The best iPhone for photography in 2023: from the iPhone SE to iPhone 14 Pro Max

The best iPhone for photography will allow you to take high-quality photographs and videos, quickly and easily, all with a device that fits in your pocket. We’ll help you to find the best iPhone for photography whether you want the very latest iPhone 14 or a more affordable device from several years ago.

Apple is one of the biggest and best camera phone (opens in new tab) manufacturers, and it offers many different devices in its lineup. If you’ve got an unlimited budget and want the best that money can buy, the best iPhone for photography overall has to be either the iPhone 14 Pro or the iPhone 14 Pro Max, Apple’s latest flagships. 

Older iPhone models still have decent cameras but tend to be cheaper. This increased affordability continues as you go back through the range – though you’ll also start to compromise on camera functionality. 

For instance, the iPhone 11 only has two rear-facing cameras. There’s also the recently-revamped iPhone SE (2022), an iPhone with an iconic design and a far lower price than flagship iPhones. Essentially, then, it’s about balancing your needs and your budget. Find out more in our iPhone generations guide.

To help you find the right balance, we’ve listed the best iPhones for photography, and the best prices you can get them for right now.

The best iPhone for photography in 2023

Why you can trust Digital Camera World

Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

best iPhone for photography: iPhone 14 Pro Max

(Image credit: Basil Kronfli / Digital Camera World)

1. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

The best iPhone camera phone to date, with a big 6.7-inch screen

Our expert review:

Specifications

Release Date:

September 2022

Rear cameras:

48MP (24mm, f/1.78), 12MP Ultra Wide (13mm, f/2.2), 12MP 3x Telephoto (77mm f/2.8)

Front camera:

12MP TrueDepth camera (f/1.9)

OIS:

Yes

Weight:

240g

Dimensions:

160.7 x 77.6 x 7.85mm

Screen:

6.7-inch Super Retina XDR

Storage:

256GB/512GB/1TB

View at AT&T Mobility

(opens in new tab)

Check Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Larger camera sensor than 13 Pro series

+

Rich styling with IP68 certification

+

New selfie camera has autofocus

Reasons to avoid

No SIM slot for US customers

Price increase over 13 Pro in the UK

Telephoto reach isn’t class-leading

The iPhone 14 Pro Max checks all the boxes you’d expect from a flagship Apple smartphone – a big, immersive screen; fancy styling; stacks of power. Like the iPhone 14 Pro, there’s a larger, 1/1.28-inch, 48MP sensor, and the front camera, which now has autofocus, handles depth perception more effectively.

The largest and heaviest iPhone of the pack, the 14 Pro Max weighs the same (240g) as the iPhone 13 Pro Max (opens in new tab) but is thicker than its predecessor thanks to that new, larger camera sensor. Powering the iPhone 14 Pro Max (and Pro) is the new A16 Bionic chip, which Apple claims is the most powerful of any smartphone – and we’re inclined to believe them, which means you’ll get plenty of performance for video editing on the device.

The main difference between the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the screen size. If you need the larger 6.7-inch screen for reviewing and editing images, shooting videos, or even playing games, then the Pro Max is definitely one to go for – as long as you can afford the high price point, that is.

Read our iPhone 14 Pro Max review (opens in new tab) for more

best iPhone for photography: iPhone 14 Pro

(Image credit: Basil Kronfli / Digital Camera World)

2. Apple iPhone 14 Pro

The best iPhone camera ever (same as 14 Pro Max) in a smaller size

Specifications

Release Date:

September 2022

Rear cameras:

48MP (24mm, f/1.78), 12MP Ultra Wide (13mm, f/2.2), 12MP 3x Telephoto (77mm f/2.8)

Front camera:

12MP TrueDepth camera (f/1.9)

OIS:

Yes

Weight:

240g

Dimensions:

160.7 x 77.6 x 7.85mm

Screen:

6.1-inch Super Retina XDR

Storage:

256GB/512GB/1TB

View at AT&T Mobility

(opens in new tab)

View at Verizon Wireless

(opens in new tab)

Check Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Large 48MP camera sensor

+

The selfie camera now has autofocus

+

Elegant new deep purple color

Reasons to avoid

No SIM slot for US customers

Telephoto camera isn’t class-leading

Very expensive

The iPhone 14 Pro is a relatively compact smartphone with a mighty camera mix. In short, it’s the best iPhone you can buy for photography if you want something manageable in size. The iPhone Pro Max below features exactly the same camera specs but offers a larger 6.7-inch screen than the Pro’s 6.1 inches.

