The best iPhones for 2026: Which model should you buy?

The article discusses the latest developments in the iPhone lineup for 2026. Here are the main points:

**iPhone 17 series**

* The base model iPhone 17 is now the top pick for most people due to its improved performance and features.
* The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max represent the best iPhones available if money is no object.
* The iPhone Air offers a stylish alternative for those who prioritize design over performance.

**iPhone 16e**

* Replaces the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus as the most affordable new iPhone option.
* Offers improved features at a lower price point than the base model iPhone 17.

**Other models**

* The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are still available, but they represent a compromise between performance and price.
* The iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE (3rd generation) have been formally discontinued.

**When to buy an iPhone**

* The best time to buy an iPhone is whenever you need one, as Apple typically releases new models in September.
* Cash discounts on new unlocked iPhones are rare, so it's usually best to wait for the latest model to be released before buying.

**How long does an iPhone last?**

* Most iPhone users keep their device between two and four years before upgrading.
* Software support is not a problem for most iPhone models, with Apple typically keeping devices up-to-date for several years after release.

**Recent updates**

* The guide has been updated to reflect the release of the new iPhone Air and iPhone 17 series.
* Other minor edits have been made to ensure the recommendations remain accurate.
 
I'm not sure about this iPhone business πŸ€”. People are saying the base model iPhone 17 is the top pick now, but what's wrong with the old ones? Are they really that bad? I've had my iPhone 13 for like 2 years and it still works fine πŸ“±. And don't even get me started on these new 'pro' models... do we really need to spend so much money on a phone πŸ˜…. The iPhone Air is just going to be another name for the iPhone 17, right? πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ
 
πŸ€” I'm not sure about this one... people saying the base model iPhone 17 is now the top pick? That seems weird to me... isn't it supposed to be the cheap option? πŸ€‘ And what's up with the iPhone 16e being a thing? Never heard of that before. It sounds like they're trying to make a mid-range phone that's cheaper than the base model but better than the older iPhones. I'd want to see some reviews and benchmarks before I jump on that one 😐
 
I'm so stoked about the latest iPhone lineup for 2026 🀩! I've got to say, Apple's really killing the game with the base model iPhone 17 being the top pick now - that thing's a beast! πŸ’₯ And let's be real, if you're feeling fancy, the Pro and Pro Max are totally worth it... those things are basically just upgrades on steroids πŸ€ͺ. I'm loving the new iPhone Air too - it's like they took all the style and none of the bloat from the old models and created something amazing 😎. As for the 16e, that's a solid option if you're looking to save some cash... don't get me wrong, though, it's still a great phone! πŸ€‘
 
I'm so done with how fast these iPhones come out. Like, can't we just keep our phones for a bit longer? I swear, every year it's like Apple is trying to make us buy new ones just because they came out. And don't even get me started on the prices - $1,500 for an iPhone 17 Pro?! That's just crazy talk! πŸ€‘

And what's up with the "best time to buy" thing? Like, when are we supposed to know that something is going to be discontinued? It feels like Apple is just trying to make a quick buck off of people who want new phones. I'd rather wait for a sale or something, but it's hard when everyone and their grandma has an iPhone 17 now 🀣

And on the bright side, at least the new iPhone Air looks pretty cool. I mean, that gold color is everything! πŸ’β€β™€οΈ But seriously, can't we just have one phone for a while without having to upgrade every year? I feel like I'm always playing catch-up with Apple... 😩
 
I'm so confused about these new iPhones πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ. I mean, I know the basics: new phone, better performance, that kind of thing... but why do we always have to upgrade every year? Can't we just keep our phones for a bit longer before they're outdated? And what's up with the iPhone 16e being the affordable option? That sounds like it's trying to be the middle child πŸ€”. I'm still using my iPhone 12 and it's doing just fine, no major issues or anything... why do I need an upgrade now?
 
OMG 🀯 I'm so done with Apple's new iPhone lineup 😩. They're basically saying "yeah, we know you want a cheap option" πŸ’Έ but nope, just slap on some old specs and call it a day πŸ™„. The iPhone 16e is literally the base model of an already top-of-the-line phone 🀯. And what's with the price difference? It's like $200 more than the regular iPhone 17 and they're still calling it "budget" πŸ’Έ. I swear, if you want a cheap iPhone, just get last year's model πŸ˜‚. And don't even get me started on the whole "buy when you need one" πŸ“… thing... that's basically just an excuse to keep people hooked into the Apple ecosystem 😳.
 
omg u guys i'm literally so hyped for the new iphone 17 series 🀩 i mean what's not to love? improved performance, sleek design, all that jazz... and the best part is the base model is now considered the top pick? like, i need one in my life ASAP! but honestly, who can afford those pro models tho? πŸ˜‚ i'm stuck between getting the air or the standard one, idk what to do πŸ€”
 
You know what really got me thinking about iPhones... like, when do we become too attached to these devices? πŸ€” I mean, we spend so much money on them, only to upgrade every two or three years because they're 'outdated'. It's crazy how fast tech moves, right? And yet, we still keep our old iPhones around for ages, even if the features have been surpassed. Maybe that's just human nature, though - we cling to what we know and love, even if it's not necessarily the best choice.

And have you ever noticed how we often tie our self-worth to the latest iPhone model? Like, we feel complete without it πŸ“±πŸ’β€β™€οΈ. But is that really true? Can't we be happy with what we have, rather than constantly craving something new and shinier? Food for thought...
 
I mean, can you believe how quickly these iPhones are changing? It feels like just yesterday we were talking about last year's models! 🀯 I'm getting a bit concerned about how fast tech is advancing and how often people feel pressured to upgrade. Like, do we really need an iPhone 17 series already? Can't we just enjoy our old phones for a bit longer? πŸ˜…
 
omg like i just upgraded my phone from last year's model and it was such a pain 🀯 i had to return it because the charging port was so slow ugh i'm still waiting for apple to update that lol anyway back to this new iphone 17 series... i heard it's really good but is it worth the price tag? i mean i'd love a new phone but like, can't they just make one with better battery life first? πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ
 
Back
Top