What iphone to buy (recommended models)

More than a decade ago, Steve Jobs unveiled what we could define as “original iPhone”. For some years, the choice was simple. The user did not have to choose more than the capacity of his brand new smartphone. But the years went by, screen sizes increased, pre-sale models remained, and finally, the choice became increasingly complicated. What iPhone to buy? This is the question that many users ask themselves every time they want to renew their current iPhone or make the leap from Android to iOS. Today we will try to lend a hand to those users who have this doubt. Of course, the decision will depend exclusively on each, their personal tastes, their needs and, of course, their pocket.

Index of contents

The iPhone family in detail

The first step before weighing which iPhone to buy, is to know all the models that Apple makes available to us at the moment. If we look at the company's catalog on its website, we can see that there are four major models:

• iPhone 7, released in 2016iPhone 8, released in 2017iPhone XR, released in 2018iPhone XS, also released in 2018

Let's see what characteristics each of them presents.

iPhone 7

The iPhone 7 was launched in September 2016. Despite the change in nomenclature compared to the previous generation, the truth is that it is more of an update with performance improvements than a completely new terminal. In fact, from an external design point of view nothing changed.

Within the iPhone 7 range we find two main models differentiated by the size of the screen and by the presence or not of a double camera. These are the 4.7-inch iPhone 7, with a single-lens main camera, and the iPhone 7 Plus with a 5.5-inch screen and dual-lens camera system.

Both models have a Retina HD LCD Multitouch screen with IPS technology and a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels in the case of the iPhone 7 compared to 1920 x 1080 pixels in the case of the 7 Plus. Both also include 3D Touch technology that facilitates access to certain actions without having to open the applications, a 7 megapixel FaceTime HD camera, access control through Touch ID and inside it runs an A10 Fusion chip.

As for the main camera, while the iPhone 7 offers a single-lens camera, the iPhone 7 Plus has a dual-camera, wide-angle and telephoto configuration, although in both cases we are talking about 12 megapixels.

Both models feature optical image stabilization, 4K video recording at 30 f / s and HD 1080p at 30 or 60 f / s, slow motion video recording at 1080p at 120 f / s and 720p at 240 f / s, time-lapse video with stabilization, True Tone flash with four LEDs and HDR for photos however, while the 4.7-inch model only offers digital zoom up to 5x, the largest screen terminal includes digital zoom up to 10x and optical zoom up to 2x. Also, only this latest model includes the popular portrait mode. Thus, the photographic section constitutes one of the main arguments for the user to opt for one or the other telephone. If you are a professional photographer, a big hobbyist or just like to take the best photos, the iPhone 7 Plus wins the battle.

The iPhone 7, regardless of the size you can choose, is available in four finishes (black, silver, gold and rose gold), and in two storage options, 32GB and 128GB, with the following prices:

• iPhone 7 32 GB: 529 euros iPhone 7 128 GB: 639 euros iPhone 7 Plus 32 GB: 659 euros iPhone 7 Plus 128 GB: 769 euros

The iPhone 7 also has an IP67 rating that makes it resistant to dust, splashes and water up to one meter deep for up to thirty minutes.

Another important question to take into account when choosing one or the other iPhone is the autonomy that it offers us, really important if we tend to spend many hours away from a socket and, in addition, giving intensive use to our phone. In this regard, this is what the company itself tells us:

iPhone 7. iPhone 7 Plus

Lastly, don't forget that both iPhone and iPhone 7 Plus have a Lightning connector and lack wireless charging.

iPhone 8

The iPhone 8 was launched by Apple in 2017, along with the new, and already discontinued, iPhone X. In my personal opinion, it was nothing more than a strategy to further highlight the "tenth anniversary model", thus justifying the high price of this. And it is that, once again, the iPhone 8 is nothing more than an iPhone 7 with certain improvements and some novelty. And like its predecessor, it is offered in two screen sizes, 4.7 and 5.5 inches, with the main camera setup being the essential difference between the two models.

