If you’re interested in a new Apple iPhone but not sure which model or plan is right for you, read on for an overview of the most popular models and frequently asked iPhone questions.
iPhone 17 series
Apple’s latest iPhone range is its 2025 iPhone 17 series, which includes the standard iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and the iPhone Air.
All models include Apple Intelligence on-device AI, plus the new A19 Pro Bionic Chip and upgraded front-facing Centre Stage camera.
Below is quick summary of the each device’s key features and specifications:
iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Price: From $2,199
- Display: 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR Always-On display
- Battery: Up to 37 hours video playback
- Operating system: iOS 26
- Processor: A19 Pro Bionic Chip
- Rear cameras: Triple 48-megapixel main, 48-megapixel ultrawide and 48-megapixel telephoto cameras
- Front camera: 18-megapixel Centre Stage camera
- Connectivity: 5G
- Sizes: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Colours: Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue
iPhone 17 Pro
- Price: From $1,999
- Display: 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR Always-On display
- Battery: Up to 31 hours video playback
- Operating system: iOS 26
- Processor: A19 Pro Bionic Chip
- Rear cameras: Triple 48-megapixel main, 48-megapixel ultrawide and 48-megapixel telephoto cameras
- Front camera: 18-megapixel Centre Stage camera
- Connectivity: 5G
- Sizes: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
- Colours: Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue
iPhone 17
- Price: From $1,399
- Display: 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR Always-On display
- Battery: Up to 30 hours video playback
- Operating system: iOS 26
- Processor: A19 Pro Bionic Chip
- Rear cameras: Dual 48-megapixel Fusion and 48-megapixel ultrawide cameras
- Front camera: 18-megapixel Centre Stage camera
- Connectivity: 5G
- Sizes: 256GB, 512GB
- Colours: Sky Blue, Light Gold, Cloud White, Space Black
iPhone 17 Air
- Price: From $1,799
- Display: 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR Always-On display
- Battery: Up to 27 hours video playback
- Operating system: iOS 26
- Processor: A19 Pro Bionic Chip
- Rear cameras: Single 48-megapixel Fusion camera
- Front camera: 18-megapixel Centre Stage camera
- Connectivity: 5G
- Sizes: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Colours: Sky Blue, Light Gold, Cloud White, Space Black
iPhone 16 series
Apple’s 2024 iPhone 16 range, including the lower-priced iPhone 16e, remains a popular choice for buyers. Although Apple only stocks the iPhone 16, 16 Plus and 16e, the pro iPhone 16 models are still available from other retailers.
The 16 Pro and Pro Max include Apple’s A18 Pro Bionic Chip processor, Apple Intelligence AI, an excellent triple rear camera system, iOS 18 software and all-day battery.
iPhone 16 prices
- iPhone 16e: From $999
- iPhone 16: From $1,249
- iPhone 16 Plus: From $1,399
- iPhone 16 Pro: From $1,799
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: From $2,149
iPhone 15 series
Selected models from the 2023 iPhone 15 series can still be picked up from telcos and retailers, and could be a cheaper alternative for users who want high-end features for a lower price than the iPhone 17.
iPhone 15 prices
- iPhone 15: From $1,099
- iPhone 15 Plus: From $1,349
- iPhone 15 Pro: From $1,699
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: From $2,049
What is the cheapest iPhone?
The iPhone 16e is currently the cheapest iPhone that you can buy directly from Apple, with prices starting at $999 outright for the 128GB size. This replaces the iPhone SE model, which is no longer available directly through Apple (but may still be offered by authorised resellers).
What is the best iPhone?
The iPhone that’s best for you will depend on factors including price, design, cameras and features. Unsurprisingly, the newest iPhones will tend to have the best technology and upgrades — so in 2025, the best iPhone is the iPhone 17 Pro Max as has the highest specifications available. However, it’s also the priciest model on the market, so you’re paying for that ‘best of the best’ status.
If you’re happy to forgo the brand’s newest and priciest features, Apple’s more affordable iPhone 16e will give you excellent performance. Consider what features are important to you before deciding, as well as your budget and how long you want to future-proof your device.
Best iPhone plans
Where can I buy an iPhone on a telco plan?
You can buy the latest iPhones on phone-on-a-plan bundles from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. This includes the 2025 iPhone 17 range, plus the iPhone 16 series and various older models, where still available.
Telstra iPhone plans
Telstra offers all new iPhones from launch, along with some older devices, depending on stock levels. iPhones are available to buy outright, or on a device payment plan over 12, 24 or 36 monthly installments. No matter which option you pick, you’ll pay the same in total for your phone: a longer repayment period will have a cheaper monthly cost, but it will take more time to fully pay off your iPhone.
How much you pay per month for your Telstra iPhone plan will depend on the device you choose, storage size, the repayment period and the Telstra plan you choose to bundle with your device. You’ll also need to pair your phone with a Telstra SIM-only postpaid mobile plan.
Signing up to a Telstra iPhone plan has its advantages. Telstra offers eligible customers access to its rewards program, and the telco is known to offer free subscriptions to streaming services.
Optus iPhone plans
Optus offers a range of iPhone plans, including the latest iPhones and older iPhone models if stock is available.
Optus also separates its iPhone repayments from its SIM-only plans. Choose your preferred iPhone model, storage size and repayment period, decide if you’ll pay it off over 12, 24 or 36 months, then add on your choice of Optus postpaid SIM plan.
