How to decide on your iPhone in 2026
Earlier than you soar into the particular iPhone fashions, take into consideration what issues most to you: battery life for all-day use, digicam high quality for images and video, display screen dimension for media or gaming, and the way a lot you’re prepared to spend. These easy priorities will assist slim down whether or not you must select a Professional mannequin, a center possibility like the usual iPhone 17, a light-weight iPhone Air, or a extra budget-friendly selection.
Deciding which iPhone to purchase has all the time been difficult and little question you’ve many questions. Which display screen dimension is finest for you, and the way a lot storage do you want? Must you get monetary savings by deciding on an older mannequin, or do you have to 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 presently out there from Apple, that will help you resolve which is finest for you. We talk about 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 depart feeling rather more assured about which iPhone you must get.
For extra assist along with your selection see our full opinions of the newest iPhones (linked under) and our Greatest iPhone comparability chart the place we evaluate all the brand new iPhones with the iPhones nonetheless being offered by Apple.
Greatest iPhone 2026
- For most individuals, Apple’s commonplace iPhone affords the most effective mixture of efficiency, battery life, and worth… however Professional fashions make sense in case you care about images 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 on account of 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 presently sells, from the last word iPhone to the most affordable iPhone you should buy proper now. Under this part you possibly can learn extra about how every iPhone compares when it comes to digicam, battery life, display screen, value, and different essential components.
1. Apple iPhone 17 Professional Max – Greatest battery life iPhone
Value When Reviewed:
$1,199 (256GB) | $1,399 (512GB) | $1,599 (1TB) | $1,999 (2TB)
Greatest Costs At the moment:
$1199
The iPhone 17 Professional Max is basically 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 just a few years.
Which means, as with the iPhone 17 Professional, the three rear cameras have all been upgraded to 48MP. As with all the iPhones 17 technology, the entrance going through FaceTime digicam is now 18MP and helps Twin Seize, so you possibly can movie your response to what you’re 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 big 6.9-inch display screen.
Learn our full
Apple iPhone 17 Professional Max evaluate
2. Apple iPhone 17 Professional – Greatest iPhone for images
Value When Reviewed:
$1,099 (256GB) | $1,299 (512GB) | $1,499 (1TB) | $1,999 (2TB)
Greatest Costs At the moment:
$1099
The iPhone 17 Professional, prefer it’s greater sibling, has been upgraded to enhance thermal effectivity and now has an aluminium design (in contrast to the predecessor which was titanium). The colour decisions this time spherical are Deep Blue, Silver and the eye-catching Cosmic Orange.
It affords 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 picture and video capabilities. The 17 Professional (and Professional Max) assist as much as 8x zoom and every of the three rear cameras encompasses a new 48-megapixel sensor (in 2024 the primary and extremely extensive 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 – One of the best iPhone for most individuals
Value When Reviewed:
From $799
Greatest Costs At the moment:
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 affords a Professional Movement, At all times-On display screen.
The iPhone 17 additionally has an even bigger show at 6.3-inches, up from 6.1-inches on the iPhone 16. Which means the display screen dimension now matches that of the iPhone 17 Professional once more. Different huge enhancements for this technology embrace 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 finest issues in regards to the iPhone 17 is the truth that the entry-level mannequin prices the identical because the iPhone 16 did, however affords 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
Value When Reviewed:
$999 (256GB) | $1,199 (512GB) | $1,399 (1TB)
Greatest Costs At the moment:
$999
The iPhone Air is a model new format for the iPhone and the thinnest iPhone ever at simply 5.64mm thick. If you’d 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 hard, 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 screen dimension, which is a bigger 6.5-inches in comparison with their 6.3-inch screens. If you’d like an enormous display screen and may’t afford the iPhone 17 Professional Max (with a 6.9-inch display screen) 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 affords 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 no less than future-proof it.
Learn our full
Apple iPhone Air (2025) evaluate
5. Apple iPhone 16e – Greatest funds iPhone
Value When Reviewed:
From $599
Greatest Costs At the moment:
$599
The iPhone 16e arrived in February 2025 as a substitute 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 loads higher than the one digicam on the iPhone SE was. It additionally affords higher battery life than the iPhone 16.
The iPhone 16e has loads going for it in comparison with the iPhone 16 (under) regardless of its lower cost as you will notice in case you learn our comparisons of the iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16.
Learn our full
Apple iPhone 16e evaluate
6. Apple iPhone 16 Plus – Funds huge display screen iPhone
Value When Reviewed:
$899
Greatest Costs At the moment:
We talked about above that the iPhone Air has a 6.5-inch display screen, which is a profit if you would like a bigger display screen than the iPhone 17 and 17 Professional provide, however there’s one other, even cheaper possibility, if you would like a big display screen 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 reduce 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 continues to be promoting the 128GB and 256GB fashions, and you could possibly purchase the 256GB iPhone 16 Plus for $100/£100 lower than the equal iPhone Air.
