There’s a lot of love for iPhones, especially among photographers, so how do different iPhones compare for photography? iPhone expert Amy Davies explains
As the resident chief iPhone reviewer, I test all of the best iPhones for photography as soon as they come in. Since Apple has a yearly release cycle, there are plenty of great options out there, and while the best choice is always going to be the newest, there are also plenty of older iPhones that rank among the best camera phones for photography, but also save you money.
There are many reasons to opt for an iPhone over an Android camera phone – you may prefer the Apple OS, or just like the look of images produced on an iPhone. While iPhones have a reputation for being expensive, you can get one with a great phone camera for less, if you’re willing to buy older models second-hand, and refurbished.
As such, I’ve compared iPhones new and old on this list to help you find the right Apple phone for your photography. Having personally spent time with all the phones on this list, I feel confident that there’s a great option on this list for you, no matter your budget, experience or skill level.
Our quick list of the best iPhones for photography:
Looking for the best deal on iPhones? Not only will you find the best iPhones, but also some of the best iPhone deals, as our ‘Buy now’ buttons are set to automatically take you to the best prices from trusted retailers. You’ll also find a list of other retailers below each camera, so you can find the right deal for you.
- Best iPhone overall – iPhone 17 Pro / Max – Buy now
- Best iPhone for most people – iPhone 17 – Buy now
- Best iPhone (2025) – iPhone 16 Pro Max – Buy now
- Best iPhone for zoom – iPhone 15 Pro Max – Buy now
- Best iPhone with a small screen – iPhone 15 Pro – Buy now
- Best value iPhone – iPhone 14 Pro/Max – Buy now
- First iPhone with macro – iPhone 13 Pro – Buy now
- Best cheap iPhone under – iPhone 12 (renewed) – Buy now
- Best cheap new iPhone – iPhone 16e – Buy now
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Best overall iPhone camera
Best Apple camera phone 2026: iPhone 17 Pro and Max
Amateur Photographer verdict
Apple’s best iPhone ever made so far – the 17 Pro and Pro Max with new higher resolution 4x telephoto camera, and square 18MP selfie camera
- Improved selfie camera
- Triple high-resolution cameras
- Image quality very good overall
- Limited colours
- Weak macro performance
| Specifications | iPhone 17 Pro and Max |
|---|---|
| Main camera | 48MP, f/1.78 aperture, 24mm equivalent, IS |
| Ultrawide camera | 48MP, f/2.2 aperture, 13mm equivalent |
| Telephoto camera | 48MP 4x, f/2.8 aperture, 100mm equivalent |
| Selfie camera | 18MP f/1.9, with AF |
| Video | 4K video up to 120fps |
| Screen | Pro Max: 6.9inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen. Pro: 6.3inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen |
| Battery | Pro: 3998mAh battery, Pro Max: 4823mAh battery (more on eSIM versions) |
Whichever iPhone 17 Pro you go for (Pro or Pro Max), you’re getting the same updated camera system on both models, the only differences being the phone size (including the screen and battery). This year we’ve got an update to the telephoto camera, which now has a higher resolution 48MP sensor, a 4x telephoto lens, and offers an 8x “optical quality” digital crop/zoom option, that can give really nice results. There’s also an updated 18MP selfie camera with a square sensor making it easier to shoot any way you hold the phone.
I reviewed the phone, and found the overall package extremely good in terms of camera features, but I’m still waiting for Apple to improve the macro performance, which has been overtaken by Android phones, which now tend to use the telephoto camera (with a periscope design) to give more pleasing macro images.
These updates may be enough to persuade people to upgrade from the 15 and 16 series, but there have been questions raised about the durability of the new aluminium design, particularly on the edges of the new bump. The base model now comes with 256GB, which is a nice bump from the previous 128GB storage, and will be useful for all the photos I’m going to take.
The iPhone 17 Pro / Max offer the best iPhone cameras, with some impressive video options as well. The main choice now, will be whether you want the larger phone, or the more compact phone.
