Best iPhone 2021: Apple currently sells 7 different models. Here's how to pick one

 

Best iPhone 2021: Apple currently sells 7 different models. Here's how to pick onehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone

Apple sells phones priced from as low as $399 to as high as $1,399. We're here to help you find the best one for your needs and budget.

At the point when Steve Jobs dispatched the first iPhone back in 2007, there was just one model you could purchase. When you gathered the willpower to purchase a telephone from an organization that was better known for making PCs, the solitary choice you had was whether to get one with 4GB of capacity or 8GB. As shading alternatives went, you could get any shading you needed as long as it was dark and aluminum. Gracious, and to the extent transporters, just AT&T upheld the iPhone. 

Best iPhone 2021

After fourteen years, Apple sells seven distinct models of iPhone, five of which dispatched in the previous year. There is a model that works with basically every significant telephone transporter on the planet. The iPhone is accessible in a variety of shadings and completions, while capacity choices currently top out at 512GB. 

Apple as of now sells seven iPhone models which are a blend of new telephones and models tracing all the way back to 2018:

CURRENT IPHONES, COMPARED

Model Starting price Screen size No. of rear cameras CPU Release date

iPhone SE $399 4.7 inches 1 A13 Bionic April 2020

iPhone XR $499 6.1 inches 1 A12 Bionic Oct. 2018

iPhone 11 $599 6.1 inches 2 A13 Bionic Sept. 2019

iPhone 12 Mini $699-$729 5.4 inches 2 A14 Bionic Nov. 2020

iPhone 12 $799-$829 6.1 inches 2 A14 Bionic Oct. 2020

iPhone 12 Pro $999 6.1 inches 3 A14 Bionic Oct. 2020

iPhone 12 Pro Max $1,099 6.7 inches 3 A14 Bionic Nov. 2020

You might find that carriers and third-party sellers offer other older models, like the iPhone X. To complicate matters, some iPhones have two cameras, others three and others four (including the front-facing selfie camera). Then there's the fact that nearly all current iPhones have Face ID, but one model -- the iPhone SE -- soldiers on with Touch ID. Having a lot of options isn't bad but it sometimes can feel overwhelming.

To help you figure out which is the best iPhone for you, we thoroughly reviewed and tested each one on this list, from their batteries to camera performance.

But if you're looking for other options outside of Apple's offerings, read our guide to help find the best phone for your needs and take a look at our tips on how to buy a new phone.

 

Best iPhone 2021

With support for 5G being its crown jewel feature, the iPhone 12 ($829 unlocked, $799 on most carriers) marks the beginning of a new generation of iPhone. Out of the four phones in Apple's 12 series, the regular 12's spot is a bit overshadowed by its siblings. But if you look closely, you'll realize it's basically the iPhone 12 Pro with a $170 price cut. Both have the same design, the same display, the same insanely fast A14 Bionic chip, the same 5G support, the same support for MagSafe charging, the same selfie, wide and ultrawide cameras.

What do you miss for not going Pro? You don't get a dedicated telephoto camera, the ability to shoot Apple ProRaw photos or the lovely matte finish back and glossy stainless steel sides. Instead you get a glossy finish back and matte aluminum sides. If you choose to get an iPhone 12 and can afford to pay $50 more, I recommend upgrading from 64GB of storage to 128GB. Read our Apple iPhone 12 review.

If you want the largest screen and longest battery life on any iPhone ever made, the $1,099 iPhone 12 Pro Max is worth the price. And yes, if you want to get every last drop of image quality out of your photos and videos, then this is the iPhone to get. The iPhone 12 Pro Max also earned a CNET's Editors' Choice distinction.

Aside from being the biggest and heaviest iPhone, the 12 Pro Max has photo and video features not found on any other model. The new telephoto lens on the 12 Pro Max has a 2.5x optical zoom compared to the 2x optical zoom on the 12 Pro. And that extra 0.5x goes a long way. The main wide-angle camera on the 12 Pro Max has a larger sensor which according to Apple gets an 87% improvement in low-light capability. Compared to the regular iPhone 12 Pro, it's hard to notice those improvements because Apple's image processing on its other phones is so good.

To help things further, the 12 Pro Max has sensor-based optical image stabilization instead of the lens-based OIS found on the 12, 12 Mini and 12 Pro. By stabilizing the sensor, you gain the equivalent of a stop of light, which again, on paper is impressive.

Like the iPhone 12 Pro, it also can shoot Apple ProRaw photos. If you can handle the size of this phone behemoth, it's worth every penny of its high price

If you don't need support for 5G, the iPhone 11 at $599 represents the best deal for any iPhone. So much so that it is a CNET Editors' Choice. You get so much for that price like an A13 processor, excellent cameras, a solid battery life and the choice of six colors. In contrast to the straight-sided 12 series, the 11 has curved sides which some may prefer.

The biggest drawback is the old style screen which uses an LCD panel instead of an OLED one. But don't let that turn you away, the screen still looks good in everyday use. Like the iPhone 12, if you have an extra $50 in your budget, I recommend getting the 128GB version. Read our Apple iPhone 11 review.

 

$600 AT BEST BUY

$599 AT APPLE

Most affordable iPhone (and only Touch ID option)

iPhone SE (2020)

John Kim/CNET

At $399 you might think the only appeal of the iPhone SE (2020) is its price. And admittedly it is the most affordable iPhone on this list and that is a big deal. On the outside, the iPhone SE has the same body as an iPhone 8. It's the only iPhone on this list that has Touch ID, which in pandemic times is actually a plus as face masks make using Face ID a frustrating experience.

On the inside, the SE has the same A13 processor as the iPhone 11 which gives the 2017 camera hardware a 2020 injection of Apple's computational photography magic. The SE supports 4G and is the only phone on this list that has the classic iPhone design. But with the ability to run the latest version of iOS, it's just as relevant as ever. Read our Apple iPhone SE (2020) review.

 

$400 AT BEST BUY

$399 AT APPLE

Best small iPhone

iPhone 12 Mini

Patrick Holland/CNET

ED I T O R S ’ C H O I C E

NOV 2020

Who said small phones don't exist in 2021? The iPhone 12 Mini ($729 unlocked, $699 on a carrier plan) is brilliant because it has everything the iPhone 12 has -- it's just smaller. It has the same flat-sided design, support for 5G and OLED screen with support for HDR. The screen is covered with Apple's ceramic shield. The body has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and supports MagSafe wireless charging and accessories. It has the same A14 Bionic processor, runs the same iOS 14 software and even has the same cameras. The iPhone 12 and 12 Mini are the same phone. But one is small and the other isn't. It was recognized as a CNET Editors Choice and is currently my daily driver.

That said, I only recommend you get the 12 Mini for its size. It's $100 cheaper than the iPhone 12 which might be a tempting reason to get the phone if you're trying to save money. But if you aren't okay with a small phone you might be frustrated by its size or its "barely-gets-through-a-day" battery life. And as with other phones on this list, if you can afford it, I recommend paying $50 more and getting the version with 128GB of storage. Read our Apple iPhone 12 Mini review.

 

Thanks for reading