You're standing in the middle of the Apple Store, or maybe just staring at twenty open tabs on your browser, and the paralysis is real. It's 2026. The lineup is, frankly, kind of a mess. Do you go for the "cheap" one that’s actually several years old under the hood? Do you drop two months' rent on the Pro Max just because it has the most cameras?
Honestly, figuring out which iphone to get has never been more confusing because Apple just pulled a fast one on us. For years, the "base" model was the one you bought if you didn't care about screens. Now? The script is flipped.
The plot twist with the iPhone 17
If you’re looking at the current stack, the base iPhone 17 is the elephant in the room. In previous years, like with the iPhone 15 or 16, the gap between the standard model and the Pro was huge. You’d miss out on the smooth 120Hz scrolling (ProMotion) and you’d be stuck with less storage.
Not anymore.
The iPhone 17 finally brought the 120Hz ProMotion display to the masses. It’s a 6.3-inch screen now—slightly bigger than the old 6.1-inch standard—and it feels identical to a Pro in your hand. Even better, they doubled the base storage to 256GB. You're getting the same amount of room as the $1,099 Pro, but you're paying $799.
Unless you are a literal professional filmmaker, it is very hard to justify the extra $300 for the Pro this year. You’re basically paying three hundred bucks for a telephoto lens and a slightly faster USB-C port. Is a zoom lens worth that much? Probably not for most people.
Don't fall for the iPhone Air trap
Then there’s the iPhone Air. It’s the new kid. It’s incredibly thin—we’re talking about 5.6mm—and it looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. It’s $999.
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But here is the thing: it’s mostly for show. To make it that thin, Apple had to make compromises. The battery life is noticeably shorter than the standard 17, and it only has a single camera on the back. It’s a "vibe" phone. If you care about how your phone looks more than how long it lasts on a Tuesday afternoon when you’re away from a charger, go for it. But for everyone else, it’s a weird middle child.
What about the cheap options?
If you’re on a budget, you’ve got two real choices:
- The iPhone 16e ($599): This is the replacement for the old SE. It looks modern—no more home button—and it runs Apple Intelligence. It’s a solid "first phone" for a kid or a "don't care" phone for someone who just needs FaceTime and Maps.
- The iPhone 16 ($699): Apple kept this one around, but honestly? Skip it. It only has 128GB of storage and a 60Hz screen. For $100 more, the iPhone 17 is a significantly better piece of hardware that will last at least two years longer before it feels "old."
The Pro Max is now a tablet, basically
If you have giant hands or you live on your phone, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is still the king. It has a massive 6.9-inch screen. It's heavy. It’s the only one with the 33-hour battery life that actually gets you through two days.
People like photographer Austin Mann have pointed out that the 48MP telephoto lens on the Pro Max is a game-changer for travel, but let’s be real. Most of us are just taking pictures of our dinner and our dogs. You don't need a LiDAR scanner for that.
Deciding which iphone to get based on your actual life
Stop looking at the spec sheets and look at your daily routine.
If you’re a power user who records 4K video for work, the 17 Pro Max is your tool. The A19 Pro chip and the vapor chamber cooling mean it won't throttle when you're editing on the go. It’s a beast.
If you just want a phone that feels fast, takes great photos, and doesn't cost a grand, the iPhone 17 is the sweet spot. It’s the first time in years the "basic" model doesn't feel like a compromise.
Quick tips for the checkout:
- Trade-ins are everything. In 2026, carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon are being aggressive. You can often get a base 17 for "free" with a trade-in of an iPhone 13 or newer, provided you're okay with a 36-month bill credit.
- Check the weight. The Pro Max is over 8 ounces now. It will hurt your pinky finger if you hold it one-handed for too long. Try the 6.3-inch size in a store before you commit to the big one.
- Ignore the "Air" unless you hate cases. That phone is so thin that putting a bulky case on it defeats the entire purpose of buying it.
To make your final move, check your current storage usage in Settings > General > iPhone Storage. If you're using more than 100GB already, the iPhone 17's base 256GB is going to feel like a massive relief. If you're a minimalist, the 16e saves you a few hundred bucks without sacrificing the AI features everyone is talking about.
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Decide whether you value a zoom lens (Pro), a massive battery (Pro Max), or a thin design (Air). If none of those are "must-haves," grab the standard 17 and don't look back. It's the most balanced phone Apple has made in a decade.