How to decide on your iPhone in 2026
Earlier than you bounce into the precise iPhone fashions, take into consideration what issues most to you: battery life for all-day use, digicam high quality for pictures and video, display dimension for media or gaming, and the way a lot you’re keen to spend. These easy priorities will assist slim down whether or not you must select a Professional mannequin, a center choice like the usual iPhone 17, a light-weight iPhone Air, or a extra budget-friendly alternative.
Deciding which iPhone to purchase has all the time been difficult and little question you will have many questions. Which display dimension is finest for you, and the way a lot storage do you want? Do you have to lower your expenses by deciding on an older mannequin, or must you splash out on the newest iPhone? Which iPhone is the most effective compromise between specs and worth for cash?
On this article, we discuss you thru every of the telephones at the moment obtainable from Apple, that can assist you resolve which is finest for you. We focus on iPhone costs, specs and options, paying explicit consideration to the cameras, screens and sturdiness, and the way the design of every handset differs, so you must go away feeling way more assured about which iPhone you must get.
For extra assist together with your alternative see our full evaluations of the newest iPhones (linked beneath) and our Finest iPhone comparability chart the place we examine all the brand new iPhones with the iPhones nonetheless being offered by Apple.
Finest iPhone 2026
- For most individuals, Apple’s normal iPhone provides the most effective mixture of efficiency, battery life, and worth… however Professional fashions make sense for those who care about pictures or video.
When it comes to energy and options, the ‘finest’ iPhone is both the iPhone 17 Professional or 17 Professional Max, however these iPhoned aren’t essentially the most effective for you attributable to their excessive price ticket. Fortunately there’s a good iPhone for everybody, with every mannequin providing the proper compromise of options to cost. For 2026 we predict that the iPhone 17 is an effective all-rounder because of the brand new options that deliver it nearer than ever to the professional fashions.
Here’s a quick-at-a-glance comparability of all of the iPhones Apple at the moment sells, from the final word iPhone to the most cost effective iPhone you should buy proper now. Beneath this part you’ll be able to learn extra about how every iPhone compares when it comes to digicam, battery life, display, price, and different essential components.
1. Apple iPhone 17 Professional Max – Finest battery life iPhone

Finest Costs In the present day:
The iPhone 17 Professional Max is absolutely only a bigger iPhone 17 Professional. In previous years, the Professional Max model would have some distinguishing characteristic (like higher telephoto digicam) however that hasn’t been the case for a number of years.
Which means that, as with the iPhone 17 Professional, the three rear cameras have all been upgraded to 48MP. As with the entire iPhones 17 era, the entrance going through FaceTime digicam is now 18MP and helps Twin Seize, so you’ll be able to movie your response to what you might be recording with the rear digicam. The brand new design for 2025 improves thermal effectivity.
The distinguishing options of the iPhone 17 Professional Max are higher battery life because of its bigger battery, and the massive 6.9-inch display.
Learn our full
Apple iPhone 17 Professional Max evaluate
2. Apple iPhone 17 Professional – Finest iPhone for pictures

Finest Costs In the present day:
The iPhone 17 Professional, prefer it’s larger sibling, has been upgraded to enhance thermal effectivity and now has an aluminium design (not like the predecessor which was titanium). The colour decisions this time spherical are Deep Blue, Silver and the eye-catching Cosmic Orange.
It provides barely higher efficiency and battery life than the usual iPhone 17.
However the huge distinction between the iPhone 17 Professional and the iPhone 17 is the photograph and video capabilities. The 17 Professional (and Professional Max) help as much as 8x zoom and every of the three rear cameras encompasses a new 48-megapixel sensor (in 2024 the principle and extremely broad lens did, however not the telephoto). The iPhone 17 Professional additionally helps high-end codecs like ProRAW, HLG video, and video recording at as much as 4K and 120fps.
Learn our full
Apple iPhone 17 Professional evaluate
3. Apple iPhone 17 – The very best iPhone for most individuals

Finest Costs In the present day:
The iPhone 17 is sort of an enormous enchancment on the iPhone 16, and closes the hole between the professional and non professional fashions greater than ever as a result of it provides a Professional Movement, All the time-On display.
