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iOS Phone Reviews & Rankings

iOS is Apple’s mobile operating system, exclusive to the iPhone. Every iPhone ships with iOS pre-installed and receives updates directly from Apple — no carrier or manufacturer delays. That direct control over h…

54 phones reviewed
Last updated: October 21, 2026

Top-Rated iOS Phones, Ranked

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Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
8.9
Flagship Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple · iOS 27
Apple iPhone 18 Pro
8.9
Flagship Apple iPhone 18 Pro
Apple · iOS 27
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
8.8
Flagship Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple · iOS 26
Compass Verdict

A sturdy design with focused camera enhancements and extended battery life, aimed at creators and heavy users.

Pros
+ Improved battery life
+ Outstanding performance
+ High-quality cameras
+ Advanced cooling system
+ Vibrant display
Cons
− High price point
− Heavier design
− Limited AI features
− Camera control issues
− No charger included
Apple iPhone 17e
7.8
Mid-range Apple iPhone 17e
Apple · iOS 26
Compass Verdict

Premium mid-range choice with robust performance and essential features, ideal for sensible investment.

Pros
+ MagSafe support
+ Higher storage base
+ Improved performance
+ Durable design
+ Good battery life
Cons
− Only 60Hz screen
− Single rear camera
− Limited camera features
− No camera control button
− Slower charging
Apple iPhone 17
8.7
Premium Apple iPhone 17
Apple · iOS 26
Compass Verdict

Consistent performance and a quality display make this a good choice for most users.

Pros
+ 120Hz refresh rate
+ Faster charging
+ Double storage
+ Slick selfie camera
+ Same cost as before
Cons
− Weak zoom capabilities
− Gets hot during gaming
− No new AI features
− Lags in telephoto performance
− Subdued color options
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
8.7
Flagship Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple · iOS 26
Compass Verdict

A versatile, durable phone with enhanced cameras and outstanding battery life, ideal for those seeking reliability and performance.

Pros
+ Long-lasting battery
+ Smooth performance
+ Bright display
+ Powerful zoom camera
+ Sleek design changes
Cons
− Heavy design
− High cost
− Camera bulge
− No major AI
− Cumbersome size
Apple iPhone Air
7.9
Flagship Apple iPhone Air
Apple · iOS 26
Compass Verdict

An incredibly thin and light phone with thoughtful design but some compromises in camera and battery.

Pros
+ Extremely thin design
+ Lightweight and portable
+ Durable material
+ Bright rich display
+ A19 Pro performance
Cons
− Single rear camera
− Not the longest battery life
− Limited camera features
− Gets warm with use
− No stereo speakers
Apple iPhone 16e
7.7
Mid-range Apple iPhone 16e
Apple · iOS 18
Compass Verdict

An affordable, reliable phone with strong performance and solid battery life, designed for everyday needs.

Pros
+ Affordable price point
+ 6.1-inch OLED screen
+ Long battery life
+ Includes new C1 modem
+ Latest A18 processor
Cons
− No MagSafe support
− Single rear camera
− No Dynamic Island
− Lower brightness display
− Limited color options
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
8.6
Flagship Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple · iOS 18
Compass Verdict

A sturdy, larger phone with impressive cameras and extensive video features, appealing to creative users.

Pros
+ Big, vivid display
+ Long battery life
+ Great camera features
+ New Camera Control
+ Quality build materials
Cons
− Large, heavy design
− Limited AI features now
− High price tag
− Slow wireless charging
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
8.5
Premium Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Apple · iOS 18
Compass Verdict

Offers robust features but lacks innovation, maintaining the same design with marginal upgrades that may not justify an upgrade for recent models.

Pros
+ 5x optical zoom
+ Upgraded ultrawide lens
+ New camera control button
+ Slightly larger screen
+ Better battery efficiency
Cons
− Incremental updates
− No Apple Intelligence yet
− Pricey accessories
− Similar design to predecessor
− Low resolution selfie camera
Apple iPhone 16
8.5
Premium Apple iPhone 16
Apple · iOS 18
Compass Verdict

A well-rounded phone offering balanced performance and great cameras for regular use.

Pros
+ Excellent performance
+ Strong camera setup
+ Durable design
+ 5 years of updates
+ Rich stereo speakers
Cons
− Slow charging
− Limited 60Hz display
− USB 2.0 speeds
− Basic design unchanged
− Apple Intelligence delay
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
8.3
Premium Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Apple · iOS 18
Compass Verdict

A large-screen phone with a solid battery life and useful features for daily users, without a massive cost.

Pros
+ Stunning large display
+ Great battery life
+ Strong camera performance
+ Faster MagSafe charging
+ Sleek, colorful design
Cons
− 60Hz display limit
− Bulky for some users
− No optical zoom
− No charger included
− Limited storage options
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
9.0
Flagship Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Apple · iOS 16
Compass Verdict

Feels like last year’s model with a premium, but excels in display brightness and battery life.

