Apple brings out multiple new iPhones every year, so how do you know which is the best iPhone for you? Our top pick for most people in 2025 is the iPhone 16, as we believe that it has the right balance of excellent features, a decent price and a size that’s not too big to use single-handedly. Depending on your specific needs though, a different model might be a better choice, so our guide below has more tailored recommendations such as the best cheap iPhone, and the best with a big screen that won’t break the bank.
The iPhone 16 range has been available since September 2025, and as we near the 6-month mark of its release date, it should become more likely that you’ll be able to find a discount at retailers or the major telcos. So if you’re looking to upgrade to your next iPhone, now is the perfect time to start comparing models and prices. If you’re ready to update your handset now, our guide will help you decide on the best iPhone to suit your needs.
Best iPhone for most people
RRP: from $1,399
Release date: September 2024
Why we recommend the iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 strikes the right balance with features and size as well as being the cheapest out of all the iPhone 16 models. It has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen and an aluminium finish with the latest generation Ceramic Shield Front to minimise screen breakage. Like the iPhone 15, it also has USB-C connectivity, making its charging port more universal, and Apple have also kept the Action button first seen in the iPhone 15. New features include the Camera Control button, which can be used as a traditional camera shutter control, or as a capacitive button that you slide along to zoom in or adjust exposure. In addition, this device has a superfast A18 processor, a larger battery and a faster 25W charging speed than its predecessor. It also has an excellent camera, with 48MP wide and 12MP ultra-wide lenses.
Expert consensus
In reviews, experts have honed in on a few key areas of the iPhone 16 that they are impressed with – its improved camera system, longer battery life and the ability to handle Apple Intelligence AI software.
Firstly, experts have highlighted the advanced camera technology seen in the iPhone 16, stating that it offers better low-light performance and more natural colour reproduction. The phone has a 48MP main sensor which is paired with new image processing software that delivers clearer, more detailed images. It also features a new telephoto lens that allows for enhanced zoom capabilities.
Improved battery life is another strong favourite among expert reviewers. Previously, the battery life of recent-generation iPhones hasn’t quite been up to par with other leading smartphones, but thanks to the combination of the new A18 Bionic chip and optimization in software, the iPhone 16 has had a significant boost in battery life and now comfortably lasts a full day of heavy use.
Finally, experts are impressed with the iPhone 16's powerful A18 chip which allows the phone to handle Apple’s on-device AI features – known as Apple Intelligence. Unlike the iPhone 15, the iPhone 16 is equipped to handle upgrades as Apple rolls out more AI tools, which should ensure the device stays relevant and performs well in the future. In the iPhone 15 lineup, only the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are powerful enough to run Apple’s AI upgrades, so seeing the base model of the iPhone 16 line with this capability means you’re not missing out.
Sources: TechRadar (4.5/5) | Tom’s Guide (4/5) | T3 (5/5) | Digital Camera World (4/5)
How much should you pay for the iPhone 16?
The Australian RRP for the iPhone 16 is $1,399 for the 128GB option, $1,599 for the 256GB option and $1,949 for the 512GB option. Since it’s still a pretty new phone, we haven’t yet seen many discounts on the iPhone 16, however if you’re willing to wait, you may find some discounts during EOFY sales and more likely you will be able to find better discounts during Black Friday sales, after the next iPhones have been released.
Find the top three prices for the iPhone 16 below. You can also compare more Australian prices for the iPhone 16 here on Getprice.
Other iPhones to consider
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
RRP: from $719
Best cheap iPhone
Phones can be pretty expensive these days, and if you’re looking for a relatively cheap iPhone, we think the iPhone SE (2022) is your best pick. It has a starting price of $719 and comes in three colours: black, white and red.
The iPhone SE (2022) is fairly powerful for the price you’re paying, as it features Apple’s A15 Bionic chip under the hood – that’s the same processor inside the iPhone 13. It’s also the most affordable iPhone that’s 5G-ready.
A cheaper price means you’ll be missing out on key features available on newer iPhones, such as improved cameras and a better screen. For example, you get one 12MP camera on the back of the iPhone SE, and its 4.7-inch screen might feel too small for some users.
