The best iPhone for every type of person and budget

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The Insider Pick:

• The iPhone X is the ultimate high-end smartphone, but the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are great alternatives to save a few hundred dollars.

• The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are still great options, especially now that they're discounted at most carriers and stores.

• The iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, and iPhone SE are now two years old, so we recommend you buy the iPhone 7 or 7 Plus instead. However, they're still perfectly adequate if you want to save money.

• Do not buy the iPhone 6 or any older model or you'll be wasting your money. A smartphone is an investment, so it's worth spending extra or buying an affordable Android phone instead.

Apple's iPhone lineup has grown to include three new phones: the iPhone X, the iPhone 8, and the iPhone 8 Plus. There are so many options now it can seem overwhelming when it comes time to choose the right iPhone for you. We break it down so you know exactly which iPhone to buy for your needs and budget. We also tell you which ones to avoid at all costs so you don't end up paying hundreds of dollars for a three-year-old iPhone that is already obsolete.

Why should you listen to me? I've personally reviewed every iPhone since the iPhone 6 in a professional capacity as a tech writer and editor. Before that, I owned an iPhone 3GS and an iPhone 5, so I have run the gamut, so to speak.

Here are some key things to know before you decide which iPhone to buy:

• Processor and RAM: The processor and RAM are the two most important parts of any phone. They determine how smoothly it runs and works through intense tasks like gaming or multitasking. The newer your iPhone, the better the processing power and RAM. That's why we recommend you buy the most recent iPhone models and we don't recommend any iPhones from three years ago.
• Storage space: Storage is also incredibly important because the amount of storage you have determines how many photos, songs, videos, and apps you can have downloaded on your phone. Never buy a 16GB iPhone — you will run out of space and regret it. 32GB is okay for most people, but if you take a lot of photos, have tons of songs or videos downloaded, or you're an app junkie, you will want 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of storage. Unfortunately, adding storage costs money.
• Screen size: iPhones come in several screen sizes now: 4 inches (iPhone SE), 4.7 inches (iPhone 6, 6S, 7, 8), 5.5 inches (iPhone 6 Plus, 6S Plus, 7 Plus, 8 Plus), and 5.8 inches (iPhone X). Phones with small screen sizes have smaller physical bodies, which are easier to hold. The iPhone Plus line is the largest phone to hold even though the screen size is smaller than it is on the iPhone X. The iPhone X is physically a tad bigger than the iPhone 6, 6S, 7, or 8, so it's very comfortable to hold. The iPhone SE is the smallest iPhone you can buy now.
• Battery life: Most iPhones don't have great battery life. The smaller the iPhone, the worse the battery life. The Plus has the best battery life of any iPhone, but the iPhone X may also do well — It needs testing first, but Apple claims it's longer than the iPhone 7's battery life.
• Ports (or lack thereof): All iPhones have a lighting port for charging, but the iPhone 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, and iPhone X all lack the 3.5mm headphone jack. That means you can't plug your headphones in unless you use the adapter or the earbuds that come with your new iPhone. We recommend you get a nice pair of wireless headphones and live happily ever after.
• Software: Apple provides updates to its iPhones for about four years after their release, so theoretically, you can have your iPhone safe and up to date for four years before you should buy a new one. Always update your software to get important security patches and new features. You may experience slowdown on older devices, but iPhones typically hold up well.
• Price: Consider your purchase an investment. Your smartphone is more than a communication device — It is your camera, your computer, your photo album, your record player, and your gaming console, too. A good smartphone can last you for years, but a cheap one with poor specs will be outdated more quickly, and you'll end up spending more in the long run. That $1,000 price tag on the iPhone X looks less scary when you consider that it could last you for four years. 
• How to buy: You can get an iPhone from your carrier by paying full price or paying in monthly installments. You can also buy one at stores like Target or directly from Apple. We recommend you buy it from Apple unlocked so you can switch carriers any time you choose. The Apple iPhone Upgrade Program lets you get a new iPhone every year so long as you've made 12 monthly payments on your current phone. It's basically like renting your smartphone so you can upgrade all the time.

With all that in mind, read on to see which of Apple's iPhones is best for your needs. In this guide, we have more buying advice to tell you which iPhone to get if you're upgrading from an older model. We also give you a few Android alternatives to consider.

Buying advice for current iPhone owners

Justin Sullivan/Getty

Here's who should (and shouldn't) upgrade, and which iPhone we recommend for you:

• If you have an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: You don't need to upgrade at all. If you're a tech geek with no self-control, buy the iPhone X.
• If you have an iPhone 6S or 6S Plus: You don't really need to upgrade yet, either, but if you want to, get the iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, or the iPhone 8.
• If you have an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus: You deserve an upgrade. These phones are starting to stutter a bit and won't last much longer. You may as well grab an iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, or the iPhone 8. 
• If you have an iPhone 5S: You don't just deserve an upgrade, you deserve a medal. You made your phone last four years. If you're going to do that again, treat yourself and get the iPhone X. It'll be like blasting off to a new planet.