Pros
+ Stunning display
+ Dynamic Island feature
+ Powerful A16 chip
+ Long battery life
+ Excellent camera quality
Cons
− High price
− Hefty and bulky
− No major design change
− eSIM only in US
− Lacks Wi-Fi 6E
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
9.0
Flagship Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Apple · iOS 17
Compass Verdict

A feature-packed phone with a sleek design but still needs extra care due to its delicate exterior.

Pros
+ Lighter titanium design
+ Advanced gaming performance
+ Impressive 5x optical zoom
+ Long battery life
+ Clear audio quality
Cons
− Screen easily scratches
− Slow charging
− Action Button limitations
− Heats up during heavy use
− High price
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
8.9
Premium Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Apple · iOS 16
Compass Verdict

A feature-rich, premium phone offering smooth performance and excellent camera quality, despite a familiar design.

Pros
+ Dynamic Island upgrade
+ 48MP main camera
+ Always-on display
+ Fast A16 processor
+ Stellar video recording
Cons
− Higher cost (outside US)
− No USB-C port
− No major design change
− eSIM only in US
− Average battery life
Page of · phones
Compare is full
About the platform

About iOS

iOS is Apple’s mobile operating system, exclusive to the iPhone. Every iPhone ships with iOS pre-installed and receives updates directly from Apple — no carrier or manufacturer delays. That direct control over hardware and software is the foundation of what makes iPhones perform consistently across their entire supported lifespan.

iOS powers a smaller but highly curated range of devices. Apple releases one iPhone lineup per year, which makes choosing straightforward: pick your size, your budget, and your camera priorities. Use the Budget and Size filters above to find the iPhone that fits your needs.

Updates and software support

Apple offers some of the longest software support windows in the industry. Current iPhones receive a minimum of five years of iOS updates, with many models supported for six or seven years. Every supported device gets the same iOS version on the same day — no waiting for a manufacturer to adapt and push the update. Check each iPhone’s software section in our reviews to see exactly how we factor update longevity into the Compass Score.

Ecosystem and apps

iOS gives you access to the App Store — Apple’s tightly reviewed app marketplace — plus deep integration with iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, AirDrop, and the broader Apple ecosystem including Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. If you already use other Apple devices, an iPhone slots in with very little friction. The trade-off is less customization flexibility compared to Android, and no sideloading outside of developer modes.

iOS vs Android

iOS leads on software consistency, long-term update support, and cross-device integration with other Apple products. Android wins on hardware variety and price range flexibility. If you’re deciding between the two platforms, use our comparison tool to put any iPhone head-to-head against an Android phone and see exactly how they differ on camera, battery, display, and performance.

Community

Questions & answers

RI
ris · Answered

you can make payments with the boost easy pay plan but you have to qualify

You
NE
Neelam Sharma · Answered

Maybe, they have lots of devices for repairing at moment. So, they take long time to fix iPhone 6s screen.

If you want to fix iPhone 6S Screen under 10 Min. Must watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxmuHO_LI5k

You
-J
-JD- · Answered

You would need a App to integrate the Samsung Gear S3 into your iPhone.

About a year ago they promised a App for the iPhone...

It was announced for End 2015/Begining 2016, then rumors said End Q1 2016, then End Q2 2016.

Last I've heard, the App for iphone would be released together with the Gear S3.

I also really want a Samsung Gear S3, and I've got a iPhone 6s Plus and i will buy it, the moment the App is availiable. But not a day earlier.

Maybe the App for iPhone is late again and comes with the Gear S4 in End 2017 or it will come never. 

Lately Samsung has been very quiet about iPhone compatibility.

You
CA
Carl · Answered

Yes, it should. They won't be dropping LTE any time soon.

You
CA
Carl · Answered

Hi Bryan. Depends on which carrier the phone is locked with. Please check the guide The Complete Guide to Unlocking a Cell Phone. Hope that helps, good luck!

You
BR
Branden · Answered Accepted

Hi Javi. Welcome.

You might find this article comparing iPhone models helpful.

Personally...my favourite iPhone is still the iPhone SE. You can find it used or refurbished quite easily. The downside is that not everyone likes the smaller screen and rumours are that the next iOS won't support the SE. So...iPhone 8 or X would be good "budget" choices perhaps.

You
CA
Carl · Answered

Hi Deuce. I checked Costco and it's only available on select stores. I suggest contacting a local Costco store to know availability.

You
CA
Carl · Answered

Hi Shianne. You can check if your phone is eligible to use with Sprint on their Bring Your Phone to Sprint page.

You
CA
Carl · Answered

Hi Pablo. Since Boost Mobile currently offers Apple iPhone X, I think it's safe to assume that Apple iPhone Xs Max should work fine.

You
CA
Carl · Answered

Looks like the phone is badly damaged. You may need to replace the display in that case.

You
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