The Big Picture
Let's cut through the noise: ranking every iPhone ever made is a fool's errand, but someone had to do it. I've been testing smartphones since the original iPhone launched in 2007, and I've seen the evolution from a glorified iPod with a phone app to a pocket-sized production studio. This video ranking does exactly what it says—it tiers every iPhone from the first to the rumored iPhone 17 Pro Max, based on how good they were at their time of release. For creators, this isn't just nostalgia; it's a practical guide to which used models are still worth picking up for video, photo, and audio work.
The bold truth? Not all iPhones are created equal. Some were revolutionary, others were iterative flops, and a few were just plain weird—like the iPhone 5C's plastic body or the iPhone 6's tendency to bend. If you're a creator looking to buy a used iPhone for filming, editing, or live streaming, you need to know which models deliver real value and which are traps. I've spent years hands-on with every model listed here, and I'm going to break down the winners and losers in a way that actually matters for your workflow.
What You Need to Know
This ranking uses an S, A, B, C, D tier system—S being legendary, D being skippable. The creator behind the video goes through each iPhone chronologically, evaluating design, performance, camera, and cultural impact. Let me highlight the key models that matter for creators:
- **S-Tier (Must-Have Legacy)**: The original iPhone (2007) is S-tier for obvious reasons—it invented the modern smartphone. The iPhone 4 (2010) introduced the glass sandwich design and Retina display, which set a visual standard that still influences today's phones. The iPhone 5s (2013) was the first with a 64-bit processor and Touch ID, making it a performance beast for its time. The iPhone X (2017) is arguably the most important iPhone of the last decade—Face ID, the Neural Engine, and an edge-to-edge OLED display that made every other phone look dated.
- **A-Tier (Excellent for Creators)**: The iPhone 4s (2011) fixed the antenna gate issue and introduced Siri and iCloud, but its GPU was surprisingly powerful for gaming. The iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max (2019) is a dark horse—triple camera system with square module, insane battery life, and the A13 Bionic chip. I've used this for 4K video shoots, and it still holds up. The iPhone 13 Pro (2021) is another A-tier, thanks to its ProMotion 120Hz display and improved battery over the 12 Pro.
- **D-Tier (Skip for Creators)**: The iPhone 5C (2013) was a plastic-bodied flop that lacked the fingerprint scanner of the 5s. The iPhone 6 (2014) bent in pockets—not ideal for a creator on the go. The iPhone 12 Pro (2020) had poor battery life due to 5G, and removing the charger from the box was a bad move. The iPhone 13 (2021) was just a minor notch reduction and brightness bump—nothing worth upgrading for.
The video also calls out the iPhone 7 (2016) as a wild decision for removing the headphone jack, which was a nightmare for audio creators at the time. The iPhone 8 (2017) was overshadowed by the X, making it a solid phone that nobody bought.
Real-World Application
For creators, this ranking translates directly to buying decisions. Let me walk you through a practical scenario: you're a YouTuber on a budget looking for a used iPhone to shoot 4K video. Here's my advice based on the tiers:
- **Best Budget Pick**: iPhone 11 Pro. You can find these for under $300 used. The triple camera setup gives you ultra-wide, wide, and telephoto lenses, plus excellent low-light performance. I've shot entire vlogs on this, and the stabilization is still competitive with newer models. Avoid the iPhone 12 Pro—it has worse battery life and no meaningful camera upgrade.
- **Best Value for Performance**: iPhone 13 Pro. The 120Hz ProMotion display makes scrolling and editing feel smoother, and the A15 Bionic chip handles 4K ProRes video without breaking a sweat. Battery life is significantly better than the 12 Pro, and you get macro photography. If you can find a refurbished unit for around $500, it's a steal.
- **Avoid These**: iPhone 6 (bendgate), iPhone 5C (dated plastic), iPhone 12 Pro (poor battery), and iPhone 8 (outshined by X). Also, stay away from the iPhone XR and iPhone 11 if you care about display quality—they have low-resolution 720p panels and thick bezels that look terrible for video playback.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
I've seen creators make expensive mistakes when buying used iPhones. Here are the traps to dodge:
- **Don't Buy the Hype**: The iPhone X is legendary, but it's now six years old. The battery life is degraded, and the OLED screen is prone to burn-in. Unless you're a collector, skip it for daily use. The iPhone 11 Pro is a better choice for the same price.
- **Battery Health is King**: On any used iPhone, check the battery health percentage in Settings > Battery > Battery Health. Anything below 80% means you'll need a replacement soon, which costs $70-$100. Models like the iPhone 12 Pro already had mediocre battery life, so a degraded one is unusable for a full day of shooting.
- **Don't Overpay for the 'S' Models**: The iPhone 5s, 6s, and Xs were incremental updates. The video correctly ranks the Xs as D-tier because it only offered a processor bump and a new gold color. If you're looking at a used Xs, just get an X instead—you'll save money and lose nothing meaningful.
- **Storage Matters**: For 4K video, 64GB is not enough. Aim for 128GB or 256GB. The iPhone 11 Pro and 13 Pro both come in these configurations, but the 12 Pro's base 128GB is fine if you can tolerate the battery.
Expert Tips & Pro Insights
Here's what the video doesn't tell you, but I've learned from years of testing:
- **The Neural Engine is Underrated**: The iPhone X introduced the Neural Engine, which powers machine learning tasks like real-time photo processing and AR. For creators using apps like LumaFusion or Adobe Rush, this means faster exports and better stabilization. The iPhone 11 Pro's A13 Bionic has a more advanced Neural Engine that handles HDR video processing better than the X.
- **ProRes is a Game Changer**: The iPhone 13 Pro and later support Apple ProRes, a professional video codec that preserves more color data for editing. If you're serious about color grading, this is a must-have. The iPhone 11 Pro doesn't have it, so stick to H.264 or HEVC.
- **Don't Ignore the iPhone 7 Plus**: The video ranks the iPhone 7 as A-tier, but the 7 Plus had a dual-camera system that introduced Portrait Mode. For creators who want a cheap used phone with decent bokeh, the 7 Plus is still viable—just be prepared for no headphone jack and mediocre battery.
- **Maximize Battery Life**: On any iPhone, turn off Background App Refresh and reduce screen brightness to extend shooting time. For the iPhone 12 Pro, disabling 5G in Settings > Cellular > Voice & Data > LTE can double your battery life.
The Verdict
Should creators invest in any of these iPhones today? Yes, but only if you choose wisely. The iPhone 11 Pro is the best bang for your buck for video and photo work, with excellent battery life and a triple-camera system that still competes with mid-range Androids. The iPhone 13 Pro is the gold standard for mobile creators, offering ProRes, 120Hz display, and reliable battery life. Avoid the iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 6, and iPhone 5C at all costs.
For collectors or nostalgia seekers, the original iPhone and iPhone X are worth owning as pieces of tech history, but not for daily use. The ranking is spot-on for the most part, but I'd bump the iPhone X down to A-tier due to battery degradation. Overall, this video is a fun, data-driven trip down memory lane that every creator should watch before buying a used iPhone.
