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Should you upgrade to the iPhone 17 range?
While there have been great strides in the world of Android phones over the last few years, there’s no denying that when it comes to style, software and features like video capture, Apple absolutely rules the roost. So whether you’re an existing fan looking to upgrade or someone planning on buying their first ever handset from Apple’s collection, here are the best iPhones right now as vetted by our tech experts.
Although we’re now on the iPhone 17 range, deciding which iPhone to buy isn’t quite as simple as pointing to the most recent options. After all, thanks to Apple’s offering of long-term software support for previous models, not to mention major discounts that can be found (especially when picking up a refurbished model), there’s a chance that the best iPhone for you might be a previous-gen pick.
With that said, if you’re a content creator or someone who absolutely needs to have the best iPhone cameras around then you’ll certainly want to shop from either the Pro or Pro Max models which, despite costing quite a bit more, can offer tons in return. After all, there isn’t really another phone out there right now that can match the iPhone when it comes to video recording, so if you are someone who wants to shoot primarily with their smartphone then Apple’s handsets are the best place to start.
To gain a concrete understanding of how each phone operates, one of our tech experts will use an iPhone as their main communications device for at least a week, documenting the day-to-day experience whilst noting the battery drain when using certain apps like Netflix or Call of Duty: Mobile.
All of this data is then funnelled into our reviews so that you have a grasp of what each iPhone is like to use on a daily basis. So whether you’re after the best value iPhone or the best iPhone for gaming, this is the list for you. Alternatively, if you decide that you’re curious to see what else is out there then our round-ups of the best phones, best mid-range phones and the best cheap phones have you covered. We have even rounded up the best SIM-only deals for you, ranging from unlimited data offers down to just a few GB a month.
Best iPhone At A Glance
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Learn more about how we test mobile phones
Every iPhone we review, whether it’s the cheapest model or the most expensive, gets put through more than 15 tests. These include synthetic benchmark tests that give a good idea of general performance and in-depth camera comparisons between competing devices.
Like every phone we review, the expert tasked with putting the specific iPhone through its paces will use it as their main phone for the review period, transferring across apps, chats and accounts. We feel this gives us a proper view of the device and helps ensure we’re not just repeating headline features from marketing releases.
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Great battery life for the smaller Pro
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Finally, some fun colours
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Versatile camera system with welcome upgrades to zoom and the front camera
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Not the best looking iPhone
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Apple Intelligence is still a miss
Just when you thought that Apple’s flagship handset was starting to look a little too similar year on year, the iPhone 17 Pro came along with a design unlike any other. The new Pro-level iPhone boasts an eye-catching camera plateau that doesn’t just help to highlight the new sensors, it’s also functional as it houses a ton of extra tech under the hood which leads to some massive gains in battery life.
The colours are also far more engaging than before. The Deep Blue pick that we had in for testing is nice and sophisticated, but the Cosomic Orange alternative really packs a punch, leaning into a level of vibrancy that we haven’t really seen from smartphones in the last few years. It’s just a great-looking phone overall, and a reminder of why Apple’s design team had a hand in putting the company on the map to begin with.
As mentioned before, one of the big leaps this time around is in battery life. From our testing, it was possible to go through a fairly intensive day of use and reach anywhere between 15-30% by the end of it, which is a major uptick on the 10-20% that the iPhone 16 Pro usually left us with. There’s now much faster 25W MagSafe charging as well, which can be a huge help for topping up your phone quickly before heading out on the town.
The real star of the show however is the phone’s camera set-up, comprised of a triple 48MP array on the back. Photos look better than ever, but it’s the ability to shoot Dolby Vision HDR at up to 120fps that’ll be the big draw for content creators. Shooting content to camera is also much easier thanks to the new 18MP Center Stage selfie camera which lets you swap between orientations without physically moving the phone.
This is also the phone to go for if you want processing power that can truly outdo the competition. The upgraded A19 Pro chipset is a true beast of engineering, and we were amazed by how cool the phone could be even when undertaking more intensive tasks, especially when gaming. Just take a dive into the various triple-A games you can find in the App Store and you’ll find a near console-like experience on the go.
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Great size
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The camera is certainly capable of greatness
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Good battery life
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No exclusive features in Pro Max model
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Apple Intelligence yet to wow
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Meagre starting storage
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Camera Control can be tough to master
If the newer iPhone 17 Pro is a little too expensive for your budget then the iPhone 16 Pro can now be found for much less if you shop around. With features including a three-camera system that mirrors the Pro Max, solid battery life and a powerful processor, the iOS experience doesn’t get much better than this (unless you opt for the iPhone 16 Pro Max).