The iPhone 17 additionally has a much bigger show at 6.3-inches, up from 6.1-inches on the iPhone 16. Which means that the display dimension now matches that of the iPhone 17 Professional once more. Different huge enhancements for this era embody two 48MP cameras on the rear and a brand new 18MP digicam on the entrance (shared by the opposite new iPhones that arrived in late 2025).
Among the best issues concerning the iPhone 17 is the truth that the entry-level mannequin prices the identical because the iPhone 16 did, however provides twice as a lot storage, so it’s successfully a reduction on 2024’s worth.
Learn our full
Apple iPhone 17 evaluate
4. Apple iPhone Air – Lightest iPhone

Finest Costs In the present day:
The iPhone Air is a model new format for the iPhone and the thinnest iPhone ever at simply 5.64mm thick. If you would like a slim iPhone then it’s the one for you. The body is made out of titanium as a result of it’s sturdy and difficult, which is important for such a skinny product.
The opposite distinction between the iPhone Air and the iPhone 17 and 17 Professional is the display dimension, which is a bigger 6.5-inches in comparison with their 6.3-inch screens. If you would like an enormous display and might’t afford the iPhone 17 Professional Max (with a 6.9-inch display) then the iPad Air is the best choice.
There is just one digicam on the rear, just like the iPhone 16e, however, like the opposite iPhones arriving in late 2025, it provides 48MP. The entrance digicam is 18MP and shares the options of the opposite late 2025 iPhones.
Just like the iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max the iPhone Air options the A19 Professional chip, which might be over kill for a telephone like this, however will at the very least future-proof it.
Learn our full
Apple iPhone Air (2025) evaluate
5. Apple iPhone 16e – Finest funds iPhone

Finest Costs In the present day:
The iPhone 16e arrived in February 2025 as a alternative for the iPhone SE. The iPhone 16e introduced the Apple Intelligence AI-powered options at a barely extra funds pleasant worth.
The 16e has just one digicam on the rear, however its rather a lot higher than the one digicam on the iPhone SE was. It additionally provides higher battery life than the iPhone 16.
The iPhone 16e has rather a lot going for it in comparison with the iPhone 16 (beneath) regardless of its cheaper price as you will note for those who learn our comparisons of the iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16.
Learn our full
Apple iPhone 16e evaluate
6. Apple iPhone 16 Plus – Price range huge display iPhone

Finest Costs In the present day:
We talked about above that the iPhone Air has a 6.5-inch display, which is a profit if you’d like a bigger display than the iPhone 17 and 17 Professional provide, however there may be one other, even cheaper choice, if you’d like a big display in your iPhone: the iPhone 16 Plus with its 6.7-inch show.
The iPhone 16 Plus was launched in 2024 and has had a worth minimize because the arrival of the iPhone 17 vary. It’s the bigger model of the iPhone 16, with the identical specs and options, except for the larger show and higher battery life. Apple remains to be promoting the 128GB and 256GB fashions, and you can purchase the 256GB iPhone 16 Plus for $100/£100 lower than the equal iPhone Air.
Sadly it will in all probability be the final iPhone offered within the Plus format as Apple hasn’t launched an iPhone 17 Plus. So if you’d like a big display and don’t need to lay our a fortune on the iPhone 17 Professional Max, or settle for the sacrifices required with the iPhone Air, then that is the iPhone to purchase.
Learn our full
iPhone 16 and 16 Plus evaluate
7. Apple iPhone 16 – The iPhone to keep away from

Finest Costs In the present day:
The iPhone 16 was an honest improve on the iPhone 15, bringing help for Apple Intelligence, longer battery life and the Digital camera Management button to make it sooner and simpler to take footage. Nonetheless, now that the iPhone 17 has arrived with twice as a lot storage on the entry stage there isn’t a great purpose to purchase the iPhone 16, which although it prices $100/£100 lower than the iPhone 17 doesn’t provide worth for cash.
We focus on how the iPhone 16 compares to the iPhone 17 in a separate article.
Learn our full
Apple iPhone 16 evaluate
How a lot do iPhones price?
Every year when Apple introduces a brand new set of iPhones it reduces the worth of the older fashions it continues to promote. Beneath you will discover pricing for U.S., U.Ok., Canada and Australia (scroll throughout to see pricing in your area).
