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How to choose your iPhone in 2026
Before you jump into the enlighten iPhone models, think about what matters most to you: battery lifestyles for all-day employ, digicam quality for photos and video, mask measurement for media or gaming, and the procedure mighty you’re willing to exhaust. These straightforward priorities will attend narrow down whether it’s likely you’ll possibly presumably also simply gentle choose a Pro model, a heart probability adore the customary iPhone 17, a lightweight iPhone Air, or a more funds-pleasant decision.
Deciding which iPhone to buy has repeatedly been refined and no question it’s likely you’ll possibly presumably also simply regain many questions. Which mask measurement is most effective for you, and the procedure mighty storage attain that you just would be able to like? Ought to gentle you set money by selecting an older model, or would possibly well also simply gentle you splash out on the most up-to-date iPhone? Which iPhone is the most effective compromise between specs and price for money?
In this text, we talk you thru each of the telephones at the 2nd on hand from Apple, to allow you choose which is most effective for you. We talk about iPhone prices, specs and aspects, paying enlighten attention to the cameras, displays and sturdiness, and the procedure the produce of each handset differs, so it’s likely you’ll possibly presumably also simply gentle paddle away feeling rather more confident about which iPhone it’s likely you’ll possibly presumably also simply gentle obtain.
For more attend with your decision look our stout opinions of the most up-to-date iPhones (linked below) and our Handiest iPhone comparability chart the place we compare all the unusual iPhones with the iPhones gentle being equipped by Apple.
Handiest iPhone 2026
- For most individuals, Apple’s customary iPhone presents the most effective combine of performance, battery lifestyles, and worth… but Pro models invent sense in case you care about photography or video.
In phrases of strength and aspects, the ‘most effective’ iPhone is either the iPhone 17 Pro or 17 Pro Max, but these iPhoned aren’t necessarily the most effective for you due to their high set mark. Fortunately there is a finest iPhone for all people, with each model offering the finest compromise of aspects to set. For 2026 we think that the iPhone 17 is an right all-rounder thanks to the unusual aspects that bring it closer than ever to the pro models.
Here is a brief-at-a-stumble on comparability of all the iPhones Apple at the 2nd sells, from the closing iPhone to the most payment-effective iPhone that you just would be able to be ready to buy right now. Under this portion that you just would be able to be ready to learn more about how each iPhone compares in phrases of digicam, battery lifestyles, mask, price, and other crucial factors.
1. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max – Handiest battery lifestyles iPhone
Designate When Reviewed:
$1,199 (256GB) | $1,399 (512GB) | $1,599 (1TB) | $1,999 (2TB)
Handiest Prices Today:
$1199
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is in truth sincere a better iPhone 17 Pro. In previous years, the Pro Max version would regain some distinguishing feature (adore better telephoto digicam) but that hasn’t been the case for just a few years.
This implies that, as with the iPhone 17 Pro, the three rear cameras regain all been upgraded to 48MP. As with every of the iPhones 17 generation, the entrance facing FaceTime digicam is now 18MP and supports Twin Capture, so that you just would be able to be ready to film your response to what you are recording with the rear digicam. The unusual produce for 2025 improves thermal efficiency.
The distinguishing aspects of the iPhone 17 Pro Max are better battery lifestyles thanks to its better battery, and the super 6.9-inch mask.
Read our stout
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review
2. Apple iPhone 17 Pro – Handiest iPhone for photos
Designate When Reviewed:
$1,099 (256GB) | $1,299 (512GB) | $1,499 (1TB) | $1,999 (2TB)
Handiest Prices Today:
$1099
The iPhone 17 Pro, like it’s better sibling, has been upgraded to reinforce thermal efficiency and now has an aluminium produce (in contrast to the predecessor which turned into as soon as titanium). The coloration choices this time round are Deep Blue, Silver and the stumble on-catching Cosmic Orange.
It presents pretty better performance and battery lifestyles than the customary iPhone 17.
Nonetheless the vast difference between the iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 is the photo and video capabilities. The 17 Pro (and Pro Max) strengthen up to 8x zoom and each of the three rear cameras aspects a unusual forty eight-megapixel sensor (in 2024 the main and extremely vast lens did, but not the telephoto). The iPhone 17 Pro also supports high-quit formats adore ProRAW, HLG video, and video recording at up to 4K and 120fps.
Read our stout
Apple iPhone 17 Pro review
3. Apple iPhone 17 – The most effective iPhone for most individuals
Designate When Reviewed:
From $799
Handiest Prices Today:
The iPhone 17 is reasonably an infinite enchancment on the iPhone 16, and closes the gap between the pro and non pro models more than ever attributable to it presents a Pro Circulation, Continually-On mask.
The iPhone 17 also has a better display at 6.3-inches, up from 6.1-inches on the iPhone 16. This implies that the mask measurement now matches that of the iPhone 17 Pro again. Other vast improvements for this generation include two 48MP cameras on the rear and a unusual 18MP digicam on the entrance (shared by the other unusual iPhones that arrived in boring 2025).
Thought to be one of the most effective things about the iPhone 17 is the incontrovertible truth that the entry-level model charges the same as the iPhone 16 did, but presents twice as mighty storage, so it’s successfully a decrease set on 2024’s set.
Read our stout
Apple iPhone 17 review
4. Apple iPhone Air – Lightest iPhone
Designate When Reviewed:
$999 (256GB) | $1,199 (512GB) | $1,399 (1TB)
Handiest Prices Today:
$999
The iPhone Air is a unusual format for the iPhone and the thinnest iPhone ever at sincere 5.64mm thick.
