There are a lot of decisions involved when it comes to buying or upgrading to a new phone, be it a new iPhone 11 or iPhone 11 Pro, the super-colorful iPhone XR, or the discounted iPhone 8. Which model, what screen size, which color, what storage capacity, which carriers, with or without AppleCare+... the list goes on and on.
Enter iMore's iPhone buyers guide! If you need help deciding what to buy, we've got your back. And if you've already decided, just bookmark, email, Facebook, or Tweet this page so we can help your friends and family and you can get on with enjoying your new iPhone!
- iPhone reviews
- How to sell your old phone before upgrading to your new iPhone
- Which iPhone model should you buy?
- Which iPhone storage size should you get?
- What color iPhone should you get?
- Which carrier should you choose for your iPhone?
- Should you get AppleCare+ or insurance for your iPhone?
- Where and how should you buy your iPhone?
iPhone reviews
If you want to learn the details about all the different iPhone models, sizes, features, capabilities, and more, check out our in-depth reviews.
How to sell your old iPhone — or Android phone! — before upgrading to your new iPhone
It used to be, especially in North America, that you signed up for a cell phone contract, chose your phone, and didn't change it until it was time to sign up for a new contract. Now, however, we're increasingly seeing people buy a new iPhone one year, use all the great features it comes with, and then sell it so they can better afford the next, new model. Whether you're looking to upgrade to one of the newer iPhones or something more affordable, here's everything you need to know to sell the old and get the new!
Which iPhone model should you buy?
Do you want the dual or triple camera setup of the iPhone 11 or iPhone 11 Pro? Maybe you want the least-expensive Face ID-equipped iPhone out there in the iPhone XR. Or it could be you just want the cheapest iPhone that you can get your hands on that Apple still actually makes: the iPhone 8.
Which iPhone storage size should you get?
If all you do is text, stream, and access web portals, you'll probably be able to live on 64GB, no matter which iPhone you choose to by. If you shoot 4K 60 fps video, download all your media, and want tons of apps, you might want at least a step up in storage. On the iPhone 8 and iPhone XR, that means taking the only other option: 128GB. But if you're getting an iPhone 11 or iPhone 11 Pro, you've got a couple of options above 64GB. On iPhone 11, you can choose 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB, while the iPhone 11 Pro has options fo4 64GB, 256GB, or a whopping 512GB!
What color iPhone should you buy?
With the iPhone XR, Apple greatly expanded its palette of available iPhone colors, including blue, yellow, coral, and many more. They kept that up with the release of the iPhone 11, but changed the colors up. With the iPhone 11 Pro, however, the selection is a bit more muted, with one exception. In addition to the traditional Space Gray, Silver, and Gold, Apple offers a color it calls Midnight Green as an option for the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. So, which color should you get?
- Which iPhone 11 color is best for you?
- Which iPhone 11 Pro color is best for you?
- Which iPhone XR color is best for you?
Which carrier should you choose for your iPhone?
You've got a wide range of options when it comes to carriers for your iPhone. You have the big four in the U.S.: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile, as well as MVNOs that can provide significant discounts on prepaid plans. In Canada, there's Rogers, Bell, Telus, and some smaller, scrappier options.
- Which U.S. iPhone carrier and plan should you get: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, or T-Mobile?
- Best prepaid iPhone plans in the U.S.
- How to buy the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro unlocked
Should you get AppleCare+ or insurance for your iPhone?
If you buy a new iPhone 11 or iPhone 11 Pro, you may want to protect that investment. Everyone from Apple to carriers and big-box retailers to credit card companies offer some sort of protection plan or extended warranty on purchases. AppleCare+ is comprehensive — and included in the iPhone Upgrade Program — but you might have loyalty programs, or even credit card offers that provide at least some coverage for less. Here are some options!
Where and how should you buy your iPhone?
This year, there may be three new flagship phones from Apple — iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max — but there are even more options available if you're looking to buy either one of them. While we feel that the best way to buy your new iPhone is through the iPhone Upgrade Program using the Apple Store app, we've also assembled the best alternatives for those that want or need to purchase another way.
Any questions about your next iPhone?
If you have any questions about which iPhone you should buy drop them in the comments below. And when you choose, let me know what you got!
