Macworld
Apple now has a wider iPhone range than ever, making it harder to decide which model is right for you. Your choice will largely come down to price, camera capabilities, display, performance, battery life, size and storage.
You may also be wondering which screen size suits you, how much storage you need, or whether to save money with an older model rather than buy the latest iPhone. You’ll also want to consider which model offers the best balance of features and value.
In this guide, we explain the differences between every iPhone currently available from Apple, paying particular attention to prices, cameras, displays, performance, battery life, durability and design. By the end, you should have a much clearer idea of which iPhone best meets your needs.
If you simply want to know which models we recommend, you can also read our full iPhone reviews, linked below, and use our iPhone comparison chart to compare the latest models with the other iPhones Apple sells.
Which iPhone should you buy? Quick guideIf you already know what matters most to you, this quick guide will point you toward the iPhone that best fits your priorities.
If you want…Buy…Best all rounderiPhone 17 Best cameraiPhone 18 ProBest battery lifeiPhone 18 Pro MaxBiggest screeniPhone DuoBest valueiPhone 17eThinnest/lightestiPhone AirCheapestRefurbished/discounted older iPhone Current iPhone lineup and pricesHere’s how Apple’s current iPhone lineup compares on price and the key specifications that are most likely to influence your buying decision.
iPhone 17eiPhone 16iPhone 17 iPhone AiriPhone 18 ProiPhone 18 Pro MaxiPhone DuoStarting price$699/£699$799/£799$899/£899$1,099/£1,099$1,199/£1,199$1,299/£1,299$1,999/£1,999Screen size6.1″6.1″6.3″6.5″6.3″6.9″7.6″Storage256/512GB128GB256/512GB256/512GB/1TB256/512GB/1TB/2TB256/512GB/1TB/2TB256/512GB/1TB/2TBColorsWhite, Black, PinkUltramarine, Teal, Pink, White, BlackLavender, Sage, Mist Blue, White, BlackSky Blue, Light Gold, Cloud White, Space Black Burgundy, Glacier, Silver, BlackBurgundy, Glacier, Silver, BlackStar White, Night SkyDisplayOLED with HDR (2532×1170-pixel at 460 ppi)OLED with HDR (2556×1179-pixels at 460 ppi)2000 nits peak brightness (outdoor), 1 nit minimum brightnessOLED with HDR (2622×1206-pixel at 460 ppi), ProMotion 120Hz
3000 nits peak brightness (outdoor), 1 nit minimum brightness, Always OnOLED with HDR (2736×1206-pixel at 460 ppi), ProMotion 120Hz
3000 nits peak brightness (outdoor), 1 nit minimum brightness, Always OnOLED with HDR (2622×1206-pixel at 460 ppi), ProMotion 120Hz
3000 nits peak brightness (outdoor), 1 nit minimum brightness, Always OnOLED with HDR (2868×1320-pixels at 460 ppi), ProMotion, 120Hz
3000 nits peak brightness (outdoor), 1 nit minimum brightness, Always OnOLED with HDR (Inner display: 1878×2670-pixels at 430 ppi), Outer display: 1398×2034-pixels at 460 ppi), ProMotion, 120Hz
3000 nits peak brightness (outdoor), 1 nit minimum brightness, Always OnProcessorA18 (4-core GPU)A18 (5-core GPU)A19 (5-core GPU)A19 Pro (5-core GPU)A20 Pro (7-core GPU)A20 Pro (7-core GPU)A20 Pro (7-core GPU)Battery capacity4,005mAh, 26 hours video playback3,692mAh, 22 hours video playback3,561mAh, 30 hours video playback3,149mAh, 27 hours video playback4,056mAh, 36 hours video playback 5,391mAh, 45 hours video playback 4,700mAh, 31 hours video playback (inner display) 44 hours video playback (outer display)Wireless features5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3,
NFC5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3,
NFC, 2nd-gen Ultra Wideband, Thread5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6,
NFC, 2nd-gen Ultra Wideband, Thread5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6,
NFC, 2nd-gen Ultra Wideband, Thread5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6,
NFC, 2nd-gen Ultra Wideband, Thread5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6,
NFC, 2nd-gen Ultra Wideband, Thread5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6,
NFC, 2nd-gen Ultra Wideband, ThreadMagSafeYesYesYesYesYesYesYes All the iPhones currently sold by Apple How to choose an iPhone
To help you narrow down the right iPhone model, we’ll look at the key questions that matter most when choosing an iPhone, including which has the best camera, battery life, display and performance, how much storage you need, and which model offers the best value.
