When Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone back in 2007, he called it a "pocket camera, computer, and communicator," all in one device. It's no doubt Apple's most successful product of all time, as Apple has sold over a billion iPhone devices since the original.
Current iPhone models that Apple sells include the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone SE, iPhone 11, and iPhone XR. Yeah, that's a lot of iPhones, and each one has its own unique set of features, and the price points are all different. It can definitely be tough to sort everything out.
Thankfully, we're here to help you out with our complete iPhone guide!
iPhone reviews
Every year, Apple releases a new iPhone — this is pretty much guaranteed at this point. And that means that every year we review said iPhone, so you can make an informed decision about which iPhone would best suit your needs.
If you're eyeing the new iPhone 12 lineup, we have you covered with our iPhone 12 mini review, iPhone 12 review, iPhone 12 Pro review, and iPhone 12 Pro Max reviews. These are the four latest and greatest iPhone offerings that Apple has on sale right now.
For those who want to save a little money, you'll want to check our iPhone SE (2020) review, iPhone 11 review, and iPhone XR review. The iPhone SE is a great value iPhone, while the iPhone 11 and XR are a little older but still work great.
However, we strongly believe that the iPhone 12 is the best iPhone for most people. It has most of the flagship features that Apple offers in the Pro version, but you can save a little dough with the lower price point.
Buying your iPhone
Before you consider buying a new iPhone, you'll want to make sure that you have enough cash to do so first. A great way to do this is by selling or trading in your old iPhone or another device for some cash to put towards your new iPhone, but make sure you wipe and erase all of your data first.
When considering your next iPhone, you'll want to make sure that you choose the right storage configuration, as well as color. After all, you're going to have this device for at least a year or more. If you want the most storage, the iPhone 12 Pro storage size goes up to 512GB, which is great for those who are going to take a lot of photos and video. Those who go for the iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12 can get up to 256GB of storage, which should be enough for most people and all of those photos and apps.
If you're considering an iPhone and on a budget, you can't go wrong with the iPhone SE (2020). With the iPhone SE you can get up to 256GB of storage, which again, is plenty for most people. For those who are looking at older models, the iPhone 11 comes with up to 256GB of storage, but the iPhone XR only goes up to 128GB. Depending on what you plan to use your iPhone for, there is plenty of space regardless, especially because you may already be using a cloud storage service and streaming services.
Now, the other thing to consider when purchasing your iPhone is which color you want. The iPhone 12 comes in five gorgeous colors, while the iPhone 12 Pro comes in four, but they're more sleek and professional color options. Whether you go iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro, the blues are a fantastic new addition to the lineup that Apple offers.
You can definitely save some dough by going with the iPhone SE (2020) or even the older models that Apple still sells. The iPhone SE comes in three simple colors, but the iPhone 11 has six hues, and even the iPhone XR has six (but different from the 11). No matter which phone you go with, there is sure to be a color that you'll absolutely love!
Then there is also the purchasing method that you want to consider — should you buy it outright or sign up for something like Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program? And don't forget to add AppleCare+ or some insurance for your iPhone for extra peace of mind!
Using your iPhone
Now that you have a new iPhone in your hands, you'll need to begin the process of transferring data from your old phone to your new iPhone. But maybe you are switching from an Android device to an iPhone? Even if you are coming from Android to iOS, it's a pretty straightforward process, and once you're done moving your data over, you'll be glad you did!
While you use your phone, you should be getting enough battery life to power you through the entire day. If that's not the case, then there are a few ways to fix any iPhone battery life problems you are experiencing. And if you encounter any other issues, then make sure to check out our full iPhone troubleshooting guide to fix common iPhone problems.
Currently, the only iPhone that Apple sells that still has Touch ID is the iPhone SE (2020). Touch ID is a fingerprint sensor in the Home button that is used for security and biometrics. It's super easy to set up Touch ID, and the benefit of it over Face ID is the fact that you can register up to five fingerprints, so it's easier than ever to unlock your iPhone.
But if you get an iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, or iPhone 12 Pro Max, you'll forego the Touch ID in favor of the newer Face ID technology. Setting up Face ID can be done when setting up your new iPhone, or you can even do it later. And while Face ID doesn't let you store up to five different faces to get to your iPhone, you can at least set up one alternate appearance to make it easier to recognize you with glasses or a hat on, or even your significant other for emergencies.
All of the iPhones that Apple currently sells will work with iOS 14. Make sure to check our iOS 14 review for all the details about how to make the most out of the new software.
Best apps and games for iPhone
Once you have your iPhone set up, it's pretty much ready to go. But you can totally enhance your iPhone experience by loading it up with some apps and games from the App Store.
If this is your first iPhone, boy, you're in for a treat! We have rounded up a huge list of the best apps for first-time iPhone owners. From social networking to cloud storage to password managers and other apps for boosting your productivity, we've rounded up the best of the best in that list! Even if you're a returning iPhone user, there are sure to be some apps on the list that you'll want to give a try.
For those looking for some ways to keep busy, we also have a list of the best iPhone games that you can find on the App Store. And if you want even more amazing titles to play, make sure to check out everything available on Apple Arcade, which is Apple's gaming subscription service with over 180 games, including some timeless classics from the golden days of the App Store.
Best accessories for iPhone
Now that you have everything set up on your iPhone software side, it's time to protect it with the best accessories out there.
For those with an iPhone 12, you won't want to miss out on what we think are the best iPhone 12 mini cases, iPhone 12 cases, iPhone 12 Pro cases, and iPhone 12 Pro Max cases. With a great case, you'll be able to keep your iPhone 12 device in pristine condition with no scratches or scuffs on the chassis.
But what about the screen? While a case is great for protecting the device's sides and back, the front screen can be vulnerable. We also have some great recommendations for the best iPhone 12 mini screen protectors, iPhone 12 screen protectors, iPhone 12 Pro screen protectors, and iPhone 12 Pro Max screen protectors — check them out if you want to keep that gorgeous display scratch and crack-free.
Since Apple also stopped including a charger with the iPhone 12 devices, you'll want to make sure you pick up one of the best iPhone 12 chargers on the market. These can also work with older devices, but the latest iPhones will benefit the most with the fast charging capabilities. And grab one of the best portable battery packs for iPhone for on-the-go charging!
Another thing that is new with the iPhone 12 lineup is MagSafe. With MagSafe, your iPhone 12 has a ring of magnets in the back that make it instantly snap into place with the best MagSafe accessories like chargers and wallets.
There are also a slew of MagSafe-compatible iPhone 12 mini cases, MagSafe-compatible iPhone 12 cases, MagSafe-compatible iPhone 12 Pro cases, MagSafe-compatible iPhone 12 Pro Max cases on the market. These are great if you want all-over protection without losing MagSafe capabilities.
Don't worry, we also have the best iPhone SE (2020) cases and screen protectors, if you went with the best value iPhone.
And while the other two iPhones are older, there are still plenty of great iPhone 11 cases and iPhone XR cases to choose from, as well as iPhone 11 screen protectors and iPhone XR screen protectors.
Questions about this iPhone guide?
This iPhone guide should help you choose your next iPhone, get it set up, load it up with some great apps, and keep it protected with the best accessories. Enjoy your new iPhone!
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