Which iPhone Should You Buy?

How to decide which iPhone is best for you

What to Know

  • Determine your budget, storage capacity needs, hardware preferences, and which features you want.
  • The iPhone 13 Pro Max is the top-of-the-line model with the largest screen, best camera, and most impressive features.
  • Previous iPhone generations are only slight downgrades from their predecessors.

This article explains how to decide which iPhone is best for you among the iPhone models Apple is currently selling: iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone SE (3rd generation), iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, and iPhone 11.

We'll also look at older iPhone models currently available only as refurbished devices through Apple or via third-party sellers: iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, iPhone XR, and iPhone 8 and 8 Plus.

iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro

Apple iPhone Pro AND PRO Max
What We Like
  • Most cutting-edge technology.

  • Up to 30 hours of battery life.

  • Amazing camera technology.

  • High refresh rate.

  • Crisp, bright screen.

What We Don't Like
  • Lacks expandable storage.

  • Volume quality lacks at higher volumes.

  • Big and heavy.

Who will want it: If having the coolest, most cutting-edge technology matters to you, the iPhone 13 Pro series is your only choice. Both the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max offer Apple's TrueTone color management system, making it an excellent choice for artists, content creators, and heavy users.

Notable specs: The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max feature extraordinary cameras, long battery life, and A15 Bionic chips. The 13 Pro's screen is 6.1 inches, while the Pro Max boasts a 6.7-inch display with 2,778 x 1,284-pixel resolution. Both models' screens are noticeably brighter than previous models and feature a ProMotion display, which means a higher refresh rate.

Bottom line: An iPhone 13 Pro or Pro Max will let you enjoy a gorgeous screen experience where animations and graphics—and even everyday images—are smooth and crisp.

iPhone 13

Apple iPhone 13
What We Like
  • Improved performance and battery life.

  • Excellent camera.

  • Most bang for your buck.

  • 5G connectivity.

What We Don't Like
  • Smaller notch isn't very useful.

  • Charging time slower than some competitors.

  • Not a major update over the iPhone 12.

Who will want it: The iPhone 13's improvements over previous models in storage, performance, battery life, and camera make it an excellent device and a wise choice for those seeking an impressive, high-end smartphone at a reasonable price point.

Notable specs: The iPhone 13 includes the same A15 Bionic chip as the 13 Pro and Pro Max. The iPhone 13 also features a 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with 2532 x 1170-pixel resolution, 5G connectivity, and dual cameras boasting 12MP Ultra Wide and Wide lenses.

Bottom line: The iPhone 13 is a gorgeous device with many of the benefits of its enhanced Pro and Pro Max siblings, but with a lower price tag and size that will appeal to the masses.

iPhone 13 Mini

iPhone 13 mini
What We Like
  • Compact and lightweight.

  • Durable with scratch-resistant screen and dust and water resistance.

  • Trio of cameras with excellent photo and video quality.

What We Don't Like
  • Doesn't have a 120Hz refresh rate.

  • Ships without a charger.

  • Battery life is lower than the iPhone 13.

Who will want it: With its compact, lightweight, and durable design, the iPhone 13 Mini is an excellent choice for those who want to reap the benefits of a flagship phone in a compact form factor.

Notable specs: The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini share many key features, including the same A15 Bionic chip. The 13 and Mini also share an OLED Super Retina XDR display, 5G connectivity, and dual cameras boasting 12MP Ultra Wide and Wide lenses. While the iPhone Mini's battery life features 17 hours of video playback, this is less than the iPhone 13's 19 hours.

Obviously, the Mini is smaller, with a 5.4-inch display and 2340 x 1080-pixel resolution. It's thin and lightweight, which many consumers prefer over bulkier phones.

Bottom line: Users who don't mind less battery life and prioritize pocketability and affordability will love the iPhone 13 Mini.

iPhone SE (Third Generation)

iPhone SE third generation
What We Like
  • Supports 5G connectivity.

  • Use a physical SIM card or an eSIM.

  • Battery life improved from the previous incarnations.

  • Affordable price with powerful features.

What We Don't Like
  • Small screen.

  • Not a fast refresh rate.

  • Images are dark in low light.

Who will want it: Apple's third-generation iPhone SE is an excellent choice for those who want the panache of an iPhone at an affordable price, starting at $429.

Notable specs: The iPhone SE has a 4.7-inch display and includes the Home button, like its previous incarnations, while improving battery life and supporting 5G connectivity. The iPhone SE features the same A15 Bionic chip as the flagship iPhone 13 line, which powers the diminutive device without slowing down tasks like multitasking, editing images, and opening apps.

