We test every iPhone in real-world scenarios, focusing on its features, design, performance, cameras, battery life and overall value. We document our results in an initial review that is periodically updated when there are new iOS updates or to compare with new phones from competitors like Samsung, Google and OnePlus.
![iphone-15-inch-3](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/9c621b1b6b5f5f9855597b83743b69fdb799c6c0/hub/2023/09/12/e3146840-d196-483d-9bed-53d5ed73282a/iphone-15-thumb-3.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
Photography
Photography is a major focus for the iPhone, so we take photos and videos of various subjects in a variety of settings and lighting scenarios. We're trying out all the new camera modes, such as ProRes Log video that debuted with the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.
Battery life
Battery tests are performed in different ways. We evaluate how long the iPhone lasts during a typical day of use and rate its performance during more focused sessions of video calling, media streaming, and gaming. We also do a video playback test, which is not always included in the initial review and added later in an update.
Performance measurement
We use benchmarking apps to measure performance, as well as our own anecdotal experiences using the phone for our review. Of particular note is the appearance of the graphics and animations. Are they smooth? Or are they late or stuttering? We also look at how quickly the phone switches between horizontal and vertical orientations and how quickly the camera app opens and is ready to take a photo.
![A man holding an iPhone 14 Pro outdoors on a secluded hillside](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/77e355ceca2daabf0732ef48349f8386803f929c/hub/2022/11/14/a2efd1f1-cd67-4ecd-a243-cf75336ffc2c/p1001076.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
Emergency SOS might be one of the most important features available on any phone this year.
We perform CPU-intensive tasks such as editing photos and videos, exporting videos, and playing games. We evaluate whether a newer version of the iPhone includes enough features to warrant an upgrade from older models. Some of these tests are added later in updates after the initial review is published.
Learn more: How CNET tests phones