Best iPhone to buy in 2026: Which Apple iPhone is right for you?

1. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max – Biggest display, longest battery life, best camera

Read our full

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review

2. Apple iPhone 17 Pro – Best balance of price and pro features

Read our full

Apple iPhone 17 Pro review

3. Apple iPhone 17 – Best value iPhone for most people

Read our full

Apple iPhone 17 review

4. Apple iPhone Air – Ultra-thin and lightweight iPhone

Read our full

Apple iPhone Air (2025) review

5. Apple iPhone 17e – Best budget iPhone

Read our full

Apple iPhone 17e review

6. Apple iPhone 16 Plus – Budget big screen iPhone

7. Apple iPhone 16 – The iPhone to avoid

Read our full

Apple iPhone 16 review

Apple

Screen: How are the iPhone displays different?

The Pro and Pro Max iPhones used to be the only iPhones to offer ProMotion, which allows for an adaptive refresh rates, with the refresh rate going as high as 120Hz for really smooth scrolling and as low as 1Hz. This is no longer the case: the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air also feature ProMotion screens. And is doesn’t stop there: the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air also feature Always-On displays, which was another feature previously reserved for the Pro models. As a result the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air all have identical screens.

The iPhone 16, 16 Plus and 16e lack the ProMotion and Always-On displays, the peak outdoor brightness is higher on the newer iPhones as well, with the 17-series offering 3,000 nits peak, compared to 2,000 on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. The peak brightness on the iPhone 16e is 1,200 nits. The ability for the screen to get very very dim (down to 1 nit) while still remaining usable is also key as it’s great for use in dark rooms. The iPhone 16e is the only iPhone in the current line up that lacks this dimming feature.

The Always-On screen, on all the iPhones except the 16e, means the iPhone can always display elements such as the time and date, notifications and Lock Screen widgets without it being necessary to wake the iPhone. The screen dims to minimize onscreen power usage to preserve battery life and it will turn off should you place it face down or walk away while wearing an Apple Watch.

The screen size may be the most important factor in your decision. If you prefer a larger screen, you’ll want the “Pro Max” version. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a screen size of 6.9 inches diagonally. The next largest screen is on the iPhone 16 Plus at 6.7-inches, and then the iPhone Air at 6.5-inches. But even the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro have a 6.3-inch display which is by no means diminutive. The iPhone 16 and 17e have the smallest screens: both are 6.1-inches.

Camera: How do the iPhone cameras compare?

Foundry

Rear cameras

For many it’s the capabilities of the cameras that sell the iPhones, so it’s no wonder that every year Apple improves the camera on its iPhones, sometimes improving the tech, sometimes the software. The iPhone 17 still features a dual-camera array with wide and ultra-wide lenses, while only the Pro and Pro Max offer the additional telephoto lens.

In 2024 the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max gained a 48 megapixel Ultra Wide camera and the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus gained a 48MP Fusion Main camera, which is also a feature of the 16e.

This time all the rear cameras are upgraded to 48MP. In the case of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max that’s three 48MP cameras, two for the iPhone 17. The iPhone Air has the same 48MP Fusion Main camera as the 16e. The 48MP upgrade across the board should mean more detail when you crop into images. On the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air the extra pixels mean you can shoot 12MP shots as if you had a 2x Telephoto lens. The 48MP images will take up a lot more space though, so it is possible to switch to shooting in a 24MP resolution.

The most impressive camera upgrade is reserved for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, of course, the telephoto zoom now achieves a 8x optical zoom, up from 5x. This extra lens is likely to be the reason why most people will opt for the 17 Pro over the standard iPhone 17. It offers a little more flexibility in terms of the kind of shots that can be taken, such as portraits and looming into the distance, and macro shots.

The pro models also offer pro video recording features, including ProRes video recording up to 4K at 120 fps, LOG video recording and Academy Color Encoding.

The iPhone 17e and iPhone Air feature a single-lens camera system, omitting certain advanced features found in higher-end models. However, they still delivers notable improvements over previous budget iPhones, with camera capabilities that are suitable for everyday photography needs.

Front ‘selfie’ camera

Foundry

The front camera on all the iPhones, aside from the iPhone 17e, is 18MP (the iPhone 17e retains the 12MP camera of its predecessor). The greater number of megapixels combined with a larger sensor results in more detailed images. The sensor isn’t only larger, it’s now square, which means that it is no longer necessary to turn the iPhone orientation to take portrait or landscape selfies, the image can be cropped for either orientation and can adjust on the fly to give a better framing, for example to include more people in a group shot.

