Buying guide: The best iPhone models in 2021
Buying guide: The best iPhone models in 2021
7:37

Buying guide: The best iPhone models in 2021

Phones
Apple currently sells seven different models of iPhone. Some are new, some date back to 2018. Some have 4G 5G, some cost $400 others cost $1400. Look, if you're trying to buy an iPhone, that's a lot of stuff to get your head around. But don't worry. I'm here to help. [MUSIC] Hi Patrick Holland and I tested review the iPhone four See that? Going back to 2007 when Steve Jobs launched the original iPhone, really you only had to decide one thing whether to buy one with four gigabytes of storage, or one with eight gigabytes of storage. Now there are seven models including five that have come out In the past year, making it really hard to decide which is the iPhone that's best for you. But that's where I come in. Here's my list of best iPhones for 2021. And let's start with what I think is the best iPhone for most people, and that would be the iPhone 12. With support for 5G being its crown jewel feature. The $829 iPhone 12 marks the beginning of a new New generation. In fact, it's basically the same as an iPhone 12 Pro, but you're getting $170 discount. Both have the same design the same display the same insanely fast 814 bionic chip. The same five v support the same support for magazine charging the same selfie wide and ultra wide cameras. So what do you miss If you don't go pro? Well, you don't get a telephoto camera. You don't get the ability to shoot Apple pro raw photos and you don't get that lovely mat. Finished back and stainless steel sides. Also if you do decide to go for an iPhone 12 I highly recommend if you have the budget for it, paying $50 more and going from 64 gigabytes of storage and getting the model with 128 gigabytes. Next is the best overall iPhone and that is without question. The iPhone 12 Pro Max, if you want the largest screen and the longest battery life on any iPhone then the $1,099 iPhone 12 Pro Max is the way to go. Also if you're into photos and video and you wanna squeeze every last drop of image quality, then this is the phone to get. Aside from being the biggest and heaviest iPhone ever made. The 12 Pro Max has photo and video features not found on any other model. Bottom line is if you can handle the size and weight of this phone behemoth the iPhone 12 Pro Max is worth every penny of its price. In fact, the iPhone 12 Pro max earned a C net Editor's Choice distinction But let's talk about the best iPhone deal, and that is the iPhone 11. If you don't need support for 5G, then the $599 iPhone 11 is the way to go, and it represents the absolute best value of any phone on this list So much so that it is a C net Editor's Choice, and you get so much for that price like an 813 processor, excellent cameras, a solid battery life, and the choice of six colors. In contrast, the straight sided 12 series, the iPhone 11 has curved edges which many people prefer And the only real drawback to this phone is gonna be its screen. It still has an LCD one as opposed to a newer OLED panel. That said, Don't let the screen turn you away. It's still very good in everyday use. Also just like the iPhone 12. If you can afford an extra $50 I recommend getting the 128 gigabyte version. But now let's move to everyone's favorite on the list. The best cheap iPhone and that would be the iPhone SE. f $399. You might think the only appeal of the iPhone SE it's cheap price and to be honest, it's the most affordable phone on this list and that is a big deal. On the outside the iPhone SE has the same body as the iPhone eight And it's the only iPhone on this list that has Touch ID which in pandemic times is a plus. Because using a face mask with face ID is a frustrating experience. On the inside the SEC has the same 813 processor. Has the iPhone 11 and that takes the 2017 camera hardware and gives it a 2020 injection of Apple's computational photography power. The se supports 4G and still has that classic iPhone design which you may love or hate But because of the newer processor, it's able to run the latest version of IOS and the newest apps. Next is the best small iPhone and that is without a doubt the iPhone 12 Mini. Who said small phones don't exist in 2021 the $729 iPhone 12 Mini is brilliant. Because it has everything the iPhone 12 maps, it's just smaller as the same flat sided design support for 5G OLED screen with support for HDR, the same body with ip 68 dust and water resistance. It supports Maxi wireless charging accessories has the same a 14 bionic processor runs the same IOS 14 software and even has this Same cameras, the iPhone 12 and 12. Mini are the same phone, but one is small and the other isn't also the iPhone 12 Mini is a CNET editors choice and personally, the iPhone 12 Mini is my daily driver, a phone I use every day. That said I only recommend you get the 12 Mini for its size. It is $100 cheaper than the iPhone 12 which might be attempted reasons save Little blur, but if you're not okay with a small phone you might be disappointed or frustrated with its size. As with other phones on this list if you can afford it I recommend getting the 128 gigabyte version. Next on the list is the best premium iPhone and that is the iPhone 12 Pro While the iPhone 12 Pro Max is essentially the ultimate iPhone, its size, its weight and price tag might be a turnoff to many people. That's where the $999 iPhone 12 Pro comes in. It has the same solid build, the same premium finish, it just costs 100 bucks less. Yet you still get a telephoto camera and you still get access to Apple pro raw photos. And let's wrap up with the best iPhone under $500 and that would be the iPhone XR. The $499 iPhone XR is kind of like the middle child of the iPhone lineup. You have the iPhone SE which costs $100 less And has a newer processor. But the 10R offers something that SE doesn't. It's part of Apple's new generation of iPhone design that started with the iPhone 10 meaning it has face ID large 6.1 inch screen and comes in six different colors instead of the three that the iPhone SE comes But then there's the iPhone 11 that costs $100 more. It has a newer processor and newer cameras, including an ultra wide camera that the XR doesn't have, but the XR is $100 cheaper. So if you're looking for an affordable 4G iPhone that embraces Apple's new design language, I highly recommend the iPhone XR. In fact, it's a Siemens Editor's Choice. And I'll say this, it's even better if you can get more storage and upgrade to 128 gigabytes. So that's all I've got. But I want to hear from you guys. What's up What's your favourite iPhone? What's the iPhone you recommend for your friends or family? Are there other iPhones that didn't make this list that are maybe available at third-party resellers? Throw your thoughts in the comments [BLANK_AUDIO]

