When it comes to your budget, it’s also wise to consider any extras you may need. Perhaps the toughest decision is whether to invest in AppleCare+, which extends the standard 12-month guarantee and 90-day phone support you get to two years. You can also pay a little extra per month to add loss and theft coverage. However, you do still have to pay something towards any accidental damage that needs fixing - £25* for screen or exterior damage, up to £79* for anything internal and £109* for loss or theft. Bear in mind those costs are still likely to be a lot less than having issues fixed without any AppleCare+ coverage! Any manufacturing faults are fully covered at least.

Accessories may be another factor you need to consider with your budget, if you need items such as a protective case,  portable charger, AirPods or a powerbank.

*All prices correct as of 04.03.2026.

When it comes to calls, texts, browsing and essential apps, anything in the iPhone range can handle it all with ease. If you want something from the latest models, then the iPhone 17e is the most budget-friendly.

iPhones have long been famous for their high-quality cameras. If you want Insta-quality images and video, then all models will do an excellent job. Everything in the iPhone 17 range comes with a good camera, but serious photographers and creatives will want to explore the outstanding triple-lens camera set-up found in both the Pro and Pro Max models. If you want all the nerdy technical details, we will take an in-depth look at camera specifications for all current models in the Camera Quality section below! We’ll also look at the AI enhancements that make it remarkably easy to shoot really standout  images. Finally, photographers also need to think about onboard storage, especially if you shoot a lot of video (3-4 minutes in 4K will eat up 1.5GB!).

This is where the Apple ecosystem really comes into its own. You get seamless integration between your Apple devices, as well as strong privacy and security features. Apple Handoff allows you to start a task on one device (including your iPhone) and then continue working on it on another nearby device (such as your MacBook or iPad). We also love AirDrop for easy file sharing with colleagues. You can install the handy Microsoft 365 Copilot app for iOS, which comes with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to really fire up your productivity. This is another area where the iPhone 17 range’s AI-enhanced features are becoming more and more important. With advanced writing tools such as Rewrite, Summarise, and Proofread available across all your apps, you can instantly polish messages and emails without switching tools. The upgraded Siri is more context-aware, allowing it to act on what's on your screen - such as summarising content or scheduling tasks. AI also intelligently manages notifications and highlights priorities, helping you stay organised throughout the day.

We all enjoy a few dopamine hits in our downtime! You can’t go wrong with a bit of Candy Crush Saga or Subway Surfers, after all. You can also enjoy popular cross-platform titles, such as Among Us, Tower Of Fantasy and Minecraft. The Apple Arcade subscription services has 200+ games to pick from. You can also use the PlayStation Remote Play app or Xbox Cloud Gaming to play many of your favourite console games using a controller.

Apple don’t include a charger with the iPhone 17 series, though you do get a USB-C cable. You also get much faster recharging times with the iPhone 17 range - Apple's 40W Dynamic Power Adaptor will give you a 50% charge in just 20 minutes - which is 10 minutes faster than previously. The iPhone Air is limited to 20W charging speeds but can still top up to 50% in 30 minutes.

For wireless charging, the iPhone 17 series (but not the 16e) supports MagSafe charging (the handy magnetic charger that snaps onto the back of your iPhone) at up to 25W. Alternatively, a Qi2.2-certified wireless charger can deliver up to 25W of power for the iPhone 17 and both Pro models, 20W for iPhone Air, or 15W for iPhone 17e.

When it comes to rear cameras, each model is different, with iPhone 17e featuring a single-lens 48-megapixel Fusion camera that produces detailed and vibrant photos, even in poor lighting conditions. Clever processing tools automatically enhance colour and sharpness, and you can zoom in at 2x without losing image quality. Video recording goes up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, and Night mode is great for shooting photos of your big nights out!

iPhone 17 upgrades to a dual 48MP Fusion rear camera system, combining a main wide lens and a newly beefed-up ultra-wide lens. The main lens also doubles as a 2x telephoto via optical zoom (rather than digital cropping), bringing in more detail when you zoom in. There’s also sensor-shift OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation) to reduce blur - great in low light or when your hands are shaky). All of this means sharper shots, better low-light performance, and more flexibility when framing wide scenery or zoomed-in details.

iPhone Air simplifies things with a single-lens 48MP camera that punches well above its weight. Apple have squeezed in a kind of digital/fusion zoom trick: you get ‘optical-quality’ 2x zoom via cropping the 48MP sensor, and there are preset focal-length equivalents to help you frame shots better based on how far away your subject is. The large sensor also has sensor-shift OIS so even in low-light your pics will be brighter and sharper.

