Mar 4, 2026 3:00 PM
The iPhone 17e is here to fill out Apple’s smartphone lineup. Our primer on the differences and similarities of these iPhones can help you shop.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
With Apple's current crop of iPhones, things are quite different for the first time in a while. The base iPhone 17 still feels familiar, but the iPhone 17 Pro models have a completely new look, and there's a new model called the iPhone Air. The “Air” branding has been somewhat diluted of late—the current-gen iPad Pro models are lighter than the iPad Air—but the iPhone Air brings meaning back to the original idea: a super-thin and ultra-lightweight device. Rounding it all out is the budget iPhone 17e.
The new phones are officially on sale. If you're considering an upgrade, which iPhone 17 model should you get? I'll break down the key differences and similarities among the iPhone 17 lineup, so you can make an informed choice. Don't forget, these aren't the only iPhones that Apple sells—read our Best iPhones guide for all of your options. And check out our Best iPhone 17 Cases guide for ways to keep your new handset in pristine condition.
Updated March 2026: We've added the iPhone 17e.
You Don’t Need to Upgrade
If you have an iPhone from just a few years ago, you probably don't need to upgrade to Apple's latest, unless your device has issues. Even then, there are things you can do to fix your iPhone, like getting a battery replacement, or you can try some of these troubleshooting steps. The point is, you shouldn't feel the need to upgrade just because Apple has a new model.
If you're set on buying an iPhone 17 model, we have a guide on how to sell your iPhone so that it doesn't just collect dust in a drawer. When your new device arrives, back up your old iPhone before switching to the new one, then follow our guide on factory-resetting your device before selling or giving it away. We also have tips on how to set up your new iPhone and what settings to change to get the most out of it.
Which iPhone 17 Is Right for You?
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Apple
iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro
The Similarities
Let's quickly talk about the similarities across all the iPhone 17 models this year, and yes, that includes the iPhone Air, even if it doesn't have “17” in the name.
The Display
Although iPhones differ in screen size, they all feature an OLED screen (Apple refers to it as a Super Retina XDR display). All of these devices, except for the iPhone 17e, employ ProMotion technology. This is the first time the non-Pro models have ProMotion, which is essentially a 120-Hz refresh rate.
A high refresh rate has been a common feature on Android phones for a while, but it means your display refreshes 120 times per second rather than 60, like on the iPhone 16, so everything you do will feel smoother. (We have a broader explainer here.) These are adaptive refresh rates that can drop as low as 1 Hz when there's little activity on the screen, which is why the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air now support the always-on display. That does mean that, yes, the iPhone 17e does not have the always-on display.
Apple also says there's a new Ceramic Shield 2 front glass that's three times more scratch-resistant than before, and a new antireflective coating to reduce glare. These screens can also hit up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness, meaning it'll be easier to read your iPhone screen on sunny days, though the iPhone 17e caps it at 1,200 nits to hit that lower price.
The Camera
The front-facing selfie camera is identical on all the iPhone 17 models except the iPhone 17e, which retains the same 12-MP front camera as the iPhone 16e. It's a new square-shaped 18-megapixel sensor, and that means you can expect more detail out of your selfies. However, the square sensor also introduces a smarter way to capture group selfies. You can keep holding your phone in portrait orientation for the best grip, and it will automatically zoom out to make sure everyone fits in the frame, while also switching to a landscape orientation for the widest view. All of these models also support Dual Capture, which lets you shoot with both the front and rear cameras at the same time. You can read more about these features here.
The Usual Specs
All of the iPhones are IP68 water- and dust-resistant and have Face ID, Action Button, USB-C, and Qi2 magnetic wireless charging (MagSafe). Except the iPhone 17e, they have the Camera Control button for more precise control over the shutter in the camera app. All devices start at 256 GB of storage. There's Apple Intelligence, Emergency SOS via Satellite, and Crash Detection capabilities, and barring the iPhone 17e, they utilize Apple's new N1 wireless networking chip for Bluetooth 6, Wi-Fi 7, and Thread support.
