
The iPhone isn't always the best choice, and some models are definitely worse than others. The iPhone 5c, for instance, was a budget-friendly option that lacked a few key features.
It had a plastic casing, which made it more prone to scratches and damage. This was a major drawback for many users.
The iPhone 5c's processor was also relatively slow, making everyday tasks take longer to complete. This was especially noticeable when compared to other models of the time.
The iPhone 5c was released in 2013 and was eventually discontinued in 2015, replaced by newer and more powerful models.
Worst iPhones
The iPhone 5c was a colorful and fun phone, but it lacked durability and power. It was a bit of a disappointment.
The iPhone 6 had a major issue with bendgate, where the phone would bend or warp if it was put in a back pocket. This was a pretty big problem.
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The iPhone SE (1st Gen) was a small phone that was great for its size, but it quickly fell behind in updates. It was a good phone, but it had some limitations.
Here are some of the worst iPhones in a nutshell:
Ratings and Rankings
The iPhone 13 Pro Max takes the crown as the highest-rated iPhone with 86% five-star reviews.
This is a significant achievement, considering the high standards Apple sets for its products.
The lowest-rated iPhone is the iPhone 5C, with only 64% of users giving it top marks.
This suggests that the iPhone 5C may have had some design or performance issues that didn't meet user expectations.
In contrast, the iPhone 14 base model saw a notable drop in five-star ratings, with an 8 percentage point decrease from the previous year's iPhone 13.
This is the largest decline in over a decade, highlighting the importance of continuous improvement in product development.
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Model Ranking: Best to Worst

The iPhone Model Ranking is a great way to compare and contrast different iPhone models. The worst-performing iPhones are at the bottom of the list.
The iPhone 12 mini is one of the least impressive models, released in 2020. It had a small screen and a relatively low price point, but its performance was underwhelming.
On the other hand, the iPhone 14 Pro is one of the top-performing iPhones, released in 2022. It features a high-end camera system and a powerful A16 Bionic chip.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is another high-ranking model, released in 2021. It has a large screen and a long-lasting battery, making it a great option for those who want a premium iPhone experience.
The iPhone X was a game-changer when it was released in 2017, featuring a sleek design and advanced facial recognition technology.
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Lowest- and Highest-Rated of All Time
The iPhone 13 Pro Max takes the crown as the highest-rated iPhone with 86% five-star reviews. This impressive rating is a testament to the phone's exceptional performance and features.

The lowest-rated iPhone is the iPhone 5C, with only 64% of users giving it top marks. This suggests that the phone may have fallen short in terms of user expectations.
The iPhone 14 base model saw a significant drop in five-star ratings, with an 8 percentage point decline from the previous year's iPhone 13. This is the largest decline in over a decade, highlighting a potential issue with the phone's design or functionality.
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max also saw a drop in five-star ratings, with both models receiving 76% and 80% respectively. This decline is a notable drop from their iPhone 13 counterparts, suggesting that users may be experiencing issues with these newer models.
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iPhone Issues
The iPhone 5c was a colorful and fun option, but it lacked durability and power.
One of the biggest issues with the iPhone 6 was its tendency to bend, a problem known as "Bendgate." This was due to the phone's thin and light design, which made it prone to warping when subjected to pressure.
The iPhone 6 Plus was 7.2x more likely to bend than its predecessor, the iPhone 5s.
Some iPhones, like the iPhone SE (1st Gen), were small and convenient, but they quickly fell behind in updates, making them less desirable in the long run.
Here are some of the worst iPhones:
- iPhone 5c – lacked durability and power
- iPhone 6 – prone to bending
- iPhone SE (1st Gen) – quickly fell behind in updates
Does It Bend?
The iPhone 6 brought about a new era of iPhone design with its rounded corners, curves, and thinness, but it also introduced a major controversy: bend-gate.
The iPhone 6 used 6000 series aluminum, which was meant to be thin and light, but it lacked support around the frame, mostly around the buttons on the edge. This made it prone to bending when subjected to force, such as when placed in a pocket while seated.
Apple was aware of this potential issue, but it released the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus anyway. Internal testing had shown that the iPhone 6 was 3.3x more likely to bend than its predecessor, the iPhone 5s, and the iPhone 6 Plus was 7.2x more likely.
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The iPhone 6's design flaws led to a wave of complaints from owners who had experienced bent devices. Unfortunately, aluminum doesn't snap back into shape once bent, unlike other materials like plastic.
Here are some of the worst iPhones that suffered from design flaws:
- iPhone 5c – Lacked durability and power.
- iPhone 6 – Bendgate and performance issues made it a problematic release.
- iPhone SE (1st Gen) – Small size was great, but it quickly fell behind in updates.
Improper Usage
You're holding it wrong, literally. The iPhone 4's design flaw caused signal loss when you held it in your hand, covering the antenna.
This happened because Apple moved the cellular antenna to the outside of the phone via the stainless steel frame.
The issue was so big that Steve Jobs made a special announcement to address it.
Apple eventually admitted it was a design flaw and offered free bumper cases to help alleviate the problem.
The iPhone 4's revolutionary features like the Retina Display and 5MP camera were overshadowed by the antennagate controversy.
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