Measuring in at a slightly boosted 6.3 inches compared to the 15 Pro, it’s still much smaller than the 6.9-inch 16 Pro Max but sports similarly rounded edges and slimline bezels that make for a premium viewing experience. Importantly, it still sits nicely in the hand despite its slightly increased dimensions, making it a perfect antidote to the sea of competing big-screen phones.
The iPhone 16 Pro runs on the top-end A18 Pro chipset that, as usual, offers stunning performance with oodles of CPU and GPU power that can beat most other phones on the market, with a healthy gap between the iPhone 16 Pro and competing Android phones – for now, anyway.
That chipset also powers the Apple Intelligence experience, though we wouldn’t describe it as the reason to upgrade.
Elsewhere, the iPhone 16 Pro features a three-lens rear camera system which includes a 48MP main lens, a 48MP ultrawide lens and a 12MP 5x telephoto lens, so images are crisp and detailed in both well-lit and even low-light conditions.
Other notable changes include a new Camera Control button that allows you to switch between photo modes and take photos, although we found the execution to be somewhat flawed due to an odd placement.
Still, if you want a truly powerful smartphone that offers speedy performance, high-end camera quality and impressive durability then the iPhone 16 Pro is a near-perfect choice.
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ProMotion display tech is finally here
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Easily lasts all day on a charge
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Consistent performance across all cameras
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Lightweight and charming, if familiar
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No dedicated telephoto lens
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Apple Intelligence remains disappointing
Even though they’ve been great options in the past, entry-level iPhones such as the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 15 have usually come with a caveat or two at the point of purchase. This has usually included being locked to a fairly outdated 60Hz display and a set of cameras that leave you wanting a little bit more, but such compromises are a thing of the past now that the iPhone 17 has hit the scene.
With the amount of features onboard and the fact that its £799/$799 asking price is much cheaper than that of the iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone Air, it’s easy to make the case that the iPhone 17 is the best iPhone for most people. There are quite a few upgrades to note but the biggest one of all is easily the inclusion of Apple’s 120Hz ProMotion display.
This is the first time that an entry-level iPhone has had a 120Hz refresh rate but the difference is like night and day. Everything just looks so much smoother as you zip between apps, and it means that the iPhone 17 doesn’t feel dated right out of the gate. The screen itself is also slightly larger at 6.3-inches so there’s more room for streaming apps to spread out, providing more detail than ever.
On the camera front, there are two key upgrades to speak of. The 12MP ultrawide sensor of old has been replaced with a far more competitive 48MP variant, which can now pack tons of detail in each jaw-dropping shot. Flip the phone over and you get the new 18MP Center Stage front camera which lets you shoot landscape selfies even when the phone is held upright. It’s a small tweak but a game-changer for everyday use.
Smaller but no less substantial upgrades include a boost to the phone’s charging speeds as it can now be topped up at 40W over a wired connection and 25W wirelessly via MagSafe. The iPhone 17 also comes with 256GB by default, and that’s without an increase to the base price so you’re effectively getting double the storage of previous models but for free. With all this in mind, the iPhone 17 isn’t just a great Apple device, it’s also one of the best phones around.
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Sublime looks and feel
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Lovely ProMoton screen
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Great camera
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Excellent performance
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Battery life can’t quite match the Plus phones
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Single camera lacks versatility
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A hard sell for some when the iPhone 17 is so much cheaper
It makes sense that after testing the waters with its ‘Mini’ and ‘Plus’ phones that Apple would eventually try its hand at something resting in the middle – a smartphone with a slightly larger display than the base model iPhone but with a slim chassis that makes it very easy to carry around. Well, that’s exactly what we got in the iPhone Air, and while it’s not quite the all-rounder that the iPhone 17 is, there are some Apple fans who are sure to prefer it.
At just 5.64mm thick and weighing only 165g, there’s no denying it – the iPhone Air is the most slick phone that Apple has ever put out. It almost makes the other iPhones seem chunky by comparison, and the overall design is far more striking than the fairly mundane Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. Of course, if you are the type of person to use a case with their phone then that profile is instantly diminished, so it’s a phone best used bare in order to get the full effect.
Even though you’d expect battery life to be seriously diminished as a result of the form factor, Apple has done some impressive engineering here as the iPhone Air can still provide the same type of all-day use that you’d expect from the entry-level iPhone models. There’s 20W MagSafe charging on board too just in case the phone needs a quick top-up and you have a wireless powerbank to hand.
Display-wise you’re getting a gorgeous 6.5-inch panel that’s still compact enough to be used comfortably one-handed. There’s 120Hz ProMotion support for a smooth scrolling experience and with a maximum brightness of 3000 nits, you won’t have any problems using this phone in the great outdoors.
As you may have already spotted, there’s only one camera on the back of the iPhone Air as there’s no ultrawide sensor whatsoever, but what you do get is a very capable 48MP wide sensor which can put out some colourful shots with plenty of detail. The phone also benefits from the same Center Stage front-facing camera found on the iPhone 17 range which lets you shoot vertical and horizontal shots regardless of which orientation you’re in.