If you’re interested in signing up to Optus iPhone plans, eligible Optus customers will also gain access to Optus SubHub — the telco’s subscription bundling service. Subhub offers bundling discounts for a range of subscriptions such as Netflix, Prime and BINGE.
Vodafone iPhone plans
Vodafone offers iPhone plans across a range of Apple models. You’ll find the most recent iPhones on offer, along with older devices as long as stock is available.
Pick your iPhone and your device repayment term: either 12, 24 or 36 months. You can then add on your choice of Vodafone’s SIM-only postpaid plans. The iPhone’s repayment period and your chosen plan’s price will determine how much your phone bill will cost each month.
Vodafone doesn’t tend to provide as many extras as Telstra or Optus, but you’ll typically get a cheaper plan price for your monthly SIM. Vodafone is also known to offer ongoing plan discounts and bonus data.
Amaysim iPhone plans
Prepaid telco Amaysim offers a range of Apple phones, including the latest iPhone series and some older devices. You’re able to buy a new iPhone from Amaysim outright, then bundle it with one of Amaysim’s prepaid phone plans.
As there’s no handset repayment option and all of Amaysim's plans feature no lock-in contracts, you're free to cancel your plan at any time and take your new iPhone elsewhere.
What is the cheapest iPhone plan?
iPhone pricing is rarely ‘cheap’ — but you can find ways to pay less each month for your new device. Most iPhone plans currently begin around the $90-$100 per month mark for both your mobile plan and phone payment, with a longer repayment term meaning a lower monthly cost.
Excluding device payments, postpaid phone plans that you can bundle with your iPhone start at $53 from Vodafone, $55 from Optus and $70 from Telstra.
What’s the best iPhone deal?
While Apple rarely runs sales directly, you can frequently find deals and discounts on even the newest iPhones from retailers and telcos. If you’ve snagged an iPhone deal from a retailer such as JB Hi-Fi or Officeworks, you’ll simply pay the discounted price upfront and then the phone is fully yours.
iPhone deals on telco phone-on-a-plan offers are slightly different. If you’re buying from Telstra, Optus or Vodafone on a 12, 24 or 36-month device plan, any discount will be applied evenly over your monthly installments. Unfortunately, this means that if you decide to cancel your plan early, you’ll generally forfeit the discount and need to pay out the remaining full-price balance of your iPhone.
If you’re happy to commit to a telco for a minimum of one year, you can save hundreds on the cost of a new iPhone. But factor in the price of your monthly SIM plan on top of your iPhone cost to determine how much you’ll actually be paying over the life of your plan.
For shoppers keen on a deal, iPhones often go on sale around the following dates and events:
- End of financial year/stock take sales (June through to early July)
- Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales (late November)
- Boxing Day sales (December 26th)
- When new iPhones are released (September each year).
FAQs about iPhones
Whether you’re buying an iPhone or a device from another brand, consider the following when comparing models:
- Price: iPhones are typically expensive; however, an older model or refurbished phone can help keep those costs down.
- Screen size: Apple offers several size options across each iPhone lineup. The iPhone 17 series includes three different display sizes, so if you prefer bigger phones or smaller phones, you’ll have a couple of options to choose from.
- Battery life: Generally, the newer the model, the better the battery. However, the jump in battery power between each iPhone series isn’t necessarily enough to be noticeable to lighter users, and opting for an older iPhone, like the iPhone 16, could be a good money-saving choice if you’re not glued to your phone all day.
- Camera quality: The iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max offers the best camera seen on an Apple device yet. But if you’re just after a camera for your day-to-day life, a less expensive device is still going to perform well.
- Internal storage: The iPhone 17 series starts at 256GB of storage, with variations all the way up to 2TB. However, the bigger your phone’s storage, the more expensive it will be.
Here are the iPhones currently available through the Apple online store:
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17
- iPhone Air
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16e
You can find a bigger range of older iPhones, including the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max or iPhone 15 series, through other retailers and on plans from telcos.
There is a wide range of sub-$1000 smartphones available in Australia. Brands like Samsung, Google, OPPO and Motorola all offer excellent mid to high-range devices at cheaper price prices than the iPhone.
You can get a great Android smartphone for under $200 with all the basics and necessities, or pick up a 5G-ready device with an improved battery, performance and cameras for under $400.
If Apple’s price range is too high, remember that almost everything you can do on an iPhone, you can also do on an Android. Some newer and cheaper Android phones worth considering include:
- Google Pixel 9a
- 2025 Samsung Galaxy A Series
- 2025 OPPO A Series
- Motorola Moto G Series
With the high cost of buying a brand new iPhone, you might consider turning to a refurbished iPhone. These are essentially second-hand iPhones which have been previously used, but often with a replacement battery, new phone screen, etc.
Refurbished iPhones from reputable sellers are professionally refurbished and go through quality control checks to ensure you’re getting a device in good working order (although sometimes with minor cosmetic flaws). However, buying a second-hand phone from an online marketplace or directly from the previous owner means it usually won’t have been refurbished, and could have issues with battery capacity or the performance.
A new iPhone should last you about three to four years before you’ll need to buy a replacement. This time frame is long enough for you to still be receiving updates that are compatible with your device’s software.
Over this time period, you’ll likely notice the phone getting generally slower, and the battery life getting worse. Typically, Apple will release updates for devices launched in the past five to six years, so this is a good window to make sure you’re still getting the latest version of iOS. Currently, the oldest iPhones compatible with the latest software updates are the iPhone 11 series (launched 2019).
