The iPhone range offered by Apple has diversified enormously in recent years: three models released in 2019, then five again in 2020, while old models that are still as high quality remain in the catalog. For those that are no longer on the shelves at Apple, it is possible to find them new or reconditioned at other merchants. Associated with varied prices, this has the advantage of allowing everyone to find the smartphone best suited to their needs.
MoreThis makes the choice much less easy.!
What are the advantages or disadvantages of preferring an iPhone 12 Pro over an iPhone 12, or an iPhone 11 over an XR, what about the 2020 iPhone SE? This is the whole purpose of ouriPhone choice guide.
So after having had all these models in hand, having used them on a daily basis and with more than ten years of experience and use, here is the advice from iPhon.fr. Below you will find an opinion, the advantages and disadvantages machine by machine, all followed by a general conclusion which will, we hope, help youhelp choose an iPhone that's right for you!
© Apple
It is the new flagship of the 2020 range and successor to the very good iPhone 11 Pro Max.
It is the most high-end iPhone, and the most expensive, but also one of the largest and heaviest in the range. It has a large screen size (6.7 inches diagonal), good display quality linked to OLED technology, as well as the most advanced photo capabilities on iPhone, thanks to night mode, stabilization image optics and triple lens. Without forgetting the brand new LiDAR sensor, supporting great improvements in photography and in the field of augmented reality, MagSafe magnetic wireless charging and the new resistant Ceramic Shield glass.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is recommended:
- for those looking for the best in iPhone
- for those who want the best possible battery life on iPhone (20 hours of video playback)
- to photographers and videographers, amateurs or professionals
- for those who rely on a large screen, especially if their eyesight is a little failing
- to fans of the Pacific Blue color
- with unlimited budgets
- to enjoy 5G on iPhone
The iPhone 12 Pro Max will not please:
- on tight budgets: prefer the 12 Pro or the 12
- for small pockets and small hands: prefer the 12 Pro, the 11 Pro or the 12/12 mini
L’iPhone 12 Pro
© Apple
The top of the range iPhone in a compact format suitable for small and medium-sized hands!
Little brother of the iPhone 12 Pro Max in size, it has everything its elder brother has. Indeed, there are only very small differences between this model and the iPhone 12 Pro Max (better optical zoom and better stabilization for the large model), in addition to the size of course. Processor power, photo capacity, OLED screen, everything is there in a relatively compact format that is very pleasant in the hand.
iPhone 12 Pro 256 GB at the best price Base price: €1,279
The iPhone 12 Pro is recommended:
- for those looking for the best in iPhone (performance, design, screen)
- for those who want excellent battery life (17 hours of video playback)
- for beautiful photographs, especially with night mode for portraits
- to fans of the Pacific Blue color
- to those who don't want to be bothered
- to enjoy 5G on iPhone
He will like less:
- for those who like screens of a good size: prefer the 12 Pro Max, the 11 Pro Max or even the XS Max, or even the 12
- for those on a tight budget: prefer the 12 with its slightly larger screen, the 12 mini or the 11
L’iPhone 12
© Apple
A very nice proposition from Apple, this iPhone at a more affordable price than the 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max.
The iPhone 12 offers an identical screen size and similar features to the iPhone 12 Pro. It performs less well in photos with two lenses instead of three for the 12 Pro. But it benefits from the latest new features such as Mag Safe wireless charging, Ceramic Shield, 5G and the A14 Bionic processor.
Compared to last year's iPhone 11, there are a few differences to note. The 12 is more powerful (new A14 chip), has 5G and is slightly better at video. But it now mainly integrates an OLED screen, unlike the 11 which still remained LCD.
Going from 11 to 12 is therefore worth the cost in our opinion. On the other hand, the differences between the 12 and the 12 Pro are less significant, apart from this matter of screen size.
iPhone 12 128 GB at the best price Base price: €959
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The iPhone 12 is recommended:
- for those who want the 2020 range without paying the price of a 12 Pro
- for those who appreciate large screens, but without oversizing the 12 Pro Max
- to take very good quality photographs on the iPhone
- for those who want fun in terms of color!
- to enjoy 5G on iPhone
It will not please:
- for small hands or small pockets: prefer the 12 mini or the 11 Pro
- for smaller budgets: see the iPhone 12 mini, 11 or SE (2020) instead
- for those who need an optical zoom: prefer the 12 Pro or the 11 Pro
L’iPhone 12 mini
© Apple
This is the big news of 2020. An iPhone 12 in mini format. With a screen diagonal of 5.4 inches, the iPhone 12 mini is sold less expensively than the iPhone 12 while having the same characteristics, apart from a smaller case size. OLED panel, A14 Bionic chip, MagSafe, 5G, two-sensor camera, the iPhone 12 mini therefore has many advantages to highlight.
But if many appreciate this size of smartphone, it should be noted that the iPhone 12 mini cannot match the larger models in terms of autonomy.
The iPhone 12 mini is recommended:
- for those who want the 2020 range at the lowest price
- for small hands or small pockets, in any case, those who appreciate a screen size less than 6 inches diagonal
- to take very good quality photographs on the iPhone
- for those who want fun in terms of color!
