The Apple iPhone is the most popular smartphone in the U.S., but not all models are created equal. Depending on your needs and budget, you may not have to purchase the newest and most expensive iPhone.
The iPhone 18 Pro is the best iPhone on the market. It offers brand-new camera features, the most powerful processor ever put in an iPhone, and access to the latest features from Apple Intelligence.
On the other hand, not everyone needs the pro-level iPhone. The iPhone 17 is best for customers who don't need all the bells and whistles, but still want a reliable phone.
Finally, customers on a budget will find the iPhone 17e is the best option at a lower price point.
Whether you're looking to switch from an Android or upgrade to the newest iPhone on the market, we can help you make the right choice for your next device.
Best Apple iPhones: Quick guide
| iPhone 18 Pro | iPhone 17 | iPhone 17e |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Premium experience | Regular users | Budget device |
| Cameras | Triple array | Dual array | Single lens |
| Apple Intelligence | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Starting MSRP | $1,199 | $899 | $699 |
| Learn more | View Device | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
What to know before you buy a new iPhone
Buying a new iPhone doesn't have to be hard, but you should consider your needs and budget before making a decision.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Budget: iPhones come in multiple price ranges. Average users are perfectly served with a base-model iPhone 17. If you need a cheaper phone, you should look at budget models like the iPhone SE or iPhone 17e. Finally, those who can afford a tricked-out model should consider an iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone Duo.
- Model year: There is nothing wrong with buying last year’s iPhone. The pricing is usually lower, and it often has many of the same features as the current lineup.
- Camera specs: The camera is often the biggest feature separating iPhone models. If you’re not a major photographer, you can get by with a base-level iPhone. People who need the best hardware for the perfect picture should aim for a Pro or Pro Max model.
- Deal timing: The best deals on iPhones are usually around September, when the newest models come out. You can get upgrade deals on the newest series or discounts on last year’s model.
- Consider refurbished: You may be able to save even more by purchasing a refurbished (renewed) iPhone from a third-party retailer like Amazon. These devices are typically cleaned and tested to ensure they work properly, and you may not even be able to tell it's a used phone.
Best iPhones
Ultimately, picking the top iPhone is tough since the question is which device is best for your needs and budget. Here are our favorite iPhones for maximum performance, camera quality, size, cost, and everyday use.
Best Apple iPhones: Full specs
| iPhone 18 Pro | iPhone 17 | iPhone 17e |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.3” |
6.1” |
6.1” |
| Cameras | 48MP fusion 48MP ultra-wide 48MP telephoto 18MP Center Stage selfie |
48MP fusion 48MP ultra-wide 18MP Center Stage selfie |
48MP fusion 12MP selfie |
| Processor | A20 Pro | A19 | A19 |
| Storage | 256GB 512GB 1TB 2TB |
256GB 512GB 1TB |
256GB 512GB |
| Apple Intelligence | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 5G support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Starting MSRP | $1,199 | $899 | $699 |
| Learn more | View Device | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Best iPhone overall: iPhone 18 Pro
- Display: 6.3"
- Cameras: Rear-48MP, 48MP, 48MP; Front-18MP
- A20 Pro processor
- Apple Intelligence
For customers who need a premium device, the iPhone 18 Pro is the best overall iPhone currently available. It includes the best features Apple has to offer, from software to hardware. Its triple-camera array includes a 48MP fusion, 48MP ultra-wide, and 48MP telephoto lens system. Plus, the main camera includes a new manual variable aperture, allowing users to custom select the lighting conditions of their shots.
As for software, the iPhone 18 Pro includes Apple Intelligence and all the new Siri AI update, so you'll have access to Apple's most advanced features like Visual Intelligence. The device is powered by the A20 Pro chip, which offers performance up to 40% faster than the processor in the iPhone 17 Pro series. You can also rest easy knowing you'll get at least five years of iOS software updates from Apple.
The iPhone 18 Pro is perfect for snapping photos, using your favorite social media apps, and even running processor-intensive tasks like mobile gaming or video editing. The starting MSRP is $1,199, but you may get it free from a carrier deal or cheaper with an Amazon offer.
You may also be wondering why we recommend the iPhone 18 Pro over Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo. While the Duo is one of our runner-up picks, many of its specs still fall well behind the iPhone 18 Pro. The Duo has a larger screen area, but the 18 Pro offers a better camera system and extra lens. It's also much cheaper than the $1,999 starting price of the iPhone Duo, making it a more affordable price point for most users.
View at AT&T View at T-Mobile View at VerizonBest iPhone for average users: iPhone 17
- Display: 6.1"
- Cameras: Rear-48MP, 48MP; Front-18MP
- Apple Intelligence
The iPhone 18 was delayed to the spring of 2027, so the iPhone 17 is still Apple's newest base-model device. While it doesn't have all the premium features of the Pro series, the iPhone 17's specs are more than enough to make most customers happy.
The iPhone 17 offers a 48MP main camera and an updated 48MP ultra-wide camera. It also has the new Center Stage 18MP selfie camera, which uses machine learning to help you snap the perfect selfie every time. The iPhone 17 also offers the full suite of Apple Intelligence features, like Genmoji and Live Translate. It's perfect for photography, video chatting, and playing mobile games.
