Looking to buy an iPhone but unsure which model to choose? Our complete 2025 guide will help you find the iPhone that suits you.
The best iPhones in 2024, at a glance:
- iPhone 17 Pro & Max
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16e
- Refurbished iPhone
- iPhone Air
Which iPhone should you choose in 2025? Our complete video buying guide
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1 – iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max: the best iPhones currently available
It will come as no surprise: the iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max are unquestionably the best iPhones in 2025. If you are undecided about which one to buy and your budget is not a concern, these are the models with the most powerful specifications Apple has offered so far.
They feature an exceptionally powerful A19 Pro chip paired with a vapour chamber to prevent overheating. For photography, there are three 48 MP cameras, delivering consistently excellent image quality, alongside professional video modes designed for content creators. Their displays, ranging from 6.3 to 6.9 inches, include all of Apple’s latest innovations, while battery life remains reassuringly strong.
Naturally, this cutting-edge technology comes at a premium. The iPhone 17 Pro costs €1,329, while the Max version starts at €1,479. These handsets are primarily aimed at professionals and demanding users for whom an iPhone is a genuine work tool.
iPhone 17 Pro at the best price
Base price: €1,329
| Retailer | Discount | Price | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay | -4% | €1,276 | View offer |
| Amazon | -1% | €1,319 | View offer |
| Cdiscount | -1% | €1,319 | View offer |
| FNAC | €1,329 | View offer | |
| Darty | €1,329 | View offer | |
| Boulanger | €1,329 | View offer | |
| Rueducommerce | €1,329 | View offer |
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iPhone 17 Pro Max at the best price
Base price: €1,479
| Retailer | Discount | Price | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay | -5% | €1,398 | View offer |
| Amazon | -1% | €1,469 | View offer |
| Cdiscount | -1% | €1,469 | View offer |
| FNAC | €1,479 | View offer | |
| Darty | €1,479 | View offer | |
| Boulanger | €1,479 | View offer | |
| Rueducommerce | €1,479 | View offer |
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2 – iPhone 17: our 2025 favourite
The iPhone 17 is the model we would recommend to most people. It inherits the standout technology from the 16 Pro, including its 120 Hz ProMotion display, a much-anticipated addition to the “standard” range. Its A19 chip delivers flagship-grade performance and better battery life, making it suitable for intensive everyday use.
It has two cameras, a wide-angle and an ultra-wide-angle unit, which will be more than enough for the general public. Its only real omission is a telephoto lens for distant shots. Another upgrade we would like to see on the next generation is faster charging.
Apple makes up for this with the iPhone 17’s price positioning. It costs the same as the iPhone 16 at launch (€969), yet storage has doubled to 256 GB. For all these reasons, the iPhone 17 is by far the latest-generation iPhone we recommend to everyone. Our 2025 favourite!
iPhone 17 at the best price
Base price: €969
| Retailer | Discount | Price | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulanger | -26% | €719 | View offer |
| eBay | -15% | €821 | View offer |
| Rakuten | -10% | €869 | View offer |
| Amazon | -4% | €929 | View offer |
| FNAC | €969 | View offer | |
| Darty | €969 | View offer | |
| Cdiscount | €969 | View offer | |
| Rueducommerce | €969 | View offer |
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3 – iPhone 16 Pro: the best alternative
The iPhone 16 Pro ranks third in our selection for one straightforward reason: it costs only slightly more than the iPhone 17. Above all, the iPhone 16 Pro remains an excellent choice for photography. Its 48-megapixel wide-angle camera helps reduce the risk of grain spoiling your pictures, and it also includes an effective telephoto lens. Crucially, it is compatible with Apple Intelligence.
The iPhone 16 Pro naturally includes the Dynamic Island, the interface that replaces the rather unattractive notch. It also charges via USB-C. As this is a universal standard, it may stop you being left without battery power when out and about because you forgot your charging cable at home.
Buying an iPhone 16 Pro now requires a minimum outlay of €1,229. As with the other models, the price varies according to the storage capacity selected. It comes in four colours, the same ones offered on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and its chassis is also made from titanium.
iPhone 16 Pro Max at the best price
Base price: €1,479
| Retailer | Discount | Price | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulanger | -32% | €999 | View offer |
| eBay | -18% | €1,215 | View offer |
| FNAC | -5% | €1,399 | View offer |
| Darty | -5% | €1,399 | View offer |
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4 – iPhone 16e: Apple’s mid-range option
Although Apple presents the iPhone 16e as a mid-range model, its positioning is open to debate. It does have a polished design, solid build quality and comfortable performance thanks to its chip. It also supports Apple Intelligence, for what that is worth. Battery life is also perfectly respectable, but charging is still slow and the lack of MagSafe is a genuine drawback. Another weakness is its single camera, which limits versatility. Its display does not include ProMotion either, leaving it behind competing Android devices.
