How to Choose the Right iPhone for You
Apple’s line now spans pocket-friendly SE models to the feature-packed 16 Pro Max. Choosing the right one depends on what you value most. Use the interactive tool below to weigh Price, Performance, Display, Camera, Memory, Battery, and Water Resistance based on your needs. Just a couple of minutes with the sliders can help you find the model that fits like it was made for you.
Personalize your shortlist: Slide the controls toward the features you care about most. Rankings update instantly.
Fine-Tune Your Picks
Slide to adjust what matters most. Your results will update based on your preferences.Price and Value: Which iPhone Fits Your Budget in 2025
Sticker price still ranges from the budget-minded iPhone SE (3rd gen) at $429 to the flagship 16 Pro Max starting at $1,199. If you keep your phone 3–4 years, weigh the initial cost against resale value. Pro models historically hold value ~15 % better at trade-in.
Performance (Chip & RAM)
The A18 Pro inside the 16 Pro duo pushes single-core Geekbench scores near 3,200, roughly 50 % faster than the A17 in last year’s 15 series. While 16 Plus/16 share the still-quick A17 X. Extra GPU cores in Pro devices boost on-device AI and gaming.
| Model | Chip | RAM |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Pro Max / 16 Pro | A18 Pro | 12 GB |
| 16 Plus / 16 | A17 X | 8 GB |
| 15 line | A17 Pro/A16 | 6–8 GB |
| SE (3rd gen) | A15 | 4 GB |
Higher Performance weights favor the Pro pair first.
Tip: Slide Performance higher to prioritize the A18 Pro models with 12 GB RAM and stronger GPU cores, ideal for gaming, creative work, or AI apps. Lower weights favor efficient models with solid speed but less overhead.
Display Size
Prefer one-hand comfort? The 6.1-inch iPhone 16 fits most grips. Need a bigger screen? The 6.9-inch 16 Pro Max leads, with the 16 Plus close behind. Assign more weight to Display Size if ergonomics or larger viewing area matter most to you(great for video, streaming, reading, or split-screen apps).
Display Quality: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz Screens
Every 16-series panel hits 120 Hz ProMotion and 2,500-nit peak HDR brightness. Non-Pro 15s retain vibrant 60 Hz OLED, while the SE sticks with a 4.7-inch Retina LCD. Slide Display Quality up if buttery scrolling, outdoor readability, or Apple Pencil (rumored iPhone support) matters.
Camera Quality: Best iPhones for Photography 2025
The 2025 iPhones offer major differences in camera hardware, especially between the Pro and non-Pro models. If photography is a priority and you care about low-light clarity, cinematic video, or zoom range, the right model can make a noticeable difference. Here's how the current models compare for photography.
- 16 Pro Max / 16 Pro – 48 MP main, 5× tetraprism zoom, LiDAR
- 16 Plus / 16 – 48 MP main, no dedicated zoom
- 15 series – dual-lens 48 MP setup
- SE – single 12 MP sensor
Prioritize Camera Quality if you shoot 4 K60 HDR video or rely on your phone for travel photography.
Memory Capacity: How Much Storage Do You Need
Most iPhones now start with at least 128 GB of internal storage, while 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max begin at 256 GB. If you record 4K video, download movies for offline viewing, or keep large app libraries, storage fills up prioritize Memory Capacity.
RAM is handled in Performance - Memory Capacity here means storage.
Best iPhones for Battery Life 2025
Apple’s video-playback ratings:
- 16 Pro Max – ≈30 hrs
- 16 Plus – ≈28 hrs
- 16 Pro – ≈25 hrs
- 16 – ≈22 hrs
- 15 Plus – ≈26 hrs
- SE (3rd) – ≈15 hrs
Higher Battery weights push the Plus and Pro Max models to the top of your list.
Water-Resistance
Every model on the list is at least IP67; everything from the iPhone 15 upward carries IP68 (6 m for 30 min). If you kayak, surf, or just drop phones in sinks, leave Water-Resistance weighted mid-to-high.