You might need heard that “the iPhone” is among the hottest telephones within the US. However that is not fairly correct. Apple at present sells six completely different iPhone fashions. Survey the cabinets on the main US carriers, and you may see all the alternatives. These fashions embody the older iPhone 16, the budget-minded iPhone 17e, and the newest iPhone 17 and 17 Professional Max. Every has a selected attraction, whether or not it is worth, measurement, options, battery life, or a mixture of those. We have examined each Apple cellphone because the first-generation iPhone again in 2007. This is what we have realized about selecting the very best iPhone proper now.
Deeper Dive: Our High Examined Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
April 19, 2026: With this replace, we changed the iPhone 16e with the iPhone 17e. Our remaining suggestions are unchanged and have been vetted for accuracy and forex.
(Credit score: Eric Zeman)
(Credit score: Eric Zeman)
Professionals & Cons
Greatest worth amongst iPhone 17 fashions
Quick efficiency
Aggressive battery life
Speedy wi-fi connections
Professional-level show
Versatile cameras
Why We Picked It
The iPhone 17 is probably the most inexpensive entry within the new line and gives tons to love. Most significantly, it beneficial properties the 6.3-inch ProMotion show of the pricier 17 Professional and doubles the bottom storage to 256GB—with out elevating the worth. It options the Motion Button and Digital camera Management key, has the newest radios, together with Apple’s new N1 chip for Bluetooth, Thread, and Wi-Fi, and has a much-improved battery. Moreover, the cellphone will get an upgraded A19 processor with Apple Intelligence, sports activities a extra highly effective ultra-wide digicam, and is available in the identical toughened waterproof construct as earlier years.
Who It is For
The iPhone 17 is the very best iPhone for many patrons. It is inexpensive, runs quick sufficient for gaming, has succesful cameras for including content material to social networks, and contains most of the identical options because the pricier fashions for a whole lot much less. In the event you want a stable cellphone however do not care to spend the additional money, the iPhone 17 is the plain alternative.
Specs & Configurations
Working System
iOS 26
CPU
Apple A19
Dimensions
5.89 by 2.81 by 0.31 inches
Display Dimension
6.3 inches
Display Decision
2,622 by 1,206 pixels
Digital camera Decision (Rear; Entrance-Going through)
48MP, 48MP; 18MP
Battery Life (As Examined)
24 hours, 31 minutes
Be taught Extra
Apple iPhone 17
Evaluation
(Credit score: Eric Zeman)
(Credit score: Eric Zeman)
Professionals & Cons
Excellent cameras
High video options
Class-leading battery life
Terrific display
Quick efficiency
Excessive-quality {hardware}
May be too large for some
Costliest iPhone
Why We Picked It
The 17 Professional Max is the highest mannequin within the iPhone 17 household. It packs the very best cameras (together with a 4x optical telephoto shooter), a lightning-fast A19 Professional processor, a brand new aluminum unibody chassis, a big and vivid show, and the longest battery lifetime of any iPhone—as much as 32 hours! It ships with iOS 26 and helps all the newest Apple Intelligence options, together with Dwell Translation.
Who It is For
The 17 Professional Max is right in order for you all of it and have the cash to spend. In the event you’re a video-first creator, it allows you to use ProRes and Log recording. With all the very best options and the efficiency to match, it carries a steep worth, even when damaged down over two or three years by way of service plans. Nevertheless, if you’ll use all of the cellphone’s inventive powers, it is value the fee.
Specs & Configurations
Working System
iOS 26
CPU
Apple A19 Professional
Dimensions
6.43 by 3.07 by 0.34 inches
Display Dimension
6.9 inches
Display Decision
2,868 by 1,320 pixels
Digital camera Decision (Rear; Entrance-Going through)
48MP, 48MP, 48MP; 18MP
Battery Life (As Examined)
32 hours, 11 minutes
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Apple iPhone 17 Professional Max
Evaluation
(Credit score: Eric Zeman)
(Credit score: Eric Zeman)
Professionals & Cons
Excellent efficiency
Lengthy battery life
Vibrant display
Roomy 256GB base storage
Digital camera takes sharp photographs
MagSafe charging
Restricted digicam system
Older Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios
Why We Picked It
Apple merchandise aren’t at all times recognized for affordability, however the iPhone 17e principally bucks the development by providing most of the options that make the iPhone 17 so good at a respectably cheaper price. It modernizes probably the most inexpensive iPhone by upgrading the processor, charging tech, and digicam.
Who It is For
The iPhone 17e is ideal for those who do not want a extra superior mannequin and do not need to spend greater than $600.
