Hi. This is your

Apple Buyer's Guide.

Apple products are not expensive - when they are refurbished.

Older models are not necessarily inferior

Even a really old Apple device works for many people - especially if you like to save money - but before buying, you should check the differences and compatibilities:

Important innovations

Apple Pay
Darkmode
True Tone
USB-C
OLED
Retina
USB 3
Memory
...

Compatibility to current software

Which devices support the latest operating system?
Apps will eventually stop supporting old versions (which means you can't install some apps).

Compatibility to gadgets

Apple Pencil
Apple Pencil 2
...

iPhone

Here is a list of all iPhone models including important features.

The cameras are not compared, because:
1. Megapixels don't necessarily tell much about picture quality, and
2. After the release of every new generation, the old models (which made 'the best' pictures over the last year) now supposedly shoot 'inferior' pictures...

iPhone SE 2020

The cheapest iPhone with the fastest processor.
Best value for money.
(compared to new phones)

• 3GB RAM
• True Tone display
• optional eSIM
• Apple Pay
• Touch ID
• Lightning connector

• Body of iPhone 8 + processor of iPhone 11 (A13 bionic)
+ updated camera + more RAM

• will last a long time, given the performance overhead and long software updates

Body: Aluminum edges / Glass back

Colors: White • Black • Red
(all models have a black front)

2020

iPhone 11 Pro * Max

The most powerful iPhone.

• ultra-wide camera
• 4GB RAM
• OLED display
• True Tone display
• optional eSIM
• Apple Pay
• Face ID
• Lightning connector

Max = larger device + display + battery

Body: Stainless steel edges / Glass back

Colors: Silver • Space Gray • Gold • Midnight Green

2019

iPhone 11

Cheaper version of the 11 Pro.

LCD display
Pro: no burn-in
Contra: black looks greyish

• OLED display
• True Tone display
• optional eSIM
• Apple Pay
• Face ID
• Lightning connector

Body: Aluminum edges / Glass back

Colors: White • Yellow • Purple • Red • Green • Black

2019

iPhone XS * Max

• 4GB RAM
• OLED display
• True Tone display
• optional eSIM
• Apple Pay
• Face ID
• Lightning connector

Max = larger device + display + battery

Body: Stainless steel edges / Glass back

Colors: Silver • Space Gray • Gold

2018

iPhone XR

Cheaper version of iPhone XS.
LCD display, only one camera on the back.

• 3GB RAM
• True Tone display
• optional eSIM
• Apple Pay
• Face ID
• Lightning connector

Body: Aluminum edges / Glass back

Colors: White • Yellow • Coral • Red • Blue • Black

2018

iPhone X

Good value for your money.

The first OLED iPhone.
(X is pronounced 10)
Through the bezel-less design this phone has a larger display than any previous 'Plus' device, yet fitting well in one hand.

• 3GB RAM
• OLED display
• True Tone display
• Apple Pay
• Face ID
• Lightning connector

Body: Stainless steel edges / Glass back

Colors: Silver • Space Gray

2017

iPhone 8 * Plus

The last model with bezels and home button.

• 2GB RAM / Plus: 3GB RAM
• True Tone display
• Apple Pay
• Touch ID
• Lightning connector
• NO headphone jack (needs Lightning adapter or Bluetooth headset)

Plus = larger device + display + battery

Body: Aluminum edges / Glass back
(to support wireless charging)

Colors: Silver • Space Gray • Gold • Red

2017

iPhone 7 * Plus

• 2GB RAM / Plus: 3GB RAM
• Apple Pay
• Touch ID
• Lightning connector
• NO headphone jack (needs Lightning adapter or Bluetooth headset)

Plus = larger device + display + battery

Body: Aluminum

Colors: Silver • Black • Jet Black • Gold • Rose Gold • Red

2016

iPhone 6S * Plus

Very good value for money.

• latest iOS
• 2GB RAM
• Apple Pay
• Touch ID
• Lightning connector
• Headphone jack
(last iPhone which has one)

Plus = larger device + display + battery

Body: Aluminum

Colors: Silver • Space Gray • Gold • Rose Gold

2015

iPhone SE

Very good value for money.

• latest iOS
• 2GB RAM
• Apple Pay
• Touch ID
• Lightning connector
• Headphone jack

Internals like iPhone 6S, externals like iPhone 5S.

Body: Aluminum

Colors: Silver • Space Gray • Gold • Rose Gold

2016

iPhone 6 * Plus

NO iOS 13!

• 1GB RAM (slow multitasking)
• Apple Pay
• Touch ID
• Lightning connector
• Headphone jack

Plus = larger device + display + battery

Body: Aluminum

Colors: Silver • Space Gray • Gold

2014

iPhone 5S / iPhone 5

• 1 GB RAM (slow multitasking)
• Touch ID (only 5S)
• Lightning connector
• Headphone jack

iPhone 5S: NO iOS 13!
iPhone 5: Not even iOS 11 - most apps won't work.

Body: Aluminum

Colors: Silver • Space Gray • Gold (only 5S)

2013 / 2012

iPhone 4S / iPhone 4

First iPhones with retina display. Old dock connector. Headphone jack.

iPhone 4S: 1 GB RAM, iOS 9.
iPhone 4: 0,5 GB RAM, iOS 7.

Slow, no apps will work, the battery is probably very weak.

Body: Stainless steel edges / Glass back

Colors: White • Black

2011 / 2010

iPhone 3GS / iPhone 3G

Old display with visible pixels. Old dock connector. Headphone jack.

3G actually stands for the network UMTS.
iPhone 3G was the second generation, 3GS the third.

Body: Plastic

Colors: White • Black

2009 / 2008

iPhone

First iPhone ever.

Good for museums.

The battery is probably NOT pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good - so curb your enthusiasm.

Body: Aluminum

Color: Silver

2007

iMac

Click here to see how you can get much more pleasant True Tone-like graphics (and even Night Shift) on older models, easily and for free.

iMac Retina
2014-2019

USB 3
(great for connecting an SSD and tremendously speeding up HDD models)

Retina display sizes:
27" 5K • 21.5" 4K

iMac Slim
2012-2017

iMacs from 2014 and later support the latest macOS
(Big Sur)

iMac 2012-2013: NO current macOS
(latest: Catalina)

USB 3
(great for connecting an SSD and tremendously speeding up HDD models)

Recommendation: Buy an old model, add an SSD and have a blazing fast iMac.

Display sizes:
27" • 21.5"