In order not to be repetitive, among the main novelties presented by this "new generation" of iPhone we can highlight the following:

• Recovery of the glass as the main material for the rear, which allowed the introduction, for the first time, of wireless charging.Chip A11 Bionic with Neural Engine, of course, with higher performance, speed and efficiency than the previous generation of the iPhone.True Tone screen that adapts to ambient light conditions, thus mitigating eyestrain and promoting greater rest. In the field of video and photography, the introduction of automatic HDR for photos (in both phone sizes) stands out. and portrait lighting with five effects (studio light, mono stage light, stage light, daylight, and contour light) only available on the iPhone 8 Plus which, as with the 7 Plus, is the only one of the two models including Portrait Mode.

Apart from these improvements, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 are practically the same phone, with the same characteristics in terms of screen, autonomy, external design, dimensions, video playback, compatibility with Apple Pay, etc.

Both the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus are available in three colors (silver, space gray and gold) with two storage options (64 and 256 GB) and a price that starts at 689 euros:

• iPhone 8 64 GB: 689 euros iPhone 8 256 GB: 859 euros iPhone 8 Plus 64 GB: 799 euros iPhone 8 Plus 256 GB: 969 euros

iPhone XS and XS Max

We arrived in 2018 and, coinciding with the discontinuation of the iPhone X after just ten months of life, Apple launched the current generation of its flagship. On the one hand, it continued the tradition started with the iPhone 6, offering two screen sizes and qualities and benefits that are more than premium. Simultaneously, it introduced a cheaper iPhone, removing some features and giving them a bath of color and a price that has allowed it to become the best-selling iPhone. But let's start with the top of the range.

The iPhone XS is the clear continuation of the iPhone X launched in 2017, while the iPhone XS Max is a completely new model, but only due to its non-existence so far, and its new name, as it is actually an XS “max big".

Neither of them has a physical Home button, nor does it have Touch ID, so the verification system has been replaced by Face ID.

Both phones have a Super Retina HD OLED and HDR screen that offers features as appreciated by users such as 3D Touch, HDR or True Tone. Making a difference, while the iPhone XS has a 5.8-inch screen with a resolution of 2436 x 1125 pixels, the iPhone XS Max's screen reaches 6.5 inches (the largest phone ever marketed by Apple) and a resolution 2688 x 1242.

The XS range has improved resistance to dust, splashes and water. Now it is resistant up to two meters deep for a maximum of thirty minutes, which is equivalent to an IP68 certification, compared to the IP67 that we saw in both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8.

Unlike previous generations, the cameras of the two smartphones, XS and XS Max, are exactly the same, these being their main characteristics:

• Dual 12MP camera with wide angle (f / 1.8 aperture) and telephoto (f / 2.4 aperture) Double optical image stabilization 2x Optical zoom Digital zoom up to 10xLive PhotosFlash True Tone 4-LED with slow sync Portrait mode with depth control and bokeh effect Portrait lighting with five effects (Daylight, Studio Light, Contour Light, Stage Light and Mono Stage Light) Smart HDR for photos 4K video recording at 24, 30 or 60 f / s 1080p video recording HD 30 or 60 f / s Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 f / s Optical image stabilization for video Optical zoom x2 Digital zoom up to x6 Slow-motion video in 1080p at 120 f / s or 240 f / s Time-lapse video with stabilization Stereo recording

Also both models include a front camera with the same specifications among them:

• 7 Mpx TrueDepth Camera with Flash Retina ƒ / 2.2 ApertureLive PhotosHDR Intelligent for photosPortrait Mode with advanced bokeh effect and Depth ControlPortrait lighting with five effects (Natural Light, Studio Light, Contour Light, Stage Light and Backlight Scenario Mono) Cinema-quality video stabilization (1080p and 720p) Extended dynamic range for 30f / s video 1080p HD video recording at 30 or 60f / sAnimojiMemoji

Regarding its autonomy, this is what Apple tells us for each of the models:

iPhone XS iPhone XS Max

The iPhone XS and XS Max is available in three finishes (silver, space gray and gold) and in three storage options (64, 256 and 512 GB) at a price that starts at 1, 159 euros:

• 64GB iPhone XS: 1, 159 euros 256GB iPhone XS: 1, 329 euros 512GB iPhone XS: 1, 159 euros 64GB iPhone XS Max: 1, 259 euros 256GB iPhone XS Max: 1, 429 euros 512GB iPhone XS Max: 1, 659 euros

If your doubts when deciding which iPhone to buy are limited to this model, you have it much easier because you only have to consider two aspects: price and size.

iPhone XR

Thus we come to the last of our options, the iPhone XR, my favorite, a best seller, and without a doubt the best of all the iPhone, perhaps not in absolute terms, but in relation to performance-price, especially observing it from the peculiar perspective of the Cupertino company.

