You've probably been there. You are trying to buy a new case on Amazon, or maybe you're finally ready to trade in that glass slab for a newer version, and the website asks a seemingly simple question: "Which iPhone do you have?" You stare at the phone. It's black. It has a notch. Or maybe a pill-shaped hole. Suddenly, you realize you haven't a clue if it's a 13, a 14, or one of those "Pro" things.
Don't feel bad. Apple's design language has become so consistent over the last few years that even the experts sometimes have to squint to tell an iPhone 15 from an iPhone 16 at a glance. Honestly, unless you’re a total tech geek, they all just look like "an iPhone."
But here is the thing. Knowing the exact model matters for more than just buying a silicone cover. It dictates your battery health expectations, your trade-in value, and whether or not you can run the latest iOS 26 features.
The Settings Shortcut (The Only Way to Be Sure)
If your phone actually turns on and the screen isn't a spiderweb of cracked glass, this is the gold standard. It takes about five seconds.
Basically, you just need to dig into the software. Tap that Settings gear icon. Scroll down just a bit until you hit General, then tap About.
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Right there, near the top, you’ll see "Model Name." It’ll say something like "iPhone 15 Pro Max" or "iPhone 17." That is your answer.
But wait. There is a weird little quirk here. Right below the name, you’ll see "Model Number" followed by a long string of letters and numbers (like MQ8G3LL/A). That is the "part number," and it’s mostly useless for humans.
Pro tip: Tap that long part number once. Just tap it. It will instantly transform into a shorter code starting with the letter A, followed by four digits. This "A-number" is the true hardware identity of your phone. If you are ever trying to figure out if your phone was made for the US market or a different region, that "A-number" is what a technician will ask for.
How Do I Tell Which Model iPhone I Have If the Screen Is Dead?
So, your phone is a brick. It won’t charge, the screen is black, and you can’t get into the Settings menu. You aren't totally out of luck, but you’re going to need a bright light and maybe a magnifying glass.
Apple used to make this easy. Back in the day—we're talking iPhone 7 and older—the model number was literally etched onto the back of the aluminum. You just flipped it over and read the fine print.
Then they switched to glass backs, and the etchings vanished.
If you have an iPhone 8 or anything newer (which is most people in 2026), you have to look inside the SIM tray slot. Pop the tray out with a paperclip or that little tool you definitely lost three years ago. Look inside the empty slot under a very bright light. On the side closest to the screen, you will see the model number etched into the metal frame. It is tiny. Like, "did a grain of sand write this?" tiny.
The USB-C and Lightning Clue
If you can't see the etching, look at the bottom of the phone. Is it a USB-C port or the old Lightning port?
Apple finally ditched Lightning with the iPhone 15 series. So, if your charging cable is the same one you use for a modern iPad or a Nintendo Switch, you’ve got at least an iPhone 15. If it’s that narrow, proprietary Apple plug, you’re rocking an iPhone 14 or older.
Visual Cues That Give It Away
Sometimes you can tell just by looking at the "face" or the "eyes" (the cameras) of the device.
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The iPhone 17, released recently, actually moved the needle a bit. It’s the first base-model iPhone to get the 120Hz ProMotion display. If your screen feels buttery smooth when you scroll, but you don't have the "Pro" triple-lens camera, you've likely got a standard iPhone 17.
Here is a quick cheat sheet for the camera bumps:
- One Camera: You’re likely holding an iPhone SE (any generation) or an ancient iPhone XR.
- Two Cameras (Diagonal): This was the signature look for the iPhone 13 and 14.
- Two Cameras (Vertical): This returned with the iPhone 16 and continues with the iPhone 17. They did this so the phones could record "Spatial Video" for the Vision Pro.
- Three Cameras: You have a Pro or Pro Max. Period.
Then there's the "Notch." If there is a black bar cutting into the top of your screen, you’re on an older model. If there is a floating pill-shaped "island" at the top that moves and grows when you play music, that’s the Dynamic Island. That started on the Pros with the 14 and went "all-in" across the board with the iPhone 15.
Using Your Apple ID as a Cheat Code
If the phone is lost, stolen, or sitting in a drawer across the country, you can still find out what it is using any other device.
Log in to appleid.apple.com or open the Find My app on a friend's iPad. Once you sign in, look at your "Devices" list. Apple keeps a running tally of every piece of hardware you’ve ever signed into. It will list the exact model name right there.
Why the "Generation" Matters in 2026
We're currently seeing a massive split in how iPhones work because of Apple Intelligence. Honestly, the hardware hasn't changed that much in terms of how it feels in your hand, but the "brains" have.
If you have an iPhone 15 Pro or anything in the 16 or 17 lineup, you have the RAM required to run local AI models. If you’re on a standard iPhone 14, you're essentially using a legacy device at this point.
Checking your model is the first step in knowing if your phone is about to get a whole lot smarter with the next software update or if it’s time to start looking at those trade-in deals.
To wrap this up, your best bet is always Settings > General > About. If that fails, go for the SIM tray etching. If even that is too blurry to read, your Apple ID device list is the ultimate truth-teller.
Take a screenshot of your "About" page and save it to a "Tech Info" folder in your photos. It saves a ton of headache the next time you're standing in a repair shop or trying to sell the phone on Facebook Marketplace.
Next Steps for You:
Now that you know which model you have, check your Battery Health in the Settings menu under "Battery." If your "Maximum Capacity" has dipped below 80%, your model's performance is likely being throttled, and it might be worth a battery replacement rather than a full phone upgrade.