iPhone Reference
All iPhones Compared
Every current iPhone side by side. Five models, one table, sorted however you want.
Updated for the current lineup · Source: Apple
Short answer
For most people, the right iPhone is the iPhone 17. If budget is the primary concern and you don't rely on ultra-wide, get the iPhone 17e. Buy the iPhone 17 Pro only if you use telephoto zoom deliberately. The Pro Max is a size and battery choice, not a camera upgrade. The Air is for buyers who specifically want a large, light phone and shoot mostly at 1x.
How to read this
Most differences in this table don't matter for most people. Focus on three columns: ultra-wide, telephoto, and battery. The camera system is what actually separates these phones. Display quality is not a differentiator here since all five are OLED.
If you ignore the marketing, most iPhone decisions come down to one question: which cameras do you actually use?
| Model | Display | ProMotion | Chip | Ultra-wide | Telephoto | Battery | Weight | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17e | 6.1" | 60Hz | A19 | No | — | 26h | 5.96 oz | $599 |
| iPhone 17 | 6.3" | 120Hz | A19 | Yes | — | 30h | 6.24 oz | $799 |
| iPhone Air | 6.5" | 120Hz | A19 Pro | No | — | 27h | 5.82 oz | $999 |
| iPhone 17 Pro | 6.3" | 120Hz | A19 Pro | Yes | 4x | 33h | 7.27 oz | $1,099 |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | 6.9" | 120Hz | A19 Pro | Yes | 4x | 39h | 8.22 oz | $1,199 |
What actually matters
- The 17e vs 17 decision is entirely about the ultra-wide camera.
Both run the same A19 chip. The only other meaningful difference is the display: 60Hz on the 17e, 120Hz on the 17. If you use ultra-wide for group shots, interiors, or travel photos, the 17e closes that door at the moment of purchase. If you don't, it is the smarter buy at $200 less.
- The iPhone Air is not a bigger iPhone 17.
It trades the ultra-wide camera for thinness and a lighter body. At $999 with no ultra-wide, it is a specific phone for a specific buyer: someone who wants a large, light phone and shoots mostly at 1x. If you're buying it because it's bigger, check the camera trade-off first.
- The only reason to buy the iPhone 17 Pro is telephoto zoom.
Not the chip. Not the build. Not because it's the best. The A19 Pro is faster than the A19, but in everyday use neither feels faster than the other. The 4x optical telephoto is the upgrade that changes what you can shoot. If you don't use zoom deliberately, the iPhone 17 is the right phone.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max is a size and battery choice, not a camera upgrade.
The camera system is identical to the iPhone 17 Pro. The only reasons to choose it are the 6.9-inch display and the 39-hour battery rating. At 8.22 oz, it is the heaviest iPhone in the lineup by a significant margin.
- Display quality is not a differentiator.
Every iPhone in the lineup has an OLED display. All five models deliver a bright, sharp, high-contrast screen. The display differences between models are size and refresh rate, not panel quality.
Fast decision guide
- Most people→iPhone 17
- Lowest price, no ultra-wide needed→iPhone 17e
- Large screen, light carry, shoot mostly at 1x→iPhone Air
- Use telephoto zoom deliberately→iPhone 17 Pro
- Largest screen and longest battery→iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Unsure→iPhone 17