Estimated read time: 9 minutes
iphone 12
The iphone 12 has a lot of new features compared to previous years. Upgrades like improved camera, faster processor, a new OLED screen design,new charging and accessory ecosystem with Magsafe and 5G has been packed by Apple into the iphone 12.
Amidst the pandemic and economic stability, the iphone 12 may get poor sales because of the cost induced by new upgrades made on the phone.
Apple iphone 12 Design
The iphone 12 design is lovely. It has flat sides and a flat screen in addition to being lighter and smaller than the iphone 11. This new design is like a through back inspired by its predecessor, the iphone 4 and 5 models.
However, despite the flat design, the seams and corners are beveled enough for comfortable holding. The iphone 12 rails are matte finish aluminum.
The rear glass is super glossy and prone to picking up fingerprints and also little particles. Most people will probably make use of phone cases to prevent this.
Considering the cost of screen repairs this days, the iphone 12 screen is your best bet at safety. The screen isn’t technically a glass, it is a glass ceramic hybrid branded as “ceramic shield” by Apple. This new screen increases the drop resistance of the iphone 12 over that of the iphone11.
Taking a good look at the aluminium rail, you will see a bunch of antenna lines and a small plastic section on the side for the ultrawideband(UWB) mmwave antenna. For the first time, iphone changes its notch design on the iphone 12, giving it more display room.
Frustrating enough, the iphone 12 has no fingerprint sensor,just a face ID unlock sensor. During this pandemic, this could be regarded as a big set back,pushing android phones to the front kindle as they will be easier to unlock while wearing a face mask.
Overall, this new design feels absolutely confident and elegant than previous models of iPhones. Living with this new design for the next six years or more won’t be a bad thing at all.
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iphone 12 Display
A switch in Apple’s screen to the use of an OLED screen was influential in the reduction of the iphone 12 size. This also helped in the reduction of the bezels and keeps them perfect all the way arround the phone while keeping the actual viewable screen the same 6.1 inches as the iphone 11.
Apple also made an improvement to its display by increasing the display resolution to 1170 × 2532 pixel which is way better than their usual 1080 × 2340 pixels. Therefore putting and end to complaints directed at that.
The iphone 12 features the regular Apple 60Hz refresh rate which feels like a drag considering Android phones with over 90Hz to 120Hz refresh rate at similar prices. The refresh rate helps for smoother scrolling and animations. Although iPhones are generally fast due to its iOS. However, this is a lower cost iphone which makes this compromise understandable.
Apple iphone 12 Camera
The iphone 12 most important change made to the camera is not in the lenses or sensors. They are in the main wide-angle camera, which was adjusted from a f/1.8 aperture to f/1.6 to allow in slightly more light.
The major differences are from the software and new capabilities unlocked, thanks to the A14 Bionic new processor that runs everything on the phone.
Comparing the iphone 12 models, the iphone 12 and 12 mini have same camera setup. The iphone 12 pro has better low-light focusing and depth, the iphone 12 pro max has a larger main camera sensor and improved image stabilization. This camera quality is absolutely great and is challenged by galaxy note 20 ultra, but I will say that iphone has the edge.
The new A14 Bionic processor introduced has unlock night mood for both the rear and selfie cameras of the iphone 12 even in portrait mode.
There is a feature called “scene detection”, this system helps for better recognition of things like faces or even the sky. The iphone 12 generally does a good job in picture details in the regular lighting conditions.
The combination of simplicity, good performance and great image quality of the iphone 12 continues to impress. The iphone 12 camera definitely shows an improvement over the iphone 11 camera.
Apple iphone 12 Performance
The new A14 Bionic processor is built on a new 5nn process which makes the iphone 12 super fast which shouldn’t come as a suprise to you since it predecessor was fast, an upgrade here is normal. This new chip is also expected to power upcoming Mac computers. This chip boosts game loading without lags and fewer app reload while multitasking.
Apple iphone 12 Magsafe
The Magsafe of all the new features on the iphone 12 is the most interesting. It is a system of attaching things like wireless chargers, cases, carmounts and wallets to the back of the iphone.
