Best iPhone Models 2021

Apple’s newest and most expensive iPhone model outperforms its predecessors by far – as would be expected. While 6GB of RAM and 512GB of ROM provide enough memory and storage to allow for the ultra-smooth running of applications and for excessive downloading, it’s perhaps its display quality that justifies the £1,399 price tag most of all.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max houses a 6.7″ HDR screen, the largest available on an iPhone, with a resolution of 2778 x 1284, allowing for sharp 4K viewing. Its A14 Bionic processor, which Apple lauds as the first 5-nanometre chip in the industry with speeds 50% faster than other smartphone chips, is also meant to increase the efficiency of its battery. And with 3687mAh of battery capacity, you have enough power to last you at least the day.

A 12MP camera system with 5x maximum zoom lends itself to wide, telephoto and ultrawide shots with image stabilisation capability, to counteract a shaky hold, and detail-capturing technology to enhance photos, including those taken in the dark. A scanner provides LiDAR augmented reality (AR) mapping, to measure the distance and depth of objects, ideal for AR apps but also for taking more accurate photos.

• Screen size: 6.7″
• Screen resolution: 2778 x 1284
• Screen PPI: 458
• CPU speed: Firestorm: 2 x 3.1GHz / Icestorm: 4 x 1.8GHz
• Battery Capacity: 3687mAh
• Max camera resolution(Megapixels): 12MP
• Camera F-stop range: f1.6 (wide)/ f2.2 (telephoto)/ f2.4 (ultrawide)
• Max zoom: 5x

For £100 less than its Max version, the iPhone 12 Pro is great value for money, providing the same amount of maximum RAM (6GB) and ROM (512GB) for £1,299. Enjoy enhanced colour, contrast and brightness from its first-rate 6.1″ OLED display with 2532 x 1170 resolution.

The A14 Bionic processor used throughout the iPhone 12 range ensures speedy performance and battery efficiency across all four models, but with a 2815mAh battery, the iPhone 12 Pro needs charging more often than its Max counterpart. With 4x maximum zoom capability – double that of the iPhone 12 – you can capture image and footage using its 12MP wide, telephoto and ultrawide lenses and cutting-edge LiDAR scanner.

• Screen size : 6.1″
• Screen resolution: 2532 X 1170
• Screen PPI: 460
• CPU speed: Firestorm: Firestorm: 2 x 3.1GHz / Icestorm: 4 x 1.8GHz
• Battery Capacity: 2815mAh
• Max camera resolution (Megapixels): 12MP
• Camera F-stop range: f1.6 (wide)/ f2.0 (telephoto)/ f2.4 (ultrawide)
• Max zoom: 4x

Apple’s baseline flagship model, the iPhone 12 is expensive in a competitive market, coming in at £949. Compared to its Pro and Pro Max versions, it sacrifices memory and storage, with only 4GB of RAM and 256GB of ROM, but makes up for this with the same screen size (6.1″) and high-quality (2532 x 1170) resolution as the iPhone 12 Pro, as well as equal battery capacity (2815mAh). Powered by the A14 Bionic processor, it’s as fast and battery efficient as its premium versions with cores reaching a speed of 3.1GHz. For £949, you get a wide and ultrawide lens on this device. IPhone models of this generation all have the latest 5G connectivity, an IP68 rating for water resistance and can be charged wirelessly.

• Screen size: 6.1″
• Screen resolution: 2532 X 1170
• Screen PPI: 460
• CPU speed: Firestorm: 2 x 3.1GHz / Icestorm: 4 x 1.8GHz
• Battery Capacity: 2815mAh
• Max camera resolution (Megapixels): 12MP
• Camera F-stop range: f1.6 (wide)/ f2.4 (ultrawide)
• Max zoom: 2x

The iPhone 12 mini is the last in the flagship series. Its ‘mini’ status is reflected in its 5.4″ screen. It has a resolution of 2340 x 1080 – poorer than the other phones in the series but still enough for full-HD viewing. That’s where the differences end. The device boasts the same amount of RAM (4GB) and storage capacity (256GB) as the iPhone 12 for £849.

As with the rest of the iPhone 12 range, you will still benefit from the super smooth functioning of apps and battery efficiency, thanks to the A14 Bionic processor. Battery capacity mirrors that of the standard device model, at 2815mAh, and the camera offering is the same too. The 12MP wide and ultrawide lenses have up to 2x zoom capability and can capture 4K video too.

• Screen size: 5.4″
• Screen resolution: 2340 x 1080
• Screen PPI: 476
• CPU speed: Firestorm: 2 x 3.1GHz / Icestorm: 4 x 1.8GHz
• Battery Capacity: 2815mAh
• Max camera resolution (Megapixels): 12MP
• Camera F-stop range: f1.6 (wide)/ f2.4 (ultrawide)
• Max zoom: 2x

This second edition (SE) smartphone is a reworking of the iPhone 8. The throwback is usefully as compact and light as the original. For £549, it has a 4.7″ LCD screen with a resolution of 1334 x 750. Unfortunately, the small 1821mAh battery is the same as that of the original iPhone 8, and if you appreciate the latest smartphone camera technology, you may not find the single 12MP wide lens enough.

But, don’t be fooled, this phone is certainly an upgrade with its Bionic A13 chip making it indistinguishable from the iPhone 11 range for running demanding apps. Priced competitively, what could be disadvantages for some considering this device, will be advantages for others.

