Buying Guide
iPhone 17 vs Pro vs Air vs Pro Max: Which Model Should You Buy?
Apple's 2025 lineup splits into four distinct models — the standard iPhone 17, the slim iPhone Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Each makes sense for a different buyer. Three of them placed at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards. This guide breaks down the call by use case.
Updated · By SmartphoneAwards Editorial
iPhone 17 — for most buyers ($799)
The default recommendation for 80% of buyers. Won Phone of the Year at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards because Apple finally brought ProMotion 120Hz to the base model and added full Apple Intelligence support. 6.1-inch display, A19 chip, dual-camera system. If you're not sure which iPhone to buy, get this one. Who should buy it: anyone replacing an iPhone 14 or older; anyone who doesn't shoot professional video; anyone whose budget caps below $1,000.
iPhone Air — for design lovers ($899)
Won Best Design at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards. At 5.5mm thin, it's the thinnest mainstream smartphone ever made. Single-camera system and a 6.6-inch display. The catch: smaller battery (2,800 mAh) means shorter screen-on time than the standard 17. Who should buy it: design-first buyers who prioritize the in-pocket feel and look of the phone over absolute battery life or telephoto-camera flexibility. Pairs especially well with users who already use AirPods Pro and rarely make calls without them (the slimmer body makes daily one-hand carry meaningful).
iPhone 17 Pro — for creators ($1,099)
Runner-up Best Camera at MKBHD's 2025 awards. The right pick for video creators specifically — ProRes Log, 4K60 Cinematic mode, the A19 Pro, and the deepest creator-app ecosystem (Final Cut Pro, DaVinci, Filmic, ProRAW). Triple 48MP camera system with the same 5x periscope as the 16 Pro. Who should buy it: anyone who shoots video professionally or as a serious hobby; anyone who needs telephoto camera reach; iOS power users who want the most capable iPhone available short of the Pro Max.
iPhone 17 Pro Max — for power users (from $1,199)
Same camera and chipset as the 17 Pro, but with a 6.9-inch display and the largest battery in the iPhone lineup. The right choice if you want absolutely everything Apple offers in 2026 and you can carry a large phone comfortably. Who should buy it: power users who watch a lot of video on the phone; anyone whose battery anxiety hasn't been solved by the 17 Pro; anyone who used to own a Galaxy Note and misses the size.
Quick decision: which iPhone in 60 seconds
- Replacing an iPhone 12 or older → iPhone 17 (the upgrade is huge) - Replacing an iPhone 13/14 → iPhone 17, unless you want to step up to a Pro for ProRes - Replacing an iPhone 15 → iPhone 17 (worth it for ProMotion + Apple Intelligence on the base) - Replacing an iPhone 16 → wait for iPhone 18 unless you're a Pro user - First-time iPhone buyer → iPhone 17 ($799), or iPhone 16 if budget caps below $700 - Photography-first buyer → iPhone 17 Pro (or Pro Max for battery) - Design / pocketability matters most → iPhone Air - Want everything Apple makes → iPhone 17 Pro Max
Frequently Asked Questions
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Pro: which to buy?
iPhone 17 for 80% of buyers — it won Phone of the Year at MKBHD's 2025 awards and saves $300 vs the Pro. Buy the 17 Pro only if you specifically need: telephoto camera, ProRes video, the brighter display, or the larger battery.
Is the iPhone Air worth $100 more than the iPhone 17?
Only if pocketability and design are decisive for you. The Air won Best Design at MKBHD's 2025 awards but loses on battery life and camera flexibility vs the standard 17. Most buyers will be happier with the 17.
Should I get the iPhone 17 Pro Max or iPhone 17 Pro?
Get the 17 Pro unless you specifically want the larger 6.9-inch display or need maximum battery life. The cameras are identical. Pro Max is heavier (around 230g) and harder to use one-handed.
Which iPhone has the best battery life?
iPhone 17 Pro Max has the longest battery life in the lineup, followed by 17 Pro, then 17, then iPhone Air. None of them beat the OnePlus 15 (MKBHD's 2025 Best Battery winner) on raw endurance, but the Pro Max gets close.