Buying an iPhone is a big decision due to its high cost, but it's something users will likely interact with frequently on a daily basis.
But even after you've decided that you'd rather have an iPhone than one of the best Android phones, the specific model is an important choice. There are quite a few different types of iPhones with some key differences between them, not to mention different prices. Therefore, users need to prepare some considerations as below.
Big or small?
One of the most obvious differences between the many iPhones is their screen size. If we look at recent models there are really only three different sizes.
At the top are the iPhone 15 Pro Max and 15 Plus which have 6.7-inch screens, but are still smaller than some Android phones like the Galaxy S24 Ultra. However, these will be phones that users may have to use two hands to operate comfortably, and their size also makes them bulky when placed in pockets. On the other hand, a large screen allows users to see more at once when browsing the web or act better when playing games or watching videos.
Next are 6.1-inch models like iPhone 15 and 15 Pro. They're significantly smaller, making them a better choice for one-handed operation, but they're not as enjoyable for watching videos or the like.
Finally, there's the 4.7-inch iPhone SE (2022) - a really tiny phone that we don't see very often anymore. If you remember the early days of smartphones, where devices had big bezels and small screens, this might be a priority, but its selling point is simply that it's cheaper than other recent iPhones.
Do I need a telephoto camera?
One of the main reasons for the “Pro” in the names of the iPhone Pro models is because they have a telephoto camera, which the standard and “Plus” models do not have. All of these phones (except the iPhone SE 2022) have wide and ultra-wide cameras, but if you want optical zoom, you'll have to use the Pro version. Optical zoom gives users more flexibility in photography and can be useful if they want to capture animals from afar, overhead details of buildings, or other things that aren't easily accessible.
But if these are not things that users usually want to take photos of, then perhaps a telephoto camera is not necessary. In that case, users can choose a cheaper non-Pro model.
Is refresh rate important?
One big difference between the Pro model and the non-Pro model is the refresh rate, with the Pro iPhone having a 120Hz refresh rate, while the regular iPhone only has a 60Hz refresh rate. A low refresh rate makes scrolling less smooth, so if a user is swiping through email or scrolling through Twitter, it will appear faster on a 120Hz display.
However, not everyone pays attention to that. If you know that refresh rate is important to you, then make sure to choose the 120 Hz iPhone. If unsure, users should check to see what refresh rate their current phone has. If you're using a 60Hz device and are fine with it, it's probably not necessary to upgrade to 120Hz.
Battery life
An important factor for any smartphone is battery life, and this can vary greatly between phones. In the case of the iPhone, products with larger screens also have better battery life because they can fit larger batteries. However, that is not entirely true, so users should read iPhone battery reviews from reputable technology sites to make a decision.
It's worth noting that none of the recent iPhones have had poor battery life with some being just better than other models. If you go out often and don't have the ability to charge for long periods of time, choosing a device like the iPhone 15 Pro Max is probably best. On the contrary, smaller models like the iPhone 15 can still be used.
Storage capacity
One last thing to consider is how much storage space the user needs. iPhones don't have a microSD card slot so built-in storage is all they have. Obviously, choosing a higher storage capacity means users have to pay more, but that can be better than not having enough space.
If you're shopping for a recent iPhone, you can choose anywhere from 64GB to 1TB, depending on the model. Perhaps 64GB is too little for most people, so users should probably buy at least 128GB if they can afford it.
Whether users need more than that really depends on how they plan to use their phone. If you download loads of large apps and games or store a bunch of photos and videos on it, your best bet is to get a minimum of 256GB and even larger.
