Which iPhone should you buy? iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17

The three iPhones most people choose between, explained simply: what you get with each and who each one is for.

Adsokane team · Updated 1 November 2026 · 5 min read

Apple sells several iPhones at once, and the differences are not always obvious from the names. For most buyers the choice is between the iPhone 16e, the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 17. All three run the latest iOS, support Apple Intelligence and charge over USB-C.

iPhone 16e: the most affordable

The 16e has the same A18 chip as the iPhone 16, a 6.1-inch OLED screen and a single 48 MP rear camera. It skips the ultra wide camera, Camera Control and MagSafe. It is the iPhone to buy if you want a new, fast iPhone for the lowest price and mostly take photos with the main camera.

iPhone 16: the all-rounder

The iPhone 16 adds a 12 MP ultra wide camera, Camera Control, MagSafe and the Dynamic Island. It is a good middle ground if you want the full iPhone experience and a second camera, without paying for the newest model.

iPhone 17: the best standard iPhone

The iPhone 17 brings a 6.3-inch ProMotion display up to 120 Hz with always-on, the A19 chip, a 48 MP ultra wide camera, an 18 MP Center Stage selfie camera, and 256 GB of storage as standard. If you keep phones for several years, it is the one that will feel current the longest.

Tip:We compare the two most popular choices in detail in iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17.