Which iPhone has the best camera?Apple
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max have the best camera systems of any current iPhone. Both use the same triple-48MP rear camera setup, so there is no photographic advantage to choosing the larger Pro Max unless you also want its bigger display and longer battery life.
The headline upgrade is the 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture, a first for the iPhone. You can switch between ƒ/1.48, ƒ/1.8, ƒ/2.8 and ƒ/4.0, giving you more direct control over depth of field and low-light shooting. The Pro models also add a 48MP Ultra Wide and 48MP Telephoto camera, with 4x native telephoto and an 8x optical-quality zoom option. Apple also provides manual controls for aperture, shutter speed, white balance and histogram viewing, plus ProRAW, ProRes RAW and Apple Log 2 support.
The iPhone 17 remains an excellent camera phone for most people. It has a 48MP Main camera and 48MP Ultra Wide camera, plus a 12MP optical-quality 2x option cropped from the Main sensor. It also gains the 18MP Center Stage front camera, which can automatically reframe shots and supports Dual Capture. What you miss compared with the Pro models is the dedicated Telephoto lens, longer zoom range and more advanced pro photo and video controls.
The iPhone Duo also has two 48MP rear cameras, with Main and Ultra Wide lenses plus a 2x optical-quality crop from the Main sensor. Its folding design introduces some unusual camera features, including Duo Preview and Smart Take, but it lacks the dedicated Telephoto and variable-aperture Main camera found on the Pro models.
The iPhone Air and iPhone 17e are the least versatile current models, because each has only a single 48MP rear camera. Both can produce a 12MP optical-quality 2x view from the Main sensor, but neither has an Ultra Wide camera. The Air does at least get the newer 18MP Center Stage front camera, while the 17e retains a 12MP TrueDepth camera.
The older iPhone 16 sits somewhere in between, with a 48MP Main camera and 12MP Ultra Wide, plus the same 2x optical-quality crop from the Main sensor. It is still a capable camera phone, but the iPhone 17 improves the Ultra Wide to 48MP and upgrades the front camera.
Our recommendation: If photography and video are your priority, buy the iPhone 18 Pro. It gives you exactly the same camera system as the Pro Max for less money and in a more manageable size.
We recommend: Apple iPhone 18 Pro
iPhone camera specifications comparedHere’s how the current iPhone cameras compare. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max share the same triple-camera system, including the variable-aperture Main camera and 4x/8x Telephoto setup, while the iPhone 17 steps down to dual 48MP Main and Ultra Wide cameras. The iPhone Air and 17e are less versatile, each using a single 48MP rear camera. Most newer models also feature Apple’s 18MP Center Stage front camera with automatic reframing and Dual Capture, while the iPhone 17e retains a 12MP TrueDepth camera and the iPhone Duo uses separate outer and inner front cameras.
