Buying a smartphone can be a complex task.
Our detailed buying guide ranks the top 10 ‘best’ phones, but the right choice for you depends heavily on your budget, hardware needs, and software preferences.
At Tech Advisor, we are committed to providing thorough reviews and detailed advice to assist in making informed purchasing decisions. A one-size-fits-all approach is not effective.
However, if you’re considering an iPhone, our guidance is clear: if your budget allows, the iPhone 17 is a standout choice for both the present and future. It’s one of the few flagship phones we can strongly recommend to nearly anyone.
The sweet spot in Apple’s iPhone lineup…
Apple’s release of the iPhone 17 late last year simplified the buying choice for millions globally. It became the second most popular smartphone in Q4 of 2025, according to Counterpoint Research, trailing only the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
For most people, there’s no need to spend at least £1,099/$1,099 on the Pro models, which feature a divisive design and offer minimal additional benefits.
On the other hand, the ultra-thin iPhone Air, which I reviewed, costs £200/£200 more than the iPhone 17 but suffers significantly in the camera, battery, and speaker areas. The iPhone 17e sacrifices too many quality-of-life features of the regular model to achieve its lower price point.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
For the majority, the iPhone 17 strikes the right balance between cost and features. It might even convince some Android users to switch.
…as verified by our expert reviewer
As an Android user who occasionally reviews iPhones, you might doubt my opinion on Apple devices.
That’s why I turned to my colleague Emma Rowley, an iPhone expert with 16 years of experience (starting with the iPhone 4). She praised the iPhone 17 in her 4.5-star review from last October, calling it “the model to get.”
Emma Rowley / Foundry
After eight months of continuous use, has her opinion changed? It appears the phone has only impressed her more:
“The iPhone 17 is a phone I’d recommend to literally anyone who can afford £799/$799 for their daily device. Its strengths can be summed up as insane convenience.
“It’s a comfortable size and weight, featuring key hardware and software updates from recent years, such as a USB-C charging port, Action button, Dynamic Island, Always-On display, and the Centre Stage selfie cam feature. The OLED display is bright and sharp, with a peak brightness of 3,000 nits for a great viewing experience in all settings, and a 120Hz refresh rate.
“Moreover, it has a faster chip than the iPhone 16 and double the starting storage for the same launch price. Software updates are expected until around 2032, and it’s AI-ready, pending Apple’s advancements in that area.”
Emma Rowley / Foundry
In summary, aside from the absence of AI, which affects all iPhones, the main compromises are in low-light and zoom photography. If you primarily use the main and selfie lenses during the day, you’ll be satisfied.
For most people, the regular iPhone 17 offers the perfect balance between price and feature set
If you own an iPhone that’s at least two years old, you’ll truly value the substantial upgrades in the iPhone 17. While I’m not suggesting you upgrade your smartphone every two years, waiting longer between upgrades is a simple way to enhance your phone’s sustainability.
Holding out for the next generation isn’t advisable…
Don’t wait for the iPhone 18
Those eagerly anticipating the iPhone 18 might be let down by recent indications.
In January, several reports indicated that the regular model’s launch would be delayed, meaning it wouldn’t debut with the iPhone 18 Pro models in September. Its release is expected to shift to Spring 2027 alongside the mid-range iPhone 18e, to accommodate the anticipated foldable iPhone this year.
If this holds true, the iPhone 17 will remain the latest base flagship for nearly another year, making it an easier recommendation.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Even when it does arrive, the regular iPhone 18 is shaping up to be a disappointing successor. In April, a Weibo leaker suggested that one or more of the manufacturing process, chip specs, or memory will be downgraded.
The ongoing global RAM shortage appears to be to blame, with unprecedented demand from AI data centers leading to a massive increase in production costs.
In response, companies must absorb the additional costs themselves, increase product prices, or compromise their hardware to make it cheaper to produce. In the case of the iPhone 18, Apple may be opting for the latter, but that’s probably not all.
While the iPhone 17 range hasn’t been included in Apple’s price rises so far, it’d be a big surprise if Apple is able to maintain the £799/$799 price tag.
Anyone eagerly awaiting the upcoming iPhone 18 will be disappointed by all the recent signs
With no base iPhone 18 expected until 2027, plus potential downgrades and price hikes when it eventually arrives, the iPhone 17 is the clear choice.
Get the iPhone 17 while you still can
As Emma mentioned earlier, the iPhone 17 starts at £799/$799 if purchased outright. Although this isn’t cheap, you can spread the cost over monthly payments of about £36-£37 for 24 months by buying it on contract in the UK.
However, it’s a reasonable price for a highly future-proof phone, with no upgraded successor on the horizon and the promise of Apple’s long-term software support.
The iPhone 17 is a phone I’d recommend to literally anyone who can stump up £799/$799 for their daily driver
Notably, the iPhone 17 was excluded from Apple’s June 2026 price increases, which saw significant hikes on Macs and iPads. The iPhone 17 range might be next.
As of now, the iPhone 17 is still available for its launch price of £799/$799 through various retailers in the UK (Apple/Amazon) and the US (Apple/Best Buy), but there’s no guarantee that this will remain the case for long.
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Investing this much in a phone is a significant decision, even with a contract. However, if you’re seriously considering a new iPhone, you should act quickly on the iPhone 17. It’s about as close as you can get to a no-brainer flagship phone.
Not interested in an iPhone? Our guides to the best budget phones, best mid-range phones, and best phones overall offer some excellent alternatives.
