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2026 iPhone Buying Guide: From 11 to 17, Which Model is Right for You?In 2026, with the release of the iPhone 17, the price drop of older models has made purchasing an iPhone more complex. This video directly compares and analyzes the performance, battery, camera, and compatibility with the latest iOS 26 'Liquid Glass' update for each model from iPhone 11 to 17. We present a complete guide for making a wise purchase decision on which iPhone is best suited for your budget and needs.
1. 📱 2026 iPhone Market Status and iPhone 11 Analysis
· The iPhone purchasing environment in 2026 has significantly changed with the release of the iPhone 17. A key feature is the inclusion of a 120Hz ProMotion display and 256GB of storage in the base model.
· The iPhone 11 supports the latest iOS 26, but due to its 6-year-old hardware, animations are slow and it easily overheats. The battery life is also insufficient for a full day's use, with performance scores of 1,775 in single-core, 3,844 in multi-core, and 12,477 in GPU. It's not recommended for purchase due to the lack of Night Mode on the ultra-wide lens and potential incompatibility with iOS 27.
· The iPhone 11 supports the latest iOS 26, but due to its 6-year-old hardware, animations are slow and it easily overheats. The battery life is also insufficient for a full day's use, with performance scores of 1,775 in single-core, 3,844 in multi-core, and 12,477 in GPU. It's not recommended for purchase due to the lack of Night Mode on the ultra-wide lens and potential incompatibility with iOS 27.
00:00 - 01:26
1. 📱 2026 iPhone Market Status and iPhone 11 Analysis
· The iPhone purchasing environment in 2026 has significantly changed with the release of the iPhone 17. A key feature is the inclusion of a 120Hz ProMotion display and 256GB of storage in the base model.
· The iPhone 11 supports the latest iOS 26, but due to its 6-year-old hardware, animations are slow and it easily overheats. The battery life is also insufficient for a full day's use, with performance scores of 1,775 in single-core, 3,844 in multi-core, and 12,477 in GPU. It's not recommended for purchase due to the lack of Night Mode on the ultra-wide lens and potential incompatibility with iOS 27.
· The iPhone 11 supports the latest iOS 26, but due to its 6-year-old hardware, animations are slow and it easily overheats. The battery life is also insufficient for a full day's use, with performance scores of 1,775 in single-core, 3,844 in multi-core, and 12,477 in GPU. It's not recommended for purchase due to the lack of Night Mode on the ultra-wide lens and potential incompatibility with iOS 27.
02:26 - 04:37
2. 🧊 iPhone 12's Overheating and Camera Issues, and iPhone 13's Improvements
· The iPhone 12 introduced the 5nm chip and 5G for the first time, but its heat management is poor, causing it to overheat easily even during multitasking or light gaming. Performance scores are 2,107 in single-core, 4,610 in multi-core, and 17,053 in GPU, with frequent app reloads due to 4GB of RAM.
· Notably, the iPhone 12 uses the traditional OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) method, resulting in shaky footage and unstable videos in low-light conditions. This is inferior to the Sensor-shift OIS introduced starting with the iPhone 13.
· The iPhone 13 mini, even with 90% battery health, runs iOS 26 excellently and has improved heat management. Performance scores are 2,317 in single-core, 5,579 in multi-core, and 18,773 in GPU. While 4GB of RAM still causes app reloads, its Sensor-shift OIS and better heat management make it a more recommendable minimum spec than the iPhone 12.
· Notably, the iPhone 12 uses the traditional OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) method, resulting in shaky footage and unstable videos in low-light conditions. This is inferior to the Sensor-shift OIS introduced starting with the iPhone 13.
· The iPhone 13 mini, even with 90% battery health, runs iOS 26 excellently and has improved heat management. Performance scores are 2,317 in single-core, 5,579 in multi-core, and 18,773 in GPU. While 4GB of RAM still causes app reloads, its Sensor-shift OIS and better heat management make it a more recommendable minimum spec than the iPhone 12.