Bottom line: For a 5G iPhone on a budget, the iPhone Mini is unbeatable, with the power and features of an expensive phone in a compact size.

iPhone 12 and 12 Mini

Apple iPhone 12 mini
What We Like
  • Updated design compared to older models.

  • Benefits of newer iPhones at a more affordable price point.

  • Significant camera improvements over the iPhone 11.

What We Don't Like
  • Battery life isn't great.

  • Screen is only 60Hz.

  • Doesn't come with a charger.

Who will want it: When they were unveiled in 2020, the iPhone 12 and 12 Mini were Apple's flagship devices, bringing an overhauled design to the iPhone lineup. Today, they're still excellent choices for those who want middle-of-the-road iPhones at an affordable price.

Notable specs: The iPhone 12 has a 6.1-inch screen and a 2532 x 1170 resolution, while the 12 Mini has a 5.4-inch screen and a resolution of 2430 x 1080. The iPhone 12 succeeded 2019's iPhone 11, while the 12 Mini marked the smallest iPhone to date. Both devices boast an A14 chip, HDR support, vivid colors, haptic touch, and True Tone to adjust the display's color to ambient light.

Bottom line: The iPhone 12 has many of the newer iPhone 13 series plusses at a more affordable price.

Apple discontinued the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max shortly after debuting the iPhone 13 series.

iPhone 11

The six colors of the iPhone 11
What We Like
  • Supports Face ID and NFC.

  • Affordably priced while still feature-full and powerful.

  • Battery life on par with the iPhone 12.

What We Don't
  • Looks dated.

  • Doesn't have 5G connectivity.

Who will want it: If you don't mind your iPhone looking and acting a bit dated, don't need 5G connectivity, and aren't too worried about durability, the iPhone 11 may be a good, affordable choice.

Notable specs: The iPhone 11 debuted an edge-to-edge OLED HDR screen (5.8 inches), a three-camera system, and enhanced IP68 waterproofing. In addition, it debuted the next-generation Face ID recognition system for unlocking the iPhone and confirming Apple Pay transactions. It also features the A13 Bionic chip and support for NFC (Near-Field Communication).

Bottom line: Look a the iPhone 12 and 13 series' features and decide what you can live without. If the 11 suits your needs and budget, it's worthwhile.

iPhone XR

The iPhone XR
What We Like
  • Boasted many of the iPhone 11's features.

  • Cameras improved on earlier incarnations.

  • Better battery life than its predecessors.

What We Don't Like
  • Storage maxed out at 256 GB.

  • Less effective waterproof features.

The iPhone XR is not currently available from Apple. However, you may be able to find it refurbished or through third-party resellers.

The iPhone XR featured:

  • Screen: A 6.1-inch, edge-to-edge LCD.
  • Battery life: Its battery life outperformed its predecessor, the XS, by a few hours.
  • Cameras. Cameras improved on previous incarnations.
  • Most key iPhone 11 features: The iPhone XR offered Face ID, wireless charging options, and other iPhone 11 features.

iPhone 8 Plus

iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
What We Like
  • Retina Display looked great.

  • Many of the same features as the XR.

What We Don't Like
  • No Face ID.

  • Screen wasn't OLED or edge-to-edge, and didn't support HDR.

The iPhone 8 Plus is not currently available from Apple. You may be able to find it refurbished or through third-party resellers.

The iPhone 8 Plus featured:

  • Many iPhone XR features: The iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone XR had many of the same features.
  • Touch ID: Apple's 2nd generation fingerprint scanning technology was built into the 8 series. It didn't have Face ID.

iPhone 8

iPhone 8 and wireless charging
What We Like
  • Had many of the 8 Plus's features.

  • Good screen size.

What We Don't Like
  • Didn't bring any cutting-edge features.

  • Screen three-quarters of an inch smaller than the 8 Plus.

The iPhone 8 is not currently available from Apple. You may be able to find it refurbished or through third-party resellers.

The iPhone 8 featured:

  • Nearly identical features to the 8 Plus: The two phones were identical in storage options, processors, wireless charging, 3D Touch, Touch ID, NFC and Apple Pay support, and Apple Watch compatibility. 
  • Good screen: The iPhone 8 had a 4.7-inch screen. While that's not as huge as the 8 Plus's and much smaller than the XR or 11 Pro, it's a good size for many users.

Deciding on Your Best iPhone

The general rule when making a technology purchase is to buy the best device that you can afford. That's true when it comes to deciding which iPhone to buy.

