Selecting an iPhone for blind or low vision users

IMPORTANT - Apple Intelligence, a new feature which started to roll out to some iPhone models in late 2024 may be relevant to your choice of iPhone:

Apple began to roll out a set of AI-based features it calls Apple Intelligence in late 2024. Apple Intelligence is available only on phones with the A17 Pro processor or later,  that is the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max and all the iPhone 16 models. Apple no longer sells the 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max. Apple Intelligence is also available on iPads and Macs with an M1 or later processor. 

Many blind and low vision users find it very convenient to use Siri, Apple's digital assistant, to control their iPhone with voice commands. Siri is great, but the current version is frustratingly low on features. Apple promises big changes to Siri which should allow us to do much more within apps using our voices. The new Siri will be available only on iPhones that support Apple Intelligence. The first major Siri update is now delayed due to engineering problems and an Apple spokesperson stated in early March 2025 that it will be released "during the coming year", a very disappointing delay. This upgrade should give Siri much more ability to conduct tasks within apps than it currently has. Reliable reports also predict a version of Siri, possibly in 2026, which has much smarter, modern AI-based abilities to help you get things done and respond to questions more fully.

Some things to consider

If you are planning to help someone who is blind or has low vision to select an iPhone or considering buying one yourself, before beginning to look at iPhone models it's important to ensure that the user will be able to use the phone effectively. iPhones can be fantastic tools for many visually impaired people, but people with little or no useful vision need to make a significant effort in learning to use the VoiceOver interface for the blind. If the user has sufficient sight to read the phone screen, then they will probably be able to use the phone the way that fully sighted users do, with some minor adjustments to text sizes and other display changes that can be made in the Settings / Accessibility menu. If the user will need to use VoiceOver, it is important to assess their ability to learn and remember the gestures and also that they have the dexterity to perform the gestures.  VoiceOver gestures are not obvious and they will only be remembered if they are used frequently. It is vital that a VoiceOver user has a need to use the phone frequently in order to retain VoiceOver skills. If that's not the case, then other, simpler solutions will be more appropriate for most people.

Current iPhone models available from Apple

Be aware that Apple usually announces new major iPhone models every September and prices of the current phones usually fall as soon as the new phones are launched. Apple also stops selling some previous models, usually including the previous Pro and Pro Max iPhones. Consequently, I don't recommend buying a major iPhone in late summer unless you are desperate. Updates to Apple's  most affordable iPhone, currently the iPhone 16e, are less frequent, possibly every 2 or 3 years and often in the spring.

Of course, in 2025 another factor may affect the timing of your decision - the impact of newly-introduced US tariffs on US imports from China and other countries in which Apple equipment is manufactured. You don't need me to tell you that there is uncertainty about how, when and where these will affect iPhone and other Apple product pricing or indeed whether the tariffs will remain in place. Obviously this may override my usual advice to avoid buying in late summer, especially if you are buying in the US. In early April 2025 the initial panic predictions of huge price rises seem to have been abandoned. Predictions were that Apple is unlikely to introduce huge price rises and that possible scenarios include  no price rise, a small global price rise or larger price rises only in the US noting that large price rises would risk a plunge in Apple's sales. In mid April 2025 a tariff exemption on tech products was introduced whichcovers most, if not all, Apple products. So long as things don't change for the worse again, this will remove direct tariff-related reasons for Apple to increase prices. Of course, there may still be other indirect factors which impact prices but probably nothing as serious as was feared initially. 

From 19 February 2025 Apple sells the iPhone models listed below - the price given here is for the smallest memory version); you may be able to find lower prices from other suppliers. If you require the full technical specifications of these phones do an internet search similar to "Apple Support iphone 16 tech spec".

iPhone 16e, introduced in February 2025;

£599 for 128 Gigabyte; A18 chip; 6.1 inch screen; Weight 167 grams - supports Apple Intelligence. 

iPhone 15, introduced in September 2023;

£699 for 128 Gigabyte, A16 chip, 6.1inch screen, Weight 171 grams - doesn't support Apple Intelligence.

iPhone 15 Plus, introduced in September 2023;

£799 for 128 Gigabyte, A16 chip, 6.7 inch screen, Weight 201 grams - doesn't support Apple Intelligence.

iPhone 16, introduced in September 2024;

£799 for 128 Gigabyte, A18 chip, 6.1inch screen, 170 grams - supports Apple Intelligence.

iPhone 16 Plus, introduced in September 2024;

£899 for 128 Gigabyte, A18 chip, 6.7 inch screen, Weight 199 grams - supports Apple Intelligence.

iPhone 16 Pro, introduced in September 2024;

£999 for 128 Gigabyte, A18 Pro chip, 6.3 inch screen, Weight 199 grams - supports Apple Intelligence.

iPhone 16 Pro Max, introduced in September 2024;

£1,199 for 256 Gigabyte, A18 Pro chip, 6.9 inch screen, 227 grams - supports Apple Intelligence.

Some additional notes

Low vision users may prefer phones with screens larger than the iPhone 16e but I strongly recommend all users to consider buying an iPhone that will support Apple Intelligence, even though we may have to wait a long time for a significant Siri upgrade. So, if you need to upgrade or buy your first iPhone now, I recommend that you choose one of the iPhone 16 models.  They are all good choices and the screen size that suits you is something you should check in an Apple Store. The iPhone 16e is an extremely well configurd phone and there are very few compromises over the iPhone 16 that would be importnt to many users. In fact the iPhone 16e even has better battery life than the iPhone 16. I've written an FAQ outlining the differences between the iPhone 16 and 16e. The Pro models have better cameras and incorporate LIDAR, which enables a few additional features to describe their surroundings to blind, VoiceOver users. For example, Apple's Live Recognition feature can help locate and describe doors and furniture only on Pro models. I think it's unlikely that these LIDAR features are currently sufficient to justify the additional cost of a Pro model but some low vision photography enthusiasts may value the camera improvements, which include a greater optical zoom range and a 48 megapixel ultra wide camera in place of the 12 megapixel ultra wide camera on the iPhone 16. The resolution of the camera sensor and the zoom range is also likely to be of benefit to low vision people who use their iPhone as a magnifier and will also enhance the performance of tet scanning apps like SeeingAI. . Battery capacity also rises as you move from 16 to Pro to Pro Max which may be a factor for very heavy users.

Memory size will depend on your use of the phone and whether you wish to carry large quantities of media on the phone.  128 Gigabytes will be ample for basic users. However, if you wish to carry media like a large music library or many videos on your phone then you will probably need larger memory.

Apple usually continues to provide iOS updates for its iPhones for around 5 years after introduction. When iOS updates cease, the phone will continue to operate but eventually, some apps will either not operate correctly or may become unavailable for old iOS versions. Also, when iOS updates cease, the phone is no longer receiving security updates.  You should bear this in mind when purchasing older iPhone models.

Want to know more about using iPhones and iPads with visual impairment?

Please take a look at the rest of this website to learn more about the excellent accessibility features built in to iPhones and iPads. If you'd like to receive occasional hints and tips in your inbox please send an email to blindiosuk@gmail.com asking to be placed on my learners mailing list. 

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