Choose iPhone it used to be relatively simple. Apple had several models on offer, which differed quite clearly in price, size and performance.onem. But in 2026 the situation is much more complicated. In addition to the iPhone 17 Pro to 17 Pro Max classic is sold iPhone 17, extremely thin iPhone Air, cheaper iPhone 17e and still so iPhone 16. In addition, you will commonly find older iPhones at retailers 16 Pro, 15 or refurbished models.
And the next generation of iPhones is fast approaching. So if you're wondering which one to get today... iPhone buy in 2026, nestIt's not enough to just compare the technical specifications. It's equally important to know how much you want to spend, how long you plan to use the phone, and whether it's worth waiting a few more weeks right now. So in this guide, we won't try to determine one universally best iPhoneInstead, we'll look at which model is best for different types of users, where it's worth paying extra, and where you're spending money on features you might never use.
Who iPhone Buy? Quick recommendation
| Pro koho | Recommended model | Proč |
|---|---|---|
| Pro most people | iPhone 17 | The best combination of price, performance and features |
| I want the best iPhone | iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max | Best performance, cameras and premium features |
| I want light and thin iPhone | iPhone Air | Extremely thin and light body |
| I want the cheapest new one possible. iPhone | iPhone 17e | Modern iPhone without some of the more expensive equipment |
| I want to save even more | iPhone 16 | Older but still very capable model |
| I want the best price/performance ratio on the market | iPhone 16 Pro | Pro equipment at a significantly lower price than at launch |
iPhone 17: the best choice for most people
If you don't want to think too long about choosing an iPhone, just iPhone 17 is the safest choice in the current offer.
It is not the cheapest or the most equipped, but it offers a very good compromise between price, performance and...onem, camera, endurance and a long software perspective.
Pro For the average user who uses the phone for photography, social networks, messaging, web, navigation, video, banking and other classic applications, it offers more than enough performance.
The difference between the basic iPhone and more expensive models is gradually decreasing. Pro. Apple is gradually bringing technologies to standard models that were previously only available on the most expensive iPhones.
So if you don't know which one iPhone to buy, and you don't have any very specific requirements, iPhone We would recommend 17 as the starting point for all decision-making.
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Pro whose is it iPhone 17 best?
- for most ordinary users,
- for owners of iPhone 13 or older,
- for people who want a new iPhone for several more years,
- for users who don't need professional zoom or top performance,
- and for anyone who doesn't want to pay extra for Pro model just because of the name.
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iPhone 17 Pro: for whom does it make sense to pay extra?
iPhone 17 Pro is a phone for users who want to get the most out of the current generation maximum, but at the same time they don't want the huge dimensions of the model Pro MaxThe biggest difference compared to the basic iPhone is usually not the speed at which you open Instagram or Safari. There, practically all modern iPhones are extremely fast. Surcharge for Pro model you pay mainly for more advanced cameras, more power reserve, professional video functions and other premium features. For example, if you take a lot of photos of children, sports, animals, concerts or travel and regularly use the zoom, the difference compared to the basic model can be significantly more important. It also gives Pro makes sense for people who use their phone for work, often edit photos and videos, or simply want a device with the greatest possible performance reserve.
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iPhone 17 Pro Max: best iPhoneif you don't mind the size
If you want the best classic currently iPhone and price is not the main criterion for you, the choice is towards the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Pro Max traditionally combines the largest display, a large battery and complete professional equipment. The larger body also provides space for the battery, so it is also one of the best iPhones in terms of endurance. However, it has one very simple disadvantage: it is large. This sounds banal, but in everyday use, size is more important than many of the parameters listed in the table. You hold your phone for tens to hundreds of minutes a day, carry it in your pocket and often operate it with one hand. If you don't mind large phones, Pro Max represents the logical top of the range. But if you don't take advantage of its size or durability, the classic Pro may be more practical.
iPhone Air: phone for a completely different customer
iPhone Air is a bit of a strange model in the current lineup. It doesn't try to be the cheapest or the absolute most powerful. Its main argument is the design. Apple presents it as its thinnest iPhone and the feel of the phone is an important part of the product here. Air is intended for users who want premium iPhonebut don't want a heavy model Pro. It's a bit like philosophy MacBooku Air. It is not a device with absolutely maximal possible equipment. Instead, it tries to offer enough power in the most pleasant design. If the weight of the phone, thin body and design are important to you, it may be Air more interesting than technologically advanced Pro.