Apple has bumped up the resolution on the main camera from 12MP to 48MP – making it the best-specced ever featured on an iPhone. The selfie camera also has autofocus for better depth recognition and close-up shots. 

For 2022, Apple introduced a large 1/1.28-inch sensor that out-sizes the Galaxy S22 Ultra (opens in new tab), and it’s matched with an f/1.78 aperture lens with a 23mm focal length, second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, a seven-element lens, and 100% focus pixels. Adding a digital lens, the iPhone 14 Pro crops into the inner 12MP of the main camera sensor to create a native 12MP two-times telephoto image. This punches into 48mm – perfect for portraits.

The cameras benefit from sapphire crystal lens cover protection, and there’s also a LiDAR scanner, which helps with night-mode portraits. The iPhone 14 Pro also features an action mode, which adds GoPro-style stabilization to 2.7K video content for high-motion shooting.

Read our iPhone 14 Pro review (opens in new tab) for more details

(Image credit: Rod Lawton/Digital Camera World)

(opens in new tab)

3. iPhone 13 Pro Max

The best iPhone for photography on a budget

Our expert review:

Specifications

Release date:

October 2021

Rear cameras:

12MP 13mm f/1.8 Ultra Wide, 12MP 26mm f/1.5 Wide, 12MP 77mm f/2.8 telephoto

Front camera:

12MP f/2.2 TrueDepth

OIS:

Yes

Weight:

240g

Dimensions:

160.8 x 78.1 x 7.65mm

Screen:

6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display

Storage:

128 / 256 / 512GB / 1TB

View at Amazon

(opens in new tab)

View at Verizon Wireless

(opens in new tab)

View at Walmart

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Automatic macro mode

+

Superb Cinematic mode

+

77mm telephoto lens

+

RAW capture

Reasons to avoid

More of a phablet than a phone

Expensive, even by Apple standards

The iPhone 13 Pro Max (opens in new tab) is the biggest and best of Apple’s new-generation iPhones, with the same cameras and tech as the iPhone 13 Pro, but with a bigger screen (6.7 inches versus 6.1 inches). The Pro Max also boasts a slightly longer battery life of up to 28hrs video playback versus up to 22 hours on the smaller ’13 Pro. 

It might be tempting, then, to pick the Pro Max over the regular Pro model just to get the best of everything. The regular Pro costs enough, so why not take that last step and get the bigger screen? Some may simply find it too big to be comfortable to use every day. So it’s really a judgment call based on what you want to spend.

Overall, there’s no doubt the iPhone 13 Pro Max is a truly stunning camera phone, whether you shoot stills or video. However, the regular iPhone 13 Pro boasts the same photographic performance in a more ergonomic and cheaper package, hence why it’s higher up this list.

If you do choose this super-sized model, make sure you’ve got an iPhone 13 Pro Max case (opens in new tab) to protect it.

Read our full iPhone 13 Pro Max review for more details

Today’s best Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max deals

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max...

(opens in new tab)

Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Prime

(opens in new tab)

$1,099

(opens in new tab)

$879.20

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max 128GB...

(opens in new tab)

Verizon Wireless

(opens in new tab)

$999.99

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max,...

(opens in new tab)

Walmart

(opens in new tab)

$1,119

(opens in new tab)

$1,049.95

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Show More Deals

(Image credit: Apple)

(opens in new tab)

4. Apple iPhone 13 Pro

A great iPhone for photography overall, but cheaper than iPhone 14 models

Our expert review:

Specifications

Release date:

September 2021

Rear cameras:

12MP f/1.5, 12MP f/1.8 ultrawide, 12MP f/2.8 telephoto

Front camera:

12MP

OIS:

Yes

Weight:

204g

Dimensions:

146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7mm

Screen:

6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display

Storage:

128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB

View at Verizon Wireless

(opens in new tab)

View at Amazon

(opens in new tab)

View at Walmart

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Extensively upgraded cameras

+

120Hz screen refresh rate

Reasons to avoid

Still ‘only’ 3x optical zoom

The iPhone 13 Pro is not just the latest and great iPhone, it’s also the best iPhone for photographers right now. Its triple-lens setup boasts a standard, ultra-wide, and telephoto configuration, with 26mm, 13mm, and 78mm equivalent focal lengths respectively. In terms of improvements over the iPhone 12 Pro, there’s a new Cinematic video mode for movie shooters, as well as a new macro mode and improvements to the camera’s low-light capabilities. The telephoto module is also improved, with a 3x range rather than 2x.

