iPhone comparability chart 2026: Each iPhone in comparison with discover the very best

The iPhone 17 retains an identical design to the iPhone 16, however in nearer comparability there’s a important distinction: the display is bigger at 6.3 inches in comparison with the iPhone 16’s 6.1-inch show. The iPhone 17’s dimensions are additionally barely bigger than the older mannequin. The brand new telephone is on the market in Lavender, Mist Blue, Sage, Black and White with an aluminium body. No daring ‘have a look at me’ colours right here.

The ProMotion and At all times-On display are actually current, as discovered on the Professional fashions. It has a peak brightness of three,000 nits and a minimal brightness of 1 nit permitting for the always-on characteristic that was beforehand solely accessible on the Professional fashions. The brand new Ceramic Defend 2 on the entrance is 3 times extra scratch-resistant, claims Apple. It additionally options an anti-reflective coating. 

The 18MP Centre Stage entrance digital camera encompasses a new sq. sensor that permits pictures in any orientation with out requiring the person to rotate the telephone. Each rear cameras are actually 48MP. The primary digital camera integrates an optical-quality 2x Telephoto and the brand new 48MP Fusion Extremely Extensive digital camera (up from 12MP) captures as much as 4 instances the decision of the earlier era. It additionally options 0.5, 1x and 2x optical zoom and macro pictures capabilities – which means that, in contrast to the Air, the iPhone 16 can ‘unzoom’ again to 0.5x. 

The iPhone 17 encompasses a A19 chip with a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU alongside the N1, Apple’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip which ought to enhance Private Hotspot and AirDrop, and the C1X, a mobile modem designed by Apple. 

Battery life is 30 hours (video playback), a rise of eight hours in comparison with the iPhone 16. Do you have to run out of battery charging the iPhone 17 is faster than ever: in response to Apple, utilizing Apple’s new 40W Dynamic Energy Adapter ($39) can add a 50 p.c cost to the iPhone 17 in 20 minutes. Simply 10 minutes of cost ends in about 8 hours of video playback, good if you end up in a rush to depart the home.

The entry-level mannequin gives 256GB of storage, double that of the earlier era for a similar value. Beginning at $799 for 256GB storage, 512GB storage is priced at $999. 

Who should purchase the iPhone 17?

The iPhone 17 is an efficient allrounder and the very best iPhone for most individuals. It’s bought a much bigger show, ProMotion and At all times On, a extra highly effective chip, two 48MP cameras on the rear, the brand new improved selfie digital camera, and twice the storage for a similar value as 2024’s iPhone 16. So long as you aren’t determined for a telephoto digital camera, or an excellent skinny telephone, there is no such thing as a purpose to look elsewhere.

iPhone 17 additional issues:

Beginning at $799 for 256GB storage it is a good iPhone at an excellent value. If you have already got an iPhone 16 you most likely don’t have to improve, however if you’re deciding whether or not to improve to the iPhone 17, iPhone 16 (128GB for $699) or iPhone 16e (128GB for $599) we advocate paying the additional cash; not solely will you get a greater telephone, you’ll get twice as a lot storage!

iPhone 17 Professional has a 6.3-inch show with 120Hz ProMotion and At all times-On, just like the iPhone 16 Professional, but it surely now gives 3,000 nits peak brightness, 1 nit minimal brightness, up from 2,000. All of the late 025 iPhones provide 3,000 nits max, Professional Movement and At all times On, although, so these aren’t the differentiators they as soon as had been.  

The telephone is available in Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver with an aluminium body. The 16 Professional was titanium, as is the iPhone Air on account of it being extra sturdy. Apple’s switched again to aluminium on the Professional iPhones for higher thermal efficiency. Warmth administration is through a brand new inner vapor chamber that has deionised water sealed inside for cooling. Warmth is thus drawn away from the A19 chip and distributed across the iPhone. The warmth administration ought to imply the iPhone can maintain excessive ranges of efficiency for longer durations of time.

The iPhone 17 Professional ought to nonetheless be sturdy although: There’s the brand new Ceramic Defend 2 on the entrance for 3x higher scratch resistance and a Ceramic Defend on the again.