For those wanting more zoom, detail and versatility, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models both shine (and have the same set-up). All three rear cameras (wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto) are now 48MP, including an improved telephoto lens that gives you more usable mid-distance zoom (4x optical native, plus an 8x ‘optical quality’ zoom mode via smart cropping for shots where you’re reaching a bit further) and better performance in low light. There are also pro-style video tools (including ProRAW, smoother video capture, better image stabilisation to reduce handshake blur), which make iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max both outstanding picks if you want a camera that can handle creative or demanding photo/video work.

All iPhone 17 models feature integrated Apple Intelligence, including the Clean Up function which lets you tap, brush or circle people or objects you want to remove from your images - so it’s goodbye photobombers! The Camera Control button on the side is retained, with a solid press launching the camera app, and another press taking a photo. You can also press and hold it to record a video. When the app is open, you can use a half press or finger-slide on the button to choose between various functions, including digital zoom level, exposure, depth, and tones. It sounds a little complicated at first but you soon get a feel for it!

iPhone 17 offers a balance between performance, innovation, and value. At just 7.95mm thin, it feels beautifully comfortable in your hand. The Super Retina XDR OLED screen is bumped up to 6.3-inch and now features ProMotion, which means it has an adaptive refresh rate (how many times the screen updates per second) of up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling, video and gaming. This picture technology gives you outstanding colour accuracy and excellent detail, even in dimly lit images. With an increased peak brightness of 3,000 nits, you get good visibility in direct sunlight too.

Getting great shots for your socials is super-easy with the dual-camera set-up featuring a 48MP Dual Fusion main sensor with 2x optical zoom and 48MP Ultra-Wide lens. Even low-light shots on big nights out are impressive in their detail and contrast. A quick press of the Camera Control button brings the camera up so you can start shooting quickly and capture the moment. You can shoot 4K Dolby Vision video - and crucially it can be converted into a cool slo-mo videos! AI helps out too, with a Clean Up tool you can use to remove any unwanted objects or people from your photos.

The new A19 chip is a big step forward, making everything feel easier, including faster app launches and smoother multitasking. Even your latest Netflix boxset will stream better, with less lag. It’s also extremely energy efficient - which is why the battery life can now last up to 30 hours of offline video playback, which is 8 hours longer than its predecessor! This clever, little chip also further integrates the Apple Intelligence AI-enhanced features, including smart notification summaries, and improved writing tools with ChatGPT built in.

iPhone 17 is a sleek, stylish, and speedy, with secure connections to the latest WiFi 7, Bluetooth 6 and 5G networks. You can make it your own with iOS 26 allowing more personalisation than ever with backgrounds, apps, widgets and more. Overall, iPhone 17 has the outstanding features and security which set Apple products apart. In a world where digital security faces ever great challenges, that is becoming an ever bigger selling point.

The biggest change to the iPhone range this year is the arrival of iPhone Air - Apple’s slimmest phone to date. Weighing only 165g, it boasts a titanium frame just 5.6 mm thin and protected by an ultra-durable Ceramic Shield at the front, so it’s beautifully slim and easy to hold, as well as impressively tough. In fact, it’s 4x more resistant to cracks and has 3x better scratch resistance, so it’s ready to handle any knocks that may come with your life of adventure!

The 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR 120Hz ProMotion display is absolutely perfect for streaming, surfing, and gaming on the go. OLED technology delivers true blacks and a wide colour balance so all your entertainment is lifelike and immersive. With peak screen brightness of 3,000 nits, you even get excellent visibility in direct sunlight too.

To run a screen that size and still get up to 27 hours of video playback on a single charge is impressive. A 20W USB-C charger will take you from zero to 50% in only 30 minutes, so you’ll soon be ready to go again. There’s also a new MagSafe Battery Pack available for on the go, that will give you up to an extra 65%.

iPhone Air has a single, 48MP Fusion camera system on the back that can simulate multiple focal lengths (including 2x telephoto zoom) and captures lots of incredible colour and detail. Make easy work of shooting beautiful images and 4K video (with HDR) you can turn into cool slo-mo clips! A quick press of the Camera Control button on the side gets you ready to snap away, and AI also helps out with a Clean Up tool that lets you remove any unwanted objects or people from your photos. Perfect for taking out any randoms strolling in the background! Minimum storage has been upgraded to 256GB so you can carry around plenty of videos or creative files too.

iPhone Air also comes with an A19 Pro chip that matches the latest Pro models, ensuring everything runs super-smooth while using less power even when playing games or using AI features – which helps to explain the impressive battery life for such a slim phone. You also get Apple Intelligence’s variety of AI-enhanced improvements. The integration of ChatGPT into Siri will help to answer your questions, and you can also have messages and news updates summarised for you, as well as help with writing social media messages, emails and texts.

