Which iPhone is the best to buy for 2022, so as not to regret. Including on the used market

It would seem that Apple fans should find it easier to choose a smartphone than everyone else: they have at their disposal only 2-3 models from the latest generations of iPhone, and that’s it. But in reality, not everything is so smooth, because, on the one hand, old premium smartphones have fallen in price and equal in price to the new basic models, and, on the other hand, many iPhones are quite similar to each other – sometimes it’s hard to understand whether it makes sense to overpay … This article contains the best iPhones in my opinion in 2021, which you can safely buy. All prices are taken from the e-Katalog.

💡 Some models have a mark Ref, which is short for Refurbished. This means that this smartphone was out of order during the warranty period, after which Apple restored it, re-tested it, packed it in its original packaging and sent it back on sale with a full official warranty. This mark is only found on older iPhone models.

iPhone XS (2018, Ref)

From 26 480 rubles

When you think about which of the plus or minus current iPhones is now the cheapest, you immediately remember the iPhone SE 2020 or the iPhone XR. However, approximately for their price on the gray market, you can buy the XS model, which is better than the XR in everything and is only inferior to the SE in the processor. The iPhone XS was presented in 2018, but it is still relevant – its cameras shoot well (very few people can distinguish daytime shots even from the latest models), the performance is sufficient and will last for a couple of years, the display is a high-quality OLED panel. Separately, it is worth noting the premium design with steel frames – the appearance of the XS series is considered by many to be the most elegant of all current models (in the new products, they note overly monstrous cameras).

🔴 Why not alternatives at a similar price:

• iPhone SE (2020) from 28,690 rubles – worse in all characteristics, except for the processor. Of the obvious shortcomings, many note a very low battery life and an outdated design with a Home button, as well as a small display (some applications are simply not adapted to its diagonal);
• iPhone XR (2018, Ref) from 26,975 rubles – at the time of the release, the iPhone XR was a little simpler and significantly cheaper than the XS, but now their price has equalized in the gray market. It makes sense to buy this model instead of XS only for those who need a bigger screen, but this is clearly not the best idea.

iPhone 11 (2019, Ref)

From 37 990 rubles

iPhone 11 has long been the most popular smartphone, as evidenced not only by questions on forums, but also by sales in stores. Judging by personal experience, many are eyeing this particular model even in 2021. All thanks to the perfect balance: at a relatively low cost, it offers almost everything the same as the more expensive iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max – in fact, it differs only in the absence of a TV camera (for 2x optical zoom) and an IPS-type screen (OLED panel with more contrast , brighter and with smaller bezels). iPhone 11 can be recommended to absolutely anyone who wants a modern iPhone but wants to spend as little money as possible. Against the background of the XS described above, it is notable for a newer processor and better cameras (including an improved main one with support for night mode).

iPhone 12 mini (2020)

From 47 300 rubles

At the time of the release, the iPhone 12 mini was a real surprise – this is the first “full-fledged” iPhone in a miniature case, because before it Apple offered (and still offers) only SE with an outdated design and simplified specifications. The iPhone 12 mini is exactly the same as the iPhone 12, just smaller – these smartphones have absolutely identical components (if you don’t go into the boring specifications and don’t mention something like a smaller vibration motor, which makes the tactile response feel a little weaker). iPhone 12 mini is a salvation for those who are tired of the trend on large screens. This smartphone fits into any pocket, it is convenient to operate it with one hand (the finger can easily reach the far corner). True, it is worth understanding the disadvantages of the iPhone 12 mini as a representative of the compact format – it does not have the largest battery, and the text may seem too small (you will have to increase the font in the settings).

🔴 Why not alternatives at a similar price:

• iPhone 11 Pro (2018, Ref) from 49,990 rubles – from the advantages there is an additional TV camera and a brighter screen, but the main camera is worse, like the processor. Choosing an improved main matrix and at least an additional year of update support seems optimal;
• iPhone 12 (2020) from 54,700 rubles – in fact, the iPhone 11 differs from the last paragraph only in the screen (OLED instead of IPS), a standard increase in performance and a very slightly improved main camera. These innovations are clearly not worth the overpayment of 17,000 rubles, especially when you consider that there is exactly the same, but reduced and cheaper iPhone 12 mini.

iPhone 13 и 13 mini (2021)