The A19 Professional processor encompasses a 6-core CPU and a 6-core GPU (yet one more GPU than the Air). It contains Neural Accelerators constructed into every GPU core, a bigger cache, and extra reminiscence than A18 Professional.b You’ll additionally discover the N1, the Apple-designed wi-fi networking chip that permits Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, and the C1X, Apple’s new mobile modem. 

On the entrance is identical 18MP Heart Stage entrance digital camera with sq. sensor. The primary distinction it the three 48MP Fusion cameras on the rear and the truth that the optical zoom can prolong to 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x for the equal of eight lenses, in response to Apple. Video is Dolby Imaginative and prescient 4K at 120fps, with assist for ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, and Genlock.

The plateau (as Apple is now calling it) doesn’t simply home the digital camera. Apple has positioned different inner elements contained in the ‘plateau’ – Apple’s title for the digital camera housing. By inserting extra elements in there Apple has made room for a bigger battery. Moreover, the antennas are integrated across the fringe of this plateau, a transfer that Apple claims makes it “the highest-performing antenna system ever in an iPhone”. Hopefully, this may even imply Apple avoids one other antennagate.

This higher thermal design and bigger battery imply that battery life is 31 hours of video playback. That’s up from 27 hours on the predecessor. Just like the iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Professional fast-charges as much as 50% in 20 minutes with the brand new 40W adapter.

Who should purchase the iPhone 17 Professional?

The iPhone 17 Professional is designed for these searching for superior pictures and video capabilities. Additionally it is the telephone to decide on when you contemplate your self to be an influence person, an expert creator, or if you’re a gamer.

iPhone 17 Professional additional issues:

It’s not solely the high-end Professional fashions within the iPhone 17 line that get the A19 Professional; the iPhone Air does as nicely, though with solely a 5-core GPU. Nevertheless, the cooling enhancements Apple has made are more likely to imply that the Professional iPhones could make higher use of the highly effective chip.

The iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone thus far at 5.64mm (0.22in) thick. Whereas some could query the necessity for such a skinny iPhone, its reputation is evidenced by the MacBook Air. Nevertheless, a skinny gadget might be much less sturdy. The iPhone 6, the earlier thinnest iPhone at 7.1mm, was affected by bendgate. Hopefully these points gained’t plague the iPhone Air, which Apple describes as “probably the most sturdy iPhone ever.”

This sturdiness is achieved by means of numerous options. The iPhone Air is crafted from titanium and options the brand new Ceramic Defend 2 on each the back and front. The brand new Ceramic Defend gives 3 times higher scratch resistance and 4 instances higher crack resistance. It’s accessible in Sky Blue, Mild Gold, Cloud White or Area Black.

The 6.5-inch show options 120Hz ProMotion and At all times-On performance. It has a peak brightness of three,000 nits and a minimal brightness of 1 nit.

The iPhone Air encompasses a A19 Professional processor with a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU. That’s one much less graphics core than the iPhone 17 Professional fashions, however a greater processor than the A19 within the iPhone 17.  

Like the opposite late 2025 iPhones, the iPhone Air options the 18MP front-facing Centre Stage digital camera with a sq. sensor able to taking pictures in any orientation with out requiring the person to rotate the telephone. All telephones can file video from each the back and front cameras concurrently.

The iPhone Air gives a single 48MP “Fusion” rear digital camera (26mm equal). Nevertheless, a 2x telephoto impact might be achieved digitally, enabling 12MP optical-quality 2x Telephoto (52mm equal). This method is just like the 16e mannequin. The Air lacks the macro and spatial pictures options accessible on different iPhones. The optical zoom choices are restricted to 1x and 2x.

The iPhone 17 Air’s battery capability is barely decrease than the opposite iPhone 17-series telephones. The case’s diminished thickness implies that Apple has to make use of a smaller battery, but it surely nonetheless delivers 27 hours of video playback, which is ample. For extra battery life, Apple gives an iPhone Air-specific $99 MagSafe Battery accent. As well as, a 40W adapter can fast-charge the iPhone Air to 50 per cent in 20 minutes.

Who should purchase the iPhone Air?

The iPhone Air is for customers who prioritize a cutting-edge, ultra-thin design. Positive, there are some trade-offs: diminished battery life and a single rear digital camera, however it is a telephone with wow issue and bragging rights.

iPhone Air additional issues:

The iPhone Air has a single digital camera on the rear, which shall be one drawback too far for some consumers. Apart for the assorted iterations of the iPhone SE and the iPhone 16e, each iPhone for the reason that iPhone XS in 2018 has had at the least two lenses on the again. Nevertheless, that is unlikely to be an enormous limitation except you’re an avid photographer, by which case we advocate the iPhone 16 Professional as a substitute. One other factor to notice is that the SIM card slot has been eliminated, making the iPhone eSIM solely.

