iPhone Buying Guide [2025]: Which Model Should You Get?

Buying iPhones used to be simple: there was one model and all you had to do was figure out how much storage you wanted. 

Nowadays, there’s four distinct models to choose from (as well as all the different storage options). 

That means you need to think about: 

• Camera tech
• Battery sizes 
• Chipsets 
• Screen sizes and technology
• And much more besides

Confused? I don’t blame you.

Read this guide from start to finish and by the end you’ll know exactly which iPhone model is right for you. 

iPhone 16 Models: Quick Comparison

Which iPhone 16 Should You Buy?

Choosing the right iPhone 16 model depends on your needs, budget, and how you use your phone.

Do you want the best camera for photography and video?

Or are you looking for long battery life and a big display?

Maybe you just need a fast, reliable iPhone at the best price.

With four models to pick from it’s important to understand what each offers.

Below, we’ll break down the key differences and help you decide which one is right for you.

💰 Best Value: iPhone 16

For most users, the iPhone 16 is the best choice.

It offers great performance, a fantastic camera, and long battery life—without the high price tag of the Pro models.

It lacks the Pro model’s higher-spec camera modules and ProMotion display but you do get Dynamic Island and pretty much everything else you need.

Really, the Pro and Pro Max are for photography geeks and creators; that’s who Apple designed them for.

• ✅ Great for: Students, casual users, and those upgrading from an iPhone 12 or older
• ✅ Why choose it? It’s powerful, easy to use, and has a great camera for everyday photography
• ⛔ What you’re missing: No telephoto zoom, no 120Hz display

👉 Need a bigger screen but the same specs? Get the iPhone 16 Plus.

📸 Best for Photography: iPhone 16 Pro Max

If you want the best camera Apple offers, go for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. It includes a new 5x zoom lens, ProRAW capabilities, and the best battery life of any iPhone.

You also get the most potent chipset (A18 Pro) and the highest available storage option, topping out at 1TB – but you will have to pay A LOT of this amount of storage.

It ain’t cheap, but if you’re a camera geek and/or an aspiring creator, the Pro Max model was designed just for you.

• ✅ Great for: Content creators, mobile photographers, and video shooters
• ✅ Why choose it? Superior zoom, longer battery life, and premium titanium design
• ⛔ Downsides: It’s the most expensive model and quite large

👉 Want Pro features in a smaller size? Get the iPhone 16 Pro.

iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Which One Should You Pick?

The biggest differences come down to display, materials, and camera features.

If you’re a casual user who mostly browses the web, uses social media, and streams content, the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Plus will give you great performance at a lower price.

These models are perfect for students, professionals, or anyone upgrading from an older iPhone like the iPhone 12 or iPhone 13.

For those who want pro-level photography, smoother displays, and a more premium build, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are the way to go.

These are ideal for content creators, mobile gamers, and professionals who need the best Apple has to offer.

The Pro Max is especially great for those who want the biggest screen and longest battery life.

Still not sure which model is right for you?

Let’s break down the biggest differences to help you decide.

🔍 Key Differences

• ✅ Pro Models Have a 120Hz Display – Smoother scrolling and better for gaming
• ✅ Pro Models Use Titanium – Lighter and more durable than the aluminum standard models
• ✅ Pro Models Have a Better Camera – Pro Max has a 5x zoom lens, while standard models only have wide and ultrawide
• ✅ A18 vs. A18 Pro Chip – The A18 Pro in Pro models offers better AI performance and gaming power

For most users, the iPhone 16 is good enough—unless you need a Pro camera or smoother display.

How Much Storage Do You Need?

Storage might not be the first thing you think about when buying a new iPhone 16, but choosing the right amount is important.

Unlike some Android phones, iPhones don’t have expandable storage, so you’re stuck with whatever capacity you choose.

Here’s why storage matters:

• Photos & Videos Take Up Space – iPhones take high-quality 4K videos and high-resolution photos, which can quickly eat up storage. If you shoot a lot of videos, you’ll need at least 256GB.
• Apps & Games Are Bigger Than Ever – Popular games like Call of Duty Mobile or Genshin Impact can take up 10GB or more, and high-end productivity apps also require space.
• Offline Content Adds Up – If you download movies, music, or podcasts, a larger storage option will prevent you from constantly deleting files.
• Cloud Storage Helps, But Isn’t a Fix-All – iCloud storage lets you offload photos and files, but you still need local storage for apps, games, and videos. Plus, iCloud requires a monthly subscription for extra space.

Here’s How It Breaks Down

• 📦 128GB – Basic option, fine for casual users who mostly stream
• 📦 256GB – Best for most users, enough space for apps, photos, and videos
• 📦 512GB / 1TB – Needed if you shoot 4K videos or store lots of media offline

Best choice? 256GB is the sweet spot for most people.

Battery Life: Which iPhone 16 Lasts the Longest?

After testing all four iPhone 16 models, the iPhone 16 Pro Max clearly has the best battery life.

All the models, including the base model iPhone 16, will get you through a full day easy – but the Pro Max is in a different league.

Apple claims it can last up to 33 hours of video playback, a 4-hour improvement over its predecessor.

But in real-world use, the results were even more impressive.

🔋 iPhone 16 Pro Max Battery Life (Real-World Testing):

• 17 hours and 35 minutes in Tom’s Guide battery test
• 11 hours and 22 minutes of screen-on time in another independent test

What makes the iPhone 16 Pro Max last so long?

• ✅ A larger 4,685 mAh battery – The biggest in any iPhone
• ✅ The A18 Pro chip – More efficient than previous processors
• ✅ iOS 18’s power management – Smarter background activity control

The iPhone 16 Plus also delivers excellent battery life, lasting around 16 hours and 29 minutes in some tests.

