Want an iPhone, but don't know which one to choose? Here are our tips for finding the right one for you, whether it's the latest iPhone or a previous model.
TOP 3 of the best iPhones in 2021
The iPhone of excess 9/10
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
- An improved photo sensor
- The best screen on an iPhone
- One of the best autonomy on the market
Apple iPhone 13
- Very solid performance
- A very good autonomy
- A very good screen
Apple iPhone SE 2020
- A 2020 iPhone in a 2017 body
- 4,7 inch screen
- Simple photo sensor
Once a model of simplicity, the iPhone line has become increasingly busy over the years. We are still a long way from the hyperactivity of certain Chinese manufacturers, but at the end of 2021 we will reach no less than 8 different models (not counting storage and colors)! Choosing the right iPhone is therefore not as easy as it seems.
IPhone 12 case
Still in the catalog, the iPhone 12 and 12 mini are of little interest to us. Barely 100 euros cheaper than their replacements, they look pale in the face of them in autonomy and in photos. If you want to save money, go for the iPhone 11 instead or wait for possible sales periods. In the meantime, we advise you to avoid them.
Don't have the budget for a brand new iPhone, but would love to stay on iOS? Don't worry, refurbished iPhones are a great solution. To choose them well, read our comparison of the best refurbished iPhones.
Here we will try to flatten the range to help you select the model that will work best. To see what's going on with Android, read our comparison of the best smartphones. And if this guide mainly talks about hardware, it would be a shame to miss out on our excellent iOS 15 test!
Apple iPhone 13 Pro The latest iPhone
9 / 10
Product sheet See the RED by SFR test € 1
- The best iPhone for photography
- An incredible 120 Hz OLED display
- But a price to match ...
Like last year, the Pro part of the range consists of two models: the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Unlike what happened with the iPhone 12, however, the differences between the two ranges are much more marked this year.
iPhone 13 Pro et 13 Pro Max // Source : Brandon Lopes – Idroid
Design side, things do not change very little, we find the design of the iPhone 12, slightly thicker and with a more compact notch. Too bad, however, that the freed space is not used by the operating system.
The big evolution of this model is the adoption of an adaptive 120 Hz screen. Better late than never, this feature has been standard on high-end Android for several years. However, we must admit that Apple has not done things by halves: between perfect colors and a brightness that exceeds 1000 cd / m², we have one of the best screens on the market.
The A15 Bionic on board here has a graphics core more than that of the iPhone 13, offering exceptional performance. But it's more autonomy that appeals to us. For once, Apple has put the package on this point and endowed its phones with a larger battery. The result is impressive since the two days of use are now easily achieved.
On the photo side, the two phones keep the same photo module this year. We note in particular a telephoto lens that goes to 3x as well as more gifted sensors in low light. In practice, the iPhone 13 Pro is therefore at the top of the photo basket. For video, Apple has gone all out with a ProRES mode and a cinematic mode. Two fun features, but a bit gimmicky for the average person.
Listening for once to its audience (however we are still waiting for USB-C ...), Apple is improving its flagship on all points. This 2021 vintage of the iPhone Pro is a must-have without worry. We go into details in our test of the iPhone 13 Pro and the test of the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Who is the iPhone 13 Pro for?
- For those who want the best of the iPhone ...
- Who have a full wallet ...
- Who like small phones.
Who is the iPhone 13 Pro Max for?
- Who like large screens, either for video, or for better reading comfort ...
- Who want the best battery life for their iPhone ...
- Who have the budget in adequacy.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro at the best price?
- RED by SFR € 1 Discover the offer
- Amazon Marketplace € 1 Discover the offer
- Carrefour € 1 Discover the offer
- SFR 1 149 € Discover the offer
- Ubaldi.com € 1 Discover the offer
- Amazon € 1 Discover the offer
- Cdiscount € 1 Discover the offer
- Fnac € 1 Discover the offer
- Darty € 1 Discover the offer
- Rakuten Marketplace € 1 Discover the offer
- Rue du Commerce € 1 Discover the offer
- eBay Marketplace € 1 Discover the offer
- Baker € 1 Discover the offer
- E.Leclerc € 1 Discover the offer
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max at the best price?
