How to compare iPhones

With at least four new models released every year, there are plenty of iPhones to choose between. That’s why we’re here to help.

You can use our tool to compare iPhone model specifications, including storage and camera resolution.

Once you’ve chosen your perfect iPhone, you can compare mobile phone deals, using the filter to pinpoint exactly what you need.

You can even compare the latest iPhone models released this year:

iPhone 17

Improvements in screen durability, camera quality and performance, among a whole host of other upgrades.

iPhone 17 Pro

Expect to enjoy a brighter screen display, a high power processor and a boost in camera zoom quality and capabilities.

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Longer battery life and a larger screen set this model apart from the other iPhone releases this year.

iPhone Air

Although it’s the thinnest iPhone ever, the iPhone Air manages to pack some pretty impressive specs into its pocket-friendly frame.

What iPhone features should I focus on?

Choosing the right iPhone can be quite overwhelming, especially if you’re not a tech enthusiast.

That’s why we’ve made it super easy to compare iPhone models by the features that matter before you choose your contract. So you can be sure that you’re getting the handset you want at a great price.

Compare iPhones by:

Screen size - This is the diagonal measurement between two opposite corners of the screen
Screen resolution - A higher number of pixels can give a more detailed picture with clearer imagery
Pixel density - Measured in pixels per inch (PPI), this will give you an idea of the clarity of the image on the phone screen
Device size - There’s not a huge amount of variety in size between the latest iPhone models. It’s still worth looking at if you need to fit the handset in your pocket
Device weight - iPhone Pro Max models can be heavier than other iPhone handsets
Battery capacity - Measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), this shows how much charge the battery will hold. Even with a high battery capacity, activities like gaming and streaming will still drain your device more quickly
Built-in storage - The mobile phone deal you choose will determine the gigabytes (GB) of built-in memory storage your handset has. Some models are capable of much higher amounts, though
Memory card storage - iPhones don’t offer the option to insert a memory card for additional storage. That’s why it’s especially important to look at built-in storage
Operating system - All iPhones use iOS, Apple’s operating system. You can see which version each model runs on
Network speed - This shows which wireless mobile communication technology the handset will use. This will be 4G or 5G
Front camera resolution - Measured in megapixels (MG), resolution refers to how much detail your pictures will have
Rear-facing camera resolution - Same as above, but for the camera on the back of your iPhone

How to choose which iPhone is right for me?

If you’ve got your heart set on an iPhone, here’s what you need to think about before you select the right one for you:

Your budget - It’s essential that you pick an iPhone deal that’s comfortably within your budget. There are different price points available, so you’ll be able to find the right iPhone handset for you and your wallet
What you use it for - If you use your phone for photography, a high specification camera will be important, for example
Battery life - Social media apps, video calls, streaming and games can drain your battery quickly, so look for efficient devices with a high battery capacity
Mobile networks available - If you have a favourite mobile network, perhaps you always get great signal in your area, see if it’s available with the contract you want
Contract length - iPhone contracts are usually 24 months, although you might be able to find a couple of 12-month or 36-month options available. Think about how often you change your phone before you commit
Mid-contract price rises - We show you any changes to the cost of your contract over the term of the contract, as well as the total cost overall. This will help you compare deals more effectively

What iPhone offers and deals are available?

Decide which type of mobile phone contract is right for your iPhone. Choose between:

Pay monthly - Pay for your chosen contract in monthly installments, which includes calls, text messages and data use, as well as the price of the handset. After you’ve paid off the cost of your iPhone, your monthly payments should decrease or you could be offered a phone upgrade
Pay-as-you-go - You only pay for what you’ve used and there’s no monthly fees to keep up with. However, when you run out of credit, you won’t be able to ring anyone or connect to the internet (unless you’re using Wi-Fi)
Unlimited data contracts - You’ll never have to worry about running out of data and they typically have unlimited texts and calls, too. Think about if a contract with a high data threshold (rather than unlimited) might suit your circumstances instead, as it could save you some money
SIM only deals - This option allows you to pay monthly for your calls, texts and data use. However, unlike with a monthly contract, you won’t be paying for a new iPhone handset. You’ll need to own one already. You might want to think about switching to this type of contract once you’ve paid off your iPhone, if you’re still happy and don’t want to upgrade

Which is the cheapest iPhone available?

Apple released four different iPhone models in September this year.

Currently, this is how the costs stack up against each other when you compare the latest iPhones with us:

The iPhone 17 is the cheapest option, available from £29.99 on a monthly contract, or from £799 to purchase the phone without a contract
Apple’s new slimline option, the iPhone Air, has monthly deals starting from £39.99, or from £999 to purchase just the handset
Deals on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max start from £44.99 per month. Prices start from £1,099 for an iPhone 17 Pro handset and from £1,199 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max

Of course, this is just the starting amount for a basic monthly contract. What you’ll actually pay each month will depend on the:

Internal storage - Choosing a higher internal storage capacity (512GB, for example), will bump up the monthly cost
Network - Mobile networks, like Three, Vodafone and iD Mobile, differ in pricing for the same contract type
Data - Opting for a high data use contract (100GB and unlimited options) can make monthly costs increase
Minutes and texts - Unlimited calls and texts could make it more expensive, although some deals will include it as standard
Upfront cost - Paying off a large chunk of the iPhone handset cost upfront can significantly reduce the amount you pay each month

When will the next iPhones be released 2026?

For several years now, Apple has unveiled its main iPhones in September, including its most recent iPhone 17, which came out in September 2025.

Speculation is already growing about the iPhone 18. There are usually iPhone Pro and iPhone Pro Max models released annually, too.

Rumours of a foldable iPhone model are rife, which would compete with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Google Pixel Pro Fold handsets.

Apple also unveiled a super slim new handset called the iPhone Air, which replaces the iPhone Plus. The second version is expected to drop next year.

The latest iPhone models currently are the:

iPhone 17
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone Air

You can compare contracts for all these iPhone models with us.

Apple vs Samsung phones

They’re the two behemoths of the mobile phone industry, going toe-to-toe with their ground-breaking innovation, so no wonder it’s hard to pick between Samsung and Apple, especially if you can’t decide where you land on the Android versus iOS debate.

If you’re not loyal to a particular brand, it gives you the opportunity to explore the pros and cons of both before making a decision.

	Advantages	Disadvantages
Apple	If you already own Apple products, an iPhone will work smoothly with your other devices iPhones are considered easy to use and the customer interface is cohesive across all Apple products iPhones have a high build quality and are very durable with powerful performance	You’re not able to customise your iPhone as extensively as you would a Samsung device You’re completely dependent on Apple, which means a lower level of flexibility than with a Samsung phone
Samsung	Android phones have a much wider range of apps to choose from There are more handset models available from Samsung at a greater range of price points Samsung can be viewed as more innovative than Apple, with phones that can fold out into tablets	The more premium handset offerings from Samsung are similar in price to iPhones Samsung devices tend to have bloatware. These are pre-installed apps that take up memory on the phone and aren’t necessarily useful

It’s not just about Samsung and Apple either, other brands including Google, Sony and Motorola have options you might want to think about.