(Last Updated On: August 18, 2022)

Which iPhone should you purchase (or stay away from) right now?

Buy, Apple now offers more alternatives than ever, ranging from the recently upgraded iPhone SE to the iPhone 13 Pro Max. We’re here to assist you in separating marketing cliches from actualities. In our iPhone buying guide, we examine the advantages and disadvantages of all the most recent models.

Sell That Old iPhone First, though

You can trade in your old iPhone for a little discount if you’re upgrading from one to an iPhone. Check to see if you can sell it for greater money elsewhere before you do that. Particularly if they’re in mint or good condition, iPhones retain their worth very well. We have a guide that walks you through some useful websites.

Buy aTop iPhone Offer

Apple iPhone SE (2022)

Buy

Although it’s difficult to notice the differences. Apple has updated its most cheap iPhone for a third generation (7/10, WIRED Recommends). There are none from the outside even the cases for the iPhone SE 2020 model will work with the iPhone SE 2022. (Here, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite cases and accessories.) You will still receive a 4.7-inch LCD screen that is crammed in but still manageable, along with Touch ID, a real home button. And substantial bezels surrounding the screen. The headphone connector is still absent and there is no MagSafe accessory system. But at least you can still charge your device wirelessly. This is also the only iPhone in the lineup without ultrawide-band compatibility, which improves AirDrop and allows you precisely find adjacent AirTags.

Pros

  • best value for the money performance
  • excellent photo quality
  • more robust style
  • Small and simple to use with just one hand

Cons

  • Small screen with thick bezels
  • The camera lacks a night mode.
  • not compatible with mmWave 5G

The iPhone SE (2022) is a phone that packs contemporary features into a retro style that is so diminutive it almost seems quaint. It could also be considered outdated by some. However, the finished product is actually quite compelling for people on a budget despite the throwback feelings.

Gain Ground With This Selection

Buy a Apple iPhone 13

Buy

The best iPhone for most people is the iPhone 13 (8/10, WIRED Recommends). A few features from earlier Pro models were carried over, like sensor-shift stabilization for the main camera to compensate for unsteady hands and 128 gigabytes of base storage as opposed to the prior pitiful 64. Additionally, the 6.1-inch OLED screen is the ideal size. Cinematic mode, which combines Portrait mode with video and adds a blur effect around your subject, is one of the coolest new features. But it can be a little picky. The cameras have generally gotten better. Wide and ultrawide lenses can capture more light, resulting in crisper, lighter nighttime images.

The A15 Bionic chip that powers it has greater battery life, easily lasting a full day and then some with heavy usage. It keeps the MagSafe accessory system from its predecessor and is water-resistant to IP68 standards. It now comes in green if you thought the product’s first launch colors were a little underwhelming.

For Fans of Small-Phones

Buy a Apple iPhone 13 Mini

Buy

dislike large phones? One of the smallest smartphones available is this one, which is also the smallest iPhone. You get a larger 5.4-inch OLED screen than on the iPhone SE 2022, despite the fact that the phone itself is physically smaller. Because Apple stuck with the present iPhone design of slim bezels surrounding the screen and Face ID rather than Touch ID. It is identical to the iPhone 13 above in terms of features, but its diminutive size has shorter battery life. Depending on how frequently you use it, you might need to carry a portable charger around with you, but the Mini will keep the lights on until you go to bed.

The ideal iPhone

Buy a Apple iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max

The iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is worth paying $1,000 and above for a number of good reasons. They are more durable since they are made of a combination of glass and stainless steel rather than aluminum.

The Max is a must-have for anyone who needs the largest display available (that is not an iPad Mini), as it sports a massive 6.7-inch OLED screen. You won’t lose anything if you choose a smaller screen because the 6.1-inch Pro offers the same set of features this year. This incorporates a 120 Hz refresh rate, which improves the fluidity of screen interaction.

A 3X optical zoom camera is part of the triple camera system, and night mode is compatible with all of them. In low light. All three sensors will be able to capture crisper, more vivid images.

To get a close-up of your dog’s snoot, you can press your phone right up against it using the ultrawide camera’s dual function as a macro camera. It’s unfortunate that these Pro phones only have 128 GB of storage. As the iPhone 13 does, for all the photos you’ll be taking. Since its launch. Apple has added a new alpine green color to choose from

Price

A 3X optical zoom camera is part of the triple camera system, and night mode is compatible with all of them. In low light, all three sensors will be able to capture crisper, more vivid images. To get a close-up of your dog’s snoot, you can press your phone right up against it using the ultrawide camera’s dual function as a macro camera.

