The recent iPhone 17 is our pick for most students, and it won't wreck a student budget the way a Pro model will.
It handles group chats between lectures, note-taking, and actually taking a decent photo on a night out, all without breaking a sweat.
Best of all, it's the first standard iPhone to get the 120Hz ProMotion display, a feature that used to be Pro-only. So if you're hunting for the best iPhone deals for students, here's the full breakdown, plus every deal students can currently get across the range.
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Last updated: 4th of August 2026. Prices and deals are checked weekly, so bookmark this page and check back often.
Which iPhone should students buy?
The iPhone 17 runs on Apple's A19 chip and comes with 256GB of storage as standard, double what the outgoing iPhone 16 offers at the same £799 price.
It's the first standard iPhone with a 120Hz ProMotion display, so scrolling through lecture slides and typing up notes both feel noticeably smoother than on last year's model.
At 6.3 inches, the screen is big enough for video calls home and close reading, but the phone still fits in a coat pocket, unlike some of the bigger Android flagships doing the rounds in seminar rooms.
For students who want the newest iPhone features without paying Pro prices, the iPhone 17 is the one that makes the most sense.
PS, if you want a screen bigger than any iPhone can offer, read our guide to the best iPad for students to see whether a tablet makes more sense alongside, or instead of, a new phone.
iPhone models at a glance
Model | Chip | Display | Storage options | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
iPhone 17e | A19 | 6.1-inch, 60Hz | 256GB | £599 |
iPhone 17 | A19 | 6.3-inch, ProMotion 120Hz | 256GB, 512GB | £799 |
iPhone Air | A19 Pro | 6.5-inch, ProMotion 120Hz | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | £999 |
iPhone 17 Pro | A19 Pro | 6.3-inch, ProMotion 120Hz | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | £1,099 |
iPhone 17 Pro Max | A19 Pro | 6.9-inch, ProMotion 120Hz | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | £1,199 |
iPhone 16 | A18 | 6.1-inch, 60Hz | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | £699 |
Prices shown are Apple's official SIM-free price checked on the 4th of August 2026. Always check the live price before buying, since Apple and retailers change prices often.
Where to find the best deals on the iPhone 17
Prices below are for the 256GB model, correct at the time of research. Always check the live price before buying, since retailers and networks change prices often.
Retailer | Price / deal (256GB) |
|---|---|
£799 (SIM-free) | |
£799 (SIM-free) | |
From £76.01/month + £30 upfront (30GB, 12-month contract)* |
Save on top of this with an Apple student discount through Student Beans, or grab an O2 student discount before signing up to a plan. Browse every current tech student deal to see what else is worth grabbing this term.
Buying on a network contract instead? EE, Vodafone and Three all stock the iPhone 17 too. Monthly cost depends heavily on data allowance and upfront cost, so it's worth comparing a few before committing to a 24- or 36-month term.
Best deals on the rest of the iPhone range
iPhone 17e: the budget pick
Want Apple Intelligence and MagSafe without paying for a 120Hz screen? The iPhone 17e is Apple's cheapest current iPhone, and it still runs the same A19 chip as the rest of the 2025 lineup.
Retailer | Price / deal (256GB) |
|---|---|
£599 (SIM-free) | |
£599 (SIM-free) | |
From £17.22/month on contract* |
iPhone Air: for anyone who wants the thinnest phone Apple's ever made
At 5.6mm thick, the iPhone Air trades a second camera lens for a genuinely striking design and a bigger 6.5-inch screen. It's a style purchase as much as a spec one.
Retailer | Price / deal (256GB) |
|---|---|
£999 (SIM-free) | |
£799 (SIM-free) | |
Contract prices vary by data allowance — check live pricing |
iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max: for power users
Film students, photographers and anyone who edits video on their phone will get real use out of the triple 48MP camera system and A19 Pro chip. Everyone else can save the difference.