The Professional Max is basically the identical telephone because the iPhone 17 Professional, however with a bigger show and higher battery life.

The iPhone 17 Professional Max has the identical 6.9-inch show because the 2024 mannequin, which is barely bigger than the 6.7-inch 15 Professional Max from 2023.

There’s the identical A19 Professional and Fusion 48MP trio of cameras on the again, in addition to the 18MP front-facing digital camera with Centre Stage and Twin Seize, for merging video from the entrance and rear cameras to seize your reactions.

Battery life is the massive beneficiary, although, with iPhone 17 Professional Max getting as much as 37 hours of video playback, in comparison with 33 hours for the 16 Professional Max and 31 on the iPhone 17 Professional. That’s the very best battery life ever in an iPhone.

Who should purchase the iPhone 17 Professional Max?

The iPhone 17 Professional Max shares its key options with the iPhone 17 Professional so if you’re searching for superior pictures and video capabilities, contemplate your self to be an influence person, an expert creator, or a gamer, it’ll swimsuit you. In truth, we expect it’s a sensible choice for gaming due to the display measurement. The primary distinction is the scale: there are individuals who desire a huge display and that is the most important iPhone you may get, particularly now that Apple isn’t promoting a Plus mannequin.

iPhone 17 Professional Max additional issues:

If you’re selecting between the iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max then the choice comes down as to if you need the massive display or not. If a giant display is necessary to you, however energy and pictures aren’t then you definately may wish to have a look at the older iPhone 16 Plus whereas Apple continues to be promoting it.

The iPhone 16e has the identical processor because the iPhone 16 and gives higher battery life than that telephone for $100/£100 much less, however there are a selection of tradeoffs you’ll have to settle for if you wish to save your cash.

The iPhone 16e, which arrived in February 2025, is Apple’s new ‘price range’ iPhone beginning at $599/£599. That’s fairly a bit costlier than the outdated price range iPhone, the iPhone SE, which price $429/£429 till it was discontinued by Apple at the start of 2025.

In case you had been a lover of the Residence button on the iPhone SE, that is gone. The iPhone 16e doesn’t have a Dynamic Island both. The iPhone 16e has a notch, like that on the iPhone 14. So when you really feel strongly about how a lot area on the prime of your iPhone is given to the Face ID gubbins could have an effect on your selection. The notch actually isn’t that unhealthy that we’d spend extra to get the Dynamic Island, which isn’t actually that a lot smaller.

One different factor that the iPhone SE was, that the iPhone 16e isn’t, is a small telephone. It’s a related measurement to the iPhone 15 and 16 with a barely decrease weight. So if you’re proud of that measurement, however fancy a lighter handset it could possibly be a sensible choice for you.

There’s one different factor in favor of the iPhone 16e – it has longer battery life than the iPhone 16. You possibly can count on 26 hours of video playback on the 16e, in comparison with 22 on the 16, in response to Apple. Our personal battery exams had been much less beneficial. Within the battery part of Geekbench 4, the 16e managed 13 hours and 38 minutes, decrease than another 16-series iPhone.

Who should purchase the iPhone 16e?

The iPhone 16e is Apple’s most inexpensive iPhone designed for the budget-conscious. It’s an excellent value for these searching for a telephone for a kid. It helps Apple Intelligence options, which is an efficient purpose to improve from older iPhones.

iPhone 16e additional issues:

You could possibly contemplate the iPhone 16 or iPhone 17 in its place. Each of these iPhones provide a wider selection of shade choices quite than the boring black or white of the 16e, a twin digital camera arrange which means you may get extremely wide-angled pictures and might take macro pictures, Cinematic mode and Motion mode. In case you had been contemplating spending the additional $100/£100 to get the iPhone 16 we wouldn’t. In case you had been considering of spending $200/£200 extra to get the iPhone 17 that may be extra worthwhile.

The iPhone 16 Plus is basically a much bigger model of the iPhone 16. It options the identical digital camera and processor. The whole lot we point out in regards to the iPhone 16 (under) applies right here too. Nevertheless, there are each advantages and downsides to the bigger type issue. 

