Best iPhone deals April 2024 UK; Get iPhone 15 for £41 per month
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue.
IF you’re looking to upgrade your iPhone or you're new to the brand, there are loads of great deals available this month.
The best iPhone deals are currently being offered by a selection of providers, including Three, Sky, O2 and Vodafone, so you're sure to find something you like.
So if you're after more data for streaming or gaming, want increased storage or simply want to ring the changes with a newer model then we can help.
Read on for our pick of the best iPhone deals available in the UK right now.
The Best iPhone deals this month
* Prices are accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change. To ensure you're getting the best deal on a new iPhone, make sure you shop around.
- iPhone 14, £29.99pm, £19 upfront, 100GB data, Mobiles - buy here
- iPhone 15, £41pm, £0 upfront, 300GB data, Fonehouse - buy here
- iPhone 13, £14.25pm, £25 upfront, 128GB data, Three - buy now
- iPhone 11, £33pm, £20 upfront, 1GB data, O2 - buy here
- iPhone 12, £48.35pm, £20 upfront, 150GB data, O2 - buy here
- iPhone 12, £26pm, £0 upfront, unlimited data, Three - buy here
- iPhone 14, £37pm, £0 upfront, 300GB data, Three - buy now
- iPhone 15, £32pm, £115 upfront, 150GB data, Mobiles - buy now
- iPhone 15 Plus, £22.50pm, £35 upfront, 128GB data, Three - buy here
- iPhone 15 Pro Max, £48pm, £0 upfront with 30GB data, Sky - buy here
Which stores have the best deals on iPhones?
In general, we find that you'll get a better deal away from official network stores, so having a browse through the likes of MobilePhonesDirect or Affordable Mobiles is a great place to start (although it is still worth checking out EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three).
And remember, if you see a great offer on a different network to yours, you can switch over and still keep your old number without too much hassle (read USwitch's handy guide here.)
Check out a few of the stores we found to have some of the best options below to find the best offers.
- Affordable Mobiles
- Amazon
- Carphone Warehouse
- eBay
- E2Save
- Fonehouse
- Metrofone
- Mobilephonesdirect.co.uk
- Mobiles.co.uk
- Vodafone
Most read in Shopping
What is the latest iPhone?
In September 2023, Apple launched new phones, including the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The new phones feature colour-infused back glass, which is an industry first, and a new contoured edge.
The new model includes a lot of the same styles as previous ones but includes a powerful 48MP Main camera for extremely high-definition photos and a new 2x Telephoto option to deliver three optical zoom lenses.
In 2022, Apple unveiled four new iPhones: the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. The iPhone 14 launched in the UK in September 2022, and the Plus model followed in October.
Design-wise, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro have 6.1-inch screens, while the Plus and Pro Max feature a 6.7-inch display. The phones retain much of the style of their predecessor and are available in five different colours, including deep purple and sky blue.
When it comes to photos, the iPhone 14 camera is still 12MP, but Apple says the new larger sensor will improve low-light photos and offer 49 per cent better image capturing. The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max feature a 48 MP camera.
The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus are powered with their predecessor’s A15 chip. However, there has been an improvement to GPU to help boost gaming. The Pro range is powered by A16. All phones come with 5G capabilities.
Apple says that one of the biggest improvements it has made is to the battery. The iPhone 14 battery capability is 3279 mAh, while the Pro Max offers 4323 mAh. This is in comparison with the iPhone 13 battery life, which ranges from 2406 to 4309 mAh.
READ MORE:
How much is the latest iPhone?
The latest smartphone by Apple is the iPhone 15, and you can get it at £799 for the 128GB version, £899 for the 256GB version, and £1,099 for the 512GB version.
The iPhone 14 starts at £699, while the iPhone 14 Plus costs £799 if you pick the 128GB variant.
Finally, the most powerful iPhone on the market is the iPhone 15 Pro Max, with a starting price of £1,199 for the 128GB version and up to £1,599 for the 1TB model.
What's the cheapest iPhone to buy outright in the UK?
The SE (2022) is the cheapest iPhone that Apple makes at the moment. Prices start at £449 for the 64GB variant, with the 128GB model currently selling for £499 and the 256GB iPhone SE costing £609.
