An AI bubble is no longer Wall Street’s biggest fear. This market risk just took its place.
An AI bubble is no longer Wall Street’s biggest fear. This market risk just took its place.. Global fund managers are more worried about a “disorderly rise” in bond yields than a bubble for AI, says Bank of America’s latest survey.
What happened
Samuel Gibbs has tested and rated Apple’s smartphones, including the best for camera quality and battery life How to make your smartphone last longerJump toHow I testedWhy should you trust me? The best iPhones you can buyOther iPhones still on sale at AppleReplace or spruce up? There’s generally no need to buy a fresh phone just because new models have been released, as hardware updates are broadly iterative, adding small bits to an already accomplished package.
But if you do want a replacement handset, whether new or refurbished, here are the best devices of the current crop of Apple smartphones. Whether your priority is the longest battery life, the best camera, the biggest screen or simply the optimal balance of features and price, there’s more to choose from in the Apple ecosystem than you may expect. Apple recently announced the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, which are direct replacements for the previous Pro models and will be available from 18 September.
It also took the unusual step of adding £100 to the price of every model, including older iPhones still on sale, as RAMageddon continues to drive up component costs.
The wider picture
The battery lasts just shy of two days between charges, and it fast-charges via USB-C or MagSafe/Qi2 wireless charging. Housing Apple’s A19 Pro chip with a cooling system to allow it to run at peak performance for longer, the Pro is great for games and other intensive tasks. The biggest feature upgrade over the regular iPhone 17 is the Pro’s camera system. Buy if: you want the best iPhone you can get right now, and you don’t want to wait for the iPhone 18 Pro lineDon’t buy if: you want the latest and greatest Apple tech, as the brand just released its new models for 2026Read our full iPhone 17 Pro review: different looks but still all about the zoomScreen: 6.
75 x 150mm (WDH)Weight: 204gAppleiPhone 17 Profrom £999£999 at Argos£999 at CurrysBest iPhone for battery: iPhone 17 Pro MaxAppleiPhone 17 Pro Maxfrom £1,099£1,099 at Argos£1,099 at CurrysView image in fullscreen Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian£1,099 at Argos£1,099 at CurrysThe iPhone 17 Pro Max is Apple’s biggest and most expensive model from 2025. Built to be the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever made, the bulk of the body is just 5. However, the biggest compromise is that it only has a single 48MP camera on the rear, with no ultra-wide or telephoto options.
It replaced the iPhone 16e with a similar look but bonus features, and it won’t be replaced by an iPhone 18e.
What has been reported
If it’s past its best, a replacement costs £65 to £119 from Apple, or cheaper through third parties, and will give your iPhone a new lease of life. If your phone is worn out, broken beyond repair, or no longer receives crucial security updates, it’s time to upgrade. The latest software, version iOS 27, supports devices back to 2019’s iPhone 11, so anything older should be replaced soon – though some older models may still receive occasional security updates from Apple.
What to look out for in a refurbBuying refurbished phones is better for the planet and your wallet. The iPhone makes for an excellent refurbished phone, typically staying responsive for years and being supported with software updates for about seven years from release, or longer in some circumstances. Quick GuideA buyer’s guide to refurbished phonesShowSeveral third-party retailers offer refurbished phones, including the UK high street chains CeX and Game and online stores such as musicMagpie and E
Skip to main contentSkip to navigation View image in fullscreenReviewThe best iPhones: which Apple smartphone is right for you, according to our expertLooking for a new iPhone or a good deal on a refurbished one? What to look out for in a refurbDo not buyThe best iPhone may be the one you already own.
What happens next
Many other smartphones are available besides the iPhone, but if you’re an Apple user and don’t fancy switching to Android, there are still a few choices to make. They feature faster chips and a variable-aperture main camera for more creative photography options. It also unveiled its first folding phone, the iPhone Duo, which adopts a squat, passport-like shape with a 5. 6in tablet screen on the inside when you open it like a book.
The iPhone Duo will be available from 23 September. It did not announce a regular iPhone 18, leaving the iPhone 17 as Apple’s standard model for now. This guide will be updated once the new iPhones have been thoroughly tested.