However, it still falls a few hours short of the Pro Max.

If battery life is your top priority, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the clear winner.

• 🔋 iPhone 16 & 16 Pro – Expect all-day battery life
• 🔋 iPhone 16 Plus – Better than iPhone 16 due to larger battery
• 🔋 iPhone 16 Pro Max – The longest battery life of all iPhones

How Much Will the iPhone 16 Cost?

The higher the storage, the higher the cost. This is how Apple has priced his phones since day one. 

Storage is important too; too little and you’ll run out of space. Too much and you’ve wasted money. 

1TB is a HELL OF A LOT of storage, most users won’t need anywhere need this.

I have a 10 year old iMac that I use for work every day and I still haven’t used 1TB of storage on it yet. 

Most users – from casual to more serious – will be fine with 256GB. Light users, those that don’t run a lot of apps or play games, will be fine with 128GB. 

If you’re shooting a lot of videos and images for professional projects (a YouTube channel or something), then go with 1TB – you’ll be covered for the next 8+ years. 

Ways to Save Money

• ✅ Trade-in Your Old iPhone – Apple offers up to $600 off with a trade-in.
• ✅ Carrier Deals – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile may offer discounts for switching or adding a line.
• ✅ Buy a Refurbished iPhone – A refurbished iPhone 14 or 14 Pro is a great way to save money.

🔗 Best refurbished iPhones to buy:

• iPhone 14 / 14 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro / Pro Max

Avoid anything older than the iPhone 13 Pro, as software support will run out sooner.

Is It Worth Upgrading to the iPhone 16?

• 🔄 If you have an iPhone 14 or older: Yes, the camera, battery life, and performance boost make it worthwhile.
• 🚫 If you have an iPhone 15: Not really, unless you want the Pro Max’s zoom lens or the Pro models’ cooling improvements.

If you already own an iPhone 15 or iPhone 14, you might be wondering if the iPhone 16 is worth the upgrade.

Apple’s latest lineup brings better battery life, camera improvements, and the switch to USB-C, but is that enough to justify buying a new phone?

Who Should Upgrade to the iPhone 16?

• ✅ iPhone 13 or Older Users – If you’re still using an iPhone 13, 12, or earlier, the iPhone 16 will feel like a huge leap forward. You’ll get faster performance, a smoother display (on Pro models), and much better cameras—especially for low-light photos and zoom shots.
• ✅ Heavy Gamers & Power Users – The A18 and A18 Pro chips deliver faster performance and better cooling, making the Pro models great for gaming and intensive tasks like video editing.
• ✅ Users Who Want USB-C – If you’re tired of Lightning cables and want faster charging with USB-C, the iPhone 16 is a solid reason to upgrade.
• ✅ Photography Enthusiasts – The iPhone 16 Pro Max introduces a new 5x zoom lens, perfect for capturing distant shots without losing detail. If you take a lot of photos and videos, this upgrade is worth considering.

Who Should Not Upgrade?

• 🚫 iPhone 15 Users – If you already have an iPhone 15, there aren’t enough major changes to justify upgrading unless you really want the Pro Max’s 5x zoom. Performance will be slightly better, but most users won’t notice a big difference in everyday use.
• 🚫 Casual Users With an iPhone 14 – If your iPhone 14 still works well, it’s worth keeping for another year—especially if you don’t need the latest camera features or USB-C.
• 🚫 Anyone Looking for a Budget Option – The iPhone 16 is not cheap. If you want to save money, a refurbished iPhone 14 Pro is a much better deal while still offering great performance and a ProMotion display.

iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 14 & 15: Is It a Big Upgrade?

🔍 Verdict: If you have an iPhone 14 or older, upgrading will bring noticeable improvements. If you have an iPhone 15, you can probably skip this generation unless you really want the new camera features or battery improvements.

What About Android Users? Should You Switch to iPhone 16?

If you’re using a Samsung Galaxy, Pixel, or another Android phone, switching to an iPhone 16 makes sense if:

• ✅ You want long-term software support – iPhones get 7 years of iOS updates, much longer than most Android phones.
• ✅ You use a Mac or iPad – The Apple ecosystem is seamless, with features like AirDrop, iMessage, and Handoff working across all Apple devices.
• ✅ You prefer a smoother user experience – iOS is simple, secure, and optimized, meaning fewer bugs and better app performance.

That said, if you love customization, expandable storage, or 120Hz displays on cheaper phones, sticking with Android might be the better choice.

Final Verdict: Should You Upgrade?

Upgrade to iPhone 16 if:

✔️ You have an iPhone 13 or older
✔️ You want USB-C and longer battery life
✔️ You take a lot of photos and videos
✔️ You’re a gamer or power user

Hold onto your current phone if:

❌ You have an iPhone 15
❌ You don’t care about USB-C or camera upgrades
❌ You want to save money—a refurbished iPhone 14 Pro is a better value

If you’re still undecided, consider waiting for the iPhone 17, which could bring bigger design changes. But if you’re ready to upgrade, the iPhone 16 is a solid choice that will last you for years.

Final Thoughts: Which iPhone 16 Is Right for You?

✔ iPhone 16 – Best for most people, great camera & performance
✔ iPhone 16 Plus – Bigger screen, better battery life
✔ iPhone 16 Pro – Pro features in a compact size
✔ iPhone 16 Pro Max – The ultimate iPhone, best for power users

👉 Want to save money? Consider a refurbished iPhone 14 Pro.