Sadly this can in all probability be the final iPhone offered within the Plus format as Apple hasn’t launched an iPhone 17 Plus. So if you would like a big display screen 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
Value When Reviewed:
NOW $699 for 128GB (WAS: $799/128GB, $899/256GB, $1,099/512GB)
Greatest Costs At the moment:
The iPhone 16 was an honest improve on the iPhone 15, bringing assist for Apple Intelligence, longer battery life and the Digicam Management button to make it quicker and simpler to take footage. Nevertheless, now that the iPhone 17 has arrived with twice as a lot storage on the entry stage there isn’t purpose to purchase the iPhone 16, which although it prices $100/£100 lower than the iPhone 17 doesn’t provide worth for cash.
We talk about 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 value?
Every year when Apple introduces a brand new set of iPhones it reduces the worth of the older fashions it continues to promote. Under you will discover pricing for U.S., U.Okay., Canada and Australia (scroll throughout to see pricing in your area).
Within the U.S., costs are subsidised by which ever provider you join with and also you pay extra for an unlocked iPhone. Within the U.Okay. and different international locations an iPhone could be purchased from Apple off contract and unlocked, so you should utilize it with an present contract or swap networks to get a greater deal.
| Mannequin | Launch date | Storage choices | U.S. Value | U.Okay. Value | Canada Value | Australia Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 should pay full worth for a brand new iPhone although. Learn our iPhone offers roundup for extra recommendation on getting the bottom potential worth from numerous completely different resellers and the most effective contract offers.
Design: How do the iPhones evaluate?
APPLE
Digicam Management button: The entire iPhone 17 line up, the iPhone Air, and the iPhones 16 and 16 Plus all characteristic the Digicam Management button on the aspect of the iPhone. The iPhone 16e lacks this button. The Digicam Management button opens the Digicam app and you’ll press it once more to take a photograph or report a video. The button is definitely contact delicate so you should utilize numerous gestures, resembling sliding your finger over it to regulate publicity, for instance. On the iPhone 16e you possibly can set the Motion button to open the digicam and take {a photograph}, however you possibly can’t high-quality tune settings in the identical method.
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, resembling 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 related. Every iPhone has an space on the prime of the display screen that conceals the entrance digicam and Face ID know-how. On the iPhone 16e that is known as the notch. On the iPhone 17 sequence, iPhone Air and the iPhone 16 and 16 Push this can be a smaller tablet formed adaptive space referred to as the Dynamic Island that may show Dwell Actions and different software program components in a method that makes the notch slightly extra helpful.
Digicam format: Flip the iPhones over and the variations grow to be a lot clearer. As you possibly can 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 asking the Digicam 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 Digicam Plateau that stretches the width of the iPhone, in contrast to the one lens of the iPhone 16e.
Dimensions The obvious distinction is the scale and weight of every telephone. We’ve detailed these within the chart under.
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 out there for every iPhone mannequin is one other space the place there’s plenty of distinction. You possibly can see the completely different colours on provide within the chart under.
Right here’s how the scale and colours evaluate:
| 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, Gentle Gold, Cloud White, Area 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 once the one iPhones to supply ProMotion, which permits for an adaptive refresh charges, with the refresh charge going as excessive as 120Hz for actually easy scrolling and as little as 1Hz. That is 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 At all times-On shows, which was one other characteristic beforehand reserved for the Professional fashions. In consequence 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 At all times-On shows, the height out of doors brightness is larger on the newer iPhones as properly, 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 screen to get very very dim (right down to 1 nit) whereas nonetheless remaining usable can 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 At all times-On display screen, on all of the iPhones besides the 16e, means the iPhone can all the time show components such because the time and date, notifications and Lock Display widgets with out it being essential to wake the iPhone. The display screen dims to attenuate onscreen energy utilization to protect battery life and it’ll flip off do you have to place it face down or stroll away whereas carrying an Apple Watch.
The display screen dimension could also be crucial think about your choice. When you want a bigger display screen, you’ll need the “Professional Max” model. The iPhone 17 Professional Max has a display screen dimension of 6.9 inches diagonally. The subsequent largest display screen 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 on no account diminutive. The iPhone 16 and 16e have the smallest screensL: each are 6.1-inches.
Digicam: How do the iPhone cameras evaluate?
