Best iPhone 2025: picks for camera, battery, and budget

TL;DR:

Best overall: iPhone 16 Pro. Great cameras, larger screen, A18 Pro.
Best camera and battery: iPhone 16 Pro Max with 5x zoom and longest life.
Best value: iPhone 16, now with Camera Control and A18.
Best budget: iPhone 16e from $599, Apple Intelligence support.
If you can wait, Apple’s event is on September 9, 2025. New models may follow.

This guide is for quick, confident choices. As of September 8, 2025, Apple sells iPhone 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16, 16 Plus, 16e, and keeps iPhone 15 as a lower-cost option in many markets. We compare features, real benefits, and prices

Short note: Apple’s September keynote is on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. If you can wait one day, you may see new phones and price shifts. We update picks after the show.

Our top picks

Best overall: iPhone 16 Pro

The 16 Pro hits the sweet spot. You get the A18 Pro chip, larger 6.3 inch display, Camera Control, and a triple camera with 5x optical telephoto. It is built for Apple Intelligence and has a durable titanium frame.

Choose this if you want pro cameras without the size of the Max. Reviewers also praise the new Camera Control for quick framing and zoom.

Best camera and battery: iPhone 16 Pro Max

The 16 Pro Max matches the Pro camera set and adds the best battery life on any iPhone. Both Pro models have 5x optical telephoto, 48 MP main and Ultra Wide sensors, and 4K120 Dolby Vision video. If you shoot travel, kids, or sports, this is the one.

Best value for most: iPhone 16

The standard 16 is more than “basic.” It brings the A18 chip, Camera Control, Action button, and a 48 MP main camera with a 2x optical-quality crop. Battery life improves over iPhone 15, and colors are fresh.

Best budget: iPhone 16e

New to the lineup, 16e starts at $599 in the U.S. You still get the A18, Apple Intelligence support, Face ID, and long battery life, but you give up Dynamic Island and some camera extras. It is the easy starter phone.

Still good if discounted: iPhone 15

If you find a strong deal, iPhone 15 stays a safe buy. It has Dynamic Island, a 48 MP main camera, and solid performance, but no Apple Intelligence and older silicon.

Quick compare

Pick	Why it wins	Who should get it	Starting price
16 Pro Max	Best camera, longest battery	Power users, creators, travelers	Pro line from $999
16 Pro	Pro camera in a smaller body	Most buyers who want top features	Pro line from $999
16	Strong value, A18, Camera Control	Most people, great everyday phone	From $799
16 Plus	Big screen without Pro price	Video watchers, readers	From $899
16e	Lowest price, Face ID, A18	Budget buyers, teens, fleets	From $599
15	Good if on sale	Deal hunters who do not need AI	From $699 at Apple

Prices and model tiers per Apple’s buy and compare pages. Local pricing varies.

What’s actually new on 16-series

Apple Intelligence readiness. iPhone 16 family and 15 Pro models support Apple’s AI features. Language rollout is staged.
Camera Control. A new capture button that opens camera controls and speeds framing. Review testing finds it handy for quick zoom.
Bigger Pro displays. 16 Pro is 6.3 inches, 16 Pro Max is 6.9 inches. Borders are thinner.
Pro camera set on both Pros. 5x optical telephoto on both Pro and Pro Max, plus 48 MP main and Ultra Wide.
Better battery designs. Apple reworked internals on 16 and 16 Plus for larger batteries and improved heat. Apple also says Pro Max offers the best battery life yet.

Battery and charging at a glance

16 Pro Max: best endurance on any iPhone, USB-C with USB 3 speeds on Pro.
16 / 16 Plus: up to 27 hours video playback on 16, USB-C with USB 2 speeds.
16e: up to 26 hours video playback. USB-C.

Wireless MagSafe charging is standard across the lineup. Check your region for Qi2 support.

Camera differences that matter

Pros: Triple-camera systems with 5x optical on both, macro from Ultra Wide, and 4K120 Dolby Vision video. Great for sports and wildlife.
16 / 16 Plus: 48 MP main with 2x optical-quality crop, plus new Ultra Wide with macro. Good for family shots and travel.
16e: 48 MP main, 2-in-1 camera system. No macro, no Dynamic Island. Fine for social and casual video.

Storage guide

Pick the size that fits your habits. Photos, video, and games add up fast.

Use case	Minimum	Comfortable	Notes
Light user, cloud photos	128 GB	256 GB	Avoid full storage warnings later.
Social + lots of apps	256 GB	512 GB	Short 4K clips fit fine.
Creator, 4K video	512 GB	1 TB (Pro models)	Use external SSD for long shoots.

eSIM, bands, and regions

Most markets now support eSIM. In the U.S., all current models are eSIM only. Check carrier support before you buy, and note that features like satellite messaging and 5G bands vary by region.

When to buy

Buy now if your phone is failing, or you found a strong trade-in.
Wait 1 day if you can. Apple’s event on September 9, 2025 may add models or lower prices on current phones.

Setup checklist

Back up your old iPhone.
Pick storage with a buffer for two years.
Confirm carrier plan and eSIM support.
Turn on Stolen Device Protection in Settings.
Enable Find My and set a strong passcode.
Set up Apple Pay and emergency contacts.

Why it matters

Phones are long-term buys. Picking the right iPhone saves money, avoids buyer’s remorse, and gets you better photos and battery life. The 16 Pro line brings real camera and AI gains, while the 16 and 16e make entry pricing fair again.

[Related: iOS 26 features → /guides/ios-26-features]

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