Within the U.S., costs are subsidised by which ever provider you enroll with and also you pay extra for an unlocked iPhone. Within the U.Ok. and different nations an iPhone will be purchased from Apple off contract and unlocked, so you need to use it with an present contract or swap networks to get a greater deal.
| Mannequin | Launch date | Storage choices | U.S. Worth | U.Ok. Worth | Canada Worth | Australia Worth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 Professional Max | September 2025 | 256GB 512GB 1TB 2TB | $1,199 $1,399 $1,599 $1,999 | £1,199 £1,399 £1,599 £1,999 | $1,749 $2,049 $2,349 $2,949 | $2,199 $2,549 $2,899 $3,799 |
| iPhone 17 Professional | September 2025 | 256GB 512GB 1TB | $1,099 $1,299 $1,499 | £1,099 £1,299 £1,499 | $1,599 $1,899 $2,199 | $2,049 $2,399 $2,749 |
| iPhone Air | September 2025 | 256GB 512GB 1TB | $999 $1,199 $1,399 | £999 £1,199 £1,399 | $999 $1,199 $1,399 | $1,799 $2,199 $2,599 |
| iPhone 17 | September 2025 | 256GB 512GB | $799 $999 | £799 £999 | $1,129 $1,429 | $1,399 $1,799 |
| iPhone 16 Plus | September 2024 | 128GB 256GB | $799 $899 | £799 £899 | $1,149 $1,299 | $1,399 $1,699 |
| iPhone 16 | September 2024 | 128GB | $699 | £699 | $999 | $1,249 |
| iPhone 16e | February 2025 | 128GB 256GB 512GB | $599 $699 $899 | £599 £699 £899 | $899 $1,049 $1,349 | $999 $1,199 $1,549 |
You don’t need to pay full worth for a brand new iPhone although. Learn our iPhone offers roundup for extra recommendation on getting the bottom attainable worth from varied completely different resellers and the most effective contract offers.
Design: How do the iPhones examine?

APPLE
Digital camera Management button: The entire iPhone 17 line up, the iPhone Air, and the iPhones 16 and 16 Plus all characteristic the Digital camera Management button on the aspect of the iPhone. The iPhone 16e lacks this button. The Digital camera Management button opens the Digital camera app and you’ll press it once more to take a photograph or file a video. The button is definitely contact delicate so you need to use varied gestures, akin to sliding your finger over it to regulate publicity, for instance. On the iPhone 16e you’ll be able to set the Motion button to open the digicam and take {a photograph}, however you’ll be able to’t high-quality tune settings in the identical approach.
Motion Button: The Motion Button options on the entire of the iPhone 16 and 17 line up, and the iPhone Air. It’s a customisable button that may carry out sure actions, akin to turning on the flashlight or silent mode. The Motion Button is above the quantity controls in the identical place because the mute button on older iPhones.
Dynamic Island: From the entrance all of the iPhones are visually comparable. Every iPhone has an space on the high of the display that conceals the entrance digicam and Face ID expertise. On the iPhone 16e that is known as the notch. On the iPhone 17 collection, iPhone Air and the iPhone 16 and 16 Push this can be a smaller capsule formed adaptive space referred to as the Dynamic Island that may show Reside Actions and different software program parts in a approach that makes the notch a bit extra helpful.
Digital camera structure: Flip the iPhones over and the variations turn into a lot clearer. As you’ll be able to see from the picture above, the iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max have three lenses specified by a triangle formation. For these fashions the flash and LiDAR scanner have been moved to the opposite aspect of what Apple is looking the Digital camera Plateau, the place in older fashions they had been nearer to the lenses. The iPhone 16 has two lenses, one above the opposite, and the iPhone Air has a single lens on it’s personal Digital camera Plateau that stretches the width of the iPhone, not like the one lens of the iPhone 16e.
Dimensions The obvious distinction is the size and weight of every telephone. We’ve detailed these within the chart beneath.
Colours: Whereas it’s very possible that you’ll put your iPhone in a case and by no means take a look at the colour on the again once more, the colour decisions obtainable for every iPhone mannequin is one other space the place there may be a number of distinction. You possibly can see the completely different colours on provide within the chart beneath.
