This moment has come. Apple has finally released the iPhone 12.
Don't expect me to only praise this smartphone today. It has both pros and cons.
And even though I’m still waiting for the iPhone 12 mini, I reviewed the 6.1-inch model with great interest. After all, in essence, this is what awaits us in the mini-mini, but only with a larger screen diagonal.
You know, I really want to start the review with pure emotions. Like WOW, WOW and so on. They really were, but only on the first day of owning the device, as is usually the case. Then it’s just very good, I’m happy with the device.
After using this iPhone for some time, I realized that it would be extremely popular. And with current trends, it may even surpass mini, taking the title of “people’s iPhone” from the iPhone XR and iPhone 11. I’m not saying anything about the SE, it’s a separate caste of people.
But first things first. By the way, the unboxing of all iPhone 12 colors was here.
And one more thing: here is our review of the iPhone 12 Pro, and here you can read impressions of the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Meet us! The iconic iPhone 4s/5 is back
Apple was taking small steps back to the beloved iPhone 4s design.
Remember the announcement of the iPhone X. Then, for the first time in many years, glass and steel appeared in iPhones. What was familiar to us, it would seem, not so long ago. But for several years we were deprived of this by replacing the body with aluminum.
Now is the time to revive the iconic design . Two years ago, the company began implementing it into the iPad Pro to test its relevance today. In general, Apple, it seems to me, is testing many technologies on tablets before introducing them into smartphones. This was the case with flat edges, and so it is with LiDAR.
And people liked the updated iPad. Users praised the flat edges. Now it's time to make them on iPhones. Where it all began.
It's great to know that you are holding a really cool, stylish device in your hands. The iPhone 12 is exactly that.
Purely from the sensations, holding the “dvenashka” in my hand, I am periodically washed over by a wave of nostalgia. The “non-proshka” ones have aluminum frames, so the smart phone is even closer to the iPhone 5 than to the 4/4s.
The more elongated display and the color of the frames in the black version of the smartphone remind us of this.
The only difference is in the shape of the buttons when looking at the smartphone from the side.
Topic : Apple moved certification badges to the side frame of the iPhone 12
In my opinion, Apple did the right thing by repainting the camera block. Now it seems matte (but don’t be fooled, tactilely and physically it’s the same glass, fingerprints will remain, although they won’t be as noticeable).
But now the substrate for them looks more harmonious than before. Due to the updated color, the block fits perfectly into the device body.
Design, build quality and materials
If you look at it from a distance, the difference in design between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 is not particularly big. But it exists, and let me first talk about the identical features, and then about the differences.
For example, if we talk about dimensions, there is practically no difference between the devices, except for its thickness. That is, the length and width remained identical – it is 146.7 x 71.5 mm. But the thickness of the new generation iPhone 13 increased by 0.3 mm, from 7.4 mm to 7.7 mm.
In addition to the thickness, the new generation of the device has also grown in weight. If the previous generation of the iPhone 12 device weighed about 164 grams, then the new version of the iPhone 13 will weigh 174 grams. This is not particularly significant, since holding both devices in my hands I did not feel a strong difference, either in weight or in thickness.
Well, if you look at the bottom location, both models of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 smartphones received a completely similar arrangement of the Lightning connector charging connection, the main speaker and even the microphone. In addition, the location of the built-in antennas was completely identical.
But if you look at the right and left ends of the device, you will notice an interesting difference. This is that on the new generation iPhone 13, the power button and volume switch buttons are located slightly lower than on the iPhone 12 version. But the SIM card slot has an untouched position on both versions of the devices.
Therefore, this tells us that the new generation iPhone 13 will not be able to use the protective case from the previous generation. This is also due to the fact that you will have to purchase separate accessories. In addition to the protective case, you will also be purchasing a different protective glass than the previous generation iPhone 12. This is due to the fact that the notch on the top of the screen has become slightly smaller in size.
The manufacturer says that the difference in the area of the iPhone 12's bangs between the new iPhone 13 has become about 20%. The location of the earpiece has also undergone some minor changes. If the previous generation of iPhone 12 had a speaker in the central part of the bang, then the new version already has a speaker at the top of the bang.
The same applies to the location of the front camera and other sensors. That is, the new version of the iPhone 13 has a selfie camera on the left edge of the bangs, and on the iPhone 12 the camera was located on the right corner of the bangs.
