Which mannequin must you purchase?

Authentic launch date: September 19, 2025 | Storage capability: 256GB, 512GB | Display screen measurement: 6.3 inches | Options: A19 chip, At all times-on 120Hz ProMotion show, Aluminum body, USB-C port (USB 2), Digicam Management button, Motion button, 25W MagSafe charging, Apple Intelligence | Cameras: 48MP broad, 48MP ultrawide, 18MP Middle Stage entrance | Coloration choices: Lavender, Sage, Mist Blue, White, Black | Dimensions: 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.31 inches | Weight: 6.24 ounces

Learn our full iPhone 17 review

The iPhone 17 is essentially the most important improve to Apple’s “common” iPhone in years. Whereas there are definitely nonetheless causes to pay further for an iPhone 17 Professional or Professional Max, only a few of these nonetheless really feel important for the common particular person. For many, the bottom mannequin now covers all the mandatory bases for $300 or $400 much less. Sure, Apple (Apple!) has made a smartphone that’s a genuinely robust worth for cash in 2026.

Most of our enthusiasm stems from the brand new 6.3-inch show. It’s somewhat greater than the iPhone 16’s 6.1-inch panel, and with a most brightness of three,000 nits, it needs to be simpler to learn outdoor. (The earlier mannequin topped out at 2,000 nits.) Most significantly, it’s a “ProMotion” show, which implies its most refresh price has (finally) jumped from 60Hz to a sooner 120Hz. Which may sound dorky to focus on, nevertheless it makes scrolling net pages, taking part in video games and easily interacting with iOS really feel smoother and extra responsive. When you see the distinction — and you’ll — it’s troublesome to ever return.

The refresh price can be adaptive, so it will possibly dip right down to 1Hz to save lots of energy when the telephone is idle, and since that is an always-on show, it will possibly present notifications on the lock display with out forcing you to bodily contact your system. We’ve dinged Apple prior to now for relegating these types of options to its Professional sequence — particularly since cheaper Android phones have had them for years — however that’s prior to now now, and the iPhone 17 feels far much less dated in consequence.

The cameras are higher, too. The entrance cam has gone from a 12-megapixel sensor to a crisper 18MP one, whereas an up to date “Center Stage” characteristic allows you to take landscape-oriented selfies with out having to show your telephone sideways and retains you focused in body throughout video calls. On the again, the ultrawide digicam is now 48MP as a substitute of 12MP, which might help make textures look a bit sharper in numerous lighting situations. Now you can shoot video from the entrance and rear cameras concurrently as effectively. Whereas digicam efficiency continues to be the principle space the place the Professional telephones pull forward, that is nonetheless an amazing point-and-shoot setup for the fast pics most individuals wish to take with a telephone.

The iPhone 17 begins on the identical $799 because the iPhone 16, nevertheless it comes with 256GB of storage by default — twice as a lot as earlier than. It has a brand new A19 chip, which doesn’t convey an enormous leap in real-world efficiency however ought to preserve the telephone snappy for years to return. Apple charges the battery for as much as 30 hours of video playback, an eight-hour soar over its predecessor. That’s most likely an optimistic studying, however both approach, we had no points getting the brand new mannequin to final by a typical work day, and it’s not far off the iPhone 17 Professional’s 33-hour estimate. It helps sooner 25W wi-fi charging, up from 22W, and with the fitting wired charger Apple says it will possibly refill 50 p.c battery in 20 minutes as a substitute of 30. The up to date “Ceramic Defend 2” glass on the entrance is barely extra scratch-resistant as effectively.

All of this is available in a design that’s nonetheless good-looking, sturdy and well-proportioned, with an aluminum body, the useful-enough Digicam Management and Motion buttons and a number of tasteful colour decisions. It might look extra boring than the 17 Professional or the iPhone Air, however the former’s upgrades are primarily for energy customers at this level, whereas the latter is worse in demonstrable methods regardless of costing $200 extra. We wouldn’t say it’s a must to improve if you happen to personal an iPhone 16, however for the primary time shortly, it gained’t really feel like a waste if you happen to do really feel like switching only one 12 months later.

Authentic launch date: September 19, 2025 | Storage capability: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB (Professional Max solely) | Display screen measurement: 6.3 inches (Professional), 6.9 inches (Professional Max) | Options: A19 Professional chip, At all times-on 120Hz ProMotion show, Aluminum unibody, Ceramic Defend again, USB-C port (USB 3), Digicam Management button, Motion button, 25W MagSafe charging, Apple Intelligence | Cameras: 48MP broad, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto, 18MP Middle Stage entrance | Coloration choices: Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, Silver | Dimensions: 5.91 x 2.83 x 0.34 inches (Professional), 6.43 x 3.07 x 0.34 inches (Professional Max) | Weight: 7.27 ounces (Professional), 8.22 ounces (Professional Max)

Learn our full iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max review

When you’ve acquired somewhat extra money to play with, the 6.3-inch iPhone 17 Pro and 6.9-inch iPhone 17 Pro Max are Apple’s “kitchen sink” smartphones — those with all the very best tech the corporate can stuff right into a pocket-sized pc, worth be damned.