Specs & Configurations
Working System
iOS 26
CPU
Apple A19
Dimensions
5.78 by 2.82 by 0.32 inches
Display Dimension
6.1 inches
Display Decision
2,532 by 1,170 pixels
Digital camera Decision (Rear; Entrance-Going through)
48MP; 12MP
Battery Life (As Examined)
22 hours, 2 minutes
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Apple iPhone 17e
Evaluation
(Credit score: Eric Zeman)
(Credit score: Eric Zeman)
Professionals & Cons
Tremendous skinny and lightweight
Wonderful display
Fast efficiency
Quick wi-fi speeds
Sharp cameras
Shortest battery life among the many newest iPhone 17 household
Restricted digicam performance
Runs scorching
Why We Picked It
The iPhone Air is a model new mannequin with a strikingly svelte design. It measures simply 0.22 inches thick and weighs 5.24 ounces, making it the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever. To attain this design, Apple in the reduction of on battery life and stored the cellphone to a single rear digicam. That mentioned, it is a novel gadget that stands other than the pack and nonetheless has an awesome display, quick efficiency, and the newest software program with Apple Intelligence.
Who It is For
If you’d like a showpiece cellphone that stuns with its extremely skinny and lightweight design, and wish one thing that virtually disappears into your pocket, the iPhone Air is the one to get.
Specs & Configurations
Working System
iOS 26
CPU
Apple A19 Professional
Dimensions
6.15 by 2.94 by 0.22 inches
Display Dimension
6.5 inches
Display Decision
2,736 by 1,260 pixels
Digital camera Decision (Rear; Entrance-Going through)
48MP; 18MP
Battery Life (As Examined)
19 hours, quarter-hour
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Apple iPhone Air
Evaluation
(Credit score: Eric Zeman)
(Credit score: Eric Zeman)
Professionals & Cons
Sharp, highly effective cameras
Superior video instruments
Unbelievable battery life
Shiny display
Extremely-quick velocity
High-notch construct high quality
No 2TB storage choice
Costly
Why We Picked It
The 17 Professional is the iPhone to purchase in order for you all the newest options, prime efficiency, and a incredible display in a compact package deal. It contains all of the performance of the Professional Max in a smaller physique that is extra comfy to carry and use.
Who It is For
In the event you’re in search of a top-tier cellphone with tons of inventive energy that matches your hand and your price range, the iPhone 17 Professional gives flagship efficiency for $100 lower than the Professional Max.
Specs & Configurations
Working System
iOS 26
CPU
Apple A19 Professional
Dimensions
5.91 by 2.83 by 0.34 inches
Display Dimension
6.3 inches
Display Decision
2,622 by 1,206 pixels
Digital camera Decision (Rear; Entrance-Going through)
48MP, 48MP, 48MP; 18MP
Battery Life (As Examined)
27 hours, 42 minutes
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Apple iPhone 17 Professional
Evaluation
(Credit score: Eric Zeman)
(Credit score: Eric Zeman)
Professionals & Cons
Most inexpensive iPhone 16 mannequin
Excessive-quality {hardware}
Swift efficiency
Sharp digicam high quality
Good battery life
Helps Apple Intelligence
Why We Picked It
The iPhone 16 is likely to be final yr’s mannequin, however it’s nonetheless a superb choice for many who need to avoid wasting cash. It ships with the stable A18 processor, a effective dual-camera system, good wi-fi efficiency, and Apple’s Emergency SOS function. Furthermore, it’ll nonetheless obtain a number of years of software program help from Apple.
Who It is For
The iPhone 16 is an effective choose for those who do not want the newest gadget and would somewhat hold an additional $100 in your pocket. It nonetheless handles all of the smartphone fundamentals with aplomb—together with Apple Intelligence, and is a step up in energy from the 16e.
Specs & Configurations
Working System
iOS 18
CPU
Apple A18
Dimensions
5.8 by 2.8 by 0.3 inches
Display Dimension
6.1 inches
Display Decision
2,556 by 1,179 pixels
Digital camera Decision (Rear; Entrance-Going through)
48MP, 12MP; 12MP
Battery Life (As Examined)
17 hours, 47 minutes
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Apple iPhone 16
Evaluation
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What is the Greatest iPhone to Purchase in 2026?
Evaluate Specs
Shopping for Information: What is the Greatest iPhone to Purchase in 2026?
When Is the New iPhone Coming Out?
The iPhone 17 line launched in September 2025, which suggests the iPhone 18 is prone to arrive in September or October 2026. The iPhone 17e simply arrived in March 2026. Now is a good time to purchase an iPhone.
Which Is the Most Highly effective iPhone?
Apple introduces sooner and extra highly effective iPhones yearly. A sooner processor is healthier for those who play lots of video games, surf image-heavy net pages, or shoot high-resolution video. Apple’s strongest iPhones are the Professional fashions.
