Best iPhone to buy in 2026 by budget
| Budget | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under R5 000 | iPhone SE (2020) | Cheapest iPhone that still gets iOS 27; compact with Touch ID |
| R5 000–R8 000 | iPhone 11 or iPhone 12 | Face ID, dual cameras and iOS 27; the 12 adds 5G, MagSafe and an OLED screen |
| R8 000–R12 000 | iPhone 13 | 128GB base, great battery, 5G, still a very capable camera |
| R12 000–R17 000 | iPhone 15 or iPhone 14 Pro | USB-C and Dynamic Island, or a 120Hz Pro screen and 3× zoom |
| R17 000+ | iPhone 16 Pro / 16 Pro Max | Apple Intelligence, 5× zoom, Camera Control, best battery we stock |
Which iPhone has the best camera?
The newest Pro models always lead: the iPhone 18 Pro Max adds a variable-aperture 48MP main camera, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max has three 48MP cameras with an 8× optical-quality zoom. Among the pre-owned iPhones we sell, the iPhone 16 Pro Max and 16 Pro have the best cameras (48MP main and ultra wide, 5× zoom, 4K 120fps video), followed by the 15 Pro Max (5× zoom) and the 14 Pro/15 Pro with 48MP main sensors and 3× zoom.
All pre-owned iPhones compared
| Model | From | Screen | Chip | Rear cams | 5G | MagSafe | Port | Software |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 8 | R3 600 | 4.7-inch Retina HD | A11 Bionic | 1 | — | — | Lightning | iOS 16 |
| iPhone 8 Plus | R4 500 | 5.5-inch Retina HD | A11 Bionic | 2 | — | — | Lightning | iOS 16 |
| iPhone SE (2020) | R4 500 | 4.7-inch Retina HD | A13 Bionic | 1 | — | — | Lightning | Supports iOS 27 |
| iPhone X | R5 200 | 5.8-inch Super Retina | A11 Bionic | 2 | — | — | Lightning | iOS 16 |
| iPhone XR | R5 300 | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina | A12 Bionic | 1 | — | — | Lightning | iOS 18 |
| iPhone XS | R5 500 | 5.8-inch Super Retina | A12 Bionic | 2 | — | — | Lightning | iOS 18 |
| iPhone XS Max | R6 000 | 6.5-inch Super Retina | A12 Bionic | 2 | — | — | Lightning | iOS 18 |
| iPhone 11 | R6 200 | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina | A13 Bionic | 2 | — | — | Lightning | Supports iOS 27 |
| iPhone 12 mini | R6 500 | 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR | A14 Bionic | 2 | Yes | Yes | Lightning | Supports iOS 27 |
| iPhone 11 Pro | R7 500 | 5.8-inch Super Retina XDR | A13 Bionic | 3 | — | — | Lightning | Supports iOS 27 |
| iPhone 12 | R7 500 | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR | A14 Bionic | 2 | Yes | Yes | Lightning | Supports iOS 27 |
| iPhone 13 mini | R8 200 | 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR | A15 Bionic | 2 | Yes | Yes | Lightning | Supports iOS 27 |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max | R8 500 | 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR | A13 Bionic | 3 | — | — | Lightning | Supports iOS 27 |
| iPhone 12 Pro | R9 000 | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR | A14 Bionic | 3 | Yes | Yes | Lightning | Supports iOS 27 |
| iPhone 13 | R9 000 | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR | A15 Bionic | 2 | Yes | Yes | Lightning | Supports iOS 27 |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | R10 000 | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR | A14 Bionic | 3 | Yes | Yes | Lightning | Supports iOS 27 |
| iPhone 14 | R10 500 | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR | A15 Bionic (5-core GPU) | 2 | Yes | Yes | Lightning | Supports iOS 27 |
| iPhone 13 Pro | R11 500 | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR with ProMotion 120Hz | A15 Bionic (5-core GPU) | 3 | Yes | Yes | Lightning | Supports iOS 27 |
| iPhone 14 Plus | R12 000 | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR | A15 Bionic (5-core GPU) | 2 | Yes | Yes | Lightning | Supports iOS 27 |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | R12 500 | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR with ProMotion 120Hz | A15 Bionic (5-core GPU) | 3 | Yes | Yes | Lightning | Supports iOS 27 |
| iPhone 15 | R13 500 | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR | A16 Bionic | 2 | Yes | Yes | USB-C | Supports iOS 27 |
| iPhone 14 Pro | R14 500 | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR, ProMotion and Always-On | A16 Bionic | 3 | Yes | Yes | Lightning | Supports iOS 27 |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | R16 000 | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR, ProMotion and Always-On | A16 Bionic | 3 | Yes | Yes | Lightning | Supports iOS 27 |
