When it came to buying an iPhone, things used to be simple. There was essentially one model you could choose from – all you had to worry about was deciding on which storage size was the best for you.
But things have changed in the last few years. Now are there not only various models, but also various screen sizes, and wildly different internals on each model.
Matter of fact, if you walk into an Apple Store today you’ll need to decide between buying one of five different base models of iPhone – the iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus.
That doesn’t include all the variants of storage size and colors of those models. Indeed, buying an iPhone today can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together this guide. Use it to help you find which iPhone is the best for you.
2017 iPhone Buyer’s Guide: You should buy the iPhone SE if…
You’re new to the world of smartphones or the iPhone and just want to try out the lowest cost model to give it a go. The iPhone SE starts at £379 and features an A9 chip, a Touch ID fingerprint identity sensor, and a 12MP iSight camera.
This is also the iPhone with the smallest screen size at 4in; something that many people prefer over the trend of smartphones with ever larger displays. The iPhone SE comes in 32 GB or 128GB sizes. For many 32GB is the perfect storage amount. If you want the higher 128 GB option it’ll cost you £479.
2017 iPhone Buyer’s Guide: You should buy the iPhone 6s if…
You want a bigger iPhone with support for many of the latest premium features, yet don’t want to pay a premium price. The iPhone 6s features an A9 chip, a Touch ID fingerprint identity sensor, and a 12MP iSight camera.
At 4.7in, it display is considered the “new normal” in screen sizes–not too big, but not too small either. It also features a 3D Touch display. The iPhone 6s comes in 32 GB or 128GB sizes. The 32 GB model will cost you £499 and the 128 GB model will cost you £599.
2017 iPhone Buyer’s Guide: You should buy the iPhone 6s Plus if…
You want a mid-range iPhone with a bigger screen and want to take better images. The iPhone 6s Plus is much the same as the iPhone 6s in many respects. However, it does have two notable differences.
First, this phone can be considered a phablet with its 5.5in display. It’s display is also a 3D Touch display. Second, though the image sensors are the same in this phone (12MP) as they are in the iPhone 6s, the iPhone 6s Plus includes optical image stabilization.
This means there are additional optical components inside the iPhone 6s Plus’ camera lens that reduce shake while taking photos or recording videos. In short, your images will look better. The iPhone 6s Plus comes in 32 GB or 128GB sizes. The 32 GB model will cost you £599 and the 128 GB model will cost you £699.
2017 iPhone Buyer’s Guide: You should buy the iPhone 7 if…
You want the latest, fastest iPhone in the smallest screen size available and all the cutting edge features that go along with it. The iPhone 7 features an A10 Fusion chip, a 4.7in 3D Touch display, 4K video recording, and a 7MP FaceTime camera and 12MP iSight camera with optical image stabilization.
The iPhone 7 is for people that want a “future proofed” iPhone. I say “future proof” because this iPhone packs some serious specs under the hood that will allow it to keep running the latest apps and games for years to come. It’s A10 Fusion chip is the fastest, most powerful ever designed for a phone allowing you to run the most graphically intensive apps and games without a hiccup. Then there is the 3D touch display that senses the amount of pressure in addition to touch. These kinds of force sensitive displays will become the new norm in the next few years. And of course of the the best features of the iPhone 7 are its cameras. The front FaceTime camera has gotten a spec bump to 7MP, while the rear camera got a major boost to 12MP WITH optical image stabilization.
Then there is the 3D touch display that senses the amount of pressure in addition to touch. These kinds of force sensitive displays will become the new norm in the next few years. And of course of the the best features of the iPhone 7 are its cameras. The front FaceTime camera has gotten a spec bump to 7MP, while the rear camera got a major boost to 12MP WITH optical image stabilization.
2017 iPhone Buyer’s Guide: You should buy the iPhone 7 Plus if…
You want all the benefits of the iPhone 7 above with an even bigger screen and a better camera. The iPhone 7 Plus features the same A10 Fusion chip, 4K video recording, and 7MP FaceTime camera as the iPhone 7, but it also includes a bigger 5.5in 3D Touch display and a dual lens 12MP iSight rear camera. This dual lens camera features both a wide-angle and a telephoto lens, both with optical image stabilization. Because of this, the iPhone 7 Plus is technically the best, most advanced iPhone you can buy. But be aware: it’s a beast and only the most demanding smartphone users need apply.