- RED by SFR € 1 Discover the offer
- Rakuten Marketplace € 1 Discover the offer
- Carrefour € 1 Discover the offer
- SFR 1 249 € Discover the offer
- Ubaldi.com € 1 Discover the offer
- Amazon € 1 Discover the offer
- Cdiscount € 1 Discover the offer
- Fnac € 1 Discover the offer
- Darty € 1 Discover the offer
- Amazon Marketplace € 1 Discover the offer
- Rue du Commerce € 1 Discover the offer
- Baker € 1 Discover the offer
- E.Leclerc € 1 Discover the offer
- eBay Marketplace € 1 Discover the offer
Apple iPhone 13 What more could you ask for?
9 / 10
Product sheet See the RED by SFR test 799 €
- Very solid performance
- A very good autonomy
- A very good screen
Unlike last year, the gap between the Pro and standard range is now quite wide. Because if on the outside the two devices are almost identical, we notice marked differences. The first of these is the screen, which is satisfied with a refresh rate of only 60 Hz. Admittedly, the latter is of excellent quality, but this choice is becoming more and more difficult to justify.
The iPhone 13 Source: IDROID - Anthony WONNER
On the processor side, we are entitled to a slightly castrated version of the A15 Bionic with a graphics core less. In practice, the chip remains overpowered and more than sufficient, whatever the use. The most notable progress is to be found with autonomy, which has climbed by nearly 25% compared to last year.
For photo sensors, Apple is recycling those from the iPhone 12 Pro and that translates to solid performance in all situations. This iPhone will not box with the best cameras, but it offers quality rendering.
And for those who are fed up with the endless growth of smartphones: Apple is keeping the iPhone 13 mini on the menu despite rumors that it was retiring.
L’iPhone 13 mini Source : Idroid – Brandon Lopes
The Tom Thumb of the range takes the same characteristics of the iPhone 13, but with a screen of 5,4 inches. The result is a latest-generation phone that manages to be more compact than the iPhone SE, while having more display area. More than the rest of the family, he takes full advantage of the gain in autonomy. Unlike his ancestor, we finally manage to end the day without recharging. Add to that a 100 euros lower price and you have got an extremely attractive package.
For the vast majority of buyers, the iPhone 13 will be the reason, we would have liked to take advantage of 120 Hz, but Apple has decided that it will not be for now.
For all our impressions, read our review of the Apple iPhone 13 and the review of the iPhone 13 mini.
Who is the iPhone 13 for?
- For those who want the best performances of the moment ...
- Who are looking for good value for money ...
- Who want excellent autonomy.
Who is the iPhone 13 mini for?
- For those who want the best performances of the moment ...
- Who are looking for good value for money ...
- And who want it in a small format!
Apple iPhone 13 at the best price?
- RED by SFR 799 € Discover the offer
- Rakuten Marketplace 829 € Discover the offer
- SFR 899 € Discover the offer
- Ubaldi.com 906 € Discover the offer
- Amazon € 907 Discover the offer
- E.Leclerc 907 € Discover the offer
- Cdiscount 909 € Discover the offer
- Fnac € 909 Discover the offer
- Baker € 909 Discover the offer
- Darty 909 € Discover the offer
- Rue du Commerce 909 € Discover the offer
- eBay Marketplace 956 € Discover the offer
Apple iPhone 13 mini at the best price?
- RED by SFR 699 € Discover the offer
- Rakuten Marketplace 795 € Discover the offer
- eBay Marketplace 796 € Discover the offer
- SFR 799 € Discover the offer
- Ubaldi.com 808 € Discover the offer
- Amazon € 809 Discover the offer
- Cdiscount 809 € Discover the offer
- Fnac € 809 Discover the offer
- Baker € 809 Discover the offer
- Darty 809 € Discover the offer
- E.Leclerc 809 € Discover the offer
- Rue du Commerce 809 € Discover the offer
Launched in 2019, the “short” iPhone 11 remains in the catalog this year. As its name suggests, it retains the heart of the thirteenth generation innovations, notably with the A13 Bionic processor or the ultra-wide-angle photo sensor, while getting rid of certain non-essential refinements of the Pro range.
The iPhone 11 is available in many shimmering colors, here in red // Credit: Idroid
Thus, the OLED screen disappears in favor of LCD technology, or you only have two photo sensors on the back (the 2x zoom is removed). The LCD screen is still considered the best around, but the technology has some flaws that OLED doesn't. On the other hand, you keep the waterproofing, FaceID and wireless charging.