| iPhone 15 Pro | R16 000 | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR, ProMotion and Always-On | A17 Pro | 3 | Yes | Yes | USB-C (USB 3 speeds) | Supports iOS 27 and Apple Intelligence |
| iPhone 15 Plus | R16 500 | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR | A16 Bionic | 2 | Yes | Yes | USB-C | Supports iOS 27 |
| iPhone 16 | R16 500 | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR | A18 | 2 | Yes | Yes | USB-C | Supports iOS 27 and Apple Intelligence |
| iPhone 16 Plus | R19 000 | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR | A18 | 2 | Yes | Yes | USB-C | Supports iOS 27 and Apple Intelligence |
| iPhone 16 Pro | R20 000 | 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR, ProMotion and Always-On | A18 Pro | 3 | Yes | Yes | USB-C (USB 3 speeds) | Supports iOS 27 and Apple Intelligence |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | R20 500 | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR, ProMotion and Always-On | A17 Pro | 3 | Yes | Yes | USB-C (USB 3 speeds) | Supports iOS 27 and Apple Intelligence |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | R23 000 | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR, ProMotion and Always-On | A18 Pro | 3 | Yes | Yes | USB-C (USB 3 speeds) | Supports iOS 27 and Apple Intelligence |
iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12
The 12 adds 5G, MagSafe, a sharper OLED screen, the flat-edge design and a tougher Ceramic Shield front. The 11 has an LCD and is cheaper (R6 200 vs R7 500). Both run iOS 27.
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 14
Almost identical outside: same 6.1-inch screen and design. The 14 has a slightly better main camera, an autofocus selfie camera, Crash Detection and a 5-core GPU. The 13 is the better value at R9 000 against R10 500.
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 15
The 15 brings USB-C, the Dynamic Island, a 48MP main camera with 2× zoom and the A16 chip. If you want USB-C, choose the 15; if you want the lowest price for a modern iPhone, choose the 13.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 15
The 15 switches to USB-C, gains the Dynamic Island and a 48MP camera, and uses the A16. The 14 keeps Lightning and a notch.
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16
The 16 adds the A18 chip, Apple Intelligence support, the Action button, the Camera Control button and a macro-capable ultra-wide camera.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17
The iPhone 17 gets a bigger 6.3-inch 120Hz ProMotion screen, a 48MP ultra-wide camera, an 18MP Center Stage selfie camera and 256GB base storage. New prices start at R20 800.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Pro
The Pro adds a 4× telephoto (8× optical-quality zoom), the A19 Pro chip, vapour-chamber cooling, USB 3 speeds and longer battery life.
iPhone 17 Pro vs 17 Pro Max
Same cameras and chip. The Pro Max has a 6.9-inch screen instead of 6.3 inches, the longest battery life of the 2025 range, and a 2TB option.
iPhone Air vs iPhone 17
The Air is much thinner (5.6 mm) with a bigger 6.5-inch screen and the A19 Pro chip, but it has only one rear camera, shorter battery life and is eSIM-only. The iPhone 17 is cheaper and has two rear cameras.
iPhone vs Samsung
iPhones get software updates for longer and keep their resale value better; Samsung Galaxy phones offer more choice of sizes and prices and more customisation. If you already use WhatsApp, banking apps and Google services, both work well; the decision often comes down to the ecosystem (Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch) and budget.
Frequently asked questions
Which iPhone is the best to buy in 2026?
For most people buying pre-owned, the iPhone 13 or iPhone 15 gives the best balance of price, battery and long software support. For the best camera and Apple Intelligence, choose a pre-owned iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max.
Which iPhone has the best camera?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is Apple's best camera phone in 2026. Among pre-owned models, the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max lead.
Which iPhones are 5G?
iPhone 12 and every newer iPhone, including the 16e, 17e and iPhone Air, support 5G.
Which iPhones use a USB-C (type C) charger?
iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max and every newer model (16 range, 16e, 17 range, Air, 17e, 18 Pro). Older iPhones use Lightning.