Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPhone 12 Pro Downgrade from 12 pro to 12?

H

hyperx136

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 7, 2007
28
14
So I have been using the iPhone 12 pro for like a month now and it is a great phone, definitely enjoyed it. However, my gf also has her iPhone 12 and I have been messing with it here and there and I'm seriously thinking of downgrading before the holiday return ends.

In normal use, I see no difference from the screen brightness (12 pro is brighter but I don't crank up my screen brightness to the max and I can't tell if I don't put both phones next to each other). The 4GB vs 6Gb does not make any app launch faster for me. Maybe some apps stay in the background longer but again, I really can't tell. I rarely take pictures so I can give up the improvements in the camera, but even with the limited amount of pictures that I can compare from both phones, they both look good to me.

But what I CAN tell is the weight of the 12 is noticeably lighter than the 12 pro, the matte finishes are much nicer to touch than stainless steel. I prefer the matte back of the pro but the 12's back is more grippy. The feel of the phone is quite important since you pick it up and down so many times a day. And of course, it is $120 cheaper (minor reason)

Anybody have the same thought or downgraded recently that can give some inputs? Thanks
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: bobby68, Ram65 and ouimetnick
hyperx136 said:
So I have been using the iPhone 12 pro for like a month now and it is a great phone, definitely enjoyed it. However, my gf also has her iPhone 12 and I have been messing with it here and there and I'm seriously thinking of downgrading before the holiday return ends.

In normal use, I see no difference from the screen brightness (12 pro is brighter but I don't crank up my screen brightness to the max and I can't tell if I don't put both phones next to each other). The 4GB vs 6Gb does not make any app launch faster for me. Maybe some apps stay in the background longer but again, I really can't tell. I rarely take pictures so I can give up the improvements in the camera, but even with the limited amount of pictures that I can compare from both phones, they both look good to me.

But what I CAN tell is the weight of the 12 is noticeably lighter than the 12 pro, the matte finishes are much nicer to touch than stainless steel. The back is more fingerprint magnet but more grippy. The feel of the phone is quite important since you pick it up and down so many times a day. And of course, it is $120 cheaper (this is just a minor reason)

Anybody have the same thought or downgraded recently that can give some inputs? Thanks
Click to expand...
I would exchange it. I went from 12 Max to mini and using it day to day, i feel the huge difference enough that I like having a lightweight phone. And i can foresee people saying I should lift weights, I DO LIFT WEIGHTS LOL

Its hard to notice the difference between pro and non-pro quality wise unless you are truly looking at things side by side measure the nits outdoors. I took my mini out on a day trip and viewing it outside its clear and nice screen to look at under the bright sunlight. If you will notice the phone less because it is lighter I say its worth it. I love how I don't know if my phone is in my pants pocket anymore! Is it on the coffee table or my packet? Let me check... on its in my left pocket LOL Unlike the Max or big phones where you always can tell its there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Barbareren, kazmac, bobby68 and 4 others
I tried out a 12 pro after using the 12 for a week and I really found myself not wanting to give up my 12. The extra features just didn’t seem too necessary for my use and the weight was a definite factor. Also wasn’t really into the extra shininess of the pro.

There are times that I wonder if I’m missing out by not having the third camera ... but I think that’s just wanting what I don’t have haha
 
Last edited:
Aesthetically I do like the 3 camera setup. I love how it looks. The two camera setup looks like something is missing. Thankfully I got a dark color to hide the setup.
 
  • Like
Reactions: certifiedlovergirl
I think looks-wise, the pro line looks amazing. I think they've done a good job on all colors of the pro line, the regular 12's colors are a mixed bag to me, I personally would just get the regular black color. I also think the 3 cameras set up look more balance than 2, the stainless steel also has this expensive jewelry vibe to it. But the moment you start using it, it's kinda cumbersome from the weight and the sleekness of the stainless steel metal. I agree with Quinn from Snazzy Labs's review when he said the iphone 12 pro does not feel solidly built, it feels over-built.

I'm also thinking about the resale value. Given it is in pristine condition, not sure if the 12 or the 12 pro will retain their value more after a year since I do tend to upgrade every year. Next year 120hz or 90hz is very likely to happen so I assume the value of both the phones will drop even more significantly than in other years.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1rottenapple
I really think the iPhone 12 vs iPhone 12 Pro is just because the 12 Pro probably has better profit margins than the regular 12 while offering several nicer features. Obviously Apple is going to do what rakes in the most money, but either offer an iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, or replace the Pro with the regular 12. Seems to be a lot of overlap between those models. This isn't like the 11 series where the non Pro models lacked a OLED display.
 
  • Like
Reactions: certifiedlovergirl
hyperx136 said:
So I have been using the iPhone 12 pro for like a month now and it is a great phone, definitely enjoyed it. However, my gf also has her iPhone 12 and I have been messing with it here and there and I'm seriously thinking of downgrading before the holiday return ends.

In normal use, I see no difference from the screen brightness (12 pro is brighter but I don't crank up my screen brightness to the max and I can't tell if I don't put both phones next to each other). The 4GB vs 6Gb does not make any app launch faster for me. Maybe some apps stay in the background longer but again, I really can't tell. I rarely take pictures so I can give up the improvements in the camera, but even with the limited amount of pictures that I can compare from both phones, they both look good to me.