Its design is very much like the iPhone 8 and features a Touch ID fingerprint scanner rather than Face ID, but it still comes with the latest A15 Bionic chipset.
While it is the cheapest to buy outright, you can also get some incredible offers on refurbished models, too, with plenty of deals to be found on Amazon.
When is the next iPhone coming out?
We're looking at the autumn for Apple's next iteration of the iPhone - the iPhone 16.
Rumour has it some models will be slightly larger than the iphone 15, and there's bound to be new features and colours to look forward to also.
New models tend to be released by Apple in September so we think that's when you'll be able to get your hands on the iPhone 16.
The most recent iPhone 15 came out in September 2023, in line with the announcements of previous generations.
Shoppers can expect that a new version will launch this year around September, with more information to be announced closer to the release date.
So, unfortunately, there's a while to wait before there are more details on Apple's next flagship device.
When is the best time to buy an iPhone?
Every time Apple releases a new phone, each previous generation of the iPhone generally goes down in price, so if you're looking for a newer device without having to break open the piggy bank, it might be worth looking at a slightly older generation like the iPhone 14 to save a few quid.
Since the release of the iPhone 15, many retailers reduced the iPhone 14 128GBs and iPhone 13 prices to £749 and £649, respectively.
The iPhone 12 256GB price has also been reduced by £20, from £829 to £809.
As long as you don't HAVE to have the latest iPhone, go back a generation or two around the Apple launches, and you can save yourself a bundle.
What is the best iPhone?
1. iPhone 14 Pro Max
Features: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 6GB RAM. Quad main cameras: 48 MP Main, 12 MP wide, 12 MP 2x Telephoto, 12 MP 3x Telephoto, TOF 3D LiDAR scanner. Dual front cameras: 48 MP Main and 12 MP wide. A16 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
- Best durability on an iPhone
- Class-leading camera
- Outstanding speakers
Cons
- The dynamic island is either a love-it-or-hate-it feature
- Heavy and larger than most smartphones
- Slow to charge
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is the latest and most impressive model on the market.
It features an incredible A16 Bionic chip, a 6-core CPU with two performance and 4 efficiency cores, as well as the all-new dynamic island.
The camera system is incredibly standout: there's a 48 MP Main, 12 MP Ultra Wide, and 12 MP telephoto. The front camera is 12 MP and now features autofocus.
When it comes to capturing video, Little beats the Pro Max model as it can record videos in cinematic mode in 4k HDR. There's also the new Action Mode setting that helps capture videos of high-speed action.
Apple no longer produces the iPhone 14 Pro Max, so you'll have to shop around on sites like Amazon to get your hands on one.
iPhone 14 Pro Max, £1,039
2. iPhone 14 Pro
Features: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 6GB RAM. Quad main cameras: 48 MP Main, 12 MP wide, 12 MP 2x Telephoto, 12 MP 3x Telephoto, TOF 3D LiDAR scanner. Dual front cameras: 48 MP Main and 12 MP wide. A16 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
- Impressive 48-megapixel camera
- Gains the always-on feature
- Compact design
Cons
- The camera isn't a huge step up from the 13 series
- 3x optical zoom is low for a pro model
- The camera is large for a smaller device
The iPhone 14 Pro is almost identical to the iPhone 14 Pro Max other than its smaller screen of 6.1 inches.
Both models have a new Super Retina XDR display with Pro Motion that allows the Always-On display feature to be possible for the first time.
The iPhone 14 Pro also features the first-ever 48 MP camera on iPhone. The introduction of the Photonic Engine, which improves low-light photos, is another stellar feature and is included on all the iPhone 14 models.
Security has been a priority for the new phones, and they now all come with emergency SOS via satellite.
Apple no longer produces iPhone 14 Pros, so you'll have to shop around on sites like Amazon to get your hands on one.
iPhone 14 Pro, £999
3. iPhone 14 Plus
Features: 6.7-inch all-screen OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 6GB RAM. Dual-camera system: 12 MP Main, 12 MP Ultra Wide, 2x optical zoom out, 5x digital zoom, Dual front cameras: 12 MP Main and 12 MP wide. A15 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
- Bigger display for less than the Pro Max
- Great battery life
- The camera is on par with Andriod's cameras
Cons
- Only comes with a 60Hz display
- No telephoto lens
- Could benefit from faster charging
Similar to the iPhone Pro Max, the iPhone 14 Plus features a large 6.7-inch screen.
