Tim Cook has said out loud for the first time what many have long feared: Apple products will get more expensive. In a recent interview, he honestly admitted that holding back rising memory costs is no longer feasible, and some of those expenses will sooner or later be passed on to consumers. The company hasn’t named specific numbers or timelines yet, but the direction is clear enough. What costs reasonable money today could easily add a couple hundred dollars tomorrow. If you’ve been eyeing a new iPhone for a while, now is exactly the moment when it’s better not to wait. I’ve put together five models that make sense to buy right now, while prices are still holding steady.
These are arguably the best iPhones you can get right now
Is It Worth Buying iPhone 17 Pro Max in 2026
This is the top of the lineup, and Apple didn’t cut a single corner here. Inside is the A19 Pro chip and 12 GB of RAM, so there’s enough power headroom for years to come. The 6.9-inch screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate reaches up to 3000 nits and is readable even in direct sunlight. On the back are three 48 MP cameras, including a telephoto with 8x zoom, and the front camera got a square Center Stage sensor at 18 MP.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max looks really sharp in blue
On the outside is a new aluminum body, a vapor chamber cooling system, and the largest battery in iPhone history, so there’s simply nothing to complain about. The Pro Max is worth getting for those who want the absolute maximum and don’t want to think about upgrading for the next five years or so.
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Which iPhone to Choose for the Best Price-to-Performance Ratio
The base iPhone 17 model this year is no longer the junior option by default. It grabbed almost everything that used to be a Pro exclusive: a ProMotion 120 Hz display, Always-On, Dynamic Island, and brightness up to 3000 nits. Inside is the A19 chip, up front is the same smart 18 MP Center Stage camera, and on the back is a pair of 48 MP modules that are more than enough for everyday photography.
The ideal combination of price and features is the base iPhone 17
The body is covered with new Ceramic Shield 2 glass, fast charging is on board, and the familiar water resistance is intact. It feels like a full-fledged flagship, just without the Pro label and the periscope lens — and for most people, this is exactly the iPhone they need.
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Which iPhone to Choose for a Big Screen and Great Battery
If a large display matters to you but you don’t want to pay Pro Max prices for it, the iPhone 16 Plus remains the most sensible option. The 6.7-inch screen is great for streaming, gaming, and long messaging sessions, while the large body hides an impressive battery that easily lasts a full day and then some. Everything runs on the A18 chip, and its performance is more than enough for any task.
I can’t help but recommend the iPhone 16 Plus. A big screen and great performance at a reasonable price
On the back is a 48 MP main camera and an ultra-wide, on the sides are the Camera Control button and the familiar Action Button, and on the bottom is USB-C. Yes, it has standard 60 Hz instead of ProMotion, but in real life you get a big screen and excellent battery life without the flagship premium.
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Which Affordable iPhone to Buy in 2026
If you want to save money, go for the iPhone 17e, but keep the notch in mind
This is the most affordable way to get into the current generation. The best part is that the iPhone 17e has the exact same heart as the higher-end iPhone 17 — the very same A19 chip — just with slightly more modest graphics. In practice, you won’t feel any difference at all in messaging, navigation, and streaming, while the 6.1-inch screen and compact lightweight body sit comfortably in your hand.
On the back is a single 48 MP main camera with optical stabilization and decent quality for its class, the base storage starts at 256 GB, and MagSafe and Qi2 support have been added — something the previous e model sorely lacked. This is a reliable modern iPhone without overpaying for everything under the sun, especially if you’re upgrading from an old 11 or 12.