While the iPhone 13 Pro Max (number 2 on our list) is technically the best phone Apple offers right now, there’s no real difference in camera tech between it and the 13 Pro; the main advantage of the Max is its better battery life. 

This means, for us, the iPhone 13 Pro is the best iPhone for photographers as it doesn’t cost quite the astronomical price tag of the Pro Max. Note that if you’ve already got a 12 Pro then it’s probably not enough of a jump to be worth an instant upgrade, but it is better. Head to our iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 13 Pro (opens in new tab) comparison article to make the right buying decision.

Read our full Apple iPhone 13 Pro review for more details

Today’s best Apple iPhone 13 Pro deals

Apple iPhone 13 Pro 128GB in...

(opens in new tab)

Verizon Wireless

(opens in new tab)

$899.99

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Apple iPhone 13 Pro (128 GB,...

(opens in new tab)

Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Prime

(opens in new tab)

$999

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Simple Mobile Apple iPhone 13...

(opens in new tab)

Walmart

(opens in new tab)

$999

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Show More Deals

(Image credit: Apple)

(opens in new tab)

5. Apple iPhone 12 Pro

The 2020 iPhone model is still a great choice for photographers

Our expert review:

Specifications

Release date:

October 2020

Rear cameras:

12MP 13mm f/2.4, 12MP 26mm f/1.6, 12MP 52mm f/2

Front camera:

12MP, f/2.2 TrueDepth camera

Dual OIS:

Yes

Weight:

189 g

Dimensions:

146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm

Storage:

128/256/512GB

View at Amazon

(opens in new tab)

View at Amazon

(opens in new tab)

View at Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Triple-camera unit

+

New Apple ProRAW file format

+

LiDAR scanner

+

5G

Reasons to avoid

‘Only’ 12MP camera sensors

However you slice it, the iPhone 12 Pro is still a photography phone to be reckoned with. It’s not the newest anymore and has faced stiff competition from the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra (opens in new tab), and its 108MP sensor. Though when you’re dealing with small smartphone sensors, having loads of pixels is not necessarily an advantage, and the iPhone 12 Pro accounts for itself in other ways.

The triple-camera unit on this phone consists of an ultra-wide f/2.4 camera, a wide f/1.6 camera, and a telephoto f/2 camera, with similar focal lengths to those of the iPhone 13 Pro above (save for a shorter telephoto). This gives you a good array of shooting options that will cover the majority of situations you’ll find yourself in.

So why is the 12 Pro worth getting over the vanilla iPhone 12? It has a few tricks up its sleeve to justify its price tag; for one, it has a LiDAR scanner, which allows it to focus faster in low-light shooting situations. It can also use the new Apple ProRAW file format (opens in new tab), giving you much more latitude and editing control over your images. 

What about the iPhone 12 Pro vs Max (opens in new tab)? The sensor on the iPhone 12 Pro Max is 47% larger and boasts sensor-shift optical image stabilization, making it more adept at low-light shooting.

Read our full Apple iPhone 12 Pro review for more details

Today’s best Apple iPhone 12 Pro deals

Apple iPhone 12 Pro (128GB,...

(opens in new tab)

Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Prime

(opens in new tab)

$742.11

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Apple iPhone 12 Pro (128GB,...

(opens in new tab)

Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Prime

(opens in new tab)

$745.23

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Apple iPhone 12 Pro (256GB,...

(opens in new tab)

Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Prime

(opens in new tab)

$835.82

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Show More Deals

(Image credit: James Artaius)

(opens in new tab)

The iPhone 13 Mini does exactly what it says on the tin: gives you the same functions and firepower as the iPhone 13 (opens in new tab), in a more svelte form factor and with a smaller price tag to match. 