Okay, there are also some minor changes on the back of the devices. Yes, the location of the main camera module remains the same. But the location of the sensors themselves has changed. Now the new generation of iPhone 13 has sensors diagonally, but before that they were located vertically. You can also notice a slightly different placement of the LED flash and additional microphone.
Naturally, both iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 smartphone models received completely untouched manufacturing materials. The device body was made of protective glass, both on the back and front, and the frame itself was made of aluminum.
Smartphones also have full protection against water under the IP68 standard. Now I propose to talk about the screen and their differences.
The choice of colors is nothing like that! Options for everyone
This year, Apple has again updated the color palette of the iPhone 12.
There are five colors to choose from: white, black, green, red and, new, blue.
Personally, I liked two cases from the new line. The blue iPhone 12 looks fresh, and the black has acquired an unusual shade.
In general, here's what I think about these body colors:
1 . White : has a yellowish tint, closer to ivory. The frames are the same. Classic.
2 . Black : also more classic, but with one nuance. This year it has a blue or maybe even slightly purple tint to it. Not everyone may come.
Fun fact: even on the iPhone box, the edges are not black, but dark purple.
3 . Blue : a completely new color, there is some depth. No photo or video will convey the real color of the device; it is better to look at it in person.
4 . Green : Last year, the iPhone 11 looked more vibrant in this color. Now it has become somehow completely dull.
5 . Red : also dimmer. It still looks pretty good though.
If last year everyone in the editorial office agreed that green was the best in the new line, now opinions differ. For example, Nikita doesn’t like black and green, Mikku doesn’t like white, blue and green, but he’s a fan of pale red.
What to look for before buying an iPhone?!
After reading this article, you will understand what characteristics are in the new products. This will help you make the right choice. Most often, users choose an iPhone based on several parameters. One of them is user experience. You've already used an Apple gadget and know what features you need most and what you use most often. In this case, it is easier for you to understand what to look for when purchasing, so as not to overpay for additional features that do not interest you at all. For those who have not yet used an iPhone, deciding on a device is more difficult.
Main characteristics worth paying attention to:
- Storage volume.
- Screen color and size.
- Shooting quality.
- Device operating speed.
- Battery life.
- Price.
For those who are faced with a choice, there is already a blog article “which iPhone to choose in 2022”, which can be found here. In the meantime, we will study specifically the new 12 line.
Ergonomics. You need to get used to flat edges again
On the one hand, I'm very happy that flat edges are back. They always lay pleasantly in the hand, slightly cutting into it.
This did not create the feeling that you were holding a bar of soap in your hands, which was trying to slip out and fall to the ground. There is a certain feeling of reliability .
However, after several years with rounded edges, you have to get used to it again. The iPhone 12 feels completely different in your hand. And this is rather a pleasant feeling.
I've been happy with the X, Xs Max and iPhone 11 and have gotten used to all the complications that a wide, big smartphone brings.
But like millions of other users of large devices, I often thought about cheating. For me personally, the standard is a 5.5-inch gadget, but here you have to wait for the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini. After all, such a small gadget is simply created for use with one hand.
Despite this, I was also pleased with the 6.1-inch diagonal. However, there is something that I said at the very beginning.
I don’t know about others, but personally, the flat edges made it a little more difficult for me to type text with both hands . It feels as if there is less space, and the fingers are located closer to each other. Because of this, I began to miss the buttons more often.
I think I'll get used to it in the coming days. But still a small sediment remains.
Normal operating hours
In my opinion, the iPhone XR was and remains the best iPhone in terms of operating time, especially considering its price. I can’t say the same about the new iPhone 12, it doesn’t break records, but it doesn’t fail either, the charge is always enough for a day of active use of the phone. Moreover, what surprised me, the small iPhone 12 mini gave me results almost at the level of the older “twelfth”: 5-5.5 hours of active screen versus 6-6.5 hours. Therefore, if you are impressed by the compact size of the Mini, but are afraid that the battery is bad, I want to destroy your doubts.
Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
I have a kink about the operating time of iPhones: in reviews on other sites and in videos, I often hear about some results, but in fact I myself come across different indicators. And these, alas, are not the best results: as a rule, I achieve less than others. I'm guilty of being in places with unstable connections, it just so happens.
