The best budget iPhones of 2022
Apple’s family of iPhones has grown massively since they landed in 2007 and they continue to offer top-quality performance in the smartphone market. But it can be tricky deciding on the best iPhone for you, as there are so many to choose from.
Plus, if you’re on a budget, this can make searching even more difficult. However, there are many models available that offer the exceptional performance Apple’s devices are known for, without breaking the bank.
That’s why we’ve put together a short list analysing the best budget iPhones and what each model has to offer. Using this as inspiration, why not check out our range of affordable iPhones at e2save. We have contract and refurbished options available for many models, including the iPhone SE and iPhone 11.
iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
The third generation of Apple’s SE range is a superb combination of power and affordability. Tucked into the SE’s compact frame is a beautiful 4.7-inch Retina HD display with True Tone offering crisp visuals. This makes photos pop with colour and accurate contrasts when taken on the SE’s 12MP wide camera. Enthusiastic filmmakers can also record videos in 4K, offering up to 60FPS of superb detail and picture quality.
Powering the SE 3rd Gen is the A15 Bionic chipset. Also found in the iPhone 13 range, the chipset efficiently runs each app and task quickly. Plus, you can get connected to the internet in a flash, with 5G connectivity giving you ultra-smooth streaming for videos and games.
The iPhone SE 3rd Gen is a real miniature monster and an ideal budget iPhone.
iPhone 11
Going back a couple of generations, the iPhone 11 possesses many of the same qualities later-gen iPhones offer, helping to make it a great budget model.
The 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display offers clear visuals with True Tone, capable of showcasing photos, videos, and gameplay in brilliant detail. Dual 12MP cameras allows vibrant snapshots to be taken in low light and night-time environments. Plus, Smart HDR helps to capture many of those true-to-life contrasts, and with 4K video support available at 60fps, you can enjoy even more stunning visuals.
The iPhone 11 is no slouch when it comes to speed and connectivity too. 4G keeps you connected to your network with minimal dropouts, along with fast load times for games and webpages. At the heart of the iPhone 11 sits the A13 Bionic chip. With 6 CPU cores, processing speeds are incredibly fast as well.
iPhone X
Over five years since its original launch, the iPhone X remains a mightily powerful smartphone. With a 5.8-inch Super Retina HD screen displaying photos and games to their best, the X also supports HDR and True Tone controls too.
Powering the iPhone X is the A11 6-core Bionic chip, which loads webpages and apps with ease. Combined with the iPhone X’s 4G connectivity, this chipset achieves quality game performance and experience.
Storage capacities of 64GB and 256GB are available too, meaning plenty of space to download dozens of apps and save hundreds of photos. Lightweight and durable, the iPhone X may be an older device, but it still stands tall alongside newer iPhone models.
iPhone XR
Part of the twelfth generation of iPhones, the XR was originally unveiled as an affordable option, and it continues to offer excellent performance on a budget.
The A12 6-core Bionic chip is one of the device’s highlights. It provides speedy performance for both everyday tasks and more demanding activities such as gaming. A 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display effectively showcases the XR’s true visual capabilities. Photos, videos, and apps pop with colour, as well as offer realistic contrasts thanks to True Tone technology.
Whilst the XR does not offer the most compelling photography suite, with its single 12MP wide camera, the visual quality of its display makes up for it! The XR is a stunner with its Liquid Retina display. Plus, with 4K video recording up to 60fps, it is a fantastic entry point into using an iPhone as a camera.
4G connectivity helps you stay connected online with minimal lag and with up to 16 hours of video playback, you can truly take in the XR’s visual performance in full.
iPhone 12 Mini
As the affordable entry point into the iPhone 12 range, the 12 Mini 5G packs many of the advanced technologies found in its siblings, into a smaller and lighter package.
The brilliant visual capabilities of the 12 Mini demonstrates that smaller doesn’t reduce quality or detail. Housing a stunning 5.4-inch OLED display, colours shine vibrantly on the HDR screen. The results allow the device to capture the full breadth of detail possible.
Inside this tiny beast is a powerful A14 Bionic chip. This provides the 12 Mini with extremely fast processing speeds for apps, games, and everyday tasks. The phone also takes a major leap forward with the number of Neural Engine cores available. 16 cores mean the 12 Mini can process tasks using machine learning and AI (Artificial Intelligence) at a rapid pace.
For photographers and filmmakers, the 12 Mini also offers a deep photography suite. Dual 12MP and ultra-wide cameras enable this iPhone to capture as much of the environment as possible, day or night. Also, a unique tool in this smartphone’s capabilities is Deep Fusion. This feature uses the device’s Neural Engine processing power to take multiple photos in a single capture, helping you to choose the perfect shot.
If you are filming, you can record in Dolby Vision HDR. This lets you create videos at 4K and up to 30fps, helping you capture every detail, with contrasts that mirror real-life lighting and shadows.
The iPhone 12 Mini can match other models in the 12 range in most metrics and all at a budget price.
iPhone XS
The iPhone XS is another brilliant budget twelfth-generation iPhone. It shares many of the features found in the iPhone X; the 5.8-inch Super Retina HD display, dual 12MP cameras, and 4G wireless connectivity.
But what sets it apart is how it packs all of this in, whilst also improving battery life and processing speed. The XS contains an A12 Bionic chip for improved processing time and can have up to 512GB in maximum storage space.
The iPhone family offers a premium smartphone experience, but it’s still possible to find budget-friendly options that suit your needs. Search through our range of contract and refurbished models for other top brands and incredible prices.