The iPhone 13 Mini squeezes the raw power of the standard 6.1-inch iPhone 13 into a 5.4-inch handset. If a small phone is important to you, this is the one to go for. It takes superb photos, 4K 60p video, up to 240fps slow-mo (in 1080p), and its portrait functions now power the brilliant Cinematic mode for shallow depth of field in video. If you own the 12 Mini, there’s not much reason to upgrade, but if you’ve skipped a generation, you’ll fall in love with it!

Read our full Apple iPhone 13 Mini review for more details

Today’s best Apple iPhone 13 Mini deals

Apple iPhone 13 mini 128GB in...

(opens in new tab)

Verizon Wireless

(opens in new tab)

$599.99

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Apple iPhone 13 Mini (128 GB,...

(opens in new tab)

Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Prime

(opens in new tab)

$729

(opens in new tab)

$629

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Apple iPhone 13 mini - 128GB...

(opens in new tab)

AT&T Mobility

(opens in new tab)

$629.99

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Show More Deals

iPhone SE 2022

(Image credit: Apple)

7. iPhone SE (2022)

The best cheap iPhone for photography

Average Amazon review:

(opens in new tab)

Specifications

Release date:

March 2022

Rear cameras:

12 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF, OIS

Front camera:

7 MP, f/2.2

Dual OIS:

No

Weight:

144g

Dimensions:

138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm

Storage:

64/128/256GB

View at Amazon

(opens in new tab)

View at Verizon Wireless

(opens in new tab)

View at Mint Mobile

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Great value

+

Fast performer

+

Supports 5G

Reasons to avoid

No Zoom or ultrawide

Want the photography smarts of a modern iPhone, but on a tight budget? Then we recommend the latest update to the iPhone SE. At a surprisingly affordable price, you get an impressive camera setup, with a 12MP f/1.8 aperture wide camera on the rear. The new, fast A15 Bionic chip makes everything works smoothly and beautifully, with AI-enhanced software such as Portrait mode and the same Smart HDR 4 tech as the iPhone 13 giving you lots of great shooting options. The rear camera (7 MP, f/2.2) is pretty decent too. 

Elsewhere, the iPhone SE (2022) offers 5G, longer battery life, and improved durability. It’s rated IP67 for water and dust resistance, features the Home button, and supports Touch ID and Apple Pay.

On the downside, the screen is pretty small, at 4.7 inches, you’re not getting zoom or ultra-wide lenses, and it’s not as powerful as the iPhone 13 series (opens in new tab). But overall you’re getting a very nice phone indeed, for not a lot of money.

(Image credit: Apple)

(opens in new tab)

8. Apple iPhone 11 Pro

The iPhone 11 Pro still has some great features to offer

Our expert review:

Specifications

Release date:

September 2019

Rear cameras:

12MP 13mm f/2.4, 12MP 26mm f/1.8, 12MP 52mm f/2

Front camera:

12MP, f/2.2 TrueDepth camera

OIS:

Yes

Weight:

188 g

Dimensions:

144 x 71.4 x 8.1 mm

Storage:

64/256/512GB

View at Amazon

(opens in new tab)

View at Amazon

(opens in new tab)

View at Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Triple-camera array

+

Consistent image quality

+

Brilliant ‘slofies’

+

Portrait effects

Reasons to avoid

No 5G 

Unambitious specs, on paper

You can’t judge camera phones purely on specs. The iPhone 11 Pro (opens in new tab)’s triple-camera array is hardly cutting edge by today’s camera phone standards, but it works brilliantly. The colors, tones, and exposures are consistent across all three cameras, and the image processing is perfectly judged to produce natural-looking detail and not the usual over-sharpened, over-smoothed smartphone ‘look’. 

The ultrawide camera is just brilliant for travel photography, landmarks, and spectacular interiors, and while it can’t quite match the edge-to-edge image quality of the other lenses, it still produces sharp, distortion-free ultra-wide images that widen your horizons in every possible way. We like the regular iPhone 11 Pro best – the iPhone 11 Pro Max has the same cameras but it’s just a bit big, while the regular plain-vanilla iPhone 11 is cheaper but doesn’t have the 52mm telephoto lens.