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Exceptional battery life
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Larger screen with impossibly thin bezels
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Top-end processing power
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Impressive video quality
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Apple Intelligence isn’t that smart or widely available
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Camera Control is awkward to use
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Very expensive
You might be looking for an iPhone that can deliver all the very best that Apple has to offer, along with the biggest screen you can fit your hands around as well. No problem: that’s what the iPhone 16 Pro Max is for.
It’s bigger than ever, measuring in at an increased 6.9 inches compared to the 6.7 inches of previous models of Pro Max, but much of that is down to impressively thin bezels, meaning its footprint isn’t much larger than before.
Sheer size aside, the 120Hz OLED screen delivers a truly immersive experience when watching films and playing games in a way that smaller-screened devices simply can’t compete with. It also allows Apple to fit a larger battery within, meaning battery life is much better than the iPhone 16 Pro, easily lasting well into the second day of use much of the time.
In all other ways, it’s identical to the iPhone 16 Pro, with the same A18 Pro chipset with support for Apple Intelligence, a new Camera Control button and the same combination of a 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide and 12MP 5x telephoto cameras. It’s just a bigger, more expensive variant.
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New Action Button & Camera Controls
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Two-generation jump in processing power
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Relatively compact and portable
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Camera Control placement isn’t ideal
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Apple Intelligence isn’t the best – yet
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No telephoto lens
The iPhone 17 Pro might be the best iPhone but, for many people, the Pro model simply isn’t necessary. After all, the iPhone 16 is just as capable as the Pro and Pro Max in many areas and comes at a much lower price.
The base model received a significant upgrade with the iPhone 16, not only featuring the Action Button previously exclusive to the Pro and Pro Max models but also the new Camera Control button. And, not to miss out on the AI hype, the regular model also boasts support for Apple Intelligence in regions where it’s available.
What’s more, the iPhone 16 does away with the odd chipset split that left the regular iPhones on year-old chipsets, sporting the A18 chipset for a two-generation jump. That also means that the regular iPhone can play AAA mobile games like Resident Evil Village without issue.
The phone also packs an all-day battery and a bright display, though the 16 Pro has kept its exclusive hold on the 120Hz refresh rate and telephoto camera.
If you want the smoothest screen and most advanced camera on an iPhone, it’s worth spending extra on the iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max. However, if you’re happy with these sacrifices, the iPhone 16 remains a fantastic smartphone for most people.
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256GB is now the starting amount of storage
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Very fast (for the price)
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Love the pink
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The iPhone 17 is just better in every way
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Single camera is restrictive
The cheapest new iPhone on this list right now, the iPhone 17e comes in at £599/$599, undercutting both the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Pro by a significant margin.
There are compromises to be aware of. The 17e carries over the notched screen and 60Hz refresh rate from the iPhone 16e, and around the back you get a single 48MP camera with no telephoto lens for zoomed shots. If neither of those things is a dealbreaker for you, this is almost certainly the iPhone to go for.
Under the hood is Apple’s A19 chip, the same silicon found in the standard iPhone 17. Whether you are deep in a demanding game or cutting together video on the go, the 17e keeps pace with ease, and in our testing it left some considerably more expensive Android handsets behind.
The upgrades over the previous entry-level model are welcome, too. The new Ceramic Shield 2 screen is said to be three times more scratch-resistant than before, and a fresh pink colour option has been added to the lineup.
MagSafe is arguably the biggest win here. Apple’s most accessible iPhone can now charge magnetic accessories wirelessly, including battery packs and wallets, which is a genuinely useful feature to inherit from the pricier end of the range.
Battery life has also received a bump, and while the standard iPhone 17 still leads the field in that department, most users will comfortably get through a full day on a single charge.
Storage starts at 256GB, double the base offering of earlier entry-level iPhones. If you want the most iPhone possible without stretching to a higher tier, this is the one to buy.
FAQs
All the iPhones in this list come with some form of 5G. However, the supported bands can vary so it’s best to check with your carrier or network to see which bands and forms of 5G they support.
No – Apple has removed the charger from the box of all its iPhones. You’ll need to buy it separately or else use an old one.
The most recent iPhone is the iPhone 17 series, which was first available to order in September 2025.
