The latest model of Iphone | Which iPhone should I buy ?

Choosing the right phone just got more difficult. 

So you are wondering which iPhone you want right now. Apple has more options than ever, from the iPhone 12 Pro Max to the iPhone SE. We're here to help you separate Apple's marketing slogans from reality. After trying the latest models, below is our complete guide to iPhone buying with our pick of the best and some of the strengths and weaknesses of the rest.

Be sure to check out our guides for the Best iPhone 12 Deals, Best iPhone SE Deals, Best iPhone 12 Cases, Best iPads, Best MacBooks and Best Android Phones.

Apple iPhone SE (2020)

The new iPhone SE (8/10, WIRED recommended) has an A13 processor inside, which means it works just like the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro from 2019 which costs several hundred dollars. It's the iPhone with the smallest screen, 4.7 inches, but it's no longer the smallest iPhone (that crown goes to the iPhone 12 Mini). It's the only iPhone you can buy right now that sticks to the design of older Apple phones: the bezels, the Home button, and the Touch ID for securely unlocking. Unfortunately, the headphone jack didn't make the cut.

It has some modern amenities, like wireless charging, and you get a rugged single-lens camera. Just keep in mind that it will not match the quality of iPhone 12 or 12 Pro photos, especially in low light because there is no Night Mode. As senior writer Lauren Goode noted in her review, battery life also shortens, and it lasts nearly a full day with average use. If you are in the market for a new iPhone and turn down the pricing, this is the option for you - especially if you also hate phones with large screens that don't fit in your pocket. Check out our guide to the best cheap phones for other options if you don't mind switching to Android.

Note: If you are upgrading from iPhone, you can exchange it for Apple for a small discount. Before doing this, check to see if you can sell it elsewhere for more money; Our guide can help.

Apple iPhone 12

The iPhone 12 is what most people should buy, especially this year, because it has a feature that has been limited to the Pro models so far: the OLED screen. Its 6.1-inch screen allows for deeper blacks and a wider range of colors on the LCD screen on iPhone 11, and it packs as many pixels as the iPhone 12 Pro, meaning clearer movies and shows. As Lauren Goode mentioned in their review, it's also a fast phone thanks to the new A14 chip. The camera is a step up over the iPhone SE, with a main lens that uses Night Mode to brighten dark scenes and an Ultra-Wide lens to capture sweeping scenes.

Apple has provided this phone with new perks like MagSafe, which allow you to attach magnetic accessories to the back of the phone, such as a wireless charger or a wallet. The screen is protected by Ceramic Shield technology that Apple developed with Corning, with ceramic crystals embedded in the glass to make it more durable. Although it is still glass, holster is a good idea. Then there's 5G, the new network that's still littered in the United States. You shouldn't buy this iPhone just to get to 5G, as you won't see dramatically higher speeds in your daily use - maybe in a few years. Battery life, unfortunately, is no improvement over its predecessor. You will get an average today (hopefully).

Note: There is no included charging adapter (and no earphones) on all iPhone 12 models, only the USB-C-to-Lightning cable. You may need to purchase an adapter if you do not have an existing USB-C adapter.

Apple iPhone 12 mini

If you hate giant phones, these are Apple's smallest phones. The iPhone 12 Mini (8/10, WIRED Rec recommended) is smaller than the iPhone SE, but it has a larger 5.4-inch screen and all the same features you'll find on the iPhone 12, including Face ID, OLED, 5G, dual cameras, wireless charging, and a processor. A14 is fast. Its small size means some things can feel cramped, like watching a movie or writing. But if you have many screens in your life, this one might actually encourage you to turn off the phone a lot.

Negatives? The speakers sound small, and the battery life isn't great. It hardly lasts an entire day, although this is common on many iPhones.

The ultimate iPhone

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max

You don't need to spend more than $ 1,000 on an iPhone, but if you want the best camera experience and aren't tight on the budget, the iPhone 12 Pro models are for you. Specifically, the iPhone 12 Pro Max (9/10, WIRED recommends). For $ 100 more than the iPhone 12 Pro, you can get a larger image sensor and better stabilization technology, so the camera can absorb more light and produce better photos and videos in low light from any smartphone. Both phones have telephoto cameras, but the Pro Max can zoom in a bit more than the regular Pro. They also have a lidar scanner, which shoots lasers to measure depth (and for faster autofocus), allowing you to take night mode photos.

The largest iPhone to date with a 6.7-inch screen, Pro Max also has the advantage that it lasts more than a full day on a single charge. However, if you don't want a big phone but do want the camera advantages, stick with the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro (8/10, WIRED recommends). You get excellent OLED screens either way (they get brighter than iPhone 12), and a durable stainless steel body. In the future, these two phones will be able to capture images in Apple's new ProRAW format, which offers greater editing capabilities. This is in addition to other iPhone 12 features, such as 5G, water resistance, and HDR video capture.

Apple iPhone 11

Apple continues to sell iPhone 11 (8/10, WIRED recommends) at a lower price, and you should absolutely consider it if you want only a freshened iPhone without breaking the bank. The A13 Bionic processor is still powerful, and the dual-camera system, which includes the main and ultra-wide camera, works great. The main camera supports Night Mode, which takes multiple photos over a period of a few seconds at various exposures to illuminate people in the dark much better than previous iPhones.

It doesn't have the flat edges, OLED, MagSafe, or 5G screen like the iPhone 12 set, but you do get IP68 water resistance and wireless charging and the battery will last about a full day. If you've been thinking about an issue (as it should), we have some recommendations.

Apple iPhone 11 Pro

Apple has completely canceled iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max as of 2019, but it's still a good idea to buy them. They have fast processors and three rear cameras, so you can zoom out with the ultra-fast angle or zoom up to 2x. Everything else is equal to the cycle, with stainless-steel bodies, excellent OLED screens, long-lasting battery life, water resistance, and wireless charging.

Since the new iPhone 12 starts at $ 829, try not to spend more than $ 800 on these phones. It's impossible to find one from most retailers, unless you don't mind a renewed purchase from Amazon. You can try to get one in new or good condition on resale sites like Swappa.

Apple iPhone XR

The iPhone XR is more than two years old and still a great phone, but not at Apple's asking price of $ 499. It makes sense to jump $ 100 for the iPhone 11, which has more versatile cameras and a longer battery life. Get the XR if you can find it for under $ 450, especially if you don't want the older design (with the home button) that the new iPhone SE offers. You can find it for about $ 429 or less (refurbished).

Apple iPhone 1-8, iPhone X, iPhone SE (2016)

The iPhone X, 8, 7, 6S, SE (2016), and every older iPhone before them were likely available somewhere, but you shouldn't take the bait. They don't have the processing power to keep up with the latest software, and even if they do, they might stop getting updates soon. If you can find it, the iPhone XS or XS Max is worth considering, but for only under $ 400.

The iPhone 6 has been disconnected from receiving the iOS 14 update, and the 6S will likely not cut iOS 15 in 2021. Without software support, your device will slowly become less secure and die. The camera technology in these models is also not accurate. Unless these are nearly free, we think you're better off with the iPhone SE (2020) or another model on this list.

Related topics

iPhone 11

iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone SE 2020

Best iPhone 2019

iPhone XR

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