Read our full Apple iPhone 11 Pro review for details

Today’s best Apple iPhone 11 Pro deals

Apple iPhone 11 Pro [512GB,...

(opens in new tab)

Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Prime

(opens in new tab)

$541.33

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Apple iPhone 11 Pro [512GB,...

(opens in new tab)

Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Prime

(opens in new tab)

$541.43

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Apple iPhone 11 Pro [256GB,...

(opens in new tab)

Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Prime

(opens in new tab)

$549.80

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Show More Deals

Best iPhones for photography: Apple iPhone 12 Mini

(Image credit: Apple)

The iPhone 12 Mini of a pleasing trend of Apple filling out the smaller end of its mobile offering, as well as putting out big flagship phones with more features, cameras, and pixels than ever. This means it’s much more affordable than its contemporaries like the iPhone 12 Pro, as well as being a good deal easier to hold and carry around.

Despite the reduction in size, Apple hasn’t skimped on tech for the iPhone 12 Mini. it boasts a beefy dual camera array, with a 12MP 26mm f/1.6 and a 12MP 13mm f/2.4. There’s no telephoto like you get on the Pro, but it’s still very impressive, and with the capacity to shoot 4K video as well, any content creator is going to have a whale of a time with it.

The only real disappointment is the battery life. Granted, things had to give somewhere, but still, having a 2227mAh battery to work with is really going to curtail your ability to get a full day’s use out of the thing, at least without carting around a separate iPhone power bank (opens in new tab). 

Today’s best Apple iPhone 12 Mini deals

Apple iPhone 12 mini 64GB in...

(opens in new tab)

Verizon Wireless

(opens in new tab)

$499.99

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Apple iPhone 12 Mini (64GB,...

(opens in new tab)

Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Prime

(opens in new tab)

$578.20

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Apple iPhone 12 mini - 64GB -...

(opens in new tab)

AT&T Mobility

(opens in new tab)

$629.99

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Show More Deals

(Image credit: Apple)

(opens in new tab)

10. Apple iPhone 11

Cheaper than the iPhone 11 Pro, but without the ‘telephoto’ lens

Specifications

Release date:

September 2019

Rear cameras:

12MP 13mm f/2.4, 12MP 26mm f/1.8

Front camera:

12MP, f/2.2 TrueDepth camera

OIS:

Yes

Weight:

194 g

Dimensions:

150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3mm

Storage:

64/128/256GB

View at Verizon Wireless

(opens in new tab)

View at Verizon Wireless

(opens in new tab)

View at Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Twin-camera array

+

Consistent image quality

+

Ultra-wide 13mm lens

Reasons to avoid

No 5G 

No 56mm ‘telephoto’ lens

If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck when it comes to a new iPhone, then we’d argue that the iPhone 11 might just be it. While we love newer iPhone models, the price difference can be hard to justify when the older iPhone 11 still delivers such respectable image quality. 

The iPhone 11 does have a few downsides though, namely its lack of a telephoto lens and OLED screen, but you can pick it up for such a great price now, that you have to ask yourself how important these features are to you. If you’re looking for the very best iPhone for photography, then we’d recommend going with a Pro Max model. However, if you want a great iPhone for taking pictures that won’t break the bank, then the iPhone 11 is a natural choice. Got an iPhone 11? Get the best iPhone 11 cases (opens in new tab).

Today’s best Apple iPhone 11 deals

Apple iPhone 11 64GB in White

(opens in new tab)

Verizon Wireless

(opens in new tab)

$499.99

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Apple iPhone 11 64GB in Black

(opens in new tab)

Verizon Wireless

(opens in new tab)

$499.99

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Apple Simple Mobile Prepaid -...

(opens in new tab)

Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Prime

(opens in new tab)

$699

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Show More Deals

(Image credit: Apple)

(opens in new tab)

11. Apple iPhone 12

No telephoto, but still a great buy

Specifications

Release date:

October 2020

Rear cameras:

12MP 13mm f/2.4, 12MP 26mm f/1.6

Front camera:

12MP, f/2.2 TrueDepth camera

OIS:

Yes

Weight:

164 g

Dimensions:

146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm

Storage:

64/128/256GB

View at Verizon Wireless

(opens in new tab)

View at Apple

(opens in new tab)

View at AT&T Mobility

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Dual-camera unit

+

5G

+

New Ceramic Shield screen

Reasons to avoid

No telephoto camera

No LiDAR scanner

The iPhone 12 might not have quite the same wow factor as the iPhone 12 Pro, but it’s certainly no slouch when it comes to its photographic capabilities. The iPhone 12 has a dual camera system featuring an ultra-wide f/2.4 camera and a wide f/1.6 camera. 

