Which iPhone Should You Buy in 2026? Every Model From iPhone 11 to iPhone 17 Compared

Apple now sells the iPhone 17 family, the iPhone 17e and the iPhone 18 Pro, but you don’t need the newest model to get a great phone. A pre-owned iPhone from the last few generations does almost everything the latest one does, for a fraction of the price. The hard part is knowing which model gives you the most for your money.

Every model at a glance

What matters most when choosing a pre-owned iPhone in 2026

Software updates

iOS 27, Apple’s current software, runs on the iPhone 11 and every model after it, so every iPhone in this guide gets today’s features and security updates. Apple doesn’t publish how long each model will keep getting updates, but older models are generally the first to drop off, so if you keep phones for many years, a newer model is the safer bet.

Battery health

On a pre-owned phone, the battery’s health matters as much as the model. A newer phone at 85% will usually last longer in a day than an older one at the same figure. Our battery health guide explains what to look for.

Storage

Photos and videos fill phones quickly. 128 GB suits most people; if you shoot a lot of 4K video or keep your music offline, look at 256 GB.

iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max (2019)

The iPhone 11 brought the ultra wide camera and Night mode to the regular iPhone, powered by the A13 Bionic chip. It has a 6.1-inch LCD screen and a Lightning port, and connects on 4G (no 5G). The 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max add an OLED screen and a telephoto camera.

Choose it if: you want the lowest price for a dependable iPhone that still runs the latest iOS. Shop iPhone 11 models

iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max (2020)

The iPhone 12 was a big step: every model has an OLED Super Retina XDR screen, 5G, the Ceramic Shield front cover and MagSafe magnetic charging, with the A14 Bionic chip. The flat-edged design started here. The 12 Pro models add a telephoto camera and a LiDAR scanner.

Choose it if: you want 5G and an OLED screen on a budget. Shop iPhone 12 models

iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max (2021)

The iPhone 13 moved to the A15 Bionic chip, brought Cinematic mode for video and gave the regular models a noticeably bigger battery than the 12. The 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max were the first iPhones with a 120 Hz ProMotion display, and add a telephoto camera and macro photography.

Choose it if: you want the sweet spot of price, battery life and camera quality. Shop iPhone 13 models

iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max (2022)

The iPhone 14 uses an A15 Bionic chip with a 5-core GPU and added Crash Detection. The 14 Plus brought a 6.7-inch screen to the regular line. The 14 Pro models were the bigger change: the Dynamic Island, an always-on display, a 48 MP main camera and the A16 Bionic chip.

Choose it if: you want a recent design and camera without paying for the newest generation. Shop iPhone 14 models

iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max (2023)

The iPhone 15 brought the Dynamic Island and a 48 MP main camera to the regular models, with the A16 Bionic chip, and every iPhone 15 switched from Lightning to USB-C, so one cable can charge your phone, laptop and more. The 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max add a titanium design, the Action button and the A17 Pro chip, and they’re the oldest iPhones that support Apple Intelligence. iPhone 15 batteries are also designed to keep 80% of their capacity for twice as many charge cycles as earlier models.

Choose it if: you want USB-C, or Apple Intelligence on the Pro models. Shop iPhone 15 models

iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max (2024)

Every iPhone 16 supports Apple Intelligence and has the Action button, with the A18 chip (A18 Pro on the Pro models). The 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max also add the new Camera Control button on the side. The iPhone 16e, added in 2025, keeps the A18 chip and the Action button at a lower price, with a single rear camera and no Camera Control.

Choose it if: you want Apple Intelligence and a recent camera at a pre-owned price. Shop iPhone 16 models

iPhone 17, iPhone Air, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max (2025)

The iPhone 17 brought the A19 chip, a bigger 6.3-inch screen with ProMotion to the regular model, a 48 MP Dual Fusion camera system and a Center Stage front camera. The iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone yet at 5.6 mm, with the A19 Pro chip, and the 17 Pro models also use the A19 Pro.

Choose it if: you want close to the latest iPhone without the new-phone price. Shop iPhone 17 models

Which pre-owned iPhone is the best value in 2026?

For most people, the iPhone 13 or iPhone 14 is the sweet spot: modern design, excellent cameras, solid battery life, and a price well below the newest models. If you want USB-C, step up to the iPhone 15. If Apple Intelligence matters to you, the iPhone 15 Pro or any iPhone 16 is the entry point. And if every rand counts, an iPhone 11 or 12 still runs the latest iOS and handles everyday apps comfortably.

iPhone buying FAQs