Apple's 2026 iPhone 18 Pros
(Credit: Eric Zeman)
Table of Contents
You might have heard that "the iPhone" is one of the most popular phones in the US. But that's not quite accurate. Apple currently sells six different iPhone models. Survey the shelves at the major US carriers, and you'll see all the choices. These models include the older iPhone 16, the budget-minded iPhone 17e, the iPhone 17, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Each has a specific appeal, whether it's price, size, features, battery life, or a combination of these. We've tested every Apple handset since the first-generation iPhone back in 2007, so you can trust us to point you in the right direction. The iPhone 17 is our Editors' Choice winner and the best iPhone for most people, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max is a Lab Award winner for longest battery life and Editors' Choice winner. But these aren't the only models we recommend, so read on for everything you need to know about choosing the best iPhone for you.
Our Top Tested Picks
Apple iPhone 17
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The iPhone 17's robust battery life, fast performance, pro-level display, and capable cameras easily make it the best iPhone for the money and our top pick. The base model is on a more even footing with the iPhone Pro than ever before.
Pros
- Best value among iPhone 17 models
- Fast performance
- Competitive battery life
- Speedy wireless connections
- Pro-level display
- Flexible cameras
Cons
- No telephoto camera
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Lab Test Winner: Best Battery Life
Read More About Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Read More About How We TestBesides new colors, on the outside, the iPhone 18 Pro Max looks mostly unchanged from its predecessor. But long enough battery life to earn a Lab Award, jaw-dropping A20 Pro speed, and professional-grade camera upgrades make it the best Apple phone you can buy this year.
Pros
- Class-leading battery life
- Superb performance
- Outstanding cameras
- Excellent hardware quality
Cons
- $100 more expensive than last year's model
- Noticeably heavier than the iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 18 Pro
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro combines blazing performance, exceptional battery life, and professional-level cameras into a compact, hand-friendly frame.
Pros
- A20 Pro is a major powerhouse
- Impressive battery life
- Superb cameras with manual controls
- Front display is more durable than its predecessor
Cons
- $100 more expensive than last year’s model
- Can get a bit hot when under processor load
Apple iPhone 17e
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Apple has built an excellent midrange phone that captures the essence of the iPhone experience, without many of the compromises you’d expect, and with some welcome upgrades over last year's model.
Pros
- Superb performance
- Long battery life
- Vibrant screen
- Roomy 256GB base storage
- Camera takes sharp photos
- MagSafe charging
Cons
- Limited camera system
- Older Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios
Apple iPhone Air
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Apple iPhone Air is an exciting phone that favors design and aesthetics over features and raw performance. It looks terrific and is a joy to use, but lacks some capabilities of other models.
Pros
- Super thin and light
- Excellent screen
- Quick performance
- Fast wireless speeds
- Sharp cameras
Cons
- Shortest battery life among the latest iPhone 17 family
- Limited camera functionality
- Runs hot
Apple iPhone 16
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
With a fast processor, long battery life, good cameras, and support for Apple Intelligence, the iPhone 16 is the best value in the company's lineup.
Pros
- Most affordable iPhone 16 model
- High-quality hardware
- Swift performance
- Sharp camera quality
- Good battery life
- Supports Apple Intelligence
Cons
- 60Hz display
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EDITORS' NOTE
September 21, 2026: With this update, we switched out the iPhone 17 Pro for the 18 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro Max for the 18 Pro Max. Our remaining recommendations are unchanged and have been vetted for accuracy and currency.
- Best value among iPhone 17 models
- Fast performance
- Competitive battery life
- Speedy wireless connections
- Pro-level display
- Flexible cameras
- No telephoto camera
The iPhone 17 is the most affordable entry in the new line and offers lots to like. Most importantly, it gains the 6.3-inch ProMotion display of the pricier 17 Pro and doubles the base storage to 256GB—without raising the price. It features the Action Button and Camera Control key, has the latest radios, including Apple's new N1 chip for Bluetooth, Thread, and Wi-Fi, and has a much-improved battery. Additionally, the phone gets an upgraded A19 processor with Apple Intelligence, sports a more powerful ultra-wide camera, and comes in the same toughened waterproof build as previous years.
