Best iPhone in 2025: Here’s Which Apple Phone You Should Buy

We take a look at each iPhone in real-world eventualities specializing in its options, design, efficiency, cameras, battery life and general worth. We doc our findings in an preliminary evaluate that’s periodically up to date when there are new iOS updates or to match in opposition to new telephones from opponents like Samsung, Google and OnePlus.

Pictures

Pictures is a significant focus for the iPhone, so we take footage and movies of varied topics in quite a lot of settings and lighting eventualities. We check out any new digicam modes, reminiscent of 4K 120fps slow-mo video that debuted with the iPhone 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max.

Battery life

Battery testing is carried out in quite a lot of methods. We assess how lengthy the iPhone lasts throughout a typical day of use, and notice the way it performs throughout extra centered periods of video calls, media streaming and gaming. We additionally conduct a video playback take a look at and a 45-minute drain take a look at beginning with a full battery, which is not all the time included within the preliminary evaluate and added later in an replace.

Efficiency measuring

We use benchmarking apps to measure the efficiency, alongside our personal anecdotal experiences utilizing the telephone for our evaluate. Of explicit notice are how graphics and animations look. Are they easy? Or do they lag or stutter? We additionally have a look at how shortly the telephone switches between horizontal and vertical orientations and how briskly the digicam app opens and is able to take a photograph.

We carry out processor-heavy duties like modifying photographs and movies, exporting movies and enjoying video games. We consider whether or not a more moderen model of the iPhone contains sufficient options to make it value upgrading from older fashions. A few of these exams are added later in updates after the preliminary evaluate is printed. 

Learn extra: How CNET Tests Phones