In comparison with the usual iPhone 17, the principle upgrades listed below are within the digicam and battery departments. Whereas the bottom mannequin additionally has 48MP fundamental and ultrawide cameras, the Professional telephones are the one ones with a devoted telephoto lens, which makes them way more succesful for zoom images. With the 17 Professional and Professional Max, it’s a 48MP lens with 4x optical zoom and optical-like high quality at as much as 8x. The Professional’s fundamental digicam additionally has a bigger sensor, so it’s superior in low-light environments, and it helps a number of fanatic options like the power to shoot in ProRAW or file 4K Dolby Imaginative and prescient video as much as 120 frames per second.

Most individuals will nonetheless be very happy with the common iPhone 17’s dual-camera system, however the Professionals’ setup is simply higher if you happen to use your telephone cameras with extra intent. When you’re primarily considering selfies and FaceTime calls, nevertheless, observe that the 18MP “Middle Stage” entrance digicam right here isn’t a lot totally different from the one on the bottom mannequin.

In terms of battery life, Apple says the 17 Professional delivers as much as 33 hours of video playback whereas the 17 Professional Max can attain a hefty 39 hours. These rankings gained’t be totally correct in the actual world, but when our testing is any indication, it’s best to be capable to get a day and alter out of the 17 Professional and nearer to 2 days out of the Professional Max.

The larger batteries make the Professional telephones barely thicker and noticeably heavier than the usual mannequin, however their designs really feel appropriately high-end. Whether or not they look nice is a bit more contentious: Apple has opted for a two-tone motif that vegetation a sturdy “Ceramic Defend” glass again inside an aluminum chassis, with a pronounced “plateau” that homes the digicam module and far of the telephone’s inside parts on prime. Personally, I feel it’s a bit a lot, however what I discover busy, a lot others discover enjoyable. Both approach, it stands out.

Much less debatable is how effectively these telephones carry out. The A19 Professional chip powering the 2 is overkill for the fundamentals however exceptionally highly effective for gaming and extra concerned duties. A vapor chamber cooling system, together with the aluminum design, helps preserve the units from getting sizzling as shortly as previous Professional fashions. There are different little perks too, from help for sooner knowledge transfers to higher-quality mics to a 2TB storage possibility for the Professional Max.

The draw back continues to be the worth: The iPhone 17 Professional begins at $1,099, whereas the 17 Professional Max prices $100 extra. It’s laborious to name both system an amazing worth when the usual mannequin gives an analogous show, an arguably cleaner design, the identical base storage, completely strong cameras and still-strong battery life for a lower cost. However if you’d like the very best of the very best, the Professionals are it. As for which one is best, that’s totally right down to choice: Outdoors of display measurement, battery life and pricing, the Professional and Professional Max are functionally similar.

Authentic launch date: February 28, 2025 | Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Display screen measurement: 6.1 inches | Options: A18 chip (4-core GPU), 60Hz show, Aluminum body, USB-C port (USB 2), Motion button, 7.5W Qi wi-fi charging, Apple Intelligence | Cameras: 48MP rear, 12MP entrance | Coloration choices: White, Black | Dimensions: 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches | Weight: 5.88 ounces

Learn our full iPhone 16e review

Right here’s the fact: There’s no such factor as a real finances iPhone in 2026. The $429 iPhone SE was the closest factor Apple needed to a value-oriented mannequin coming into the 12 months, nevertheless it was formally discontinued in February, and its severely outdated design made it troublesome to advocate lengthy earlier than that. The Phone 16e is the SE’s ostensible alternative, nevertheless it prices $599, effectively above what anybody might name “reasonably priced” when there are such a lot of genuinely first rate Android telephones that promote for tons of of {dollars} much less.

So after we advocate the iPhone 16e on this spot, consider it much less like a finances choose and extra like “the most cost effective competent iPhone you’ll be able to reliably purchase.” It’s simple to see the way it might be higher, nevertheless it nonetheless will get you most of what makes the iPhone expertise worthwhile.

It seems and feels way more substantial than the outdated iPhone SE, with a bigger and extra vivid 6.1-inch OLED show, cleaner traces and flat aluminum edges. Its A18 chip is almost the identical because the one in 2024’s iPhone 16, simply with one fewer GPU core; both approach, it’s highly effective sufficient to run Apple Intelligence and most video games wonderful. Its battery life is first rate, with a video playback ranking of 26 hours, although it’s a bit behind every mannequin within the iPhone 17 household. It has a USB-C port, Face ID and the programmable Action button. Most significantly, it’s the least costly route into iMessage, Apple Pay, FaceTime, AirPlay and all the opposite iOS perks locked in Apple’s walled backyard, for higher or worse.