iPhoneMain cameraUltra WideTelephoto / zoomFront cameraiPhone 18 Pro48MP Fusion Main, 24mm, variable ƒ/1.48–ƒ/4.048MP, 13mm, ƒ/2.2, 120°48MP 4x, 100mm, ƒ/2.8; 12MP optical-quality 8x, 200mm; up to 40x digital18MP Center Stage, ƒ/1.9iPhone 18 Pro Max48MP Fusion Main, 24mm, variable ƒ/1.48–ƒ/4.048MP, 13mm, ƒ/2.2, 120°48MP 4x, 100mm, ƒ/2.8; 12MP optical-quality 8x, 200mm; up to 40x digital18MP Center Stage, ƒ/1.9iPhone Duo48MP Fusion Main, 26mm, ƒ/1.648MP, 13mm, ƒ/2.2, 120°No dedicated Telephoto; 12MP optical-quality 2x; up to 10x digital12MP Center Stage outer camera, ƒ/2.2; under-display inner camera, ƒ/1.8iPhone 1748MP Fusion Main, 26mm, ƒ/1.648MP, 13mm, ƒ/2.2, 120°No dedicated Telephoto; 12MP optical-quality 2x18MP Center Stage, ƒ/1.9iPhone Air48MP Fusion Main, 26mm, ƒ/1.6NoneNo dedicated Telephoto; 12MP optical-quality 2x; up to 10x digital18MP Center Stage, ƒ/1.9iPhone 17e48MP Fusion Main, 26mm, ƒ/1.6NoneNo dedicated Telephoto; 12MP 2x; up to 10x digital12MP TrueDepth, ƒ/1.9iPhone 1648MP Fusion Main, 26mm, ƒ/1.612MP, 13mm, ƒ/2.2, 120°No dedicated Telephoto; 12MP optical-quality 2x; up to 10x digital12MP TrueDepth, ƒ/1.9 Which iPhone has the best battery life?Mahmoud Itani / Foundry
The iPhone 18 Pro Max has the best battery life of any current iPhone, with Apple rating it for up to 45 hours of video playback. That puts it comfortably ahead of the rest of the lineup and makes endurance one of the biggest reasons to choose it over the smaller iPhone 18 Pro. Its longer battery life comes from a combination of a larger battery, the more efficient 2nm A20 Pro chip, and Apple’s lower-power C2 modem.
The iPhone Duo comes surprisingly close when used with its smaller 5.4-inch outer display, offering up to 44 hours of video playback. However, battery life drops to around 31 hours when using the larger 7.6-inch folding display, so the Pro Max remains the better choice if maximum endurance is your priority.
If you want strong battery life without carrying the much larger and heavier Pro Max, the iPhone 18 Pro is an excellent compromise at up to 36 hours, while the iPhone 17 remains the best mainstream option at up to 30 hours.
Our recommendation: If battery life matters above everything else, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the clear choice. Its combination of a 45-hour rating, huge 6.9-inch display and Pro-level performance makes it particularly well suited to heavy users, travelers and anyone who wants to get through a long day without worrying about charging.
We recommend: Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone battery life comparedHere’s how the current iPhone lineup compares for video playback battery life, based on Apple’s official ratings:
iPhone ModelVideo Playback (Apple Rating)iPhone 18 Pro MaxUp to 45 hoursiPhone Duo (outer display)Up to 44 hoursiPhone Duo (inner display)Up to 31 hoursiPhone 18 ProUp to 36 hoursiPhone 17Up to 30 hoursiPhone AirUp to 27 hoursiPhone 17eUp to 26 hoursiPhone 16Up to 22 hoursWe compare battery life, capacity, mah and watt hours for every iPhone separately.
Which iPhone has the best display?The iPhone Duo has the biggest and most distinctive display of any current iPhone. Opened up, its 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen offers around 50 percent more screen area than the iPhone 18 Pro Max, making it especially good for video, gaming, reading and multitasking. The inner display supports 120Hz ProMotion, Always-On and up to 3,000 nits of outdoor brightness, while a nano-texture finish helps reduce reflections and make the fold crease less noticeable. There is also a 5.4-inch outer OLED display with 120Hz ProMotion and 3,000-nit outdoor brightness.
If you want the best conventional iPhone display, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the standout choice. Its 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display combines an adaptive 1Hz to 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, Always-On support and up to 3,000 nits of outdoor brightness. Ceramic Shield 2 provides additional protection, while Apple has also reduced the bezels and made the Dynamic Island smaller. The iPhone 18 Pro offers essentially the same display technology at a more manageable 6.3 inches.
You no longer need to buy a Pro model to get Apple’s best core display technology, though. The iPhone 17 and iPhone Air also support ProMotion and Always-On, features that were previously reserved for Pro iPhones. Both reach 3,000 nits outdoors, with the iPhone 17 offering a 6.3-inch screen and the Air a larger 6.5-inch display. That makes the iPhone 17 particularly strong value if you want a premium screen without paying Pro prices.
The older iPhone 16 and iPhone 17e are a noticeable step down. Neither supports ProMotion or Always-On, so their displays are limited to 60Hz. The iPhone 16 reaches up to 2,000 nits outdoors, while the 17e is dimmer still, with peak HDR brightness of 1,200 nits. The 17e also lacks the newer models’ ability to dim the display all the way down to 1 nit.
