For years, Apple has been at the forefront of smartphone technology. Even in 2020, with plenty of rival companies producing cellphones, Apple is still considered the best provider of smartphones, thanks to the unrivaled success of their iPhone line. There are many different types of iPhones on the market. Usually, each brand if iPhone has several variant models available, such as a pro or max version. It feels like new iPhones are coming out every couple of months. While it is nice to have so many options, it can also make selecting the right phone difficult. Listed below are some of the most popular iPhones in 2020, and a general overview of what makes them unique from other brands.
iPhone 11
The iPhone 11 first released in 2018. In terms of cellphones, it is considered dated, yet it remains one of the top smartphones on the market. Because it such a popular phone, the price has not dropped as much as other phones. As of writing, the base iPhone 11 is around $630 to $699, depending on where you are shopping. The pro version costs more, closer to $900, but because of how well designed the base model was, there are minimal benefits to upgrading.
One of the features which sets the iPhone 11 above other smartphones is the processor. It was one of the first major phones to utilize a A13 processor, which is still considered top of the line today. It also has a powerful battery, lasting for around 11 or 12 hours, even with heavy use. The camera is strong as well, capable of utilizing wide and ultra-wide angles, with excellent night options. The biggest difference between the pro and base model is storage, with the basic model only having 64 GB of storage. This is more than enough for music and some shows, but if you like to have larger libraries on your phone, it is worth upgrading to the pro version.
iPhone XR
The iPhone XR is another older iPhone which is still quite popular. Unlike the iPhone 11, the price for the XR has dropped significantly. Currently, you can get the XR for around $650, though there are many used or refurbished models going for closer to $450 to $500. The processor on the XR is not as powerful as the iPhone 11, but it is still enough to reliably handle most internet browsing and streaming. The battery is slightly stronger than the iPhone 11, with most users able to get 12 to 13 hours before having to charge. The XR charges slightly faster than other iPhones as well. The biggest downside to the XR is it does not have many camera options, having only a single rear camera.
One feature many users like about the XR is the LCD screen. The screen has some of the best brightness options and a slightly larger screen, making it an excellent choice for streaming or playing games. If you want an affordable, modern cellphone, consider buying the XR.
iPhone X
When Apple first released the iPhone X, it was at the top of the sales charts and was universally praised by reviewers. Even two years after release, the iPhone X is one of the pricier phones on the market. It currently goes for around $850 to $900, with only a slight reduction available from used or refurbished models. The iPhone X uses an OLED display instead of the older LED display. The OLED display provides a much cleaner and crisper imagine.
The screen is roughly the same size as older iPhones, but everything was tweaked to stretch images upwards, making the screen seem much taller in comparison. Unlike other phones, the iPhone X does not drop in quality or have any lightning issues when you move the screen around. The camera is not only stronger than past models, but it is integrated into security, with facial recognition replacing the older, less reliable fingerprint-scan. Thanks to the excellent night mode, the facial recognition works even with minimal light available.
iPhone SE
Many Apple critics are quick to point out the high price tag on the majority of iPhones. While it is Apple has some of the most expensive smartphones on the market, they also produce several less expensive models, which still have a robust range of options. The iPhone SE was built with lower production in mind. It is one of the newer models, but it goes for significantly less than even some of the older iPhones on the market, costing around $375 to $400.
The iPhone SE still uses the newest A13 processor, making it great for accessing the internet or downloading files. It has a compact design, which means a smaller screen compare to the main iPhone models. The camera is also much weaker than other iPhones, without any night mode options. If you only want a phone for communicating and occasionally accessing the internet, it is hard to find a more affordable option than the iPhone SE.
iPhone 12
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are the up coming iPhone from Apple, assuming apple maintains its current naming convention. Expected to hit the market in mid-October, these iPhones will be the first update to the iPhone since the iPhone X. At the moment the expectation is a set of four iPhones (of three different sizes, 5.4 inches, two 6.1 inch models, and a 6.7 inch size) with the larger models being the higher end of the new series. Interestingly enough, if these specs hold true, the iPhone 12 will have both one of the smallest sizes and the largest size of the iPhone brand.
The iPhone 12 is expected to have a metal frame, as well as a triple lens camera. Another expectation for the iPhone 12 is that it will have 5G support, the first of the iPhones being able to connect to the faster 5G networks. There are also talks of increased battery life, although this seems to be to compensate for the expected increased battery usage for 5G. Finally there are further rumors, that to cut down on packaging costs, the iPhone 12 will not come with a charger, and instead a charger will be purchasable separately. However, with the increased tech features, the iPhone 12 is still certainly a phone to watch out for, and seriously consider.