Introduction
Go Fast. With Apple skipping the S versions and transitioning straight to the iPhone 12 from the already speedy iPhone 11, it’s an appropriate motto.
However, the enhanced speed isn’t the sole advantage. Numerous other enhancements are also found in the iPhone 12, such as an OLED display, 5G compatibility, and a revamped design with greater durability. In addition to the newly supported MagSafe charging that is magnetically connected, the new OLED display boasts smaller bezels than before. Furthermore, it ranks among the lightest iPhones available. What’s not to like?
The S designation was expected this year, but Apple probably opted out of it since every iPhone 12 has a fresh design language. The design isn’t particularly innovative, to be fair. Bringing back the classic design of the iPhone Series 4 and 5 resembles Apple returning to its roots. And indeed, we missed that.
The most significant aspect of the new iPhone 12 is that it comes in a smaller variant for even less cost while maintaining all its functionality.
Apple undeniably cannot thrive without controversy, and this year will be no different. The accessories included in the iPhone box are being phased out this year; chargers and EarPods are no longer offered. The new remarkably slim package solely comprises a USB cable. And we’re concerned that this one might also vanish shortly.
Dolby Vision video recording and Night Mode on all cameras are two new proprietary software features that can only be found on the iPhone 12.
Like Series 11, which boasted the toughest glass available, Series 12 now incorporates even tougher glass panels known as Ceramic Shield, which continue to be produced by Corning. Furthermore, the metal frames of the iPhone 12 Pro models are replaced with stainless steel frames.
Apple iPhone 12 Specifications
- Body: Aluminum frame with a matte finish, ceramic shield front featuring oleophobic coating, glass rear with a glossy finish, IP68-rated for water and dust resistance. The colors that can be chosen from are black, white, green, blue, and red. Dimensions are 146. 7 x 71. 5 x 7. 4 mm, weighing 164 grams.
- Display: 6. 1″ Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 1170 x 2532 pixels, 460 pixels per inch, 600 nits brightness, and 120Hz touch sensing capability. Compatible with HDR10, Dolby Vision, and a wide color gamut. Includes True Tone technology.
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic chip (5nm) – Six-core (2×3. 1 GHz Firestorm + 4×1. 8 GHz Icestorm with 3. 1GHz TurboBoost) featuring Apple processor, a four-core Apple GPU, and a 16-core Apple NPU, 4th generation.
- Memory: 4GB of RAM; options for 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of internal storage.
- Dual 12MP rear cameras: 13mm ultrawide-angle, F/2. 4, 120-degree field of view; dual-LED flash with slow sync; 26mm primary wide-angle, F/1. 6, OIS, Dual Pixel AF. Dark Mode, Fusion Deep, and HDR 3 Smart.
- Video recording: Dolby Vision (30 frames per second only), OIS + EIS, 1080p@30/60/120/240 fps, and 2160p@60/30 fps with an enhanced dynamic range and spatial sound.
- Front camera: Dual camera: 3D TOF camera, 23mm 12MP F/2. 2 front-facing camera with HDR mode; Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3, and Night Mode. Video recordings at 1080p@30/60/120fps and 2160p@60/30fps provide an enhanced dynamic range, spatial sound, and EIS.
- Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac/6, Bluetooth 5. 0, dual SIM, 5G, 4G, GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and QZSS, NFC, along with an Apple U1 chip for ultrawideband connectivity.
- 2,815 mAh battery with 15 Qi wireless charging (MagSafe) and 20W fast charging.
- Miscellaneous: Taptic Engine, dual speakers, and an exclusive TrueDepth camera for Face ID
The 3. 5mm jack and 3D Touch have been permanently removed from the latest iPhones, so unfortunately, no previously discarded features are making a comeback. Additionally, there has been no change in how iOS handles files.
While we are grateful for Apple’s gesture in keeping the 2019 prices, it’s not as straightforward as it seems, is it? You will now have to spend an extra €25 for the 20W Apple adapter (or similar USB-PD charger) and €20 for Apple’s EarPods if you want to acquire a charger and a set of wired headphones. Furthermore, regarding the retail package. . .