Right here’s how the size and colours examine:
| iPhone | Dimensions | Weight | Colours |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 Professional Max | 6.43 inches (163.4 mm) x 3.07 inches (78 mm) x 0.34 inch (8.75 mm) | 8.15 ounces (231 grams) | Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, Silver |
| iPhone 17 Professional | 5.91 inches (150 mm) x 2.83 inches (71.9 mm) x 0.34 inches (8.75 mm) | 7.20 ounces (204 grams) | Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, Silver |
| iPhone 17 | 5.89 inches (149 mm) x 2.81 inches (71.5 mm) x 0.31 inches (7.95 mm) | 6.24 ounces (177 grams) | Lavender, Sage, Mist Blue, White, Black |
| iPhone Air | 6.15 inches (156.2 mm) x 2.94 inches (74.7 mm) x 0.22 inches (5.82 mm) | 6.24 ounces (177 grams) | Sky Blue, Mild Gold, Cloud White, House Black |
| iPhone 16 Plus | 6.33 inches (160.9 mm) x 3.06 inches (77.8 mm) x 0.31 inch (7.80 mm) | 7.03 ounces (199 grams) | Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, Black |
| iPhone 16 | 5.81 inches (147.6 mm) x 2.82 inches (71.6 mm) x 0.31 inch (7.80 mm) | 6.00 ounces (170 grams) | Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, Black |
| iPhone 16e | 5.78 inches (146.7 mm) x 2.82 inches (71.5 mm) x 0.31 inch (7.80 mm) | 5.88 ounces (167 grams) | Black, White |
Display: How are the iPhone shows completely different?
The Professional and Professional Max iPhones was the one iPhones to supply ProMotion, which permits for an adaptive refresh charges, with the refresh price going as excessive as 120Hz for actually clean scrolling and as little as 1Hz. That is now not the case: the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air additionally characteristic ProMotion screens. And is doesn’t cease there: the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air additionally characteristic All the time-On shows, which was one other characteristic beforehand reserved for the Professional fashions. Because of this the iPhone 17, 17 Professional, 17 Professional Max and iPhone Air all have equivalent screens.
The iPhone 16, 16 Plus and 16e lack the ProMotion and All the time-On shows, the height outside brightness is larger on the newer iPhones as nicely, with the 17-series providing 3,000 nits peak, in comparison with 2,000 on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. The height brightness on the iPhone 16e is 1,200 nits. The power for the display to get very very dim (all the way down to 1 nit) whereas nonetheless remaining usable can also be key because it’s nice to be used in darkish rooms. The iPhone 16e is the one iPhone within the present line up that lacks this dimming characteristic.
The All the time-On display, on all of the iPhones besides the 16e, means the iPhone can all the time show parts such because the time and date, notifications and Lock Display widgets with out it being essential to wake the iPhone. The display dims to reduce onscreen energy utilization to protect battery life and it’ll flip off must you place it face down or stroll away whereas carrying an Apple Watch.
The display dimension could also be an important consider your choice. When you desire a bigger display, you’ll need the “Professional Max” model. The iPhone 17 Professional Max has a display dimension of 6.9 inches diagonally. The following largest display is on the iPhone 16 Plus at 6.7-inches, after which the iPhone Air at 6.5-inches. However even the iPhone 17 and 17 Professional have a 6.3-inch show which is under no circumstances diminutive. The iPhone 16 and 16e have the smallest screensL: each are 6.1-inches.
Digital camera: How do the iPhone cameras examine?

Foundry
Rear cameras
For a lot of it’s the capabilities of the cameras that promote the iPhones, so it’s no marvel that yearly Apple improves the digicam on its iPhones, typically bettering the tech, typically the software program. The iPhone 17 nonetheless encompasses a dual-camera array with broad and ultra-wide lenses, whereas solely the Professional and Professional Max provide the extra telephoto lens.
In 2024 the iPhone 16 Professional and Professional Max gained a 48 megapixel Extremely Extensive digicam and the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus gained a 48MP Fusion Most important digicam, which can also be a characteristic of the 16e.
This time all of the rear cameras are upgraded to 48MP. Within the case of the iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max that’s three 48MP cameras, two for the iPhone 17. The iPhone Air has the identical 48MP Fusion Most important digicam because the 16e. The 48MP improve throughout the board ought to imply extra element while you crop into pictures. On the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air the additional pixels imply you’ll be able to shoot 12MP photographs as for those who had a 2x Telephoto lens. The 48MP pictures will take up much more house although, so it’s attainable to change to capturing in a 24MP decision.
