Apple’s Refined 5G Flagship Experience with Design and Power Upgrades
The iPhone 12 series launches in Australia on October 23, 2020, and brings a significant overhaul to Apple’s flagship lineup. With four models—the iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max—Apple aims to cater to diverse user needs and preferences, from compact designs to pro-grade photography and enhanced productivity. Each model showcases Apple’s return to flat-edged design, an improved Super Retina XDR display, and the powerful A14 Bionic chip, making the iPhone 12 series one of Apple’s most versatile releases to date.
Here’s an in-depth look at each aspect of the iPhone 12 series, from design and camera features to how these devices enhance everyday workflows and productivity.
Design: A Modern Take on a Classic Look
The iPhone 12 series brings back the iconic flat-edge design reminiscent of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 5, adding a fresh touch to Apple’s lineup. The durable Ceramic Shield front cover, with improved drop protection, feels sturdy while reducing the risk of cracks. The series also features aluminium edges on the iPhone 12 and 12 Mini, and stainless steel on the Pro models, providing an added touch of refinement.
The lineup is available in an array of colours—blue, green, red, white, and black for the iPhone 12 and 12 Mini, and more muted tones like silver, graphite, gold, and the new Pacific Blue for the Pro models. With options ranging from the compact 5.4-inch Mini to the 6.7-inch Pro Max, the iPhone 12 series offers something for everyone, whether you prefer a pocketable phone or a large, immersive display.
Display: Super Retina XDR and OLED Across All Models
One of the biggest upgrades to the iPhone 12 series is the Super Retina XDR OLED display across all models, including the Mini. This shift to OLED means richer colours, deeper blacks, and improved brightness, which is particularly noticeable when watching HDR content or gaming.
- iPhone 12 and 12 Mini: Both models feature 6.1-inch and 5.4-inch displays, respectively. The 12 Mini is perfect for one-handed use without sacrificing display quality, while the 12 provides an ideal balance of screen real estate and portability.
- iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max: With 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays, the Pro models deliver an immersive experience, especially with HDR content, and are ideal for photo and video editing on the go.
The inclusion of OLED across the lineup means that even the smallest model delivers excellent contrast, detail, and overall visual quality.
Camera: Advanced Imaging Capabilities with LiDAR and Night Mode Across the Board
Apple makes impressive advancements in camera technology with the iPhone 12 series, particularly with the Pro models. Both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini feature a dual 12MP system with wide and ultra-wide lenses, while the Pro models add a third 12MP telephoto lens, enhancing versatility.
- Night Mode and Deep Fusion: Night Mode is now available across all cameras, including the front-facing camera, making low-light photography more accessible. Deep Fusion is also applied to each camera, ensuring photos have excellent detail and balanced colours in mid to low-light environments.
- ProRAW and LiDAR Scanner: The Pro models stand out with the addition of Apple ProRAW, which allows photographers to shoot in RAW format while retaining the iPhone’s computational adjustments. The LiDAR scanner, exclusive to the Pro models, enhances depth mapping, improving autofocus in low light and enhancing augmented reality (AR) experiences.
The iPhone 12 series is ideal for casual photographers and professionals alike. The combination of Night Mode, LiDAR, and ProRAW offers flexibility, whether capturing everyday moments or working on professional projects.
5G and A14 Bionic Chip: Future-Proofed Performance
Apple’s A14 Bionic chip powers the entire iPhone 12 lineup, bringing high-speed performance and power efficiency. Built on a 5nm process, the A14 improves machine learning capabilities and ensures smooth multitasking. The addition of 5G support, especially on networks in urban areas, provides faster download speeds, which enhances streaming, gaming, and remote work functionality.
For users working with high-resolution images or editing 4K video, the A14 chip’s performance is highly reliable. It’s also ideal for gamers and AR applications, where speed and graphics quality are paramount.
MagSafe: A New Way to Accessorise
One of the standout features of the iPhone 12 series is MagSafe. With magnets built into the back, MagSafe allows users to snap on accessories like cases, wallets, and chargers. The ecosystem of MagSafe accessories continues to expand, offering more convenience and personalisation.
- Everyday Use: MagSafe chargers align automatically, providing a more efficient wireless charging experience. For users who enjoy customising their device, cases and wallets snap on seamlessly, making it easy to change the look or add functionality.
MagSafe offers flexibility for users who want wireless charging without the hassle of perfect placement, along with practical add-ons that enhance the iPhone experience.
