What’s the Best iPhone to Buy or Avoid Right Now? (2026)

2026年：现在最值得购买或避坑的 iPhone 是哪款？

Apple sells seven iPhone models, from the $699 iPhone 17e to the $1,999 iPhone Duo, but which iPhone is best for you? This is a good time of the year to buy an iPhone if you need to upgrade, since Apple just released its flagship models. (We don’t expect the more affordable iPhone 18 models until spring 2027.) We’ve tested nearly every model and outlined their strengths and weaknesses so you can get the right one for you. (The iPhone Duo is coming soon, but we have some initial hands-on details.)

苹果目前在售七款 iPhone，从 699 美元的 iPhone 17e 到 1,999 美元的 iPhone Duo 不等，但哪一款最适合你呢？如果你需要升级手机，现在正是入手的好时机，因为苹果刚刚发布了其旗舰机型。（我们预计更实惠的 iPhone 18 系列要到 2027 年春季才会发布。）我们测试了几乎所有型号，并列出了它们的优缺点，以帮助你做出正确的选择。（iPhone Duo 即将上市，我们已经掌握了一些初步的上手细节。）

Updated September 2026: We’ve added the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Duo, and the Apple Upgrade option that replaces the iPhone Upgrade Program. We’ve also added the latest features from recent iOS updates and updated pricing across the board due to Apple’s price hikes.

2026 年 9 月更新：我们增加了 iPhone 18 Pro、18 Pro Max 和 iPhone Duo 的相关内容，以及取代原“iPhone 升级计划”的“Apple Upgrade”选项。我们还补充了近期 iOS 更新带来的最新功能，并根据苹果的涨价情况更新了全线产品的价格。

But First, Sell That Old iPhone!

首先，卖掉你的旧 iPhone！

If you’re upgrading from an iPhone, you can trade it in to Apple for a small discount. Before you do that, check whether you can sell it elsewhere for more money. iPhones hold their value incredibly well, particularly if they’re in mint or good condition. We have a guide that runs through the process of selling your phone, and we generally recommend you use websites like Swappa, Gazelle, or Back Market.

如果你是从旧款 iPhone 升级，可以将其折抵给苹果以获得小额折扣。但在操作之前，请先看看在其他平台是否能卖出更高的价格。iPhone 的保值率极高，尤其是成色完好或较新的机型。我们有一份关于手机转售流程的指南，通常建议你使用 Swappa、Gazelle 或 Back Market 等网站。

Buying From Apple vs. a Carrier

从苹果官网购买 vs. 从运营商购买

Most people in the US purchase iPhones from carriers, which means the devices are locked to that network. If you bought an iPhone from Verizon, you can’t easily switch to another carrier without breaking a contract and paying extra fees. It also poses headaches for travelers who want to use international SIM cards or eSIMs.

在美国，大多数人通过运营商购买 iPhone，这意味着设备会被锁定在该网络中。如果你从 Verizon 购买了 iPhone，在不违约并支付额外费用的情况下，很难轻松切换到其他运营商。对于想要使用国际 SIM 卡或 eSIM 的旅行者来说，这也带来了不少麻烦。

The easier approach is to buy directly from Apple, though there are some things you should know: 更简单的方法是直接从苹果购买，但你需要了解以下几点：

Connect to any carrier later: Choose this option for the most hassle-free experience. You get an unlocked iPhone, then all you need to do is transfer the SIM card or eSIM from your old iPhone to the new one to get started. 稍后连接任意运营商： 选择此选项可获得最省心的体验。你将获得一部无锁版 iPhone，只需将旧手机的 SIM 卡或 eSIM 转移到新手机上即可开始使用。
Choose a carrier: If you choose a carrier through Apple.com, you will get an unlocked iPhone, no matter which carrier you choose (except if you purchase with AT&T on an installment plan). The downside is that Apple doesn’t have the same offers as the carriers, so you may lose out on a deal. 选择运营商： 如果你通过 Apple.com 选择运营商，无论选择哪家，你得到的都是无锁版 iPhone（通过 AT&T 分期付款购买的情况除外）。缺点是苹果提供的优惠力度不如运营商，你可能会错过一些促销活动。
Finance: You can finance your iPhone either with Apple’s credit card via monthly installments or as Apple iPhone Payments via a Citizens One loan. You have to fill out a credit application to see if you qualify. 分期付款： 你可以通过苹果信用卡进行月供分期，或者通过 Citizens One 贷款进行“Apple iPhone Payments”分期。你需要填写信用申请以查看是否符合资格。
Apple Upgrade: Buying directly from Apple also nets you access to the Apple Upgrade leasing option. Is it worth it? Broadly speaking, no. Most people do not need to upgrade to a new iPhone every year or two. Apple Upgrade： 直接从苹果购买还可以让你使用 Apple Upgrade 租赁选项。这值得吗？总的来说，不值得。大多数人并不需要每隔一两年就换新 iPhone。

What Is Apple Intelligence?

什么是 Apple Intelligence？

The most hyped-up feature from the iPhone 16 range was Apple Intelligence, which rolled out in iOS 18.1. This is Apple’s suite of AI features, following the wave started by the likes of ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. Apple Intelligence is available on the iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max and newer, including the iPhone 16e.

iPhone 16 系列最受热议的功能是随 iOS 18.1 推出的 Apple Intelligence。这是苹果的一套 AI 功能，旨在追赶由 ChatGPT 和 Google Gemini 等引领的 AI 浪潮。Apple Intelligence 适用于 iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max 及更新机型，包括 iPhone 16e。

What exactly is Apple Intelligence in the first place? It’s a collection of features that draw on the power of large language models to introduce “smart” capabilities. For example, in the Voice Memo and Notes app, you can now start a recording and get a real-time transcription. You can even record a call and get the transcription saved in the Notes app. Siri has been redesigned to understand when you misspeak and can even plug into ChatGPT for more powerful responses to open-ended questions.

Apple Intelligence 到底是什么？它是一系列利用大语言模型能力来实现“智能”功能的集合。例如，在“语音备忘录”和“备忘录”应用中，你可以开始录音并获得实时转录。你甚至可以录制通话并将转录内容保存到备忘录中。Siri 也经过了重新设计，能够理解你的口误，甚至可以接入 ChatGPT，从而对开放式问题给出更强大的回答。