While the iPhone 12 doesn’t have a dedicated telephoto camera, users can achieve a digital zoom of up to 5x. All of the iPhone 12 models are now capable of HDR video recording with Dolby Vision, although on the iPhone 12 this is only up to 30fps as compared to the iPhone 12 Pro’s 60fps. 

The iPhone 12’s front-facing camera is capable of both Night mode and Deep Fusion, which weren’t available on the base iPhone 11’s selfie camera. The iPhone 12 is also now capable of Night mode Time-lapse. One of the most exciting upgrades for the iPhone 12 family is the new Ceramic Shield display, which features a 4x better drop performance. The iPhone 12 is also compatible with new MagSafe accessories and wireless chargers (opens in new tab).

Today’s best Apple iPhone 12 deals

Apple iPhone 12 64GB Black

(opens in new tab)

Verizon Wireless

(opens in new tab)

$599.99

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

iPhone 12 - 64GB Green -...

(opens in new tab)

Apple

(opens in new tab)

$629

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Apple iPhone 12 - 64GB - Green

(opens in new tab)

AT&T Mobility

(opens in new tab)

$629.99

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Show More Deals

(Image credit: Apple)

(opens in new tab)

The regular iPhone XS has the same cameras as the Max version. The rears offer two 12-megapixel cameras, one for standard wide-angle shots, and the other for 2x zoom images. Apple offers a very natural and faithful image preview, which shows a good estimate of the benefits of image processing before that processing has even taken place. The color balance and the character of Apple’s processing are also very pleasant.

Other highlights include 240fps slo-mo at 1080p and X-series-only additional modes in the background blur portrait mode, such as Stage Lighting. This blacks out the background, for an image that looks a little like an actor’s headshot. The 2x zoom is also useful, particularly as it has optical image stabilization just like the main camera. Many people might find this more useful than the new ultra-wide lens on the iPhone 11, so the iPhone XS is still a good option, even though it’s now last year’s model. Protect your phone with the best iPhone XS cases (opens in new tab).

(Image credit: Apple)

(opens in new tab)

13. iPhone XS Max

Bigger than the iPhone XS, though not necessarily better

Average Amazon review:

(opens in new tab)

Specifications

Release date:

September 2018

Rear cameras:

12MP (Wide angle lens, f/1.8), 12MP (2x zoom lens)

Front camera:

7MP

OIS:

Yes

Weight:

208 g

Dimensions:

157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7 mm

Storage:

64/256/512 GB)

View at Amazon

(opens in new tab)

View at Amazon

(opens in new tab)

View at Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Big screen for composing shots

+

Excellent general image quality

Reasons to avoid

Very high price

The iPhone XS Max has the same camera setup as the iPhone Xs. So what benefit is there here? It’s pretty obvious, really. The Max has a larger screen, which helps when composing images. This is a particularly bright OLED display with a max power of around 650 nits. It copes remarkably well outdoors and goes into a ‘turbo’ mode when required, to make sure you can see the image preview even when it’s sunny. 

Both X-series phones also have dual front-facing cameras. The imaging sensor is a 7-megapixel chip just like the recent older iPhones, and the second is a “time of flight” camera. This is used solely for depth mapping. Its primary function is to make the Face ID unlock feature work well, but it also improves “bokeh” images. You can alter the blur effect level, effectively changing the virtual aperture, after shooting the image. Check out the best phablets (opens in new tab).