Many of the iPhone 14 Plus features are similar to previous models, but there are a few notable improvements, such as the 5-core GPU and Bluetooth 5.3.
The camera updates also mean that photo quality will be improved slightly, especially in situations with poor lighting.
There's also a new darker blue colour option that doesn't exist for the iPhone 13.
iPhone 14 Plus, £757
4. iPhone 14
Features: 6.1-inch all-screen OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 6GB RAM. Dual-camera system: 12 MP Main, 12 MP Ultra Wide, 2x optical zoom out, 5x digital zoom, Dual front cameras: 12 MP Main and 12 MP wide. A15 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
- Great OLED display and Dolby Vision
- Impressive speakers and output
- The selfie camera now comes with autofocus
Cons
- Not a huge step up from the iPhone 13 series
- Low refresh rate at just 60Hz
- Fast charging could be better
At a step up from the iPhone 13, you'll find the iPhone 14, which costs just over £100 more.
The main difference between the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Plus is the screen size - the iPhone 14 measures 6.1 inches, the same as previous models.
If you're not too fussed over a larger screen but are keen on an upgrade, then the iPhone 14 is the way to go.
The new phone has 5G capabilities and offers fast charging. The battery has also been slightly optimised to last longer.
There is a range of five colours - Blue, Purple, Midnight, Starlight and Red.
iPhone 14, £649 £599
5. iPhone 13 Pro Max
Features: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 6GB RAM. Quad main cameras: 12 MP wide, 12 MP telephoto, 12 MP ultrawide, TOF 3D LiDAR scanner. Dual front cameras: 12 MP wide and SL 3D depth/biometrics sensor. A15 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
- Comes with a 3x optical zoom telephoto lens
- Excellent performance
- Impressive 120Hz ProMotion screen
Cons
- No on-off setting for macro photography
- The large design may be offputting to some
- Only capable of 1080p cinematic mode
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is a real powerhouse.
With the blazing-fast A15 Bionic chip and a smaller notch, the Pro Max is the best iPhone Apple ever made.
The cameras here are particularly remarkable, with a 6x optical zoom range and Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 60fps in 4K.
The LiDAR scanner enables night-mode portraits, faster autofocus in low light and enhanced Augmented Reality (AR) experiences.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is also compatible with MagSafe accessories and wireless chargers.
iPhone 13 Pro Max, £759
6. iPhone 13 Pro
Features: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 6GB RAM. Quad main cameras: 12 MP wide, 12 MP telephoto, 12 MP ultrawide, TOF 3D LiDAR scanner. Dual front cameras: 12 MP wide and SL 3D depth/biometrics sensor. A15 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
- Compact design for a high-end device
- The camera and video are impressive all-round
- Bright OLED display and 120Hz refresh rate
Cons
- Heavy for a compact device
- No major design changes from the 12 series
- Battery life could be better for a Pro handset
A little step down from the top of the iPhone ladder, the iPhone 13 Pro shares a lot of hardware with its bigger brother, including the whole camera compartment.
The main difference here is the 6.1-inch screen, as opposed to the 6.7-inch of the Pro Max.
A smaller phone means a smaller battery, and so the iPhone 13 Pro offers up to 22 hours of video playback on a single charge (the Pro Max should last up to 28 hours).
All in all, the iPhone 13 Pro is still a serious flagship device, and if you don't mind a smaller screen, it's worth saving £100.
iPhone 13 Pro, £679
7. iPhone 13
Features: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 4GB RAM. Dual main cameras: 12 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide. Dual front cameras: 12 MP wide and SL 3D depth/biometrics sensor. A15 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
- Impressive battery life
- Excellent camera for a base model
- Great all-round performance
Cons
- Capped at 60Hz refresh rate
- No upgrade to the selfie camera
- No major design changes
The screen size of the iPhone 13 is the same as the Pro, together with its A15 Bionic chip processor and 5G connectivity capabilities.
The iPhone 13 has two main cameras instead of four, however, and its RAM is 4GB against the 6GB of the Pro and Pro Max.
