Experts agree that the latest iPhone model isn’t always the best choice. A group of product reviewers, third-party repair technicians, and former Apple staffers shared their insights to identify which iPhone models strike the perfect balance between quality, features, and affordability.
DailyMail.com reached out to various independent experts to determine the ideal iPhone model that combines high-quality hardware with key features at an affordable price. While their recommendations varied, they all pointed to the 2021 iPhone 13 models and the 2022 iPhone SE for budget-conscious buyers.
The experts’ recommendations come after a challenging year for Apple, marked by a decline in stock price due to “gimmicky” or “lacklustre” new iPhone models and fierce competition from Samsung, which outpaced Apple in device sales this year.
Rank-and-file Apple users have long praised the 2020 iPhone 12 as the best and longest-lasting generation, often referring to it as the “sweet spot.” As one Ars Technica forum poster noted, “Beyond the iPhone 12, the differences are quite minimal,” citing slight improvements in speed, battery life, and cameras. “The iPhone’s a mature product and I don’t expect radical improvements year-over-year,” they added, “but looking at the cost, I don’t feel like anything beyond the iPhone 12 is worth the expense.”
However, experts believe the iPhone 13 perfected everything good about the iPhone 12, making it the best value without compromising performance or features. Tyler Morgan, a former Apple employee known as @hitomidocameraroll on TikTok stated, “Anyone going from [an iPhone] 12 Pro to a 13 Pro would notice a substantial change.” Morgan recommends the iPhone 13 Pro, stating, “Since the 13 release, it’s just copied with small updates and gimmicks.”
Stan, a repair technician at New York’s Geek Shop, echoed Morgan’s sentiment. “I would go for the 13 instead,” he said, explaining that Apple typically releases a new model with a different chassis, followed by a revision that fixes any small issues from the previous model. “The 13 was the revision.”
Refurbished iPhone 13s with 128 gigabytes of memory are currently priced between $400 for the basic model and $550 for the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Experts highlighted the iPhone 13’s top-notch specs, including a rapid refresh rate of 120 Hz, significantly improved battery life over the iPhone 12, and a “proper pro camera setup.”
Morgan criticized newer iPhone models for “gimmicks or minor upgrades no one asked for,” such as the iPhone 14’s “Dynamic Island” and iPhone 15’s “natural Titanium finish,” “action button,” and “capture button” additions. Even the most impressive hardware upgrades, like the iPhone 15’s 48-megapixel camera with a five-times zoom feature, don’t seem worth the price. “As great as it is,” Morgan noted, “no one knows how to use it out of the box.”
For those seeking a more affordable option, experts recommend the iPhone SE. Introduced in 2016, the iPhone SE, or “Special Edition,” has become Apple’s budget model. The third-generation iPhone SE is “the ideal choice” for those who don’t want to pay as much for a new smartphone as they would for a decent laptop, according to The Wirecutter.
Stan from Geek Shop agrees, stating, “If you were looking for the best ‘bang for the buck,’ that would be the SE 2022, in my opinion.” He suggests the SE 2022 for basic tasks like texting, email, and basic photography. A used and refurbished 2022 iPhone SE with 64 gigabytes typically sells for $210 to $250, with the 128 GB version often under $300.
The iPhone SE also appeals to privacy-conscious consumers who prefer a simple fingerprint scan over Apple’s Face ID. Reviewers noted that the iPhone SE shows its limitations only when using processing-intensive programs like gaming, streaming video, or FaceTime calls over LTE or 5G networks. However, unlike many budget Android devices, the iPhone SE is more likely to receive iOS software support, patches, and updates for years.
Stan acknowledged that the iPhone SE’s camera is good but lacks features like the additional telephoto lens and Night Mode available on the latest models. For those who want an exceptional digital camera in their phone, the iPhone 15’s features might be worth the splurge.
“At the end of the day,” Stan admitted, “I’m just a guy with an opinion.”