• Screen size: 4.7″
• Screen resolution: 1334 x 750
• Screen PPI: 326
• CPU speed: Lightning: 2 x 2.65GHz/ Thunder: 4 x 1.8GHz
• Battery Capacity: 1821mAh
• Max camera resolution (Megapixels): 12MP
• Camera F-stop range: F1.8 (wide)
• Max zoom: –

Released in 2019, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is the prequel to the iPhone 12 Pro Max and is now available at authorised resellers for purchase. The round-edged casing is much easier to hold and therefore a welcome departure from the iPhone’s signature flat, wide edge. The device has significantly less RAM than the iPhone 12 Pro (4GB) but 512GB of ROM and is powered by Apple’s older Bionic A13 chip. The HDR10 display may not be as advanced as that of its successor, but sharp image and colour definition still provide crystal-clear clarity.

The iPhone Pro Max holds a whopping 3969mAh of battery – the most out of all iPhone models listed – staying charged for well over a day, which is handy if you’re looking to use multiple apps and the cameras regularly. And, the cameras do not disappoint. With 12MP resolution and a 4x maximum zoom, the wide, telephoto and ultrawide lenses provide professional-quality photos. As with later models, you can also take sensational 4K video.

• Screen size: 6.5″
• Screen resolution: 2688 X 1242
• Screen PPI: 458
• CPU speed: Lightning: 2 x 2.65GHz/ Thunder: 4 x 1.8GHz
• Battery Capacity: 3969mAh
• Max camera resolution (Megapixels): 12MP
• Camera F-stop range: f1.8 (wide)/ f2.0 (telephoto)/ f2.4 (ultrawide)
• Max zoom: 4x

The iPhone 11 Pro matches the Max version in memory and storage with 4GB of RAM and 512GB of ROM. The main difference is screen size. The device measures a significantly smaller 5.8 inches with 2436 x 1125 resolution, for a less defined image.

Powered by the Bionic A13 chip, it’s on par with the iPhone 11 Pro Max for speed and battery efficiency, although this does not make up for its 3046mAh battery, which requires charging more frequently. The camera offering is exactly the same as the Max version, making it a cheaper alternative, for keen photographers.

• Screen size: 5.8″
• Screen resolution: 2436 x 1125
• Screen PPI: 458
• CPU speed: Lightning: 2 x 2.65GHz/ Thunder: 4 x 1.8GHz
• Battery Capacity: 3046mAh
• Max camera resolution (Megapixels): 12MP
• Camera F-stop range: f1.8 (wide)/ f2.0 (telephoto)/ f2.4 (ultrawide)
• Max zoom: 4x

The iPhone 11 instantly stands out for the rainbow assortment of colours on offer. For £749 however, the device has limited memory (4GB) and storage (256B). Despite the 6.1″ display which is on the bigger side for an iPhone, and in fact larger than the Pro model, the OLED screen and 1792 x 828 resolution are underwhelming compared to the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone Pro Max which manage to squeeze in more pixels per inch on an OLED screen of the same size.

As with the rest of this generation of iPhones, the Bionic A13 chip makes tasks such as gaming smooth and latency-free. The 3110mAh will last on average longer than that of the Pro version, while the 12MP camera system only includes wide and ultrawide lenses and up to 2x maximum zoom.

• Screen size: 6.1″
• Screen resolution: 1792 x 828
• Screen PPI: 326
• CPU speed: Lightning: 2 x 2.65GHz/ Thunder: 4 x 1.8GHz
• Battery Capacity: 3110mAh
• Max camera resolution (Megapixels): 12MP
• Camera F-stop range: f1.8 (wide)/ f2.4 (ultrawide)
• Max zoom: 2x

If you stream your favourite movies on your smartphone, you may want to consider the iPhone XS Max. It has the second largest screen on this list, behind the iPhone 12 Pro Max, and the OLED 2688 x 1242 resolution is as equally impressive as the iPhone 11 Pro Max’s. A large 512GB of RAM is ideal for storing movies on your device.

Powered by the older Bionic A12 chip and with 4GB of RAM it handles apps without lag. Its 3174mAh battery is far larger than previous models and even some of its successors’. A 12MP wide lens and telephoto lens make capturing landscapes and portraits effortless, although they only have a 2x maximum zoom. The device is now available from authorised resellers.

• Screen size: 6.5″
• Screen resolution: 2688 x 1242
• Screen PPI: 458
• CPU speed: Vortex: 2 x 2.5GHz/ Tempest: 4 x 1.6GHz
• Battery Capacity: 3174mAh
• Max camera resolution (Megapixels): 12MP
• Camera F-stop range: f1.8 (wide)/ f2.4 (ultrawide)
• Max zoom: 2x

You can still get your hands on the iPhone XS from authorised resellers, if you’re looking for a powerful device, with camera options, for less. The streamlined casing introduced with its iPhone 9 predecessors is a hardy Gorilla glass which runs throughout the range. Like the XS Max, it comes with 4GB of RAM and a maximum 512GB of storage.

A relatively small 5.8″ OLED display has a resolution of 2436 x 1125 – modest compared to the latest iPhones but the same as the newer iPhone 11 Pro, it still provides high clarity of image. While Bionic A12 chip makes this a fast-performing device, its 2658mAh battery is considerably smaller than almost all of its successors. The 12MP camera system consists of a wide and telephoto lens and is capable of a 2x maximum zoom.

• Screen size: 5.8″
• Screen resolution: 2436 x 1125
• Screen PPI: 458
• CPU speed: Vortex: 2 x 2.5GHz/ Tempest: 4 x 1.6GHz
• Battery Capacity: 2658mAh
• Max camera resolution (Megapixels): 12MP
• Camera F-stop range: f1.8 (wide)/ f2.4 (telephoto)
• Max zoom: 2x