This is also beneficial for FaceTime, because the Centre Stage feature can make sure that subjects are kept centred during a call.

Another feature for the late 2025 iPhones is the ability to record from the rear and front cameras at the same time, so you can capture your reaction.

Also read: Which iPhone has the best camera?

Safety features: Emergency protection

Apple introduced some safety features with the iPhone 14 series in 2022 and these are available on all iPhones since. These features include a Crash Detection feature and Satellite Connectivity for emergency phone calls.

Crash detection uses the gyroscope and accelerometer in the iPhones to recognize if the vehicle you are in has crashed. If the iPhone thinks you’ve been involved in a crash, it will call emergency services and notify your preferred contacts (unless you tell it not to).

All phones offer the ability to send an Emergency SOS, and the iPhone 14 and later can do so via satellite, which would be useful if you were in an area with no signal. You just need to be able to establish a clear view of the sky, and be in a country that supports the feature (many do now). Thanks to the feature your iPhone can alert the emergency services to your location in an emergency, the iPhone will also contact your emergency contact.

New for the 2025 iPhones are expanded emergency features, including the ability to text your location to emergency services via satellite.

Durability: Which iPhone is the toughest?

Eugen Wegmann

Another factor in the choice of which iPhone to choose is how durable the model is. How likely are you to damage the iPhone?

All iPhones on sale right now offer a Ceramic Shield front, which should mean that the glass on the front is less likely to smash if you drop it. The iPhones 17 Pro Max, Pro, iPhone 17 and iPhone Air feature Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple says offers 3x better scratch resistance. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, and iPhone Air also have a Ceramic Shield back for extra protection.

Only the iPhone Air is constructed from Titanium. In 2024 the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max were Titanium, but for 2025 the Pro and Pro Max are aluminium, as is the iPhone 17, and the 16 and 16 Plus. Titanium is more durable than aluminum, however the construction of the iPhone 17 Pro from aerospace-grade 7000-series aluminium should mean that it is tough enough. The aluminum design is also beneficial for thermal management, for which the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max uses a vapour chamber for the first time.

Despite these design features for better durability, dropping an iPhone is likely to damage it, and scratches can still appear on surfaces, so we recommend using a case. For our recommendations see our round-up of the Best iPhone 17 cases and Best iPhone 16 cases.

The other way people damage their iPhones is by dropping them in water. All current iPhones are rated as water resistant to a depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes (IP68). That’s water resistant, not water proof, so we still wouldn’t recommend getting your iPhone wet though because Apple will know if it’s gotten wet and it could void your warranty should anything go wrong.

Specs: Storage and processor options

The A19 Pro in the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max is distinguished primarily by an extra GPU core (6-core GPU), though it also has super video hardware to support the Pro video features. The iPhone Air also shares the A19 Pro, but with one fewer GPU core (5-core GPU).

Our tests show that the A19 in the iPhone 17 is faster than the A18 found in the iPhone 16, 16 Plus. There is one fewer GPU core in the iPhone 17e (4-core GPU, compared to 5-core GPU in the 17, 16 and 16 Plus).

Missing from the newer iPhones is a 128GB storage configuration, with all models now starting with 256GB – including the 17e. The best news is that the iPhone 17 now starts with 256GB at the same price as the 128GB iPhone 16 used to be sold for. For this reason the 128GB iPhone 16 really looks like a poor deal in comparison, since it is only $100/£100 less and has half the storage.

Each iPhone is available in between three and four capacity options. It’s important to consider how much you need before buying because iPhones don’t have a microSD card slot that will allow you to add additional storage at a later date. For the typical iPhone user, 128GB might have proven too small, especially with 48MP images, but the 256GB starting point should be sufficient .

One reason you may not need more storage is if you choose to sync your data to the cloud. If you pay a monthly fee for iCloud storage all your data will be available on any of your devices, and crucially your photos will be stored in the cloud rather than on your device, freeing up many gigabytes of space. iCloud starts at $0.99/£0.99 for 50GB. See How much does iCloud cost for more information, including Australian and Canadian prices.