Everyday Use and Productivity: Seamlessly Integrated for Work and Play
The iPhone 12 series is designed to fit into a variety of workflows, with features that enhance productivity and creativity.
- Camera Versatility: For content creators, the Pro models are an excellent choice, thanks to ProRAW, Night Mode, and the LiDAR scanner, which collectively deliver high-quality photo and video options. Whether it’s capturing content for social media, shooting professional photography, or exploring creative AR applications, the iPhone 12 series is well-equipped.
- 5G Connectivity: In urban areas, 5G speeds make remote work easier, especially when uploading files or attending video conferences. This feature enhances flexibility for those who frequently work on the go.
- Sustainability: Apple has removed the charger from the box to reduce environmental impact, encouraging the use of existing chargers or MagSafe, which aligns with the company’s commitment to sustainability.
Battery Life: Good, But Varies with Model and Usage
Battery life varies across the iPhone 12 series. The iPhone 12 Mini’s battery is more suited to lighter users, while the iPhone 12, Pro, and Pro Max offer all-day usage for moderate to heavy users. Battery life is affected by 5G usage, which can drain power more quickly than 4G, though iOS manages this by intelligently switching between 5G and LTE.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent Super Retina XDR OLED displays across all models
- Strong camera improvements with Night Mode, Deep Fusion, and ProRAW (Pro models)
- Future-proofed performance with the A14 Bionic chip and 5G support
- MagSafe ecosystem offers flexibility for accessories and charging
- Wide range of sizes and colours to cater to different preferences
Cons:
- Battery life may be limited on the iPhone 12 Mini with intensive 5G usage
- No charger included in the box, which may require an additional purchase
- Lack of a high refresh rate, which some users expect at this price point
- ProRAW is limited to Pro models, which may disappoint photography enthusiasts on the standard models
Comparison: iPhone 12 Series vs Samsung Galaxy S20 Series and Google Pixel 5
| Feature | iPhone 12 / 12 Mini / 12 Pro / 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S20 / S20+ / S20 Ultra | Google Pixel 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1” / 5.4” / 6.1” / 6.7” Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.2” / 6.7” / 6.9” AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.0” OLED, 90Hz |
| Processor | A14 Bionic | Exynos 990 / Snapdragon 865 | Snapdragon 765G |
| Primary Camera | Dual 12MP (12 & Mini), Triple 12MP (Pro models) | Triple 12MP (Wide, Ultra-wide, Telephoto) | 12.2MP wide, 16MP ultra-wide |
| 5G | Yes, all models | Yes, all models | Yes |
| Special Features | MagSafe, ProRAW, LiDAR (Pro models) | 100x Space Zoom (S20 Ultra), 120Hz refresh rate | AI-enhanced Night Sight and Call Screen |
| Battery Life | All-day (Varies with model, heaviest on Pro Max) | All-day battery | All-day with Extreme Battery Saver |
| Price Range | AUD $1,199+ (12 Mini), AUD $1,699+ (12 Pro Max) | AUD $1,349+ | AUD $999 |
Key Takeaways
- iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S20: The Galaxy S20 offers a high refresh rate display, but the iPhone 12 series delivers a refined OLED experience across all models and has MagSafe, which opens a new ecosystem of accessories. The iPhone 12 Pro’s ProRAW and LiDAR scanner cater to photography enthusiasts, while Samsung’s 100x Space Zoom is a unique feature for ultra-zoom photography.
- iPhone 12 vs Google Pixel 5: The Pixel 5 is more budget-friendly, with solid AI-driven camera features and a clean Android experience, but it lacks the raw power of the A14 Bionic and premium build quality. The iPhone 12 series provides more versatility in design and camera quality, especially with the Pro models for advanced users.
Final Rating: 4.7/5
The Verdict: The iPhone 12 series brings an impressive blend of design, functionality, and future-ready features. The return to a flat-edge design, improved OLED display, and the A14 Bionic chip make the iPhone 12 series a worthy upgrade. With 5G, MagSafe, and camera advancements across the board, Apple has delivered a lineup that caters to a wide range of users, from casual users to professional photographers.
While the absence of a charger in the box and the lack of a high refresh rate may disappoint some, the iPhone 12 series still delivers a comprehensive, high-quality experience that sets a new standard for flagship devices. For those looking for a premium smartphone with a robust ecosystem and excellent long-term value, the iPhone 12 series is an exceptional choice.
