If It’s $800 or Less …
Apple iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
Apple eventually canceled the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max in 2020, but they are still available for purchase. They boast fast CPUs and three rear cameras, allowing you to zoom out with the ultrawide or in with the telephoto. Everything else is standard, including stainless steel bodies, superb OLED displays, all-day battery life, water resistance, and wireless charging.
Because the new iPhone 13 starts at $829, avoid spending more than $800 on these phones. Practically speaking, it appears that most merchants no longer stock them unless you don’t mind purchasing refurbished items from Amazon. However, you may be able to find one in new or near-new condition on resale services such as Swappa.
$1,000 ON AMAZON (RENEWED)
Is It a Good Time to Buy? Definitely. Yep. Apple recently unveiled the iPhone 13 lineup, so you won’t see a new iPhone until September of next year (unless a new SE surprises us in the first half of the year). If you don’t want to spend the money on a new iPhone, consider getting a new battery instead. If the battery is the source of your aging iPhone’s most serious problems, replacing it may make it feel brand new. Replacements for previous iPhones cost $49, while newer phones cost $69. If it doesn’t work, check out our advice on selling your iPhone for the most money.
Don’t Overpay for a Case And a Word on MagSafe. iPhones are made of glass, and glass breaks, even if Apple uses ceramic to strengthen them. Therefore, it would be best if you had a case. Wireless carriers and Apple know this and will try to upsell you on $60 to $70 cases and expensive accessories for your phone. If the expense is unimportant to you, go for it. We’ve compiled a list of our favorites. (A roundup of iPhone 13 cases will be available soon.) Only the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models support magnetic MagSafe wireless charging. You may purchase first-party accessories such as Apple’s wireless MagSafe Charger, which adheres to the back of the phone for speedier charging. Alternatively, you can choose the MagSafe Wallet. There are also a plethora of third-party accessories available (many of which are listed in our guide). If you use a case, be sure it’s MagSafe compatible to maintain a strong magnetic connection with Apple’s accessories. Yours Truly has MagSafe-tested all of the cases we recommend.