05:24 - 06:00
3. 🚀 iPhone 14: Real Performance Improvement Due to Increased RAM
· The iPhone 14 uses the same A15 chip as the iPhone 13 but is equipped with 6GB of RAM, significantly reducing the frequency of app reloads. If the iPhone 14 is $50-$75 more expensive than the iPhone 13, it's a better choice.
06:01 - 07:14
4. 💎 iPhone 15: A Blend of Modern Features and Excellent Value
· The iPhone 15 maintains 98% battery health and smoothly runs the latest iOS 26. Performance scores are 2,648 in single-core, 6,560 in multi-core, and 23,903 in GPU, showing no significant difference from the latest models.
· With 6GB of RAM, multitasking and high-spec gaming are smooth. It features modern functionalities like a USB-C port, a 48MP main camera, and the Dynamic Island, along with a comfortable design. Although it doesn't support Apple Intelligence, this is considered a minor drawback.
The iPhone 15 is the best choice in terms of value for money.
· With 6GB of RAM, multitasking and high-spec gaming are smooth. It features modern functionalities like a USB-C port, a 48MP main camera, and the Dynamic Island, along with a comfortable design. Although it doesn't support Apple Intelligence, this is considered a minor drawback.
The iPhone 15 is the best choice in terms of value for money.
07:15 - 08:16
5. ⚠️ iPhone 16: Awkward Positioning and Reasons Not to Recommend
· The iPhone 16 offers a smooth iOS 26 experience and excellent app management with 100% battery health and 8GB of RAM. Performance scores are a respectable 3,407 in single-core, 8,645 in multi-core, and 27,954 in GPU.
· However, its 60Hz refresh rate display and 128GB base storage make it poor value for money, especially considering it has the same launch price as the iPhone 17. Therefore, purchasing the iPhone 16 in 2026 is not recommended.
· However, its 60Hz refresh rate display and 128GB base storage make it poor value for money, especially considering it has the same launch price as the iPhone 17. Therefore, purchasing the iPhone 16 in 2026 is not recommended.
08:17 - 09:33
6. 🌟 iPhone 17: Innovative Upgrades and the Best Choice
· The iPhone 17 features a ProMotion display supporting 1Hz-120Hz variable refresh rates and 256GB of base storage, offering an experience similar to the Pro models. The A19 chip outperforms previous generation Pro models, achieving benchmark scores of 3,675 in single-core, 9,331 in multi-core, and 37,707 in GPU.
· The 48MP ultra-wide camera and the new 18MP square sensor front camera provide an innovative shooting experience. Despite thinner bezels and a slightly larger screen size, portability is maintained.
· The 48MP ultra-wide camera and the new 18MP square sensor front camera provide an innovative shooting experience. Despite thinner bezels and a slightly larger screen size, portability is maintained.
09:34 - 10:24
7. 🏆 Final Recommendation: Best iPhone Buying Strategy for 2026
· The iPhone 11 and 12 are too old to be recommended.
· The iPhone 13 is the minimum purchase spec if your budget is limited.
· The iPhone 14 is a better choice than the iPhone 13 thanks to its RAM capacity.
· The iPhone 15 is ideal for users who want a balance between the latest features and price (considering the lack of Apple Intelligence).
· The iPhone 16 should be completely avoided.
· The iPhone 17 is currently the most valuable purchase option. Rumors of a delayed iPhone 18 launch could further increase the value of the iPhone 17.
· The iPhone 13 is the minimum purchase spec if your budget is limited.
· The iPhone 14 is a better choice than the iPhone 13 thanks to its RAM capacity.
· The iPhone 15 is ideal for users who want a balance between the latest features and price (considering the lack of Apple Intelligence).
· The iPhone 16 should be completely avoided.
· The iPhone 17 is currently the most valuable purchase option. Rumors of a delayed iPhone 18 launch could further increase the value of the iPhone 17.