Buy One of These iPhone Models If You’re on a Budget

While Apple’s iPhones are some of the best smartphones on the market based on the recent poll for 2022, they’re definitely premium devices.

And with a premium device comes a premium price. The truth is that most of us can’t handle or simply don’t want to upgrade to a new iPhone every year.

Or if you’re just getting into the Apple ecosystem, you might not want to buy Apple’s most expensive smartphone right off the bat.

Fortunately, you don’t have to — because many of the great iPhones are quality and budget friendly.  Read below to see what’s the best bang for your buck.

4. The iPhone SE (2022)

The iPhone SE is the quintessential budget iPhone. If you’re on a budget and still want one of the latest iPhones Apple has to offer, then probably the SE is for you. 

A lot of people like smaller iPhones, which is why Apple decided to keep this iPhone with a smaller 4.7-inch display. Not only that, but this small device still has Touch ID, which means less room for a bigger display. 

Because of its small size, expect the battery to be small as well. The iPhone SE only packs a 2,018 mAh battery, which is fine if you’re not a power user. But if you use your phone a lot throughout the day, this will not be enough.

The great part about the iPhone SE is its internals. Apple added the A15 Bionic chip, a really powerful processor you can also find on the iPhone 13 lineup and the base iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. 

Not only that, but it also comes with 5G, which is the future of mobile connectivity. 

Of course, that comes with a price. Despite being a budget iPhone, you’ll still have to pay $429 for the 64 GB model.

Overall, this iPhone is great if you’re looking for a small device that you’ll use every now and then. On the other hand, if you’re more of a power user, you might want to look at other options on the list.

3. The iPhone 12

We’ve already discussed whether the iPhone 12 is worth it in 2023, and, spoiler alert, you’re better off with an iPhone 13 mini or iPhone 13. 

Still, if you can find it for a low price, the iPhone 12 has everything you need.

Apple sells the iPhone 12 at $600, which is pretty expensive for such an old iPhone, but you’ll probably be able to find it for a much lower price elsewhere.

The iPhone 12 features a 6.1-inch display, which is a decent size for most users. Additionally, the base model comes with 64 GB of storage, 4 GB of RAM, and the A14 Bionic chip, which isn’t Apple’s most powerful processor, but it’ll still get the job done.

What makes the iPhone 12 stand out is a couple of features. First, 5G. The iPhone 12 was the first iPhone to feature 5G, which means you still get fast connections. The second feature is MagSafe, which helps you add accessories to the back of the iPhone thanks to magnets.

Both features make this iPhone a future-proof device you can buy today, and rest assured that you won’t have to upgrade for at least a few more years. Of course, if you don’t find it a great deal, you might be better off with the iPhone 13 lineup.

2. The iPhone 13 mini

The iPhone 13 mini is probably the best option for your money right now. If you go to Apple’s store, you’ll find the mini for $599, which is a great price when you consider that it starts with 128 GB of storage.

The biggest difference between the mini and the regular iPhone 13 is the size. The iPhone 13 mini features a small 5.4-inch display, which is definitely small for most users. 

Of course, if you’re someone who likes smaller designs, this iPhone will be perfect for you. Moreover, this will be a great chance to get it because Apple has already discontinued the mini iPhones and replaced them with a bigger Plus version. 

Despite the size, the iPhone 13 mini is just as powerful as the regular iPhone 13. This iPhone features the A15 Bionic chip, and 4 GB of RAM, making it a small but powerful device.

Of course, just the iPhone SE, the smaller size also means a smaller battery. This iPhone comes with a 2,438 mAh battery, which can last you through the day, but it’s way smaller than other options on the list. 

Besides the battery life, the other downside of the mini also comes because of its size. Since it’s a smaller device, many MagSafe (both third and first-party) accessories don’t work well with the iPhone 13 mini, which is something to keep in mind. 

1. The iPhone 13

The iPhone 13 isn’t by any means a cheap iPhone, but if it’s within your budget, this will be a great option for you. While the iPhone 13 is still a premium iPhone, you can find it for $699 in Apple’s store. 

Again, not necessarily a budget phone, but it means it has everything you need, and you won’t have to upgrade it for a very long time. 

There’s not much to say about this iPhone since, because of its price, you know it’s pretty much a flagship smartphone. The iPhone 13 features a 6.1-inch display with 128 GB of storage and the powerful A15 Bionich chip (the same as the iPhone 14).

Additionally, you’ll get a 3,240 mAh battery, which is way more than what you get with the other options on the list. 

If you don’t mind the $700 price, the iPhone 13 is the cheaper and best iPhone you can get compared to the current iPhone 14 lineup. Plus, you’ll know you won’t have to upgrade to a new iPhone for the next 5 to 6 years. 

Consider Looking Into Renewed iPhones

If you’re on a tight budget but still want a fairly great iPhone, you can try getting a renewed one. Of course, you need to buy it from a quality store like Amazon.

For instance, you can get a renewed iPhone 11 Pro Max, still a great iPhone with a lot of power and fantastic cameras, for just $400, which is even cheaper than the 2022 iPhone SE. 

Sure, you’re running the risk of getting a faulty iPhone, but if you buy it from the Amazon Renewed Store or a similar quality store, you’ll probably be able to return it and get your money back or another pretty decent iPhone for a fraction of the price.