The 7 Best iPhones of 2021
See the differences between all iPhones and find the best one for you
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We’ve come a long way from the days when Apple only released a single new iPhone model each year; with this year’s iPhone 12 lineup featuring four different iPhone models in three different sizes there’s truly something for everybody, and on top of that Apple still has three other models to help those who don’t need the latest and greatest technology get into the iPhone ecosystem at a much more affordable price.
Of course, the big boost to Apple’s big iPhone 12 lineup this year is the inclusion of 5G technology, bringing Apple’s smartphones into the fast lane, and U.S. models now even pack in ultra-fast mmWave technology that can allow for speeds into the gigabit ranges. Combine that with Apple’s ultra-powerful A14 Bionic chip and even more advanced computational photography features across the entire lineup and each and every one of these new iPhones is a winner in its own right.
The downside to this of course is that such an embarrassment of options can make it hard to decide which iPhone the right one for you, but the good news is that the differences aren’t as significant as you might think at first blush, so if you simply focus on price and size and don’t worry too much about spec sheets it’s actually pretty easy to pick the best iPhone.
Best Overall: Apple iPhone 12
Same OLED display and processor as iPhone 12 Pro
Accessories not included
A direct successor to last year’s iPhone 11, Apple’s 6.1-inch iPhone 12 continues the tradition of striking the perfect balance between price and performance, packing in almost all of the important features of Apple’s flagship «Pro» models at a much more affordable price. Just like its predecessor, it remains the best iPhone for most people, and even moreso now that Apple has included faster 5G technology in the mix, including ultrafast mmWave technology in the U.S. models.
In fact, this time around the iPhone 12 is an even more compelling choice, since it also closes the gap with the «Pro» models even further, gaining the exact same Super Retina XDR OLED display as its considerably more expensive siblings. This means you get deep, rich blacks thanks to the 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, along with a P3 wide colour gamut, Apple’s True Tone colour matching technology, and full support for Dolby Vision and HDR10. Plus the flexibility of OLED means that the 6.1-inch display can truly get right up to the edges of the iPhone 12 in a way that was previously the exclusive domain of the iPhone Pro lineup. Apple’s new Ceramic Shield glass screen also promises four times better drop performance so you won’t have to worry about breaking that beautiful display.
Ultimately, all you’re really missing from the more expensive iPhone 12 Pro is the third telephoto lens and LiDAR scanner, but for most folks we really don’t think these are worth the extra cost, especially since the iPhone 12 packs in the same insanely powerful A14 chip for advanced computational photography, so the dual-camera system can take some pretty amazing shots with support for the same Portrait Mode, Night Mode, and Deep Fusion features, plus 4K video recording at 60fps. The iPhone 12 also continues to offer excellent battery life—up to 17 hours of video playback and 65 hours of audio playback—along with Apple’s new MagSafe technology that not only allows for faster 15W wireless charging, but also opens the door to a whole new ecosystem of accessories.
«The iPhone 12 is Apple’s best sub-$1,000 smartphone in years, delivering a premium, polished handset that is packed with power and style alike.» — Andrew Hayward, Product Tester
Best Camera: Apple iPhone 12 Pro
Excellent camera system
Powerful A14 Bionic chip
ProRAW photo capture
Accessories not included
With this year’s iPhone lineup, Apple has really put the «Pro» in the iPhone 12 Pro, with a series of features that are clearly geared even more strongly to power users, serious photographers, and actual professionals. It’s actually pretty amazing what the iPhone 12 Pro can do, so if you’re looking for the most advanced photographic features you can get, then Apple’s iPhone 12 Pro will easily be worth the premium price tag.
Although Apple has closed the gap by bringing its gorgeous Super Retina XDR OLED displays to the entire lineup this year, the iPhone 12 Pro still distinguishes itself by not only adding a third 2X telephoto camera, but also a LiDAR Scanner that helps to enhance the photographic experience even more by reducing autofocus time—it’s up to 6x faster in low light conditions—as well as allowing for Night Mode portrait shots and other similar depth mode photography under low light conditions.
The three-camera system features an f/1.6 seven-element lens as the main camera, while the ultra-wide, which has an f/2.4 aperture and a 120-degree field of view, is joined by a third f/2.0 telephoto camera. In total, this gives a full optical zoom range of 4x, plus a digital zoom of up to 10x, and while the camera system is still only 12 megapixels, Apple has repeatedly proven that it’s what you do with those megapixels that counts.
Specifically, Apple’s A14 Bionic chip not only takes last year’s computational photography features like Night Mode and Deep Fusion to a whole new level, but it also enables support for a new ProRAW photo format that combines the benefits of RAW photography with the extra layers of photographic intelligence, so photographers will be able to capture RAW photos without losing the benefits of features like Smart HDR and Deep Fusion. Even more significantly, however, the iPhone 12 Pro supports native recording of 4K/60fps Dolby Vision HDR video, making it the first camera in the world that’s capable of doing this, not just among smartphones, but even among pro movie cameras, and thanks to its ultrafast 5G technology you’ll be able to upload and share those 4K videos more smoothly than ever.
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Which iPhone Should I Get?
