It’s hard to deny Apple’s position in the smartphone industry. They are a titan, and for over a decade, the word ‘iPhone’ has been synonymous with ‘premium’ and ‘quality’. Apple has always been one of the leading manufacturers in the smartphone and overall tech industry.
As of January 2024, iPhones hold a significant 60% share of Australia’s operating system market. Apple also generated over $390.8 billion in revenue worldwide in 2023, with iPhone sales making up 51%.
The long-running success of Apple’s iPhones worldwide and its continued popularity here in Australia is hard to argue with—but are iPhones still worth it? Does Apple still reign supreme for hardware and performance?
The smartphone industry is an ever-evolving landscape, with massive shifts in technology and increasing competition. In recent years, there has also been a huge push for artificial intelligence technology to be added to smartphones, which we’ve seen with Apple Intelligence, Google’s Gemini, and Samsung’s Galaxy AI.
This article will explore the latest iPhone models, how they hold up against competitors, like Google’s Pixel series, and what makes them worthwhile. 2024 was a significant year for iPhones, and it is looking like 2025 will be shaping up to be the same.
What Are The Latest iPhones?
The latest iPhones are the 16 series, which are the eighteenth-generation of iPhones. The iPhone 16 series was first unveiled on September 9, 2024, at the Apple Event in California. The devices were then released a few weeks later, on September 20, 2024.
The iPhone 16 series of phones includes the iPhone 16, 16 Plus and the higher-priced iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are available in Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White and Black, while the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max are available in Desert Titanium, Natural Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium.
The iPhone 16 line of devices is a massive improvement over its predecessors, featuring upgrades to the processor, artificial intelligence tools, battery, and more. Below, we’ve outlined the specifications of all the iPhone 16 models.
iPhone 16 & 16 Plus
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are the new generation’s base model and upgraded model. The iPhone 16 features a 6.1-inch form factor, similar to its predecessor, the iPhone 15.
The iPhone 16 is also powered by a Super Retina XDR display, supporting 1170 x 2532 pixels at 440 ppi. The phone has various storage options, including 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB.
The phone is powered by Apple’s new A18 bionic chip, which provides a massive performance boost over the A16 used in the iPhone 15 base model. You can expect the A18 chip to easily tackle any intensive tasks and heavy 3D gaming.
The A18 chip also supports Apple’s artificial intelligence, Apple Intelligence. The main difference between the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus is that the 16 Plus features a bigger battery capacity, increasing the battery life by a few hours, and a bigger screen at 6.7 inches.
Both models feature the same camera arrangement. The phones feature a 48MP fusion main camera, which can take 48MP images at 1x, 12MP images at 2x, or combined 24MP images.
iPhone 16 Pro & 16 Pro Max
The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max are the 16 Series higher-priced, premium phones. Along with featuring different colour variants from the iPhone 16 (base) and Plus, they also feature a different camera arrangement, display, and processor.
The 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max are powered by the A18 Pro chip, which is more powerful than the base A18 chip found in the 16 and 16 Plus. If maximising performance is important for you, the Pro and Pro Max are better for intensive tasks and gaming.
The camera arrangement for the Pro and Pro Max is also better, along with utilising the Fusion camera lens, which allows for 12 MP 5x Telephoto and 48 MP Ultra Wide. This allows for higher-quality photos over the 16 and 16 Plus and better video recording.
The Pro and Pro Max also come in different sizes, measuring 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches.
Which iPhones Should You Avoid?
When it comes to considering a new iPhone, the best bet is to stick with the latest models. Older models that are no longer supported by Apple or close to having support dropped, like the iPhone 11, might not be the best investment in 2025.
We recommend avoiding:
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Any iPhone models that are older than the iPhone 13. Any models released before 2021 are starting to show their age. Unless you’re just using your phone as a communication device, the performance and software support are beginning to slow down, making it less than ideal for intensive tasks, entertainment, and gaming.
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It’s also recommended to avoid any smartphones that have less than 128 GB storage. With app sizes, especially with games, growing every year and higher-resolution cameras becoming more common—at the very least, 128GB is a must.
If the latest cutting-edge features are an important factor for you, like access to Apple Intelligence, we recommend the iPhone 16, Plus, Pro or Pro Max.
When you’re shopping for a new iPhone, we also recommend considering your needs and budget. For example, if you want long-term support and the latest features, it is best to stick with a newer model. If you’re on a tight budget and just need a device for messaging, an older refurbished model would be adequate.
What Makes iPhones Worthwhile?
Despite the smartphone market increasing with competition, Apple still manages to make new iPhone models worthwhile every year. iPhones offer a user-friendly and compelling package that makes them a great alternative to Android devices, like the Pixel and Galaxy S phones.
The worthwhile features and advantages include:
Seamless integration
iPhones feature seamless integration with the rest of Apple’s products, creating a unified experience. There is seamless integration with Apple Watches, iPads and Macs.
User-friendly interface
Where the iPhones excel over Android devices is the user-friendly interface. iOS is known for being intuitive and easy to navigate.
High resale value
Compared to its competitors, iPhones typically retain their value much better. This makes it a great investment if you want to sell or trade in the device for a new phone later on.
Strong security & privacy
Apple devices, including the iPhone, are renowned for their safety and security features. iPhones also offer specialised security features, like encrypted data storage and facial recognition.
Curated App Store
Compared to the Google Play Store, Apple’s certification process is more curated and rigorous. This results in the App Store being filled with less malicious content and higher-quality apps.
Buy The Latest Refurbished iPhones at OzMobiles
If you’re looking to score the best deals on Apple’s iPhones, buying refurbished is a great way to cut down costs. Here at OzMobiles, we pride ourselves on having the best prices on refurbished devices. If you find a better deal elsewhere, we’ll beat it by $10 (terms and conditions apply).
Our refurbished range also includes the latest iPhone 16 series. All our phones also come with a free 12-month warranty and a 30-day risk-free return period. So, if you have a change of heart or run into any issues, you can reach out to the OzMobiles team for support.
All of our devices go through an extensive refurbishment process. During this, a qualified technician inspects the phone using industry-grade tools. They ensure the phone is running optimally and fully functional, and only genuine parts are used for repairs (if required).
If you have any questions about the OzMobiles refurbishment process or you’re seeking advice about which iPhone would be best for you, contact us today. We’d love to hear from you and help you find the right device to suit your needs.
