The best iPhone for you will depend on what you value most in a smartphone. We've reviewed every iPhone ever released (that's 51 models and counting), so we can confidently say that you don't necessarily need to buy the most expensive model to get the best experience with Apple's ubiquitous handsets.
Right now, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the obvious choice for power users, but the standard iPhone 17 is a better option for those who prefer smaller phones. The iPhone 16e, meanwhile, is Apple's outright cheapest model – though 'cheap' doesn't mean the same to Apple as it does to other phone makers.
Below, we've selected the best iPhones for every use case, comparing key factors such as price, performance, cameras, and battery life to help you find a model that meets your needs. We've tested over 1,000 phones since 2005, so you can be confident that our recommendations are based on expert knowledge, in-depth analysis, and intelligent comparisons between devices.
Once you're set on a model, check out our best iPhone deals and Apple coupon codes pages for a roundup of the latest discounts.
I'm TechRadar's Phones Editor, and have been reviewing and writing about the best mobile devices (iPhones included) for several years. Based in the UK, I handle news and feature coverage for the phones section of the site, and regularly edit TechRadar's phones-related reviews and buying guides. You'll find my byline on over 1,500 TechRadar articles.
The best iPhone in 2025
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The best iPhone for most people
The best iPhone for most people is, without question, the standard iPhone 17, which might just be the best-value iPhone ever released.
This unassuming handset might look like the boring choice next to the flashy iPhone 17 Pro (indeed, it looks identical to the iPhone 16), but the iPhone 17 brings so many meaningful upgrades to the table that it's become hard to recommend Apple's top-end handset to anyone except power users.
For starters, the iPhone 17 boasts a bright and crisp 6.3-inch display with Apple's ProMotion technology. That means it can dynamically scale between 1Hz and 120Hz depending on the type of content on-screen, and ProMotion also gives you the option of an Always-On display, so you can view the time, date, notifications, and widgets without fully waking your phone.
In addition to that Pro-rivaling screen, the iPhone 17 also gets the same 256GB starting storage capacity, the same 18MP selfie camera, the same customizable Action button, the same Camera Control button, the same scratch-resistant Ceramic Shield 2 display cover, and all of the same iOS 26 software features (including the new Liquid Glass interface).
So, what do you miss out on versus the iPhone 17 Pro? Well, Apple's 48MP 'Fusion' camera is plenty capable on the iPhone 17, but it's no substitute for a 48MP zoom lens, which you'll find on its most expensive models. The iPhone 17 Pro also offers marginally longer battery life and faster charging, while its A19 Pro chipset is, on paper, more powerful than the iPhone 17's non-Pro variant.
Are those upgrades worth a $299 / £299 / AU$600 premium to you? If so, you're better off choosing Apple's top-of-the-line iPhone (which you'll find below). But if you're not a keen zoom photographer and aren't intending to record and edit lengthy 4K videos, I’d urge you to sit down and consider whether the cheaper iPhone 17 might actually be a better fit for your needs.
Read our full iPhone 17 review
The best iPhone overall
If you want the very best iPhone money can buy right now, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the model to go for. The iPhone 16 Pro Max was already (and still is) an exceptional handset if you can pick one up at a discount from third-party retailers, but Apple's latest flagship comes with an updated design, a more powerful chipset, and superior telephoto and selfie cameras.
As above, the standard iPhone 17 is the better fit for 90% of buyers, but with its A19 Pro chipset and efficiency-friendly aluminum unibody chassis, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is among the best phones around for raw power and, as a result, one of the best gaming phones money can buy.
Surprise! This is one of the best camera phones around, too. Versus the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the 17 Pro Max sports a full-width 'Camera Plateau' that houses a new, longer telephoto lens. It's a 48MP sensor with 4x optical zoom, though Apple will also let you crop in up to 8x for 'optical-quality' zoom shots at 12MP.
In testing, we found that the iPhone 17 Pro Max delivered "fantastic photos with true-life colors and exquisite detail," and while its 48MP main and 18MP selfie cameras are the same as those on the regular iPhone 17, the Pro Max is indisputably the top choice for serious mobile photographers.
Beyond its dedicated telephoto lens, the second big selling point of the iPhone 17 Pro Max is its battery life. We managed to eke out over 30 hours of life from the phone (Apple rates it for 39 hours), and if you own a 40W-to-60W adaptive charger, you'll be able to juice up the 17 Pro Max to 50% in around 20 minutes.