The optical range of the iPhone 12 is 2x, and the device lacks the LiDAR scanner capabilities included in the higher-spec models.
Other than that, the iPhone 12 is not very different from the Pro, sharing the same ceramic shield front and similar battery life (19 hours on the iPhone 13 as opposed to 22 on the Pro.)
iPhone 13, £499
8. iPhone 13 mini
Features: 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 4GB RAM. Dual main cameras: 12 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide. Dual front cameras: 12 MP wide and SL 3D depth/biometrics sensor. A15 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
- Same performance as the iPhone 13 in a compact design
- Large 128GB base storage
- Bright display
Cons
- Lacks a telephoto zoom lens
- Capped at 60Hz refresh rate
- The notch looks clunky on the smaller handset
With a substantially smaller screen, this 5.4-inch iPhone still comes with all the perks of the iPhone 13 family.
Featuring the same cameras as the iPhone 13, the mini offers wireless fast charging, 5G capabilities, and a wonderful Super Retina XDR OLED display.
The battery is a bit smaller than the iPhone 13, but with the A15 Bionic chip, you won't suffer any lag or find apps slowing down.
Just like its older sibling, the mini comes in Black, White, Pink, Red, and Blue colours.
iPhone 13 mini, £419
9. iPhone 12
Features: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 4GB RAM. Dual main cameras: 12 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide. Dual front cameras: 12 MP wide and SL 3D depth/biometrics sensor. A14 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
- Comes with MagSafe charging
- Solid battery life
- Excellent camera
Cons
- Capped at 64GB base storage
- Only has a 60Hz refresh rate
- No major performance upgrades
Before the Pro and Pro Max versions of iPhones debuted a few years ago, Apple used to consider their now-base models as flagships.
The iPhone 12 is essentially that, minus a few perks reserved for the Pro and Pro Max. The screen size of the iPhone 12 is the same as the Pro, together with its A14 Bionic chip processor and 5G connectivity.
The iPhone 12 has two front cameras instead of four, however, and its RAM is 4GB against the 6GB of the Pro and Pro Max.
The optical range of the iPhone 12 is 2X, and the device does not have LiDAR scanner capabilities included in newer models.
Other than that, the iPhone 12 is not very different from the Pro, sharing the same battery life as well as a ceramic shield front.
iPhone 12, £649
10. iPhone 12 mini
Features: 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 4GB RAM. Dual main cameras: 12 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide. Dual front cameras: 12 MP wide and SL 3D depth/biometrics sensor. A14 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Pros
- Compact design
- 5G connectivity
- Comes with the A14 Bionic chipset
Cons
- Below-average battery life
- No telephoto lens
- Clunky looking design
With a substantially smaller screen, this 5.4-inch iPhone still offers most of the perks of the iPhone 12 family.
Featuring the same cameras as the iPhone 12, the mini features wireless fast charging, 5G capabilities, and a gorgeous Super Retina XDR OLED display.
The battery is a bit smaller than the iPhone 12, but with the A14 Bionic chip, you won't experience any apps slowing down using this iPhone.
iPhone 12 mini, £442.14
11. iPhone SE 2022
Features: 4.7-inch Retina HD display, Water and dust resistant, 12MP Wide camera, next-generation Smart HDR, and 4K video, 7MP front camera, Touch ID, A15 Bionic chip, Wireless charging, 5G
Pros
- Comes with the A15 Bionic chipset
- Is long-wearing with years of software updates
- 5G compatible
Cons
- Capped at 64GB base storage
- Tired looking design
- No night-mode photography
If you're looking for the cheapest iPhone model available at the moment, look no further.
Arguably the best budget iPhone Apple has ever made, the 2022 version of the iPhone SE features solid specs, a good camera and a wide choice of apps on the Apple Store.
