Why a Good Smartphone Matters for Building Passive Income
If you want to build passive income through content creation or affiliate marketing, it all starts with the right tools. And one of the most important tools is a good smartphone. Your iPhone isn’t just a camera, it’s also your workspace.
With a high-quality device, you can easily record videos, take photos, edit content, and publish it directly online. iPhones, in particular, are known for their powerful cameras, user-friendly software, and reliability, making them the perfect choice for anyone who wants to create professional-looking content without immediately investing in expensive gear.
In this article, we’ll compare the best iPhone models in 2025, so you can clearly see which one fits your goals and budget. That way, you’ll make a smart choice and set a strong foundation for building your online income.
iPhone 16 Series
The iPhone 16 is Apple’s latest lineup, available in five different variants:
iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e replaces the iPhone SE (2022). It’s a big step up, losing the home button in favor of an edge-to-edge display, Face ID, and a new Action button. It comes with USB-C and the powerful A18 chip with Apple Intelligence support.
- Display: 6.1-inch OLED, edge-to-edge with notch
- Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
- Camera: single lens
- Design: glass back, black or white
- Launch: February 2025
This makes the 16e an entry-level iPhone with the latest Apple technology at an accessible price.
iPhone 16 Pro
A major upgrade for creators, the iPhone 16 Pro introduces a dedicated camera button on the side, letting you launch the camera and adjust settings instantly. It also includes the Action button, a larger 6.3-inch display, and a titanium build.
- Display: 6.3-inch always-on with Dynamic Island
- Storage: 128 GB to 1 TB
- Camera: triple camera system
- Design: titanium, available in natural, white, black, and a new sand color
- Launch: September 2024
This model is built with photography, video, and performance in mind.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers the same features as the Pro but with a much larger 6.9-inch screen.
- Display: 6.9-inch always-on with Dynamic Island
- Storage: 256 GB to 1 TB
- Camera: triple camera system
- Design: titanium, same colors as the Pro
- Launch: September 2024
Perfect for creators who want maximum screen space without sacrificing performance.
iPhone 16
The standard iPhone 16 has seen major improvements this year. For the first time, even the base model gets both the Action button and the new camera button. It keeps the dual-camera system, now aligned vertically.
- Display: 6.1-inch Dynamic Island
- Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
- Camera: dual camera (vertical)
- Design: aluminum body, available in black, white, pink, and teal blue
- Launch: September 2024
A colorful and practical upgrade for those who want reliable performance at a friendlier price point.
iPhone 16 Plus
Similar to the iPhone 16 but larger, the Plus model includes the camera button, Action button, and dual cameras on a 6.3-inch display.
- Display: 6.3-inch Dynamic Island
- Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
- Camera: dual camera (vertical)
- Design: aluminum
- Launch: September 2024
Ideal for anyone who wants extra screen space while keeping the same functionality as the standard iPhone 16.
iPhone 15 Series
The iPhone 15 lineup launched in 2023 and includes four models:
iPhone 15 Pro
The iPhone 15 Pro marked a big leap forward. It was the first iPhone with USB-C and the first made of titanium. Apple also introduced the Action button, replacing the old mute switch. On the back, you’ll find three lenses: an ultra-wide, a telephoto, and a 48-megapixel main camera.
- Display: 6.1-inch always-on with Dynamic Island
- Storage: 128 GB to 1 TB
- Camera: triple camera system
- Design: titanium with rounded edges
- Colors: natural, blue, white, black
- Launch: September 2023
For creators, this versatile triple camera setup is a big plus. You can shoot product close-ups with the telephoto lens, wide lifestyle shots with the ultra-wide, and crystal-clear photos or videos with the 48 MP main camera.
iPhone 15 Pro Max
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has the same features as the 15 Pro, but offers a larger 6.7-inch screen. This makes this model ideal for those who value a large display for video, gaming, or multitasking.
- Display: 6.7-inch always-on with Dynamic Island
- Storage: 256 GB to 1 TB
- Camera: triple camera system
- Design: titanium with rounded edges
- Colors: natural, blue, white, black
- Launch: September 2023
Great for creators making tutorials, beauty content, or other videos where zooming without losing quality is essential.
iPhone 15
The standard iPhone 15 brought significant upgrades. For the first time, even the base model got Dynamic Island, previously exclusive to Pro models. It also switched to USB-C and gained a 48 MP main lens alongside an ultra-wide.
- Display: 6.1-inch with Dynamic Island
- Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
- Camera: dual camera (diagonal)
- Design: aluminum, rounded edges
- Colors: blue, pink, yellow, green, black
- Launch: September 2023
This model is a budget-friendly choice for lifestyle or social content creators who want Pro-level image quality without the Pro price tag.
iPhone 15 Plus
The iPhone 15 Plus is identical to the iPhone 15 but larger, featuring a 6.7-inch screen.
- Display: 6.7-inch with Dynamic Island
- Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
- Camera: dual camera (diagonal)
- Design: aluminum, rounded edges
- Colors: blue, pink, yellow, green, black
- Launch: September 2023
The bigger display makes filming TikToks or Reels much easier, letting you see more detail while recording and editing on the spot.
iPhone 14 Series
The iPhone 14 series launched in 2022 with four models:
iPhone 14 Pro
The iPhone 14 Pro introduced Dynamic Island, replacing the notch, and brought Always-On Display for the first time. On the back, it included an upgraded triple camera with a new 48 MP main sensor.
- Display: 6.1-inch OLED, Always-On with Dynamic Island
- Storage: 128 GB to 1 TB
- Camera: triple camera system (48 MP main)
- Design: stainless steel with matte glass back
- Colors: silver, gold, space black, deep purple
- Launch: September 2022
A great pick for creators who often film in low light, as the upgraded sensor adapts well to changing environments.
iPhone 14 Pro Max
The iPhone 14 Pro Max offers exactly the same features as the Pro, but with a larger 6.7-inch screen. So you also get Dynamic Island, always-on display, and the improved triple camera, but with more screen space and a larger battery.
- Display: 6.7-inch OLED, Always-On with Dynamic Island
- Storage: 128 GB to 1 TB
- Camera: triple camera system
- Design: stainless steel with matte glass back
- Colors: silver, gold, space black, deep purple
- Launch: September 2022
The bigger screen is perfect for reviewing footage or making quick edits on the go.
iPhone 14
The iPhone 14 looked much like the iPhone 13 but included camera improvements and crash detection.
- Display: 6.1-inch OLED
- Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
- Camera: dual camera (diagonal)
- Design: aluminum with glass back
- Colors: midnight, purple, starlight, red, blue, yellow
- Launch: September 2022
For beginners in UGC, this phone is more than capable, with versatile dual cameras for both personal and product shots.
iPhone 14 Plus
The iPhone 14 Plus is the larger version of the regular iPhone 14. With a 6.7-inch display, this is the first basic model to be released in a large format. The device has the same features as the iPhone 14, but thanks to its larger size, there is also room for a larger battery.
- Display: 6.7-inch OLED
- Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
- Camera: dual camera (diagonal)
- Design: aluminum with glass back
- Colors: midnight, purple, starlight, red, blue, yellow
- Launch: September 2022
The bigger display and battery make it a great option for creators who edit directly on their phone.
