Which iPhone is The Best to Buy Now?

which iPhone is the best to buy now

If you’ve been staring at your cracked screen or sluggish phone wondering whether it’s finally time to upgrade, you’re definitely not alone! With Apple releasing new iPhones every year, it can feel overwhelming trying to figure out which one is actually worth your hard-earned money. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast who wants the absolute latest and greatest, or someone who just needs a reliable phone, there’s an iPhone out there with your name on it. In this article, we’ve done all the research and heavy lifting for you, so you don’t have to. By the end, you’ll know exactly which iPhone is the best to buy now for your needs, your lifestyle, and your budget — no tech degree required.

The Quick List

Which iPhone is The Best to Buy Now

1. iPhone 17e

★★★★☆  4.0  Good

 

SPECS

• DISPLAY: 6.1-inches, Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 1170 x 2532p screen resolution
• CPU: Apple A19, Apple GPU (4-core)
• MEMORY: 8GB RAM
• STORAGE: 256GB / 512GB
• OS: iOS 26
• BATTERY: 4005 mAh, supports fast and wireless charging (MagSafe/Qi2)  
• CAMERA: 48 MP wide, Up to 4K video at 60fps | 12 MP wide selfie camera, Up to 4K video at 60fps
• OTHER: Weighs 169g (5.96 oz) | IP68 dust/water resistant | 5G, eSIM, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, USB Type-C 2.0 | Black, White, Soft Pink colors   
• RELEASE: March 2026
• PRICE RANGE: R 18 000 (ZAR) / £ 823 / US$ 1099 / € 955

 

BUY NOW

Let’s get real about the iPhone 17e. Apple dropped this phone earlier this year, and honestly, it’s a total breath of fresh air if you’re tired of phones that cost as much as a used car. After using this smartphone, I’ve come up with some strong views on whether it’s actually worth your hard-earned cash, or not.

First off, the value is insane. You’re getting the A19 chip inside—the same brain that powers the much more expensive models. Everything I throw at it, from heavy gaming to editing quick clips for my content, feels snappy and smooth. I’m also obsessed with the 256GB entry storage. Finally, Apple stopped being stingy! I can take all as many photos as I want without getting that dreaded “Storage Full” notification. Plus, the ‘Soft Pink’ color looks incredibly premium in person. And for those of us who miss a phone that actually fits in one hand, the 6.1-inch size feels perfect. It’s light. It’s comfortable. And doesn’t turn my wrist into a workout.

“You’re getting the A19 chip inside—the same brain that powers the much more expensive models.”

Now, let’s talk about the dealbreakers. If you want the “cool” tech, you won’t find it here. You’re stuck with the old-school notch instead of the Dynamic Island, which honestly makes it look a bit dated compared to the rest of the lineup. The screen is also stuck at 60Hz, which feels pretty sluggish when you’re scrolling through social media compared to the buttery-smooth screens on the Pro models. And while the 48MP main camera takes fantastic shots, the lack of a dedicated telephoto lens means your zoomed-in photos will look pretty grainy. Finally, if you’re a power user looking to run all the newest, beefiest Apple Intelligence features, this phone misses the cut because it doesn’t have enough memory.

If you want a reliable, fast, and stylish iPhone that’s the least expensive in the iPhone 17 series, the 17e is a total winner. But if you’re a tech nerd who needs the latest fancy features, you might want to save up for the Pro.

2. iPhone Air

★★★★☆  4.0  Good

 

SPECS

• DISPLAY: 6.5-inches, Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, 1260 x 2736p screen resolution, HDR10, Dolby Vision
• CPU: Apple A19, Apple GPU (5-core)
• MEMORY: 12GB RAM
• STORAGE: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
• OS: iOS 26
• BATTERY: 3149 mAh, supports fast, wireless (MagSafe/Qi2) and reverse wireless charging
• CAMERA: 48 MP wide, Up to 4K video at 60fps | 18 MP ultrawide selfie camera, Up to 4K video at 60fps
• OTHER: Weighs 165g (5.82 oz) | IP68 dust/water resistant | 5G, eSIM, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, USB Type-C 2.0 | Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, Sky Blue colors
• RELEASE: September 2025
• PRICE: R 20 000 (ZAR) / £ 625 / US$ 762 / € 728

 

BUY NOW

The iPhone Air is by far the most interesting phone Apple has made in years. The absolute best part about it is the design—this thing is mind-bogglingly thin and light. It uses a strong titanium frame that feels super comfortable to hold, and when I slide it into my pocket, I honestly forget it’s even there. Apple also gave it a gorgeous 6.5-inch screen that is bright, sharp, and buttery smooth thanks to the fast refresh rate. Plus, it runs on the super powerful A19 Pro chip with plenty of memory, so it flies through apps and games without a single stutter.