Want a cool iPhone without spending a fortune? This is the one for you. Now with a faster processor and 5G capabilities.
iPhone SE (2022), £379
12. iPhone 11
Features: 6.1” Liquid Retina HD display1, Glass and aluminium design, Dual 12MP Ultra Wide and Wide cameras with Night mode, 12MP TrueDepth camera with 4K video recording at up to 60 fps, Face ID, A13 Bionic chip with third-generation Neural Engine, Lasts up to 1 hour longer than iPhone XR, Water resistant to a depth of 2 metres for up to 30 minutes
Pros
- Impressive battery life
- Unique colour options
- Dual camera with an ultra-wide-angle lens
Cons
- No telephoto lens on the base model
- Capped at 64GB base storage
- Not the best display
We reckon the iPhone 11 might be one of Apple's most popular devices for at least another year.
While it still has many of the same features as its Pro and Pro Max variants, the iPhone 11's RRP is £599, a substantial £200 less than the iPhone 12.
A reduction in price does mean a slight reduction in quality: while its 6.1" screen is slightly larger than the iPhone 11 Pro, it's a little smaller than the Pro Max, and it doesn't match the premium models for battery life either,
As well as having a standard LED (as opposed to an OLED) screen, the 11 is only waterproof to two metres rather than four and lacks the telephoto camera that features on the Pro and Pro Max.
However, you still get most of Apple's most recent innovations for a reduced price, including top-quality cameras, processors and a long-lasting battery.
While there are phones out there with more impressive features, such as the cameras on a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, you'll struggle to beat the mix of features and value the 11 offers.
If you're interested in buying this phone, you might want to read our iPhone 11 review.
iPhone 11, £429
Discontinued handsets
With the release of the iPhone 13 range, Apple discontinued several models, also announcing the ones that will remain in production: the basic iPhone 11 and 12 models and the iPhone SE (only the 2022 variant will be sold by Apple starting March 2022).
Discontinued devices, such as the iPhone 12 Pro and Max, can still be widely purchased but will now be limited in stock as Apple is no longer manufacturing them to boost sales of the iPhone 13 family and new iPhone SE.
iPhone 12 Pro Max
Features: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 6GB RAM. Quad main cameras: 12 MP wide, 12 MP telephoto, 12 MP ultrawide, TOF 3D LiDAR scanner. Dual front cameras: 12 MP wide and SL 3D depth/biometrics sensor. A14 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
Apple's latest flagship until the 13 series came along, the iPhone 12 Pro Max, is still an incredibly powerful option.
With the very fast A14 Bionic chip and an overhauled design, the Pro Max is a modern flagship in its own right.
The camera compartment is more than solid, with a 5x optical zoom range and Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 60fps.
Just like in the iPhone 13, the LiDAR scanner enables Night Mode portraits, faster autofocus in low light and enhanced Augmented Reality (AR) experiences.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is also compatible with MagSafe accessories and the majority of wireless chargers on the market.
iPhone 12 Pro Max, £382.75
iPhone 12 Pro
Features: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, IP68 dust/water resistant, 6GB RAM. Quad main cameras: 12 MP wide, 12 MP telephoto, 12 MP ultrawide, TOF 3D LiDAR scanner. Dual front cameras: 12 MP wide and SL 3D depth/biometrics sensor. A14 Bionic chip, Qi fast wireless charging 15W, and 5G Capabilities.
A little step down from the top of last year's iPhone ladder, the iPhone 12 Pro shares a lot of hardware with the Pro Max.
As in this year's lineup, the main difference here is the 6.1-inch screen, as opposed to the 6.7-inch of the Pro Max.
The camera compartment is also quite similar, with the only difference being a 4x optical zoom range in the Pro against the 5x in the Pro Max.
The iPhone 12 Pro's battery is also slightly smaller than the Pro Max, offering up to 17 hours of video playback on a single charge.
iPhone 12 Pro, £484
iPhone 11 Pro Max
Features:6.5” Super Retina XDR display, Textured matt glass and stainless steel design, Triple 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide and Telephoto cameras with Night mode, 12MP TrueDepth camera with 4K video recording at up to 60 fps, Face ID, A13 Bionic chip with third-generation Neural Engine, Longest battery life in an iPhone. Lasts up to 5 hours longer than iPhone XS Max, 4m Water resistant to a depth of 4 metres for up to 30 minutes
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is a noticeable step up from 2018's iPhones.
It's got a whopping 6.5" screen, the best battery life in an iPhone, along with a 12mp triple rear-facing camera with telephoto, wide and ultra-wide sensors.