It's worth noting that the 6.3-inch iPhone 17 Pro is exactly the same phone as the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but smaller and cheaper. So, if you're not fussed about owning the biggest iPhone, we'd advise going for that model instead.
Read our full iPhone 17 Pro Max review
The best budget iPhone
Following the launch of the iPhone 16e in February 2025, Apple discontinued both the iPhone SE (2022) and the iPhone 14, meaning the company's entry-level iPhone 16 model is now the cheapest iPhone available as new (it's also the only iPhone 16 model still on sale from Apple directly).
The iPhone 16e brings several key upgrades over the iPhone SE (2022), including a 48MP 'Fusion' camera (of the sort you'll find on the iPhone 17 and, yes, even the iPhone 17 Pro Max), a more powerful chipset, a longer-lasting battery, and Apple Intelligence compatibility.
Given the phone's cheaper positioning in the iPhone lineup, you'll have to make do with a physical notch instead of the Dynamic Island, as well as a static 60Hz display and no MagSafe compatibility. But the iPhone 16e is, after all, intended to be a no-frills model.
If you're looking for more bells and whistles at a similarly cheap price, it's worth scouring third-party retailers for a cut-price iPhone 16. But since that 2024 model is no longer available from Apple directly, the iPhone 16e is the best budget iPhone available in 2025.
Read our full iPhone 16e review
Also consider
Of course, there are plenty more iPhones available than the three models we've listed above, so below, we've highlighted some alternative options.
Best iPhone 17 Pro Max alternative – iPhone Air
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max is the hardware champion, but the all-new iPhone Air is a stunning, design-focused handset that ranks among the best iPhones ever made for sheer style. It's hard to shoehorn the iPhone Air into its own category ('Best design', perhaps?), but with its 5.6mm frame and powerful A19 Pro chipset, it's definitely worth considering as a halfway house between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Best iPhone 16e alternative – iPhone 16
When the iPhone 16e was released, the iPhone 16 was actually more expensive than its newer sibling, but now that Apple has discontinued the latter model, it's possible to find it for a cheaper price at third-party retailers. The standard 16 gets all of the same features as the 16e, plus the Dynamic Island, an ultra-wide lens, and MagSafe compatibility. If you can find one for the same or less money, it's the superior choice.
FAQs
What is the best iPhone?
The best iPhone is usually one of the latest numbered models, but the value of each will depend on your specific needs. If you want the very best specs, go for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, while the regular iPhone 17 is a better-value choice for the majority of users. If you're not fussed about fancy cameras and extra hardware features, consider the iPhone 16e or one of Apple's last-generation models.
Which iPhone is the best value for money?
Right now, the iPhone that offers the best value for money is the regular iPhone 17. It's got a Pro-rivaling screen, as well as the same main, ultra-wide, and selfie cameras, the same buttons, and the same starting storage capacity as Apple's top-end models.
How to choose the best iPhone?
A lot of iPhones are quite similar to one another, so choosing which model to buy mostly just means seeing what's different between them and finding the right fit for you.
All iPhones are powerful, and Apple supports them for a long time, so age and chipset needn't be a big deal, but if you don't plan on upgrading for a long time, then a newer model with a faster chipset is ideal.
Bigger factors, though, include the screen size – and bigger isn't always better. If you want something compact that you can easily slip into a small pocket, then consider Apple's 6.3-inch models. But if you plan on doing a lot of gaming or video-watching, something larger would be better.
Resolution and refresh rate are also worth paying attention to for the optimal visual experience – the higher the better in both cases, so ideal options will have things like a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution above 1080p.
Camera quality and battery life are important considerations, too, and you can't get a full picture of these just from a specs list, so read our full entries above (or click through to our detailed reviews) for insights into how each iPhone fares in those departments.
How we test
We've reviewed every iPhone on this list, meaning for each, we've passed our expert judgment on them after extensive testing. These reviews saw us use each phone as our main handset for at least a week, and often longer.
In the process, we would explore various use cases, including calls, texts, social media, video streaming, gaming, taking photos, and more, with some heavy use days and other lighter ones.
In short, we use our iPhones just like you would – but we make sure to test every key feature, as well as run benchmark tests, checking how long they take to charge, and more.
Using that data, we've then ranked each handset, factoring in price, value, and how they compare to one another, with a particular focus on their screens, designs, battery life, performance, and cameras.
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