Like the top of the range, the iPhone XR has the same Face ID verification system as its older brothers; it lacks a physical Home button and features the same design, with a glass back that allows wireless charging.

The first notable difference is entered on the screen. At 6.1 inches in size, the iPhone XR sits halfway between the XS model and the XS Max model.

This screen is not OLED, but it has been manufactured in what Apple calls Liquid Retina HD LCD Multi-Touch Screen with a resolution of 1792 x 828 pixels. Despite what some say, the truth is that the large user will not appreciate differences between this screen and that of an iPhone XS, unless they are placed side by side. In addition, it also has True Tone, although it lacks 3D Touch, one of the specifications that Apple has deleted to contain the price.

The iPhone XR has a resistance to dust, splashes and water similar to the iPhone 7 and 8, that is, up to one meter deep and a maximum of thirty minutes, compared to two meters of the iPhone XS and XS Max.

Inside we find the same A12 Bionic chip with the latest generation Neural Engine that we find at the top of the range.

The second major difference corresponds to the field of photography. Unlike the XS and XS Max, the iPhone XR has a single 12 Mpx camera capable of including Portrait Mode, but only for people and with only three effects (Natural Light, Studio Light and Contour Light). It lacks optimal zoom, and digital zoom is limited to 5x. It also has a 4-LED True Tone Flash with slow sync and HDR for photos.

As for video recording, the specifications between the iPhone XR and the iPhone XS / XS Max are similar, with the only exception of the zoom: nonexistent optical and digital limited to 3x.

The front camera offers the same technical specifications as the iPhone XS and XS Max.

One of the great advantages of this model is its great autonomy, superior to that of any other iPhone. In part, thanks to its large battery, and in part because the technology of its screen (non-OLED) reduces its consumption.

This is what Apple tells us about it:

The iPhone XR is available in a variety of six colors (blue, white, black, yellow, coral, and red) and three storage options (64, 128, and 256 GB). This time Apple has avoided that "giant leap" by including a 128GB intermediate option that is really attractive for those who are scarce 64GB, but 256GB is outrageous, which has the effect of saving us a good handful of euros when it comes to to choose:

• iPhone XR 64 GB: 859 euros iPhone XR 128 GB: 919 euros iPhone XR 256 GB: 1029 euros

Conclusion: what iPhone to buy

After having made a complete review of all the iPhone models available at this time, we retrieve the question that gives the title to this post: what iPhone to buy. The answer is complicated, but above all, very personal, so I am not going to give advice, although you already know my preference.

When choosing an iPhone, these are the main aspects to keep in mind:

• Photography. If you are a professional or amateur photographer, or a simple user who wants to obtain the best possible photographs and record the best possible videos, without limitations, and you are not willing to give it up, the options are reduced to the iPhone XS and XS Max. Device Size: iPhone XS Max is really big, so some people may find it difficult to handle, especially with just one hand. With the rest of the models you will not have difficulties. Screen: there is no doubt that the best screen is the iPhone XS, in any of its two sizes. If you are not willing to give up this quality a bit, whether or not you are able to perceive it, once again the option is limited to the top of the range model.If your priority is autonomy, you have already seen the characteristics in this regard. The iPhone XR is that it offers longer battery life. Price. This is an absolutely personal aspect. If you can spend whatever you want, then this will not affect you. If, on the contrary, your budget is limited, you must necessarily limit yourself to it. Color. It may not seem like something essential to take into account when choosing an iPhone, but the truth is that many users, including myself, have been more likely to acquire the iPhone XR precisely because of the variety of colors in which It is offered, far removed from the already classic, and boring ?, black, silver or gold.

And after all the above I give you the advice that you may not like so much in Cupertino: now is not the best time to buy an iPhone. In September, Apple will present its new models. At that time you will not only be able to opt for the latest generation features, characteristics and technology, but you will also be able to acquire any of the models that we have seen in this post at a more interesting price. But the decision is yours, and yours alone.