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Smartphones have become essential for millions of people because they bring superior convenience to our everyday lives. Apple is undoubtedly one of the top brands in releasing innovative phones, and they always come up with new upgrades and features yearly. While many go for their top-of-the-line Pro or Pro Max models, not everyone can afford their hefty price tags. Fortunately, they also have their fair share of budget options, and their older models usually get a significant price cut. They might not have the same upgraded chipset or cameras as the latest models, but they’re still good enough to help you with different tasks. Apple’s iPhones are reliable, and they come with many smart features that only computers could do back in the day. Most iPhones have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support, and you can quickly send files to other iPhone users using the AirDrop feature. Apple also created iMessage and FaceTime for you to easily message or call other Apple users for free, as long as you are connected to Wi-Fi. The company’s more affordable models also come with decent cameras that can take stunning photos for your social media account. Let’s look at some of the best budget iPhones you can purchase in 2022.
The iPhone 11 is an excellent bargain in 2022 because you get a powerful phone for only $499. The only catch is that you only get 64 GB of storage, but you can also go for the 128 GB variant for $50 more. Apple users can also avail of extra storage on iCloud+. The iPhone features a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD LCD with IPS technology that guarantees sharp and detailed content. It has a 1792 x 828-pixel resolution at 326 ppi, 1400:1 contrast ratio, and 625-nit peak brightness. The phone can run all your apps smoothly without lag, thanks to its A13 Bionic chip. You get a 4-core GPU, an 8-core Neural Engine, and a 6-core CPU with four efficiency and two performance cores. It’s only capable of a 4G LTE signal since 5G support is only available starting from the iPhone 12. The iPhone 11 was released in 2011, and it was the first time Apple introduced its Wide and Ultra Wide cameras. Both cameras are 12 MP, and you get HDR support and dual-LED dual-tone flash. The phone also has a 12 MP wide front camera for fantastic selfies. When you want to record video, you get a maximum resolution of 4K at 60 fps. The phone can also film stunning slow-mo videos, and it comes with Night Mode for better low-light shots. The iPhone 11 also comes with Face ID, making logging in and confirming payments a breeze. If you’re often by the beach or pool, the phone won’t fail you because it’s IP68 water-resistant and can survive getting submerged up to 2 meters for 30 minutes. Users will also like the phone’s reliable battery because you get up to 17 hours of video playback or 65 hours of audio playback per charge. You can also benefit from fast charging if you use a 20 W adapter. The iPhone 11 looks premium and aesthetically pleasing because of its Aerospace-grade aluminum and glass front and back. It’s available in purple, green, yellow, white, black, and red.
6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD LCD display with IPS technologyExcellent wide and ultra-wide camerasComes with Night ModeIP68 water-resistantAesthetically pleasing design with a wide range of color choices
Battery life isn't as great as newer modelsNo 5G supportLow storage options
If you’re on a tight budget but want one of the latest phones offered by Apple, you should pick the iPhone SE (3rd Generation). The company introduced the phone in 2022, and you can get the 128 GB model for only $479. Its 64 GB variant is more affordable at $429, while its largest storage option is the $579 256 GB. The phone is already 5G-capable, but it only has a 4.7-inch screen, and it has the old-school thick bezels seen on past iPhones. The phone comes with an LCD, while more premium models from the brand have OLED displays. Despite its more classic design, you can expect the phone to run similar to the iPhone 13 models because it comes with the A15 Bionic chip, which has a 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, and a new 16-core Neural Engine. Since the iPhone SE still has the home button, you get Touch ID instead of Face ID. The phone has an IP67 rating, so it will survive being submerged for 30 minutes up to a depth of one meter. The iPhone SE is more budget-friendly because its camera system is less-advanced. You only get one 12 MP wide camera and one 7 MP selfie camera. Still, it comes with HDR support, Quad-LED dual-tone flash, slo-mo video, optical image stabilization, True Tone flash with Slow Sync, and Portrait Mode with Portrait Lighting. The phone is capable of recording 4K video at 60 fps. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with Apple’s useful Night Mode. The phone promises up to 50 hours of audio playback or 15 hours of video playback with every charge. Using a 20 W charger, you can get up to 50% charge in only 30 minutes. The iPhone SE supports Apple’s prominent features like FaceTime, iMessage, Siri, etc. The phone is available in colors like starlight, midnight, and red.
2022 modelCan take excellent photos and videos5G supportA15 Bionic chipIP67 rating
Classing design with thick bezelsNo Face IDLacks Night Mode
The iPhone SE (2nd Generation) would be ideal for those who want to save even more cash. The phone was initially released in 2020, and you can get it for under $395 in 2022. You can pick between three storage capacities: 64 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB. It features a 4.7-inch Retina HD display, and it has the classic iPhone design with the home button and thick bezels. The home button has a fingerprint sensor that makes it easier to confirm payments and logins. It’s equipped with the same A13 Bionic chip the iPhone 11 has. The 2020 iPhone SE only has a 12 MP wide camera and a 7 MP selfie camera. However, it can still deliver decent images thanks to its six-element lens, optical image stabilization, wide color capture, next-generation Smart HDR, and LED True Tone flash with Slow Sync. It can film 4K video up to 60 fps and slo-mo video with a maximum resolution of 1080p at 240 fps. The phone also comes with FaceTime audio and video calling, a digital compass, built-in GPS/GNSS, and Siri. It promises up to 13 hours of video playback or 40 hours of audio playback with every charge. The phone has limited availability, and you will most likely have to get a carrier subscription with it.
AffordableImpressive build qualityHigh-quality displaySatisfying overall performance
Not the best camera system and battery lifeLimited availability
The iPhone 12 mini was part of the iPhone lineup that hit stores in 2020. If you purchase it from Apple in 2022, you can get the 64 Gb model for only $599 when you also connect to a carrier through them. The 128 GB variant is priced at $649, while the 256 GB model costs $749. This phone is for those who prefer smaller phones because it has a 5.4-inch display, which is a bit smaller than the iPhone X’s. Its screen is a Super Retina XDR display, so you can expect superb detail. The phone is future-proof because of its A14 Bionic chip and 5G connectivity. It has 12 MP wide and ultra-wide cameras and a 12 MP selfie camera. Its camera system comes with much-needed features like Night Mode, Portrait Mode, 4K video recording, etc. The phone is impressive in many aspects, but it could use some improvements with its battery life.
Ideal for those who love compact phonesFantastic performanceSuperb displayImpressive dual cameras
Disappointing battery lifeYou need to settle for 64Gb storage if you want a low price
While it’s cool to have an iPhone with the latest features offered by Apple, not everyone is picky when it comes to specs. Older models like the iPhone XR can be seen as “outdated” by some because it doesn’t have all the new innovative features of Apple, but going for this phone will allow you to spend as little as $449.99 for an unlocked 256 GB phone. The iPhone XR features a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display. It has a glass front and back, and it’s made from Aerospace-grade aluminum. Its A12 Bionic chip is the same one the XS and XS Max models had. You only get one 12 MP wide camera on the back, but it still can film 4K video at 60 fps. Its selfie camera is 7 MP, and it can film 1080p video at 60 fps. Since the iPhone XR is an older model, it doesn’t have 5G support, but at least you get Face ID and wireless charging. The phone will be safe to bring outdoors since it has an IP67 rating.
Budget-friendlyReasonable battery lifeDecent camera performanceVarious smart features
No 5G supportNo ultra-wide or telephoto cameraNo Night ModeLimited availability
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