It used to be that buying an iPhone was simple. There was one iPhone. Do you want to buy it? Today, the iPhone lineup is more varied than ever. Budget options, pro options, different screen sizes, different colors, and even one new folding phone that basically puts an iPad in your pocket. What this means is that there is now an iPhone for every need. Here is my guide on how to find your iPhone.
Summary
- The iPhone 17 at an MSRP of $899 is my pick for most people: latest tech, longest useful life
- The iPhone 17e at an MSRP of $699 is the budget option that doesn’t feel like a compromise
- 256 GB of storage is enough for most people. Check your current usage before paying for more
- Buy from Apple or your cellular carrier, not from third-party “authorized” dealer kiosks
- AppleCare is worth it if you drop your phone, use it without a case, or buy it for a child
Looking for a new iPhone and not sure which one to get? Here is the short version: buy the latest model, get 256 GB of storage unless you know you need more, and add AppleCare only if your habits suggest you will need it. The longer version is below.
I have helped clients set up every model of iPhone, and I have owned nearly every iPhone generation myself. Those experiences are the basis for the recommendations below.
My iPhone recommendations for 2026
My iPhone picks for 2026
Prices are MSRP from apple.com.
| Model | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 Best for most | MSRP: $899 | Best long-term value for most people |
| iPhone 17e Budget pick | MSRP: $699 | Lowest price without major compromise |
| iPhone 18 Pro / Pro Max Pro pick | MSRP: $1,199 / $1,299 | Photographers, video creators, and power users |
| iPhone Duo Experimental pick | MSRP: $1,999 | People who will pay extra for essentially an iPad mini in your pocket. |
Why the latest iPhone is usually the best long-term value
It sounds counterintuitive, but the newest iPhone usually costs less over time. You can pay less by buying the iPhone 16 instead of the iPhone 17, or by finding an iPhone 15 through a cellular carrier (Apple no longer sells the iPhone 15 directly). But each year of price savings is a year of useful life you lose on the other end. In the table below, I divide the current purchase price by the estimated years remaining before security updates are likely to end, based on Apple’s historical support patterns. Under those assumptions, the math favors the new model.
Newer iPhones also have better battery life, better cameras, and exclusive features like spatial video, satellite messaging, and Apple Intelligence. If you do not like change, there is a second bonus: you go longer before the next upgrade.
Estimated cost per year of useful life
Comparing current purchase cost with estimated years of remaining security updates.
| iPhone 15 | iPhone 16 | iPhone 17e | iPhone 17 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2023 | 2024 | 2026 | 2025 |
| Starting price | Estimated price, not MSRP: $629 (estimated)¹ | MSRP: $799 | MSRP: $699 | MSRP: $899 |
| Estimated last year of security updates | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2031 |
| Years of useful life if bought today | ~3 | ~4 | ~5 | ~5 |
| Estimated cost per year of useful life | MSRP-based estimate: ~$210 | MSRP-based estimate: ~$200 | MSRP-based estimate: ~$140 | MSRP-based estimate: ~$180 |
¹ Apple no longer sells the iPhone 15, and current carrier prices vary. Security update timelines are estimates based on Apple’s historical patterns; actual support periods may vary.
What about the iPhone Duo?
Apple introduced the iPhone Duo at an MSRP of $1,999. It is Apple’s first folding iPhone, with a 5.4-inch outer screen for ordinary phone use and a 7.6-inch inner screen that is essentially an iPad mini in your pocket. It runs on the same A20 Pro chip as the iPhone 18 Pro, has two 48 MP rear cameras, and supports video output over USB-C.
Though this is a new product category for Apple, foldable Android phones have been around since 2018 and are often a similar price. Early models were plagued with reliability problems, and Apple has clearly been sitting on the sidelines and developing their own technologies, waiting for the technology to mature enough to meet their standards.
The compromises:
- At MSRP, it costs $800 more than the iPhone 18 Pro
- At 8.96 oz, it is the heaviest iPhone Apple sells
- It is 0.44 inch thick when folded, compared to 0.34 for the Pro
- It has two rear cameras instead of three, with no dedicated telephoto camera
- It uses Touch ID instead of Face ID
- It has no Action button or physical mute switch
- It is eSIM-only worldwide
- Its folding screen, hinge, and app compatibility are new and have not yet been proven through years of everyday use
Buy the iPhone Duo if you don’t mind spending money on experimental new technologies. It is for people who want the largest possible iPhone screen in a device that still fits in a pocket.
What about the iPhone 17e?
Apple released the iPhone 17e on March 11, 2026, at an MSRP of $699. It is the budget member of the iPhone 17 family. You get the same A19 chip as the iPhone 17, MagSafe wireless charging, a 48 MP camera, 256 GB of starting storage, and the same Ceramic Shield 2 glass as the rest of the lineup.
