Best iPhone 2023: The best Apple smartphones we've tested and reviewed

The iPhone 15 Pro is our pick of the best iPhone this year, with key features that enhance the iPhone experience, though it’s not as clear-cut as previous years, with the standard iPhone 15 getting a bunch of previously Pro-exclusive features – but more on that a little later.

The iPhone 15 Pro is a refinement of last year’s model, with an upgraded titanium chassis and a brushed metal finish that not only allows for a significant weight reduction, but it makes the previously shiny chassis a little less of a fingerprint magnet. That’s further complemented by the slightly rounded corners on this year’s model, helping the phone sit a little more snug in the hand.

There’s also a new USB-C port, in place of the Lightning port used in previous models.

The big new feature for this year’s Pro model is the Action Button, replacing the silent switch present on every iPhone since its inception. While you can program the Action button to switch between silent and loud modes, you can now trigger functions like toggling on the torch, accessing the camera or running a shortcut to access your favourite app or control smart home tech. It’s a really versatile bit of tech that can change how you interact with your iPhone.

The other big feature is the introduction of the A17 Pro chipset. It’s built on a 3nm process that not only allows for a serious boost to performance – up to 20% according to Apple – but improved battery life, with this year’s Pro model outlasting last year’s model in everyday use. That excessive power keeps the iPhone 15 Pro comfortably ahead of the Android competition, and even allows the phone to run AAA console games with titles like Death Stranding headed to the iPhone in early 2024.

The three rear cameras take excellent snaps and videos, with particularly good results from the main 48MP camera in both well-lit and low-light scenarios, though it misses out on the enhanced 5x telephoto camera of the top-end iPhone, instead capping out at the same 3x as its predecessor.

The rest of the phone will be familiar to those who’ve used previous Pro phones. The iPhone 15 Pro looks great, has an IP68 rating, Ceramic Shield and MagSafe charging. 

Reviewer: Lewis Painter

Full review: Apple iPhone 15 Pro review

You might be looking for an iPhone that can deliver all the very best that Apple has to offer, along with the biggest screen you can fit your hands around as well. No problem: that’s what the iPhone 15 Pro Max is for.

With an enormous 6.7-inch OLED 120Hz screen, you will feel truly immersed in games and films when you’re using this behemoth of a handset, in a way that smaller-screened devices simply can’t compete with. It also allows Apple to fit a larger battery within, meaning battery life is a little better than the iPhone 15 Pro too.

The real benefit here compared to its predecessor is the upgraded titanium chassis, making it much lighter to hold, and the rounded edges help it sit nicely in the hand too.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max truly shines in the camera department, however, with a camera setup that bests even the iPhone 15 Pro. While the two share the same 48MP main and 12MP ultrawide lenses, the iPhone 15 Pro Max sports a better 5x zoom that allows you to get much closer to the subject than the 3x alternative on the iPhone 15 Pro.

In all other ways, it’s identical to the iPhone 15 Pro, with the same A17 Bionic chipset, USB-C connectivity and Action button support. It’s just a bigger, more expensive variant.

Reviewer: Max Parker 

Full review: iPhone 15 Pro Max review

The iPhone 15 Pro might be the best iPhone, but we’d say the iPhone 15 offers arguably better value for a lot of people. It’s a device that’s just as capable in most areas as its “Pro” siblings, but it does make a few sacrifices to hit its lower price. 

There’s no telephoto camera for improved zooming, for example, and the display is simply a 60Hz panel – so it lacks the smoother scrolling you get with the 120Hz panel. If you’re willing to accept these missing features, then we think this phone will suit you down to the ground.

Besides, the gap has closed significantly between the iPhone 15 and its Pro variant with the iPhone 15, with this year’s entry-level model boasting both Dynamic Island tech and a main 48MP camera – features previously exclusive to the Pro iPhones that elevate the experience on offer.

The iPhone 15 has also had a slight tweak to its design, with slightly rounded edges that make the phone nicer to hold in the hand, and the new matte finish on the rear both feels good and repels fingerprints very well. There’s also USB-C connectivity, new across the entire iPhone 15 range.