Retailer | iPhone 17 Pro (256GB) | iPhone 17 Pro Max (256GB) |
|---|---|---|
£1,099 (SIM-free) | £1,199 (SIM-free) | |
£1,099 (SIM-free) | £1,199 (SIM-free) | |
Contract prices vary by data allowance | Contract prices vary by data allowance |
iPhone 16: still a solid, cheaper option
Apple still sells last year's model alongside the 2025 range, and it's the cheapest way into a current iPhone with a proper camera system. Storage starts at 128GB rather than 256GB, so it's worth thinking about how much you'll actually use before choosing it over the iPhone 17e. Prices tend to drop further once a new lineup lands — our guide to the best (and worst) times to buy an iPhone breaks down exactly when.
Retailer | Price / deal (128GB) |
|---|---|
£699 (SIM-free) | |
£699 (SIM-free) | |
Contract prices vary by data allowance — check live pricing |
iPhone 17 vs iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17e: which is right for you?
When it comes to price, the iPhone 17e wins, but that's not the right call for every student. Here's how the rest of the range stacks up against our recommended pick.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone Air
The iPhone Air is 6.5 inches to the iPhone 17's 6.3, and noticeably thinner and lighter in the hand. What it gives up is a second camera lens, since the Air only has a single 48MP main camera.
Choose the iPhone Air if: a slim, lightweight design and a bigger screen matter more than having an ultra-wide lens.
Stick with the iPhone 17 if: the camera versatility matters, or the extra £200 is better spent on rent, textbooks or literally anything else.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max
The Pro models add a third camera lens, the A19 Pro chip, and a brighter, bigger display on the Pro Max. They're built for heavier creative workloads: video editing, photography, or anything pushing the chip hard.
Choose the iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max if: film, photography or design work is a regular part of the course.
Stick with the iPhone 17 if: general study, note-taking and streaming cover it, which is true for the vast majority of students.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 is £100 cheaper but sticks with a 60Hz display, 128GB base storage and last year's A18 chip. It's still a capable phone, just a noticeably less premium-feeling one day-to-day.
Choose the iPhone 16 if: budget is the main priority and the extra £100 makes a real difference.
Stick with the iPhone 17 if: the smoother 120Hz display and doubled storage are worth the difference over the life of the phone.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17e
The iPhone 17e shares the same A19 chip and 256GB base storage as the iPhone 17, but drops to a 60Hz display, a single rear camera, and the older notch design instead of Dynamic Island.
Choose the iPhone 17e if: the budget is tight, but a brand-new iPhone with Apple Intelligence still matters.
Stick with the iPhone 17 if: the smoother display and second camera lens are worth £200 more.
FAQs
Do students get an Apple discount on iPhone?
Verified students can access Apple student savings through Student Beans, on top of any network or retailer promotions. Discount terms change regularly, so check the live page for the current offer before buying.
Can I get an iPhone on contract with a student discount?
Yes, you can! As mentioned, EE, O2, Vodafone and Three all offer great student discounts on selected pay-monthly plans through Student Beans. Verify your student status first, then compare a couple of networks, since data allowance and upfront cost both move the monthly price around a lot.
What's the difference between the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Pro?
The Pro adds a third (telephoto) camera lens, the A19 Pro chip, and a titanium-style build. For everyday study use, most students won't notice the difference; for photography, film or design work, it's a real upgrade.
How much storage do students need on an iPhone?
256GB covers most students comfortably, which is why it's now the base storage on every current iPhone except the iPhone 16 and iPhone Air (which starts even higher, at 256GB, with no smaller option). Anyone shooting a lot of 4K video or storing large design files might want to size up, since storage can't be added later.
Is the iPhone 16 still worth buying in 2026?
For most students, the iPhone 17 is the better buy at the same sort of price once deals are factored in, thanks to the smoother display and doubled storage. The iPhone 16 still makes sense if the priority is spending as little as possible on a current-generation iPhone. Our guide to the best and worst times to buy an iPhone has more on timing a purchase for the biggest discount.
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