The iPhone 16 Plus gives 27 hours battery life. That’s higher than the iPhone 16 (22 hours) and the 16e (26 hours) however behind the iPhone 17 (30 hours). It’s nonetheless good distance behind the opposite huge telephone Apple sells – the iPhone 17 Professional Max – which boasts 37 hours.  

The Digital camera Management button could also be a little bit of a stretch to make use of comfortably on the iPhone 16 Plus if in case you have small palms. If in case you have small palms the Plus most likely isn’t going to be that snug to carry anyway. If you’re fortunate sufficient to not be deprived by hand measurement, the massive display is an efficient purpose to decide on the Plus measurement over the smaller iPhone.

For some customers the larger display implies that the textual content might be larger, and in case your eyes aren’t what they as soon as had been, and also you battle tapping on the tiny keyboard, then this telephone is likely to be the only option for you.

Who should purchase the iPhone 16 Plus?

The iPhone 16 Plus is finest for customers looking for a large-screen iPhone with out having to pay the premium value of the Professional Max. It fits people who desire a huge show and an excellent battery life, however don’t care in regards to the digital camera options of the iPhone 17 Professional Max (or wish to pay the excessive value for that telephone).

iPhone 16 Plus additional issues:

The iPhone 16 Plus lacks most of the options of the iPhone 17, such because the brighter (3,000 nits) display with Professional Movement and Aways-On. Two 48MP cameras on the again and an 18MP digital camera on the entrance. The iPhone 17 comes with 256GB storage for $799, whereas the iPhone 16 Plus is $799 for 128GB or $899 for 256GB. So frankly you’ll actually ned to need the massive display to pay extra for a similar capability telephone.

The iPhone 16 Plus display is 6.7-inches. Now the iPhone 17 display is now bigger, at 6.3-inch quite than 6.1-inch the scale distinction isn’t as huge because it as soon as was.

Learn our full
iPhone 16 Plus assessment

The iPhone 16 was a giant leap from the earlier era, on the time we felt that it was catching the Professional mannequin up. Within the iPhone 16 we had a brand new telephone with a greater processor, the Digital camera Seize and Motion buttons, and improved battery life.

The colours on provide are Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, Black. Coloration decisions are a matter of private desire, however we might counsel that selecting a brand new iPhone based mostly on the colour can be a foul thought as you can be conserving it in a case if you’re smart.

The iPhone 16 gained a two-in-one ‘Fusion’ digital camera gives inbuilt 2x telephoto performance and a brand new 48-megapixel sensor for higher decision and lightweight depth. On the iPhone 17 each rear cameras boast this similar 48-megapixel sensor.

The 12MP Extremely Extensive digital camera on the entrance had a bigger aperture and larger pixels than the earlier era – capable of seize 2.6x extra gentle and might now shoot shut‑up macro pictures or wider pictures. The brand new iPhone 17, like the opposite late 2025 telephones, gives a greater 18MP digital camera on the entrance.

Relating to video the iPhone 16 can shoot 4K/60fps, which is greater than sufficient for most individuals. It options Audio Combine, that allows you to modify the way in which voices sound in movies. You possibly can lower background sound, or simply deal with the voices which can be in body, for instance.

The A18 was a formidable chip. In our Geekbench 6 multi-processor check the iPhone 16 reveals a big 25% enhance in efficiency from 6,242 factors within the earlier era to 7,828 factors. Efficiency jumps within the graphics benchmarks had been much more pronounced.

Who should purchase the iPhone 16?

The iPhone 16 is barely actually suited to somebody upgrading from a a lot older iPhone, however we advocate that you simply look elsewhere as a result of the iPhone 16 doesn’t signify good worth for cash now the iPhone 17 begins at 256GB storage.

iPhone 16 additional issues:

There is no such thing as a good purpose to purchase the iPhone 16. It can save you $100/£100 and purchase the iPhone 16e as a substitute, or spend $200/£200 extra to get the iPhone 17 with twice as a lot storage, which is value each penny. The one purpose to select the iPhone 16 is when you see an excellent deal on one. We additionally have a look at the iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16.

Additionally learn: Greatest iPhone 16 offers (US) and Greatest iPhone 16 offers (UK)