In 2025 Apple launched three very different iPhones: the iPhone 17, which finally brings a 120 Hz display to the standard model; the iPhone Air, the thinnest iPhone Apple has ever made; and the iPhone 17 Pro, with a new aluminium body and three 48 MP cameras. Choosing isn't obvious at first, but each one suits a very specific kind of person.
What they have in common
- ProMotion display up to 120 Hz, always-on. For the first time on the standard iPhone too.
- 18 MP Center Stage front camera, which takes landscape selfies without turning the phone.
- 256 GB of storage as standard on all three.
- Apple Intelligence, USB-C, MagSafe and IP68 water resistance.
- Many years of iOS updates ahead.
The differences that matter
iPhone 17: the balanced choice
The one we recommend to most people. A 6.3" 120 Hz display, the A19 chip and two 48 MP cameras (main and ultra wide). It lacks a telephoto, so zoom tops out at 2x by cropping the sensor. Otherwise it does almost everything as well as the Pro day to day, for £799: the same launch price as the iPhone 16, with double the storage.
iPhone Air: design first
At 5.6 mm thick with a titanium frame, it's the lightest iPhone to carry. It has the biggest display of the three (6.5") and the A19 Pro chip. In exchange, it gives up a few things:
- A single 48 MP rear camera: no ultra wide or telephoto.
- The lowest battery life of the three, according to Apple.
- eSIM only: no physical SIM card slot.
It costs £999. It makes sense if design matters a lot to you and you don't take many photos.
iPhone 17 Pro: for power users
It swaps titanium for an aluminium body with a vapour chamber, which helps it stay cool during games and long videos. It has the A19 Pro chip, three 48 MP cameras with a 4x telephoto, and the longest battery life Apple quotes of the three. It's the priciest: £1,099.
Comparison table
| iPhone 17 | iPhone Air | iPhone 17 Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3", 120 Hz | 6.5", 120 Hz | 6.3", 120 Hz |
| Chip | A19 | A19 Pro | A19 Pro |
| Rear cameras | 48 MP + 48 MP ultra wide | 48 MP (single) | 48 MP ×3, 4x telephoto |
| Thickness and material | Aluminium | 5.6 mm, titanium | Aluminium with vapour chamber |
| Battery (per Apple) | Good | Lowest of the three | Highest of the three |
| UK launch price | £799 | £999 | £1,099 |
What about the iPhone 17e?
If all three feel expensive, the iPhone 17e arrived in March 2026. It shares the A19 chip with the iPhone 17 and also starts at 256 GB, but has a single rear camera and no 120 Hz display. It's the cheapest way to get a new, current iPhone.
New or refurbished?
With these models, we recommend buying new for now: there are few refurbished units and the saving is usually small. If saving money is your priority, read our guide on which iPhone to buy: a refurbished iPhone 15 or 16 costs a lot less and still has years of updates ahead.
Our verdict
- For most people: iPhone 17. The best balance between what it offers and what it costs.
- If you take lots of photos or push your phone hard: iPhone 17 Pro. The 4x zoom and battery make the difference.
- If you want the thinnest, best-looking phone: iPhone Air, knowing you give up camera and battery.
- If you want to spend as little as possible on a new iPhone: iPhone 17e.