If you can afford the iPhone 13 series, these devices offer the best performance and features and will hold their value longer than older devices. If you're more price-conscious, more recent older iPhone models offer excellent features at a lower price.

Current iPhone Models Compared

For a quick comparison of how all current models stack up in terms of features and price, check out this chart.

Scroll right at the bottom of the table as needed to see more phones.

  iPhone 13 Pro Max 128GB/256 GB/512 GB/1TB iPhone 13 Pro 128GB/256 GB/512GB/ 1TB iPhone 13 128GB/256GB/ 512GB iPhone 13 Mini 128GB/256GB/ 512GB iPhone SE 3rd Gen 64MB/ 128MB/256MB iPhone 12 64MB/ 128MB/256MB iPhone 12 Mini 64MB/ 128MB/256MB iPhone 11 64 GB/ 128 GB
Screen Size (inches) 6.7 inches 6.1 inches 6.1 inches 5.4 inches 4.7 inches 6.1 inches 5.4 inches 6.1 inches
Resolution 2778 x 1284 pixels 2532 x 1170 pixels 2532 x 1170 pixels 1080 x 2340 pixels 1,334 x 750 pixels 2532 x 1170 pixels 1080 x 2340 pixels 1792 x 828 pixels
Edge-to-Edge Screen Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
OLED Screen Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
HDR Screen Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Haptic Touch Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Processor A15 Bionic chip A15 Bionic chip A15 Bionic chip A15 Bionic chip A15 Bionic chip A14 Bionic chip A14 Bionic chip A13 Bionic
5G support Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Carrier AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon
Dual SIM Support Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
A-GPS Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Max. OS iOS 15 iOS 15 iOS 15 iOS 15 iOS 15 iOS 15 iOS 15 iOS 15
Camera (megapixels) 3 rear cameras, with 12-megapixel wide, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses 3 rear cameras, with 12-megapixel wide, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses 2 cameras with 12-megapixel wide and ultrawide lenses 2 cameras with 12-megapixel wide and ultrawide lenses 1 12-megapixel camera 2 cameras with 12-megapixel wide and ultrawide lenses 2 cameras with 12-megapixel wide and ultrawide lenses 2 cameras with 12-megapixel wide and ultrawide lenses
Wide-angle & Telephoto Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ultra-wide angle Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Records Video Cinematic mode in 1080p at 30 fps, Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 60 fps Cinematic mode in 1080p at 30 fps, Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 60 fps Cinematic mode in 1080p at 30 fps, Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 60 fps Cinematic mode in 1080p at 30 fps, Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 60 fps 4K video recording up to 60 fps Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 60 fps Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 30 fps 4K video recording up to 60 fps
Live Photo Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Portrait Mode Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
FaceTime Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Touch ID No No No No No No No No
Face ID Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
NFC Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Siri Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Water & Dust Resistant Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Weight 8.46 ounces 7.19 ounces 6.14 ounces 4.97 ounces 5.09 ounces 5.78 ounces 4.76 ounces 6.84 ounces
Size 6.33 x 3.07 inches 5.78 x 2.82 inches 5.78 x 2.82 inches 5.18 x 2.53 inches 5.45 x 2.65 inches 5.78 x 2.82 inches 5.18 inches x 2.53 inches 5.94  x 2.98 inches
Wireless Charging Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Battery Life (in hours) Up to 28 hours video playback Up to 22 hours video playback Up to 19 hours video playback Up to 17 hours video playback Up to 15 hours video playback Up to 17 hours video playback Up to 15 hours video playback Up to 17 hours video playback
Colors Alpine Green, Silver, Gold, Graphite, Sierra Blue Alpine Green, Silver, Gold, Graphite, Sierra Blue Green, Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, Red Green, Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, Red Midnight, Starlight, Red Purple, Blue, Green, Red, White, Black Purple, Blue, Green, Red, White, Black Purple, Yellow, Green, Black, White, Red
Starting Price $1099 $999 $829 $729 $479 $779 $679 $549
FAQ
  • What is the best music download app for iPhone?

    There are several excellent free music apps for iPhone. Some of the best include Spotify, Pandora, and iHeartRadio.

  • Which iPhone color is the best?

    The best color is a matter of opinion. However, Pacific Blue seems to be the most popular iPhone. Silver and Graphite are also favorites of iPhone users.

  • What is the best GPS app for iPhone?

    With several great GPS apps for iPhone available, the best one for you depends on what features you need. For instance, Google Maps is highly accurate and easy to use. Apple Maps is part of the iOS operating system and instantly available to iPhone users.

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