Before you decide how much storage you need have a look at your current phone’s usage (go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage) and think about how much space you really need. Read How much storage do you need on an iPhone? for more advice.

Which iPhone should I buy?

The best iPhone you can buy right now is the iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max, depending on whether you want a larger display or not.

The iPhone 17 is much better value, though. It includes many of the features that used to set the iPhone and iPhone Pro apart, such as the ProMotion display. If you choose that iPhone you are giving up is the 8x telephoto camera and some high-end video features.

You could save money and opt instead for an iPhone 17e, which might appeal if you are on a tight budget. We think that the iPhone 17e is a good option if you don’t mind forgoing the additional cameras, and a much better option than the iPhone 16, which we feel is overpriced now in comparison to the iPhone 17, and given its tiny 128GB SSD.

Once you have chosen your new iPhone be sure to read our iPhone setup guide.

How to buy an iPhone

There are several ways to buy an iPhone, each with its own advantages. The two main options are buying directly from Apple or through a mobile carrier. In the U.S., iPhones are typically purchased on a carrier contract and are often locked to that network. In the U.K., you can also buy an unlocked, SIM-free iPhone outright from Apple or other retailers, either at full price or with a discount.

Buy directly from Apple

Jon Stoa

Pros: You can get an unlocked, SIM-free phone (in most regions), access to the iPhone Upgrade Program, and the ability to trade in your old device for credit (up to $650). It’s also the best place to pre-order a new model for the fastest delivery.

Cons: You almost always pay full retail price.

Buy from a Carrier

Pros: This is where you’ll find the biggest discounts, often in the form of bill credits over 24 or 36 months when you trade in a phone and sign up for a qualifying plan. For example, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon frequently offer up to $830–$1,000 off new iPhones with a trade-in .

Cons: These deals come with significant strings attached, including long-term contracts and specific plan requirements. Always read the fine print

A contract usually starts with an upfront payment that will vary depending on the iPhone model you go for and also how much you’ll be paying each month. That upfront payment is followed by monthly payments, normally for a total of 24 months, after which you own the phone (in most cases). Those monthly payments also cover data, minutes and texts.

The following networks are worth checking for their contract offers:

• AT&T
• Sprint
• T-Mobile
• Verizon
• Optimum Mobile
• Boost Infinite

U.K. readers can find iPhone contracts from the following networks:

• O2
• EE
• Vodafone
• Three
• Tesco Mobile
• Sky Mobile
• Virgin Mobile
• Carphone Warehouse
• Mobiles.co.uk
• E2save
• Mobile Phones Direct

Buy from a third-party reseller

Pros: In the U.K., resellers like Amazon, Currys, and John Lewis frequently sell unlocked iPhones at a discount, often offering the best upfront savings . For instance, Amazon has offered £200 off the iPhone Air.

Cons: Availability and deals change frequently.

You could try the following third-party resellers:

• Amazon
• Ao.com
• Argos
• Currys
• John Lewis

Buy via Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program

Apple offers financing plans that let you spread the cost of a new iPhone over monthly payments while giving you the option to upgrade to a new eligible model after making a set number of payments.

In the U.S. Apple runs an iPhone Upgrade Program that combines the cost of the iPhone and AppleCare+ into a single monthly payment. After making 12 payments, you can trade in your current iPhone and start a new agreement for the latest eligible model, subject to Apple’s terms.

Monthly payments depend on the model you choose and currently start at $42.41:

• iPhone 17 (256GB): from $42.41/month
• iPhone Air (256GB): from $52.83/month
• iPhone 17 Pro (256GB): from $57.00/month
• iPhone 17 Pro Max (256GB): from $61.16/month

AppleCare+ is included in the U.S. program. It provides unlimited incidents of accidental damage protection (subject to an excess fee), battery service, and priority technical support.

In the U.K., Apple has discontinued the traditional iPhone Upgrade Programme and replaced it with the Flexible Finance Account with Upgrade Option. This offers 0% finance over 20 or 30 months, with the option to upgrade after 11 or 23 monthly payments. Plans start from £39.95 per month, but AppleCare+ is not included and must be purchased separately.

Whether Apple’s upgrade plans represent good value depends on how often you replace your iPhone. If you like having the latest model every year, they can be a convenient option. If you typically keep your iPhone for three or more years, buying outright or using 0% finance is usually the cheaper choice overall.