Probably the most spectacular digicam improve is reserved for the iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max, after all, the telephoto zoom now achieves a 8x optical zoom, up from 5x. This further lens is prone to be the explanation why most individuals will go for the 17 Professional over the usual iPhone 17. It provides a bit extra flexibility when it comes to the type of photographs that may be taken, akin to portraits and looming into the gap, and macro photographs.
The professional fashions additionally provide professional video recording options, together with ProRes video recording as much as 4K at 120 fps, LOG video recording and Academy Colour Encoding.
The iPhone 16e and iPhone Air characteristic a single-lens digicam system, omitting sure superior options present in higher-end fashions. Nonetheless, it nonetheless delivers notable enhancements over earlier funds iPhones, with digicam capabilities which can be appropriate for on a regular basis pictures wants.
Entrance ‘selfie’ digicam
The entrance digicam on all of the 2025 iPhones, except for the February 2025 iPhone 16e, is now 18MP, up from 12MP within the 16 and 16 Plus. The larger variety of megapixels mixed with a bigger sensor leads to extra detailed pictures. The sensor isn’t solely bigger, it’s now sq., which implies that it’s now not vital to show the iPhone orientation to take portrait or panorama selfies, the picture will be cropped for both orientation and might regulate on the fly to provide a greater framing, for instance to incorporate extra individuals in a bunch shot.
That is additionally useful for FaceTime, as a result of the Centre Stage characteristic can ensure that topics are saved centred throughout a name.
One other characteristic for the late 2025 iPhones is the flexibility to file from the rear and entrance cameras on the identical time, so you’ll be able to seize your response.
Additionally learn: Which iPhone has the most effective digicam?
| iPhone | Cameras | Video | Photograph & video options |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max | Three rear cameras: 48MP Most important (ƒ/1.78 aperture), 48MP Extremely Extensive (ƒ/2.2 aperture) and 48MP Telephoto (ƒ/2.8 aperture), second-generation sensor-shift optical picture stabilization, 8x, 4x, 1x, 2x, 0.5x optical zoom, Adaptive True Tone flash Entrance digicam: TrueDepth entrance digicam, 18 MP (ƒ/1.9 aperture) | Video: ProRes video recording as much as 4K at as much as 120 fps (with exterior recording), 4K video recording at as much as 120 fps, 1080p HD video recording at as much as 120 fps, HDR video recording with Dolby Imaginative and prescient as much as 4K at 120 fps, Sensor-shift optical picture stabilization for video, Spatial video as much as 1080p at 30 fps | LOG video recording, Academy Colour Encoding System, Photonic Engine, Night time mode portraits, Night time mode, new Photographic Kinds, Macro pictures, ProRaw, Sensible HDR 5 Cinematic mode, Macro video recording, Motion Mode, Audio zoom, wind noise discount |
| iPhone 17 | Two rear cameras: 48MP Most important (ƒ/1.6 aperture), 48MP Extremely Extensive (ƒ/2.2 aperture), sensor-shift optical picture stabilization, 2x, 1x, 0.5x zoom, True Tone flash Entrance digicam: TrueDepth entrance digicam, 18MP (ƒ/1.9 aperture) | Video: 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, HDR video recording with Dolby Imaginative and prescient as much as 4K at 30 fps, Sensor-shift optical picture stabilization for video, Spatial video as much as 1080p at 30 fps | Photonic Engine, Motion Mode, Night time mode, new Photographic Kinds, Sensible HDR 5 Cinematic mode, Audio zoom, wind noise discount |
| iPhone Air | One rear cameras: 48MP Most important (ƒ/1.6 aperture), optical picture stabilization, 1x, 2x, zoom, True Tone flash Entrance digicam: TrueDepth entrance digicam, 18MP (ƒ/1.9 aperture) | Video: 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, HDR video recording with Dolby Imaginative and prescient as much as 4K at 30 fps, Sensor-shift optical picture stabilization for video, Spatial video as much as 1080p at 30 fps | Photonic Engine, Motion Mode, Night time mode, new Photographic Kinds, Sensible HDR 5 Cinematic mode, Audio zoom, wind noise discount |
| iPhone 16 and 16 Plus | Two rear cameras: 48MP Most important (ƒ/1.6 aperture), 12MP Extremely Extensive (ƒ/2.2 aperture), sensor-shift optical picture stabilization, 2x, 1x, 0.5x zoom, True Tone flash Entrance digicam: TrueDepth entrance digicam, 12MP (ƒ/1.9 aperture) | Video: 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, HDR video recording with Dolby Imaginative and prescient as much as 4K at 60 fps, Sensor-shift optical picture stabilization for video, Spatial video as much as 1080p at 30 fps | Photonic Engine, Motion Mode, Night time mode, new Photographic Kinds, Sensible HDR 5 Cinematic mode, Audio zoom, wind noise discount |
| iPhone 16e | One rear cameras: 48MP Most important (ƒ/1.6 aperture), optical picture stabilization, 1x, 2x, zoom, True Tone flash Entrance digicam: TrueDepth entrance digicam, 12MP (ƒ/1.9 aperture) | Video: 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, optical picture stabilization for video | Photonic Engine, Night time mode, Photographic Kinds, Sensible HDR 5, wind noise discount |
Security options: Emergency safety
Apple launched some security options with the iPhone 14 collection in 2022 and these can be found on all iPhones since. These options embody a Crash Detection characteristic and Satellite tv for pc Connectivity for emergency telephone calls.
