Best iPhones in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update September 14, 2024
There are a lot of different smartphones on the market now. But the leading line surely belongs to those produced by Apple. iPhone is a recognized brand all over the world which underlines an emphasis on the status and impresses with exceptional performance. Read our reviews here to see which model is the best one for you. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Display
Processor
RAM
Storage Capacity
Camera
Battery
Connections
Protection
Sensors
Warranty
 
PROS

The stunning dual 12 MP rear camera + 12 MP operates according to advanced algorithms, opening up completely new creative perspectives for you. Moreover, the camera can change the blur level of the background after the shot has been taken. This is the first iPhone with support for two SIM cards.

CONS

May be too large for some people to comfortably hold.

OUR VERDICT

The iPhone XS Max is Apple's flagship with the largest display in the history of the iPhone, with an even faster Face ID and the most powerful, smartest processor and innovation all packed in. Of course, this model is for the most demanding users who want to emphasize their status.

detailed parameters
Display

6.5" all-screen OLED Multi‑Touch display with HDR (2688 x 1242)

Processor

A12 Bionic chip 

Next-generation Neural Engine

RAM

4 GB

Storage Capacity

64/256/512 GB

Camera

Dual 12 MP wide-angle and telephoto rear cameras

7MP TrueDepth front camera

Battery

3174 mAh

Connections

802.11ac Wi‑Fi with 2x2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC with reader mode, Lightning connector, Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM), Wireless charging

Protection

IP68 water and dust resistant (maximum depth of 2 metres up to 30 minutes)

Sensors

Face ID, Barometer, Three‑axis gyro, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The smartphone features the “Portrait” mode with the effect of depth of field, in which the details become even clearer, and the background blur is more natural even in low light conditions. Animoji lets you create your own new images, thanks to the front camera, which analyzes facial expressions of more than 50 facial muscles.

CONS

Glass is prone to scratching, a case is highly recommended.

OUR VERDICT

This is the tenth anniversary version of the iPhone, which will definitely go down in history. This is the first smartphone with a bezel-less display with rounded corners - a unique feature that followers will definitely emulate. This is the smartphone of the future, which for a long time will not lose its relevance.

detailed parameters
Display

5.8" all-screen OLED Multi‑Touch display with HDR (2436 x 1125)

Processor

A11 Bionic chip with Neural Engine

RAM

3 GB

Storage Capacity

64/256 GB

Camera

Dual 12 MP wide-angle and telephoto rear cameras

7 MP TrueDepth front camera

Battery

2716 mAh

Connections

802.11ac Wi‑Fi with MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC with reader mode, Lightning connector, Wireless charging

Protection

IP67 water and dust resistant (maximum depth of 1 metre up to 30 minutes)

Sensors

Face ID, Barometer, Three‑axis gyro, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor

Warranty

1 year

PROS

Lens protection with a sapphire crystal and oleophobic coating on the Touch ID, resistant to the appearance of fingerprints, makes this smartphone even more reliable. The improved processor significantly increases the smoothness and realism of games with support for augmented reality.

CONS

Battery life could be better with active use.

OUR VERDICT

The Apple iPhone 8 is a continuation of the previous model's design. This model has received a new glass case, an updated filling, a camera and the possibility of wireless recharging. The optimal choice for anyone who wants to get a smartphone with impeccable performance without overpaying.

detailed parameters
Display

4.7" LCD Multi-Touch display with IPS technology (1334 x 750)

Processor

A11 Bionic chip with Neural Engine

RAM

3 GB

Storage Capacity

64/256 GB

Camera

12 MP rear camera

7 MP front camera

Battery

1821 mAh

Connections

802.11ac Wi‑Fi with MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC with reader mode, Lightning connector, Wireless charging

Protection

IP67 water and dust resistant (maximum depth of 1 metre up to 30 minutes)

Sensors

Touch ID fingerprint sensor, Barometer, Three‑axis gyro, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The Home button is endowed with an amazing speed of reaction and sensitivity when pressed. Its updated Taptic Engine provides precise response that can even be customized to the user's preferences. Engineered to fit quite comfortably in most people's hands.

CONS

Camera's zoom function is relatively low.

