The best iPhone you can buy in late September 2026 is the iPhone 18 Pro Max: it has the most capable camera Apple has ever shipped, the A20 Pro chip and the longest battery life in the lineup. It also starts at $1,299. For most people, the iPhone 17 at $899 is the smarter buy, and the iPhone 17e at $699 is the best iPhone for a tight budget.
Apple’s lineup changed a lot this month. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max arrived on September 18, the iPhone 17 Pro models were discontinued, a foldable iPhone Duo is coming in October, and every older model still on sale went up by $100. Below is our ranking of the best iPhone for each type of buyer, followed by a clear answer on where the iPhone SE stands.
The best iPhone ranking at a glance
All prices are Apple’s US starting prices as of September 2026, after the September 9 price increase.
| Rank | Model | Starting price | Screen | Chip | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | iPhone 18 Pro Max | $1,299 (256GB) | 6.9-inch | A20 Pro | Best overall, camera and battery |
| 2 | iPhone 18 Pro | $1,199 (256GB) | 6.3-inch | A20 Pro | Pro features in a smaller body |
| 3 | iPhone 17 | $899 (256GB) | 6.3-inch, 120Hz | A19 | Best for most people |
| 4 | iPhone 17e | $699 (256GB) | 6.1-inch, 60Hz | A19 | Best budget iPhone |
| 5 | iPhone Air | $1,099 | 6.5-inch, 120Hz | A19 Pro | Thinnest, lightest feel |
| 6 | iPhone Duo | $1,999 (256GB) | 7.6-inch inner, 5.4-inch outer | A20 Pro | Foldable early adopters |
| 7 | iPhone 16 | $799 (128GB) | 6.1-inch | A18 | Hard to recommend now |
1. iPhone 18 Pro Max: the best iPhone overall
Apple announced the iPhone 18 Pro Max on September 9, 2026, and it went on sale on September 18. The headline feature is a new 48MP Fusion main camera with a variable aperture, controlled by six blades and adjustable from f/1.48 to f/4. That gives real control over depth of field and sharpness, something no earlier iPhone offered. The camera system also includes an ultra wide lens and a telephoto with 4x and 8x zoom levels.
The A20 Pro chip is built on a 2nm process, and a new vapor chamber is meant to keep performance high during long gaming or video sessions. Apple rates the eSIM-only Pro Max at up to 45 hours of video playback, the highest figure in the lineup. The Dynamic Island is smaller and can now show three Live Activities at once. Storage starts at 256GB and goes up to 2TB for the first time.
The downside is price and size: $1,299 to start, and a 6.9-inch screen that is too big for many hands.
2. iPhone 18 Pro: the best iPhone for power users who want a smaller phone
The iPhone 18 Pro gets the same A20 Pro chip and the same variable-aperture main camera in a 6.3-inch body. Apple rates it at up to 36 hours of video playback on eSIM models. At $1,199, it costs $100 more than the iPhone 17 Pro did at launch, but it is the most complete iPhone you can hold comfortably in one hand. Colors are black, silver, glacier and burgundy.
3. iPhone 17: the best iPhone for most people
Launched in September 2025 at $799 and now listed at $899, the iPhone 17 remains the sweet spot of the range. It was the first non-Pro iPhone with a 120Hz ProMotion display, so scrolling looks as smooth as on the Pro models. It has two 48MP rear cameras (main and ultra wide), an 18MP Center Stage front camera that can widen the frame for group selfies, and 256GB of base storage.
You give up the telephoto lens, the variable aperture and some battery life compared with the 18 Pro. For everyday photos, messaging, streaming and Apple Intelligence, you will not feel short-changed.
4. iPhone 17e: the best cheap iPhone
The iPhone 17e, released March 11, 2026, is Apple’s entry-level model and the spiritual successor of the SE. It launched at $599 and now starts at $699 with 256GB. Inside is an A19 chip, Apple’s C1X modem and, for the first time on an “e” model, MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging up to 25W. Apple claims up to 26 hours of battery life.
The compromises are easy to spot: a 60Hz screen with a notch instead of the Dynamic Island, a single 48MP rear camera with no ultra wide, and no Camera Control button. For a first iPhone, a work phone or anyone who just wants a reliable, up-to-date device, it is the best value in the lineup.
5. iPhone Air: the thinnest iPhone
The iPhone Air launched in September 2025 at $999 and now costs $1,099. It is 5.6mm thick, uses a titanium frame, a 6.5-inch 120Hz display and the A19 Pro chip with 12GB of RAM. The catch is a single 48MP rear camera and a smaller battery than the regular models. Buy it if the feel in the hand matters more than camera range.
6. iPhone Duo: the foldable, for early adopters
Apple’s first foldable opens to a 7.6-inch inner screen and has a 5.4-inch outer display, an A20 Pro chip and two 48MP rear cameras. It starts at $1,999, with pre-orders on October 16, 2026 and availability on October 23. Since it is not yet in customers’ hands, we rank it below the proven models. It is for people who want a small phone and a mini tablet in one device, and who accept first-generation risk.
7. iPhone 16: skip it unless heavily discounted
The iPhone 16 is still sold by Apple, but at $799 for 128GB it now costs $100 more than the iPhone 17e, which has a newer chip and twice the storage. It does keep advantages the 17e lacks: an ultra wide camera, the Dynamic Island and Camera Control. At Apple’s current price, though, the iPhone 17 at $899 is a far better use of your money.
Where does the iPhone SE fit in the best iPhone ranking?
The iPhone SE is no longer part of Apple’s lineup. Apple discontinued the iPhone SE (3rd generation) in February 2025, when the iPhone 16e replaced it, and the 16e itself was replaced by the iPhone 17e in March 2026. No new SE has been announced since.
That does not make the SE irrelevant. The 2020 and 2022 models are both on Apple’s iOS 27 compatibility list, they are the last iPhones with a Home button and Touch ID, and their 4.7-inch screens make them the most pocketable iPhones you can still use with current software. They cannot run Apple Intelligence, their cameras are a generation behind, and battery life is modest. For the full history, specs of each generation and buying advice, see our complete iPhone SE guide.
In a ranking of current models, the SE would sit below all seven phones above. As a used or refurbished purchase for someone who wants a small, simple iPhone on a tiny budget, it can still be the right call.
How we ranked these iPhones
This is a buyer’s ranking, not a lab test. We compared Apple’s official specifications and prices, the features each model includes or leaves out, and how long each phone is likely to stay useful. We weighted value heavily, which is why the iPhone 17 ranks above the more capable but much pricier Air and Duo.
- Camera: number of lenses, zoom range and pro controls.
- Performance and features: chip generation, display refresh rate, MagSafe, Apple Intelligence.
- Battery: Apple’s rated video playback figures.
- Price: current Apple US starting price and base storage.
Best iPhone FAQ
What is the best iPhone right now?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max, released September 18, 2026, is the most capable model. The iPhone 17 is the best choice for most buyers because it offers a 120Hz screen and two 48MP cameras for $400 less.
What is the best cheap iPhone?
The iPhone 17e at $699 with 256GB. It has the same A19 chip family as the iPhone 17 and adds MagSafe, which the older iPhone 16e lacked.
Is the iPhone SE still worth buying in 2026?
Only used or refurbished, and only if you want a small phone with a Home button. It still receives iOS updates but misses Apple Intelligence and modern camera features.
Should I wait for the regular iPhone 18?
Apple did not announce a standard iPhone 18 in September 2026. If your current phone works fine, waiting costs nothing; if you need a phone now, the iPhone 17 is a safe choice.