However, making a phone this thin means Apple had to make some huge compromises that might drive you crazy. First, you only get a single camera lens on the back. That means you completely lose out on ultra-wide shots and optical zoom, which feels like a major downgrade for a phone that costs this much. The audio is another letdown; it only has a single mono speaker, so videos and music sound noticeably quiet and flat compared to other iPhones. Finally, because the body is so slim, the battery inside is on the smaller side. It will still get you through a normal day, but if you push the phone hard with gaming or maps, you will find yourself hunting for a charger by evening.

“The absolute best part about it is the design—this thing is mind-bogglingly thin and light.”

Overall, the iPhone Air is a breath of fresh air for users fatigued by giant, heavy brick-style phones. By merging an ultra-premium titanium form factor with flagship silicon, it proves you don’t have to carry a bulky device to experience cutting-edge mobile tech.

3. iPhone 17 Pro Max

★★★★⯪   4.4  Good

 

SPECS

• DISPLAY: 6.9-inches, Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, 1320 x 2868p screen resolution, HDR10, Dolby Vision
• CPU: Apple A19 Pro, Apple GPU (6-core)
• MEMORY: 12GB RAM
• STORAGE: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB
• OS: iOS 26
• BATTERY: 4828 mAh (Nano SIM) / 5088 mAh (eSIM), supports fast, wireless (MagSafe/Qi2) and reverse wireless charging
• CAMERA: 48 MP wide + 48 MP telephoto (periscope), 4x optical zoom + 48 MP ultrawide, Up to 4K video at 120fps | 18 MP ultrawide selfie camera, Up to 4K video at 60fps
• OTHER: Weighs 233g (8.2 oz) | IP68 dust/water resistant | 5G, eSIM, Nano-SIM, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, USB Type-C 2.0 | Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue colors
• RELEASE: September 2025
• PRICE: R 30 000 (ZAR) / £ 1038 / US$ 940 / € 1164

 

BUY NOW

If you’re looking to invest in the absolute pinnacle of Apple’s ecosystem this year, the iPhone 17 Pro Max stands out as one of the best choices to buy in 2026. This power mobile device shakes up the traditional iPhone formula by swapping titanium for an all-new aluminum unibody, a deliberate design shift that significantly reduces the phone’s weight while introducing vastly superior heat dissipation to sustain heavy gaming and multitasking.

Powered by the cutting-edge A19 Pro chip, it brings long-awaited, practical upgrades to the table, including a larger battery with faster charging, and an upgraded storage topping to a massive 2 TB. Photographers and content creators will find immense value in its overhauled camera system—featuring an 18MP Center Stage selfie camera, a 48MP telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom, and world-class 4K120 Dolby Vision video recording that comfortably aces any lighting condition.

“the iPhone 17 Pro Max stands out as one of the best choices to buy in 2026”

Ultimately, while its bold aesthetic choices and the fresh “Liquid Glass” interface of iOS 26 have sparked plenty of debate, the iPhone 17 Pro Max remains an incredibly capable, top-tier device whose unmatched video production, robust battery stamina, and raw processing power easily justify its spot as the ultimate premium smartphone investment for 2026.

4. iPhone 17 Pro

★★★★⯪   4.4  Good

 

SPECS

• DISPLAY: 6.3-inches, Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, 1206 x 2622p screen resolution, HDR10, Dolby Vision
• CPU: Apple A19 Pro, Apple GPU (6-core)
• MEMORY: 12GB RAM
• STORAGE: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
• OS: iOS 26
• BATTERY: 3998 mAh (Nano SIM) / 4254 mAh (eSIM), supports fast, wireless (MagSafe/Qi2) and reverse wireless charging
• CAMERA: 48 MP wide + 48 MP telephoto (periscope), 4x optical zoom + 48 MP ultrawide, Up to 4K video at 120fps | 18 MP ultrawide selfie camera, Up to 4K video at 60fps
• OTHER: Weighs 206g (7.3 oz) | IP68 dust/water resistant | 5G, eSIM, Nano-SIM, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, USB Type-C 2.0 | Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue colors
• RELEASE: September 2025
• PRICE: R 28 000 (ZAR) / £ 929 / US$ 888 / € 1050

 

BUY NOW

If you’re looking for a fresh upgrade this year, the iPhone 17 Pro is easily one of the coolest phones you can pick up in 2026. Apple finally stopped playing it safe and gave this one a total redesign, featuring a sleek look that immediately stands out from the older models.

Under the hood, it packs a much faster A19 Pro chip with a brand-new cooling system that keeps it from overheating when you’re gaming or multitasking. Plus, they fixed two of the most annoying daily hassles: the screen is way less reflective in bright sunlight, and the battery charges up much faster than before. You also get a sharper, wider selfie camera and a upgraded zoom lens for crisp photos from a distance.