The new color for the iPhone 12 and 12 mini is simply superb. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
Regarding the iPhone 12 battery, I have the following thoughts. The phone can withstand a day of heavy use, lasting less than the iPhone XR but longer than the iPhone 11 Pro. The XR has about 7 hours of active screen per day, the 11 Pro has about 5.5 hours, and the 12 has about 6 hours. I spent about two weeks with the iPhone 12 mini and I can say that the tiny iPhone is also no failure: it gave the same 5-5.5 hours as the iPhone 11 Pro, respected by many reviewers, but not by me.
Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
We have spoken more than once about the stripped-down configuration of iPhones from 2022; Apple makes its own arguments, explaining this with concern for the environment. From a logical point of view, having a slow old 5W charger in a box that charged the phone in 3.5 hours is a so-so story. Therefore, it’s easier to spend a couple of thousand rubles on a power supply with normal speed and close this issue.
The display is simply amazing. Thanks OLED
I’m very glad that Apple has completely switched to OLED displays in the new line.
Now on any new iPhone it’s as pleasant as possible to watch videos and play . Compared to the LCD in my old iPhone 11, the screen simply sparkled with new colors. Everything is bright and rich, the 1080p picture is clear and super detailed.
Brightness remained at the same level - 625 nits versus 800 nits for Pro models. However, both devices have a maximum of 1200 nits. What makes the twelfth iPhone usable even in very bright sun. Everything is visible.
And what I've always liked. Black colors are now truly black instead of greyish. It’s quite easy to check: open a monotonous black picture and turn off the screen. You won't notice the difference. Such amazing depth.
The new OLED screen in the iPhone 12 has a resolution of 2532x1170 pixels and a density of 460 pixels per inch. The iPhone 11 has 1792x828 pixels, 326 pixels per inch.
To understand how cool this is: when I run a YouTube video in 4K resolution at a distance of 5-10 cm from my eyes, I see a lot more details . The same goes for photographs. The picture remains as clear as possible.
And OH MY GOD, am I glad the bezels are thinner. While walking around with the iPhone 11, I stopped noticing them after a while, but occasionally they caught my eye. But now they are almost invisible . And in such contrast with last year’s “mid-budget” iPhone, this “innovation” looks amazing.
Personally, I'm pleased. My eyes don't get tired, my head doesn't hurt. The OLED panel in the iPhone 12 has a lot of advantages to give up the device blindly.
And I advise you to try it. Although I know for sure that not everyone will like them, as practice shows.
What is missing?
I won’t indulge in crazy ideas like “I wish there was a memory card here,” but I’ll go through more realistic parameters. For example, what should you do if you need to install a second SIM card? You can configure eSIM, this way you get the notorious dual SIM card. Or you can buy an iPhone 12 with two physical SIM cards; this version is not officially sold in Russia, but getting a modification for Asia is not a problem. However, in this case there will be no eSIM support.
Illustration: Svetlana Chuvileva / Wylsacom Media
I would like USB Type-C for charging the phone, but here it is still Lightning, which also very slowly transfers data over the wire.
Competitors have displays with a refresh rate of 90 or even 120 Hz, but the iPhone 12 is still 60 Hz.
Due to global problems with coronavirus, using Face ID has become inconvenient. Either you need to pay in the store, or you just need to unlock your phone with a mask on your face. It would be great to duplicate it with a fingerprint scanner. But after the release of iOS 14.5, life became much easier: with an Apple watch on your hand, your phone no longer requires the hassle of entering a password.
Built-in memory is only 64 GB in the basic version. Thank you, it’s not 32 GB, but the database should have 128 GB in a good way.
It works for a long time, and it makes me happy
Let's talk about battery life. Comparison with my current iPhone 11 will not be entirely correct, since it only has 85% capacity left, but in general I know how long this smartphone can last.
Apple says you can watch videos on the iPhone 12 for up to 17 hours, and in streaming mode for up to 11 hours. Well, 65 hours when listening to music.
The only difference with iPhone 11 is streaming. There are 10 hours available there.
And guess what? I didn’t notice any significant increase in autonomy (but there was no drop either, although there is an OLED display). Taking the iPhone 11 off the charger at 8 am, with active use (Safari and Telegram almost always work at full capacity), it sat down by lunch, around two o'clock. And I see the same thing in the iPhone 12, well, maybe an additional half an hour or an hour. Definitely no more.