Our recommendation: Ultimately, screen size may matter as much as display technology. Choose the iPhone Duo if you want the largest and most versatile screen, the iPhone 18 Pro Max for the best conventional large-screen iPhone, or the iPhone 17 if you want most of the premium display experience for considerably less money.
We recommend: Apple iPhone Duo
Which iPhone is fastest?The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are the fastest iPhones you can buy, thanks to Apple’s new A20 Pro chip. The processor uses a 2nm manufacturing process and combines a six-core CPU with a seven-core GPU, a Dual 16-core Neural Engine and 50 percent more memory bandwidth than the previous A19 Pro. Apple says the GPU is up to 40 percent faster, while AI processing performance is roughly doubled.
The Pro models also benefit from a much larger vapor chamber and a new chip-packaging design inspired by Apple’s M-series processors. Apple claims these changes deliver up to 40 percent better sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro, which should matter most during gaming, video editing and demanding on-device AI workloads.
The iPhone Duo uses the same full A20 Pro chip, including all seven GPU cores, so peak performance should be very similar. However, its folding design makes cooling more difficult, so sustained performance is expected to be slightly lower than on the iPhone 18 Pro. Apple still claims up to 35 percent higher sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro.
Further down the lineup, the iPhone Air uses the A19 Pro but with one fewer GPU core and less thermal headroom, while the iPhone 17 uses the standard A19 and the iPhone 17e a reduced-GPU version of that chip.
Our recommendation: For most people, all of these phones are more than fast enough. But if you want the best performance for gaming, video work or intensive AI tasks, the iPhone 18 Pro or 18 Pro Max is the clear choice.
Which iPhone is best for gaming?The iPhone 18 Pro is the best iPhone for gaming for most people. It combines Apple’s new A20 Pro chip with a seven-core GPU, 50 percent more memory bandwidth than the A19 Pro, and a much larger vapor-chamber cooling system. Apple says the GPU is up to 40 percent faster and sustained performance is up to 40 percent better than on the iPhone 17 Pro, improvements that should matter most during long gaming sessions. Its 6.3-inch 120Hz ProMotion display also delivers smooth, responsive gameplay without making the phone especially bulky.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max offers essentially the same gaming performance, but its 6.9-inch display and much longer battery life make it the better option for gamers who prioritize screen size and endurance. Apple rates it for up to 45 hours of video playback, compared with 36 hours for the 18 Pro.
The iPhone Duo is an interesting alternative. It uses the same A20 Pro chip with a seven-core GPU and vapor-chamber cooling, while its 7.6-inch inner ProMotion display provides far more room for games. The trade-offs are its much higher price, 254g weight and folding form factor.
The iPhone Air and iPhone 17 are still very capable gaming phones, but they sit below the A20 Pro models for sustained graphics performance.
Our recommendation: For most gamers, choose the iPhone 18 Pro; choose the 18 Pro Max if you want the biggest conventional screen and longest battery life.
Which iPhone is best valueThe iPhone 17 is the best-value iPhone overall because it gives you the strongest balance of price, display, cameras, storage and battery life without paying Pro prices.
For $899/£899, you get a 6.3-inch 120Hz ProMotion Always-On display, the A19 chip, dual 48MP rear cameras, an 18MP Center Stage front camera, 256GB of storage as standard and up to 30 hours of video playback. That is a substantial step up from the iPhone 17e, which is cheaper but drops ProMotion, Always-On and the Ultra Wide camera.
The iPhone 17e is still the best budget choice if keeping the purchase price down matters most. It starts lower, still has the A19 chip and 256GB of storage, and offers excellent battery life, but its simpler display and single rear camera make it less complete.
Our recommendation: Choose the iPhone 17 for the best overall value, or the iPhone 17e if your priority is spending as little as possible.
We recommend: Apple iPhone 17
We recommend: Apple iPhone 17e
How to choose the right iPhone specsChoosing the right iPhone isn’t just about picking the newest model. You’ll also want to think about how much storage you need, what screen size feels comfortable, how much weight you’re willing to carry, and whether features such as ProMotion, advanced cameras, longer battery life or extra performance are worth paying for. The right balance will depend on how you us