Short answer: it depends on what “best” means for you — but as of late September 2025 (Australia), the top choices are:

• Best overall / flagship (performance, camera, battery): iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max. They are Apple’s current top models (A19 Pro chip, improved cameras and battery) from the September 2025 lineup. (MacRumors.com)

• Best big-screen + longest battery: iPhone 17 Pro Max — the largest display and strongest battery life among Apple’s lineup. (houstonchronicle.com)

• Best balance of features vs price (value): iPhone 16 (and iPhone 16e if you want a cheaper compact option). The iPhone 16 series kept many modern features (A18 chip, 48MP main camera) while undercutting Pro prices for mainstream buyers. (TechRadar.com)

• Best “Pro” choice if you want a still-excellent but slightly smaller phone: iPhone 16 Pro (or iPhone 16 Pro Max if you prefer the larger screen) — strong cameras and ProMotion display if you can find them on sale or refurbished. (TechRadar.com)

Quick guidance to pick:

• If you want absolute best camera, battery and performance and budget isn’t a concern → iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max.
• If you want most value for money and don’t need Pro-level zoom/refresh-rate features → iPhone 16 (or iPhone 16e for a cheaper compact).
• If you prefer the largest screen for media/gaming → choose the Pro Max variant.
• If you care about price and avoiding launch premiums, look at the iPhone 16 models (or trade-in/refurb deals) for savings. (MacRumors.com)

If you want, I can:

• Recommend the exact model for your needs (battery, camera, screen size, budget).
• Look up current Australian prices and best local deals (retailers/carriers) and show comparisons from JB Hi‑Fi, Apple AU, Optus, Vodafone, etc. (I can fetch live prices if you want).