Crash detection makes use of the gyroscope and accelerometer within the iPhones to acknowledge if the car you might be in has crashed. If the iPhone thinks you’ve been concerned in a crash, it should name emergency providers and notify your most popular contacts (until you inform it to not).
All telephones provide the flexibility to ship an Emergency SOS, and the iPhone 14 and later can accomplish that by way of satellite tv for pc, which might be helpful for those who had been in an space with no sign. You simply want to have the ability to set up a transparent view of the sky, and be in a rustic that helps the characteristic (many do now). Because of the characteristic your iPhone can alert the emergency providers to your location in an emergency, the iPhone may also contact your emergency contact.
New for the 2025 iPhones are expanded emergency options, together with the flexibility to textual content your location to emergency providers by way of satellite tv for pc.
Sturdiness: Which iPhone is the hardest?
One other issue within the alternative of which iPhone to decide on is how sturdy the mannequin is. How possible are you to wreck the iPhone?
All iPhones on sale proper now provide a Ceramic Defend entrance, which ought to imply that the glass on the entrance is much less prone to smash for those who drop it. The iPhones 17 Professional Max, Professional, iPhone 17 and iPhone Air characteristic Ceramic Defend 2, which Apple says provides 3x higher scratch resistance. The iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max, and iPhone Air even have a Ceramic Defend again for further safety.
Solely the iPhone Air is constructed from Titanium. In 2024 the iPhone 16 Professional and Professional Max had been Titanium, however for 2025 the Professional and Professional Max are aluminium, as is the iPhone 17, and the 16 and 16 Plus. Titanium is extra sturdy than aluminum, nevertheless the development of the iPhone 17 Professional from aerospace-grade 7000-series aluminium ought to imply that it’s powerful sufficient. The aluminum design can also be useful for thermal administration, for which the iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max makes use of a vapour chamber for the primary time.
Regardless of these design options for higher sturdiness, dropping an iPhone is prone to harm it, and scratches can nonetheless seem on surfaces, so we suggest utilizing a case. For our suggestions see our round-up of the Finest iPhone 17 instances and Finest iPhone 16 instances.
The opposite approach individuals harm their iPhones is by dropping them in water. All present iPhones are rated as waterproof to a depth of 6 meters for as much as half-hour (IP68). That’s waterproof, not water proof, so we nonetheless wouldn’t suggest getting your iPhone moist although as a result of Apple will know if it’s gotten moist and it might void your guarantee ought to something go fallacious.

Eugen Wegmann
Specs: Storage and processor choices
The A19 Professional within the iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max is distinguished primarily by an additional GPU core (6-core GPU), although it additionally has tremendous video {hardware} to help the Professional video options. The iPhone Air additionally shares the A19 Professional, however with one fewer GPU core (5-core GPU).
Our assessments present that the A19 within the iPhone 17 is quicker than the A18 discovered within the iPhone 16, 16 Plus. There may be one fewer GPU core within the iPhone 16e (4-core GPU, in comparison with 5-core GPU within the 17, 16 and 16 Plus).
