Short answer

• Best overall for photography in 2024: iPhone 15 Pro Max. (theverge.com)
• Best “Pro” compact: iPhone 15 Pro (almost identical image pipeline to Pro Max, slightly different telephoto). (theverge.com)
• Best value / still excellent: iPhone 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max (2022) — strong camera hardware and ProRAW support at lower prices in 2024. (CASEBX.com)
• Budget / simple photography: iPhone SE (3rd gen) or iPhone 13/13 mini if you want decent photos without Pro features. (CASEBX.com)

Why these picks (what matters for photography)

• Main sensor quality and processing: Apple’s Pro models in 2023–2024 used 48 MP main sensors with Apple’s heavily tuned image‑processing (Smart HDR/Photonic Engine), which produce the best overall daylight and low‑light images. The 15 Pro/Pro Max continued that approach; the 15 Pro Max adds the most flexible telephoto. (theverge.com)
• Telephoto/zoom: The 15 Pro Max in 2024 has the strongest built‑in telephoto on an iPhone (longer “true” optical reach than the smaller Pro), which helps portraits and distant subjects. The 15 Pro trades some tele reach for a slightly different lens. (theverge.com)
• Computational features and formats: ProRAW and ProRes (video) are available on Pro models — important if you edit heavily. LiDAR on Pro models also improves Portrait and low‑light autofocus/AR. (theverge.com)
• Real‑world results: iPhone 15 Pro Max was heavily represented among award‑winning shots and reviewers’ photo comparisons in 2024. Reviewers also still call the 14 Pro-series a very capable cheaper alternative. (TechRadar.com)

Which to choose based on use case

• Professional / travel / editorial photography: iPhone 15 Pro Max — best overall image quality, best telephoto for varied shooting, top low‑light/portrait performance. (theverge.com)
• Enthusiast who edits: iPhone 15 Pro — same computational pipeline and ProRAW, slightly less telephoto reach but more pocketable. (theverge.com)
• Best value for still‑great photos: iPhone 14 Pro or 14 Pro Max — similar 48MP base sensor and Pro features, often discounted in 2024. (CASEBX.com)
• Casual / budget: iPhone SE (3rd gen) or older non‑Pro iPhones — solid single‑lens shooters with Apple’s software processing, good for social and everyday photos. (CASEBX.com)

A couple of practical notes

• If you shoot a lot of telephoto/zoom or distant subjects, prioritize the Pro Max telephoto. If you edit raw files, make sure the model supports ProRAW. (theverge.com)
• Software updates and third‑party camera apps can improve results on older models, so a discounted 14 Pro or 13 Pro can still be a great photographic tool in 2024. (TechRadar.com)

If you’d like, I can:

• Compare sample photos (daylight, portrait, low light, zoom) between two specific iPhone models; or
• Recommend the best choice for your budget and the kind of photos you take (travel, portraits, wildlife, social).