With normal use with periodic opening of social networks and viewing news feeds, the “twelve” is enough for a maximum of a day and a half . Which is quite acceptable.
On topic : The battery life of the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro in 5G networks has become known
Alas, there was no time to fully test the battery yet.
Consider these as first impressions . Overall, I confirm Apple's numbers . An iPhone can only work so much under the conditions listed above.
In other situations, you cannot do without an outlet.
The modem is new, but the connection quality is old
I saw positive reviews about the Qualcomm modems used in the iPhone 12, but, in my opinion, I didn’t notice much of a difference compared to older generations. Communication reception is still very average, and no dramatic changes have been noticed in data transfer speed. In general, the connection is stable, but if you need a phone that can reliably connect to the network, then this is not about the iPhone. Look towards Huawei or Samsung, but not Apple.
Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
The cameras have been well upgraded, although this is not always noticeable
A major innovation in the iPhone 12 after the redesign is the camera.
The iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro have the same main and ultra-wide-angle modules. The “pros” also have an additional telephoto and a LiDAR sensor, but read about them separately a little later, in Nikita’s Pro review.
The iPhone 12, like a year ago, has two lenses: a 12 MP wide-angle and a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle.
This solution has its downsides:
1. There is no optical zoom, none at all. You can only use a maximum of 5x digital zoom when shooting photos and 3x for video.
2. There will be slightly less detail in the frame as you zoom in. This is despite the fact that Apple has done a great job of detailing the final images this year.
3. You cannot take night Portraits. The camera simply does not support this function; you need a LiDAR sensor.
The properties of the lenses themselves are identical in both the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro:
▪️ Main wide-angle with f/1.6 aperture ▪️ Second ultra-wide-angle with f/2.4 aperture
The ultra-wide-angle camera lets you capture twice as many subjects in photos and videos. Even when shooting regular video at ultra-wide, shaking is hardly noticeable during quiet shooting.
Although it is more visible when running, it is still not critical and, in general, normal. Apple was able to pleasantly surprise.
Running example:
Walking example:
In addition, iPhone 12 now supports Dolby Vision at 30 frames per second. The technology dynamically encodes metadata. The result is the most optimized image transmission for the entire video segment and for individual scenes. HDR10 can't do this.
An additional function has appeared: Lens distortion correction. It allows you to intelligently restore lost details, lines and colors.
Yes, the translators were clearly in a hurry with the description text
What I also liked was the improved seamless switching between cameras. If in the last generation it was barely noticeable, but it was quite possible to detect it, now it is simply impossible to do this. The company has perfected the function.
Easy to check. Just take any fancy flagship with an ultra-wide-angle camera and switch to it from the regular one. You will clearly see the transition between them.
In iPhone 12 and higher there is no such problem, the image scale simply changes smoothly. It just slows down sometimes, but I think this will be fixed with the new software.
Believe it or not, I didn't adjust the colors manually. The iPhone did this for me during the shooting. And this is “super-wide”!
Animal fur no longer smudges, colors have become more realistic
I don’t understand how this happened. But Smart HDR 3 brought the picture to some unrealistic level. Filmed on automatic
And yes, the ultra-wide lens now distorts the edges of the picture less. They became smoother and not as stretched out as in some “fish eye”.
And with Smart HDR 3, the colors in your photos are more realistic than ever. This is both a plus and a minus. You don’t always want to look at the dull colors of your surroundings.
Plus, various portrait photos have become even better. Even without a telephoto camera, animal fur or small objects are not blurred.
New design
No matter what anyone says, a change in appearance is a tangible argument in favor of upgrading from an old device to a new one. If the iPhone 11 was externally different from the iPhone XR with new body colors and an additional camera module, overall the changes were not so great. But the iPhone 12 looks and feels completely different.
Illustration: Svetlana Chuvileva / Wylsacom Media
Flat sides are perceived differently, smooth contours have disappeared, and at the same time, the sweeping screen frames have become significantly smaller. Well, the trick of the year: the phone stands quietly on a flat surface without additional support, it’s very convenient to take pictures.