(Image credit: Apple)

(opens in new tab)

14. iPhone 12 Pro Max

Still one of the best iPhones, and prices are starting to drop

Our expert review:

Specifications

Release date:

September 2020

Rear cameras:

12MP (Wide angle lens, f/1.8)

Front camera:

7MP

OIS:

Yes

Weight:

194 g

Dimensions:

150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm

Storage:

64/256/512 GB)

View at Amazon

(opens in new tab)

View at Amazon

(opens in new tab)

View at Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Long battery life

+

Features Apple ProRaw

Reasons to avoid

Still quite expensive

Feels large in the hand

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is technically superior to a lot of iPhones higher up this list. However, there is a reason this handset is so far down. While the iPhone 12 Pro Max features a more powerful battery life than the other iPhone 12 handsets – and even a slightly better rear camera than the iPhone 12 Pro – it has two major cons. 

The first is that the 6.7″ screen is so large that users with smaller hands might struggle to use it effectively. Secondly, despite it no loner being the latest iPhone flagship, prices are still quite high. 

However, if you don’t mind big handsets and you’re happy to splash the cash, then there’s still plenty of exciting features to write home about with the iPhone 12 Pro Max. With its blazing-fast chipset, quality camera set-up, battery and screen, it’s no surprise that the 12 Pro Max is a great iPhone for photography.

Today’s best Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max deals

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max...

(opens in new tab)

Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Prime

(opens in new tab)

$687.44

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max...

(opens in new tab)

Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Prime

(opens in new tab)

$695.07

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max...

(opens in new tab)

Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Prime

(opens in new tab)

$815.59

(opens in new tab)

View

(opens in new tab)

Show More Deals

(Image credit: Apple)

(opens in new tab)

15. iPhone XR

A great camera phone at a good price, but there’s no zoom

Average Amazon review:

(opens in new tab)

Specifications

Release date:

September 2018

Rear cameras:

12MP (Wide angle lens, f/1.8)

Front camera:

7MP

OIS:

Yes

Weight:

194 g

Dimensions:

150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm

Storage:

64/256/512 GB)

View at Amazon

(opens in new tab)

View at Tello

(opens in new tab)

View at Verizon Wireless

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Retains high quality build

+

Very good battery life

Reasons to avoid

No telephoto or ToF camera

Lower price, but hardly cheap

The iPhone XR is one of the most interesting phones in the 2019 line-up from an Apple fan’s perspective. It’s now an older, cheaper iPhone so bargains are out there, although the lack of a zoom camera is its biggest loss. 

The iPhone XR has only the one rear camera, the same 12-megapixel stabilised get-up as the iPhone XS. You get great images, sure, but a zoom is handy for gigs and other situations when you can’t simply move closer. Here you have to use a compromised digital zoom. 

Other differences? While the iPhone XR has the same processor as the pricier iPhone X models, it uses an LCD screen rather than an OLED. This screen is larger than the iPhone Xs’s, though, and battery life is far better than that of the smaller, fancier iPhone Xs too.

(Image credit: Apple)

(opens in new tab)

16. iPhone SE (2020)

iPhone 8 body + iPhone 11 processor = iPhone SE 2020

Specifications

Release date:

April 2020

Rear cameras:

12-megapixel, 28mm f/1.8

Front camera:

7MP

OIS:

Yes

Weight:

148 g

Dimensions:

138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm

Storage:

64/256GB)

View at Verizon Wireless

(opens in new tab)

Check Amazon

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Great 4K video

+

Very good imaging in bright light

Reasons to avoid

No zoom

No Face ID

The iPhone SE (2020) is a brilliant proposition: a cut-price iPhone that takes the form factor and camera of the iPhone 8, and pairs it with the processor and software magic of the iPhone 11 Pro. The result is a pocket-friendly handset in terms of both size and price, with fusion technology that delivers highly respectable photographs and 4K video.

 Its smaller 4.7-inch 720p screen isn’t as bright and doesn’t refresh as fast as the flagship models, but that also means that its battery doesn’t get gobbled up as fast either. It sticks with Touch ID instead of Face ID, and boasts Qi wireless charging. It’s IP67 water and dust resistant, and features image stabilization for rock-solid 4K 60fps video. Between the A13 Bionic chip and Apple-standard software updates, the iPhone SE is one of the best value handsets out there.

The best iPhone accessories

If you’ve got an iPhone, then there are plenty of brilliant accessories to keep it safe or improve your photography. For example, these are the best microphones for iPhone, the best add-on lenses for phones, and the best iPhone power banks. Don’t forget about the best phone cases (opens in new tab).