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, generally enhancing the tech, generally the software program. The iPhone 17 nonetheless encompasses a dual-camera array with extensive 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 Vast digicam and the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus gained a 48MP Fusion Primary digicam, which can 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 Primary digicam because the 16e. The 48MP improve throughout the board ought to imply extra element while you crop into photos. On the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air the additional pixels imply you possibly can shoot 12MP photographs as in case you had a 2x Telephoto lens. The 48MP photos will take up much more area although, so it’s potential to change to capturing in a 24MP decision.
Essentially the most spectacular digicam improve is reserved for the iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max, in fact, the telephoto zoom now achieves a 8x optical zoom, up from 5x. This further lens is prone to be the rationale why most individuals will go for the 17 Professional over the usual iPhone 17. It affords slightly extra flexibility when it comes to the form of photographs that may be taken, resembling 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 Coloration Encoding.
The iPhone 16e and iPhone Air characteristic a single-lens digicam system, omitting sure superior options present in higher-end fashions. Nevertheless, it nonetheless delivers notable enhancements over earlier funds iPhones, with digicam capabilities which are appropriate for on a regular basis images 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 better variety of megapixels mixed with a bigger sensor ends in extra detailed photos. The sensor isn’t solely bigger, it’s now sq., which implies that it’s not vital to show the iPhone orientation to take portrait or panorama selfies, the picture could be cropped for both orientation and may modify on the fly to offer a greater framing, for instance to incorporate extra individuals in a gaggle shot.
That is additionally helpful for FaceTime, as a result of the Centre Stage characteristic can ensure that topics are stored centred throughout a name.
One other characteristic for the late 2025 iPhones is the power to report from the rear and entrance cameras on the identical time, so you possibly can 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 Primary (ƒ/1.78 aperture), 48MP Extremely Vast (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 Coloration Encoding System, Photonic Engine, Night time mode portraits, Night time mode, new Photographic Types, Macro images, ProRaw, Good HDR 5 Cinematic mode, Macro video recording, Motion Mode, Audio zoom, wind noise discount |
| iPhone 17 | Two rear cameras: 48MP Primary (ƒ/1.6 aperture), 48MP Extremely Vast (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 Types, Good HDR 5 Cinematic mode, Audio zoom, wind noise discount |
| iPhone Air | One rear cameras: 48MP Primary (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 Types, Good HDR 5 Cinematic mode, Audio zoom, wind noise discount |
| iPhone 16 and 16 Plus | Two rear cameras: 48MP Primary (ƒ/1.6 aperture), 12MP Extremely Vast (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 Types, Good HDR 5 Cinematic mode, Audio zoom, wind noise discount |
| iPhone 16e | One rear cameras: 48MP Primary (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 Types, Good HDR 5, wind noise discount |
Security options: Emergency safety
Apple launched some security options with the iPhone 14 sequence in 2022 and these can be found on all iPhones since. These options embrace 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 automobile you’re in has crashed. If the iPhone thinks you’ve been concerned in a crash, it’s going to name emergency providers and notify your most well-liked contacts (until you inform it to not).
All telephones provide the power to ship an Emergency SOS, and the iPhone 14 and later can achieve this through satellite tv for pc, which might be helpful in case you 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 power to textual content your location to emergency providers through satellite tv for pc.
Sturdiness: Which iPhone is the hardest?
One other issue within the selection 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 Protect entrance, which ought to imply that the glass on the entrance is much less prone to smash in case you drop it. The iPhones 17 Professional Max, Professional, iPhone 17 and iPhone Air characteristic Ceramic Protect 2, which Apple says affords 3x higher scratch resistance. The iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max, and iPhone Air even have a Ceramic Protect 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 be helpful 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 injury it, and scratches can nonetheless seem on surfaces, so we suggest utilizing a case. For our suggestions see our round-up of the Greatest iPhone 17 instances and Greatest iPhone 16 instances.
The opposite method individuals injury their iPhones is by dropping them in water. All present iPhones are rated as water-proof to a depth of 6 meters for as much as half-hour (IP68). That’s water-proof, 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 improper.
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 assist the Professional video options. The iPhone Air additionally shares the A19 Professional, however with one fewer GPU core (5-core GPU).
Our exams present that the A19 within the iPhone 17 is quicker than the A18 discovered within the iPhone 16, 16 Plus. There’s 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. One of the best information is that the iPhone 17 now begins with 256GB on the identical worth because the 128GB iPhone 16 was once offered for. Because of this the 128GB iPhone 16 actually seems like a poor deal compared, since it is just $100/£100 much less and has half the storage.
Every iPhone is out there in between three and 4 capability choices. It’s essential to contemplate 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 further storage at a later date. For the everyday iPhone person, 128GB might need confirmed too small, particularly with 48MP photos, however the 256GB place to begin must be adequate .