“Apple finally stopped playing it safe and gave this one a total redesign”

Overall, even though the new iOS 26 software might take a little getting used to, the iPhone 17 Pro is an incredibly fast mobile device, with a premium package that hits all the right notes for daily use.

5. iPhone 17

★★★★⯪  4.2  Good

 

SPECS

• DISPLAY: 6.3-inches, Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, 1206 x 2622p screen resolution, HDR10, Dolby Vision
• CPU: Apple A19, Apple GPU (5-core)
• MEMORY: 8GB RAM
• STORAGE: 256GB / 512GB
• OS: iOS 26
• BATTERY: 3692 mAh, supports fast, wireless (MagSafe/Qi2) and reverse wireless charging
• CAMERA: 48 MP wide + 48 MP ultrawide, Up to 4K video at 60fps | 18 MP ultrawide selfie camera, Up to 4K video at 60fps
• OTHER: Weighs 177g (7.3 oz) | IP68 dust/water resistant | 5G, eSIM, Nano-SIM, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, USB Type-C 2.0 | Black, White, Mist Blue, Sage, Lavender colors
• RELEASE: September 2025
• PRICE: R 20 000 (ZAR) / £ 640 / US$ 640 / € 750

 

BUY NOW

If you want a premium phone experience without paying the eye-watering “Pro” tax, the standard iPhone 17 is hands-down the smartest choice you can make right now. Apple finally stopped holding back on the base model, giving it the two biggest day-to-day upgrades we’ve been begging for: a gorgeous, buttery-smooth 120Hz ProMotion display and a much-needed bump to a spacious 256GB of starting storage.

The camera system got a serious glow-up too, packing a razor-sharp 48MP ultrawide lens that doubles as a macro camera for close-ups, alongside a massive 18MP front camera that dynamically pans to keep your group selfies perfectly framed. Sure, it can run a little warm if you push it with heavy 3D gaming, and the USB-C port is stuck at older data transfer speeds, but those are minor gripes when you consider what you’re actually getting.

“the standard iPhone 17 is hands-down the smartest choice you can make right now”

Overall, it combines traditional Apple styling, Pro-level screen responsiveness, and fantastic battery life into a package that feels like a massive leap forward rather than just a boring yearly update.

6. iPhone 16

★★★★☆  4.0  Good

 

SPECS

• DISPLAY: 6.1-inches, Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, 1179 x 2556p screen resolution, HDR10, Dolby Vision
• CPU: Apple A18, Apple GPU (5-core)
• MEMORY: 8GB RAM
• STORAGE: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
• OS: iOS 18
• BATTERY: 3561 mAh, supports fast, wireless (MagSafe/Qi2) and reverse wireless charging
• CAMERA: 48 MP wide + 12 MP ultrawide, Up to 4K video at 60fps | 12 MP ultrawide selfie camera, Up to 4K video at 60fps
• OTHER: Weighs 170g (6 oz) | IP68 dust/water resistant | 5G, eSIM, Nano-SIM, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, USB Type-C 2.0 | Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine colors
• RELEASE: September 2024
• PRICE: R 17 500 (ZAR) / £ 509 / US$ 575 / € 619

 

BUY NOW

If you’re looking for a cheaper iPhone that performs just as well as the newest flagship models, the older iPhone 16 is officially the best choice budget-friendly smartphone to get now in 2026. Now that the price has dropped significantly, it offers incredible value for a phone that easily handles daily life without any drama.

Under the hood, its beefed-up A18 chip and 8GB of RAM run Apple’s snappy “Liquid Glass” interface effortlessly, making it fully future-proof and ready for the wave of Apple Intelligence updates. You’re also getting premium features carried forward like the Dynamic Island and USB-C, alongside a super reliable 48MP main camera and the incredibly handy Camera Control button for instant shooting.

“iPhone 16 is officially the best choice budget-friendly smartphone to get now”

Sure, it lacks the silky 120Hz scrolling of the newer base models and its data speeds are stuck on the older standard, but those are easy trade-offs to live with when the battery is a total tank.

Overall, the iPhone 16 isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, but it delivers an exceptionally solid, familiar, and premium iOS experience that makes it a total no-brainer buy at its current price point.

Summary

Whether you’re hunting for budget-friendly value, cutting-edge aesthetics, or absolute pro-grade performance, Apple’s current lineup has a specific iPhone champion tailored to every type of user this year.

Lastly

So tell me your thoughts on which iPhone is the best to buy now. Do you agree with the chosen iPhones? Which one of these are you interested in? Let me know here below on the comments section 😀