The widest range of current iPhones available on the official Apple Online Store page may raise doubts even among people who have been familiar with the technology of the American manufacturer for several years. To figure it out and choose the “Best iPhone” with an acceptable price tag, you need a comprehensive approach to the issue. In this material we will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of certain iPhone models and try to help you make a choice.
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Unlike manufacturers like Samsung or Xiaomi, Apple has a rather succinctly constructed line of smartphones with intuitive naming, where every buyer can easily distinguish a budget model from a flagship one. However, the choice of iPhones in 2021 is quite wide, which means that many potential users of Apple smartphones could use help when choosing a gadget.
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Which iPhones should you not buy new in 2021?
Let's start by explaining why some once-popular iPhone models should not be considered for purchase in 2021.
So, you should not buy in 2021: iPhone 7 / 7 Plus, iPhone 8 / 8 Plus, iPhone X and iPhone XS / XS Max - all these smartphones are officially discontinued. The offers of these smartphones still found in some online stores at affordable prices should be treated with skepticism. There is a high probability that instead of a new device, they will sell you a “repackaged, refurbished used device” (details here). Be careful.
In addition, the 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max models are also no longer produced, but are still available in official reseller networks (Svyaznoy, M.Video, MTS, etc.) - you can buy them.
Also, do not forget that Apple officially offers refurbished smartphones (refs) that are no longer in production. We talked in detail about how to distinguish a real ref from a fake in this material.
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How to choose the best reliable iPhone in 2021
Naturally, the best iPhone will be the most expensive, current top model, however, when choosing the main personal device, the buyer should focus solely on his own needs and whether his desires match his financial capabilities. At the same time, it is important to be able to separate the wheat from the chaff and abstract from functionality that most likely will not be in demand, because not every user needs the power of the latest Apple A14 Bionic processor and certainly not everyone can distinguish by eye photographs taken using a LiDAR sensor and without him. But at the same time, the presence of additional functions significantly affects the cost of the device.
To make the choice easier, we will divide all current iPhone models in 2021 into three groups: budget, mid-level and premium segment.
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Budget (cheap) iPhones in 2021: iPhone SE 2 and iPhone XR
Perhaps it will be the most difficult for an inexperienced buyer to make a choice in the budget price segment. Both current models have their disadvantages and advantages, and the 2021 iPhone XR (review) is more expensive than last year's iPhone SE 2 (review).
In terms of design, screen diagonal and body dimensions, the iPhone XR is closer to top-end smartphones.
Size comparison between iPhone XR and iPhone SE 2
iPhone XR design
There is a 6.1-inch IPS display, which occupies almost the entire space of the front panel. Among the six available colors, the most striking are the original coral, yellow, and blue.
In turn, the 2021 iPhone SE has a design borrowed from the iPhone 8 with plastic inserts on the bottom and top of the 4.7-inch screen.
iPhone SE 2 (2020) design
By the way, the 4.7-inch iPhone SE 2021 is equipped with the same quality display (also IPS) and the same image density as the iPhone XR - 326 ppi. Only black, white and red (product RED) are available as primary body colors.
iPhone SE 2 colors
The main advantage of the second generation iPhone SE should be considered the Apple A13 Bionic processor coupled with the third generation of the Neural Engine system. The iPhone XR is equipped with the previous generation of Apple chips, but has a more capacious battery and Face ID facial recognition system instead of the outdated Touch ID fingerprint scanner.
iPhone XR camera system with built-in Face ID
Home button in iPhone SE 2 with built-in Touch ID fingerprint scanner
It should also be noted that among the specifications of the iPhone SE there is a version with 256 GB of internal memory (iPhone XR is limited to 128 GB in the top version).
The cameras on both devices are identical: a main wide-angle camera with an ƒ/1.8 aperture and a 7 MP front camera.
You can find a detailed comparison of iPhone XR and iPhone SE 2 on this page.
The cost of devices in the Apple online store is:
iPhone XR: from 42,000 rubles ; iPhone SE 2: from 34,000 rubles .
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"The best camera and incredible battery life." What reviewers in the US are saying about the iPhone 13 Pro
In Russia, pre-orders for the new iPhone 13 start only tomorrow, and in the US, the first reviews of the entire line have already been released today. They are usually divided into pairs: the iPhone 13 mini was tested together with the iPhone 13, and the iPhone 13 Pro was tested with the iPhone 13 Pro Max. In this news we present excerpts from the review of the iPhone 13 Pro by the authoritative publication The Verge. Looking ahead, we can note that the author of the review liked the new product, but it was not without criticism.
The reviewer gave the iPhone 13 Pro 9 points - a high result. What impressed me the most was the camera. Moreover, this time you can put an equal sign between the cameras of the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, since they are no different at all, unlike the cameras of the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
When there is enough light (for example, shooting outdoors on a sunny day), photos taken by the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro are indistinguishable - the iPhone 13 Pro shines in low light: a larger sensor with larger 1.9 micron pixels, and the F/1.5 lens do the trick: “Combined with some tweaks and improvements to computational photography, low-light performance on the 13 Pro is simply unmatched.”