All these features make iPhone Air a welcome new addition to the iPhone family, offering Pro-level performance and imaging in a design defined by sleek slimness and perfect portability - ideal for users who want top features without the bulk of a Pro model.

Creatives, tech lovers and photographers will find iPhone 17 Pro is right in their sweet spot.  It’s now very similar to iPhone 17 Pro Max but with a smaller screen (and a smaller price tag!). The processor and cameras are the same on both models. The major difference is the Pro’s 6.3-inch display, which is smaller but makes it lighter and easier to handle. It’s still a beautiful screen too - boasting Super Retina XDR technology backed up by a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate that makes gaming, streaming and video editing super-smooth. The Pro also comes with an aluminium shell and super scratch-resistant Ceramic Shield 2 display, as well as Ceramic Shield on the back, resulting in a durability that will keep your phone looking good in the years ahead.

Probably the biggest selling point with iPhone 17 Pro is the chance to get your hands on a Pro Max-level camera at a more affordable price point. The triple-lens rear camera with 48MP main sensor, 48MP Ultra-Wide lens and an upgraded 48MP 8x Telephoto sensor can capture incredible images. You can use the Camera Control button on the side to take you straight to shooting mode when you need to react quickly to what’s happening in front of you. We love the ability to shoot 4K Dolby Vision video at 120 frames per second – you’ll never stop sharing those slo-mo clips! The 48MP Ultra-Wide sensor also helps you create stunningly detailed close-up images for both professional work and Instagram wow factor. If you use the camera a lot, you be pleased to see the basic storage has been upgraded to 256GB - which can hold approx 60 hours of 1080p video - with 512GB and 1TB storage options available if you need even more.

The A19 Pro chip makes everything happen incredibly fast, while giving you 33 hours of battery life (video playback). You also get a stunning 40% graphics performance boost, which means smoother gaming and better handling of visual tasks such as editing video. We love Apple Intelligence’s host of AI-enhanced features, including smart notification summaries, improved writing tools with ChatGPT integration, and photography tools - and clearly there’s much more to come in the future.

iPhone 17 Pro Max is built to impress, with its deluxe screen, cutting-edge A19 Pro processor, state-of-the-art cameras, and a future filled with AI-enhanced Apple Intelligence features. IPhone 17 Pro Max is ideal for professionals wanting smooth multitasking, multi-day battery life, easy transitions between Apple devices and incredible camera technology. It also shines as an entertainment powerhouse, thanks to the 6.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display and 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate that keep the action buttery smooth.

It can be easy to take fast performance for granted with Apple devices but the new A19 Pro chipset really does motor along beautifully.  With an up to 15% faster CPU (core processing unit – the ‘brain’ of your iPhone), you get faster app launches, and enhanced responsiveness in everyday tasks. It all just feels so wonderfully quick and effortless! Graphics performance steps up by up to 40% for incredible gaming and demanding applications such as video editing. The A19 Pro is also more efficient, which means a longer battery life and reduced heat generation further enhanced by a new vapour chamber. The result is up to 39 hours of video playback. Wow! Apple says the battery should also last more than 1,000 charging cycles with at least 80% of its original capacity too - and they will provide a replacement battery if it doesn’t.

We love the triple-lens rear camera featuring the combination a 48MP main sensor,  48MP Ultra-Wide lens and a 48MP 8x Telephoto sensor that can outshoot and out-zoom most smartphones. Upgrading the Telephoto camera to 48MP lets you focus in on distant objects in stunning detail. You can shoot 4K Dolby Vision video at up to 120 frames per second, including spectacular slo-mo videos. The new 18MP Stage Centre front camera is great for selfies and automatically adjusts to always keep you in the middle of the screen on video chats. If you shoot a lot of photos and video, then storage is worth thinking about. The base model comes with 256GB - which can hold approx. 10 hours of 4K video, or 60 hours of 1080p video. If you need more then there are 512GB, 1TB, and (new) 2TB versions available.

