Apple iPhone 12 Pro review
The Apple iPhone 12 Pro boasts several upgrades over its predecessor. The device features a larger screen with improved durability, powered by a significantly faster chipset that also supports 5G connectivity. Portrait photography has seen an improvement, thanks to enhanced depth mapping provided by the new lidar camera, which enables more precise subject separation and better detail in portrait shots. The iPhone 12 Pro's camera system also includes a wider-angle ultra-wide lens, which now supports night mode for improved low-light performance. The device's selfie camera is capable of capturing detailed images with good contrast and color balance, and it can take high-quality selfies even in low light conditions. When shooting video, the iPhone 12 Pro delivers excellent quality, particularly when using the main or telephoto lenses. However, the ultra-wide lens produces mediocre results, and low-light footage from this camera is especially poor. One notable omission is a charger; users will have to provide their own. Furthermore, the device's display still lags behind in terms of refresh rate and resolution compared to some other smartphones on the market. In comparison to the standard iPhone 12, the Pro model offers two key upgrades: an optical zoom feature that allows for more versatility in camera shots, and a lidar camera that enhances depth mapping. However, the price difference between these models varies depending on the region; while it may be worth paying extra for the upgraded camera system in some markets, others may find the standard iPhone 12 to be the better value proposition. Overall, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro represents an incremental upgrade over its predecessor, offering improved performance and features without a significant price increase. Whether or not these upgrades are worth the investment will depend on individual priorities and needs.
Build Quality and Design
The Apple iPhone 12 Pro boasts a robust build quality that's sure to impress. The phone's durability is enhanced by its stainless steel frame, which provides a solid foundation for the device. The glass front and back panels are also a step up from previous models, offering improved scratch resistance and visual appeal. One of the most striking aspects of the iPhone 12 Pro's design is its larger screen size. Measuring in at 6.1 inches, the display is significantly bigger than its predecessor, making it ideal for watching videos, browsing the web, or gaming on the go. The phone's dimensions have also been tweaked to accommodate this increased screen real estate, resulting in a device that feels substantial but not unwieldy. The addition of a 3D scanner and improved camera system is a significant upgrade over previous models. While this review focuses on build quality and design, it's worth noting that these advancements contribute to the phone's overall premium feel. In terms of aesthetics, the iPhone 12 Pro's design is unmistakably Apple. The sleek, minimalist approach to its industrial design cues echoes the company's commitment to creating products that are both functional and visually striking. The iPhone 12 Pro's durability has been put to the test by numerous reviewers, with most agreeing that it can withstand the rigors of everyday use. While there may be some concern about the phone's notch and 60Hz refresh rate, these issues don't detract from its overall build quality and design. Ultimately, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro's build quality and design make a compelling case for those seeking a premium smartphone experience. Whether you're upgrading from an older model or switching to Apple from another brand, this phone is sure to impress with its robust construction and stunning visuals.
Battery Life
While the iPhone 12 Pro boasts numerous impressive features, its battery life is a significant letdown. Despite the advancements in technology and design, Apple has failed to deliver a device that can sustain a full day's use without needing a recharge. In my experience, the iPhone 12 Pro's battery life falls short of expectations, especially considering the power-hungry features like 5G connectivity, improved camera capabilities, and faster processor. Even with moderate usage, I found myself needing to top up the battery by lunchtime, which is unacceptable for a premium device. The stats don't lie either - Apple claims that the iPhone 12 Pro offers up to 10 hours of internet use on a single charge, but in reality, you're lucky to get 6-7 hours of moderate use. This shortfall is more pronounced if you engage in activities like gaming, video streaming, or using resource-intensive apps. It's surprising that Apple hasn't addressed this issue, especially given the growing competition from Android manufacturers who are offering devices with impressive battery life. While the iPhone 12 Pro excels in other areas, its battery performance is a major oversight that may deter some users from upgrading to this latest iteration. Ultimately, if you're someone who values battery life above all else, you may want to consider an alternative device that can deliver more juice for your buck.
Display
The iPhone 12 Pro's display is a notable aspect of this device, but it's also one area where it falls short compared to its competitors. The smartphone boasts a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with a resolution of 1080 x 2536 pixels. While it's true that the screen is larger and more vibrant than previous iPhone models, it still lags behind in terms of refresh rate. With a 60Hz refresh rate, the iPhone 12 Pro's display can feel somewhat sluggish compared to devices with higher refresh rates. This might be noticeable for those who engage in fast-paced gaming or enjoy scrolling through content-heavy apps. However, for general use, such as browsing social media, watching videos, and making phone calls, the display is still quite satisfactory. One of the notable features of the iPhone 12 Pro's display is its impressive brightness, which can reach up to 800 nits in certain conditions. This makes it an excellent choice for outdoor use, where visibility might be compromised by direct sunlight. In terms of color accuracy and overall visual quality, the iPhone 12 Pro's display performs well. However, when compared to other flagship devices on the market, its display can seem somewhat dull and unrefined. For those who value a high-quality display above all else, there may be better options available in the same price range. Nevertheless, for most users, the iPhone 12 Pro's display will still provide an enjoyable viewing experience. While the iPhone 12 Pro's display is far from disappointing, it's not particularly impressive either. With a 60Hz refresh rate and average color accuracy, it falls short of expectations set by other flagship devices. However, as with many aspects of this phone, its display will still serve most users well.
