Best iPhone 2020: which Apple phone is the best?

We list the best iPhones that you can buy right now.

The Apple iPhone has gone from strength to strength in its 13 year existence. In 2019 we got the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Max, all of which Apple sells next to the older iPhone XR and iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. Until the iPhone 12 in September, which is the best iPhone you can buy?

With other retailers selling models older than what Apple stocks, buying an iPhone can be a confusing experience despite their extreme popularity. Additionally, for the first time in a while, the best iPhone in our opinion is not the most expensive.

We love iPhones for their excellent design and build, quality cameras and unrivalled four to five years of software support from Apple. The latest iPhone 11 range has also significantly improved battery life, one of the things holding older iPhones back from greatness.

We reckon there are 12 iPhone models you could buy right now, so we’ve ranked them best to worst according to the needs of most people - but your choice will depend on your needs and budgets.

We've taken the time to use each iPhone extensively in order to compare all the features and functions that new and older iPhones provide. We've snapped with their cameras, played many games, and weighed the value you get for the price.

Here's our list of the best iPhones on the market right now.

Best phone | Best Android phone | Best budget phone
These are the best iPhone deals you can find right now
What does the future hold? Here's what we know so far about the iPhone 12

Best iPhone: which one should you buy today?

1. iPhone 11

The best Apple iPhone bang for your buck

The iPhone 11 isn't the highest-spec Apple phone, but it supersedes the iPhone XR 'budget flagship' in better ways to become the standout phone of its generation in terms of sheer value.

True, it misses out on a telephoto lens, but like we found with the Samsung Galaxy S10e, a coupling of main and ultrawide lenses serve most photo needs. While it doesn't get an OLED display, its LCD screen at least allows the phone to keep its best-in-generation battery life crown. And it even gets a bit more RAM - up to 4GB from its predecessor's 3GB.

Add in iOS 13 and all the new tweaks coming in the iPhone 11 series and this phone is a lean, mean, photo-taking machine - and all for $699, the cheapest an iPhone has debuted since the iPhone 8.

2. iPhone 11 Pro

Nearly the best, but a bit too pricey

he iPhone 11 Pro is a more advanced smartphone than the base iPhone 11, but it isn't the best iPhone just because its price is a big step up too.

Sure, the smaller screen is one-hand-friendly, the screen quality is a bonus, and it's Apple's most affordable handset with three rear cameras, so it's a decent phone all in all – that's why it's at our second spot on the list of our best iPhones!

But money is a concern for most people when they're looking for a new smartphone, and the big price step up may be questionable for most people when you put the stats side-by-side with the iPhone 11.

3. iPhone 11 Pro Max

Big phone, best phone, top price

The iPhone 11 Pro Max is not only a confusing shift in naming convention - it's the biggest, fastest, baddest iPhone out there. It's also the most expensive at $1,099 starting price, which only goes up if you expand storage.

Not much has changed from the iPhone XS Max, aside from the upgraded camera suite - but then again, adding an ultrawide lens is a big upgrade. The photo software has been upgraded, too, and switching between zoom levels is far smoother here than in other phones.

The battery level has been improved a staggering 4 hours over the iPhone XS Max, according to Apple. And if you can get beyond the truly weird-looking triple-lens rear camera block, this is truly the most powerful iPhone out there.

DPR

Best iPhone 2020: which Apple phone is the best?