Which iPhone Should You Buy (or Avoid) Right Now?
SO YOU'RE WONDERING which iPhone to buy. 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 all the latest models, below is our complete iPhone buying guide with our pick for the best, and some of the strengths and weaknesses of all the rest.
The 2020 iPhone SE (8/10, WIRED Recommends) has the A13 processor inside, meaning it performs just as well as the iPhone 11 from 2019 that costs several hundred dollars more. It's the iPhone with the smallest screen, at 4.7 inches, but it's no longer the smallest iPhone (that crown goes to the iPhone 12 Mini). It is the only iPhone you can buy now that sticks with the design of Apple's older phones: thick bezels, a home button, and Touch ID for secure unlocking. Sadly, the headphone jack didn't make the cut.
It does have some modern amenities, like wireless charging, and you get a solid single-lens camera. Just keep in mind that it won't match the photo quality of the iPhone 12 or 12 Pro, especially in low light because there's no Night mode. As senior writer Lauren Goode notes in her review, battery life is lacking too, just about lasting a full day with average use. If you're in the market for a new iPhone and you balk at their prices, this is the one for you—especially if you also hate big-screen phones that don't fit in your pocket.
The iPhone 12 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is what most people should buy, especially because it has a feature that has been limited to the Pro models until now: an OLED display. Its 6.1-inch screen allows for much deeper blacks and a wider range of colors over the LCD on the iPhone 11, and it packs as many pixels as the iPhone 12 Pro, which means sharper-looking movies and shows. It's also a speedy phone thanks to the A14 chip. The camera is a step up over the iPhone SE, with the main lens utilizing Night mode to brighten up dark scenes and an ultrawide lens to capture sweeping scenes.
Apple has packed this phone with new perks like MagSafe, which lets you attach magnetic accessories to the back of the phone, like a wireless charger or a wallet. The screen is protected by Ceramic Shield tech Apple developed with Corning, with ceramic crystals embedded in the glass to make it more durable. It's still glass though, so a case is a good idea. And then there's 5G, the new network that remains sparse in the US. You should absolutely not buy this iPhone just to access 5G as you're not going to see dramatically faster speeds in your day-to-day use—maybe in a few years. Battery life is, unfortunately, no improvement over its predecessor. It'll get you through an average day (hopefully). And it now comes in purple!
For Small Phone Lovers
Apple iPhone 12 Mini
If you hate giant phones, this is Apple's tiniest. The iPhone 12 Mini (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is smaller than the iPhone SE, but it has a bigger 5.4-inch screen and all the same features you'll find in the iPhone 12, including Face ID, OLED, 5G, dual cameras, wireless charging, and the fast A14 processor. Its small size does mean some things can feel cramped, like watching a movie or typing. But if you have many screens in your life, this one might actually encourage you to put the phone down more often.
The downsides? The speakers sound tinny, and battery life isn't great. It barely lasts a full day, though that's common for many iPhones.
You don't need to spend more than $1,000 on an iPhone, but if you want the best camera experience and you aren't restricted by budget, then 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 get a larger image sensor and better stabilization tech, so the camera can absorb more light and can produce some of the best low-light photos and videos of any smartphone. Both phones have telephoto cameras, but the Pro Max can zoom a tiny bit more than the regular Pro. They also have a lidar scanner, which shoots out lasers to measure depth (and for faster autofocus), letting you take Portrait Night mode photos.
The largest iPhone to date with a 6.7-inch screen, the Pro Max also has the advantage of lasting more than a full day on a single charge. Still, if you don't want a Big Phone but want the camera perks, stick with the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends). You'll get excellent OLED screens either way you go (they get brighter than the iPhone 12), and a durable stainless steel body. They can also capture photos in Apple's ProRAW format, which offers greater editing capabilities. That's on top of the other features from the iPhone 12, like 5G, water resistance, and HDR video capture.
Apple continues to sell the iPhone 11 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) at a lower price, and you should absolutely consider it if you just want a modern iPhone without breaking the bank. The A13 Bionic processor is still powerful, and the dual-camera system, which includes the main camera and ultrawide, performs admirably. The main camera supports Night mode, which takes several photos over the span of a few seconds at different exposures to illuminate people in the dark much better than previous iPhones.
Apple completely canceled the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max from 2019, but they're still fine to buy. They have speedy processors and three rear cameras, so you can zoom out with the ultrawide or zoom in up to 2x. Everything else is par for the course, with stainless steel bodies, excellent OLED displays, long-lasting battery life, water resistance, and wireless charging.
The iPhone XR is more than two years old and it's still a great phone, but not at Apple's $499 asking price. It makes more sense to make the $100 jump to the iPhone 11, which has more versatile cameras and longer battery life. Get the XR if you can find it under $350, especially if you don't want the older design (with the Home button) offered by the new iPhone SE. You can find it for around $324 or less (refurbished).
The iPhone X, 8, 7, 6S, SE (2016), and every older iPhone that came before them are probably 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 may stop getting updates soon. If you can find them, the iPhone XS and XS Max are worth considering, but only for less than $450.
The iPhone 6 was cut off from receiving the iOS 14 update, and while the 6S will receive iOS 15, it's still just too old. Without software support, your device will slowly become less secure and could become a slow, buggy mess. The camera tech in these models isn't as refined, either. Unless they're almost free, we think you're better off with an iPhone SE (2020) or another model on this list.
No one wants to be "that person" who bought an expensive iPhone right before the new one came out. This is an OK time to buy as all the latest models are available. However, the iPhone 13 is expected to arrive in September, which is mere months away. It might be more prudent to wait.
Rumors suggest Apple will unveil four iPhone models again. The hot new feature? The company's ProMotion technology from the iPad Pro, which enables a 120-Hz screen refresh rate for smoother touchscreen interactions, for all the phones. Outside of this, expect a smaller notch where the Face ID camera sits, improvements to the cameras, better performance, and a potential return of Touch ID (via an in-display fingerprint sensor, just like on many Android phones).
Whether you wait or upgrade now, if you don't really want to spend the money to get a new iPhone, consider a fresh battery. If the biggest issues with your aging iPhone revolve around the battery, then replacing it might make it feel like brand new. Replacements for older iPhones are $49 and $69 for newer models. If that doesn't do the trick, read our guide on selling your iPhone to get the most money out of it.