Lacking from the late 2025 iPhones is a 128GB storage configuration, with all fashions now beginning with 256GB. The very best information is that the iPhone 17 now begins with 256GB on the identical worth because the 128GB iPhone 16 was offered for. For that reason the 128GB iPhone 16 actually seems like a poor deal as compared, since it’s only $100/£100 much less and has half the storage.
Every iPhone is on the market in between three and 4 capability choices. It’s essential to think about how a lot you want earlier than shopping for as a result of iPhones don’t have a microSD card slot that may let you add extra storage at a later date. For the everyday iPhone person, 128GB may need confirmed too small, particularly with 48MP pictures, however the 256GB place to begin needs to be enough .
One purpose you might not want extra storage is for those who select to sync your information to the cloud. When you pay a month-to-month charge for iCloud storage all of your information shall be obtainable on any of your units, and crucially your pictures shall be saved within the cloud fairly than in your gadget, liberating up many gigabytes of house. iCloud begins at $0.99/£0.99 for 50GB. See How a lot does iCloud price for extra info, together with Australian and Canadian costs.
Earlier than you resolve how a lot storage you want take a look at your present telephone’s utilization (go to Settings > Basic > iPhone Storage) and take into consideration how a lot house you actually need. Learn How a lot storage do you want on an iPhone? for extra recommendation.
| iPhone | Processor | Storage | Battery life |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 Professional Max | A19 Professional chip, 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU | 256GB 512GB 1TB 2TB | As much as 37 hours video playback, as much as 50% cost in 20 minutes with 40W adapter |
| iPhone 17 Professional | A19 Professional chip, 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU | 256GB 512GB 1TB | As much as 31 hours video playback, as much as 50% cost in 20 minutes with 30W adapter or larger |
| iPhone Air | A19 Professional chip, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU | 256GB 512GB 1TB | As much as 27 hours video playback, as much as 50% cost in half-hour with 20W or 30W adapter |
| iPhone 17 | A19 chip, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU | 256GB 512GB | As much as 30 hours video playback, as much as 50% cost in 20 minutes with 40W adapter or larger |
| iPhone 16 Plus | A18 chip, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU | 128GB 256GB | As much as 27 hours video playback, as much as 50% cost in 35 minutes with 20W adapter or larger |
| iPhone 16 | A18 chip, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU | 128GB | As much as 24 hours video playback, as much as 50% cost in half-hour with 20W adapter or larger |
| iPhone 16e | A18 chip, 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU | 128GB 256GB 512GB | As much as 26 hours video playback, as much as 50% cost in half-hour with 20W adapter or larger |
Battery: Battery life and charging
The iPhone 17 fashions provide a lift in battery life over the iPhone 16 collection. Apple’s official battery life and charging occasions will be seen within the desk above, however in our testing, the distinction in battery life was much more pronounced—we noticed battery life enhancements throughout the vary.
Within the demanding Geekbench 4 battery take a look at, the iPhone 17 lasted for 1,053 minutes, which is a 21 % enchancment on the iPhone 16’s 867 minutes. That’s forward of the iPhone Air (880 minutes) and iPhone 16e (818 minutes). Unbeaten is the iPhone 17 Professional Max at 1,560 minutes. As a degree of comparability, the iPhone 16 Professional in 2024 scored 988.
The brand new iPhones profit from the effectivity of the A19-series chips and the brand new C1X mobile modem that makes use of 30% much less vitality.
Charging speeds are additionally improved with even new sooner charging with a 40W charger.
We examine battery life, capability, mah and watt hours for each iPhone individually.
Software program: Which iPhones get Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence, the suite of AI options that embody writing instruments, picture era, picture recognition, “Genmoji” emoji era, and new capabilities for Siri is on the market on all of the iPhones at the moment offered by Apple. The discontinued iPhone 15 and 15 Plus didn’t help Apple Intelligence options, regardless that the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max had been Apple Intelligence prepared.
Whereas there may be nothing drastically essential that you just may miss out on for those who don’t have Apple Intelligence proper now, it’s possible that in time not having Apple Intelligence shall be extra of a hinderance than it’s at the moment. As extra spectacular AI options arrive, we anticipate that Apple Intelligence succesful telephones will turn into much more engaging, so for those who don’t need to be affected by FOMO then get on the AI bandwagon now with an Apple Intelligence-capable telephone.
