro Max and XS Max) - the 11 and the XR are 6.1 inches. Phones with small screen sizes have smaller physical bodies, which are easier to hold. The iPhone 11 Pro Max and the Plus line are the largest phones to hold and they are the same size. The Max has a much bigger screen, though. The iPhone 11 Pro is physically a tad bigger than the iPhone 6, 6S, 7, or 8, so it's very comfortable to hold.
- Battery life: Most iPhones don't have great battery life. The smaller the iPhone, the worse the battery life. The iPhone 11 Pro Max has the best battery life of any iPhone, but the iPhone 11 Pro also gets good battery life, as does the new iPhone 11. This year's iPhones made a huge leap in terms of battery life.
- Ports (or lack thereof): All iPhones have a lightning port for charging, but the iPhone 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, iPhone XS, Max, XR, iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max all lack the 3.5mm headphone jack. That means you can't plug your headphones in unless you buy the adapter or the earbuds that come with your new iPhone. We recommend you get a nice pair of $4 and live happily ever after.
- Software: Apple provides updates to its iPhones for about four years after their release, so theoretically, you can have your iPhone safe and up to date for four years before you should buy a new one. Always update your software to get important security patches and new features. You may experience slowdown on older devices, but iPhones typically hold up well.
- Price: Consider your purchase an investment. Your smartphone is more than a communication device - It is your camera, your computer, your photo album, your record player, and your gaming console, too. A good smartphone can last you for years, but a cheap one with poor specs will be outdated more quickly, and you'll end up spending more in the long run. That $1,000 price tag on the iPhone 11 Pro looks less scary when you consider that it could last you for four to five years.
- How to buy: You can get an iPhone from your carrier by paying full price or paying in monthly installments. You can also buy one at stores like $4 and $4 or directly from Apple. We recommend you buy it from Apple unlocked so you can switch carriers any time you choose. The $4 lets you get a new iPhone every year so long as you've made 12 monthly payments on your current phone. It's basically like renting your smartphone so you can upgrade all the time. Some carriers, like T-Mobile, offer a similar program.
Here are the best iPhones you can buy:
- Best iPhone overall: $4
- Best small high-end iPhone: $4
- Best big high-end iPhone: $4
- Best budget iPhone: $4
- Best small iPhone for less: $4
- Best big iPhone for less: $4
- Best big iPhone for less than $500: $4
- Best small iPhone for less than $400: $4
Updated on 09/27/2019 by Malarie Gokey: Updated copy to reflect new buying recommendations based on the arrival of the new iPhone 11 lineup. Added writeups for the new iPhone 11 lineup.