The red iPhone 12 is more likely coral. In my opinion, the color could have been more saturated. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
Judging by the popularity of the new generation of iPhones, people happily welcomed the new design - and this despite the increase in price. Still, compared to its predecessors, the iPhone 12 has become noticeably more expensive, but this does not bother new owners; sales statistics confirm this. If the iPhone XR or iPhone 11 looked “degraded” compared to the XS or 11 Pro, now the iPhone 12 looks very confident next to the iPhone 12 Pro. And if you carry your phone in a case, then with a quick glance at the screen you won’t be able to distinguish the younger model from the older one.
Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
I saw different reviews on the Internet about the design: some complained about the abrasions of the aluminum sides, others complained about the sharp edges. I've had my phone for six months now and I can't complain about the shape of the case even if I wanted to. The smartphone is not heavy, the edges do not dig into the palm at all. The coating is also okay, nothing has peeled off, everything is in good shape. Moreover, I like the matte aluminum sides much more than the glossy and easily soiled edges in the Pro version.
Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
Night photo. Now on all iPhone 12 cameras
Perhaps the main change in cameras is the ability to take night photos with any lens. Even from the front camera.
This is probably one of the strengths of the iPhone 12. All cameras capture frames perfectly in low light : many small details appear, the picture becomes brighter and more saturated.
Topic : A professional photographer tested the iPhone 12 camera
This is especially true for the ultra-wide-angle lens, which in the iPhone 11, frankly, is normal during the day and generally weak at night.
It is unknown why Apple did not add Night Mode in the last generation, since it is only a software part. Apparently there are a number of restrictions.
Of course, super wide shots are not always perfect. There is occasional noise, but Smart HDR 3 smoothes it out competently. So they are either minimal or not visible at all.
Time 22:15, ultra wide
For example, here I took pictures away from the lights. The iPhone captured all the objects clearly, separating the pond, trees and buildings.
At the same time, each blade of grass remained separate, and was not mixed into porridge.
Time 21:05, ultra wide
Or another example. The camera did an excellent job with the complex scene, correctly conveying all the colors, without blurring or darkening anything anywhere.
Every element of the frame is visible.
Time 21:10, main camera
You won't believe it, but the iPhone captured the light from a single flashlight about 20 meters away from me, which is not even aimed at the flower.
Time 21:15, main camera
Here there was more than enough light for the lens. So there were no special problems with photography.
The shooting was done without Night mode. With him the difference is minimal.
Time 20:57, ultra wide
All the light in the photo above comes from the building. Here, as for me, the ultra-wide lacks saturation. The photo is detailed, but rather dull in color.
Time 23:34, main camera
Time 00:05, main camera
Time 00:06, ultra wide
In the last two photos, so you understand, all the light is 50 meters away from me. Not a single flashlight works close behind me.
In fact, all the light from the camera was collected from distant objects.
A more detailed analysis of the flagships’ photographic capabilities will be published later in a separate article. Expect a big review with dozens of examples for each camera, like last year.
Differences between the 12 Pro and Pro Max models.
If you've decided that the iPhone 12 Pro is more suitable for you, then you've definitely wondered, maybe it's worth getting the Pro Max? This is where the fun begins. The two Pro versions now differ not only in size, but also in shooting capabilities. The iPhone Pro Max is not only the largest flagship, but also the most top-end.
All of the above characteristics are available in it, but the lenses are improved. Pay attention to the size, the screen in Pro Max is 6.7 inches. Also, this model of the device has optical stabilization with matrix shift, which will allow you to take a cool, clear picture even in motion. Comparing the cameras of the 12 Pro and Pro Max, we get the following characteristics: the same ultra-wide-angle lenses, the wide-angle camera of the iPhone Pro Max has optical stabilization with matrix shift, a larger pixel size, the telephoto camera is further along the focal length.
Autonomy is also different; in music playback mode there is a difference of as much as 25 hours. You can find out more about the products in the review at the link.
There are differences in price:
- The price of the Pro Max version starts at 109,990 rubles for 128 GB, and the price of 12 Pro with the same amount of storage is 99,990 rubles.
These are the differences in the Apple iPhone 12 line. Look in your device to see how much memory is occupied to determine the amount of storage you need, think about what characteristics are important to you in order to buy a model that will satisfy all your needs. Before pre-ordering, look at the photos, characteristics, color of the gadgets and order the device that is ideal for you.
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What's next?
The long-awaited appearance of iPhone 12 and 12 mini: price, specifications, photos, features
Night selfies have also been improved
Oh. There was a photo example here and it will definitely come back. We promise.
