iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Review: impressions, differences and charging with Magsafe
We have been using the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro as leading phones for the last five days, and we tell you our impressions of the new Apple phone, the noticeable differences compared to the previous generation, and how that new design with the sides feels in your hand of the iPhone 5.
We already have the new Apple phones in our hands, two of them, at least, since Apple will launch four this year (if we did not count the SE 2020 a few months ago), and that launch has been segmented. So the first to arrive have been the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro. And in a few days, the 12 Mini and 12 Pro Max will arrive.
It may seem strange, but although there are four models, their differences are particular. You no longer have to choose the screen panel because they all have the same; the main cameras and the wide-angle are identical. The reason for choosing between the four is the size, whether or not you want to telephoto and if the primary camera compensates you for the Pro Max.
The two we have in hand are iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, which are similar. The only difference is some details in the design and the two-magnification telephoto camera. So without further ado, and while we continue analyzing the new iPhone 12, we leave you our impressions after five days of use.
iPhone 12 | iPhone 12 Pro | ||
Screen | 6.1 “| OLED panel | 2,532 x 1,170 pixel resolution | 460 dpi | HDR | DCI-P3 | Nanoceramic glass | 6.1 “| OLED panel | 2,532 x 1,170 pixel resolution | 460 dpi | HDR | DCI-P3 | Nanoceramic glass | |
Processor | Apple A14 en 5 nm | Apple A14 en 5 nm | |
Storage | 64 / 128 / 256 GB | 128 / 256 / 512 GB | |
RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB | |
Battery | 2.815 mAh | 2.815 mAh | |
Operating Systema | iOS 14 | iOS 14 | |
Main Camera | Main 12 Mpx f / 1.6 OIS | 12MP f / 2.4 wide angle | Main 12 Mpx f / 1.6 OIS | 12 Mpx f / 2.4 wide angle | 12 Mpx telephoto f / 2 2x OIS | |
Front Camera | 12 Mpx f / 2.2 | EIS stabilization | HDR | 12 Mpx f / 2.2 | EIS stabilization | HDR | |
Dimensions and weight | 146,7×71,5 x 7,4 mm | 162 grams | 146,7×71,5 x 7,4 mm | 187 grams |
Impressions of the new iPhone 12 by sections:
- Design and screen: a spectacular screen in a body that reminds us of the iPhone 5
- iPhone 11 vs. iPhone 12: are you round or flat sides?
- Performance: the A14 can handle it all
- Excellent cameras in bright light and an angle that improves at night
- Battery: a day of trouble-free use on a controversial charge
- Conclusion: continuation, but the new iPhone is still … an iPhone
A spectacular screen in a body that reminds us of the iPhone 5
These first impressions of the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro will be brief since we have the analysis in the oven, and they are just a few brushstrokes for those who cannot wait any longer. Of course, we always start talking about design, and when we talk about Android phones, creating a specific model may be more or less pleasant, but there are many options both within the same brand and in others.
If we talk about the iPhone, the design is essential because if you want a new iPhone sold by Apple, you have two options: either the 12 or the 11 -analysis-, or the XR … or the iPhone SE 2020 -analysis-. Unfortunately, they no longer sell the 11 Pro because the 12 is just as ‘Pro’ as last year’s “professional” model, except for the telephoto.
That is to say, either you are going for one of the “non-pro” models of 2019 … or you are going for the new model with flat frames, like those of the iPhone 4/5. I love these flat sides, but I admit that previous generations’ rounded ones were somewhat more comfortable to hand.
One of the first things that catch your eye when you first pick up the new iPhone 12 is the thickness, just 74 millimeters, and the weight. One hundred sixty-two grams is spectacular in that 6.1 “size, and it is very comfortable to carry the phone in your pocket. The 12 Pro has the exact dimensions (the cases are compatible), but the weight goes up to 187 grams.
The color palette is richer on the iPhone 12, and they are all … curious. For example, the red of ‘Product RED’ is not the intense red before. But something more coral or ‘broken red,’ the green is a lovely light green, and then we have the typical black and white.
