Which iPhone is right for you?
The X isn’t the only game in town.
So you’re ready to upgrade to a new iPhone and just can’t see spending $1,000 for the latest model. You’re in great shape. Apple has more models available for sale this year than in years past, with prices starting at $349. Some models are larger, snappier and are water-resistant. The most recent phones have increasingly more powerful and versatile cameras, plus wireless charging. But there are so many to choose from, starting at the low end with the compact $349 SE and going all the way up to the iPhone X that fetches a grand or more. Here’s what you need to know:
The iPhone SE
Apple’s smallest and lowest-priced iPhone has a 4-inch screen and all the latest software but lacks the higherend, higher-resolution camera and extra power of the more expensive models. This year’s model comes with twice the storage — 32GB — as previous editions.
The 6S and 6S Plus
The last of the full-sized classic iPhones to still have standard-sized headphone jacks are now 2 years old. They have less power (the A9 chip), although most consumers wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the A9 and the newer A11 “Bionic” chip unless they were doing video editing or using one of the new augmented reality apps that require more power. The 6S models are also missing the higher-end camera features found in today’s top models. Price: $449 and $549.
The iPhone SE, Apple’s smallest option, got an upgrade this year, so it has all the latest software and 32 GB of storage but will only set you back $349.
The 7 and 7 Plus
With these 2016 models you start to see faster performance (A10 chip), water resistance and in the larger 7 Plus, two camera lenses, one for wider shots and one for portraits. The basic wide-angle camera of the 7 and 6S are otherwise pretty similar, with the same resolution. Both shoot 4K highresolution video. They sell for $549 and $669, respectively.
The iPhone X
The first re-designed iPhone since 2014’s iPhone 6 touts facial recognition, the ability to make animated emojis, a near edge-to-edge display and no home button. Just be prepared to spend: the most expensive iPhone to date starts at around a grand and commands $1,149 if you want a model with max storage.
The 8 and 8 Plus
On paper, these seem like carbon copies of the 7s and 6S. They look similar and have almost the same features. Only these later models add in a glass back, wireless charging and faster performance (that A11 bionic chip). What’s more, the Plus adds software tricks that let you enhance portrait shots with fun special effects, including one that lets you completely darken the background. The 8 sells for $699, the 8 Plus, $799.
To sum up:
Best deal: SE
Best iPhone for photographers on a budget: 7 Plus
Best iPhone for music fans who have wired headphones: 6S
Best iPhone for the person who wants the best iPhone in a familiar form factor: 8 Plus
Best iPhone for the person who wants the latest and greatest: X