The premiere accessory is the Magsafe charger, a $39 puck that sticks to the back of the phone and wirelessly charges it.A second NFC chip for Magsafe is also provided to identify what has been attached. The phone power’s up at 15w instead of the usual 7.5w when it”s a Magsafe charger. Provided you have a 20w power brick. Apple sells the 20w USB-C charger separately for $19. The Magsafe charging is much slower than the normal wireless and cable charging , but it’s easy and convenient to use.
Apple is selling a series of Magsafe cases that it claims are easier to snap on and off.
5G on the iphone 12
Apple has promised incredibly fast download speeds in the iphone 12 and all their new devices by introducing the 5G network to these devices.
The iphone 12 appears to pick signal without issue. It does get hot on mmwave, and also impacts battery life significantly if you over do it. Apple however is really doing a lot of work in the iOS to tweak the 5G experience.
Every 5G phone by default will have a “Smart Data” Mode enabled. It drops the iphone 12 down to LTE speeds unless Apples software believes you really need them.
Although, have it at the back of your mind that when the iphone 12 is limiting you to LTE speeds, it will still display the 5G icon in the status bar. This service as an indication of the best available speed and not the connection currently in use. This “Smart Data” mode can be turned off if you wish to.
Thanks to few optimizations made by Apple, they have promised to deliver faster tethering speeds over Wi-Fi than over wired lighting cable.
The 5G will work on the iphone only if your carrier (network provider) works directly with Apple to enable it.
Apple iphone 12 Battery life
The battery life is great but a little less than the iphone 11 battery power. The iphone 12 battery can go full day without the need to charge. The fact that Apple thought it wise to create a special mode that silently turns the 5G off which worries me a little considering the battery life.
Specification
Launch date
| announcement | October 13, 2020 |
| Market Availability | October 23, 2020 |
Mobile body
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.29 in) |
| Mobile materials | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame |
| weight | 164 g |
| colors | Black, white, red, green, blue |
display
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Display size | 6.1 Inch |
| Display resolution | 1170 x 2532 pixels, 457 ppi density |
| Screen protection | Scratch resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Ratios | 87.1% screen-to-body ratio |
| Additional Features | – 625 nits max brightness – True-tone Wide color gamut – HDR10+ |
Basic Specifications
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic – 5 nm |
| CPU | Quad Core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
| Memory Card | Does not support |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage | 64 – 128 – 256 GB |
Camera
| Main | Dual |
| First | 12 MP, f/1.6, (wide) |
| Second | 12 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide) |
| Camera features | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) |
| The Video | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, Dolby Vision HDR, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie | Dual |
| – | 12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide) SL 3D camera |
| Front Camera features | HDR |
| Video | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
Battery
| Capacity | 2815 mAh, non-removable |
| Battery Type | Lithium Ion |
| Fast charging | 20W, 50% in 30 min – USB Power Delivery 2.0 |
| Wireless charge | 15W |
Sound
| Ear Headphones port 3.5 Mm | No |
| Speaker | Yes, with stereo speakers |
Additional Features
| Sensors | Face ID |
| Other advantages | accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, Siri |
Model
| Model number | A2399, A2176, A2398, A2400, A2399 |
| Phone Name | iPhone 12 |
Should I Buy It
Buy it if you:
- Are interested in 5G network.
- Like the new cool device design.
- Admire the new display features.
- Are an Apple fan.
- Like cameras with amazing picture quality.
- Want an upgrade from the iphone 11 or any older model.
- Like the new magsafe feature.
- Don’t mind the absence of a fingerprint sensor.
- Were rooting for a reduction in phone size, making it smaller than the iphone 11.
- Want an even more faster phone than the iphone 11.
- Love the new Magsafe cases.
- Need an iphone with a tougher screen and drop resistance.
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The Final Verdict
After so many years, the iphone 12 is the first that actually fell is like something new. Although pointing to a particular feature that makes it feel this way is not easy.
The 5G is great, Magsafe is comfortable and convenient, the OLED screen is lovely. It comes with a new modern and elegant design.
However, recommending a phone to you because it has classy design is not a good idea. However, when the time is right and you wish to procure a new phone, an iphone 12 will be a good choice to consider. You are sure to love this device after a few days of usage.
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