One purpose it’s possible you’ll not want extra storage is in case you select to sync your knowledge to the cloud. When you pay a month-to-month price for iCloud storage all of your knowledge will probably be out there on any of your gadgets, and crucially your images will probably be saved within the cloud reasonably than in your system, releasing up many gigabytes of area. iCloud begins at $0.99/£0.99 for 50GB. See How a lot does iCloud value for extra data, 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 > Common > iPhone Storage) and take into consideration how a lot area you really want. 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 sequence. Apple’s official battery life and charging instances could 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 p.c 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 quicker charging with a 40W charger.
We evaluate 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 embrace writing instruments, picture technology, picture recognition, “Genmoji” emoji technology, and new capabilities for Siri is out there on all of the iPhones presently offered by Apple. The discontinued iPhone 15 and 15 Plus didn’t assist Apple Intelligence options, despite the fact that the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max had been Apple Intelligence prepared.
Whereas there’s nothing drastically essential that you just would possibly miss out on in case you don’t have Apple Intelligence proper now, it’s possible that in time not having Apple Intelligence will probably be extra of a hinderance than it’s presently. As extra spectacular AI options arrive, we anticipate that Apple Intelligence succesful telephones will grow to be much more enticing, so in case you 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 how one can use it.
Ought to I purchase an outdated iPhone?
As talked about above, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus don’t assist Apple Intelligence, so in case you noticed one on sale, almost certainly as a refurbished mannequin, we wouldn’t suggest shopping for it. Nevertheless there are another discontinued iPhones that may very well be value shopping for, on the proper worth.
We suggest the iPhone 16 Professional Max in case you discover one at worth. It’s a bigger model of 2024’s iPhone 16 Professional. It boosts wonderful battery life, because of its bigger battery, and a fair greater display screen than the earlier technology, up from 6.7-inches to six.9-inches.
The Professional model of the iPhone 16 can be purchase. It is available in an excellent powerful titanium shell (in contrast to it’s substitute) and affords higher efficiency and battery life than the usual iPhone 16. The picture and video capabilities are the place the Professional fashions stand out. They embrace a 5x telephoto digicam, a sharper 48-megapixel Extremely Vast digicam, and assist for high-end codecs like ProRAW, HLG video, and video recording at as much as 4K and 120fps. And sure, it consists of the brand new Digicam Management button.
Which iPhone ought to I purchase?
One of the best iPhone you should buy proper now could be the iPhone 17 Professional or iPhone 17 Professional Max, relying on whether or not you need a bigger show or not.
The iPhone 17 is significantly better worth, although. It consists of 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’re giving up is the 8x telephoto digicam and a few high-end video options.
You possibly can get monetary savings and decide as a substitute for an iPhone 16e, which could enchantment if you’re on a good funds. We predict that the iPhone 16e is an effective possibility in case you don’t thoughts forgoing the extra cameras, and a significantly better possibility than the iPhone 16, which we really feel is overpriced now compared to the iPhone 17.
After getting chosen your new iPhone remember to learn our iPhone setup information.
Learn how 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 data all through this data matches in, since you’ll be paying upfront for the telephone, you’ll personal it, and you’ll then have to pay for a SIM-only contract for minutes, texts and knowledge), or shopping for an iPhone on contract.
A contract often begins with an upfront fee that may differ 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 (normally). These month-to-month funds additionally cowl knowledge, minutes and texts.
The next networks are value checking for his or her contract affords:
U.Okay. readers can discover iPhone contracts from the next networks:
And from the next third-party resellers:
Utilizing the iPhone Improve Program
Apple affords a scheme referred to as the iPhone Improve Program, which works along with your provider and begins at $39.50/£42.95 per 30 days. You possibly can then improve to the brand new iPhone every time one is introduced, staying on the identical or a really related plan.
You need to be cautious in regards to the worth this affords, however in some circumstances, it might be the appropriate method for you.
The scheme works barely in a different way within the U.Okay., the place that is for a SIM-free iPhone. Additionally, you will have to get a SIM-only contract on your knowledge, 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 unintended injury. You’ll nonetheless should pay an extra price ought to you have to use it, nevertheless it’ll be less expensive than having to cough up the complete worth of a restore.
Shopping for a second-hand and refurbished iPhone
You’ll have observed that purchasing an iPhone doesn’t come low-cost. Nevertheless, in case you’re strapped for money you don’t should dismiss the concept of shopping for an iPhone fully. You might be able to get 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. After all, there are options exterior Apple’s ecosystem. Our sister website Tech Advisor can assist you discover the finest telephone in case you’re contemplating switching to Android (or possibly simply need to chortle on the competitors).
