iPhone 12: All the details about Apple’s new smartphone

Apple fans had to be patient for a particularly long time this year: Due to restrictions caused by the corona pandemic, the California -based company was not able to present the new Apple phones as usual in September, but only in mid-October. The motto of the keynote was “Hi, Speed” – this is also the program for the new devices in the iPhone 12 series because they are all fit for the new 5G cellular standard. According to Apple, download speeds of up to 3.5 gigabits per second should be possible under perfect conditions. From October 16, Apple fans could pre-order the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, and both models were officially launched in Germany on October 23, 2020. The iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 12 Pro Max will follow in around 3 weeks Delay: A pre-order is possible from November 6th, the new iPhone models will be delivered from November 13th, 2020. As different as the release dates of the new flagship smartphones from Apple are, as different are the specs of the devices? Our overview of the new iPhone 12 series shows whether this is true – from A for A14 bionic chip to M for MagSafe to Z for two or pro camera system.

The four models of the iPhone 12 series at a glance:

• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max

New iPhone, familiar design

Fans of the slightly angular iPhone 5 series will be pleased because the models of the iPhone 12 series are less round than the predecessor devices of the iPhone 11. This design trick makes the edges look narrower and the display larger. Otherwise, there are hardly any visual surprises: the wide notch for Face ID on the front remains unchanged, as does the square recess for the main camera on the back. Apple has only become a little bolder in terms of the choice of colors. The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 are available in black, blue, white, green, and (PRODUCT) RED with a glossy back. In contrast, the Pro versions have a matt finish and a more classic color selection: from Pacific blue to gold, silver, and graphite, there is a total of four colors to choose from.

There are also externally recognizable differences between the four models with regard to the display sizes. As the name suggests, the smallest model is the iPhone 12 mini. With its 5.4 inches handy Super Retina XDR display, it fits in every pocket and in every handbag, no matter how small. The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are one size larger with a display size of 6.1 inches. Only the iPhone 12 Pro Max can stop it, which with its screen diagonal of 6.7 inches is perfect for playing the best mobile phone games or for working on the move.

The displays of the iPhone 12 series at a glance

• iPhone 12 mini: 5.4 inches, 2,340 x 1,080 pixels (476 PPI)
• iPhone 12: 6.1 inches, 2,532 x 1,170 pixels (460 PPI)
• iPhone 12 Pro: 6.1 inches, 2,532 x 1,170 pixels (460 PPI)
• iPhone 12 Pro Max: 6.7 inches, 2,778 x 1,284 pixels (458 PPI)

Thanks to Ceramic Shield, the display of all iPhone 12 models are significantly more resistant and, according to Apple, four times better protected against falls than the previous generation. Another advantage of the new smartphone series: Compared to the iPhone 11 series, the new Super Retina XDR displays have twice the pixel density, which ensures strong contrasts and bright colors. As far as the refresh rate is concerned, Apple continues to use 60 Hertz and is therefore only in the midfield. Competitor Samsung, for example, already offers twice as high a rate for particularly smooth presentations with the Galaxy S20 FE.

The highlight of the iPhone 12 series: the camera equipment

All iPhones are very well equipped with a 12 MP TrueDepth front camera and a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle and wide-angle lens on the back. Now for the biggest difference between the models in terms of camera equipment: The standard versions (iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini) have a dual main camera with two sensors. The Pro versions are particularly appealing to (amateur) photographers with their triple camera including an additional 65mm telephoto lens with also 12 MP. Another camera highlight of the Pro versions is the additional image stabilization with sensor-shift, which is otherwise only known from SLR cameras.

Not only have the camera sensors been upgraded, but Apple has also improved its software. The night mode introduced with the iPhone 11 series is now available for both the main and, for the first time, the front camera of all new models. Images that were taken in comparatively poor lighting conditions still convince with vivid colors and great contrasts. The same applies to 4K videos with up to 60 frames per second, which can be recorded with Dolby Vision from the iPhone 12 series. The Pro models can also use Deep Fusion for sharp, clear details on all cameras and have the so-called LiDAR scanner (“light detection and ranging”) installed on the back. This measures how long light needs to be reflected by objects in the room. The sensor can create depth maps of a room so that special apps can use transforming augmented reality into a rainforest, for example.

Small (nano) processor, maximum performance

The new, super-slim processor called A14 Bionic is used in all iPhone 12 models. According to Apple, this was manufactured for the first time using the 5-nanometer process and therefore not only works more efficiently but also significantly faster than many other smartphone chips. Compared to the previous chip, the A13 Bionic, its graphics and computing power is 50 percent better, and the AI ​​performance is said to have been optimized by up to 80 percent.