Here are examples of pictures taken with the iPhone 13 Pro camera at night:
When shooting in low light conditions, photos from the iPhone 13 Pro have less noise and a wider dynamic range. Apple has also adjusted the black point processing algorithms, so exposure is more accurate. The iPhone 13 Pro is also less likely to switch to night mode as often as the iPhone 12 Pro does.
The ultra-wide-angle camera has also been improved in terms of capturing more light, but the difference with its predecessor is not so pronounced. Much more interesting is the introduction of autofocus, which allows you to take very interesting photos, including in macro mode.
Macro mode Photo with ultra-wide-angle camera
The iPhone 13 Pro debuted a new telephoto lens with an EGF of 77 mm and 3x zoom (in the iPhone 12 Pro Max - 65 mm and 2.5x zoom). It has become less aperture (aperture F/2.8 versus F/2.2), but this is compensated by the addition of a night shooting mode using a telephoto lens.
Below are many examples of photos taken with the iPhone 13 Pro camera.
Cinematic Mode is like portrait mode, only when recording video. However, unlike portrait mode, Cinematic Mode does not use lidar to determine depth of field - face and body recognition is carried out entirely in software. The magic of Cinematic Mode is that it automatically switches focus from the foreground to the background. For example, if a person's face is in focus at first, then as soon as the person begins to turn, the focus shifts to the background. Moreover, Cinematic Mode works with both the main camera and the front one. But there are also limitations: the maximum video resolution in this mode is Full HD, and the mode does not work in low light conditions.
An example of how Cinematic Mode works in real life
iPhone 13 screens have gotten better with new Super Retina XDR panels with ProMotion. The second part is especially important, since it did not exist before. In fact, this means that the iPhone 13 Pro dynamically adjusts the frame rate in the range from 10 to 120 Hz. Therefore, for example, when scrolling quickly, the text does not blur, but remains readable. And when watching a video, the frame rate of the screen is adjusted to the frame rate of the stream. "It's an improvement that may only make a difference to some, but will quietly make life more enjoyable for everyone who uses it."
Display, camera, but what about autonomy? She didn't disappoint. The columnist gives the following example. The iPhone 13 Pro, when playing 4K videos at maximum screen brightness, worked from early morning until 23 hours, with 20% of the battery charge remaining. Apple says the iPhone 13 Pro lasts 1.5 hours longer than the iPhone 12 Pro, and a reviewer confirms this.
As for the minuses, these include the average front camera (meaning the quality of photos and videos), the Lightning connector instead of USB-C and the limitations of the Cinematic Mode. But otherwise, the iPhone 13 Pro does not disappoint. The opinion of The Verge columnist is clear, but what do representatives of other specialized publications say about the iPhone 13? Read in the next news.
Mid-range iPhones in 2021: iPhone 11, iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini
The iPhone 11 (review) differs from the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini (review) primarily in design. If the iPhone 11 continued the series of Apple smartphones with rounded corners, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini received a square form factor a la iPhone 4.
iPhone 11 design
iPhone 12 design
In addition, the three current mid-level Apple smartphones differ in their display modules. If we talk about screen area, the iPhone 12 mini has the smallest diagonal - 5.4 inches, while the iPhone 11 and 12 are noticeably superior to the mini model in this indicator - both gadgets are equipped with 6.1-inch displays.
Size comparison between iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini
Size comparison between iPhone 12 and iPhone 11
However, smartphones released in 2021 delight the eye with a clearer picture thanks to OLED screens that provide image quality at 476 dots per square inch, which distinguishes these screens from the IPS display in the iPhone 11 with a quality of 326 ppi.
As for the cameras, all three smartphones have almost the same modules, with the exception of minimal differences such as a slightly stronger aperture in the iPhone 12 and 12 mini, the lack of the ability to shoot video in the Dolby Vision standard and TimeLapse with active night mode in the iPhone 11, etc. d. The front cameras of the gadgets are also almost identical.
It is also worth noting that the iPhone 12 and 12 mini support MagSafe wireless magnetic charging, which can also be used to attach accessories to the back of the smartphone (iPhone 11 only supports regular wireless charging).
Other notable differences include support for next-generation 5G networks in the iPhone 12 and 12 mini, a less capacious battery in the iPhone 12 mini, as well as improved protection against drops and moisture inside the case for newer gadgets - according to the documentation, the iPhone 11 can be submerged into water to a depth of no more than two meters, while with the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini you can safely dive six meters into fresh water.
And, of course, the main parameter when comparing models remains their cost; at the moment it is:
Buy iPhone 11: from 49,000 rubles ; Buy iPhone 12 mini: from 62,000 rubles ; Buy iPhone 12: from 70,000 rubles .
Based on the price/quality criterion, the iPhone 11 can be called the best iPhone in 2021 for most users. This is a reliable smartphone that has everything you need.
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People's choice: iPhone 11
One of Apple's biggest hits in recent years remains in demand and popular despite its obvious shortcomings. The main argument of haters is the huge frames and low screen resolution. Nevertheless, the phone is sold in such volumes that competitors on Android can only envy.
Multi-colored cases, rounded body contours without sharp edges, high speed, excellent autonomy. Plus protection from water and dust, excellent video recording quality, decent photos.
The minimum price on Yandex.Market for iPhone 11 64 GB is 44,000 rubles.