If the new design and the OLED display of the iPhone 12 does not interest you more than that, the iPhone 11 remains a more than solid option, in particular with its price revised seriously downwards. To learn more, you can also read our iPhone 11 review.
Who is the iPhone 11 for?
- Those who are looking for a good compromise ...
- So much on the size ...
- … Only on the price.
Apple iPhone 11 at the best price?
- Darty 499 € Discover the offer
- Amazon € 589 Discover the offer
- Cdiscount 589 € Discover the offer
- Fnac € 589 Discover the offer
- Carrefour 589 € Discover the offer
- Ubaldi.com 598 € Discover the offer
- Rakuten Marketplace 620 € Discover the offer
- eBay Marketplace 645 € Discover the offer
- Rue du Commerce 748 € Discover the offer
- Fnac Marketplace € 781 Discover the offer
- Baker € 809 Discover the offer
Apple iPhone SE 2020 the cheap iPhone
7 / 10
Product sheet See the RED by SFR test 479 €
- A 2020 iPhone in a 2017 body
- 4,7 inch screen
- Simple photo sensor
At the bottom of the Apple catalog you now have the iPhone SE 2020. Second “Special Edition” of the iPhone after the iPhone SE 2016, it uses the formula proven with its predecessor. It consists of putting - some - modern technologies in the body of a model of yesteryear. In this case that of the iPhone 8, that is to say with a screen of 4,7 inches.
IPhone SE 2020 // Source: Idroid
Thus, if the iPhone SE 2020 inherits an A13 Bionic processor, it adopts a resolutely dated design with the presence of the physical home button as a symbol ... now missing for 3 generations of iPhone. We therefore find the classic navigation system of the iPhone, which will not confuse historical users of the brand's phones.
As before, this button incorporates a fingerprint sensor to unlock the phone. Useful when masks are a source of pain for FaceID. You will find a photo sensor on the back, quite honorable. It is also waterproof up to 1 meter. You can find all the details in our full review of the iPhone SE 2020.
Who is the 2020 iPhone SE for?
- For those who want a cheap iPhone ...
- Compact…
- With a physical "home" button.
Clearly, the iPhone SE is probably the perfect candidate for those who don't need a bunch of features, and just want an inexpensive, easy-to-use iPhone. We think in particular of all the parents and grandparents who read us.
Where to buy theApple iPhone SE 2020 at the best price?
- RED by SFR 479 € Discover the offer
- Reconditioned Cdiscount € 309 Discover the offer
- Amazon Refurbished 314 € Discover the offer
- Rakuten Marketplace 346 € Discover the offer
- Amazon € 489 Discover the offer
- Cdiscount 489 € Discover the offer
- Fnac € 489 Discover the offer
- Baker € 489 Discover the offer
- Darty 489 € Discover the offer
- Rue Du Commerce 489 € Discover the offer
- eBay Marketplace 505 € Discover the offer
Things to know before buying an iPhone
? How much storage should I choose for my iPhone?
Unlike many phones in the Android sphere, it is not possible to expand the storage capacity of the iPhone after purchase. It is therefore important to choose the right amount from the start. By default, all iPhones this year have 64GB of storage. This is sufficient for many users. However, if you store a lot of video, photos, music and applications on your phone, you may be better off choosing the higher capacity: 128 or 256 GB depending on the model.
⏲ When should you buy your iPhone?
With a few exceptions, Apple has been releasing its new iPhones in September for the past ten years or so. If a new iPhone tempts you past the month of June, it is probably more reasonable to wait for the new models to come back to school.
The best time is obviously soon after the announcement. Be aware that iPhones take a relatively small discount over time. If you want the latest model, promotions are unlikely to arrive in the first 6 months of its marketing, and price cuts will remain timid thereafter.
? Can I use my waterproof iPhone underwater?
No. The waterproofing of smartphones is mainly provided in the event of an accident. It is not designed to take underwater photos. We strongly advise against submerging your phone voluntarily under water. This is also an exclusion clause from the manufacturer's warranty.
♻ Used or refurbished iPhones, is it worth it?
Buying a used iPhone can be a good option to afford Apple's phone at a discount. Be careful not to choose a model that is too old. While iPhones generally have a good lifespan, over the years the battery is likely to not be at its best. Also note that iPhones have a fairly low discount on the second-hand market, so the initial investment in a new terminal is sometimes less heavy once the resale price is taken into account.