From 65,500 or 59,920 rubles

Externally, the iPhone 13 (mini) differs from the iPhone 12 (mini) only in the changed arrangement of the main camera modules (now they are diagonal) and a cutout in the display reduced by 20%. But the filling has improved a lot: the main camera received an enlarged sensor and began to capture 47% more light, while it acquired advanced optical stabilization with a matrix shift; the screen began to have a brightness of up to 800 cd / m² (versus 625 cd / m²); the battery has become larger, due to which the autonomy has increased (even taking into account a more powerful processor). Along with this, software features were added, in particular, cinematic shooting effects.

iPhone 13 is a great option for those who want the best iPhone at the moment, but are not willing to pay for the overly fancy Pro chips. The iPhone 13 mini is exactly the same as the iPhone 13, only smaller and cheaper. With all the improvements and the base version now comes with 128GB of storage (up from 64GB), it justifies the £ 12,000 premium over the iPhone 12 mini.

🔴 Why not alternatives at a similar price:

• iPhone 12 Pro (2020) from 77,800 rubles – it costs significantly more, but a year older (the processor is of the previous generation, support will end sooner) and the main camera is slightly worse (both the matrix itself and the stabilization). Among the advantages: only the presence of a TV camera and a LiDAR sensor (in theory, it should significantly improve portrait photography, but in fact the difference is invisible). The double zoom camera and the “inoperative” sensor for determining the depth of objects in the photo are hardly worth such an overpayment.
• iPhone 12 Pro Max (2020) from 89,990 rubles – it costs even more than the iPhone 12 Pro, differing from it only in size and the presence of optical stabilization of the main camera with a matrix shift. But the same is in the iPhone 13, and therefore, buying 12 Pro Max and overpaying even more makes no sense.

iPhone 13 Pro и 13 Pro Max (2021)

From 93 990 or 101 900 rubles

The iPhone 13 Pro line is the best Apple has right now. Unlike previous generations, the Pro Series has indeed received features that justify the overpayment. Firstly, these are completely new cameras that differ from those even in the iPhone 13: the main one with a record wide aperture (captures more light), finally, a high-quality ultra-wide-angle camera (it’s not a shame to post pictures at night on social networks) and a good TV camera. Secondly, the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max were the first Apple smartphones with a 120Hz refresh rate – users and reviewers note that compared to standard 60Hz displays, the difference is really noticeable, the interface scrolls twice as smoothly. We should also note the shooting of portraits – in comparison with the iPhone 12 Pro series, they became really better (people are brighter, and the boundaries of objects are cut off better, apparently in this case LiDAR is used to its fullest).

The iPhone 13 Pro Max differs from the iPhone 13 Pro only in size and weight – buying an enlarged model is only worth those to whom the usual Pro seems small. However, it is worth noting a significantly longer battery life, since a significantly larger battery fits into the larger case.

Old iPhones on the used market

All of the devices described above are sold in stores, but older models will not be found on the shelves at the end of 2021. However, they are offered on used markets, so they cannot be omitted from this article.

• iPhone 6 (Plus) and older – these models no longer support iOS 15. It is not worth buying them even for the role of a second phone, because over time, application developers will stop supporting older versions of the system.
• iPhone 6s (Plus) – outdated smartphones that are unlikely to receive iOS 16. We can say that this already old model will be irrevocably outdated in a few months.
• iPhone SE (1st generation) Is essentially an iPhone 5s with a camera and processor from the iPhone 6s. In other words, you shouldn’t buy it either, take a closer look at the iPhone SE (2020).
• iPhone 7 (Plus) – at the time of release, it was a perfectly balanced smartphone, like the iPhone 11 is now, but its time is up. However, this is a good option for those who need an extra phone – they will likely receive another iOS update.
• iPhone 8 (Plus) – the only model not sold in stores that can be bought as the main smartphone. It is almost the same as the iPhone 7, but a much more powerful processor has influenced a lot: the smartphone does not bug even now, and the main camera began to take brighter pictures and learned to record video in 4K at 60 frames per second.
• iPhone X – the first pancake is a little lumpy. The iPhone X was the progenitor of the design of all modern models with a face scanner, but there was a lot of marriage in it. Now on the “secondary” they sell the iPhone X mainly with a non-working Face ID (as a result of mechanical damage) or other damage, while not really reducing the price.