Up Next

Super Bowl TV Shopping? Here Are Our Favorite Picks
superbowltvs-00-00-05-01-still001

Up Next

Super Bowl TV Shopping? Here Are Our Favorite Picks

Earbuds Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know
240117-site-earbuds-buying-guide-v2

Earbuds Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know

The Best Laptops and Tablets to Gift this Holiday
best-laptops-and-tablets-2023-00-00-22-17-still002

The Best Laptops and Tablets to Gift this Holiday

Mobile Phones Buying Guide: What You Need to Know
231115-site-mobile-phones-buying-guide

Mobile Phones Buying Guide: What You Need to Know

TV Buying Guide: Sizes, Prices and When to Buy to Get a Good Deal
tv-buying-guide-cnet-seq-00-08-50-25-still008

TV Buying Guide: Sizes, Prices and When to Buy to Get a Good Deal

What to Look For When Buying an EV
picbestevs

What to Look For When Buying an EV

Back-to-School Essentials You Actually Need
230822-site-products-you-need-for-back-to-school

Back-to-School Essentials You Actually Need

Wearables Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know
watch-image

Wearables Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Best Wi-Fi Routers for 2023: A Buying Guide
thumbfinal

Best Wi-Fi Routers for 2023: A Buying Guide

Fun Amazon Finds Under $100 for December 2022
p1050770-00-13-52-12-still004

Fun Amazon Finds Under $100 for December 2022

Tech Shows

The Apple Core
apple-core-w

The Apple Core

Alphabet City
alphabet-city-w

Alphabet City

CNET Top 5
cnet-top-5-w

CNET Top 5

The Daily Charge
dc-site-1color-logo.png

The Daily Charge

What the Future
what-the-future-w

What the Future

Tech Today
tech-today-w

Tech Today

Latest News All latest news

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
pic3

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter

Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories
screenshot-2024-03-22-at-17-41-16.png

Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories

Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies
240321-site-nvidia-project-groot-vs-tesla-optimus-v1

Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies

What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like
240321-site-apple-and-gemini-ai

What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like

DOJ Sues Apple: Everything to Know About the Antitrust Suit
240321-site-doj-sues-apple-for-antitrust-on-iphone-v2

DOJ Sues Apple: Everything to Know About the Antitrust Suit

Microsoft Surface Pro 10, Surface Laptop 6 Are Here
240320-site-microsoft-surface-pros-first-look-v2

Microsoft Surface Pro 10, Surface Laptop 6 Are Here

Most Popular All most popular

First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
innovation

First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
240123-site-samsung-galaxy-s24-ultra-review-4

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost

'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
circlesearchpic

'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen

Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
asus-preces-00-00-25-11-still003

Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop

Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
samsung-galaxy-ring-clean

Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions

Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
240111-site-best-of-ces-2024-1

Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024

Latest Products All latest products

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
pic3

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter

Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
240320-site-nuro-r3-first-look-v1

Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar

First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
240304-site-nothing-phone-2-first-look-v3

First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day

Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
240229-site-best-of-show-at-mwc

Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More

This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
240225-site-lenovo-translucent-laptop-concept-v3

This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display

Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
240225-site-motorola-rollable-concept

Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist

Latest How To All how to videos

Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
240311-site-windows-11-hidden-tips-and-tricks-v2

Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features

Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
VisionOS 1.0.3

Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3

Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
240216-site-galaxy-s24-ultra-tips-and-hidden-features-2

Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra

TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
tiktok-on-vision-pro-clean

TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro

Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
superbowl-tv-settings-thumb1

Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips

How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro
240202-site-spatial-computing-on-meta-quest-3

How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro