Best unlocked iPhones

Top pick: iPhone 17. It's the sweet spot — current-generation Apple silicon and cameras, a 6.3-inch screen, and it's the one most people should buy. Unlocked, so it works on any carrier.

Who the others suit:

• iPhone 17 Pro Max — you want the biggest screen and the longest battery, and shoot a lot of video.
• iPhone 16 / 16 Plus — you'd rather save than have the newest chip; the Plus if you like a large display.
• iPhone 15 Pro — you want Pro features (titanium, ProMotion) without flagship money.
• iPhone 12 / 11 — a cheap second phone, a kid's first phone, or a backup.
• iPhone 6S — only as a collector's piece; it's far too old for daily use.

Skip anything listed as carrier-locked or refurbished if you want new and unlocked.