- to enjoy 5G on iPhone at a lower cost
It will not please:
- for fans of large panels: instead turn to the iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max or 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max
- for those who want maximum autonomy on iPhone: rather turn to the iPhone 12, 12 Pro or 12 Pro Max
- for those who need an optical zoom: prefer the 12 Pro or the 11 Pro
L’iPhone 11 Pro Max
© Unsplash / Thai Nguyen
It is the old high-end of 2019. As a result, it is now cheaper after the release of the new 2020 models. It has a large screen size, high display quality linked to the screen OLED, as well as advanced photo capabilities thanks to night mode and a triple lens, including an ultra-wide-angle lens.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is recommended:
- for those looking for a high-performance and quality model (power, material, screen)
- for photo fans who want to take advantage of night mode without breaking the bank
- for those who want a large screen, especially if their eyesight is a little failing
- for those for whom the budget is not sufficient for an iPhone 12 Pro Max
- for fans of the Midnight Green finish
The iPhone 11 Pro Max will not please:
- on tight budgets: prefer the 11 Pro
- for small pockets and small hands: prefer the 12 Pro, the 11 Pro or the 12 or the 12 mini
L’iPhone 11 Pro
© iPhon.fr
The iPhone 11 Pro is the flagship of the 2019 iPhone range. It is the little brother of the iPhone 11 Pro Max, like the iPhone 12 Pro compared to the iPhone 12 Pro Max. In this sense, it displays the same characteristics as the 11 Pro Max model, apart from a reduced screen size (5.8″ inches compared to 6.5″).
Please note, the iPhone 11 Pro has a screen diagonal of 5.8″, while the iPhone 12 Pro has a screen size of 6.1 inches. The 12 Pro is therefore very slightly larger.
The iPhone 11 Pro is recommended:
- for those looking for a high-performance and quality model (power, material, screen)
- for photo fans who want to take advantage of night mode without breaking the bank
- for those who don't want to have the hassle
- for those for whom the budget is not sufficient for an iPhone 12 Pro
- for fans of the Midnight Green finish
The iPhone 11 Pro will not please:
- on tight budgets: prefer the 11, the XR or the SE of 2020
- for fans of large screens: prefer an 11 Pro Max, 12 Pro Max or even an 11 or 12
L’iPhone 11
© Unsplash / Daniel Romero
Parent of the iPhone 12, this is a very interesting model in an intermediate format and at a more affordable price than the Pro models and the 12.
The iPhone 11 with a 6.1-inch screen diagonal offers a screen of the same size as the 12 and 12 Pro, but larger than the iPhone 11 Pro. It integrates a dual photo sensor, an LCD screen, an A13 Bionic chip and offers a night mode for photography as well as portrait lighting mode.
The iPhone 11 is recommended:
- for those who want the 2019 range without paying the price of an 11 Pro
- for those who appreciate large screens, but without oversizing the 11 Pro Max and 12 Pro Max
- for those who want an ultra-wide-angle lens to capture more landscape in their photos and videos
- for those who want to take photos when there is little or no light thanks to night mode
- for those who want a wide choice of colored finishes
It will not please:
- for small hands or small pockets: prefer the 11 Pro or the 12 mini
- for those who need an optical zoom: prefer the 12 Pro or the 11 Pro
- for smaller budgets: see the iPhone XR or SE of 2020 instead
L’iPhone XR
A very nice proposition from Apple, this iPhone released in 2017, predecessor of the iPhone 11 (2019), in an intermediate format and at a more affordable price than the XS. Indeed, the iPhone iPhone XS from 2018 for the processor, wireless charging and main camera.
Only difference with the XS: the absence of a 2nd photo cell which removes the zoom, but does not prevent the use of a software portrait mode and an LCD screen instead of the OLED. All for a price much lower than the XS range. Compared to the iPhone 12, the iPhone XR does not have night mode or the ultra-wide-angle lens.
The iPhone XR is recommended:
- for those who want a high-performance model, with Face ID
- for those who appreciate large screens, but without oversizing the 11 Pro Max and 12 Pro Max
- for those who want fun in terms of color
- on limited budgets
It will not please:
- for small hands or small pockets: prefer the 11 Pro, the 12 Pro, or the 12 mini
- for those who need an optical zoom: prefer the 11 Pro or the 12 Pro
- for smaller budgets: see the iPhone SE (2020) instead
The iPhone SE (2020)
© iPhon.fr
Released at the start of 2020, the iPhone SE is the only model still in Apple's catalog that offers fingerprint recognition instead of facial recognition. The processor is powerful (A13 Bionic chip seen in the 2019 iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max). The photos are less good than on the very latest models, but already of good quality.
For those who want to equip themselves with a high-performance smartphone, still very current in terms of performance and operating speed, but also equipped with wireless charging, while accepting not having the “full screen” design of iPhone with Face ID is the right choice this year for the economic aspect. It is offered at very attractive prices, which make it a very good first model for getting started with the iPhone without breaking the bank.
We like:
- its still very powerful processor
- the price for an iPhone
- fingerprint identification for those who prefer Face ID
- presence of wireless charging
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- no edge-to-edge screen like on iPhones with Face ID
- aging design
- absence of Face ID
Which iPhone to choose then?
In the end, after being won over by the modernism of the iPhone models offered nice photo improvements, as well as boosted autonomy (especially for the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max). In 2020, the expected developments of these models at number 11 finally appeared. Generation 12 does even better in autonomy, photos and raw performance, by also integrating on all its models an OLED panel, MagSafe for wireless charging and 5G. In addition, the iPhone 12 mini made a sensational entrance by incorporating the characteristics of the iPhone 12 at a lower price and in an interesting compact format.
In short, for those who want an edge-to-edge screen with the comfort of gesture-based use and a 2020 processor at a reasonable price,the iPhone 12 is our favorite. Its 12 mini variant may interest smaller budgets and aficionados of smaller smartphones. But as an alternative, especially for those who need better photo capabilities, the iPhone 12 Pro remains an excellent solution, with the old generation 11 Pro to still consider for a few months with its more advantageous price.
Finally, the more entry-level iPhones (iPhone XR and SE 2020) are interesting solutions, constituting good and powerful cameras taking advantage of iOS, all at a reasonable price.