The Differences
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Now, here's where they diverge, which will help you better understand what model to buy.
| Specs: iPhone 17e |
Specs: iPhone 17 |
iPhone Air |
iPhone 17 Pro |
iPhone 17 Pro Max |
| Display: 6.1 inch, 60 Hz, OLED, 1,200 nits (peak), antireflective coating |
6.3 inch, 120 Hz, OLED, 3,000 nits (peak), always-on display, antireflective coating |
6.5 inch, 120 Hz, OLED, 3,000 nits (peak), always-on display, antireflective coating |
6.3 inch, 120 Hz, OLED, 3,000 nits (peak), always-on display, antireflective coating |
6.9 inch, 120 Hz, OLED, 3,000 nits (peak), always-on display, antireflective display |
| Processor: A19 (4-core GPU) |
A19 (5-core GPU) |
A19 Pro (5-core GPU) |
A19 Pro (6-core GPU) |
A19 Pro (6-core GPU) |
| Storage: 256 or 512 GB |
256 or 512 GB |
256, 512 GB, 1 TB |
256, 512 GB, 1 TB |
256, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB |
| Cameras: 48-MP main camera, 12-MP front camera |
48-MP main camera, 48-MP ultrawide with Macro, 24-MP front camera (binned to 18 MP) |
48-MP main camera, 24-MP front camera (binned to 18 MP) |
48-MP Fusion camera, 48-MP ultrawide with Macro, 48-MP telephoto with 4X zoom, 24-MP front camera (binned to 18 MP) |
48-MP Fusion camera, 48-MP ultrawide with Macro, 48-MP telephoto with 4X zoom, 24-MP front camera (binned to 18 MP) |
| USB-C speeds: USB 2, up to 480 Mb/s |
USB 2, up to 480 Mb/s |
USB 2, up to 480 Mb/s |
USB 3, up to 10 Gb/s |
USB 3, up to 10 Gb/s |
| Colors: Soft Pink, Black, White |
Lavender, Mist Blue, Black, White, Sage |
Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, Sky Blue |
Silver, Deep Blue, Cosmic Orange |
Silver, Deep Blue, Cosmic Orange |
| Material: Aluminum and Ceramic Shield 2 on front |
Aluminum and Ceramic Shield 2 on front |
Titanium, Ceramic Shield 2 on front, Ceramic Shield on back |
Aluminum, Ceramic Shield 2 on front, Ceramic Shield on back |
Aluminum, Ceramic Shield 2 on front, Ceramic Shield on back |
| Weight and thickness: 169 grams, 7.8 mm |
177 grams, 7.95 mm |
165 grams, 5.64 mm |
206 grams, 8.75 mm |
233 grams, 8.75 mm |
| Extras: Qi2 15W (MagSafe) wireless charging, Face ID, IP68, Apple C1X modem |
Qi2 25W (MagSafe) wireless charging, Face ID, Dynamic Island, Ultra Wideband (2nd Gen), IP68, N1 networking chip, Dual Capture, Center Stage |
Qi2 20W (MagSafe) wireless charging, Face ID, Dynamic Island, Ultra Wideband (2nd Gen), IP68, N1 networking chip, Apple C1X modem, Dual Capture, Center Stage |
Qi2 25W (MagSafe) wireless charging, Face ID, Dynamic Island, Ultra Wideband (2nd Gen), IP68, N1 networking chip, Vapor chamber cooling, Dual Capture, Center Stage, 4K 120 fps video |
Qi2 25W (MagSafe) wireless charging, Face ID, Dynamic Island, Ultra Wideband (2nd Gen), IP68, N1 networking chip, Vapor chamber cooling, Dual Capture, Center Stage, 4K 120 fps video |
| Price: $599 |
$799 |
$999 |
$1,099 |
$1,199 |
Courtesy of Apple
Apple
iPhone 17e
The iPhone 17e is for anyone who wants a brand-new iPhone for the least amount of cash, especially if you don't want to risk buying a used smartphone. Maybe that means you also don't care for extra features, don't use the phone's camera much, or perhaps you want the smallest iPhone on the market. You want a basic iPhone—that's the iPhone 17e.
It doesn't have a 120-Hz screen refresh rate, nor does it have the brightest display. There's only a single camera, meaning it's not as versatile as the iPhone 17 if you want to grab a wider shot. The selfie camera isn't as nice, and it doesn't have the modern notch-less look of the pricier models. While it has the A19 chip like the iPhone 17, it lacks a graphics core, so there's a small performance hit.