That stated, the iPhone 17 nonetheless brings significant upgrades for $200 extra. It has a greater digicam setup, for one, with a second, 48MP ultrawide lens and a bigger fundamental sensor with higher picture stabilization. The 16e’s single-camera system continues to be completely wonderful for many conditions, however night time photographs look softer, portraits are a bit blurrier and there’s no macro mode.

Annoyingly, the iPhone 16e additionally lacks MagSafe, locking it out of a number of useful accessories, and it’s restricted to sluggish 7.5W wi-fi charging. There’s no ultra-wideband chip to extra precisely locate AirTags, and the usual iPhone 17’s show is now a marked enchancment due to its 120Hz refresh price, larger peak brightness and always-on performance. That display additionally has the Dynamic Island, which makes it simpler to examine timers, Uber ETAs, sports activities scores and the like at a look. The 16e, by comparability, has the static “notch” from older iPhones. The 17 can be out there in additional colours, whereas the 16e solely is available in a extra primary black or white. And it begins with half the cupboard space.

In some ways, the iPhone 16e feels prefer it was designed backwards to make the bottom mannequin appear like a greater worth. Nonetheless, if you happen to can stretch your finances to get the iPhone 17, it’s price doing so.

Actually, discount hunters ought to look to the refurbished market for reductions on older iPhones first. If you will discover an iPhone 16 (and even an iPhone 15) from a good vendor for $100+ lower than the 16e, that’d be very best, since these embody most of the 16e’s lacking options (120Hz show apart) and something older gained’t have a USB-C port. When you see an iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro across the identical value or much less, it’s no contest — these are higher than the 16e just about throughout the board.

However even a refurbished 15 is unlikely to be that low cost, and older iPhones usually tend to lose replace help sooner. Nonetheless, that may not matter a lot if you happen to simply need an Apple telephone for primary iOS issues and might discover a suitable price-to-storage ratio. Benefiting from trade-in offers or, to a lesser extent, month-to-month installment plans that decrease upfront prices appears particularly prudent lately as effectively.

Because it stands now, the shortage of a aggressive finances mannequin within the iPhone lineup is disappointing, and it seems that won’t change anytime quickly. Apple can be Apple. However if you happen to simply wish to stroll into an Apple retailer and purchase an iPhone that works, the 16e is okay sufficient, even when it is not a slam-dunk worth.

Authentic launch date: September 19, 2025 | Storage capability: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Display screen measurement: 6.5 inches | Options: A19 Professional chip (5-core GPU), At all times-on 120Hz ProMotion show, Titanium body, Ceramic Defend again, USB-C port (USB 2), Digicam Management button, Motion button, 20W MagSafe charging, Apple Intelligence | Cameras: 48MP broad, 18MP Middle Stage entrance | Coloration choices: Sky Blue, Mild Gold, Cloud White, House Black | Dimensions: 6.15 x 2.94 x 0.22 inches | Weight: 5.82 ounces

Learn our full iPhone Air review

You’ll be able to study an amazing deal a few smartphone on paper. And on paper, there isn’t a lot of a cause to purchase the iPhone Air — the brand new ultra-thin iPhone that takes the spot of the outdated “Plus” mannequin in Apple’s lineup — over the iPhone 17 or iPhone 17 Professional. It’s a $999 telephone with a single rear digicam and no telephoto or ultrawide lens. It doesn’t have stereo audio system. Its battery life isn’t as disastrous as first feared — we acquired it to final by a day of real-world use — nevertheless it’s nonetheless shorter than that of the bottom mannequin. Its wi-fi and wired charging speeds are slower. Few of those facets are outright unhealthy, nevertheless it’s the precept: You’re paying extra for a tool that’s indisputably worse in necessary methods.

However you then maintain it, and people points could fade into the background. The Air is so skinny, and so splendidly gentle, that it appears like holding a show itself as a lot as an precise telephone. Sure, the pill-shaped digicam bump on the again negates a few of the thinness (and might run somewhat heat), however it is a fantastically understated system, with easy rounded corners and a sophisticated, remarkably sturdy titanium body. It’s a tool for design geeks, the sort that swoon over a Leica digicam or Dyson vacuum, or anybody who’s simply grown tired of iPhones as an idea. It’s not about “worth,” it’s about proudly owning one thing that delights you everytime you choose it up.

It helps that the iPhone Air isn’t completely gimped on the spec sheet. It runs on a model of the super-fast A19 Professional chip seen within the iPhone 17 Professional, whereas its 6.5-inch show is always-on and helps 120Hz refresh charges. It has the identical upgraded selfie cam as the opposite new iPhones as effectively. It’s nonetheless for early adopters before everything, and it might simply be a precursor for a foldable iPhone within the years forward. It prices an excessive amount of for us to advocate broadly — however we are able to completely perceive why you would possibly wish to purchase the iPhone Air anyway. When you can reside with the sacrifices, go for it. Simply don’t be shocked if you wish to improve once more subsequent 12 months.