At a virtual event on Tuesday, Apple executives unveiled 4 new iPhones 12: iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
The 4 different versions offer multiple variations in size, features, and price. It takes time and research to figure out exactly which iPhone is right for your personal situation.
Here are the new advancements that come with every new iPhone:
1. All 4 iPhone 12 models offer 5G, a faster A14 Bionic processor and a new design with a Ceramic Shield glass display that Apple claims is the toughest in the industry.
2. The cameras come with better computational photography and a 7-element lens.
3. Every new iPhone has a new MagSafe wireless charging system to make wireless charging easier and faster.
Downside: No new iPhone will come with a charging brick or headphones.
iPhone 12 Mini
This is the smallest and most feature-packed iPhone to be released in years. The iPhone 12 Mini comes with a 5.4-inch screen and is about the size of the iPhone 8. Beyond the smaller frame, you get all the benefits of the regular iPhone 12. The phone starts at $699, making it the most affordable of the new iPhones.
iPhone 12
There is literally no difference between the iPhone 12 Mini and the iPhone 12 besides the size. With the iPhone 12, you will get a larger 6.1-inch screen. Apple states the phone will be 11% thinner, 15% smaller and 16% lighter than previous iPhones. Battery life, which always seems to be a problem with smartphones, is also slightly different between the Mini and the 12, with 15 hours of video playback on the Mini and 17 hours on the 12. The iPhone 12 starts at $799.
iPhone 12 Pro
Between the iPhone 12 and the 12 Pro, there are a few key differences, even though the size of the phone remains the same at 6.1-inches. Instead of the aluminium rims of the standard iPhone 12 models, the Pros get stainless steel. Additionally, the Pro has a triple camera system. The extra-wide camera offers 27% better low-light performance and will be able to shoot higher-quality Dolby Vision HDR. The Pro starts at $999.
iPhone 12 Pro Max
The iPhone 12 Max is quite similar to the iPhone Pro but with a larger 6.7-inch screen. The Max also comes with a larger battery under that monster-sized screen and is equipped with a few extra camera features, including a new telephoto camera with more magnification, capable of 2.5x optical zoom and an improved optical image stabilization system. The Max starts at $1,099.
Ultimately, when it comes down to the details, the fact of the matter is that there is very little difference between the Max and the baseline iPhone 12. Between the Pro and the baseline iPhone 12, the largest differentiator is the camera, which may not even stand out to the everyday consumer. And when it comes to the sleeker stainless steel exterior, most iPhone users are going to put a phone case over that anyway.
How does the new iPhone 12 compare to former models and are there really differences?
The iPhone 11 costs abpout $599 and is therefore about $100 cheaper than the Mini and has many of the features of the iPhone 12. Unless you are a professional photographer who will absolutely benefit from the high-tech upgrades that come with the iPhone 12 Pro and Max cameras, there is not much difference between the iPhone 11 and the iPhone 12 baseline models. Another key difference comes with the integration of 5G technology. But is is probably waiting a bit longer until the 5G networks overall become faster and more accessible.
Ultimately it is your decision which iPhone fits best into your life and your situation.
Sven Franssen