Thankfully, Apple added MagSafe to the iPhone 17e, so you can take advantage of the healthy MagSafe accessories market, though it won't wirelessly charge as quickly. It has the same C1X modem as the iPhone Air for more energy-efficient 5G connectivity, and Apple bumped the base storage to 256 GB. I'll be reviewing it soon, so stay tuned for our full thoughts.
Who it's for: You want a basic iPhone for not a lot of money, without having to buy used.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Apple
iPhone 17
The iPhone 17 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the best iPhone for most people. The 6.3-inch screen is slightly larger, there's a bump in storage over its predecessor, and it finally features Apple's ProMotion 120-Hz technology. It sports the A19 chipset like the iPhone 17e, except there's one extra graphics core, so there's a slight performance boost.
However, it still won't be able to play graphically demanding games as well as the iPhone 17 Pro models. For example, I tried Assassin's Creed Mirage at the max graphical settings, and the experience was too stuttery to enjoy (you can always lower the graphics). The next few iPhones in this list deliver better performance, but the A19 is still more than satisfactory for most people.
While the iPhone 17 has the new Ceramic Shield 2 glass on the front to protect the screen, it doesn't use the original Ceramic Shield on the back glass; that's exclusive to the Air and Pro models. The 48-MP main camera may sound similar to the others, but it won't deliver the best results. The photos it captures are still excellent, and video footage remains among the best on a phone. Apple upgraded the ultrawide camera to 48 megapixels, and it's competitive with other flagship phones, often matching the quality of the Pro iPhones.
Who it's for: Most people will be more than satisfied with the iPhone 17, especially with the welcome 120-Hz upgrade and boosted 256 GB of storage. It also has the best colors!
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Apple
iPhone Air
The iPhone Air (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is the most unusual of the bunch. It's shockingly thin and lightweight, merely 5.6 millimeters and 165 grams. It's the only iPhone in the series made of titanium, to ensure the thin frame remains durable. (Remember Bendgate?) Don't worry, I tried bending it and also watched Apple's stress test, and this thing is rock solid. The back features the original version of Ceramic Shield, which gives it a slight boost in durability over the iPhone 17. It also has a unique 6.5-inch screen size.
With this new thin design, there are compromises to the camera. You only get a single 48-MP camera, the same as on the iPhone 17, but no ultrawide or telephoto. You also can't get as close to a subject for macro photos. It's just too limiting, but if you don't use the camera much, you probably won't care. (It also lacks Cinematic mode for video and spatial video recording, both of which are available on the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro.)
The iPhone Air enjoys a bump in performance with the A19 Pro chipset versus the A19 in the iPhone 17. Once again, I tried Assassin's Creed Mirage at the max graphical settings, and while the game stuttered here and there, it was at least much more playable than on the iPhone 17. It did get really hot in one spot on the back, though.
Captured via the selfie camera on the iPhone Air.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Captured at 2X zoom on the iPhone Air.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
The Air has the worst battery life compared to the iPhone 17 lineup, but I still found it adequate for my needs. I routinely hit more than five hours of screen-on time, though on heavier days, I needed to top it up. (You can always pair it with Apple's MagSafe Battery for the iPhone Air, which delivered 68 percent to my dead Air before the power bank was depleted.) If you're a heavy phone user, skip the Air unless you're often close to a power outlet.
Like the iPhone 17, the USB-C port still only supports USB 2 data transfer speeds, meaning you're limited to 480 Mbps. It charges more slowly, hitting 50 percent in 30 minutes, whereas the iPhone 17 can do that in 20 minutes (with the right charging adapter). Even wirelessly, it only supports 20-watt Qi2 charging instead of 25 watts.
This, alongside the iPhone 17e, is the only iPhone model with Apple's C1X modem. It's very efficient, but it means this iPhone doesn't support millimeter wave 5G, just sub-6 5G. (Read our 5G explainer to learn the differences.) That may not be a big deal since you only encounter that faster 5G in high-traffic areas, airports, and stadiums, but it's something to keep in mind.
