Compare iPhones: Price, Size, Camera, Features, Battery Life

If you’re new to the world of iPhones, you might assume that the latest model is the best one to get. That’s not always the case. We can understand why you might be enthusiastic to purchase the shiniest modern iPhone in the shop, but just ease onto the brakes before you hand over the cash. 

The perfect iPhone for you might be a poor choice for your neighbor. If you’ve got no interest in using the camera, why spend money on the most sophisticated version when you could find a cheaper option?

That’s where Ghostek comes in. As lifelong phone nerds, we’ve spent more than a few hours studying the various iPhone models. Let’s see if we can guide you towards the perfect iPhone model for you. 

Ghostek Compare iPhone Models: Which is Best?

For this article, we’ll mainly be looking at the iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 models. These are the current powerhouses of the Apple range, although to be quite frank, their previous collections are still pretty decent bits of tech. If you can find a reasonably priced older iPhone 15 and the trader has a good reputation, they’re well worth considering. 

The latest range includes::

• The standard iPhone 17 and iPhone 16.

• The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro.

• The iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

• The iPhone 17 Air. 

Of note, all of these models share many advantages. For instance, all of them possess strong Wi-Fi connectivity, incorporate Super Retina XDR displays, and support USB 2.0 speeds. Let’s compare iPhones. 

The Apple iPhone 17 Series

The iPhone 17 range is the current star of the Apple world. They’re the iPhone equivalent of rock stars, and capable of going head-to-head with any other smartphone you can name. They’re the pinnacle of Apple intelligence and technology, so it’s no surprise they’ve taken center stage.

Apple iPhone 17 Pros: Battery Life, Camera Systems, Processing Power, and Storage

The standard and Air models feature 8GB of RAM, while the Pro and Pro Max variants up this to an incredible 12GB. They also come fitted with the A19 Chip. This gives them a significant amount of processing power and allows them to run quickly with fast response times. They’ll support a variety of iPhone features and apps at a consistently high rate.

These phones also pack a serious amount of storage and you won’t run out of space on any of them in a hurry. The storage capacities for each model are:

• iPhone 17 (standard): 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB

• iPhone 17 Air: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB

• iPhone 17 Pro: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB

• iPhone 17 Pro Max: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB(!)

All four phones also come fitted with a forward-facing 18MP camera, but it’s when you consider the rear cameras that the iPhone 17 really shines. The 48MP main camera is stunning enough, but the Pro and Pro Max take things multiple steps further by adding a 48MP Ultrawide camera and a 48MP camera with four telephoto lenses (eight for the Pro Max). 

Finally, there’s the battery life to consider. The series is no slouch here either, with the iPhone Pro Max capable of a staggering 39 hours video playback. This figure drops as you travel back through the range, but even the lowest performer - the iPhone Air - can handle up to 27 hours. That’s more than an entire day. 

Apple iPhone 17 Cons: The Asking Price

The iPhone 17 is an undeniably good phone, but the asking price is steep. At the time of writing, the standard model is $799, and the cost steadily rises with each successive variant. If you were hoping to pick up an iPhone 17 Pro Max with a full 2TB of storage, you’ll have to hand over $1,999.

The Apple iPhone 16 Series

If seeing those prices made your eyes water, the iPhone 16 might be a better option. The 16 series was Apple’s flagship in 2024, and while the 17 has stolen some of its thunder, it more than holds its own against the young usurper. 

Apple iPhone 16 Pros: Pricing, Processing, Storage, and Camera Systems

The iPhone 16 has a lower price than the 17, and also boasts impressive performance, battery life, and longevity. The standard model will set you back $699 ($100 less than the equivalent iPhone 17), and at the other end of the spectrum, the iPhone 16 Pro Max with 1TB of storage costs $1,599. 

All four variants feature the A18 chipset and 8GB of RAM. Consequently, they’re blessed with impressive processing speeds, and we doubt you’ll ever notice any slowdown. 

Their storage levels are impressive too: 

• iPhone 16 (standard): 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB. 

• iPhone 16 Plus: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB. 

• iPhone 16 Pro: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB.

• iPhone 16 Pro Max: 256GB, 512GB or 1TB.

And to round this section off, they feature decent cameras. The standard model has two rear cameras: the main 48MP one and a 12MP ultrawide one. That’s not bad, but the Pro and Pro Max models are the showstealers, both models incorporating 48MP and Ultrawide cameras with a 12MP telephoto lens. 

Apple iPhone 16 Cons: They’re Not the Cutting Edge

All the iPhone 16 models are good, but let’s not beat around the bush: they’ve been outclassed by the 17. For example, the battery life isn’t as strong. The iPhone 16 Pro Max can achieve up to 33 hours video playback, but this is notably lower than what its younger sibling can brag about. 

The camera quality is lower, and the processing speeds are a fraction behind the 17. Don’t get us wrong, the iPhone 16 is terrific, but it isn’t the best smartphone on the market anymore. This won’t be a game-changer, but for hardcore Apple fans, the 16’s only serious advantage is the price difference. 

The Ghostek Verdict: What is the Best Apple iPhone?

If you’ll forgive us for not directly answering our own question, we’ve decided there’s more than one winner:

The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are the Best for Photos

For camera aficionados, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are simply unbeatable. No other iPhone has a camera system that outshines these two. You’ll get super high-resolution photos with them that professional photographers would envy. 

The iPhone 16 is the best All-Rounder

The iPhone 16 is the ideal iPhone if you’re searching for a terrific bit of tech with a lower price tag. Its younger sibling might have overshadowed it, but it’s still an impressive phone.

The iPhone Air is the Coolest

For sheer style and sophistication, the iPhone 17 Air wins. It looks like a phone from the future that was beamed back in time. It boasts four attractive colors too: Sky Blue, Light Gold, Cloud White, and Space Black. 

The iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max are the Toughest

One issue we haven’t touched on above is durability. When it comes to pure toughness, it’s a draw. Both the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max are incredibly resilient, thanks to their high scratch resistance titanium frames and ceramic shield technology. 

Follow Ghostek For All New iPhone Reports And Rumors

We’re phone lovers here at Ghostek, so if you want to stay up to date on all the latest industry news, you’re in the right place. There’s a lot happening in the iPhone world; the iPhone 18 is just around the corner. 

And yes, we have an extensive range of accessories and cases available for the iPhone models we’ve discussed in this article. Why not have a browse of our Apple collection and see if anything catches your eye.