Apple is also rumored to be preparing a new subscription-style iPhone leasing service in the U.S., although the company has not officially announced any replacement for the current Upgrade Program.

Buy a refurbished iPhone

Apple

Buying an iPhone doesn’t come cheap. However, if you’re strapped for cash you don’t have to dismiss the idea of buying an iPhone completely. You may be able to get a good deal on a refurbished model.

Buying a refurbished iPhone is a smart way to save money while still getting a premium device, but the key is knowing where to shop and what to look for.

Understand the difference between refurbished vs used

• Refurbished: Professionally inspected, tested and repaired where necessary. It should come with a warranty and may also have a replacement battery.
• Used or second-hand: Usually sold by an individual in its current condition, often without a warranty or any guarantee that it is fully functional. There is also a greater risk of hidden faults or Activation Lock problems.

What to check before buying

• Warranty: Choose a seller offering a meaningful warranty, ideally for at least 12 months.
• Condition grade: Sellers use grades such as A, B and C, or Fair, Good and Excellent. Higher grades indicate less cosmetic wear but usually cost more.
• Battery health: Check the seller’s minimum battery-capacity guarantee. Many refurbished sellers promise at least 80% of the battery’s original capacity, while Apple-furbished iPhones receive a new battery.
• Unlocked or locked: Confirm that the iPhone is unlocked and can be used with your preferred mobile network. This is particularly important when buying in the U.S.
• Model age: Avoid iPhones that are close to losing software support. As of mid-2026, the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR are no longer sensible long-term purchases, while the iPhone 11 should be approached with caution.

Shop at Apple’s Certified Refurbished Store

Apple’s Certified Refurbished Store is generally the safest place to start and sets the standard for refurbished quality.

Apple thoroughly tests each device, replaces the battery and outer shell, and supplies it in a new box with the appropriate accessories. Refurbished iPhones also come with Apple’s standard one-year warranty, 90 days of technical support and the option to add AppleCare+.

Prices are typically around 15% lower than the original retail price, although availability varies. Apple operates refurbished stores in both the U.S. and U.K.

Consider other trusted resellers

If you can’t find what you need at Apple’s Certified Refurbished Store, try one of these places to buy a refurbished iPhone.

U.S.:

• Back Market: You get 30 days to change your mind and a 12-month warranty… or occasionally more. Take careful note of the phone’s quality rating as the cheapest will have more visible signs of wear (stratches and scuffs) than the more expensive Excellent and Premium buys. Premium-quality iPhones also have the highest-rated batteries and only Apple parts.
• Amazon Renewed Store: This site’s greatest benefit is that purchases are all backed by Amazon’s standard returns policy and its “Renewed Guarantee” lets you get a refund or replacement within a year of receiving your product.
• Best Buy: Best Buy doesn’t offer a great deal of information on pre-owned iPhones’ condition, but you can return within 14 days if the item is “unopened or defective in any way.”
• Walmart: Walmart doesn’t sell refurbished iPhones directly; rather, they are sourced from other sellers. Return policies vary from seller to seller, but there are minimum requirements that apply universally.

U.K.:

• Back Market: You get 30 days to change your mind and a 12-month warranty… or occasionally more. See above for more details on Back Market’s quality rankings.
• Music Magpie: A good place to start looking for refurbished iPhones with a one-year warranty. You may find that sales reduce the price still further.
• Hoxton Macs: Don’t let the Mac in the name fool you. Hoxton Macs has started selling refurbished iPhones, with a one-year Return to Base warranty.
• Reboxed: Pledges that devices “are fully tested and in perfect working order.” All come with a 12-month no quibble warranty.
• Amazon Renewed Store: While you can’t really sell on Amazon Renewed unless you’re a business, those looking to buy a refurbished iPhone Amazon Renewed have plenty of options to choose from. Its greatest benefit is that purchases are all backed by Amazon’s standard returns policy and its “Renewed Guarantee” lets you get a refund or replacement within 1 year of receiving your product.
• Envirofone: Also allows you to trade in your old phone for credit towards purchasing a refurbished phone.

Considering alternatives to iPhone?

By now we hope we’ve helped you to find the perfect iPhone for you. Of course, there are alternatives outside Apple’s ecosystem. Our sister site Tech Advisor can help you find the best phone if you’re considering switching to Android (or maybe just want to laugh at the competition).