The starting MSRP is now $899 after a price hike from Apple, but if you're interested in saving a bit of money, you can often find it for free using trade-in deals from the top carriers.
View at AT&T View at T-Mobile View at Verizon View at AmazonBest budget iPhone: iPhone 17e
- Display: 6.1"
- Cameras: Rear-48MP; Front-12MP
- Apple Intelligence
The iPhone 17e is the best budget iPhone currently available. If you're looking to get the best of Apple without breaking the bank, this is the phone for you.
The iPhone 17e offer many of the newest Apple specs at a friendlier price point than the regular iPhone 17. It includes a single 48MP main camera, portrait modes, and 4K recording. The 17e also uses the A19 processor—the same chip powering the iPhone 17—so it's incredibly fast for a budget phone and can run Apple Intelligence features.
Like the iPhone 17, it also recently received a $100 price hike, so the iPhone 17e has an MSRP of $699. While more expensive than Apple's previous budget phones, it does offer newer hardware and more powerful features. Luckily, you can find deals on the iPhone 17e from most carriers.
View at AT&T View at T-Mobile View at Verizon View at AmazonOther iPhone options
While these great iPhones don't technically qualify as the best, they're still excellent devices. If you can find them on sale, it's worth considering them as alternatives to the phones above.
Top runner-up: iPhone Duo
- Display: 7.6"
- Cameras: Rear-48MP, 48MP; Front-12MP
- A20 Pro processor
- Apple Intelligence
The iPhone Duo is Apple's first foldable phone. It's around the size of a passport when closed, and opens to the size of a small tablet. The Duo includes a massive 7.6-inch display when open, and a 48MP Fusion dual-camera array for snapping excellent photos.
Internally, the Duo is powered by the same A20 Pro processor running the iPhone 18 Pro. That means it can power Apple Intelligence, and you can multi-task your favorite apps on both screens, from streaming to scrolling social media, without your phone ever breaking a sweat.
There are two main drawbacks to this phone you should keep in mind. The first is the starting MSRP is $1,999, making this the most expensive iPhone ever created. That's a pretty high price to pay unless you actually need a phone with a larger screen. The thing to consider is this is a brand-new model from Apple, and first-edition foldables don't have a great track record. Early foldable devices from both Samsung and Google experienced significant hardware problems with the hinge and screen, impacting the lifespan of the devices. Apple makes a great smartphone, but you should expect some minor hardware issues will eventually pop up with its first model.
View at AT&T View at T-Mobile View at VerizonBudget runner-up: iPhone 16e
- Display: 6.1"
- Cameras: Rear-48MP; Front-12MP
- Apple Intelligence
The iPhone 16e is a solid budget iPhone, and it can often be found for a cheaper price than the iPhone 17e. The 16e was the first of Apple's "e" series that officially replaced the iPhone SE as Apple's budget-model smartphone class.
The iPhone 16e offers dependable Apple specs at a friendlier price point than the iPhone 17 or 17e, though it is a bit more dated. It includes a single 48MP main camera, portrait modes, and 4K recording. The 16e also uses the A18 processor—the chip that also powered the iPhone 16—so it can run most Apple Intelligence features.
As a budget device, the iPhone 16e has an MSRP of $599. The good news is you can often find it for much cheaper from third-party retailers or refurbished. Apple itself no longer sells this model, and many carriers have run out of stock. That said, you may still have luck finding one from a smaller carrier's store.
View at AmazonBest iPhone deals
The best way to save on a new device is by taking advantage of a carrier deal. We track all the best iPhone deals from major carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, so you're sure to find a device and deal to fit your budget.
Keep in mind that carrier deals come in many flavors. One of the most popular types are trade-in deals that let you switch out your old phone for a brand-new iPhone. You may also score a switching deal for joining a carrier and buying a new device. Finally, you may also qualify for a discounted phone by picking a specific plan or switching carriers at the right time. Remember, virtually all carrier deals tie to device installment plans that last from 24–36 months.
You'll also find current iPhone deals attached to the devices below:
iPhone 16 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 18 Pro 256GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP, 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
iPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB
- 6.9 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP, 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
iPhone 18 Pro 512GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP, 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
iPhone 18 Pro Max 512GB
- 6.9 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP, 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
Best iPhones: FAQs
Which iPhones are unsupported?
Apple has dropped support for the iPhone X series and earlier devices. These phones no longer receive iOS updates.
When is the best time to buy an iPhone?
The best time to buy an iPhone is around September each year when the newest series is released. That time typically sees deals on the newest iPhones and discounts on the previous year's models.
Which iPhone has the best camera?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max has the best camera of any iOS smartphone. It offers a 48MP fusion triple-camera array with a new variable aperture feature, plus a 18MP Center Stage selfie camera.
When does the iPhone 18 come out?
The iPhone 18 series is expected to be released in the spring of 2027 with the iPhone 18e.
Max McCaskill
Sr. Staff Writer
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