Hey, what’s up? MKBHD here, and today we’re diving into the iPhone 12. At first glance, it might seem like just another iPhone with its familiar rounded corners, notch, and lightning port. However, there are several key changes this year that make the iPhone 12 stand out. After using this iPhone 12 for a while since my initial impressions video, I can confidently say it’s my favorite iPhone ever, primarily due to its design. But if you’re considering getting one, there are some important aspects you should know.
iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 12 Pro
I’ll cover the iPhone 12 Pro in a separate video, focusing on its stunning blue color, which I think is the best. The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro share many similarities, including the same exact size, main cameras, screen, battery, and charging capabilities. However, the Pro has a few exclusive features that I’ll discuss in detail in that video. For now, let’s concentrate on the iPhone 12 and its new design.
New Design: Flat and Modern
One of the most striking features of the iPhone 12 is its super flat design. Unlike the typical almost-flat design with curved edges, the iPhone 12 is completely flat. This flatness not only makes the phone slightly thinner and lighter than last year’s model, but it also allows for more efficient internal packing. The square sides give it a premium and modern feel. Personally, I find this design very appealing.
The iPhone 12 is available in a variety of colors, including a kind of red that sometimes appears salmon. After seeing it in person, I would probably choose the blue or black instead. The aluminum rails are more grippable, though perhaps a bit less comfortable initially. The buttons are clicky, and the power button is slightly larger. It maintains an IP68 water resistance rating, and in some regions, there’s a 5G antenna cutout on the right-hand side. Overall, I enjoy holding this phone.
Ceramic Shield: Enhanced Durability
If you put a case on your iPhone 12, some design elements might become less noticeable. However, even some cases are adapting to the iPhone 12’s flat dimensions, making them easier to grip and harder to drop. Speaking of durability, all new iPhones come with a new front cover called Ceramic Shield. This is a specially hardened glass with a crystal structure that offers four times better drop protection. While shatter protection is improved, scratch resistance remains a concern, as these two features are usually inversely proportional.
For instance, a softer material is less likely to shatter but more prone to scratches, and vice versa. I see the headline claiming better drop protection, but I’m not about to drop my phone intentionally to test it. Despite this, I already have a small gash on my screen, indicating that the scratch resistance might not have significantly improved.
MagSafe: The Future of Wireless Charging
Possibly the most significant external hardware feature of the new iPhones is MagSafe. This optional new magnetic charging accessory standard on the back, right behind the Apple logo, has broader implications for the future of iPhones. The primary MagSafe accessory is the puck charger, which costs $40 and does not include a charging brick, so make sure you have a USB-C charging brick.
The MagSafe charger snaps onto the back of the phone, aligning with the magnets over the Apple logo, and charges at 15 watts, compared to 7.5 watts with other wireless chargers. Here are a few FAQs about MagSafe:
- It is still Qi charging, so you can use other wireless chargers with the iPhone 12, and vice versa.
- There are concerns about MagSafe leaving marks on the iPhone, but these seem to wipe off easily and shouldn’t be a long-term issue.
- You can use MagSafe through most non-MagSafe cases, as long as they are thin enough. For instance, the dbrand grip case works fine with MagSafe.
MagSafe and the Future
At the beginning of this segment, I mentioned MagSafe is optional for now. However, Apple seems to be moving towards a portless iPhone in the future, making MagSafe their solution for wireless, convenient charging. While MagSafe is not amazing yet, it shows promise.
The accessories Apple has made for it so far are decent. There’s a regular case that allows stacking other accessories, a somewhat peculiar clear case, and a wallet with not very strong magnets. This wallet seems to be a step towards accommodating wireless charging for those who use wallet cases, suggesting a future where iPhones may rely solely on wireless charging.
Battery Life and Display
Battery life on the iPhone 12 has been pretty good but not noticeably better than last year. Despite a slightly larger, higher resolution display and a smaller physical battery, the phone performs well. You can expect around six hours of screen-on time with heavy use. For better battery performance, you might consider the larger iPhone models.
The best new feature of the iPhone 12 is undoubtedly the new display. It has upgraded from a 720p LCD with larger bezels to a much better and slightly larger 6.1-inch 1080p OLED display. This improvement is significant, making the iPhone 12’s display on par with the Pro, except for a slightly lower peak brightness. Although it still features a 60Hz refresh rate, which is a bit disappointing for an $800 phone in 2020, it is understandable given the addition of 5G.
5G: The Pros and Cons
Let’s talk about 5G. Apple’s slogan, “5G just got real,” is both accurate and misleading. While 5G has existed for a while, the inclusion of 5G in all new iPhones means that millions more people will soon have 5G-capable phones, accelerating its development. However, 5G in 2020 has its ups and downs. The iPhone 12 supports Verizon’s 5G, providing roughly 20% faster download and upload speeds. However, 5G radios are power-hungry, which can drain the battery faster.
Apple’s solution is called Smart Data Mode, which tries to use 5G only when necessary to save battery. When you’re in a 4G area or doing low-bandwidth tasks, the phone will stick to LTE. When you’re in a 5G area and doing bandwidth-intensive tasks, it will switch to 5G to provide the necessary speeds.
Camera System
Dual Camera System
The iPhone 12 sports a slightly updated dual camera system with a standard and an ultra-wide lens. The standard lens has a slightly wider aperture at f/1.6. While the hardware improvements may not be immediately noticeable in regular photos, they do enhance performance in challenging scenarios like low light, night mode, and high dynamic range shots.
Video Capabilities
iPhone video quality remains unrivaled. Despite not shooting in 8K or having a new sensor, the iPhone’s video camera is highly fine-tuned and reliable. The new iPhones can shoot 10-bit high dynamic range Dolby Vision 4K video, a significant advancement. However, compatibility issues with various HDR standards like HDR10 can affect how these videos are viewed on different platforms.
Performance and 5G
A14 Bionic Chip
The iPhone 12 is powered by the A14 Bionic chip, one of the first 5-nanometer chips in any device. This chip offers more powerful CPU and GPU performance, paired with 4GB of RAM. While the performance boost may not be immediately noticeable, it ensures the phone remains fast and responsive for years to come.
Final Thoughts
The iPhone 12 is a significant upgrade in several key areas: design, display, and video capabilities. While it may not offer drastic improvements in battery life or camera hardware, the enhancements in design, build quality, and performance make it a compelling choice. Despite its higher price due to the inclusion of 5G, it remains a top-notch smartphone for most users.
Stay tuned for the review of the iPhone 12 Pro max, where I’ll delve into what makes it a Pro and whether it justifies the additional cost. Thanks for reading, and see you in the next one!