Everyday performance is solid thanks to the A16 Bionic, a chipset still capable of taking on the flagship Android competition despite the fact it’s now a year old, and battery life is solid too – though it’s still a phone you’ll want to charge every night.

Apple also still sells the iPhone 14, which remains a good buy if you want to save a little extra money.

Reviewer: Max Parker 

Full review: iPhone 15 review

The iPhone 15 Plus makes a lot more sense than its predecessor did, with a price closer to the regular iPhone 15 than the Pro models that make it a tempting alternative to the top-end iPhone 15 Pro Max. The crucial element that helps the 15 Plus stand out? Battery life.

There’s a larger cell in the iPhone 15 Plus than the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, and with its 6.7-inch OLED panel locked at a stable 60Hz, it can even beat the iPhone 15 Pro Max in terms of longevity. It’s a phone that’ll keep on going, as we found out during the review period.

We also prefer the 6.7-inch screen to the 6.1-inch iPhone 15. It’s a little roomier for games and movies, and less cramped for typing emails and browsing the web. Importantly, it’s a much lighter phone than the 15 Pro Max and more comfortable to hold as a result – something also aided by slightly rounded corners, a new touch compared to its predecessor.

The iPhone 15 Plus also enjoys other upgrades present on the regular iPhone 15, like a jump to a 48MP primary camera, the introduction of Dynamic Island tech and the use of the A16 Bionic chipset, all of which culminate in a great big-screen iPhone without the Pro Max price – it’s just a shame the display remains locked at 60Hz.

Reviewer: Lewis Painter

Full review: iPhone 15 Plus review

With the release of the iPhone 15, the iPhone 13 mini is starting to show its age, but its small dimensions mean it’s still the most compact iPhone available – and it’s now available for as little as £599.

The iPhone 13 Mini takes everything you’ll find in the iPhone 13 and then shrinks it down to an even smaller size. It has the same duo of 12MP rear cameras, the same Super Retina XDR screen quality and the same overall design as its larger sibling – and it also runs on the same A15 Bionic chipset, so it boasts 5G and excellent general performance.

We’d recommend this as easily the best small phone on the market, but that said, its diminutive size does introduce a couple of issues. These aren’t necessarily downsides, depending on your point of view, but they’re still factors that might influence your buying decision.

The 5.4-inch display is a lot smaller than the 6.1-inch screen on the iPhone 15. That means the Mini isn’t as suitable for gaming or media binges as the regular-sized iPhone, and it also means that the battery size had to be reduced, so it’s the iPhone with the worst battery life – at least in our tests. If you’re a heavy user, you might be reaching for the charger even before the end of the day based on our experience with the Mini.

Still, there isn’t really anything else like this on the market, and if you prize pocketability above all else, then it is a great choice.

Reviewer: Max Parker 

Full review: iPhone 13 Mini review

Apple’s cheapest iPhone is also the most confusing. While we like a lot of stuff about the iPhone SE 2022 and it scored well in our overall review, the tired design and slightly dated screen make it a harder proposition than the other phones on this list.

However, on the inside, there’s no doubt that the iPhone SE 2022 is a winner. The A15 Bionic chipset is the same as you’ll find in the iPhone 13 mini, and in benchmark tests, it outstripped the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra for sheer performance. Considering the price, that’s an impressive feat and it should support software updates for years and years to come, making it a good investment.

We were impressed with the camera here too. The single 12MP unit takes snaps with lovely colour reproduction and accurate skin tones that aren’t too far off what you’d get on the iPhone 13, although that gap has widened with the subsequent release of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15.

Battery life is on par with the iPhone 13 Mini and, like all the phones here, it has an IP rating for dust and water resistance along with 5G and wireless charging. You rarely get this collection of premium features on other phones at this price point.

This phone really isn’t for those who want a phone with a great screen. The 4.7-inch panel is dinky, not nearly as bright or sharp as the 13 series, and comes with chunky black bars on either side to boot. It feels rather old-fashioned, although the home button is nice for navigation and quick unlocking.

Reviewer: Max Parker 

Full review: iPhone SE 2022 review