The compromises are reasonable for an MSRP that is $200 below the iPhone 17:
- A single camera instead of two (no ultrawide)
- A 60 Hz screen instead of 120 Hz (scrolling looks less smooth)
- Wi-Fi 6 instead of Wi-Fi 7
- No Camera Control button
- A notch instead of Dynamic Island
- No mmWave 5G
- No video output over USB-C, so no plugging into a TV or monitor
- No Wideband chip for precise direction-finding with AirTags or Find My friends
If you want a phone that lasts, runs everything modern, and saves real money without feeling cheap, the iPhone 17e is the call.
What about the iPhone Air?
The iPhone Air is Apple’s ultra-thin model, with an MSRP of $1,099. At 5.82 oz, it is actually lighter than the iPhone 17e despite a larger 6.5-inch screen. Apple’s gamble on extreme thinness has not been a runaway commercial success, but that does not make it a bad phone. For the right person, it is excellent.
The compromises:
- A single 48 MP camera instead of two or three
- A single speaker that doubles as the earpiece and the loudspeaker, instead of the usual stereo pair
- No mmWave 5G
- No video output over USB-C
- A smaller battery than the iPhone 17 (27 hours of video playback vs. 30)
If you value the feeling of a light, thin phone in your hand and your pocket, the iPhone Air is for you. One word of caution: the iPhone Air is striking enough that many people prefer to use it without a case. If that is you, AppleCare or comparable insurance is well worth the cost. A drop on the right corner is rarely cheap.
How much storage do I need?
In the past, iPhone storage was anemic at 16 or 32 GB. Most current iPhones start at 256 GB, which is enough for most people. The iPhone 16 still starts at 128 GB.
Before you buy, check how much storage you currently use. On your current iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. The top of that screen shows your total capacity and how much you are using.
If you keep your iPhones for a long time, get at least twice the storage you currently use. If you upgrade every year or two, 20 to 30 percent more than your current usage is enough. Err on the higher side, because you cannot upgrade storage later without buying a new phone. Most trade-in offers do not pay more for the higher-storage model, so do not pay for capacity you are unlikely to use.
Detailed iPhone lineup comparison
All current iPhones sold by Apple, with my picks badged. Scroll horizontally on mobile.
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone Air | iPhone 17e Budget | iPhone 17 Best for most | iPhone 18 Pro Pro | iPhone 18 Pro Max Pro | iPhone Duo Experimental |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product image |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Starting price | MSRP: $799 | MSRP: $1,099 | MSRP: $699 | MSRP: $899 | MSRP: $1,199 | MSRP: $1,299 | MSRP: $1,999 |
| Starting capacity | 128 GB | 256 GB | 256 GB | 256 GB | 256 GB | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.5" | 6.1" | 6.3" | 6.3" | 6.9" | 5.4" outer / 7.6" inner |
| Refresh rate¹ | 60Hz | 120Hz | 60Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Dimensions (W × H) | 2.82" × 5.81" | 2.94" × 6.15" | 2.82" × 5.78" | 2.81" × 5.89" | 2.83" × 5.91" | 3.07" × 6.43" | 3.31" × 4.64" folded 6.48" × 4.64" open |
| Weight | 6.00 oz | 5.82 oz | 5.96 oz | 6.24 oz | 7.44 oz | 8.78 oz | 8.96 oz |
| Rear cameras | Dual (48MP + 12MP UW) | Single 48MP | Single 48MP | Dual 48MP | Triple 48MP | Triple 48MP | Dual 48MP, no telephoto |
| LiDAR² | cancel | cancel | cancel | cancel | check_circle | check_circle | cancel |
| GPU cores³ | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Battery (video playback)⁴ | 22 hrs | 27 hrs | 26 hrs | 30 hrs | 36 hrs | 45 hrs | 31 hrs inner / 44 hrs outer |
| Fast wired charging⁵ | 50% in ~30 min (20W+ adapter) | 50% in 30 min (20W+ adapter) | 50% in 30 min (20W+ adapter) | 50% in 20 min (40W+ adapter) | 50% in ~15 min (suitable 60W adapter) | 50% in ~15 min (suitable 60W adapter) | 50% in ~20 min (suitable 60W adapter) |
| Wireless charging | MagSafe / Qi2 up to 25W | MagSafe / Qi2 up to 20W | MagSafe / Qi2 up to 15W | MagSafe / Qi2 up to 25W | MagSafe / Qi2 up to 25W | MagSafe / Qi2 up to 25W | MagSafe / Qi2 up to 25W |
| Wi-Fi | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| mmWave 5G⁶ | check_circle | cancel | cancel | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Video output via USB-C | check_circle | cancel | cancel | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
| Camera Control button | check_circle | check_circle | cancel | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle | check_circle |
¹ Higher refresh means smoother scrolling. ² LiDAR enables faster camera focus, augmented reality apps, and room mapping. ³ More cores allow for better video processing and gaming performance. ⁴ Apple’s lab estimates; real-world use will be less. ⁵ Wired figures describe Apple’s time-to-50% tests and the minimum adapter rating, not the phone’s sustained charging wattage. ⁶ mmWave allows for cellular speeds well over a gigabit, available in select dense urban areas.