Let’s move on to the screen. They both mount the same Super Retina XDR panel, which is how Apple describes a 2,532 x 1,170-pixel HDR meeting with a pixel density of 460 dpi.
iPhone 11 vs. iPhone 12: Are you one of the rounded or curved frames?
Before we move on to the A14, the heart of the new iPhones, let’s dig a little deeper into the new iPhones’ design and weight compared to the previous generation. As I say, one thing that strikes me the most is the thickness and weight, almost more than the flat sides.
The iPhone 11 was 8.3mm thick, and the 11 Pro was 8.1mm. The new iPhones have a profile of only 7.4 mm, which is a difference that seems small, but that is noticeable with both in hand at the same time, and, of course, if you are iPhone 11 user and you take the leap, you will also notice it.
Weight also makes a significant difference. From the 198 grams of the iPhone 11 and the 188 grams of the iPhone 11 Pro, we go to 162 grams of the iPhone 12 or 187 grams of the iPhone 12 Pro. The 12 Pro is on the line, but it is surprising how little the iPhone weighs 12.
You don’t have to compare it with other mobiles or have that 6.1 “screen in your hands with such a low weight to realize that there is an excellent job from Apple in this regard. Undoubtedly, thanks to a tiny battery, but that’s another issue.
The A14 in iPhone 12 can handle it all.
New iPhone, a new generation of Apple’s SoC. In our hands, we have the controversial Apple A14, a chip with which Apple seems to have invented 5G modems and which is the one that all the new iPhone 14s and the new iPad Air mount.
Apple does not give much information about the chip, but it has six cores, some at 3.00 GHz, and a built-in 5-nanometer lithograph. In the Pro model, we have 6 GB of RAM for 4 in the iPhone 12, and, in the end, this matters relatively minor when we talk about Apple due to the excellent communication between hardware and software.
We have downloaded many games and edited massive photos and videos. And both the memory and the processor hold up without problems and without getting hot. We will go deeper into the iPhone 12 review, but in this regard, iOS remains rock solid thanks to the seamless integration between hardware and software.
Excellent cameras in bright light and an angle that improves at night
And we move on to the cameras. It is one of the main reasons to change mobile phones every year, and those of the iPhone 12. At least the three that are not the Pro Max, where we will have the real revolution, seem pretty conservative. But there are improvements here and there.
In the iPhone 12, we have two 12-megapixel sensors, f / 1.6, stabilized for the central angle, and f / 2.4 for the ultra-wide grade. The exact configuration, but adding a stabilized telephoto of 2 increases 12 megapixels. And f / 2, we have in the 12 Pro and the LiDAR that improves the focus a little more.
On the front, we have the 12-megapixel TrueDeph camera that has somewhat improved the tone of portrait photographs compared to the previous generation, especially since the skin is not as orange as what was achieved with the iPhone 11.
One day of trouble-free use with a controversial charge
The battery is a controversial point with every generation of iPhone. With an industry hovering around 4,500 / 5,000 mAh as typical capacity and loads at 30, 65. And up to 120 W wired with models charging wirelessly at 50 W, the iPhone numbers are not impressive.
Apple is playing it safe, and we have a 2,815 mAh battery in both the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro. So in our tests, we are reaching the day of use without problems and without resorting to saving energy. But, of course, I use the phone, especially with many social networks and notifications, and Apple Watch is always connected. And many photographs, so the autonomy is not outstanding. Still, it is enough for that day of use without worries.
When it comes to charging, we’ll go deep into the review. But we’ve got a USB Type-C to fulmination cable in the box … and nothing else. The iPhone 12 supports 20 W charging, but we must buy the charger separately to enjoy that charge. Yes, it can be charged if we have another Lightning at home. But we will not enjoy fast charging if the charger is not USB-C. With the 18 W charger, we have 50% in just over half an hour.
During these first days with the terminal, I would almost recommend buying the MagSafe more than Apple’s official charger for Lightning. And yes, MagSafe works through Apple silicone cases and can charge other Qi phones. However, we will not have adherence in this case.
Continuity, but the new iPhone is still … an iPhone
An iPhone is an iPhone, and we cannot expect a company like Apple to reinvent the wheel in every generation. However, they have been continuous phones with an excellent base for a few years. And are improving here and offering round mobiles and a most satisfactory software experience.
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