The iPhone 17 is the best iPhone for most buyers. It's affordable, runs fast enough for gaming, has capable cameras for adding content to social networks, and includes many of the same features as the pricier models for hundreds less. If you need a solid phone but don't care to spend the extra cash, the iPhone 17 is the obvious choice.
Best Battery Life
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Lab Test Winner: Best Battery Life
Read More About Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Read More About How We Test- Class-leading battery life
- Superb performance
- Outstanding cameras
- Excellent hardware quality
- $100 more expensive than last year's model
- Noticeably heavier than the iPhone 17 Pro Max
The 18 Pro Max packs the best cameras (including a new variable aperture lens), a lightning-fast A20 Pro processor, a new vapor chamber and thermal management system, a large and bright display, and the longest battery life of any iPhone—up to 34.5 hours! It ships with iOS 27 and supports all the latest Apple Intelligence features, including Siri AI.
The 18 Pro Max is ideal if you want it all and can afford it. If you're a video-first creator, it lets you use ProRes and Log recording. With all the best features and performance to match, it carries a steep price, even when spread over two or three years via carrier plans. However, if you will use all the phone's creative powers, it's worth the cost.
- A20 Pro is a major powerhouse
- Impressive battery life
- Superb cameras with manual controls
- Front display is more durable than its predecessor
- $100 more expensive than last year’s model
- Can get a bit hot when under processor load
The 18 Pro is the iPhone to buy if you want all the latest features, top performance, and a fantastic screen in a compact package. It includes all the functionality of the Pro Max in a smaller body that's more comfortable to hold and use. Moreover, it's the speediest Apple handset we've tested. The new A20 Pro processor gives it a huge performance kick that also improves Apple Intelligence, the camera system, and just about everything else.
If you're looking for a top-tier phone with tons of power that fits your hand and your budget, the iPhone 18 Pro offers flagship performance for $100 less than the Pro Max.
- Superb performance
- Long battery life
- Vibrant screen
- Roomy 256GB base storage
- Camera takes sharp photos
- MagSafe charging
- Limited camera system
- Older Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios
Apple products aren't always known for affordability, but the iPhone 17e mostly bucks the trend by offering many of the features that make the iPhone 17 so good at a respectably lower price. It modernizes the most affordable iPhone by upgrading the processor, charging tech, and camera.
The iPhone 17e is perfect if you don't need a more advanced model and don't want to spend more than $600.
- Super thin and light
- Excellent screen
- Quick performance
- Fast wireless speeds
- Sharp cameras
- Shortest battery life among the latest iPhone 17 family
- Limited camera functionality
- Runs hot
The iPhone Air is a brand new model with a strikingly svelte design. It measures just 0.22 inches thick and weighs 5.24 ounces, making it the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever. To achieve this design, Apple cut back on battery life and kept the phone to a single rear camera. That said, it's a novel device that stands apart from the pack and still has a great screen, fast performance, and the latest software with Apple Intelligence.
If you want a showpiece phone that stuns with its incredibly thin and light design, and want something that practically disappears into your pocket, the iPhone Air is the one to get.
- Most affordable iPhone 16 model
- High-quality hardware
- Swift performance
- Sharp camera quality
- Good battery life
- Supports Apple Intelligence
- 60Hz display
The iPhone 16 might be last year's model, but it's still a good option for those who want to save some money. It ships with the solid A18 processor, a fine dual-camera system, good wireless performance, and Apple's Emergency SOS feature. Moreover, it will still receive several years of software support from Apple.
The iPhone 16 is a good pick if you don't need the latest device and would rather keep an extra $100 in your pocket. It still handles all the smartphone basics with aplomb—including Apple Intelligence, and is a step up in power from the 16e.
What's the Best iPhone to Buy in 2026? Compare Specs
When Is the New iPhone Coming Out?
The iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max launched just launched in September 2026. However, we didn't see a regular iPhone or an iPhone Air; these may debut during the first half of 2027.
Which Is the Most Powerful iPhone?
