The decision to purchase a new phone can be overwhelming, especially when there are so many options available in the market. If you have decided on the iPhone as you next smartphone, then the article below will give our perspective on which iPhone model is the best choice and why. In the present day, there are more iPhone models than ever because Apple has released 3 new iPhones, including the iPhone X, in the past six months.
Before you decide on your iPhone model, you need to ask yourself a few simple questions and prioritize few key features. Based on the facts, we will provide you with justification as to why you should look for specific features over some of the gimmicks.
Few things to consider
- Know your needs and wants: When buying any smartphone, a well-informed consumer knows what they need from a smartphone. It is important to have this identified up-front as it will make your buying decision much easier. A customer who knows the needs, almost always ends up more satisfied with the purchase. We will try to provide enough information in this article so that you can identify your needs vs wants when buying an iPhone.
- Recognize important features of a great smartphone: With introduction of new features in every new iPhone, it is important to identify features that provide real value to you as the consumer versus features that are merely gimmicks. For any smartphone, some of the important features include the screen size, camera, battery life, storage, and accessibility (ease of use, damage protection).
- Newer model doesn’t always mean a better phone for your needs: Apple loves to introduce a new iPhone models with limited upgrade over previous models for more cost. Apple likes to stick to what works and very rarely changes the design or functions of the iPhone. An average consumer most probably won’t notice any performance benefit from the changes introduced in a newer iPhone model. Therefore, a newer model doesn’t always mean you are getting a better phone.
- Cost always goes down over time: As new models are introduced, the cost of the previous models almost always goes down.
With the above considerations, let’s compare the iPhone models that are available for purchase. As Apple provides two sizes for each iPhone model, we have decided to compare the iPhone models by overall size and dimensions.
Comparison of iPhone 6S vs iPhone 7 vs iPhone 8 vs iPhone X
| Features | iPhone 6S | iPhone 7 | iPhone 8 | iPhone X |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 4.7" LCD | 4.7" LCD | 4.7" LCD | 5.8" OLED |
| Resolution | 1334x750px (326 ppi) | 1334x750px (326 ppi) | 1334x750px (326 ppi) | 2436x1125px (458ppi) |
| CPU | A9 (64-bit), M9 motion | A10 (64-bit), M10 motion | A11 (64-bit), M11 motion | A11 (64-bit), M11 motion |
| RAM | 2GB | 2GB | 2GB | 3GB |
| Storage | 16/64/128GB | 32/128GB | 64/256GB | 64/256GB |
| Battery | 10hrs, 1715mAh | 12hrs, 1960mAh | 12hrs (Fast Charge), 1821mAh | 12hrs (Fast Charge), 2716mAh |
| Rear Camera | 12 MP (ƒ/2.2) | 12 MP (ƒ/1.8) | 12 MP (ƒ/1.8) | 12MP (ƒ/1.8) + 12MP ƒ/2.4 |
| Video Recording | 4K @ 30fps Slo-mo 1080p @120fps | 4K @ 30fps Slo-mo 1080p @120fps | 4K @ 60fps Slo-mo 1080p @120fps | 4K @ 60fps Slo-mo 1080p @240fps |
| Front Camera | 5 MP (ƒ/2.2), 720p | 7 MP (ƒ/2.2), 1080p | 7 MP (ƒ/2.2), 1080p | 7 MP (ƒ/2.2), 1080p |
| Dimentions | 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1mm | 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1mm | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mm | 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7mm |
| Weight | 143 grams | 138 grams | 148 grams | 174 grams |
| Secure Authentication | Touch ID | Touch ID | Touch ID | Face ID |
| Wireless Charging | No | No | Yes (Qi) | Yes (Qi) |
| Water Resistant | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Headphones | Yes | No | No | No |
| Cost | $449 (USD) | $549 (USD) | $699 (USD) | $999 (USD) |
As you can see in the comparison above, the iPhone X clearly stands out as the most expensive with an edge-to-edge display and true-depth camera for Animoji (animated emoji) as an exclusive gimmick feature. Any rational buyer would look at that price tag and quickly realize the gimmicky features of the iPhone X are not worth the cost. With the iPhone X out, the iPhone 7 provides the best value for money at $549 with all of the main features (Screen, Battery Life, Camera, Water resistant) of the newer iPhone 8 with the exception of the wireless charging. You will miss out on the headphone jack but Apple has moved away from this feature so it is best to get over it if you want an iPhone as your smartphone.
Comparison of iPhone 6S Plus vs iPhone 7 Plus vs iPhone 8 Plus
| Features | iPhone 6S Plus | iPhone 7 Plus | iPhone 8 Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 5.5" LCD | 5.5" LCD | 5.5" LCD |
| Resolution | 1920x1080px (401ppi) | 1920x1080px (401ppi) | 1920x1080px (401ppi) |
| CPU | A9 (64-bit), M9 motion | A10 (64-bit), M10 motion | A11 (64-bit), M11 motion |
| RAM | 2GB | 3GB | 3GB |
| Storage | 16/64/128GB | 32/128/256GB | 64/256GB |
| Battery | 12hrs, 2,750mAh | 13hrs, 2,900mAh | 13hrs (Fast Charge), 2,691mAh |
| Rear Camera | 12 MP (ƒ/2.2) | 12MP (ƒ/1.8) + 12MP (ƒ/2.8) | 12MP (ƒ/1.8) + 12MP (ƒ/2.8) |
| Video Recording | 4K @ 30fps Slo-mo 1080p @120fps | 4K @ 30fps Slo-mo 1080p @120fps | 4K @ 60fps Slo-mo 1080p @240fps |
| Front Camera | 5 MP (ƒ/2.2), 720p | 7 MP (ƒ/2.2), 1080p | 7 MP (ƒ/2.2), 1080p |
| Dimentions | 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3mm | 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3mm | 158.4 x 78.1 x 7.5mm |
| Weight | 192g | 188g | 202g |
| Secure Authentication | Touch ID | Touch ID | Touch ID |
| Wireless Charging | No | No | Yes |
| Waterproof | No | Yes | Yes |
| Headphones | Yes | No | No |
| Cost | $549 (USD) | $669 (USD) | $799 (USD) |
As per the table above, the plus size iPhones are quite similar but the addition of dual-cameras with iPhone 7 Plus changed the camera game for the better. The iPhone 6S Plus is clearly outdated in the camera department. Looking at the features of iPhone 8 Plus, the new model only add wireless charging over the iPhone 7 Plus. Therefore, the clear best choice for a plus sized iPhone is the iPhone 7 Plus.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a regularly sized phone then the iPhone 7 provides the best value for the money. On the other side, if you need a plus sized phone, then iPhone 7 Plus provides all of the features of newer iPhone 8 Plus at a lower price. With these iPhones, you will not regret your purchase decision.
I am officially a tech addict and enjoy providing my views on matters related to this industry. I am always interested in trying out new tech gadgets and I have owned multiple smartphones including the legendary HTC One, SGS2, Nexus 4, iPhone 4, 5S, 6S, XR, Note 9. You can ask me any tech related questions in the comment section or on twitter @hookedNav