Who it's for: If you want to experience Apple's lightest iPhone ever. It's also for anyone who doesn't use the camera much and won't mind the limited battery life.
Apple
iPhone 17 Pro
The iPhone 17 Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) retains its 6.3-inch display but now has an aluminum unibody instead of titanium, for improved heat dissipation. Like the iPhone Air, it employs Ceramic Shield on the back glass, in addition to Ceramic Shield 2 on the front. It also looks different! There's a two-tone design on the back highlighting the mix of metal and aluminum, not to mention the “Camera Plateau” that spans across. I like the new look.
These are the first iPhones with a vapor chamber cooling system. This is a heat dissipation technology we've seen on Android phones for years; there's a single drop of water inside the iPhone that moves through the chamber from vapor to liquid to keep the iPhone cooler for longer, and disperses heat better. This delivers better sustained performance, along with the help of the A19 Pro. Unlike the A19 Pro on the Air, it has one extra graphics core.
When I played Assassin's Creed Mirage, these iPhones delivered the smoothest gameplay. The phone also didn't get uncomfortable to the touch, spreading the heat evenly through the back of the device. If you're routinely going to be playing the most demanding games or performing intensive activities like video editing or running AI tasks, you should snag the Pro.
Captured via 4X telephoto on iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Captured via 4X telephoto on iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
The telephoto camera has been upgraded to 48 megapixels, so you have an entire triple-camera array with 48-MP sensors. It delivers 4X optical zoom and up to 8X optical-like quality. The results speak for themselves. It's one of the best smartphone camera systems around today.
Video capture is also exceptional, and the Pro models have extra perks. These are still the only iPhone models that can shoot 4K at up to 120 frames per second, and there are numerous video features aspiring filmmakers may find useful, like Genlock and ProRes RAW. It has better image stabilization than the other models, a better flash, nicer microphones, and Apple still only offers the lidar scanner on these Pro models.
Who it's for: You don't want a big phone, but you use many of Apple's camera features and various zoom levels. Heavy gamers will also enjoy the improved thermals and extra power.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Apple
iPhone 17 Pro Max
The iPhone 17 Pro Max (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is identical to the iPhone 17 Pro except in size. It sports a 6.9-inch screen, making it the heaviest iPhone, but it also has the biggest battery, boasting up to 39 hours of video playback compared to 33 hours on the iPhone 17 Pro. I had five hours of screen-on time at the end of the day, and my iPhone 17 Pro Max still had 55 percent left. That's remarkable.
It's also the only iPhone with a 2-terabyte storage option, if you need that much local space. Like the smaller Pro, the USB-C supports USB 3, so you can take advantage of up to 10-Gbps data transfer speeds, a boost over the iPhone Air and iPhone 17.
Who it's for: You want the best Apple has to offer, especially the longest possible battery life. You also prefer a big-screen iPhone.
How to Get the iPhone 17 Unlocked
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
I always recommend you buy your iPhone unlocked. It makes switching carriers a breeze, and you'll have no hassles if you swap to an international eSIM when traveling. The iPhones sold via Apple's storefront are unlocked, with one exception: If you buy through an AT&T installment plan, your iPhone will be network-locked. Buying the iPhone 17 unlocked increases the price by $30 to $829 instead of $799, but it's well worth it.
The best place to buy an iPhone is Apple.com. Don't forget to take advantage of Apple's promotions: You get three free months of Apple News+, Apple Fitness+, Apple TV, and Apple Music. It'll auto-bill you after the trial, so set a reminder to cancel if you don't want to continue subscribing to these services.
Apple has some financing options. If you have an Apple Card, you can pay for your iPhone over 24 months at 0 percent APR. Alternatively, you can finance through your carrier at Apple for over 24 or 36 months at 0 percent APR, or you can join the iPhone Upgrade Program. The latter lets you get the latest iPhone every year, and includes AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss. It's not really worth it unless you absolutely need the newest phone every year.
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
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Julian Chokkattu is Senior Editor, Gear at WIRED, overseeing personal technology, gadgets, and gizmos. He has been reviewing consumer products for a decade, specializing in mobile—from smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches to smart glasses and virtual reality. This is his sixth year at WIRED. Previously, he was the mobile and wearables ... Read More
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