Choosing the right model of iPhone for you: complicated choices
Now that Apple has officially unveiled the 4-inch iPhone SE, it’s a bit more difficult to decide which handset might be the best option for you. It used to be easy; each new iPhone got slightly better, so choosing the latest model was a sure bet. Now, however, there are five models to choose from, three of those pack the latest and greatest features have to offer, and there are three different sizes to choose from. Let’s break down who each option is best for, and help clear the waters a bit.
The latest 5.5-inch phablet
The most expensive iPhone is the iPhone 6s Plus, and it’s also the largest. This 5.5-inch phablet has the most screen real estate, the best display resolution, and can even replace an iPad in certain circumstances. It’s perfect for people who love to play games or watch videos on their devices, but navigating around the touch screen can be difficult if you have small hands. For those videographers out there, the larger phablet is the only device that offers optical image stabilization.
The newest medium-sized iPhone
Next, we have the iPhone 6s. With its 4.7-inch form factor, it still packs plenty of punch. It has the same A9 chip, 3D Touch support, faster Touch ID, Live Photos, 4K video recording, a 12-megapixel iSight camera, and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. Basically, the iPhone 6s has all of the features of the iPhone 6s Plus except for optical image stabilization. If you think the iPhone 6s Plus is too large but the iPhone SE is too small, this is probably your best bet.
The most recent 4-inch handset
Now we come to the most recent addition to the iPhone product family, the iPhone SE. Looking like an iPhone 5s on the outside, albeit with more color choices, it has the latest iPhone technology on the inside. The iPhone SE has the latest A9 chip, a 12-megapixel iSight camera, Apple Pay support, along with the ability to take Live Photos and record 4K video. It’s lacking the faster Touch ID of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, and does not include Display Zoom or 3D Touch. It is, however, the least expensive iPhone that Apple has ever released, starting at just $399.
The older, but still capable, bargain
Let’s take a look at the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. These handsets are not yet two years old, so they’re still very viable options for new devices. You’ll be missing out on 3D Touch, Live Photos, and 4K video recording, however. You’ll also have an 8-megapixel iSight camera and a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera. If you don’t care about the additional features and capabilities of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, but want those sizes, this is a great alternative.
On the other hand, you could wait ...
If you already have an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus and like the size but are thinking about upgrading to the iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus, don’t. You really should wait for the iPhone 7 to be released in the fall. Rumors are suggesting the new device will have stereo speakers, a dual-lens camera, and possibly even waterproof capabilities. What you might miss out on, though, is a headphone jack, since Apple is rumored to be removing that port to make the handset slimmer. If you have a lot of corded headphones that you want to keep using, waiting for the iPhone 7 might not be a good idea.
Wrapping it all up
There you have it, the complete current lineup of available iOS handsets. Whether you prefer the latest and greatest phablet or the throwback to the iPhone 5s days, but with newer components, or anything in between, Apple has something for you. There’s no longer a one-size-fits-all option for the iPhone, but rather a selection of devices that allows you to choose what features you want and how large you want your device to be.