Alongside all of that, the Pro Max is water-resistant up to a depth of four metres and has an HDR OLED display, which will display your Netflix favourites in all their glory.
You'll have to pay top dollar to get it, but it's a tough handset to match in terms of performance.
- If you're interested in buying this phone, you might want to read our iPhone 11 Pro review.
iPhone 11 Pro
Features: 5.8” Super Retina XDR display, Textured matt glass and stainless steel design, Triple 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide and Telephoto cameras with Night mode, 12MP TrueDepth camera with 4K video recording at up to 60 fps, Face ID, A13 Bionic chip with third-generation Neural Engine, Lasts up to 4 hours longer than iPhone XS, Water resistant to a depth of 4 metres for up to 30 minutes.
The iPhone 11 Pro is a small step down from the Max.
It has most of the same features but with a smaller screen at 5.8" and a smaller battery.
It's still water-resistant to four metres, though, and still boasts a top-quality OLED screen for your movies on the go.
At the time of release, the standard Pro's RRP was £100 less than the Pro Max.
iPhone 11 Pro, £239.95
iPhone XR
Features: 6.1” Liquid Retina HD display, Glass and aluminium design, Single 12MP Wide camera, 7MP TrueDepth camera with 1080p HD video recording up to 60 fps, Face ID, A12 Bionic chip with second-generation Neural Engine, Lasts up to 1.5 hours longer than iPhone 8 Plus, 1m Water resistant to a depth of 1 metre for up to 30 minutes
The iPhone XR was released in 2018 as the 'affordable' option from Apple, and shoppers flocked to buy the gadget in their droves.
With an RRP under £500, the XR still has great features, including Face ID, a great battery and very decent cameras.
The XR was superseded by the 11, but while Apple keeps making the popular device, expect to see some great value offers from various retailers on the XR.
- If you're interested in buying this phone, you might want to read our iPhone XR review.
iPhone XS/Max
Features: 6.5” Super Retina HD display, Glass and stainless steel design, Dual 12MP Wide and Telephoto cameras, 7MP TrueDepth camera with 1080p HD video recording up to 60 fps, Face ID, A12 Bionic chip with second-generation Neural Engine, Lasts up to 1.5 hours longer than iPhone X, 2m Water resistant to a depth of 2 metres for up to 30 minutes
While not quite up to the standard of the iPhone 11 Pro Max, 2018's flagship phone is an impressive piece of kit.
It's got a 6.5" screen, a 7MP HD camera that will shoot 4K video and a range of camera effects, such as Bokeh for those all-important selfies.
Battery life is very decent, and the XS Max comes with Face ID.
While you won't get access to Apple's latest camera or screen innovations, the iPhone XS Max will feel like a hefty upgrade from most phones on the market.
- If you're interested in buying this phone, you might want to read our iPhone XS review.
Are refurbished iPhones a good buy?
Getting a refurbished iPhone can be a big cost saver. Even the more affordable iPhones, such as the SE and the iPhone 12 mini, will be a hefty hit to your bank balance if you pay for them outright.
But there are plenty of places around the web, including Amazon and Apple's website, that offer refurbished iPhones for a fraction of their regular price. Whether or not they're a good buy, though, comes down to the individual provider.
Apple, for instance, includes all cables with its refurbished phones, along with a one-year manufacturer warranty, which is useful if your phone develops a fault. Amazon offers even better prices with similar quality, along with its own 'Amazon Renewed Guarantee', which we reckon should be pretty reliable, considering the size of the company.
We'd recommend making sure whichever website you buy from has some sort of guarantee in case your phone develops a hardware fault if you choose to buy refurbished.
Which networks offer iPhone deals?
Which iPhone has the best battery?
According to Apple, the iPhone 13 Pro Max has the longest battery life of any iPhone. With 4373mAh (a measure of battery life), it just beats the new iPhone 14 Pro Max, which has a battery of 4323mAh.
What's the cheapest iPhone to buy outright in the UK?
If you want to buy a new iPhone but have a tight budget, then pick the iPhone SE (2022). It's currently the cheapest iPhone from Apple, and the 64GB option has the lowest price. You can buy it from Apple from £449 up or £18.70 per month. You can also find the iPhone SE 2020 is the one for £389, and you'll get a solid processor, Touch ID, and decent cameras.
