Are Apple smartphones good?
Apple smartphones have an average overall score of 8, ranking #8 among all smartphone brands, and a user rating of 9.2, placing them at #3 based on user reviews.
Apple smartphones stand out for their performance, long-term software support, and strong build quality. Models like the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro Max use powerful A18 chips, which deliver fast performance and efficient power use. Apple typically supports its devices with iOS updates for many years, so you can keep your phone longer without losing access to the latest features. The cameras on Pro models include advanced zoom, LiDAR, and high-quality video recording, while even more affordable options like the iPhone 16e retain a bright OLED display, the same A18 chip, and AI-powered tools under Apple Intelligence.
The main drawbacks are their high prices and relatively small year-to-year changes. Flagship models can exceed £860, which may not suit every budget, and older iPhones can still feel quite capable, so the need to upgrade may not be urgent. Privacy remains a selling point, but studies show that both iOS and Android face similar challenges with tracking and permissions.
(Note: A total of 37 brands were evaluated in the comparison in the first paragraph. Only those with at least 6 smartphones in our database that were released after 2022 were included.)
The best available Apple smartphones (with the highest overall score) are as follows:
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (12GB + 1TB) Overall score: 8.49
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro (12GB + 512GB) Overall score: 8.36
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB) Overall score: 8.22
The following chart displays smartphone brands based on their overall score.
[horizontal-chart-14855520977915281854131920228859147337322180876303]What are the main advantages of Apple smartphones?
Apple smartphones have the following advantages:
- A18 Pro and A17 Bionic chips: The latest iPhone models use the A17 Pro or A16 Bionic chip, which have up to 6-core CPU and 5- or 6-core GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, so they deliver high gaming performance and fast app response times.
- High-quality displays: iPhones use Super Retina XDR OLED screens with resolutions up to 2796×1290 pixels and peak brightness of 2000 nits outdoors, which results in sharp images and good visibility even under sunlight.
- Long software support: iOS devices receive system updates for about 5 to 6 years, which is longer than most Android smartphones, so users keep access to new features and security patches for many years.
- Advanced camera systems: Flagship models have a 48 MP main sensor with sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 12 MP ultra-wide and telephoto lenses, and advanced computational photography, which result in high-quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
- Strong privacy and security: iPhones use hardware-based encryption, Secure Enclave, and on-device processing for features like Face ID and Siri, which reduce the risk of data leaks.
- High resale value: Used iPhones often keep over 50% of their original price after 2 years, which is higher than most competing smartphones, so the total ownership cost is lower over time.
What are the main disadvantages of Apple smartphones?
The main disadvantages of Apple smartphones are as follows:
- High purchase cost: New iPhone models start around £800 and can exceed £1,400, which is higher than many Android flagships with similar specifications.
- Limited customization: iOS restricts home screen layouts, default apps, and file management, which reduces flexibility for advanced users.
- No expandable storage: All models use fixed internal memory from 128 GB up to 1 TB, so users cannot add storage with microSD cards.
- No charger in the box: Since 2020, Apple sells iPhones without a power adapter, so users must buy one separately if they do not already own a compatible charger.
- Slower charging compared to rivals: Wired charging is limited to about 27 W and wireless MagSafe charging to 15 W, which is slower than many Android devices that support 45 W or more.
