Main points
- In 2026, Apple offers the basic iPhone 17, which is considered the best choice in terms of price and power. The iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max feature improved cameras and battery life, and the iPhone Air is Apple's thinnest smartphone.
- However, the iPhone 16E and iPhone 15 Pro remain the best alternatives for those who don't care about generation and fashion.
Which iPhone model to choose for work and entertainment / Collage of Channel 24
As of 2026, Apple's main smartphone lineup consists of four key models in the 17 series and budget variants from previous years. The line between basic and professional versions has become significantly blurred, making it difficult to choose. In particular, the standard iPhone 17 has received features that were previously the prerogative of the Pro series only.
How to find the best smartphone among the variety of Apple offers?
If it is important for you to choose from the most modern line, then the most rational choice for most users is the basic iPhone 17. Experts emphasize that this device has become a real “golden mean” that offers the best price-performance ratio, writes 24 Channel .
The smartphone is equipped with a 6.3-inch screen with support for ProMotion technology, which provides an adaptive refresh rate from 1 to 120 hertz. This makes the animation of the Liquid Glass interface in the new iOS 26 extremely smooth.
In addition, the screen has a peak brightness of 3000 nits and an anti-glare coating, which makes it easier to work outdoors in direct sunlight. Internal memory now starts at 256 gigabytes, which is a significant step forward compared to previous years. The A19 chip is responsible for performance here.
The price of the smartphone starts at $799, although in Ukraine the price is obviously higher. Now, for example, it can be found for 47,000 hryvnias, in used models for 39-40 thousand.
For the more demanding
For those looking for maximum power, Apple offers the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max models. These devices are built on the A19 Pro chip.
The professional line features an advanced camera system, with all three lenses (main, ultra-wide, and telephoto) featuring 48-megapixel sensors. The Pro Max model offers record-breaking battery life of up to 39 hours of video playback.
One of the most interesting features is the 18-megapixel Center Stage selfie camera, which, thanks to its square sensor, allows you to take horizontal shots while holding the phone vertically. The price of these models ranges from 64,000 to 74,000 hryvnias, depending on the amount of memory.
iPhone Air stands alone, and not everyone understands who needs it
A separate niche was occupied by the iPhone Air – the thinnest smartphone in the company's history, whose thickness is only 5.6 millimeters and weight is 165 grams. This is a device for those who put design first.
However, elegance comes at a price: it has only one 48-megapixel main camera, a single speaker, and a less durable battery. It costs significantly more than the base model, but less than the top-end Pro models.
If you're not a principled generation, here's what to pay attention to
If you're on a budget, you might want to consider the iPhone 16E . This $599 smartphone offers the A18 chip and Apple Intelligence, but it lacks MagSafe, which isn't something everyone needs, and has a lower 60Hz refresh rate.
Also in 2026, used or refurbished iPhone 15 Pro models remain relevant, still offering high performance and a titanium case at an attractive price. Many reviewers and bloggers still call it the best choice in 2026, as Apple has not offered anything truly revolutionary in recent years that significantly distinguished the newer models from the iPhone 15 Pro.
So if you don't want to overpay, pay attention to it, because it still offers sufficient power, up-to-date cameras, materials, and an operating system. You can find a smartphone for 34,000 – 47,000 hryvnias.