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How should you buy your new iPhone?

• Tech geek? Join the Apple iPhone Upgrade Program. You'll basically rent your phone with monthly payments, and you can upgrade to a new one after 12 payments. If you do that, you end up paying half price for the phone and you get a new one every year without hemming and hawing over the cost.
• Tech-savvy traveler? Buy your iPhone unlocked so you can pop in local SIM cards when you travel abroad. To do this, buy from Apple, preferably through the iPhone Upgrade Program. Alternatively, you can buy from T-Mobile or Sprint because they have free international service in 100+ countries.
• Budget hunter? Check out all the carrier promotions and maybe wait a few months to buy your new iPhone. You can get a year-old model (the iPhone 7 or 7 Plus) for a good price now, or wait for the inevitable iPhone 8 and 8 Plus promotions around the holidays. You could also jump ahead to our Android alternatives section in this buying guide.

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The best iPhone for tech geeks

Apple

Why you'll love it: The iPhone X is cutting-edge with its giant OLED screen, super fast processor, facial recognition, and killer cameras.

Make no mistake — This is the iPhone to buy. If you have the money, you're already in the iPhone upgrade program, or you can snag a good deal from your carrier, you'll want the iPhone X. It may cost $1,000, but this is the most high-tech iPhone to date. Of course, we're not all tech geeks, so although this is the iPhone lover's dream phone, it may not be the best phone for the average person.

That said, it's the iPhone we recommend above all others. It is a giant leap forward in terms of technology. The stunning OLED screen measures 5.8-inches and it takes up the entire front of the phone. The result is a sexy phone that's all screen and fits comfortably in your hand. Unlike the iPhone 8 Plus, it's a manageable size to hold, because it's only a bit larger than the iPhone 7. Both the back and front of the phone are covered in glass, so be sure to pop a case on for protection and grip.

As usual, the cameras are impressive. You can use the DSLR-like Portrait mode with both the front and back cameras. The dual cameras on the back of the phone support zoom and wide-angle shots, too. One of the coolest tricks Apple pulled off with the iPhone X is facial recognition for Face ID, the phone's new method for secure unlocking and payments. Your phone will recognize your face and it can't be fooled by masks, makeup, hats, glasses, or other changes.

The A11 Bionic processor is lightning fast and benchmark results show that it is nearly as powerful as a laptop computer. Apple also started storage off at 64GB, which is excellent. Tech geeks will want to go up to 256GB, but most of us will be happy with 64GB. It's also got wireless charging and water resistance. 

Pros: Gorgeous design, huge OLED screen, no bezels, wireless charging, portrait mode on both front and back cameras, fast processor, facial recognition to unlock

Cons: Expensive, unproven Face ID unlocking tech, glass is fragile

Pre-order the iPhone X on October 27 — in stores November 3 

It will be $49.91/month on the iPhone Upgrade Program or $999 full price

The best iPhone for people who want a great camera for less

Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

Why you'll love it: The iPhone 8 Plus is the best iPhone for most people because it's less expensive but nearly as powerful as the iPhone X.

If you can't justify the $1,000 price tag of the X, but you still want the dual cameras, the fast processor, and a big screen, the iPhone 8 Plus is the phone you need. It may not have facial recognition or the fancy portrait mode camera on the front, but it is still an excellent device.

It looks pretty much like the iPhone 7 Plus, so it's a large phone with a big 5.5-inch screen. The only real design change is that the iPhone 8 Plus has a glass back to allow for wireless charging. You'll want to put a case on it to prevent damage and add extra grip – especially since it's a large phone physically. The Touch ID fingerprint sensor is still on the front of the phone and continues to act as a home button.

The dual cameras on the back offer zoom, wide angle, and Portrait mode, so it will take excellent photos that are slightly better than the ones you'd get from the iPhone 7 Plus.

The A11 Bionic processor is lightning fast and benchmark results show that it is nearly as powerful as a laptop computer. Apple also started storage off at 64GB, which is excellent. Tech geeks will want to go up to 128GB or 256GB, but most of us will be happy with 64GB. It's also got wireless charging and water resistance. 

The iPhone 8 Plus is a great phone that will make most people happy. It's a good way to save a few hundred dollars if you're not a tech geek who needs the bleeding-edge iPhone X tech.

Pros: Fast processor, wireless charging, dual cameras, big screen, fingerprint sensor

Cons: Large size is hard to hold, glass is fragile, not as high-tech as the X

On T-Mobile for $79.99 down and $30.00/month ($799.99 full price — Get up to $300 off with trade-in)

On Verizon for $33.33/month ($799.99 full price — Get up to $300 off with trade-in and Unlimited Plan)

On Sprint for $4.17/month after bill credits on leasing program ($799.99 full price)

On AT&T for $26.67/month on 30-month plan ($799.99 full price)

From Target unlocked $799.99 full price

From Apple unlocked $39.50/month on Upgrade Program or $799.00 full price

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