The base iPhone that closed most of the gap to the Pro. Reviewers in 2026 still call it the model most people should buy — with one complaint that never went away.
This entry is written from the 4 sources listed at the bottom of the page. The numbers are our editorial estimates drawn from that material, not measurements, and no statistical sample sits behind them.
On the evidence gathered here, yes. 85% of owners say they would buy it again, and satisfaction is still 8.3 out of 10 two years in. Still recommended as the best base model well into its second year.
Satisfaction stays flat. The only complaint that grows over time is the refresh rate, and only for owners who spend time with 120Hz screens.
The 60Hz screen becomes more noticeable once you have used 120Hz elsewhere. Storage tier chosen at purchase becomes the real constraint. Battery health decline over multiple years.
Still recommended as the best base model well into its second year. Sentiment across the ownership period stays close to flat, which is rare: it reads 8.6 out of 10 in the first week and 8.3 two years later.
Worth it for: People upgrading from an iPhone 11, 12 or 13; Anyone who wants a current phone without Pro pricing; Owners who keep phones until they stop being supported. Think twice if: You have used a 120Hz display and cannot unsee it; You shoot a lot of zoomed photos; You store large video libraries on-device.
Our reading of how sentiment moves across an ownership period, drawn from the sources below. It is an editorial estimate, not tracked longitudinal data.
| At purchase | 7.6 / 10 |
|---|---|
| First week | 8.6 / 10 |
| One month | 8.5 / 10 |
| Six months | 8.4 / 10 |
| One year | 8.3 / 10 |
| Two years or more | 8.3 / 10 |
Owner reviews move this score. The researched figure stays visible next to it, so you can always see what the sources said before anyone voted.
Leave a review on the live pageEvery complaint and every piece of praise above traces back to these. The summaries are ours; nothing is quoted, and no link, quote or username anywhere on this site is invented.
Argues the standard model covers what most buyers need, with the display as the main compromise.
Revisits the phone well after launch to judge whether it still makes sense at its current price.
Assesses the model from a second-hand buying perspective, including longevity.
Full technical review including display, battery and camera testing.