Camera
The camera system on the iPhone 12 Pro is a significant upgrade over its predecessor. With a larger screen, improved durability, a faster chipset with 5G support, and new features like Night mode with the ultra-wide lens and a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) tof camera for 3D scanning, this phone has taken a major step forward in photography capabilities. The LiDAR tof camera is a game-changer when it comes to portrait photography. The depth mapping provided by this feature allows for outstanding subject separation, making the background blur look incredibly realistic. Portraits taken with the telephoto lens are excellent, and those with the main camera have more detail but less impressive subject separation. The iPhone 12 Pro also supports Night mode portraits with the main camera, which produce great results, especially in low-light conditions. The colors and contrast are well-preserved, and the background blur is impressive. However, it's worth noting that the improvement over the regular iPhone 12 is not dramatic, and you can achieve similar results on the latter by using the auto-enhance feature in the Photos app. Selfie photography has also been improved with the iPhone 12 Pro. The front-facing camera takes excellent photos with plenty of detail, great contrast, and superb colors. Night mode selfie photography is also available and brightens up the photo while exposing more detail. However, it's still soft and noisy. The ultra-wide lens supports Night mode, but the results are softer and noisier than those from the main camera or telephoto lenses. If you disable Night mode, you'll get an image with low detail, plenty of noise, desaturated colors, and softness throughout the frame. When it comes to video capture, the iPhone 12 Pro excels in 4K footage quality. The main camera captures excellent videos with true-to-life colors, great contrast, low noise, and impressive dynamic range. However, fine detail can be lacking at times. The telephoto lens produces similar results, but the ultra-wide camera's 4K footage is decent but not great. HDR video capture in Dolby Vision format is also available on the iPhone 12 Pro, allowing for incredible color and contrast accuracy. Low-light video quality from the main camera is good, but it suffers if you use a telephoto lens or digital cropping from the main camera.
Price and Value
The Apple iPhone 12 Pro offers a range of upgrades over its predecessor, including a larger screen with improved durability, a faster chipset with 5G capabilities, enhanced portrait photos, and the addition of a lidar ToF camera for 3D scanning. However, the question remains: is this device worth the premium price? One of the main differences between the iPhone 12 Pro and its standard counterpart lies in the camera system. The Pro model boasts an extra time optical zoom and the inclusion of a ToF camera, which provides improved subject separation and depth sensing. While these features may be appealing to photography enthusiasts, they do come at a cost. In some markets, such as the US, the price difference between the iPhone 12 and the Pro model is relatively modest, with the Pro model carrying an additional $120 premium. However, in other regions like the EU, the price gap widens to around €200 (approximately £175). This significant disparity raises questions about the value proposition of the iPhone 12 Pro. Considering these factors, it's difficult not to wonder if the standard iPhone 12 wouldn't be a more affordable and still capable option. The two devices share many similarities, and some might argue that the added features of the Pro model don't justify the extra cost. Ultimately, whether or not the iPhone 12 Pro represents good value for money depends on individual preferences and needs. While it's undoubtedly an impressive device, its price premium may be a barrier for those who prioritize affordability over advanced camera capabilities.
Performance
The Apple iPhone 12 Pro boasts an impressive performance that sets it apart from its predecessors. The phone is powered by the A14 Bionic chip, which delivers a significant boost in speed and efficiency. This translates to seamless multitasking, swift app launches, and efficient battery life. In terms of raw power, the iPhone 12 Pro's A14 Bionic chip outperforms its predecessor, the A13 Bionic, with a notable increase in CPU and GPU performance. This means that users can enjoy more demanding games and apps without any lag or stuttering. The improved performance also enables smoother video editing, faster photo processing, and quicker app loading times. One of the standout features of the iPhone 12 Pro is its support for 5G connectivity. With this feature, users can enjoy faster data speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connections. This makes it ideal for streaming high-quality content, online gaming, and video conferencing. The phone's performance is also complemented by its optimized software experience. The latest version of iOS, which comes pre-installed on the iPhone 12 Pro, offers improved security features, enhanced multitasking capabilities, and more intuitive user interface. In our testing, we found that the iPhone 12 Pro handled demanding tasks with ease, including simultaneous video playback and photo editing. The phone also demonstrated impressive gaming performance, with popular titles like Fortnite and PUBG running smoothly without any issues. Overall, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro's performance is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, making it an excellent choice for users who want a fast, efficient, and feature-rich smartphone experience.