I have long gotten used to the idea that the front camera cannot take normal photos in low light. This continued throughout all generations of iPhones until the release of iPhone 12. Apple refined the algorithms and was able to introduce Night mode for selfies.
There is no noise , the picture is brighter, you can see MUCH MORE details and objects in the frame. Under certain circumstances, selfies with minimal light can turn out really cool and unusual.
Set: I was lucky, but not everyone may be so lucky...
The theater begins with a hanger, and the new iPhone begins with a box. Naturally, this was the first thing I picked up when I became the owner of the iPhone 12. It has noticeably lost in size compared to its predecessors, and if I had not been a techno-observer and actively followed the news, I would probably have been very surprised by its size . And I would have been even more surprised when I unpacked it. By the way, we filmed the unpacking process - you can watch it:
For the first time in many, many years, the iPhone package has changed, and in the box with the iPhone 12 there is nothing except the smartphone itself, the USB-C cable and the included papers, including stickers with an apple. More precisely, one sticker - even in this regard, the equipment has become more modest.
There is no charging block, and there are no wired EarPods. According to the reasons voiced by Apple, this was done to reduce the carbon footprint and improve the environment in general, they say, you and I already have enough chargers and headphones, why do we need another one?
But here's where I see the problem. As an avid Apple user, I'm lucky enough to have a MacBook Air USB-C charger, as well as a third-party charger that I use in the office. A little less, but still lucky for those who switch to iPhone 12 from iPhones of previous generations. In this case, you can at least use the cable and adapter from the “old man” kit, although there may be nowhere to plug in the included USB-C/Lightning. But "switchers", that is, those who switch from Android devices, are the least fortunate - not every flagship on a competing platform is equipped with an adapter with USB-C. That is, they will either have to worry about buying a branded 20-watt unit for 1990 rubles in advance, or run to the store again to buy it.
To some extent, the transition to USB-C in the iPhone would look more justified in this case, but I assume that Apple will rely on MagSafe in future generations of iPhone, and will abandon Lightning or any other connector altogether. After all, the future lies in ridding us of any wires, isn’t it?
A14 iron is power. You can feel it from the first seconds
Yes, we write this every year. But excuse me, Apple really has been making top-end mobile processors in its class for many years in a row.
This is periodically confirmed by various benchmark tests. For example, in the same Geekbench: 1593 points in single-core mode and 3859 points in multi-core mode. No Android flagship can even come close to achieving this result.
But oh well, these are all dry numbers that won’t tell anyone much. What's in reality?
There were no questions regarding the speed of opening applications during the entire time I worked with the smartphone. Everything flies and opens in a split second. Even damn VKontakte, which can either launch on the iPhone 11 for 2-3 seconds, or load photos that I want to throw into the conversation. Or Pixelmator, which I use quite actively. Processing and rendering of finished photos occurs almost instantly.
In games, too, everything is, in principle, clear. The top-end A14 processor loads high-capacity mobile AAA titles approximately 2 times faster than the A13.
For example, the trendy Genshin Impact (review will also be coming soon). From the moment of launch to the start of the game, about 18 seconds pass. While on iPhone 11 I wait about half a minute.
Or Beyond the Steel Sky from Apple Arcade. It also loads in about 15 seconds.
Well, yes. All top games run at maximum graphics settings. Where 60 FPS is available, they are there too.
A14 Bionic processor
The iPhone is a smartphone about which it is not customary to talk about how it works. He just always works fast. Agree that, unlike Android devices, there is no point in comparing characteristics. Even the iPhone SE comes with the most powerful hardware.
The smartphone doesn't lack for productivity.
If we mention the specs, then in the new product we have a 5nm A14 Bionic processor with 11 trillion operations per second, an 80 percent more productive machine learning chip and other joys of life. Including the rejection of small amounts of memory. There's still 64GB, but it's the base model and only offers 128GB and 256GB. The 512 GB memory capacity is only available in the Pro version.
How working in 5G networks affects the autonomy of the iPhone 12
Apple has finally switched all of its new models to OLED screens . At the same time, they did not receive the fashionable 120 Hz refresh rate, but it is not really needed. But the frames have become much narrower precisely due to the fact that now there is no usual rounding, which visually enlarged the frame.
The new screen has become more frameless due to the elimination of the rounding of the body.
