If you’re on the fence about replacing your phone, start with age and performance. My iPhone 13 Pro is not as responsive as it once was, and I often have to tap multiple times to make a selection. Storage isn’t the problem; I’m using only about 30%. If your phone feels sluggish, takes longer to open apps or the battery doesn’t last through the day, those are all signals that it may be time to upgrade.

It’s always a good idea to stay up to date with evolving technology like Apple Intelligence. The name can be misleading since it’s often confused with AI. While Apple Intelligence is powered by artificial intelligence, it is not a chatbot like ChatGPT. Rather, AI is integrated across Apple apps to save you time by generating summaries of lengthy voicemails and emails, creating AI-generated images and providing live translation. It’s still in its infancy, but using these new techniques early will put you on the road to more advanced techniques. Apple Intelligence is available only on iPhone 15 and later models.

If you take a lot of photos and videos, an iPhone 17 may be worth the purchase. The front camera or selfie camera, has received a big upgrade. With Center Stage, the camera automatically adjusts to fit everyone in a group within the frame. You can also change from portrait to landscape mode without turning the phone in your hand. Another new feature is Dual Capture, which records video using both front and back cameras at the same time. You can film yourself and what you’re seeing, which is ideal for travel journals, demonstrations, or capturing a child’s reaction while filming the moment itself.

All of the iPhone 17 models now share Apple’s 120-Hz OLED display, once limited to Pro versions. That includes the always-on feature, so you can see the time and incoming alerts without waking up your phone. Battery life has improved across most of the lineup by eight hours or more. On top of that, a new anti-reflective coating makes the display easier to read outdoors in bright sunlight.

Now for the models themselves. The iPhone 17 starts at $799. It offers the same high-quality display as the Pro models, solid cameras and better battery life, which is more than enough of an upgrade for most people.

The Pro and Pro Max start at $1,099 and $1,199. They share a triple-lens camera system, titanium frame and support for ProRes video. The Max has a 6.9-inch display (compared with 6.3 inches on the Pro), six extra hours of battery life and an exclusive 2-terabyte storage option, which is enough for 666,000 high-resolution photos. The larger screen may be easier to see, but the Max is heavier and may be harder to handle. Don’t buy one until you’ve held it.

The Air, at $999, stands apart. It’s ultrathin (5.6 mm), lightweight and visually striking. But its camera system is pared down: it lacks the ultrawide and telephoto lenses included in the base iPhone 17 and does not support Cinematic mode for video. Is the sacrifice worth it? Only you can say.

The best way to buy a new iPhone is through Apple online. Before you start, check how much storage you currently use. Storage is expensive, so you shouldn’t buy more than you need. You can check in your phone’s settings under General and then iPhone Storage. Ordering online lets you customize your phone and get exactly what you want. Your local store may not have all of the options.

I chose the base model with 256 GB of storage for $800. Trading in my old phone earned me a $250 credit. At checkout, Apple shows the trade-in value based on age and condition. You’ll receive a kit with a protective box and label. Be sure to back up your phone to iCloud and reset to factory settings before sending it in. Compared with the patchwork of options through carriers, Apple’s trade-in process is straightforward.

Leslie Meredith has been writing about technology for more than a decade. As a mom of four, value, usefulness and online safety take priority. Have a question? Email Leslie at asklesliemeredith@gmail.com.