Best iPhone (2024): Which Model Should You Buy?

4 days ago 5

Photograph: Simon Hill
Get a MagSafe Portable Battery
Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) (Qi2)
The beauty of MagSafe is that you can pop a battery on the back of your iPhone and you don't have to worry about any wires. This is our top model in our Best MagSafe Portable Batteries guide and it supports the new Qi2 standard, so it will work with any device with Qi2. It has a 10,000-mAh capacity that is good to recharge an iPhone fully once and then some, and there's a built-in kickstand so you can continue watching your favorite show as it charges. Best of all is the built-in LED display, helpful for seeing how much juice the charger has left.
Photograph: Simon Hill
For Apple Stans
Belkin 3-in-1 Qi2 Charging Stand
If you have an iPhone, there's a chance you have another Apple gadget, like AirPods or an Apple Watch. If so, you really should get a 3-in-1 charger for your home. We have tons of options in our Best Apple 3-in-1 Chargers guide, but this Belkin MagSafe model is our favorite. It has an elegant design and charges the iPhone and Apple Watch at the maximum speeds, and you can pop your earbuds on the base to top them up.

Photograph: Josh Valcarcel/WIRED

Avoid These iPhones

The iPhone 13, 13 Pro, 12, 12 Pro, 11, 11 Pro, XS, XR, X, 8, 7, 6S, SE (2016), and every older iPhone that came before them are probably available somewhere, but you shouldn't take the bait. They don't have the processing power to keep up with the latest software, and even if they do, they will have a much shorter software shelf life. The iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus are cut off from receiving the iOS 18 update. Without software support, your device will slowly become less secure and could become a slow, buggy mess. The camera tech in these models isn't as refined, either. Unless they're almost free, we think you're better off with the new iPhone 16 or another model on this list.

If you don't want to spend the money to get a new iPhone, consider a fresh battery. If the biggest issues with your aging iPhone revolve around the battery, replacing it might make it feel brand-new. (Apple's iPhone 16 has an easier-to-replace battery.) Replacements for older iPhones are $89, and $99 or $119 for newer models. If that doesn't do the trick, read our guide on ways to fix your iPhone's problems or our guide on selling your iPhone to get the most money out of it.

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