Apple Intelligence (Apple’s artificial intelligence) is hardwired into iPhone 17 Pro Max with a range of features including writing tools with ChatGPT integration, message summaries, photo cleanup tools, and the ability to create entirely AI-generated images or emojis. There’s also clearly much more to come in this field, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will leave you perfectly equipped to experience it all.

iPhone 17e is the budget-friendly entry into the Apple iPhone range and its impressive set of features is proving very popular. This is an opportunity to access a lot of the high-end iPhone features for a very competitive price.

The 6.06-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display gives you outstanding colour accuracy and stunning detail – perfect for streaming and surfing. Super-tough Ceramic Shield 2 also keeps it protected from scratches.

Another reason to get excited about iPhone 17e is is access to Apple Intelligence - a set of clever AI-powered tools designed to make everyday life a little easier. It includes writing assistants that can help you refine emails and messages (with ChatGPT integration for extra support), smart notification summaries so you can catch up quickly, and improved Focus modes that help reduce distractions when you need to concentrate. It’s all about giving you helpful digital tools that save time and make using your phone feel more intuitive.

The 48MP single-lens rear camera is great for shooting high-res images that balance both light and detail. The new 2x zoom function lets you capture far-away subjects, while Low Light mode produces crisp images in darker shooting conditions. Perfect for shots of your big nights out! AI also plays a part in the camera set-up, thanks to the Clean Up function which lets you tap, brush or circle people or objects you want to remove from your images. You can also shoot 4K Dolby Vision video, and there are cool Slo-Mo and Timelapse options you can play with.

iPhone 17e offers the latest iPhone experience without the premium price tag. But this is still an outstanding phone where apps pop up almost instantly and you enjoy first-rate security. The new C1X modem chip makes streaming even smoother, a 26-hour battery life keeps you going all day and you get MagSafe charger compatibility too. We also love the customisable Action button on the side that offers a short cut to your favourite features. All in all, a great option for Apple newbies and anyone already familiar with the Apple eco-system.

The newly upgraded Telephoto lens offers up to 8x optical-quality zoom, allowing you to get closer to your subject without compromising image quality. This improvement is particularly beneficial for wildlife photography, sports, or any situation where you need to zoom in on distant subjects. Coupled with the Camera Control button on the side, which opens the camera with a quick press, capturing pro-grade images on the fly has never been easier.

There is more control than ever over tones and colours, which can be adjusted either when shooting or after the fact. We also love the fact you can shoot 4K Dolby Vision video at up to 120 fps makes it easy to create incredible slo-mo videos! You can also shoot video in the ProRAW image format many creatives prefer for its versatility when editing.

The front snapper has received a welcome upgrade. The 18MP Center Stage camera's larger, square sensor ensures selfies and video calls look better and can capture more of the scene - you can even take photos and videos in portrait or landscape while holding your phone vertically! Dual Capture also lets you record with front and rear cameras simultaneously - boost your content or socials with reaction shots!

There’s plenty of competition out there when it comes to smartphone cameras but iPhone 17 Pro has a crucial advantage in its integration with the Apple ecosystem, which lets you work across devices. Many photographers and designers love Apple’s first-rate selection of creative apps too. If you simply want to shoot incredible photos to share on your socials then this won’t be important - but for many creatives investing in this kind of tech, having access to powerful editing apps is a dealbreaker.

You do get a USB-C charge cable included, so a 40W wired USB-C charger (available separately) will get your Pro Max back to 50% charge in approx 20 minutes. For wireless charging, it supports MagSafe, Qi and Qi2.2.

Of course, any discussion about which iPhone has the best battery life should cover a few ways you can maximise that longevity! When it comes to beating battery drain we love Low Power Mode. Activate it in Settings and once your battery gets below 20%, it automatically kicks in so your phone only performs the most vital tasks, with background activities such as update downloads and mail fetching put on hold. Turning off Auto-Brightness and setting your screen brightness level to where it feels comfortable to your eyes also stops another big energy drain. We’re also big fans of cutting down on your notifications. Phones can be a big distraction at the best of times, so choose which specific apps you get notifications for in Settings. Finally, if you don’t use Siri regularly then switch off her active listening.

If you love a big screen, the older iPhone 16 Plus has dropped in price since the 17 range arrived and comes with a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR that’s perfect for streaming and surfing. Another way to go in terms of value for money is to look at older models that are still available at a lower price than even iPhone 16e. iPhone 15 is still available new while stocks last.

iPhone 17e is the most budget-friendly of the current range and has an excellent battery life of up to 26 hours for when they are out all day. At only 7.8mm thin and weighing 167g, it’s easy to handle, which hopefully means there’s less risk of them dropping it! The 6.06-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display looks great and is extra tough thanks to an upgrade to Ceramic Shield 2 for this model! The 48MP rear camera captures very solid photos and video, even when shooting in low light. iPhone 17e also comes with a 12MP front camera for those all-important selfies and video chats!