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For Apple devotees, the iPhone is the only phone that matters. The biggest choice fans have to make is whether they need to get the newest iPhone right now, grab a bargain on an older model, or hold off in the hopes of an even newer iPhone being launched.
However, simply going for the newest iPhone doesn’t always mean you’ll get the best deal. Often, the older iPhone models are just as slick and feature-packed as the newer ones. Put simply, there are no bad iPhones out there if you go for a model from the past couple of years.
You could buy any of the seven iPhones currently on sale, whether that’s a brand new $1,099 iPhone 12 Pro Max or cheaper iPhone 12, and bag one of the best phones on sale. You could even buy a $599 iPhone 11 and get a very decent phone.
But how do you know you’re getting the right iPhone for you? We’ve taken an in-depth look at all the iPhones on sale, so you can quickly and easily find out which one is right for you.
Which Is The Best iPhone?
These are the best Apple iPhone models you can buy. Though it’s still possible to track down older ones second-hand or refurbished, we’d advise sticking to one of the iPhones below:
- iPhone 12 Pro– The best iPhone on sale: The iPhone 12 Pro is, in our mind, the best iPhone you can buy at the moment. Its smaller size makes it easier to use than the 12 Pro Max, while its triple rear cameras and improved battery life make it a noticeable improvement over the regular iPhone 12 models.
- iPhone 12– A great option for almost everyone: The iPhone 12 was a big upgrade over the 11 with a new OLED display, 5G connectivity, improved cameras, and that fancy MagSafe tech. Plus, at $799, you’re saving a not-inconsiderable amount of money compared to the iPhone 12 Pro. It also comes in loads of fancy colors, which is nice.
- iPhone 12 Pro Max– The one with the big screen: At the risk of sounding reductive, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is only really meant for people who just want more. You get a larger screen and a larger battery, which makes it great for playing games or for people who need to work on their phones. But the $1,099 price tag still seems steep to us.
- iPhone 12 Mini – All the iPhone 12 tech in a smaller package: The iPhone 12 Mini brings the latest A14 Bionic processor, dual 12Mp cameras, and MagSafe compatibility to a phone with a tiny 5.4-inch display. However, unlike the iPhone, that display is edge-to-edge, keeping the overall size smaller as well.
- iPhone SE– The cut-price iPhone: The iPhone SE brings familiar iPhone looks but gives you newer, faster tech. It’s powered by the older A13 Bionic processor but still packs good performance and cameras for its low $399 price tag. However, it looks seriously dated compared to new iPhones and similarly priced Android phones.
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Best iPhone for 2021: Which of Apple’s 8 phones is right for you?
Apple’s iPhone lineup ranges from $399 to $1,599. Here’s how to find which one suits your needs and budget.
In 2021, Apple released four new iPhone 13 models , all of which include a number of significant upgrades like new cameras , bigger batteries , more storage and brighter screens. The iPhone 13 lineup is a delightful upgrade to last year’s already wonderful iPhone 12 family. Including the four iPhone 13 models, Apple currently sells a total of eight variants, ranging in price from $399 for the iPhone SE to $1,599 for the iPhone 13 Pro Max with 1TB of storage.
Apple’s iPhone lineup used to be simple. When Steve Jobs announced the original iPhone over 14 years ago , there was just one phone, exclusively available on AT&T. The only decision you had in 2007 was whether you wanted 4 or 8GB of storage.
Today, there’s an iPhone for pretty much everyone. Miss the home button? Then, check out the iPhone SE. Like the iPhone 13 design, but not its price? Consider last year’s iPhone 12 and 12 Mini . Want a small phone with a good battery life? Then the iPhone 13 Mini is a must . And what about the two-year-old iPhone 11, is it still worth it? In short, yes.
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 11 | $499 | 6.1 inches | 2 | A13 Bionic | September 2019 |
iPhone 12 Mini | $629 | 5.4 inches | 2 | A14 Bionic | November 2020 |
iPhone 12 | $729 | 6.1 inches | 2 | A14 Bionic | October 2020 |
iPhone 13 Mini | $729 | 5.4 inches | 2 | A15 Bionic | September 2021 |
iPhone 13 | $829 | 6.1 inches | 2 | A15 Bionic | September 2021 |
iPhone 13 Pro | $999 | 6.1 inches | 3 | A15 Bionic | September 2021 |
iPhone 13 Pro Max | $1,099 | 6.7 inches | 3 | A15 Bionic | September 2021 |
To complicate your decision, some iPhones have two cameras, others three and others four (including the front-facing selfie camera). There’s also the fact that nearly every current iPhone model has Face ID except one: the iPhone SE. Having a lot of options isn’t bad, but can feel overwhelming when buying a new iPhone.
To help you figure out which is the best iPhone for you, I thoroughly reviewed and tested each one on this list, from their batteries to camera performance. I included current iPhone prices, though iPhone deals are known to happen , so don’t assume your only option is paying full price. Also, this best iPhone list is based on current models that Apple sells. If you’re shopping around, you might notice that carriers and third-party sellers offer discontinued models, like the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max .
Also, if you’re looking for an Android phone or another smartphone outside of Apple’s offerings, read our guide to help find the best phone for your needs.
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