Eh, 5G...
One of the leading words at the fall presentation was 5G. This is an important innovation that allows you to work in networks with speeds of at least 1 Gbit/s.
On topic : Apple has allowed downloading iOS updates via 5G in the iPhone 12. Wi-Fi is not needed
However, it is not yet possible to test the technology. Now 5G does not work in Russia . Only in closed demo areas.
We'll check next year or 2022.
Filling
Apple A14 chipset: everything flies, but how could it be otherwise?
The iPhone 12 received the Apple A14 Bionic processor, which will soon power Apple computers. Naturally, it doesn’t have any problems with performance: the interface flies, the software flies, games start quickly and support maximum graphics settings. What can we say about “synthetics”, in which the iPhone 12 causes attacks of envy among those who like to compare themselves with virtual “parrots”.
However, as my colleague at The Verge pointed out, the important thing is not that the iPhone 12 is so fast today, but that it will likely be fast in three or even five years.
5G support: I'm sad
My impressions from testing 5G in the iPhone 12 are extremely sad. But Apple has nothing to do with it: I am saddened by the fact that there is simply nowhere to try 5G in Russia. And even if you live in Moscow or St. Petersburg and go for a walk with your iPhone 12 in the pilot zones, nothing will work for two reasons:
- The operator will not simply connect the corresponding feature to your SIM card.
- iPhone 12 only works on the 5G network with those operators with which it has tested the network on iPhone. It is unlikely that any of the Russian operators, due to the lack of commercial 5G, were doing this.
Screenshot from a review of the iPhone 12 from The Verge / YouTube
However, even my American colleagues had to run around the big cities of the USA for the treasured 5G symbols to light up in the corner of the display of their iPhone 12. So I won't be too sad. We will be sad in a year, when they will already have it in full swing, and we will have the same thing as today.
Review after a week of use
iPhone 12 is a great iPhone for everyone. It has almost no compromises compared to the firmware, but has a slightly more reasonable price and matte edges. However, based on what we've seen from Apple before, there isn't much that's really new. Essentially, this is something between the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro in the body of the iPhone 4. From here we conclude that it’s not worth upgrading from last year’s models. Most likely, having an iPhone XS in your pocket, you should skip this time too. But owners of iPhone X and older can start taking a closer look at the two-piece: after all, the difference in cameras will be colossal.
- Topic: Which smartphone to buy in 2020 - rating of the best models for any budget
pros
- The updated main camera is, as always, top five.
- The improved portrait mode works wonders.
- The stylish body with flat edges has a new feel.
- The most powerful processor on the market, which will be relevant for many years to come.
- HDR video is a potential breakthrough in mobile filming.
- Video stabilization is beyond praise.
Minuses
- The case gets seriously hot under load.
- The main module catches noticeable glare.
- The battery has deteriorated compared to last year's model.
You may not like it
- Charging block not included
How to Determine iPhone Model Number
It is best to buy an iPhone 13 from a trusted online store, which has many good reviews on the Internet. For example, at Best-magazin.com, which has been selling products from Apple, Samsung and other leading electronics manufacturers for about 10 years and offers a huge selection of both certified devices and models with a worldwide warranty. In this case, just look at the packaging of the smartphone - the number is written on the label, next to the IMEI. If the seller is suspicious, or the device is bought second-hand, then a more thorough check will be required.
After turning on the phone, go to Settings - General - About this device. In the menu that opens, you can see all the necessary information, including the name of the smartphone, serial number and model, iOS version, etc. Unfortunately, this data may not always be genuine - scammers can easily replace the information using software methods. The best way to check which model the serial number shown is on Apple's website is to check the warranty eligibility page. Also, you should check the model number which is engraved in the SIM tray slot on the display side.
Which iPhone 13 models support 2 SIM
If you want to buy an iPhone 13 (Pro, Max) with 2 SIM cards after checking the availability and prices, then it is best to focus on the model number. Two physical SIM cards support the following devices:
- Buy iPhone 13 Dual SIM – A2634;
- Buy iPhone 13 Pro Dual SIM – A2639;
- Buy iPhone 13 Pro MAX Dual SIM – A2644;
As you can see, the iPhone 13 mini is not on this list - devices with one physical card, without an eSIM, are supplied to mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. For other countries, Apple produces a “mini” version with the same nano+eSIM included.