OUR VERDICT

The iPhone 7 takes into account all the most important technological aspects that make this model quite powerful, high-quality and trouble-free. This is the first iPhone that is resistant to water, and which includes a camera with image stabilization. The lack of a 3.5 mm headphone connector isn't a problem here. A practical choice for everyone.

detailed parameters
Display

4.7" Retina HD display (1334 x 750)

Processor

A10 Fusion chip

RAM

2 GB

Storage Capacity

128 GB

Camera

12 MP rear camera

7 MP front camera

Battery

1960 mAh

Connections

802.11ac Wi‑Fi with MIMO, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC with reader mode, Lightning connector

Protection

IP67 water and dust resistant (maximum depth of 1 metre up to 30 minutes)

Sensors

Touch ID fingerprint sensor, Barometer, Three‑axis gyro, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor

Warranty

1 year

PROS

A 3D Touch touch layer is embedded in the display of the model. It perceives the force of touch. Now, depending on the force of pressing, additional functions and new gestures will become available to you, which makes working with the gadget even more intuitive.

CONS

There is no moisture or dust protection.

OUR VERDICT

The Apple iPhone 6S is an updated version of the iPhone 6 in a sturdy aluminum case. The built-in processor demonstrates excellent performance, both with ordinary smartphone use and in games. This model, although not new, will fully justify its price and your expectations.

detailed parameters
Display

4.7" Retina HD display (1334 x 750)

Processor

A9 chip

RAM

2 GB

Storage Capacity

32/128 GB

Camera

12 MP rear camera

5 MP front camera

Battery

1715 mAh

Connections

802.11ac Wi‑Fi with MIMO, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC with reader mode, Lightning connector, 3.5 mm headphone jack

Protection

N/A

Sensors

Touch ID fingerprint sensor, Barometer, Three‑axis gyro, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor

Warranty

1 year

X

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Apple iPhone XS Max

Flagship iPhone

When Apple first launched the iPhone more than a decade ago, it was a truly revolutionary device. No other smartphone that existed before it had the same mix of form, functionality, and ease of use. With each new iPhone release, Apple has continued to raise the bar on how a smartphone should be, and this continues on with their latest flagship model, the iPhone XR.

This latest iPhone is Apple's largest phone yet, featuring a Retina Display OLED screen measuring 6.5 inches. Despite this large screen size, the iPhone XR maintains a smaller than usual footprint, as it features virtually no bezel, and maintains the iPhone's reputation as one of the slimmest smartphones on the market. Despite its thinness, though, the camera does jut out a bit from the rest of the body, meaning that this phone won't lie flat on a surface when placed on its back. Regardless, the overall small form factor makes it quite easy to fit into a pocket or small pouch, despite its large size. The touchscreen maintains the high quality that all previous iPhone models have had, featuring multi-touch gestures that really help with navigation and app control. Having to worry about missed touches or unresponsive controls simply won't be a problem.

Review of Apple iPhone XS Max (64GB) - Space Grey

Blazing Fast Experience

Apple has maintained a distinct performance advantage over other smartphones, due to its combination of a highly optimized OS along with state of the art processors, and the iPhone XR is no exception. This model is powered by Apple's new six core A12 Bionic processor with the next generation Neural Engine. Although Apple typically doesn't like releasing the exact specs of the internals of their iPhones, you can rest assured that this processor easily matches up with anything found in the Android world. Along with that, the Neural Engine helps make Apple's Face ID technology work instantaneously, providing an extremely secure method of facial recognition that is extremely difficult to beat.

Plenty of other features and extra functionality is included with this top of the line model, as is the norm. This model features an improved IP68 dust and water resistant casing, rating the phone to continue to survive in water 2 meters deep for up to 30 minutes. Although using the phone this way is never recommended, you can be assured that an accidental drop in the pool won't instantly kill your iPhone. Along with the 12 MP dual lense rear camera and 7 MP True Depth front camera, your photos and videos will come out looking like professional quality images. With these and many other design and performance improvements, this is simply the best iPhone model ever released.

Apple iPhone XS Max (64GB) - Space Grey in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £358.81
Stock In stock
ASIN B07HKLVHJ8

 

Apple Iphone X

A Big Change

Apple commemorated the 10th anniversary of the iPhone by releasing the iPhone X, which is in many ways a big change from where the iPhone traditionally had been. Featuring a new screen with a non-standard aspect ratio thanks to the "notch" for the speaker and front camera, this model of the iPhone looked quite different than any of the previous models that had come before it. Of course, the changes that Apple made were far more than cosmetic.

The iPhone X isn't Apple's most recent model, as they have since released others, but even more than a year after its initial release, it represents a new direction for the iPhone line. As stated before, the 5.8-inch OLED Super Retina screen doesn't have a standard aspect ratio, as the top part of it contains a notch. Despite this strange arrangement, however, Apple was certain to make the most out of the screen real estate, making iOS use the top edges for information like the clock and notification icons. This, in turn, leaves the rest of the screen to display the information that really matters, giving users full use of the screen while still not missing out on any information. The area that cuts into the screen is used for the phone speaker, as well as the front camera along with some other sensors that aid the new technologies included in this model.