Design
The iPhone 12 boasts a stylish, lightweight construction that merges toughness with a revival of flat edges. In relation to prior iPhones, its Ceramic Shield front cover, developed in collaboration with Corning, is four times more resistant to drops. The back is equipped with standard Gorilla Glass, while the aluminum frame, which has a matte finish, is available in black, blue, green, red, or white. Rated IP68, the iPhone 12 is capable of enduring 30 minutes of submersion in water at depths of up to 6 meters.
Although the notch remains, the 6. 1-inch OLED screen features smaller bezels and a higher resolution (460ppi) compared to the iPhone 11. The display is capable of supporting HDR content and offers enhanced brightness and vibrancy. Encased in a matte glass square that slightly extends outwards, the dual-camera setup on the rear includes a 12MP primary lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens. When placed on a flat surface, this configuration minimizes wobbling and safeguards both cameras with sapphire glass.
A recent advancement is MagSafe compatibility, which allows magnetic wallets, cases, and chargers to securely attach to the back. The standard buttons are positioned on the flat frame, with the power button on the right and a volume rocker alongside a silencer on the left. The Lightning port, speaker, and microphone can be found on the bottom.
The iPhone 12 is less heavy than its earlier model, coming in at just 164g, and its sleek surface and straight edges offer a pleasant hold. Despite some allegations of paint flaking on the aluminum casing, our unit showed none of these issues. Overall, the iPhone 12 delivers a premium, sturdy build with improved ergonomics and a modern appearance.
Display
The iPhone 12 features a 6. 1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 1170 x 2532 pixels (460 ppi) and is protected by Corning’s Ceramic Shield. It operates at a frame rate of 60 Hz, offers 120 Hz touch input, and includes support for HDR10, Dolby Vision, True Tone, and Wide Color. Apple asserts that it can achieve a peak brightness of 1,200 nits with an average brightness of 600 nits (800 nits when using HDR). Our evaluation indicated excellent color accuracy (average deltaE 1. 6, max 2. 9 compared to sRGB), achieving a maximum brightness of 639 nits and a minimum brightness of 1. 9 nits. The display automatically switches to DCI-P3 for compatible content while maintaining consistent accuracy across all brightness levels. Despite earlier speculations, 120Hz ProMotion has not been included and is likely to be featured in future models.
Battery Life
Due to the power-efficient A14 Bionic technology, the iPhone 12’s 2,815mAh battery is 10% smaller than that of the iPhone 11 while still offering similar endurance. It exhibits a slightly reduced battery life compared to the iPhone 11—approximately 20 hours for calls and 13 hours for web surfing or video playback. The device can achieve 58% charge in 30 minutes and 90% in one hour with 20W fast charging through USB Power Delivery (provided separately). While real-world tests show varying speeds, wireless charging using MagSafe chargers is restricted to 15W and decreases to 5W after reaching 80%. Concerns about efficiency are also raised by the tendency of the MagSafe charger to heat up during operation. Although MagSafe is easy to use, its price and performance currently render it less attractive.
Performance
The A14 Bionic, the initial 5nm chipset featuring 11. 8 billion transistors, drives the iPhone 12. For 70% improved AI performance, it includes a 16-core NPU, a 4-core GPU (50 percent faster than A13), and a six-core CPU (2×3. 1GHz Firestorm + 4×1. 8GHz Icestorm). To facilitate 5G connectivity, the A14 also integrates Qualcomm’s X55 5G modem. While it is only marginally faster than the A13 in benchmarks, it delivers exceptional performance with 4GB of RAM (6GB on Pro variants). The chip’s advanced ISP enhances computational photography, enabling features such as Smart HDR 3, Deep Fusion, Night Mode, and Dolby Vision recording. Although gaming is flawless, the A14’s true value lies in its extra features rather than its speed, making it a robust tool for advanced photography and future-proofing.
Summary
With its aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front glass, and flat edges, the iPhone 12 features a stylish, durable design available in five distinct colors. With HDR10, Dolby Vision, and True Tone, it includes a 6. 1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display (460ppi) that delivers outstanding color precision and brightness (639 nits). Exceptional speed, 5G connectivity, and advanced camera functions like Smart HDR 3 and Night Mode are all enabled by the A14 Bionic chip (5nm). Although MagSafe performance can differ, the 2,815mAh battery accommodates both 15W MagSafe wireless charging and 20W fast charging. The iPhone 12 differentiates itself in Apple’s lineup due to its remarkable blend of high-end design, robustness, and innovative technology, even though it lacks a 120Hz display.
