In the world of iPhones, the years follow and look alike. The arrival of the four new iPhone 13 models did not lead to a major replacement but rather a shift in the entire range, which therefore remains as bloated as last year. A few models have disappeared from the 2021 catalog, but others have remained there, such as the iPhone 11. Particularity of the year 2022, a new version of the iPhone SE, the entry-level model, has replaced the previous one. . You’d be forgiven if you hadn’t noticed because the 2nd and 3rd generation iPhone SEs look alike like two drops of water: they are both based on the aging design of the iPhone 8, dating from 2017. There is therefore still in the catalog an iPhone equipped with a home button, with TouchID fingerprint sensor, under the screen, the latter having changed neither in its dimensions (diagonal of 4.7 inches, or 12 cm) nor in its resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels. However, the iPhone SE 3 marks a significant improvement in terms of performance since it now features the same A15 Bionic chip as those of the iPhone 13! It is also compatible with 5G to further improve the connection speed to the mobile network, in the coverage areas of course. Anyway, the iPhone SE and the iPhone 11 form a solid entry-level, allowing you to discover or stay in the Apple world without breaking the bank too much. This of course requires a greater financial effort than in the Android world, but for a respective budget of 530 and 590 euros, we obtain a powerful smartphone that will be able, for sure, to receive system updates for several years. . This is one of the undeniable advantages of the Apple range. This year, for example, the brand new iOS 15 is installed up to the iPhone 6s, announced in September 2015! An important asset to continuously ensure the security of your smartphone. iPhones are also renowned for their build quality, so you’re guaranteed a good long-term investment. Be careful not to break it!
This precautionary advice obviously applies in the first place to the brand new iPhone 13 which takes almost identically the design of the iPhone 12. They are supposed to be more resistant to shocks thanks to their glass screen mixed with ceramic crystals. Note that this only concerns the front face. Beware of shocks on the back side, always in Gorilla Glass type glass. Note in this regard that Apple has indicated that the iPhone SE 3 has a glass back that is slightly more resistant than that of the SE 2.
The striking new features of the iPhone 13 are not the most obvious, but they are no less interesting for all that. Pro or not, they therefore generally take on the design of the iPhone 12. The screen sizes and definition are the same for each corresponding model, from the mini to the Pro Max. And the iPhone 13 also takes up the flat sides of the iPhone 12. All iPhone 13s, on the other hand, are slightly thicker by half a millimeter, which allows them to accommodate a slightly larger battery. Coupled with the new, even slightly more efficient A15 Bionic processor, these batteries allow the autonomy of all iPhone 13s to improve substantially. Also at the cost of being slightly overweight.
There is also significant progress in terms of the screens on the two Pro models: they are equipped with technology called ProMotion by Apple. Identical to that which equips the iPad Pro since 2017, it allows the iPhone to vary the refresh rate of the screen from 10 to 120 Hz, according to needs. In other words, if you are reading the text of a Web page, for example, the screen will refresh only 10 times per second, which saves energy. On the other hand, hardly have you put your finger on the screen to scroll this same page that the refresh rate increases to 120 frames per second, to ensure that the animation is as smooth and smooth as possible. This provides great visual comfort. It also allows the iPhone to adjust the frame rate to the number of frames per second of the video you’re watching on Youtube or elsewhere: 24, 30 or 60 fps, you’re sure to avoid flickering.
On the camera side, it is of course the two Pro models that are progressing the most in this area. First novelty, there is no longer any difference between the Pro and the Pro Max on the lens side. Both models carry exactly the same three lenses: a very angle, a wide angle and a telephoto lens. The latter now offers a 3X zoom, compared to the 2X of the iPhone 12 Pro and the 2.5 X of the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The wide angle and the telephoto lens now both have the optical stabilization system by moving the sensor rather than that of the lens. This technology directly from the world of traditional photography only equipped the wide angle of the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The two Pro models also have larger surface sensors, which explains the imposing size of the photo module comprising the lenses, the flash and the Lidar scanner, which is up sharply compared to the iPhone 12 Pro. For their part, the “non-Pro” iPhone 13s are only equipped with two lenses, a wide angle and an ultra wide angle. But their technologies and sensors come directly from the iPhone 12 Pro of the previous year, which also allows them to progress in shooting quality.