Review of Apple Iphone X (64GB) GSM Unlocked

New Technologies

As stated before, the changes made in this iPhone model are far beyond cosmetic. The iPhone X was the first model to include Apple's new Face ID technology, which allows the phone to use facial recognition for security purposes. The Face ID sensors are located in the notch of the screen, and work by projecting thousands of infrared dots onto a user's face, and then processing the 3D information that they gather in order to confirm that the user's face is the one recognized by the system. This provides a measure of added security that is far more difficult to defeat than the Touch ID security used on older models.

Along with the Face ID technology, the internals of the iPhone X include the Apple A11 Bionic processor along with the Neural Engine, which provide blazing fast speeds not just for running the phone's standard apps, but also for the Face ID technology, which requires a lot of processing power in order to work quickly. Of course, it does include the added benefit of providing blazing fast speeds for the rest of the iPhone X's operation, running iOS and all of your apps much faster than before. Along with the improved front and rear cameras, the IP67 dust and water resistant casing, and the wireless charging technology, the iPhone X remains one of the most advanced smartphones on the market.

Apple Iphone X (64GB) GSM Unlocked in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B076GV5GXF

 

Apple iPhone 8

Classic iPhone Design

When Apple introduced the iPhone X in 2017, it represented a large change in direction of the iPhone line. With many of the new technologies included as well as the different design of the display, it was quite different than many of the previous iPhone models that had come before. For those who wanted something new, including the large screen and the latest and greatest technologies, this was fine, but not all users need or want that. Many are much more comfortable with the classic iPhone design.

Apple introduced the iPhone 8 along with the iPhone X to cater to those who wanted something closer to the standard iPhone design while still being a powerful enough upgrade. The iPhone 8 includes Apple's new A11 Bionic processor, giving users a new, powerful phone that is more in line with the older models in its overall design. The new processor also includes the Neural Engine, providing an extra speed boost, especially for security. The Retina HD screen of this model is much smaller than that of the iPhone X, measuring only 4.7 inches in size, but with this smaller screen comes a phone with a smaller footprint, which is perfect for those with smaller hands who find screens larger than 5 inches too uncomfortable to use.

Review of Apple iPhone 8 64 GB Unlocked, Space Grey

True Tone

Apple didn't leave new technology out of the iPhone 8 just because they released a higher end model. One of the best new technologies included is the True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts the brightness and tone of the screen to give it the best readability possible in the surrounding ambient lighting. This lets the user focus on the content of the screen rather than having to manually adjust the brightness, and even allows for the screen to automatically become readable in extreme circumstances, such as being used in bright sunlight.

Along with the True Tone technology, plenty of other improvements are included in this model of the iPhone. Included is the IP67 dust and water resistant casing, which protects the internals of the phone from extreme conditions, as well as a 12 MP rear camera and 7 MP FaceTime HD front camera, giving you extra clarity and sharpness with photos and videos that you take with the iPhone. The phone's security is handled by Apple's Touch ID technology, which lets you unlock the phone with your fingerprint. With these and many other improvements, the iPhone 8 still remains a great model for those who prefer the smaller screen size while still wanting a fast and responsive smartphone.

Apple iPhone 8 64 GB Unlocked, Space Grey in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £152.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B0797QCXS6

 

Apple iPhone 7 (128 GB)

An All-time Classic

One of the best aspects of Apple's iPhone line is that the iPhone typically stays relevant and useful for most people longer than most Android phones. Whenever a new version of iOS is released, Apple is sure to retain compatibility with older iPhone models. Although it may lack some of the latest features that are included for the upgraded technology in newer iPhone models, those with an older iPhone can expect to receive OS updates to keep their phone running the latest and greatest software, along with new security and performance improvements.

The iPhone 7 is a few years old now, but it still remains a great phone for those who prefer the classic iPhone design and don't need cutting edge technology included. This model includes the 4.7 inch Retina HD display, giving a sharp, vibrant display that still holds up well to much newer phones. The case of this iphone includes the IP67 dust and water resistance, as it was the first iPhone model to include this, ensuring that the iPhone stays protected whenever near water or extreme dust. The case is also quite easy to hold, maintaining a compact design that fits well in anyone's hand, and even allowing for easy one-handed operation of the device.

