In 2023, the best iPhone to buy depended on your budget and needs, with the iPhone 14 series offering great value for standard users, the iPhone 15 Pro excelling for power users wanting a compact flagship with advanced cameras, and the iPhone 13 (or SE) providing excellent overall value for budget-conscious buyers looking for longevity and core features. The iPhone 15 Pro was a top pick for its smooth 120Hz display, A17 Pro chip, and versatile cameras, while the iPhone 14 series (with A15 Bionic) was still powerful and had good battery life. For budget buyers, the iPhone 13 offered a strong balance, while the iPhone SE (2nd gen) provided better longevity than older models like the iPhone 8 in the sub-$200 range.
For the best value, the iPhone 17 (standard model) is highly recommended for its Pro-level features at a lower price, while the iPhone 16e offers great budget-friendly entry, and the iPhone 13 remains a solid, affordable workhorse if you don't need the newest design. For those wanting a premium experience without top dollar, a slightly older iPhone 15 Pro (used/refurbished) or even a iPhone 13 Pro (used) offers excellent value with Pro features like smooth displays and better cameras.
For most people, the iPhone 15 is the best choice due to its significantly improved camera (48MP), brighter display, modern Dynamic Island, USB-C port, and better performance with more RAM, offering better future-proofing than the older iPhone 13 or 14. The iPhone 13 remains a great value option for budget-conscious buyers needing solid everyday performance, while the iPhone 14 offers fewer compelling upgrades over the 13 to justify its cost over the 15.
Apple claims improvements, but in real life, it's still an “end of the day with 15–20% left” phone. The verdict? The iPhone 16 is the safe choice if you're upgrading this year. You're buying into Apple's next-gen ecosystem, you get all the latest features, and it'll last you longer than the 15.
For the best overall iPhone in Australia right now (late 2025/early 2026), the iPhone 17 Pro Max offers top-tier specs, but the standard iPhone 17 is the best value, delivering Pro-level features like a 120Hz screen and great cameras at a lower price point for most users, while budget-conscious buyers can still find excellent deals on the powerful, compact iPhone SE (3rd Gen) or even refurbished older models like the iPhone 12 for a modern experience.
The cheapest time to buy an iPhone is typically January to April, after the holiday rush and new model launches, leading to significant discounts on older models, or during major sales like Black Friday/Cyber Monday (November) for deals on the previous year's model and refurbished units. Waiting a few months after a new iPhone launch (September) for the previous generation to drop in price offers the best value, especially in the April-June window for budget buyers.
Its improved display, tougher materials, fresh processor, new cameras, and significantly longer battery life are all worth considering. The fact that it comes with an additional 128GB of storage is reason alone to spend the extra $100. We recommend you buy the iPhone 17; it's the best iPhone for the money right now.
Casual users may find 128 GB sufficient, while content creators and gamers will benefit from 512 GB or 1 TB models. Regardless of your storage size, keeping your iPhone organized with CleanMy®Phone's Declutter Module can help you maximize space and avoid unnecessary upgrades.
Yes, the iPhone 15 is still a great buy in 2025, especially if upgrading from an iPhone 12 or older, offering significant improvements in battery, camera, Dynamic Island, and USB-C at a much lower refurbished price. It delivers excellent performance and long-term value, but users coming from Pro models or wanting the latest AI features might prefer the newer iPhone 16 or 17, as the base 15 lacks the 120Hz ProMotion display found in Pro models.
You should get the iPhone 15 for a more modern experience with USB-C, Dynamic Island, and a better main camera, making it feel more current and future-proof, while the iPhone 14 remains a solid budget option if saving money is your priority, though it has the older Lightning port and notch. The 15 offers significant upgrades in design (contoured edges), camera (48MP sensor), charging (USB-C), and features (Dynamic Island), making it the better value for most people looking for a phone to last.
Premium Flagships (For When Money Isn't the Issue)
The iPhone 16 is a far more powerful phone than the iPhone 14. It also has more megapixels in its main camera, additional macro and 2x zoom modes, a Dynamic Island rather than a notch, a brighter screen, more RAM, AI support, and better battery life. It also charges via USB-C rather than Lightning.
If you want the very best specs, go for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, while the regular iPhone 17 is a better-value choice for the majority of users. If you're not fussed about fancy cameras and extra hardware features, consider the iPhone 16e or one of Apple's last-generation models.
Top 5 iPhones for Resale
If camera enhancements and longer software support are priorities, the iPhone 14 is a worthwhile investment. However, if you're looking for great performance and value without needing the latest features, the iPhone 13 remains a compelling option.
The main cons of the iPhone 15 include its 60Hz display (lacking ProMotion), slow USB 2.0 data speeds on the USB-C port, no dedicated optical telephoto lens, slower charging speeds compared to some Androids, and a lack of Apple Intelligence support (reserved for Pro models). It also still requires a separate charger and has a less advanced chip than the Pro models, potentially limiting its long-term cutting-edge software support.
The iPhone 16 introduces several upgrades over the iPhone 15, including improved camera technology, faster processing speed with the new A18 chip, enhanced battery life, and advanced display features. These enhancements deliver a more powerful and efficient user experience.
If you're the kind of person who doesn't mind storing some files online instead of locally, the 128GB model could serve you well. However, if you prefer having quick, offline access to your content and cringe at the thought of relying on the cloud, the 256GB option is more reassuring.
The 20-80 rule for iPhones suggests keeping the battery charge between 20% and 80% to minimize stress on the lithium-ion battery, thereby extending its overall lifespan and health by avoiding the high-stress points of full discharge (0%) and full charge (100%). While not a strict necessity for daily use, this practice reduces battery degradation by avoiding deep discharges and the taxing final 20% of charging, helping maintain battery capacity longer, though modern iPhones have built-in features like Optimized Battery Charging to manage this.
By adding more memory, your slow computer that struggles to perform multiple tasks at once will experience faster recall speeds. Upgrading your storage is the best solution if your computer still has an HDD, as most computers now come with an SSD due to the clear performance benefits.
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The iPhone 16 will likely be the best iPhone for most people thanks to its balance of price and features. Those who want something bigger but want to keep the price in check can get the 16 Plus instead. Want a better camera system but like things small? Go with the iPhone 16 Pro.
Yes, the iPhone 17 is largely considered a worthwhile upgrade, especially from older models (iPhone 14 or earlier) due to significant improvements like a smoother display (ProMotion on base models), USB-C with faster data, longer battery life, and capable cameras, making the base model a much stronger value and often close to Pro features, though the Pro offers more serious performance. Whether it's worth it depends on your current phone: it's a big jump from an iPhone 13/14 but less necessary if you have a recent iPhone 16.