Most importantly, its €719 price is high when bought outright, although it becomes more appealing through subsidised mobile network offers. We would therefore mainly recommend it to teenagers buying their first iPhone, or to older people who want a straightforward experience.
iPhone 16e at the best price
Base price: €719
| Retailer | Discount | Price | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay | -21% | €569 | View offer |
| Amazon | -17% | €599 | View offer |
| FNAC | -14% | €619 | View offer |
| Darty | -14% | €619 | View offer |
| Rakuten | €787 | View offer |
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5 – Refurbished iPhone: the answer for tighter budgets
Buying a refurbished iPhone is a sensible option if you want to make substantial savings. Refurbished iPhones are known to be considerably cheaper than new models. It is also a way to do something positive for the planet.
Refurbished iPhones usually come with a new battery and a scratch-free screen. It is especially important to check the battery, as it is the component that tends to deteriorate most quickly.
From this perspective, some iPhone 16 models are already available refurbished, allowing you to get one of the newest models for slightly less than its new price, including the ability to use Apple Intelligence on the more expensive versions.
However, do not be tempted by an attractive price alone. Choose established refurbishment specialists such as Recommerce, Rebuy or Back Market, and on the latter, only select refurbishers with excellent ratings.
6 – iPhone Air: a bet on the future
It would be impossible to put together this buying guide without mentioning the iPhone Air. With this handset, Apple has placed design above all else. It is the thinnest and lightest iPhone Apple has ever made, at 5.6 mm and 165 g. It uses the same A19 Pro chip as the Pro models, ensuring a high level of performance. Be aware, however, that it suffers from throttling during intensive use, which can restrict access to its full power.
As Samsung did with the Galaxy Edge, Apple has not overcome the limits of current technology. The iPhone Air consequently has poor battery life, just one fairly average camera without zoom or ultra-wide-angle capability, and disastrous audio quality.
Above all, the iPhone Air is sold for €1,229, which is far too expensive considering the technology included. This model is therefore for design enthusiasts, early adopters or those who want the latest release at any cost. But it demands many compromises.
iPhone Air at the best price
Base price: €1,229
| Retailer | Discount | Price | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay | -23% | €949 | View offer |
| Amazon | -13% | €1,069 | View offer |
| Cdiscount | -13% | €1,069 | View offer |
| Boulanger | -13% | €1,069 | View offer |
| FNAC | -12% | €1,079 | View offer |
| Darty | -12% | €1,079 | View offer |
| Rueducommerce | -12% | €1,079 | View offer |
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FAQ
Is the iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max really the best iPhone?
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are clearly the best iPhones you can buy today, although the iPhone 16 Pro remains a safe choice while stock lasts.
What is the best iPhone for photography?
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are the best iPhones for photos and video. This is particularly because these phones have a telephoto lens with a “tetraprism” mechanism, providing 4x optical zoom.
What is the best refurbished iPhone?
If you are buying a refurbished iPhone today, we recommend checking that the seller provides a warranty of at least six months. With second-hand parts, there is always a risk of faulty hardware. Also check that the iPhone is no more than three years old. Apple stops sending major iOS updates after five to seven years, leaving you with a two-to-four-year margin.
In short, the best refurbished iPhone today could be a model such as the iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max, which comes before the iPhone 17 Pro Max, considered the best handset in our comparison. The iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max also still do the job very well, with specifications that are ultimately very close to those of the following models.
Which one should you buy for less?
Beyond purchasing a refurbished iPhone, choosing the iPhone 16e is an interesting way to save money. However, it requires numerous technical compromises, and you should instead look at mobile network offers to obtain it at an appealing price.
Which iPhone has the best battery?
Officially, it is the iPhone 17 Pro Max. It even ranks among the longest-lasting smartphones across all brands.
Which iPhone should you buy for travelling?
If you need to be away for an extended period, choose an iPhone with relatively substantial battery life. This is the case with devices that have a large display, such as the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
iPhone 15 Pro Max
Overall score
9.9
9.9/10
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