Apple iPhone 2021 lineup: Which one is for you?

One of the nicest things about Apple is that they continue to offer some of their older flagships a couple of years after its initial release. This provides users more options considering their needs and budget. With the iPhone 2021 lineup, we have more to choose from, so which one should you get, especially if it’s going to be your first iPhone? Let’s help you with that.

As of writing, we have eight iPhone models available on the Apple PH website: the iPhone 11, iPhone SE (2nd-gen), iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max.

iPhone 11

If you think a 2-year old iPhone is no longer powerful, think again. The A13 Bionic chip can still flex a lot of muscle. For comparison, I’m using an iPhone Xs with A12 Bionic and it can still run Genshin Impact in their highest settings. The large 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display is still great for most applications, including watching videos and playing games, while the 12MP main and 12MP ultra-wide are still capable and versatile shooters, but don’t expect it to perform as good as its successors. When it comes to storage, you only have two options available — 64GB and 128GB. It doesn’t have 5G, though, but if you don’t have the need for that yet, the iPhone 11 is a good starter iPhone.

• 64GB – PHP 31,990USD 545INR 46,213EUR 519CNY 3,970
• 128GB – PHP 34,990USD 596INR 50,547EUR 568CNY 4,342

iPhone SE (2nd-Gen)

If you want something compact and more affordable, this is your best option, but with some limitations. This 2020 iPhone has a 4.7-inch Retina HD screen, equipped with the same A13 Bionic chip powering the iPhone 11, and uses Touch ID. However, it uses an older design with thick top and bottom bezels, features a single-rear camera, and a tiny battery. Like the iPhone 11, this phone doesn’t support 5G. It’s available in 64GB and 128GB models and is the most affordable iPhone you can get in this lineup. If you prioritize size and fingerprint biometrics and don’t mind the small screen, old design, and thick bezels, this is the one to get.

• 64GB – PHP 26,490USD 451INR 38,267EUR 430CNY 3,287
• 128GB – PHP 29,490USD 503INR 42,601EUR 479CNY 3,660

iPhone 12 / 12 mini

Also released in 2020, the iPhone 12 is a good option if you want the next best thing to the current flagship without spending that much, especially now that it has a lower SRP. It is equipped with a 6.1-inch Super Retina HDR display, Ceramic Shield on the front, a sleeker design, more powerful cameras with HDR video recording and Night mode Time-lapse, Dolby Atmos Support, MagSafe support, 5G connectivity, up to 256GB storage, and powered by the A14 Bionic chip.

iPhone 12:
• 64GB – PHP 44,990USD 767INR 64,993EUR 730CNY 5,583
• 128GB – PHP 47,990USD 818INR 69,326EUR 779CNY 5,956
• 256GB – PHP 53,990USD 920INR 77,994EUR 876CNY 6,700

If you want the features of the iPhone 12, but want a smaller size, you can opt for the iPhone 12 mini. The two are pretty much identical but it has a smaller 5.4-inch screen, shorter battery life, and lower price.

iPhone 12 mini:
• 64GB – PHP 38,990USD 664INR 56,325EUR 633CNY 4,839
• 128GB – PHP 41,990USD 716INR 60,659EUR 681CNY 5,211
• 256GB – PHP 47,990USD 818INR 69,326EUR 779CNY 5,956

iPhone 13 / 13 mini

If you really have the budget and want the latest, you can start with the iPhone 13. It packs improvements over the iPhone 12 like the A15 Bionic chip, improved cameras with Sensor-shift OIS, Photographic Styles, and Cinematic mode, up to 512GB storage, longer battery life, and a new Pink color. If you don’t need any of those, I think you’ll be fine with the iPhone 12.

iPhone 13:
• 128GB – PHP 50,990USD 869INR 73,660EUR 828CNY 6,328
• 256GB – PHP 57,990USD 988INR 83,772EUR 941CNY 7,197
• 512GB – PHP 69,990USD 1,193INR 101,108EUR 1,136CNY 8,686

For the iPhone 13 mini, it’s the same as the iPhone 13 but with a smaller 5.4-inch screen, shorter battery life, and lower price. Yep, just like the iPhone 12 mini’s relationship with the iPhone 12.

iPhone 13 mini:
• 128GB – PHP 44,990USD 767INR 64,993EUR 730CNY 5,583
• 256GB – PHP 50,990USD 869INR 73,660EUR 828CNY 6,328
• 512GB – PHP 63,990USD 1,090INR 92,440EUR 1,039CNY 7,941

iPhone 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max

These iPhones have the word ‘Pro’ in their names for a reason and mostly because of the cameras. But in this case, the iPhone 13 Pro also boasts a 6.1 -inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion tech with adaptive refresh rates of up to 120Hz, improved brightness, A15 Bionic chip, 12MP triple-rear camera system which includes Telephoto with 6x optical zoom, support for Apple ProRAW, ProRes video recording, Cinematic mode, LiDAR scanner for Night mode portraits and AR applications, 5G connectivity, MagSafe support, up to 1TB storage, longer battery life than the iPhone 12, and the new Sierra Blue color.

iPhone 13 Pro:
• 128GB – PHP 63,990USD 1,090INR 92,440EUR 1,039CNY 7,941
• 256GB – PHP 70,990USD 1,210INR 102,552EUR 1,152CNY 8,810
• 512GB – PHP 82,990USD 1,414INR 119,887EUR 1,347CNY 10,299
• 1TB – PHP 95,990USD 1,636INR 138,667EUR 1,558CNY 11,912

For the iPhone 13 Pro Max, it does what everything the iPhone 13 Pro can do but on a larger 6.7-inch screen, and has a longer battery life. It’s more expensive, too, if I may add.

iPhone 13 Pro Max:
• 128GB – PHP 70,990USD 1,210INR 102,552EUR 1,152CNY 8,810
• 256GB – PHP 76,990USD 1,312INR 111,220EUR 1,250CNY 9,554
• 512GB – PHP 88,990USD 1,516INR 128,555EUR 1,444CNY 11,044
• 1TB – PHP 101,990USD 1,738INR 147,335EUR 1,655CNY 12,657

In summary:

• Get the iPhone 11 if you want an entry-level iPhone with a big screen and Face ID, and you’re okay with not having 5G connectivity.
• Get the iPhone SE 2020 if you want the most affordable compact iPhone in the lineup and don’t mind the old design, thick bezel, lack of 5G, and short battery life.
• Get the iPhone 12 if you want an iPhone with 5G and features close to the latest model without spending too much. Go for the iPhone 12 mini if you want a smaller version of it.
• Get the iPhone 13 if you have the budget and want the best and latest, but don’t need the PRO features. Go for the iPhone 13 mini if you want the smaller version.
• Get the iPhone 13 Pro if you require a 120Hz screen, the new camera features for videography or photography needs, 1TB of storage, and longer battery life.