Another factor to think about is covering your child’s device with AppleCare+, which extends the standard 12-month guarantee and 90-day phone support you get to two years. It costs £4.99* per month (or £99* for 2 years up front) and for an extra £3* per month you can also cover their iPhone 17e against loss and theft. You will still have to pay extra towards any accidental damage that needs fixing - £25* for screen or exterior damage, up to £79* for anything internal and £109* for loss or theft - but those costs are still likely to be a lot less than having issues fixed without any AppleCare+ coverage. Any manufacturing faults are fully covered at least.

If you child is still at primary school and doesn’t need a phone for messaging their friends just yet, we would recommend an iPad over an iPhone. An iPad’s big screen is great for watching child-friendly content and best suited to smaller ones developing their fine motor skills. You also don’t need to worry about a SIM card or paying for a contract if they just use it via your home broadband. For further iPad ideas, please check out our iPad Buying Guide!

* Prices correct as of 04.03.2026

If you're new to iPhones or upgrading from an older device, the Apple iPhone 17e is an excellent starting point with its compelling balance of performance, modern features, and value. Equipped with the A19 chip, a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, and a 48MP rear camera, it ensures a smooth and enjoyable user experience. For a slightly lower price, you can also still get an Apple iPhone 15 and enjoy the benefits of a dual-lens camera system and a 120Hz display.

iOS is the software that runs your iPhone, like a brain that tells everything what to do (display images, run apps take photos, etc) - and iOS 26 is the latest version, released in September 2025. The first thing you notice is a new clear design language Apple has called Liquid Glass, which has a translucent look and gives you lots more personalisation options, including on your home screen. Other new features include the ability to block out unknown callers and spam texts. It can also hold your spot on a phone call when you've been waiting for someone to pick up.

iOS 26 brings the ability to have a conversation via phone call or text message with someone who speaks another language, with Live Translation translating for you in real time. We also love the new Visual Intelligence feature which allows you to search for anything that's on your screen, so if you spot a great top in an Instagram photo you'll soon know where to get one!

What’s more, you can scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. You and your friends can also create polls in group messages for deciding things like which bar to meet in.

iPhone 17 comes with a series of useful improvements. If you're content with solid performance and good cameras then iPhone 16 is still a very capable option, so let’s take a detailed look to help you decide:

Chipset: The new A19 chip offers faster CPU and GPU performance compared to the iPhone 16, so everything loads a little faster and looks smoother.

Brigher Screen: iPhone 17 has peak outdoor brightness of 3,000 nits – up from 2,000 previously – so you get seriously enhanced visibility in direct sunlight.

Improved Cameras: The new 48MP Fusion Ultra-Wide camera shoots betters images compared to the 12MP Ultra-Wide lens on iPhone 16. The front camera has also been upgraded from 12MP to 18MP and lets you take photos and videos in portrait or landscape mode while holding your phone vertically!

Longer Battery Life: You get up to 30 hours of video playback with iPhone 17, which is a very impressive 8-hour jump compared to iPhone 16's 22 hours.

Faster Charging: iPhone 17 is capable of reaching 50% charge in 20 minutes using  Apple’s 40W Dynamic Power Adaptor, compared to its predecessor taking 30 minutes.

iPhone 17e is the lowest priced of the current range. Even cheaper is the now discontinued iPhone 15, which can still be found on sale new as stocks clear. The Apple Certified Refurbished site also offers a range of older models at up to 15% off and with the peace of mind of a 12-month warranty.

Yes! Many retailers will sell you a SIM-free iPhone - in fact all of Very’s iPhones come without a contract, so you’re free to choose the deal that suits you. You can use your old SIM from a previous phone if you wish, and carry over your old phone number so everyone still knows how to get hold of you! Some retailers will sell you a contract as part of the deal so you can pay for your iPhone in instalments but Very Pay offers an excellent choice of versatile ways to pay, without adding the extra cost of a contract.

If you don’t want to pay for your new iPhone upfront in one go, Very Pay offers a versatile choice of ways to pay over a timeframe that suits your budget best. Even better, here at Very we won’t sell you a contract as part of the deal for paying off your iPhone in instalments. You’re free to pick your own SIM card or simply keep the old one from your previous phone.

If you’re buying to replace an older iPhone, Very’s trade-in offer with MTR is worth checking out to keep the cost down. After all, every penny helps!