Left to proper: iPhone 17 Professional Max, iPhone 17 Professional (Credit score: Eric Zeman)
Typically talking, every new era of Apple’s A-series chips brings a 15% to twenty% bounce in total efficiency, together with net searching and GPU energy. Which means there’s not that large a distinction between the A18 (within the iPhone 16) and the A19 (within the iPhone 17), however there is a noticeable distinction between both of these and the older A16 Bionic (within the iPhone 15).
The iPhone 17 Professional and 17 Professional Max have A19 Professional chips inside with loads of RAM, and so they at present lead the pack in benchmark testing.
Do You Want a 5G iPhone?
At this level, it is laborious to keep away from one. The iPhone 16 and 17 collection are all 5G units that help C-band and mmWave networks. That is a powerful argument for not selecting something older than the iPhone 16. Quick 5G protection has grow to be way more common in the previous couple of years. T-Cellular has already expanded its speedy mid-band 5G community to a lot of the nation, and Verizon has principally accomplished its rollout of C-band. Each methods make a substantial distinction in connection velocity and efficiency. AT&T has pushed laborious to get its 3.45GHz spectrum up and working and is catching up shortly.
Left to proper: iPhone 17, iPhone Air (Credit score Eric Zeman)
Each iPhone from the iPhone 15 and onward has all of the 5G you want, so it is best to stay with the more moderen fashions for those who’re shopping for used.
Which iPhone Has the Greatest Digital camera?
How critical are you about taking photographs along with your smartphone? That may assist decide your alternative of iPhone.
All iPhones have a primary digicam that shoots stable pictures in the course of the day. Most are additionally good now at capturing respectable pictures after the solar goes down, although your mileage will range a bit bit there. The iPhone 16e and iPhone Air each have a single digicam on the rear. The Air’s single digicam matches the decision and options of the opposite primary cameras. The usual iPhone 16 and 17 fashions every have wide-angle cameras, too, which enable you to match extra surroundings right into a shot. These cameras are nice for taking photographs of teams or crowds of individuals.
iPhone Air (Credit score: Eric Zeman)
Professional iPhones, in the meantime, have telephoto cameras that get crisp close-ups because of optical zoom. The Professional fashions even have superior video seize options, together with the very best charges (4K120), probably the most info-dense format (ProRes), and the very best profiles for post-processing (Log).
To get the very best digicam and video digicam, one of many Professional fashions is the way in which to go.
Which iPhone Dimension Is the Greatest?
Some folks like large telephones, and a few like small telephones. The iPhone lineup now not gives very small telephones however does embody midsize and extra-large choices.
Left to proper: iPhone 17 Professional Max, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Professional, iPhone 17 (Credit score: Eric Zeman)
In the event you’re upgrading from a really previous iPhone, all the new telephones will appear giant. The iPhone 17e is similar measurement because the iPhone 14, for instance. Apple axed the iPhone 13 mini years in the past, which was the smallest choice. This implies the 16e is now probably the most compact gadget within the lineup.
The iPhone 16, iPhone 17e, and iPhone 17 are the smallest fashionable iPhones. They’ve 6.1-inch to six.3-inch screens, which is taken into account small at this level. Apple retains the width below 3 inches on these, which actually helps with hand consolation.
Apple iPhone 17e (Credit score: Eric Zeman)
When you have poor eyesight or shaky fingers, you would possibly just like the bigger contact targets and greater screens on the Air or Max fashions. These are additionally nice for those who watch lots of movies in your cellphone, however the Professional Max will be heavy.
Really helpful by Our Editors
Bigger iPhones typically have longer battery life than smaller iPhones (as a result of they’ve bigger batteries). Nonetheless, the brand new iPhone 17 fashions all have higher battery life than the same-sized iPhone 16 fashions, so going with a more moderen mannequin will get you some further juice (about two hours extra per day).
Which iPhones Have Contact ID and Headphone Jacks?
Two options have principally vanished from the iPhone line: Contact ID and the headphone jack.
The iPhone SE was the final cellphone with Contact ID. Apple discontinued it when it launched the iPhone 16e in February.
The final iPhone with a headphone jack was the 2015-era iPhone 6s, that means that ship has lengthy since sailed. You must have already given in and picked up wi-fi earbuds or an adapter in your Lightning or USB-C port.
iPhone 17 Professional (Credit score: Eric Zeman)
Which iPhone Is Too Outdated to Purchase Now?
iPhones do ultimately run out of software program help. The newest iPhone working system, iOS 26, runs solely on the 2020-era iPhone 12 or later fashions. Count on that every yr, a era of iPhones might be sloughed off as the newest software program requires extra highly effective processors than the very previous fashions have.
We now not suggest telephones older than the iPhone 14 line; they are going to possible get at the very least two extra years of OS help. If you’d like a cellphone with long-term resale worth, go for the iPhone 16 era or increased.
