In the realm of affordable iPhones, Apple has not traditionally been a frontrunner. The company is known for its high-end products and when it does attempt to cater to the budget market, it often repurposes older components with a mid-range price tag. However, this doesn’t mean you have to shell out $799 or more to get a good iPhone. Enter the iPhone SE (2022), the best cheap iPhone option currently available.
Admittedly, the iPhone SE does have its shortcomings. It still retains the home button, utilizes Touch ID instead of Face ID, and features rather large bezels at the top and bottom. Additionally, its camera, charging, and display technologies are not on par with the iPhone 14. Furthermore, the base model only offers 64GB of storage, which can feel limiting in a time when 128GB has become the norm.
However, what sets the iPhone SE apart is its inclusion of 5G cellular connectivity, the powerful A15 Bionic processor found in the iPhone 14, and IP67 water resistance. It is more than capable of handling the majority of iOS apps, including games, and some users may even prefer its compact 4.7-inch screen over the larger sizes seen in other models.
The only significant reasons to hesitate when considering the 2022 SE are Apple’s upcoming September iPhone refresh (there may be a new upgrade available) and the phone’s photo quality. The SE does not excel in low-light photography and lacks ultra-wide or telephoto lenses. However, if these drawbacks are not dealbreakers for you, the iPhone SE is a solid choice. Just be sure to opt for additional storage with the 128GB or 256GB options.
As for the runner-up in the affordable iPhone category, that title goes to the iPhone 13. Though the iPhone 14 may seem like the obvious choice, it is essentially the same device with minor enhancements, such as crash detection, the Photonic Engine, Emergency SOS via satellite, and a slightly tweaked A15 processor with an additional GPU core. Given that most users would not notice these differences, saving $100 by choosing the iPhone 13 is a wise move.
The iPhone 13 falls short of the top spot primarily because of its price tag, starting at $699, which is still considered “cheap” by Apple standards. Think of it as an upgrade from the iPhone SE, offering a larger, brighter, and sharper 6.1-inch display, Face ID, improved low-light photography, MagSafe wireless charging, and an additional ultra-wide lens. Storage options range from 128GB to 512GB.
For those who are considering an iPhone 12 or an older model, it is certainly worth exploring. Apple still sells and supports the iPhone 12, which surpasses the iPhone SE in several areas, including Face ID, a 6.1-inch screen, and better low-light photography. However, it shares the same storage options as the SE and is equipped with a slower A14 processor. The starting price is $599 when purchased directly from Apple. Ultimately, you’ll need to weigh the tradeoffs and decide if it’s worth it for you.
We don’t recommend considering anything older unless price is your top priority. Even finding a new iPhone 11 could be challenging, and at this level, the sacrifices in features become more noticeable. It’s worth noting that anything older than the iPhone XS and XR from 2018 won’t be able to install iOS 17, so keep that in mind as your cutoff point.
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Deepak Sen is a tech enthusiast who covers the latest technological innovations, from AI to consumer gadgets. His articles provide readers with a glimpse into the ever-evolving world of technology.