Review of Apple iPhone 7 (128 GB) Black

Fast and Responsive

One of the more controversial design decisions that Apple has made with the iPhone line is the removal of the standard 3.5mm headphone jack. The iPhone 7 was the first model to do away with it, and it has proven to be a good choice for those who don't want to deal with pesky wires while using Bluetooth headphones. This model also includes the Lightning connector, which allows you to use Apple's Earpods with this device, which produce a high quality of sound that is simply not possible with most standard headphones or earphones. Those who love high quality audio will love this feature.

Despite the removal of the headphone jack, this iPhone model retains many of the classic design aspects of the iPhone series. The phone includes a very fast and responsive home button which can be used for a variety of purposes. Also included is Apple's Touch ID technology for fingerprint identification, allowing lightning fast unlocking of the phone with just the press of your fingertip. Despite its older age, this phone includes iOS 12, which is Apple's latest version of iOS, giving you the benefit of OS updates that most other smartphones released at the same time are no longer getting. This helps make the iPhone 7 a fantastic product despite its age.

Apple iPhone 7 (128 GB) Black in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01LWBF4KD

 

Apple iPhone 6s (32GB)

Oldie but Goodie

Apple's release of the iPhone 7 represented a challenge and some controversy by the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack. While the option for using wireless headphones includes some great benefits for users, many are more comfortable with having a standard headphone jack. There are a large number of people who have spent a good amount of money on having high-quality earphones or headphones, and many of these people don't wish to spend more on upgrading to wireless models, many of which tend to be a bit more expensive.

For those who want to use an iPhone but don't want to buy new headphones, the iPhone 6S remains the latest model of iPhone to include the standard headphone jack. This model may be a bit old now, but it still holds up well today, and it makes a great budget iPhone. This model features the 4.7-inch Retina HD display, which gives users a great looking screen with crystal clear visuals, along with a sturdy, compact design with the perfect footprint for easily fitting in the palm of almost anyone's hand. Although it doesn't have the large screen size of later model iPhones, the screen is still large enough for many people, some of which highly prefer having a phone with a smaller footprint.

Review of Apple iPhone 6s (32GB) Space Grey

Solid Functionality

Although this is an older model iPhone, it still holds up surprisingly well today. The iPhone 6S comes with Apple's iOS 12, meaning that you are able to run the latest version of the OS and apps. The phone has the Touch ID functionality also, giving you the ability to unlock your phone with your fingerprint, which adds security while also making it quick and easy to unlock. Also included is Apple's 3D Touch technology, which uses the Taptic Engine to register different functions based on how hard or softly you touch the screen. This allows for greater flexibility with the use of apps, and allows some functions that before required multiple fingers to be implemented by the touch of just one finger.

This model includes high-quality cameras, with a 12 MP rear camera capable of shooting 4K video, along with a 5 MP front camera, which gives you exceptional quality video with FaceTime. The powerful A9 processor powers this phone, providing plenty of power for any apps that you run, including great performance with games. Although this iPhone model doesn't include dust or water resistance like the newer iPhone models, it is still a great phone, especially for those who insist on having a standard headphone jack.

Apple iPhone 6s (32GB) Space Grey in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £175.97
Stock In stock
ASIN B015DRKQ3U

 

What Is an Iphone?

The iPhone, released by Apple, is one of the most popular smartphones on the market. The iPhone is unique thanks to its closed source operating system. iOS is a stable and secure system which is optimised for both the user's protection and full performance. Apple's AppStore offers more than 1.5 million applications and always updates the store with new apps that are at least as high quality, if not more so, than their Android counterparts. So, you can choose an app for any purpose - communication, entertainment or work.

On top of all of this, Apple's newest iPhone models are always certain to contain some kind of technological innovation that is copied (often poorly) by its competitors for years to come. With the purchase of an iPhone, you are always guaranteed to get increased functionality in comparison to whichever model you had before. In our review, you'll find detailed comparisons of different iPhone models, which will hopefully let you choose the best iPhone model for your needs.

Technology moves forward at a great speed, presenting new ways to simplify our lives. For example, look at smart watches. These devices make the use of your smartphone a breeze allowing you to take incoming calls, check messages and emails, monitor apps. And for those who love watching high-quality movies and surf the Internet on the go but find their phone screen insufficient, we suggest looking through our review on touch screen laptops.

What Features to Compare

Display

Before anything else, you should choose a model with the display that should suit you best. Those who prefer small screens can opt for models with 3.5-4-inch displays. It will easily fit in your pocket and suit most regular tasks like making calls, sending messages, viewing emails and surfing the web. A larger screen size will let you comfortably watch movies, read books, play games and manage most multimedia. The resolution directly affects the picture clarity and level of detail as well. The more pixels there are per square inch, the better.