However, if you want an affordable iPhone that’s just as powerful as some of the top Android phones and is future-proofed with 5G, the iPhone SE (2022) is a good choice.
- Compare iPhone SE (2022) prices on Getprice
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
RRP: from $1,399
Best big screen iPhone that won’t break the bank
The iPhone 15 Plus takes the bigger screen and larger battery of the Pro Max model and brings it down to a cheaper price. As it’s no longer the newest iPhone on the market, the 15 Plus will only cost you $1,399 for the 128GB model, which is significantly cheaper than its original RRP of $1,649. This smartphone boasts a 6.7-inch OLED display that makes photos, videos and everything else look fantastic, though it’s missing the adaptive refresh rate of the 15 Pro Max.
In terms of battery, our colleagues at TechRadar did a test of its battery life and said in their review that the iPhone 15 Plus has the “best battery longevity of any recent phone we’ve reviewed”. TechRadar also found that 15 Plus offered 10.25 hours of screen-on time, which shakes out to be up to two days of use from a single charge. So, if you’re absolutely sick of always needing to top up your phone throughout the day, the iPhone 15 Plus could be a good choice.
The 15 Plus may be the same size as the 15 Pro Max but it doesn’t offer the same cameras or processing power as the premium Pro Max model, and it has more in common with the regular iPhone 15. It comes with the same A16 Bionic chipset and a 48MP camera on the rear, plus it comes in the same range of pastel colours. Ultimately, due to the very decent price and the big screen, the 15 Plus is our pick for the best big screen iPhone on a smaller budget.
- Compare iPhone 15 Plus prices on Getprice
Apple iPhone 13 mini
RRP: from $1,049
Best small iPhone
The design brief for most smartphones these days is “bigger and better”, but what about those of us who miss the days of smaller devices you can easily fit in the palm of your hand... or a pocket? Apple came out with the iPhone 13 mini in 2021 for precisely this crowd, and it’s the smallest iPhone you can buy.
The iPhone 13 mini is slightly smaller than the iPhone SE (2022), but it actually has a larger screen, and that’s because less of it is eaten up by chunky bezels. Slimmer bezels have made way for a 5.4-inch OLED display on the 13 mini, while the iPhone SE has a 4.7-inch LCD screen. Overall, the iPhone 13 mini’s display is brighter and has a higher resolution.
If you’re wondering why we haven’t recommended a mini version from the iPhone 16 family, that’s because there isn’t one. Apple did away with the 'mini' model in 2022, so for now at least, the iPhone 13 mini is your last chance to get a top-quality small iPhone. It’s worth noting that this iPhone is no longer available directly from Apple, but there are some third-party retailers who stock it.
- Compare iPhone 13 mini prices at Getprice
Which iPhone model is the best?
The answer to which iPhone model is best will change for each person – some of us want a premium device with the best camera capabilities, while others will consider value for money to be the most important factor.
You could say that the iPhone 16 Pro Max is best going off its spec sheet alone, but this model is the most expensive on the market, starting from $2,149 for the 256GB option. That’s why we argue that the iPhone 16 is the best iPhone model for most people.
When choosing which model will best suit your needs, there are four points you might want to consider: price, size, camera and colour.
Price: The iPhone Pro models are the most expensive, but they come outfitted with the best cameras, the latest screen tech and premium build quality. If you want a more affordable option, you can go for the iPhone SE or one of Apple’s older models, such as the iPhone 13.
Size: Do you want a small or large handset, or something in between? For a smaller iPhone, you might want to consider the iPhone 13 mini or the iPhone SE. If you’d prefer a big screen, take a look at the iPhone 16 Plus which has a 6.7-inch display or the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which has a 6.9-inch display. For a nice middle ground, the standard iPhone 16 or 16 Pro are the best fit, with 6.1-inch and 6.3-inch displays, respectively.
Camera: The best cameras that Apple has to offer come in the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, so be prepared to pay a premium. These models both feature a 48MP main camera on the rear.
Colour: iPhones tend to come in a nice range of colours, and it could influence which model you choose to buy. Apple’s Pro model iPhones tend to come in more muted, subdued colours with a matte finish, while the more affordable versions come in pops of colour – and your classic black and white – with a more glossy coating.