Further technical details of the new iPhone 12 series at a glance

The iPhone 12 series is in the premier league not only in terms of the processor but also in terms of connectivity: All models are fit for the new 5G cellular standard. If this is currently unavailable, the new iPhone automatically switches back to LTE in smart data mode, thus protecting the cell phone battery. The iPhones are also NFC-capable and equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 and the latest WLAN standard Wi-Fi 6. The current operating system iOS 14 is preinstalled on the devices of the iPhone12 series. We have summarized an overview of the most important features of iOS 14 in a separate article.

Apple was very reluctant to give details on battery life at the keynote. According to the manufacturer, the new iPhones should have a “great battery life” – there was no more information. As usual, Apple smartphones can be charged via the Lightning connector at a maximum speed of 20 watts. The new iPhones are also for wireless charging equipped, but the charging speed is significantly lower here at 7.5 watts and the charging pad has to be purchased separately. Otherwise, iPhone fans will have to spend more money on accessories this time, because you won’t find a power adapter or headphones in the packaging – all devices in the iPhone 12 series are only delivered with a Lightning-to-USB-C cable. Apple has saved on accessories and packaging for environmental reasons – according to its own statements, this should avoid two million tons of emissions annually. According to a calculation by Apple, this corresponds to a load of around 450,000 cars on the road.

A new feature is MagSafe, which some of you may already know from the MacBook. Magnets are built into the back of the smartphones so that matching and magnetic accessories automatically snap into place in the right place. This function is not only useful for wireless chargers, but also for cases or covers for credit cards, for example. In addition, all iPhone 12 models are IP68-certified against dust and waterproof for up to 30 minutes and up to six meters deep.

iPhone 12 mini: All specs at a glance

• 5.4 inch OLED display (2,340 x 1,080 pixels at 476 PPI)
• A14 Bionic chip from Apple with 5G
• 64 GB, 128 GB, or 256 GB flash memory
• Dual camera: wide-angle camera and ultra-wide-angle camera with 12 MP each
• Front camera with 12 MP for selfies
• iOS 14, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 6, NFC
• Aluminum frame, Lightning port, FaceID, MagSafe, IP68
• Weight: 133 g
• Available in black, green, white, blue, (PRODUCT) Red

iPhone 12: All specs at a glance

• 6.1 “Super Retina XDR display (15.5 cm diagonal)
• The ceramic shield can withstand more than any smartphone glass
• A14 Bionic, the fastest chip in a smartphone, with 5G
• Advanced two camera system with 12 MP ultra-wide-angle and wide-angle lens, night mode, Deep Fusion,Smart HDR 3, 4K Dolby Vision HDR recording
• 12 MP TrueDepth front camera with night mode, 4K Dolby Vision HDR recording
• 64 GB, 128 GB, or 256 GB flash memory
• Industry-leading IP68 water protection
• Supports MagSafe accessories for easy docking and wireless charging
• iOS 14 with new widgets on the home screen, the new app media library, app clips, and more
• Weight: 162 g
• Available in black, green, white, blue, (PRODUCT) Red

iPhone 12 Pro: All specs at a glance

• 6.1 “Super Retina XDR display (15.5 cm diagonal)
• The ceramic shield can withstand more than any smartphone glass
• A14 Bionic, the fastest chip in a smartphone, with 5G
• Pro camera system with 12 MP ultra-wide-angle, wide-angle and telephoto lens, 5x optical zoom range, night mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3, Apple ProRAW, 4K Dolby Vision HDR recording
• LiDAR scanner for better AR experiences, night mode portraits
• 12 MP TrueDepth front camera with night mode, 4K Dolby Vision HDR recording
• 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB flash storage
• Industry-leading IP68 water protection
• Supports MagSafe accessories for easy docking and wireless charging
• iOS 14 with new widgets on the home screen, the new app media library, app clips, and more
• Weight: 187g
• Available in Pacific blue, graphite, silver, and gold

iPhone 12 Pro Max: All specs at a glance

• 6.7 inch OLED display (2,778 x 1,284 pixels at 458 PPI)
• A14 Bionic chip from Apple with 5G
• 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB flash storage
• Triple camera: wide-angle camera, ultra-wide-angle camera, and telephoto camera with 12 MP each
• Front camera with 12 MP for selfies
• iOS 14, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 6, NFC
• Aluminum frame, Lightning port, FaceID, MagSafe, IP68
• Weight: 226 g
• Available in Pacific blue, graphite, silver, and gold

Conclusion on the new iPhone 12 series from Apple

There are only minimal visual differences to the previous models, but the new 12 series can score with significant improvements in terms of hardware. All models are 5G-capable and therefore fit for the cellular standard of the future. The super-fast nano-chip and especially the high-end camera of the Pro models are also impressive.

With the four different models from the handy iPhone 12 mini to the iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple appeals to different target groups: From the price-conscious Apple fans to gamers to amateur photographers.

Also Read: IOS and iPadOS 14.4.1 update