What's good
- MagSafe shows promise
- Beautiful screen
- 5G compatible
- Great design
What's bad
- 5G taxes battery life
- More expensive than the previous iPhone’s
There’s always a lot of excitement when Apple announces something new. The new iPhone 12, with its revamped design and marked improvements, certainly has reviewers buzzing. But does the day to day experience with the iPhone 12 hold up to the hype?
Design
The shape of the Apple iPhone 12 has taken a bit of a turn towards nostalgia with its squared up corners and overall boxy appearance, but the design thrilled reviewers. The new ceramic front plate is also supposed to protect the phone from drops -- but reviewers weren’t really able to put that to the test.
Display
In the last batch of iPhones -- the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro -- Apple reserved OLED screens for only the most expensive model. This time they have added it to even the lowest tier -- and it has HDR support too! Even if you don’t have a form of HDR content to enjoy, reviewers loved the display for its clarity, punchy color, and detail.
Performance
Keeping with Apple’s focus on chart-topping specs, the chipset on the iPhone 12 is basically the fastest mobile processor on the market. Reviewers agreed, noting it had no trouble keeping up with whatever you tossed at it. If you have support in your region, the chip also provides 5G support as well -- further futureproofing the phone.
Software & Storage
Storage for the iPhone 12 starts at 64GB. If you’re a fan of taking photos or videos or play a lot of ultra-realistic games, that won't last you very long. In typical Apple fashion, there are no storage expansion options either. So it may be worth the extra money to plan on buying a variant with more space to ensure you don’t run into issues down the road.
Cameras
Photos taken with the Apple iPhone 12 are sharp and with good coloring and depth. Reviewers were very happy with night mode shots and pleasantly surprised. It includes a wide-angle lens that makes taking larger pictures even more fun. While mobile photography continues to evolve and get more competitive, Apple’s latest phone has no trouble sticking near the top of the charts.
Battery Life
With typical use, the iPhone 12 brought 17 hours of battery life on a single charge. Once you start using 5G that depletes a lot faster. But considering the performance offered, that battery life is respectable.
The phone doesn’t ship with a charger in the box. Apple considers it an eco-friendly move as there’s a large chance you already have more than one lying around already. However, if you’ve made it 2020 without collecting an assortment of chargers, be sure to budget for one to go with the phone.
Audio
The audio was mentioned only enough to say it was okay but not great. Simply put, it’s a mobile phone and tiny speakers only do so much. It also does not have a headphone jack.
Perhaps more concerning to some reviewers however was the lack of earbuds. So plan to buy an adapter for your existing ones or pick up a pair when you get the phone.
Specs at a Glance
- Glass and aluminum chassis
- 6.4-inch OLED display
- Apple A14 Bionic processor
- 4GB RAM
- Apple iOS 14
- 64/128/256GB of storage
- 12MP camera
- 2815mah battery
Bottom Line
Once again, Apple has made a formidable little machine in the iPhone 12. It’s not leaps and bounds beyond last year’s iPhone 11, but there are some obvious improvements to the overall performance and design. Most reviewers considered the changes worthwhile. 5G isn’t available all over just yet but it’s a good thing to plan for when it will be. In all, the phone’s specs should keep it relevant for a handful of years with no issues.
Tom’s Guide says, “The iPhone 12 sports a gorgeous new design, full 5G support, great cameras, and even better performance. However, the lack of a charger in the box and limited base storage are drawbacks.”
Tech Radar states, “It’s easy to dismiss the iPhone 12 as just 'more of the same', especially when you consider the new and compact iPhone 12 mini is on its way. However, 5G networks are rapidly rolling out across the globe, and the MagSafe addition could prove groundbreaking.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Lauren Scott, Pocket TacticsA reliable but ageing handset, Apple’s iPhone 12 is a great budget option if you want a well-designed and capable iPhone for everyday apps and light gaming. The battery life and camera aren’t market leading, but you get what you pay for, and the iPhone 12 is half the price of the latest flagships. B...
- David Snelling, Daily ExpressUpgrades like the iPhone 12 don't come around every year. Compared with the iPhone 11, this is almost a completely different handset – it has a modern design with flat edges to match the latest MacBook and iPad models, it has an improved OLED screen with more vivid colours and deeper blacks, and sup...
- Chris Welsch, DxOMarkWhen it comes to Display, the Apple iPhone 12 demonstrates some of the same flaws as its brand siblings, as well as many of their strengths. The main drawback to the device is a lack of brightness, especially in outdoor use cases. Whether you like it or not, its yellow cast is a typical iPhone displ...
- Christian de Looper, BGRThe iPhone 12 is a definite improvement over the iPhone 11. The new design gives the device a more modern look, and additions like MagSafe and 5G are helpful, helping future-proof the phone. That’s not to mention the new camera, which meaningfully improves mobile photography in most shooting situati...
- Andrew Cunningham, Nick Guy, The WirecutterThe iPhone 12 has a fantastic two-lens camera that can use Night Mode for better low-light photos, the fastest iPhone processor, a long battery life, and a large edge-to-edge OLED screen.
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
The iPhone 12 price will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. You can compare Apple iPhone 12 prices from around the web here on The Informr.
Apple backs up the iPhone 12 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your iPhone 12 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Apple support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Apple's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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