Looking for the best iPhone in 2023? We have all the answers you need!
What’s the best iPhone in 2023?
The best iPhone to buy in 2023 is the iPhone 15. Priced at $799, it offers excellent value for most individuals. Equipped with the advanced A16 Bionic chip, which was introduced in the previous year’s iPhone 14 Pro, this device ensures support for new software features for years to come. The iPhone 15 boasts an exceptional camera performance and includes features that will be refreshing to users transitioning from older iPhone models. Its 6.1-inch size strikes the perfect balance, as it is compact enough for comfortable one-handed use and yet spacious enough for reading news or watching videos comfortably. Moreover, the iPhone 15 is the most affordable option among the iPhone 15 lineup, making it a great choice for those who prefer accessibility over the larger iPhone 15 Plus or the more powerful iPhone 15 Pro.
Best iPhones of 2023
With the Dynamic Island, a USB-C port for more convenient charging, and an upgraded camera with a higher resolution and a crisper zoom, the iPhone 15 is a significant upgrade for those with older iPhones. It feels like a scaled back version of the iPhone 14 Pro, making Apple’s entry-level iPhone 15 feel like a bigger leap forward than last year’s.
The iPhone 15, with its focus on the Dynamic Island, offers a more convenient charging experience with the inclusion of a USB-C port. Additionally, the upgraded camera with a higher resolution and crisper zoom provides users with improved photography capabilities.
The iPhone 15 is available in two size options: the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus. Both models run on the same chip as the iPhone 14 Pro, the A16 Bionic, which brings notable performance upgrades to those with older iPhones. These phones also feature Apple’s second-generation ultra wideband chip, enabling a new feature that makes it easier to find friends or family members in a crowd.
While the iPhone 14 Pro may be a better choice for those who can find it at a discounted price, particularly because of its dedicated telephoto lens, the iPhone 15 is still an exciting upgrade for Apple’s standard iPhone lineup.
Pros of the iPhone 15 include the USB-C port for more convenient charging, a colorful matte design, an improved camera that can automatically take people and pet portraits, and the Dynamic Island feature that brings better multitasking capabilities.
Cons of the iPhone 15 include the lack of an always-on display, the limitation of the Find My Friends feature to only work with other iPhone 15 phones, and the fact that a discounted iPhone 14 Pro may offer better value.
For those looking for a longer optical zoom, the Galaxy S23 may be a more suitable option.
Apple gave its Pro models a glow-up with a refreshed lighter build, a new shortcut button and the world’s smallest processor. And it did all this while managing to keep that tried-and-true iPhone aesthetic front and center. They also made more of a differentiation between the Pro and Pro Max model. The 15 Pro also still has the same familiar 3x telephoto camera found on previous models.
The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are some of the best phones released by Apple or any phone maker this year. Read our Apple iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max review.
Pros:
- Lighter and more comfortable to hold
- A17 Pro for console video games
- Being able to change the focus in Portrait photos is welcome
- Easier and cheaper to repair back glass
Cons:
- Action button can only trigger one action
- The only color option is blue
Best iPhone Camera
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the best iPhone for photographers, thanks to its 5x telephoto lens, which offers more reach and versatility compared to the regular iPhone 15 Pro’s 3x zoom. With the Pro Max’s extra zoom length, you can capture subjects that are farther away, making it ideal for capturing sports events or school concerts. Additionally, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a lighter titanium build and a new shortcuts button, providing a premium feel. It also boasts longer battery life, making it suitable for users who frequently record videos on their iPhone. Powering the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max is the A17 Pro chip, which delivers impressive performance and can handle console-tier video games like Resident Evil Village. Complementing the powerful hardware is iOS 17, which introduces various quality of life improvements such as StandBy mode, Check-In, Stickers in Messages, and better autocorrect for the keyboard. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are among the top phones released by Apple and other manufacturers this year, offering a combination of advanced features and enhancements.
Pros of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max include a lighter and more comfortable design, the A17 Pro chip for console video games, the 5x optical zoom for added versatility, the ability to change focus in Portrait photos, and the easier and cheaper repair of the back glass.
Cons of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max include the limitation of the action button to trigger only one action, the $100 higher price for the baseline Pro Max model, and the availability of only one color option, which is blue.
Best Larger Affordable Iphone
If you’re looking for a larger screen without spending too much on the Pro Max, the iPhone 15 Plus is the perfect choice. It offers all the same features as the iPhone 15, including USB-C charging, the Dynamic Island, and a 48-megapixel camera, but in a bigger body with a 6.7-inch screen. According to Apple, the iPhone 15 Plus also boasts longer battery life compared to the iPhone 15. Although Apple still sells the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus, the iPhone 15 Plus is worth the extra $100 due to its added benefits. In addition to the aforementioned changes, the iPhone 15 Plus comes with a newer chip and a fresh design, making it a worthwhile upgrade, especially for those transitioning from older phones. You can read our detailed review of the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus for more information.
Pros: – USB-C port for more convenient charging – Colorful matte design – Improved camera with automatic people and pet portrait capabilities – Dynamic Island for enhanced multitasking.
Cons: – No always-on display – Find My Friends feature only compatible with other iPhone 15 phones – Discounted iPhone 14 Pro may offer better value – Galaxy S23 provides a longer optical zoom.
Best Small iPhone
Priced at $429, the iPhone SE (2022) may seem appealing solely because of its affordability. And indeed, that is a significant factor. However, now that the iPhone 13 Mini is no longer available, the iPhone SE is also a reliable choice for those who prefer smaller phones. In terms of appearance, the iPhone SE shares the same body as the iPhone 8, making it the only iPhone on this list that still features Touch ID. On the inside, the SE is equipped with the A15 processor, which is also found in the iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 14, and 14 Plus. This processor takes the camera hardware from 2017 and enhances it with Apple’s computational photography technology.
The iPhone SE embodies the classic iPhone design while offering the ability to run the latest version of iOS and apps. One of the subtle updates in 2022 is that the SE now features the same back glass as the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini. Additionally, it provides the most affordable access to Apple services such as FaceTime, iMessage, and iCloud. For more details, you can read our comprehensive review of the Apple iPhone SE (2022).
Pros:
– Affordable price
– Home button and Touch ID
– Good battery life
– Capable camera for photos and videos
Cons:
– Lack of night mode for photos
– Screen brightness could be improved
– Dated bezels above and below the screen
– Selfie camera does not match the quality of the rear camera
– 20-watt USB-C charger not included.
https://www.cnet.com/deals/best-iphone-deals/
Current iPhone Models Compared
Model | US starting price | Screen size | No. of rear cameras | CPU | Release date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
iPhone SE | $429 | 4.7 inches | 1 | A15 Bionic | March 2022 |
iPhone 13 | $599 | 6.1 inches | 2 | A15 Bionic | September 2021 |
iPhone 14 | $699 | 6.1 inches | 2 | A15 Bionic | September 2022 |
iPhone 14 Plus | $799 | 6.7 inches | 2 | A15 Bionic | September 2022 |
iPhone 15 | $799 | 6.1 inches | 2 | A16 Bionic | September 2023 |
iPhone 15 Plus | $899 | 6.7 inches | 2 | A16 Bionic | September 2023 |
iPhone 15 Pro | $999 | 6.1 inches | 3 | A17 Pro | September 2023 |
iPhone 15 Pro Max | $1,199 | 6.7 inches | 3 | A17 Pro | September 2023 |
Source: CNET