For specs not in the table above, including older iPhone models, use Apple’s iPhone comparison tool. It is particularly useful for comparing a current model to the older iPhone you already own.
Should I get AppleCare?
I do not have a one-size-fits-all answer. AppleCare is most useful when the risk of damage or an unexpected repair expense would otherwise make you uncomfortable.
Get AppleCare if you answer yes to any of these:
- I drop my phone often
- I use my phone without a case
- This iPhone is for a child or teenager
- The thought of an unexpected major expense for a new iPhone would ruin my month
Cellular carriers and third parties sell similar coverage. I still recommend AppleCare because service is smoother when an Apple Store is involved. Unless you live nowhere near an Apple Store, the AppleCare experience beats the alternatives.
You can add AppleCare at purchase or within 60 days through the Settings app on your iPhone.
A few credit cards (American Express Platinum, Capital One Venture X, Chase Freedom Flex, Chase Ink Business Preferred, and Wells Fargo Active Cash) offer cell phone insurance if you pay your monthly cell phone bill with the card. The usual process: pay Apple to repair the phone, file a claim with the card with photos and the receipt, and they reimburse you minus a deductible.
Where and when should I buy my iPhone?
Buy directly from Apple or from your cellular carrier. Both are fine. Carriers sometimes have trade-in deals Apple does not carry, so if you are a deal hunter, check both. Apple offers carrier deals through its Apple Store app, but I have seen exclusive promos at the carrier you only find by going direct.
Apple’s advantage: their staff can help transfer your data, and they are not on commission for any particular carrier plan, so they advise you more honestly.
The carrier’s advantage: discounts, inventory, and trade-in deals that sometimes make the new iPhone effectively free.
Be cautious of stores labeled “Authorized” cellular dealers. Some are fine, but corporate carrier stores have more consistent service.
Apple now appears to release iPhones twice per year. The iPhone Pro and iPhone Duo models arrive in the fall, while the standard iPhone, iPhone e, and iPhone Air models arrive in the spring. The best deals usually appear in the first month after each release.
How do I know how old my current iPhone is?
Open the Settings app, then go to General > About. Find the “Model Name” row. Here are the release years for iPhones still in widespread use, plus the headline feature each one introduced:
- iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: 2026 (variable-aperture main camera, A20 Pro chip)
- iPhone Duo: 2026 (folding design, 7.6-inch inner screen)
- iPhone 17e: 2026 (A19 chip, MagSafe added, 256 GB base storage)
- iPhone 17: 2025 (48 MP cameras across the board, Ceramic Shield 2, much better battery life)
- iPhone 16: 2024 (Apple Intelligence, Camera Control button)
- iPhone 15: 2023 (USB-C, Dynamic Island on the base model)
- iPhone 14: 2022 (Emergency SOS via satellite, dual eSIM)
- iPhone 13: 2021 (refinement year)
- iPhone 12: 2020 (MagSafe, OLED on all models)
- iPhone 11: 2019 (ultrawide camera)
- iPhone XS, XR: 2018 (dual SIM)
- iPhone X: 2017 (Face ID, edge-to-edge screen)
If your iPhone is older than five years, it is time to start thinking about an upgrade.
Common mistakes when buying a new iPhone
- Buying last year’s model only to save money. You lose a year of useful life, which is the part of the calculation most people miss.
- Paying for storage you are unlikely to use. Check your current iPhone storage before you buy. Most light iPhone users use less than 100 GB.
- Buying from “Authorized” dealers in mall kiosks. Service is inconsistent. Go to a corporate carrier store or buy direct from Apple.
- Waiting too long after release to buy. The best trade-in offers expire within weeks of launch.
Key takeaways
- Buy the iPhone 17 if you want the best long-term value
- Buy the iPhone 17e if you want the best price without serious compromise
- Buy the iPhone Duo if you don’t mind spending money on experimental new technologies
- Choose 256 GB unless your current iPhone has consistently used over 200 GB
- Add AppleCare if you drop phones, do not use a case, or it is for a kid
- Buy from Apple or your carrier within a few weeks of launch for the best deals
Further reading
- What’s the best Bluetooth tracker for your iPhone?
- Here’s the fastest way to set up a new iPhone
- iPhone 17 makes landscape selfies easier
- The best products for Mac and iPhone users
Need help choosing the right iPhone, transferring your data, or setting up a new one? I offer one-on-one tech tutoring in San Francisco and Washington DC, plus Zoom sessions anywhere. Transferring to a new iPhone goes as smoothly over Zoom as it does in person, so distance is no obstacle. Book a session and I will walk you through it.