Discover out about what Apple Intelligence is by studying our information: Apple Intelligence: what’s it and the best way to use it.
Ought to I purchase an previous iPhone?
As talked about above, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus don’t help Apple Intelligence, so for those who noticed one on sale, most probably as a refurbished mannequin, we wouldn’t suggest shopping for it. Nonetheless there are another discontinued iPhones that might be value shopping for, on the proper worth.
We suggest the iPhone 16 Professional Max for those who discover one at a great worth. It’s a bigger model of 2024’s iPhone 16 Professional. It boosts glorious battery life, because of its bigger battery, and an excellent larger display than the earlier era, up from 6.7-inches to six.9-inches.
The Professional model of the iPhone 16 can also be a great purchase. It is available in an excellent powerful titanium shell (not like it’s alternative) and provides higher efficiency and battery life than the usual iPhone 16. The photograph and video capabilities are the place the Professional fashions stand out. They embody a 5x telephoto digicam, a sharper 48-megapixel Extremely Extensive digicam, and help for high-end codecs like ProRAW, HLG video, and video recording at as much as 4K and 120fps. And sure, it contains the brand new Digital camera Management button.
Which iPhone ought to I purchase?
The very best iPhone you should buy proper now could be the iPhone 17 Professional or iPhone 17 Professional Max, relying on whether or not you desire a bigger show or not.
The iPhone 17 is a lot better worth, although. It contains most of the options that used to set the iPhone and iPhone Professional aside, such because the ProMotion show. When you select that iPhone you might be giving up is the 8x telephoto digicam and a few high-end video options.
You can lower your expenses and decide as an alternative for an iPhone 16e, which could enchantment if you’re on a good funds. We expect that the iPhone 16e is an effective choice for those who don’t thoughts forgoing the extra cameras, and a a lot better choice than the iPhone 16, which we really feel is overpriced now compared to the iPhone 17.
After getting chosen your new iPhone make sure to learn our iPhone setup information.
The right way to purchase an iPhone
On contract
The 2 commonest methods to purchase an iPhone are SIM-free from Apple itself or a third-party reseller (which is the place the pricing info all through this info suits in, since you’ll be paying upfront for the telephone, you’ll personal it, and you’ll then must pay for a SIM-only contract for minutes, texts and information), or shopping for an iPhone on contract.
A contract normally begins with an upfront fee that may fluctuate relying on the iPhone mannequin you go for and likewise how a lot you’ll be paying every month. That upfront fee is adopted by month-to-month funds, usually for a complete of 24 months, after which you personal the telephone (most often). These month-to-month funds additionally cowl information, minutes and texts.
The next networks are value checking for his or her contract provides:
U.Ok. readers can discover iPhone contracts from the next networks:
And from the next third-party resellers:
Utilizing the iPhone Improve Program
Apple provides a scheme referred to as the iPhone Improve Program, which works together with your provider and begins at $39.50/£42.95 per thirty days. You possibly can then improve to the brand new iPhone every time one is introduced, staying on the identical or a really comparable plan.
Try to be cautious concerning the worth this provides, however in some circumstances, it might be the best strategy for you.
The scheme works barely in a different way within the U.Ok., the place that is for a SIM-free iPhone. Additionally, you will must get a SIM-only contract on your information, minutes and texts.
You do get AppleCare+ included within the Improve Program, although, which is a two-year insurance coverage on your iPhone that may cowl you for 2 incidents of unintentional harm. You’ll nonetheless need to pay an extra charge ought to you have to use it, however it’ll be less expensive than having to cough up the total worth of a restore.
Shopping for a second-hand and refurbished iPhone
You’ll have seen that purchasing an iPhone doesn’t come low-cost. Nonetheless, for those who’re strapped for money you don’t need to dismiss the concept of shopping for an iPhone utterly. You might be able to get a great deal on one of many older handsets if somebody is seeking to promote their present handset. Listed below are or suggestions of the finest place to purchase a used iPhone.
Contemplating options to iPhone?
By now we hope we’ve helped you to seek out the proper iPhone for you. In fact, there are options exterior Apple’s ecosystem. Our sister web site Tech Advisor may help you discover the finest telephone for those who’re contemplating switching to Android (or possibly simply need to snigger on the competitors).