Air we would recommend it especially to someone who wants a modern premium iPhonebut the phone Pro finds it unnecessarily heavy or robust. On the other hand, a user who buys a phone mainly for photography, durability or maxminimum possible equipment, should compare very carefully Air with classic iPhonem 17 and model 17 Pro. Air is not bought because it offers the most features for the price. It is bought because you want its design. But honestly, it is iPhone
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iPhone 17e: the cheapest way to a modern iPhone
iPhone The 17e is designed for customers who want the current generation of iPhone but don't need the full features of the more expensive models. But this is where a simple calculation needs to be made when purchasing. The difference between the price of the 17e and the classic iPhone 17 must be large enough. If it costs iPhone The 17 is only a relatively small amount more, and we'd generally recommend paying the extra. You'll likely be using the phone for a few years, and the difference in purchase price will be significantly reduced over the lifetime of the phone. But if the 17e is significantly cheaper, it could be a very reasonable choice for users who don't need the best camera or other premium features.
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Pro whose is it iPhone 17e?
- for users who want the cheapest new iPhone,
- for parents buying a phone for their child,
- for less demanding users,
- for people upgrading from an older iPhone SE or basic iPhone,
- and for those who want a new model and long support but don't want to pay for features they won't use.
iPhone 16: An older model may be the best buy
Apple still offers also iPhone 16 and older generations can be very interesting if you can find one at a good price. The tech world sometimes gives the impression that a year-old phone is outdated. But that's usually not true with the iPhone. iPhone The 16 is still a very powerful, supported, and capable phone that can serve you well for several more years, but its point depends almost entirely on its price.
if it is iPhone 16 significantly cheaper than iPhone 17, may represent a better price-performance ratio. If the price difference is small, we would rather buy the newer generation. Just the older Pro models are traditionally among the best options for users who want a professional camera and premium features but don't want to pay the full price of the latest generation. If you find a new, used or high-quality refurbished iPhone 16 Pro At a price close to the base iPhone 17, making a decision can be surprisingly difficult. iPhone 17 offers a newer generation and a longer future, while 16 Pro can offer more advanced photographic equipment and some features typical of the professional series.
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Does it still make sense? iPhone 15?
Yes, but only if it's really cheap. Phone The 15 is no longer a model that we would recommend buying new at all costs in 2026. But that doesn't mean it's a bad phone. On the second-hand and refurbished market, it can offer a very good price-performance ratio, especially for users who don't need the latest features and simply want a reliable iPhoneHowever, with older devices, the condition of the specific item is increasingly important. In particular, the battery can be significantly worn out after several years of use.
Who iPhone does it have the best price-performance ratio?
If we were to choose solely based on the price-to-feature ratio, there is no universal winner without knowing the current prices. Within the current official lineup, it is a very strong candidate iPhone 17. It offers modern hardware, long-term support, and you don't have to pay for professional equipment that most people will never fully use. But if you come across a significant discount on an older iPhone 16 or 16 Pro, the price-performance ratio can be even better. That is why we would recommend comparing real prices when buying, not just the official recommended prices of individual generations.
Who iPhone does it have the best camera?
If the camera is your absolute priority, look at the series ProCurrent iPhone 17 Pro to 17 Pro Max represent the most logical choice for a person who wants maximal photo and video options of the current offer Appyou. Pro models offer more flexibility in working with different focal lengths and are better suited for users who use their phone as their main camera. Pro but regular photography is not Pro automatically needed. The quality of basic iPhones is so high today that for family photos, vacations, children, animals or social networks, most users will find a classic iPhone 17 is absolutely enough.
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Who iPhone has the best endurance?
