[ Smartphones · Buying Guide & Recommendations ]
7 min read
• Updated October 2026
Best iPhones 2026: Every iPhone Ranked
Top-rated iPhones from 17 Pro Max down
By DeviceBenchmark Mobile Lab
• Verified against standardized benchmarks
Every iPhone ranked by benchmark score, from the 17 Pro Max to the best-value older models.
Featured Hardware Evaluated in This Guide
Apple's lineup is short but deep in history: the newest Pro Max models lead on silicon, while one- and two-generation-old iPhones deliver most of the experience for far less. Ranked by score, with age factored into the advice.
Top-rated iPhones
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max — 92/100, the highest-scoring iPhone in our database. Full specs & benchmarks
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro — 91/100, a 90+ scorer that trades blows with the very best. Full specs & benchmarks
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max — 89/100, a top-three pick in this ranking. Full specs & benchmarks
- Apple iPhone 17 — 86/100. Full specs & benchmarks
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro — 85/100. Full specs & benchmarks
- Apple iPhone Air — 84/100. Full specs & benchmarks
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max — 83/100. Full specs & benchmarks
- Apple iPhone 16 Plus — 83/100. Full specs & benchmarks
How to choose
Buy the newest you can justify for update longevity; buy one generation old for value. Avoid anything below 70 points unless the price is truly clearance-level.
Compare any two head-to-head in our comparison engine or browse the full leaderboard.