I’ve tested every iPhone & there’s a standout model almost EVERYONE should buy – but try shopping trick for lower price

THERE’S seemingly no end of iPhone models to choose from – so I’m here to help you pick the right one.

I’m The Sun’s resident tech expert and I’ve tested every iPhone you can currently buy from Apple – and plenty more than that.

So no matter whether you’re a true tech obsessive or a gadget-phobe, there’s probably an iPhone for you.

And I’ll try to make sure there’s something for every budget too.

Here are the iPhone models that you can currently buy from Apple, and who they’re best for.

IPHONE 17

This is the default iPhone, if there is such a thing.

Of the new 2025 lot, it’s the cheapest at £799 and the only one to come in five colours. So if you like Lavender, Sage, Mist Blue, White, or Black, Apple has you covered.

It also has the smallest display at 6.3-inch, which means it’s very pocketable – and generally light overall thanks to the aluminium frame.

There’s a speedy A19 chip inside, a 30-hour battery life, the extra buttons (Action and Camera Control), a dual 48-megapixel camera system, a 120Hz display (for smooth animations, scrolling and gaming), and two storage options: 256GB and 512GB.

I would say that the iPhone 17 is probably the best pick for most people.

It’s a nice size, is packed with high-end features, comes in well under a grand, and has a very effective camera and display.

A brilliant package.

IPHONE 17 PRO & PRO MAX

The Pro models are expensive, and rightly so.

They’re aimed at power users with a bit of cash who want the absolute best from their mobile.

Probably the main improvement is the camera (an exceptional triple-lens system), but the battery life (up to 37 hours of video playback) is also notably excellent.

An important point is that if you want a 6.9-inch display, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the only way to get it in the current line-up.

I love it, but it’ll be too big for some people, so you can get the 6.3-inch iPhone 17 Pro with almost no compromises (other than the smaller screen, obviously).

But you’ll have to fork out either £1,099 or £1,199 depending on the model you want.

I will add that I think the iPhone 17 Pro models have the best colour we’ve seen from Apple in years: Cosmic Orange.

It’s a standout paintjob that looks fantastic, and immediately flags to everyone around you that you’ve got the posh new iPhone. Bragging rights secured.

IPHONE AIR

The iPhone Air is a weird one.

It doesn’t have a camera that’s as good as the iPhone 17, but costs more at £999.

But it does have a bigger display at 6.5 inches.

Its main advantage is that its strikingly thin – just 5.6mm across for most of the body.

That also means it’s tremendously light, which some people will love.

And despite its svelte form factor, it still serves up 27 hours of video playback, and packs a souped-up A19 Pro chip (more powerful than the iPhone 17’s processor).

I still think that the iPhone 17 is better for most people, and true pro users would prefer the iPhone 17 Pro versions.

But if you really want something very thin and light as a priority, and perhaps even a piece of Apple history (this is the first iPhone Air, of course), then this is a fun buy.

You’ll probably have to put up with loads of people wanting to hold your iPhone to see what it’s like though. Sorry.

IPHONE 16 & 16 PLUS

Perhaps a more budget-friendly option is last year’s iPhone 16 or 16 Plus range.

They’re still available on Apple’s website, and come in cheaper at £699 and £799 respectively.

I would probably say that the iPhone 17 is worth the buy over the iPhone 16.

You get a slightly bigger display (6.3 inches versus 6.1 inches) with a higher refresh rate and Always-On support.

It also has a faster chip, better scratch resistance, a big battery life jump, and several camera improvements.

If you really want to save the £100, go for the older model.

But I think that the iPhone 17 pays for itself here, and you probably won’t notice the difference on a monthly plan anyway.

Perhaps more compelling is the iPhone 16 Plus, which didn’t get a sequel in 2025.

So it’s the only way to get a more entry-level big screen (6.7 inches) without going Pro.

That might be a pulling factor for some.

IPHONE 16E

The iPhone 16e did actually come out in 2025, though it’s technically part of 2024’s iPhone 16 range.

And it’s the cheapest by a mile at just £599.

It has good battery life and decent camera, but uses the slightly older design with the notch at the top of the screen (instead of the floating Dynamic Island).

It’s a good pick if you want a very cheap and capable phone.

And it supports Apple Intelligence too.

You’ll be more future-proofed with an iPhone 17, but £200 is a decent saving to mull over.

WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

As we all know, Apple is constantly working on new iPhone models – so we’re expecting a fresh batch in 2026.

We can’t say anything for sure, as Apple keeps its upcoming gear well away from the public eye.

But we’re expecting an iPhone 17e to replace the iPhone 16e as the budget option in early Spring.

Then in September 2026, we’d expect to see the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.

We might also see Apple’s first foldable iPhone, which will likely be very expensive.

And rumour has it, we won’t see the standard iPhone 18 at the September launch – instead, that’ll land in the spring of 2027.

Of course, these iPhone rumours might be totally false.

Even if they are true, Apple’s plans could change between now and late 2026.

So don’t lay too much importance on products that aren’t even out yet.

And ultimately, you could put off buying a new iPhone forever if you’re always waiting for the next model.

So if you’re desperate for a new iPhone, don’t make yourself miserable by putting off a purchase until the next one is out.

All prices in this article were correct at the time of writing, but may have since changed.

Always do your own research before making any purchase.