It’s unfortunate that these Pro phones only have 128 GB of storage, as the iPhone 13 does, for all the photos you’ll be taking. Since its launch, Apple has added a new alpine green color to choose from.

Apple iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max

The iPhone 6 Plus Price

Buy a Still Great iPhones

Apple offers three additional iPhone models if you don’t require the most recent and finest model but don’t want to purchase used. The iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, and iPhone 11. If you’re considering the iPhone 12 Mini, I recommend spending an additional $100 and getting the iPhone 13 Mini instead, which has double the storage, superior cameras, and a marginally longer battery life. The battery life of the first Mini was really poor, thus that last element is crucial.

Still Great iPhones

At $729, the 64-GB iPhone 12 is also a little difficult to sell. Therefore, the iPhone 11 achieves the sweet spot of having a reasonable pricing for what you get, unless you are desperate to join the MagSafe environment. There is a strong A13 Bionic CPU inside, a Night Mode-capable main camera, and an ultrawide lens for further versatility. It lacks OLED, flat edges, and 5G, but it does offer IP68 water resistance, wireless charging, and a battery life of around a day. We have some case suggestions too

If It’s $800 or Less 

Buy a Apple iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max

The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max were entirely discontinued by Apple in 2020, yet they are still available for purchase. They include quick processors and three rear cameras, so you can use the telephoto to zoom in or the ultrawide to zoom out. The stainless steel bodies, brilliant OLED screens, all-day battery life, water resistance, and wireless charging are standard. Try not to spend more than $800 on these phones considering that the iPhone 13 starts at $829. Practically speaking, unless you don’t mind purchasing refurbished items from Amazon, most merchants no longer carry them. On resale platforms like Swappa, though, you might be able to get one in brand-new or pristine condition.

class="wp-block-heading">Don’t use these iPhones

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

You can probably find the iPhone XS, XR, X, 8, 7, 6S, SE (2016), and every previous iPhone somewhere, but you shouldn’t fall for the trap. They lack the processing capacity to keep up with the most recent software, and even if they did, their software shelf life would be substantially shorter.

The iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max are worth considering if you can find them, but only if you can pay less than $500. The 2020 iPhone SE is also acceptable to purchase, but only for less than $300.

While iOS 15 is functional on the iPhone 6S, it is just too dated for the iPhone 6, which was excluded from receiving the iOS 14 update. Your gadget could steadily become less secure and slow and buggy without software support. These models also don’t have as sophisticated camera technology. Unless they’re almost free, we think you’re better off with the new iPhone SE or another model on this list.

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

Is This the Right Time to Buy?

Definitely

Yep. This is a great time to buy if you want a new iPhone with the newest features and design. And thanks to the third-generation iPhone SE, the same is true if you like the physical home button. The iPhone 14 another new premium iPhone line won’t be available until September.

Consider a new battery if you don’t really want to spend the money on a new iPhone. Your iPhone may feel brand-new if you replace the battery if the battery is the main cause of its problems. Older iPhones may be replaced for $49, and newer phones cost $69 to replace.

Definitely

Don’t pay too much for a case

And a Word on MagSafe

Even though Apple fortifies its glass with ceramic, iPhones are still made of glass, and glass breaks. You require a case. Knowing this, wireless carriers and Apple will try to upsell you on $60–$70 cases and pricey phone accessories. Go for it if you don’t care about the price. Here, we’ve compiled a list of our top iPhone 13 and iPhone SE cases.

Only the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models support magnetic MagSafe wireless charging. You can purchase original equipment manufacturers’ accessories, such as Apple’s wireless MagSafe Charger, which adheres to the phone’s back for quicker charging. Alternately, grab a MagSafe Wallet.

FAQ

Which iPhone should you get in 2022?

Because of its excellent cameras, adaptive display, and long battery life, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the greatest iPhone you can purchase for at least the upcoming month. You won’t regret purchasing this $1,099 phone (which costs the same as Apple’s award-winning iPhone 12 Pro Max from last year).

Which iPhone offers the best value?

Consider the more expensive models if you require a large screen or a more sophisticated camera. However, the iPhone 11 is the most affordable iPhone in Apple’s 2019 lineup for the great majority of us.

Which iPhone is the one with the fewest issues?

In addition to having less issues from user experience and the table test, the iPhone 12 series has a long battery life, giving it the best option for users who want to use their iPhone for a full day without charging it in.

Which iPhone Experiences the Fewest Issues?

The best iPhone cannot simply be chosen by going with the latest or costliest model. There are issues with various models, to be sure. In this post, we’ll discuss how to pick the best iPhone—the one with the fewest issues. This is based on a thorough examination of customer reviews and online testimonials.

Further reading: Apple Products Cost So Much: 9 Justifications for Why