Which iPhone should I buy?
If you are on the lookout for a more sophisticated device, however, you may want to check out the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus mini. They come with all the latest features you can find on an iPhone today, minus a couple of perks reserved for the 15 Plus and 15 Pro Max.
Finally, if you want something in between, the iPhone 12 is still a great phone, offering more than solid specs at a lower price than Apple's flagship devices.
How much are iPhones?
The starting price for the iPhone SE 2020 is £389 for the 64GB version, while you'll have to pay £439 for the 128GB model.
The iPhone 13 models, on the other hand, start at £599 for the Mini (128GB), with the regular iPhone 13 costing £599 for the 128GB version and up to £899 for the 512GB variant.
The iPhone 13 Pro costs £679 if you select the 128GB model and £1,099 if you select the 1TB one.
Finally, the iPhone 13 Pro Max has a starting price of £749 for the 128GB version and goes up to £1,189 for the 1TB variant.
For context, the prices of the iPhone 12 go from £679 for the 64GB model to £729 for the 128GB one and £829 for the 256GB version.
Flagship phones from Apple always come with a hefty price tag to match, so if you're looking for the most recent release, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, you'll be looking at spending £1,199, and for the Pro version, it will cost £999 from Apple.
What's the cheapest way to buy an iPhone?
Picking the right time of the year can surely help you save some money. Apple does not offer substantial discounts at any specific point during the year, but network retailers' prices usually go down at the beginning of the summer and at Christmas time.
This way, even if you don't save on the iPhone per se, you can get some heavy discounts on your data and calls to plan, thus saving you quite a bit of cash in the long run.
In addition, if you don't have to own the latest Apple handset, you can get an iPhone from two to three years back at a substantially lower price than a flagship.
How to find the best iPhone deal
There are a few official network stores worth checking regularly, including EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three.
However, we find that the best deals are usually to be found in other online stores.
Here are our favourites:
- Affordable Mobiles
- Amazon
- Carphone Warehouse
- eBay
- E2Save
- Fonehouse
- Metrofone
- Mobilephonesdirect.co.uk
- Mobiles.co.uk
- Vodafone
Is it better to buy an iPhone outright or pay monthly?
It really depends on whether you need flexibility on your plan or not and if you have the cash to pay for the full cost of the handset (phone) upfront.
While you can save on a good data plan, you are also signing a contract binding you to that network for one or more years. This means that, even if you find a better plan deal later, you cannot switch to it unless you pay hefty fees.
On the other hand, many providers today offer handy upgrade plans allowing you to get a new iPhone as soon as it comes out. The choice, then, is ultimately up to you.
If you have the cash and think of changing your network plan quite often, then buying an iPhone outright may be the best option for you.
If, on the other hand, you're happy with a certain network provider and always want to have the latest iPhone, a monthly offer may work better for you.
Is it better to buy an iPhone from Apple or a network?
Both Apple and network carriers today offer monthly, no-money-down instalment plans, most of them spread over two years.
While the overall price of iPhones is essentially the same when purchased like this, Apple charges a little more to include AppleCare+ or AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss options, while network providers offer various insurance plans.
That being said, an iPhone bought from Apple can be used with any network, while carriers usually lock their iPhones for the length of their contract so it may be the slightly better option if you're still shopping around for the perfect SIM-only plan.
Which is better, an iPhone or a Samsung phone?
Galaxy devices have gone a long way since the days of the first Android phones, but can they compete with iPhones?
The short answer is yes, but it depends on what you value the most.
In terms of screen, cameras, and prices, the latest iPhones and Galaxy phones are toe-to-toe. The biggest difference here is undoubtedly the operating system (OS).
If you have other Apple devices in the house (like Macs and iPads), then iOS can provide great integration capabilities. Similarly, if you have an Android TV or Chromebook, you may want to opt for a Galaxy phone.
Another differentiator is that Apple devices don't come with a micro-SD card to expand the internal storage, while Galaxy phones do.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
With cloud storage plans becoming cheaper and more widespread, however, the 512GB of the iPhone 13 are enough for most people.
For context, with 'just' 128GB, you can store up to 6000 songs or 64 high-quality films. That's a lot of space.