Apple introduces faster and more powerful iPhones every year. A faster processor is better if you play a lot of games, surf image-heavy web pages, or shoot high-resolution video. Apple's most powerful iPhones are the Pro models.
Generally speaking, each new generation of Apple's A-series chips brings a 15% to 20% jump in overall performance, including web browsing and GPU power. That means there's not that big a difference between the A19 (in the iPhone 16) and the A20 (in the iPhone 18 Pros), but there's a noticeable difference between either of those and the older A16 Bionic (in the iPhone 15).
The iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max have A20 Pro chips inside with plenty of RAM, and they currently lead the pack in benchmark testing.
Do You Need a 5G iPhone?
At this point, it's hard to avoid one. The iPhone 16, 17, and 18 series are all 5G devices that support C-band and mmWave networks. That's a strong argument for not choosing anything older than the iPhone 16. Fast 5G coverage has become far more universal in the last few years. T-Mobile has already expanded its speedy mid-band 5G network to much of the country, and Verizon has mostly completed its rollout of C-band. Both systems make a considerable difference in connection speed and performance. AT&T has pushed hard to get its 3.45GHz spectrum up and running and is catching up quickly.
Every iPhone from the iPhone 15 and onward has all the 5G you need, so it's best to stick with the more recent models if you're buying used.
Which iPhone Has the Best Camera?
How serious are you about taking photos with your smartphone? That can help determine your choice of iPhone.
All iPhones have a main camera that shoots solid images during the day. Most are also good now at capturing decent shots after the sun goes down, though your mileage will vary a little bit there. The iPhone 17e and iPhone Air both have a single camera on the rear. The Air's single camera matches the resolution and features of the other main cameras. The standard iPhone 16 and 17 models each have wide-angle cameras, too, which help you fit more scenery into a shot. These cameras are great for taking photos of groups or crowds of people.
Pro iPhones, meanwhile, have telephoto cameras that get crisp close-ups thanks to optical zoom. The Pro models also have advanced video capture features, including the highest rates (4K120), the most info-dense format (ProRes), and the best profiles for post-processing (Log). The latest models even have variable aperture lenses.
To get the best camera and video camera, one of the Pro models is the way to go.
Which iPhone Size Is the Best?
Some people like big phones, and some like small phones. The iPhone lineup no longer offers very small phones but does include midsize and extra-large options.
If you're upgrading from a very old iPhone, all of the new phones will seem large. The iPhone 17e is the same size as the iPhone 14, for example. Apple axed the iPhone 13 mini years ago, which was the smallest option. This means the 16e is now the most compact device in the lineup.
The iPhone 16, iPhone 17e, and iPhone 17 are the smallest modern iPhones. They have 6.1-inch to 6.3-inch screens, which is considered small at this point. Apple keeps the width under 3 inches on these, which really helps with hand comfort.
If you have poor eyesight or shaky hands, you might like the larger touch targets and bigger screens on the Air or Max models. These are also great if you watch a lot of videos on your phone, but the Pro Max can be heavy.
Larger iPhones generally have longer battery life than smaller iPhones (because they have larger batteries). Still, the iPhone 17 models all have better battery life than the same-sized iPhone 16 models, so going with a newer model will get you some extra juice (about two hours more per day).
Which iPhones Have Touch ID and Headphone Jacks?
Two features have mostly vanished from the iPhone line: Touch ID and the headphone jack.
The iPhone SE was the last phone with Touch ID. Apple discontinued it when it introduced the iPhone 16e in February, though Touch ID is about to return on the folding iPhone Duo.
The last iPhone with a headphone jack was the 2015-era iPhone 6s, meaning that ship has long since sailed. You should have already given in and picked up wireless earbuds or an adapter for your Lightning or USB-C port.
Which iPhone Is Too Old to Buy Now?
iPhones do eventually run out of software support. The latest iPhone operating system, iOS 27, runs only on the 2019-era iPhone 11 or later models. Expect that each year, a generation of iPhones will be sloughed off as the latest software requires more powerful processors than the very old models have.
We no longer recommend phones older than the iPhone 14 line; they will likely get at least one more years of OS support. If you want a phone with long-term resale value, go for the iPhone 16 generation or higher.