Improvements in sensors, lenses and the A15 chip allow the entire range of four iPhone 13 to take advantage of the new Cinematic video mode which allows you to create blurs of depth of field while filming. A bit like Portrait mode for photos. And the iPhone 13 Pros are also capable of shooting in ProRes, a video file format used by professional videographers. Attention, the more the video quality is increased, the more the resulting files occupy storage space. This explains why the iPhone 13 Pro models equipped with 128 GB can only shoot up to 30 fps in 1080p in the ProRes format, while they can go up to 4K at 30 fps. s for models with 256 GB and more. And besides, for the first time, it is possible to choose an iPhone Pro model equipped with one TB of storage. For just over 1800 euros! In other words, the range of iPhone 2021 ranges from 529 euros to more than 1,800 euros. Enough to meet almost all needs and budgets.
All iPhone 13s, like the iPhone 12s before them, are compatible with the new MagSafe magnetic wireless chargers. This standard complements the Qi standard, used by all iPhones with a glass back (iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone SE (3rd generation), iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 and iPhone 13). But only models 12 and 13 are compatible with the MagSafe which allows a little faster wireless charging.
Also note that all the iPhones in the catalog have a dual SIM to allow you to juggle between two phone numbers if you need to (a personal and a pro, for example). One of the numbers will be linked to a traditional nano-SIM card to be inserted into the smartphone. The other will be linked to an eSIM (or electronic SIM) integrated into the device. No more need to insert anything, it is your operator who activates it when needed. Against an additional subscription, of course!
Now all you have to do is think about what you plan to use your iPhone for. If you need a compact device, easy to place in your pocket, the iPhone SE and its 4.7-inch screen is a must, for a relatively tight budget. That said, the iPhone SE isn’t the smallest in the line. For a higher budget it is true, the iPhone 12 mini offers a larger screen (5.4 inches diagonally) in a volume that is (very) slightly lower. And the iPhone 13 mini, barely thicker than the 12 mini, will offer you the latest technologies in a still limited volume. But for a budget of just over 800 euros.
Need a bigger screen? You are spoiled for choice with the iPhone 12 or 13 and their 6.1-inch diagonal Oled screens. For a slightly tighter budget, the iPhone 11 still in the catalog offers the same screen size, but in LCD technology with a slightly worse contrast.
If you are looking for the best autonomy, the Phone 13 Pro Max is made for you, for a salty bill it is true, but we are there in the ultra high end! So look at photo and video capabilities: the Pro Max reigns supreme.
Since we’re talking budget, don’t forget to take a look at refurbished iPhones. It’s a great way to afford a second-hand model, much cheaper than a new one, but nevertheless cleaned and checked, and often accompanied by a guarantee of a few months, even a year. And if you have a little patience, wait for Black Friday, which always takes place at the end of November. It’s a safe bet that many models from previous ranges (iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 11, iPhone SE 2, etc.) benefit from tempting offers!
Don’t forget that the iPhone 13 continues on the path opened by the iPhone 12: there is no longer a charger in the box! Yes, you read correctly, only the cable is included, but not the small transformer to plug into the wall or into its power strip. Apple made this decision officially for ecological reasons, indicating that the vast majority of iPhone buyers already have at least one charger at home. That’s probably true, but the killer detail is that the supplied cable is in Lightning format for the iPhone side, but it’s in USB-C format on the other. And this is also the case of the MagSafe magnetic wireless charging roller (sold separately by Apple at a price of 45 euros): there is the cable, but not the small transformer either.
And it’s a safe bet that you mostly have chargers in the more traditional USB-A format. In other words, you may need to buy an additional charger, such as the 20W USB-C charger sold for 25 euros by Apple. You will find some that are just as effective and a little cheaper from manufacturers like Anker or Aukey. Well, you have been warned.
Last detail, there are also no more headphones delivered with the iPhone, whatever the model. This was a French exception linked to a regulation obliging mobile phone sellers to include a hands-free kit with their device. This legal obligation was lifted at the end of 2021.
That’s it, you know everything to find the iPhone you need.