Apple unveiled its brand new iPhones this week, including the new iPhone 11 and two “Pro” models – the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max.
The new models boast faster chips, multi-lens cameras and improved water resistance, and are available in an array of jazzy colours.
But if you’re unconvinced that these relatively incremental upgrades justify the high price tags (£729 for the iPhone 11, £1,049 for the 11 Pro, and £1,149 for the 11 Pro Max), then you may want to consider a cheaper option.
There are, of course, hundreds of lower-cost Android smartphones on the market, which can do as much – or in some cases more than – the Apple’s handsets.
However, if you’re a die-hard iPhone user, and wedded to the iOS operating system, these are the best value iPhones you can buy right now.
iPhone 8 Plus
Arguably the best “budget” option right now is the iPhone 8 Plus, which has been reduced from £699 to £579, following the launch of the iPhone 11 family.
No, it doesn’t have newer features like the edge-to-edge display or FaceID, but it does have the all-important dual camera, meaning you can capture beautiful “Portrait Mode” shots.
It’s made of glass, like the latest iPhone models, so it can be charged wirelessly, and it has a generous 5.5-inch display. It is also splash, water and dust resistant.
With the forthcoming iOS 13 update bringing key features like Dark Mode, ‘Look Around’ in Maps and new photo and video editing tools, the iPhone 8 Plus is still a great option.
iPhone XR
Following the iPhone 11 launch, Apple has slashed the cost of the iPhone XR from £749 down to £629.
Released in 2018, the iPhone XR was the world’s best-selling smartphone during the first half of this year, according to IHS Market.
It features many of the same features as the higher end iPhone models, including the edge-to-edge display and FaceID, and is available in an array of bright colours.
The downside of this iPhone, however, is that it only has one rear camera, so you can’t capture photos in “Portrait mode”.
Having said that, iOS 13 will bring a number of new photo and video editing features that will work on the iPhone XR – including the ability to film from the front and rear cameras simultaneously.
iPhone 8
The cheapest option in Apple’s current lineup is the iPhone 8, which now costs £479 (down from £599).
The iPhone 8 doesn’t have an edge-to-edge display or FaceID, nor does it have a dual rear camera, so Portrait mode photos are out.
But if you want a basic iPhone that works well, without any fancy features, then the iPhone 8 is the one to go for.
It’s made of glass, so you can charge it wirelessly, and like the others it will benefit from the iOS 13 update, so you’ll get all the latest software updates.
iPhone XS and XS Max
While Apple has officially discontinued the iPhone XS and XS Max, most of the UK’s major mobile operators are still selling them, while stocks last.
These were Apple’s top-end iPhones last year, and have many of the same features as the new iPhone 11 models – including edge-to-edge OLED displays, which are a step up from the LCD screens on the other iPhones on this list.
They also have dual cameras capable of capturing HDR photos and 4K video, stereo sound recording, wireless charging, FaceID and impressive waterproofing.
Make no mistake, these are still expensive phones, but with retailers and mobile operators wanting to shift stock to make way for the new iPhone 11, it’s worth haggling.
Once you’ve installed iOS 13 on them, they will be virtually indistinguishable from the iPhone 11 Pro, save for the new triple-lens camera.
Older iPhones
If you hunt around online, it’s still possible to buy older and discontinued models of the iPhone like the iPhone X, and the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus on sites like Amazon, eBay and musicMagpie.
If you decide to buy one of these, make sure you search for the best price and read the reviews to check whether the device is new or refurbished.
Bear in mind that iOS 13 will only be available on iPhone 6s and later, and future updates may only be available on more recent models, so if you want to keep up to date with the latest software, it’s safer to opt for a newer model.