If you want the longest battery life and don't mind a large phone, it's traditionally worth focusing on the model Pro Max. The larger body offers more space for the battery and just Pro Max It is also intended for users who use the phone intensively throughout the day. However, battery life always depends on the specific usage method. Mobile data, navigation, photography, games or high display brightness can drain the battery significantly faster than normal use over Wi-Fi.
Who iPhone is best for the child?
Pro we wouldn't automatically buy the most expensive model for our child. A very sensible choice can be iPhone 17e or some discounted older one iPhone. It is especially important that the device receives security updates for several more years and its battery is in good condition. For younger users, the cheaper purchase price may also be an advantage. Break or lose your phone for half the price Pro The model obviously hurts less.
Does it make sense to buy? iPhone right now?
This is perhaps the most important question of the entire article at the end of August 2026. If you don't need a new phone immediately, we would wait to buy the most expensive models at this time. Apple Although it has not officially introduced the new generation yet, according to current information, we expect another major product event in September focused on iPhone.
Leaks and information from the supply chain have long pointed primarily to the arrival of iPhone 18 Pro a 18 Pro MaxThere is also talk of the first foldable iPhone. Basic iPhone 18 is currently scheduled to arrive later, probably in the spring of 2027. But none of this Apple has not officially confirmed at this time. Here it depends on which model you want. If you are thinking about the iPhone 17 Pro or 17 Pro Max and you don't need the phone right away, waiting a few weeks makes a lot of sense. You'll have more information after the new generation is introduced, and the current models may also become cheaper. The situation is different with the classic iPhone 17. According to current information Apple will likely split the launch of the new generation this year. Models iPhone 18 Pro they are supposed to arrive earlier, while the basic iPhone 18 is not expected until 2027. So if you want standard iPhone and you found iPhone 17 for a good price, waiting may not have the same meaning as with Pro model.
The biggest mistake when choosing an iPhone? Buying by number
The latest model isn't automatically the best buy for everyone. For example, if you get a year old Pro model at a similar price to the new basic one iPhone, an older device may offer you better cameras or other features that you will use more. It also doesn't make sense to buy iPhone 17 Pro Maxif you just want a phone call WhatsApp, Safari, taking pictures of the family and watching YouTube. Best iPhone not the most expensive iPhoneIt's a model whose features you'll actually use.
How long do you want? iPhone use? This is another important question that many people overlook when buying. If you change your phone every two years, buying an older model can be a great deal. But if you want a new iPhone use for five or six years, it makes more sense to buy a newer generation and thus gain a longer future software perspective. Apple traditionally supports iPhones for a very long time and iOS 26 is currently compatible with, for example, a number of iPhone 11 and newer devices. This shows that even a few years old iPhone can still receive the current system.
Is it worth buying refurbished? iPhone? Yes, refurbished iPhone can offer a very good price-performance ratio, but only if you know exactly what you are buying. Pay particular attention to the condition of the battery, the origin of the phone, any repairs, the warranty and the quality of the spare parts used. With a professionally refurbished device with a warranty, the risk may be relatively small. However, with a suspiciously cheap phone from an unknown source, the savings can disappear very quickly during the first repair.
Verdict: which iPhone would we buy in 2026?
Pro we would recommend most people today iPhone 17. It offers a very good combination of modern equipment, performance, camera and long software perspective without paying extra for professional features. If you want the best possible iPhone, look for iPhone 17 Pro or 17 Pro MaxHowever, for these models, we would recommend waiting a few weeks for further announcements at the end of August. Appyou. iPhone Air It is interesting primarily for its thin and lightweight construction. iPhone The 17e makes sense as a more affordable way to upgrade to a modern iPhone and older iPhone The 16 can be a great buy if you can find it at a significant discount.
We wouldn't be afraid of the iPhone 16 on the secondary market either Pro or some even older models, if the price is right and the device is in good condition. So when choosing, start with your budget and what you really need from a phone. Only then do you consider the generation number. This is what will most often lead to the iPhone that will make the most sense for you even several years after purchase.