Performance

The performance of the phone comes down to both the processor (or CPU) and RAM capacity. The faster the processor is, the quicker the phone will work. For instance, the phone with a dual-core 1-1.8 GHz processor and a minimum 1 GB RAM will let you play games and watch films in HD quality. Hardware and software compatibility also have an impact on performance. Apple uses mostly dual-core processors in iPhones, although their latest processor actually contains six core. However, due to the smooth and stable operation of iOS, they are not much slower than 8-core smartphones, and in fact will often outperform the top processors from other competing phone manufacturers in many cases. In short, don't expect a lack of performance from whichever iPhone model you choose.

Camera

When choosing a modern smartphone, you should consider the camera. Typically, the iPhone has a powerful rear camera and no lesser front camera for video calls. Among the key options are a flash, autofocus, face detection, image stabilization, a timer and a great deal of other useful features, all required for providing high-quality images. An 8 MP camera can shoot videos with Full HD resolution (1920x1080 pixels) and 30 fps per second. 12 MP cameras can be just as great as most expensive SLR Cameras.

Battery Capacity

The running time of your smartphone depends on the battery capacity. iPhones boast longer battery life when compared to most other smartphones, especially when comparing the capacity of the battery. Yet, there are some things that decrease the battery life: making calls, Internet surfing and watching films. If you choose a model with a battery capacity of 1715 mAh, you will be able to talk for up to 14 hours using 3G networks, surf the Internet for up to 10 hours, or watch videos in HD resolution for up to 11 hours. When you know the difference and know what you need your phone for, it's easy to pick the best model for yourself.

Did you know?

Recommended Free iPhone Apps

Every model of iPhone that Apple has ever released has included a large range of apps that handle a multitude of functions. However, almost every iPhone user finds that they need or want some apps that aren't included on the iPhone. Fortunately, the App Store has an absolutely enormous selection of apps, which gives people plenty of choice. However, sorting through the millions of apps available isn't the easiest thing, so it's always a good idea to learn some great apps to use. Included here are a few of our recommendations of some great free iPhone apps that should help you get the most out of your new iPhone.

Google Maps

Apple includes their own map software on the iPhone. Although it is much improved over earlier versions, it is still lacking in some areas when compared to Google Maps. Anyone who needs the best map app available should download this one immediately. If you prefer Apple Maps app, that's fine, but Google Maps is still the king, and will probably remain so for some time.

Viber

One of the most heralded uses of an iPhone is Apple's FaceTime software, which lets users easily talk to people who own iPhones or other Apple devices. However, this does leave out a large portion of the population, as not everyone uses an iPhone. For those that don't, Viber is a great messaging service that works similar to FaceTime. Viber works on just about any device, whether it be an iPhone, Android phone, or even a desktop computer running Windows or Linux, so it is a great replacement for FaceTime whenever you want to video chat with someone who doesn't have an iPhone.

Spotify

Apple provides a great service with their iTunes Music Store, but sometimes people prefer to just use a streaming music service. For these people, Spotify is currently the best one out there, and their iOS app provides iPhone users with a great way to stream music from wherever you are. Spotify has millions of songs available, so chances are that no one will feel left out by its music selection, regardless of their tastes. What's more, you can run Spotify on virtually any kind of device, so those who have an existing Spotify account on another platform can just as easily use that same account on their iPhone.

Fitbit

One of the best features of the iPhone is how it can integrate with other fitness devices and help track a person's fitness progress, and Fitbit remains the best app for this purpose. There are a multitude of things that this app can track in conjunction with a Fitbit device, including your physical activities such as exercise and running or walking, and even your diet. Those who are into improving their physical fitness or even just their overall health will find this app to be of immense help.

Google Chrome

The Safari web browser that is included on all Apple devices is a great browser, especially for iPhone, but when it comes to syncing with Google, nothing beats Google's Chrome web browser for iOS. The Chrome browser lets you login with your Google ID, and will automatically sync your bookmarks and other data, giving you a great way to use Google's ecosystem with your iPhone.

Sources:

1. Lewis Painter How to Transfer Contacts from iPhone to iPhone, Macworld. October 17, 2016.

2. iPhone, Wikipedia. December 4, 2016.

3. Sam Costello How to Pick the Best iPhone, Lifewire. November 07, 2016.

4. Rene Ritchie iPhone Byers Guide, iMore. March 23, 2016.

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Publish Date: 2019-01-25 09:14:05