With iPhone cameras getting better and better every year, it’s natural to assume that the newest, most expensive iPhone is the best choice for your photography. But that’s not always the case. Depending on your needs, you might want to give other models another look. Whether you want an iPhone to capture stunning videos or one that has the battery life needed for long hikes, keep reading to figure out the best iPhone to buy for you.
The current lineup of iPhones had its work cut out for it. Topping the impressive camera on the iPhone 11 family wasn’t easy, but each of the iPhone 12 models did that and more. So, you might be wondering to yourself, “Which iPhone should I buy?”
Although they all capture stunning pictures and videos, each of the new iPhones has something different to offer. To help you figure out which iPhone is best for you, here is a quick breakdown of each of the models:
iPhone 12 ($799)
iPhone 12 Pro ($999)
iPhone 12 Pro Max ($1099)
iPhone 12 Mini ($699)
There’s a reason this one has “Pro” in its name. iPhone 12 Pro takes incredible pictures. It’s packed with three lens — Wide, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto. And even though it only has a 12MP sensor, the camera’s photography features more than make up for it. The Pro models are the only ones with a LiDAR Scanner for faster focusing and more powerful Night mode. They’re also the only iPhones that can shoot pictures in Apple ProRAW. But where iPhone 12 Pro beats out its Max counterpart is in size and price.
While iPhone 12 Pro Max has a slightly better camera, it’s a massive phone. The smaller iPhone 12 Pro is more portable and much easier to carry. And on top of it all, it’s more affordable. Because you’re not paying for the bigger screen and battery, you’re actually getting more power and performance for your buck.
Now when it comes to videos, the better camera is found on iPhone 12 Pro Max. While all the iPhone 12 models can record HDR videos with Dolby Vision, the Pro Max can utilize all three lenses and has a better zoom on the telephoto lens.
But the biggest reason iPhone 12 Pro Max is better for videos is that it has sensor-shift stabilization. Where the other iPhones on this list will use software to crop in and stabilize your videos, iPhone 12 Pro Max actually shifts the sensor ever so slightly to give you a silky-smooth video, even if it’s not on a tripod.
A step up from iPhone SE, the camera on iPhone 12 Mini is small but mighty. In fact, the specs are identical to iPhone 12, so you still get the Wide and Ultra Wide lenses. It’s enabled with features like Portrait mode, Portrait Lighting, Smart HDR, and Night mode. However, iPhone 12 Mini is smaller than iPhone 12 by about 0.7 inches, which means it’s more portable and comes with a cheaper price tag.
If you’ve been following along so far, then you already know that iPhone 12 Pro Max is the model with the best battery performance — and by a long shot. Even though it’s powering a larger screen, it can still get up to 20 hours of video playback. For comparison, iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro can only get up to 17 hours.
Shooting pictures on your iPhone is a little different than doing so with a DSLR. While you can replace the battery in traditional cameras, you’re limited to the internal battery when you shoot with an iPhone, which is why battery life can play such a huge role in your decision for a new iPhone.
If you’re looking for the best deal, you’ll probably want to go with either iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro. Springing for the Pro model will cost you an extra $200, but the upgrades are definitely worth it. That said, keep in mind that iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max are really only worth the price if you specifically want one of them for their size.
When it comes to the current lineup of iPhones, the clear winner is iPhone 12 Pro. While it’s a little on the pricey side, it’s the model that will capture the most stunning pictures and videos. The LiDAR Scanner will boost the performance of the camera both in image quality and speed. iPhone 12 Pro is such a photography powerhouse that it’s tough to beat. And arguably, iPhone 12 Pro Max only barely manages to come out on top.
While we don’t know which phones Apple plans to release in 2021 for certain, there are always plenty of rumors about what we can expect. It’s safe to assume that there will be four models again, follow-ups to each of the iPhone 12 models. They’ll see incremental performance boosts and likely will have the same two or three lenses on the rear cameras.
The camera, however, is still expected to see the most significant upgrades, with new features like improved apertures for low-light pictures. And the Ultra Wide lens on the Pro Max model is rumored to have Sensor-Shift Stabilization, which is currently available only on the Wide lens.
In the past, Apple has announced its slate of new iPhones in September, aiming for release in October or early November. So if you want to maximize the time you have with a new iPhone before Apple decides to release yet another lineup, it’s best to purchase your phone toward the end of the year.
There’s no shortage of great iPhone cameras, and with Apple improving their hardware every year, they are only getting better and better. When it comes to choosing the right model, it simply depends on what you’re looking for. Hopefully, this article will help you decide which iPhone will be the best for you to upgrade to — and help you kick your iPhone photography up a notch.