Apple iPhone 17
The easiest current iPhone to recommend, especially if you are replacing an iPhone 14 or older.
£799256GB, price recorded 30 Jul 2026
Check price on Amazon UKBest iPhone to buy for your everyday needs
The right iPhone depends on whether you need familiar basics, a more flexible camera or a lighter phone. Start with the standard iPhone 17, then pay more or accept fewer features only when that choice suits your day.
Apple iPhone 17e
The easiest route into a current iPhone, with generous storage, provided you accept a single rear camera and a screen that scrolls less smoothly than many Android phones.
£599256GB storage, price recorded 8 Aug 2026
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Apple iPhone 17 Pro
The more manageable Pro iPhone if you want main, ultrawide and telephoto cameras and would find the Pro Max too big.
£1,099256GB storage, price recorded 1 Aug 2026
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Apple iPhone Air
Worth it for people who value a very slim, light iPhone and can accept one rear camera, one speaker and modest battery life, but not the best value for everyone.
£799256GB storage, price recorded 1 Aug 2026
Check price on Amazon UKNot sure where to start? Answer three questions.
What are you replacing?
An iPhone 14 or older: the iPhone 17 review is the first place to start. If an iPhone 16 already suits you, that review says the upgrade adds too little.
Do you need different camera views?
Choose the 17 Pro for main, ultrawide and telephoto cameras. The 17e and Air each have one rear camera, which limits framing choices.
Is carrying comfort or lower cost more important?
The Air is a specialist choice for a very slim, light body, with modest battery life. The 17e has a lower recorded price but a less smooth screen.
Still unsure? We will pick three for you, from £29.
Compare them side by side
Swipe the table to see every pick →
| Feature | Apple iPhone 17 | Apple iPhone 17e | Apple iPhone 17 Pro | Apple iPhone Air |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storage, as reviewed | 256GB | 256GB | 256GB | 256GB |
| Screen choice | 6.3-inch ProMotion up to 120Hz: smoother scrolling | 6.1-inch OLED; less fluid scrolling | 6.3-inch body; smaller than Pro Max | 6.5-inch 1–120Hz screen in a 165g body (Tom’s Guide) |
| Rear camera flexibility | 48MP Dual Fusion; no dedicated telephoto | One rear camera; no ultrawide or separate zoom lens | Main, ultrawide and 4x telephoto | One rear camera; no separate wide-view or telephoto lens |
| Price | £799256GB, price recorded 30 Jul 2026 | £599256GB storage, price recorded 8 Aug 2026 | £1,099256GB storage, price recorded 1 Aug 2026 | £799256GB storage, price recorded 1 Aug 2026 |
| Buy | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price |
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Our picks in detail
Best starting point for most current iPhone buyers
Apple iPhone 17
The easiest current iPhone to recommend, especially if you are replacing an iPhone 14 or older.
Great forYou are replacing an iPhone 14 or older. You want a dependable camera without learning manual controls.
Watch out forOwners of an iPhone 16 will not gain enough to justify upgrading
Think twice if: you already own an iPhone 16.
Think twice if: you already own an iPhone 16.
Best lower-priced iPhone with 256GB
Apple iPhone 17e
The easiest route into a current iPhone, with generous storage, provided you accept a single rear camera and a screen that scrolls less smoothly than many Android phones.
Great forYou want a new iPhone without paying flagship money. You want 256GB of storage as standard.
Watch out forOnly one rear camera: no ultrawide lens for groups or landscapes, and no separate zoom lens
Think twice if: you regularly use an ultrawide camera or a true zoom lens.
Think twice if: you regularly use an ultrawide camera or a true zoom lens.
Best for camera flexibility in the smaller Pro size
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
The more manageable Pro iPhone if you want main, ultrawide and telephoto cameras and would find the Pro Max too big.
Great forYou want flexible cameras in the smaller Pro size. You use your phone for photography beyond occasional snapshots.
Watch out forThe Pro price is hard to justify for basic calls and messages
Think twice if: a large viewing area matters more than carrying comfort.
Think twice if: a large viewing area matters more than carrying comfort.
Best for buyers who put a thin, light phone first
Apple iPhone Air
Worth it for people who value a very slim, light iPhone and can accept one rear camera, one speaker and modest battery life, but not the best value for everyone.
Great forA thin, light phone that is comfortable to carry matters to you. One good main camera is enough for your photos.
Watch out forBattery life is modest: Tom's Guide measured 12 hours 2 minutes of web browsing over 5G
Think twice if: you want the longest possible battery life.
Think twice if: you want the longest possible battery life.
Also considered
Apple iPhone 16
Read the reviewOnly worth it with a clear saving against the iPhone 17. At our latest check they were just £100 apart, and our iPhone 17 review suggests the 16 only if it is more than £150 cheaper.
Apple iPhone 15
Read the reviewOnly worth it with a clear saving against the iPhone 16, and if you do not need Apple Intelligence.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Read the reviewIts rear cameras match the smaller Pro. Pick its larger body only if the extra reading space matters more than weight.
Questions buyers ask
What does ProMotion mean?
It is Apple’s adaptive refresh-rate screen. The iPhone 17 review lists up to 120Hz, which makes scrolling and animations look smoother.
Sources: Apple, PCMag UK, Expert Reviews
Is the Pro’s 8x setting an 8x lens?
No. The 17 Pro review lists a 4x telephoto camera and explicitly says the 8x option is not a separate 8x lens.
Sources: Apple, Apple Support, Ofcom, TechRadar, Notebookcheck
Is 128GB enough?
The iPhone 16 review warns that 128GB can become restrictive for lots of high-detail video and cannot take a memory card. The four picks here use the recorded 256GB configurations.
Sources: Apple Support, Apple UK, Tom's Guide, TechRadar
Can the Air use my physical SIM?
No. The Air review says it is eSIM-only, which means the mobile plan is installed digitally. Confirm that your network supports it before buying.
Sources: Apple, Apple Support, Ofcom, Tom's Guide, TechRadar
Should an iPhone 16 owner upgrade?
The standard 17 review says an owner of an iPhone 16 gains too little to justify upgrading. Keep the phone if its battery, camera and apps still cover your needs.
Sources: Apple, PCMag UK, Expert Reviews
What the technical terms mean
GB measures storage for photos and apps; RAM is working memory for open apps. OLED pixels make their own light; Super AMOLED is Samsung’s OLED screen name. Hz means screen refreshes each second, with higher supported rates making scrolling smoother. MP means megapixels, an image-resolution figure that does not prove photo quality. An ultrawide camera fits more into a shot; a telephoto lens brings distant subjects closer. W means watts, the charging power rating, not a charging-time result. Qi and MagSafe are wireless-charging systems; magnetic accessories still need the correct phone or case. ProMotion is Apple’s adaptive refresh-rate name: supported scrolling can look smoother. Apple Intelligence is the name for Apple’s automatic assistance features; do not pay for tools you will not use. 5G is a mobile-network connection for calls and internet; actual coverage depends on your network and location.
Still torn between two?
Tell us your budget and what matters to you. We email three options and one clear recommendation within three working days.