If you want an iPhone that can last a long time, consider one from our list below.
1. iPhone 12
Unless you really want the iPhone 12 Pro Max’s extra camera capabilities, the cheaper version of this year’s non-Pro Apple flagship is the better option. It has everything you need in a modern smartphone, including an edge-to-edge Super Retina XDR display, MagSafe and fast A14 Bionic chip.
Its 6.1-inch screen is just the right size for most people and it has good battery life. It’s also a great upgrade for anyone with an older iPhone because it improves on its camera and performance in every way.
Other features include a thinner, flat design with sharper and more distinct corners that differentiate it from last year’s rounded iPhone 11, and a suite of new colors including black, white, Product (RED) and green. Plus, its glass back is extremely durable based on reports by users who dropped theirs accidentally or on purpose. In addition to its impressive cameras, the iPhone 12 is ready for 5G, too.
2. iPhone SE
The iPhone SE is an excellent upgrade option for anyone with a previous-generation model that’s starting to show its age. It’s cheaper than the iPhone 13 and 13 mini and has the same processor. But its smaller screen, battery, and single front camera still feel outdated for 2022.
Apple’s A15 Bionic chip is one of the most powerful processors in the world, so it feels wasteful to pair it with a small, low-resolution display that can’t even go above 60Hz. But the iPhone SE is still a solid choice for those who prefer an affordable phone that’s easy to use and can hold up to heavy daily use.
It also supports many of the same industry-leading security features that the other iPhones in this list support, including Touch ID, Secure Enclave, Intelligent Tracking Prevention on Safari, and the new Smart HDR feature. But its tiny display can be difficult to adjust to if you’re used to a bigger screen.
3. iPhone 7
Apple’s arguably most significant iPhone upgrade to date. Both the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus are lighter, more durable, and more powerful than their predecessors. They add IP67 dust and water resistance to the tough Series 7000 aluminum chassis so you can survive being fully submerged in water (though it’s probably best not to).
The 7 also improves on last year’s models with a new faster A16 Bionic chip and immersive stereo speakers. It also carries forward 3D Touch, which detects different levels of pressure on the screen and lets you use it to create a raft of ‘peek and pop’ shortcuts.
The larger iPhone 7 Plus also adds a more advanced wide color gamut for cinema-standard colors, and a superior front camera. It also features a new Taptic Engine-powered solid state clickless Home button that’s more responsive and customizable than the previous model.
4. iPhone 8
Though it won’t inspire the same mania of the iPhone X among fans, Apple still has an excellent smartphone in the iPhone 8. It comes with class-leading hardware, a beautiful, wide-gamut, color-accurate display and a great camera. It even supports fast charging.
Compared to last year’s model, it offers a new True Tone screen feature that automatically adjusts the phone’s display according to ambient lighting conditions. But for many people, there’s little practical reason to upgrade from an iPhone 7 or older. Apps won’t run any faster, the camera isn’t that much better and the redesign of the glass body isn’t a big deal.
The iPhone SE is a great option for kids as well because of its small size and lower price. It also includes a glass back, is compatible with MagSafe accessories and has a great camera that can take amazing pictures.
5. iPhone 9
If you’re a fan of Apple’s services like news, TV and gaming, but don’t want to spend the money on a Pro iPhone, an iPhone 9 may be the perfect option. It’ll have an updated A13 Bionic chip, just like the ones in this year’s iPhone 12 and 15 Plus, and amazing battery performance.
And it’ll have a great camera, too — the same wide-angle lens and new depth sensor from the iPhone 11, along with Portrait mode for both front and back cameras, Night Mode, Smart HDR and more. It also has MagSafe, a good selection of cases and accessories and iOS 13, which is the most up-to-date version of Apple’s mobile operating system.
There are some caveats though, like no extended zoom on the camera or always-on display mode found on more expensive models and Android competitors. And the screen doesn’t have the high refresh rate and dynamic island found in the iPhone 12 and 15 Plus.
6. iPhone X
Apple’s most sophisticated iPhone to date, the X looks and feels like no other phone on the market. It’s also the most expensive. But with Face ID delivering a superior experience over Touch ID and the new OLED display that puts everything in front of you, it’s worth the premium – if you can afford it.
It’s also worth noting that the X isn’t perfect. That notch at the top cuts out space for the camera and sensors, which may affect some apps, though I’ve found that most apps ignore it completely.
Despite this, it’s still an industry leading smartphone and will remain so until its successor is released. The X takes amazing photos, lasts a full day on a charge and is easy to use. But it’s not durable, cracking at a three-foot drop in CNET’s tests. You can also get a cheaper version with a LCD screen, aluminium band and single camera sensor.