Read our full iPhone 17 Pro review.
Best iPhone for most people
iPhone 17
Amateur Photographer verdict
For those looking for an excellent all-rounder, but without having to spend flagship prices, the iPhone 17 is a solid performer.
- Good value for a new iPhone
- 2x high resolution cameras
- Improved selfie camera
- No telephoto
- Lacks raw shooting
| Specifications | iPhone 17 |
|---|---|
| Main camera | 48MP, f/1.6 aperture, 26mm equivalent, IS |
| Ultrawide camera | 48MP, f/2.2 aperture, 13mm equivalent |
| Selfie camera | 18MP f/1.9, with AF |
| Video | 4K video up to 60fps |
| Screen | 6.3inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen |
| Battery | 3692mAh battery |
For a considerable saving, roughly $300 / £300, you can get the iPhone 17 instead, which loses the telephoto camera compared to the 17 Pro/Max. But if you can live without a telephoto camera, it’s a huge saving, and represents amazing value for money for a brand new iPhone. The main camera is a wide-angle, with 48MP sensor, and 24MP output on default settings, but is slightly brighter at f/1.6 to make up for a slightly smaller sensor.
If you’ve got an iPhone 15 or 16, then the upgrades made with the 17 are worthwhile, with an improved ultra-wide camera, as well as the new square sensor selfie camera, which allows for shots to be taken whichever way you hold the phone. Battery life has been improved, and the screen is the same as on the 17 Pro.
One area where the Pro/Max offer more (other than the telephoto camera) is in terms of advanced video features, with support for higher frame rates, ProRes/RAW, Log, and more. For most people this won’t matter too much. This is a great choice if you don’t need or want the telephoto camera on the 17 Pro/Max, and want to save money, and in the current climate, saving money is always a good idea.
Read our full iPhone 17 review
For more help deciding, have a look at our iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17 comparison where we ask if the telephoto camera is worth the extra money.
Best Apple camera phone (2025)
iPhone 16 Pro and Max
Amateur Photographer verdict
Apple’s best device so far* with the 16 Pro and Pro Max adding some additional camera updates, but nothing revolutionary.
(* excluding the new iPhone 17)
- Pro Max benefits from larger screen
- New camera control button
- Image quality very good overall
- Low resolution telephoto camera
- Low resolution selfie camera
- Weak macro performance
| Specifications | iPhone 16 Pro and Max |
|---|---|
| Main camera | 48MP, f/1.78 aperture, 24mm equivalent |
| Ultrawide camera | 48MP, f/2.2 aperture, 13mm equivalent |
| Telephoto camera | 12MP 5x, f/2.8 aperture, 120mm equivalent |
| Selfie camera | 12MP f/1.9, with AF |
| Video | 4K video up to 120fps |
| Screen | Pro Max: 6.9inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen. Pro: 6.3inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen |
| Battery | Pro: 3582mAh battery, Pro Max: 4685mAh battery |
You get the same camera system in the iPhone 16 Pro and the 16 Pro Max; the only differences being the phone size (including the screen and battery). The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a large 6.9inch screen, the biggest ever on an iPhone. The iPhone 16 Pro saw the ultra-wide-angle camera updated, as well as a new photo control button on the side that helps give quicker access to photo settings (such as zoom, etc). Hardly as ground-breaking as Apple would make out, but a welcome addition.
We reviewed the phone, and found the new controls useful, but would have liked to see Apple improve the macro performance, which has been overtaken by Android phones, and also the selfie camera, which still struggles in low-light. These updates may not be enough to persuade people to upgrade from the 15 Pro Max.
With the recent release of the iPhone 17 series, it appears that Apple have discontinued sales of the 16 series. Deals for these may abound at other outlets, given the new model costs the same.
The iPhone 16 Pro / Max offers some of the best cameras in an iPhone, and are impressive all round. It’s a question of whether you want the larger or the more compact version.
Read our full iPhone 16 Pro review, as well as our 16 Pro Max review.
