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

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

Pictures

Pictures is a significant focus for the iPhone, so we take photos and movies of varied topics in a wide range of settings and lighting situations. We check out any new digital camera modes, equivalent to 4K 120fps slow-mo video that debuted with the iPhone 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max.

Battery life

Battery testing is performed in a wide range of methods. We assess how lengthy the iPhone lasts throughout a typical day of use, and observe the way it performs throughout extra centered classes of video calls, media streaming and gaming. We additionally conduct a video playback check and a 45-minute drain check beginning with a full battery, which is not at all times included within the preliminary assessment 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 assessment. Of specific observe are how graphics and animations look. Are they clean? Or do they lag or stutter? We additionally have a look at how rapidly the telephone switches between horizontal and vertical orientations and how briskly the digital camera app opens and is able to take a photograph.

We carry out processor-heavy duties like modifying photographs and movies, exporting movies and taking part in 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 assessment is printed. 

Learn extra: How CNET Tests Phones