Test Data
| Apple iPhone 17 Pro | Apple iPhone 16 Pro | Apple iPhone 17 | Apple iPhone Air | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 16 | Apple iPhone 17e | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 single core | 3870 | 3539 | 3216 | 3796 | 3338 | 3199 | 3447 |
| Geekbench 6 multi core | 9994 | 8585 | 7823 | 9630 | 8167 | 8027 | 8006 |
| Geekbench 6 GPU | – | – | – | – | – | – | 31204 |
| 3DMark Solar Bay | – | – | – | – | – | – | 7766 |
| Black level | – | – | – | -3 nits | – | – | – |
| Max brightness | – | – | – | 3000 nits | – | – | – |
| 1 hour video playback (Netflix, HDR) | 5 % | 5 % | 6 % | 8 % | 6 % | 7 % | – |
| Battery drain 60-min (music streaming online) | – | 1 % | – | 3 % | – | – | – |
| Battery drain 60-min (music streaming offline) | – | 0 % | – | 3 % | – | – | – |
| 30 minute gaming (intensive) | – | – | – | 10 % | – | – | – |
| 30 minute gaming (light) | 7 % | – | 8 % | – | 4 % | – | – |
| Time from 0-100% charge | 80 min | 92 min | 85 min | 87 min | 106 min | 101 min | – |
| Time from 0-50% charge | 21 Min | – | 26 Min | 29 Min | 30 Min | 25 Min | 28 Min |
| 15-min recharge (included charger) | – | -4 % | – | – | – | – | – |
| 60-min recharge (no charger included) | – | -4 % | – | – | – | – | – |
| 30-min recharge (no charger included) | 67 % | 51 % | 56 % | – | 50 % | 58 % | 54 % |
| 15-min recharge (no charger included) | 40 % | 30 % | 34 % | – | 27 % | 30 % | 29 % |
| 3D Mark – Wild Life | 5400 | – | 4405 | 3626 | 4128 | 4017 | 3791 |
| 3D Mark – Wild Life Stress Test | – | – | – | – | – | – | 76.5 % |
| GFXBench – Aztec Ruins | 59 fps | 60 fps | 59 fps | 57 fps | 60 fps | 60 fps | – |
| GFXBench – Car Chase | 60 fps | 60 fps | 59 fps | 58 fps | 60 fps | 60 fps | – |
Full Specs
| Apple iPhone 17 Pro Review | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Review | Apple iPhone 17 Review | Apple iPhone Air Review | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Review | Apple iPhone 16 Review | Apple iPhone 17e Review | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple | Apple | Apple | Apple | Apple | Apple | Apple |
| Screen Size | 6.3 inches | 6.3 inches | 6.3 inches | 6.5 inches | 6.9 inches | 6.1 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Storage Capacity | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB |
| Rear Camera | 48MP + 48MP + 48MP | 48MP + 48MP + 12MP | 48MP + 48MP | 48MP | 48MP + 48MP + 12MP | 48MP + 12MP | 48MP |
| Front Camera | 18MP | 12MP | 18MP | 18MP | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP |
| Video Recording | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP67 |
| Battery | 3998 mAh | – | 3692 mAh | 3149 mAh | 4685 mAh | 3561 mAh | – |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fast Charging | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Size (Dimensions) | 71.9 x 8.8 x 150 MM | 71.5 x 8.25 x 149.6 MM | 71.5 x 8 x 149.6 MM | 74.7 x 5.6 x 156.2 MM | 77.6 x 8.3 x 163 MM | 71.6 x 7.8 x 147.6 MM | 71.5 x 7.80 x 146.7 MM |
| Weight | 206 G | 199 G | 177 G | 165 G | 227 G | 170 G | 170 G |
| ASIN | – | B0DGHSYPYK | – | – | B0DGHZ1MC2 | – | – |
| Operating System | iOS 26 | iOS 18 | iOS 26 | iOS 26 | iOS 18 | iOS 18 | iOS 26 |
| Release Date | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | 2024 | 2026 |
| First Reviewed Date | 18/12/2025 | 13/11/2024 | 20/01/2026 | 09/10/2025 | 13/11/2024 | 30/10/2024 | 16/03/2026 |
| Resolution | 1206 x 2622 | 2622 x 1206 | 1206 x 2622 | 2736 x 1260 | 1320 x 2868 | 1179 x 2556 | 2532 x 1170 |
| HDR | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Ports | USB-C | – | USB-C | USB-C (USB 2 speeds) | USB-C | USB-C | USB 2 |
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro | USB 3 | Apple A19 | Apple A19 Pro ( 5-core GPU) | Apple A18 Pro | Apple A18 | Apple A19 |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB | 8GB | 12GB | 8GB | 8GB | 8GB |
| Colours | Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue | Black, Silver, Gold, White | Black, White, Mist Blue, Sage, Lavender | Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, Sky Blue | Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert Titanium | Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine | Pink, Black, White |
| Stated Power | – | – | 40 W | – | 45 W | – | – |
| UK RRP | £1099 | £999 | £799 | £999 | £1199 | £799 | £599 |
| USA RRP | $1099 | $999 | $799 | $999 | $1199 | $799 | $599 |
| EU RRP | – | – | – | – | €1449 | €969 | – |