But what I CAN tell is the weight of the 12 is noticeably lighter than the 12 pro, the matte finishes are much nicer to touch than stainless steel. The back is more fingerprint magnet but more grippy. The feel of the phone is quite important since you pick it up and down so many times a day. And of course, it is $120 cheaper (this is just a minor reason)

Anybody have the same thought or downgraded recently that can give some inputs? Thanks
Click to expand...
personally i wouldnt upgrade bc i like the ✨aesthetics✨of the pro better and i do use the camera a lot, but if i were you i would switch to the 12 bc like u said, lighter and no other noticeable difference (and u save a bit of money)
 
It's a tool that has probably become the most used in our daily lives. Usability is where it's at, as you don't notice the extra areas where the Pro is better, but find the ergonomics of the non Pro better, that's a solid reason to swap.

I'm a sucker for aesthetics and was almost temped by the blue 12 Pro, but missed having a small phone so stuck with the mini.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MisterMillz
$120 cheaper aint worth it to me over the life of the device

I prefer 3 cameras, LiDAR, 6GB of ram (even if not felt it may be down the road ymmv), and a brighter screen

its panel lottery, so in lots of cases the screen is probably same brightness. l've compared pro units and mine is brighter. I've seen some pros that look identical to non pro so ymmv there too
 
  • Like
Reactions: cub4bearin, PaladinGuy and BigMcGuire
If the pro has the same finishes and weight as the regular 12 but with all extra features and the same pro price, I would get it in a heartbeat. The thing is I will most likely upgrade the phone in a year so 2GB future-proofing ram is not doing much since the phone is already so fast for now and will hold up at least a year. The panels are very ymmv, but both of them have almost the exact same screen in most cases. Also, I'm one of the few people that don't take advantage of the camera much on the iPhone but if I do, the pro is a no-brainer.
 
thadoggfather said:
$120 cheaper aint worth it to me over the life of the device

I prefer 3 cameras, LiDAR, 6GB of ram (even if not felt it may be down the road ymmv), and a brighter screen

its panel lottery, so in lots of cases the screen is probably same brightness. l've compared pro units and mine is brighter. I've seen some pros that look identical to non pro so ymmv there too
Click to expand...
To be fair, you got your Pro really cheap with the At&T deal. Comparing the cost with someone paying full price is a different story.
As far as the cameras go, it seems to me you were a very enthusiastic and happy SE 2020 owner before getting the deal on the Pro. Only one camera on the SE.
 
Phone Junky said:
To be fair, you got your Pro really cheap with the At&T deal. Comparing the cost with someone paying full price is a different story.
As far as the cameras go, it seems to me you were a very enthusiastic and happy SE 2020 owner before getting the deal on the Pro. Only one camera on the SE.
Click to expand...

i say a $120 difference seems worth it period, 879 vs 999 at face value 12 vs pro. If it was a $200 difference (and it is close for people who don't need 128, at $179 with $829 64gb vs $999 12 pro) then it would be worth consideration but $120 less seems like not much in relation to omitting those few features. If you really don't care, want to save a little coin, prefer a lighter phone and can't stand the stainless steel being a finger print magnet or don't use a case, I could see it. But still not tremendous value.

...yeah I got a great att deal but don’t see how that changes anything

and still got my se2 I’m happy and enthusiastic about. But that’s not the comparison

Se2 is by far the best value iPhone bang for buck but that’s not the device op is considering
 
Last edited:
hyperx136 said:
So I have been using the iPhone 12 pro for like a month now and it is a great phone, definitely enjoyed it. However, my gf also has her iPhone 12 and I have been messing with it here and there and I'm seriously thinking of downgrading before the holiday return ends.

In normal use, I see no difference from the screen brightness (12 pro is brighter but I don't crank up my screen brightness to the max and I can't tell if I don't put both phones next to each other). The 4GB vs 6Gb does not make any app launch faster for me. Maybe some apps stay in the background longer but again, I really can't tell. I rarely take pictures so I can give up the improvements in the camera, but even with the limited amount of pictures that I can compare from both phones, they both look good to me.

But what I CAN tell is the weight of the 12 is noticeably lighter than the 12 pro, the matte finishes are much nicer to touch than stainless steel. I prefer the matte back of the pro but the 12's back is more grippy. The feel of the phone is quite important since you pick it up and down so many times a day. And of course, it is $120 cheaper (minor reason)

Anybody have the same thought or downgraded recently that can give some inputs? Thanks
Click to expand...
From what you’ve said there, definitely get the 12. You’ve listed many of the reasons I didn’t bother getting the 12 Pro myself. I think for what both iPhone offer for the money, the 12 is the better device.
 
Just do a couple of the Apple fitness workouts and you’ll be able to lift the Pro Max size phone like me 🤷‍♂️😂
 
thadoggfather said:
i say a $120 difference seems worth it period, 879 vs 999 at face value 12 vs pro. If it was a $200 difference (and it is close for people who don't need 128, at $179 with $829 64gb vs $999 12 pro) then it would be worth consideration but $120 less seems like not much in relation to omitting those few features. If you really don't care, want to save a little coin, prefer a lighter phone and can't stand the stainless steel being a finger print magnet or don't use a case, I could see it. But still not tremendous value.

...yeah I got a great att deal but don’t see how that changes anything

and still got my se2 I’m happy and enthusiastic about. But that’s not the comparison

Se2 is by far the best value iPhone bang for buck but that’s not the device op is considering
Click to expand...
For $150AUD more the pro max is better value over the pro this year, it's 12 or 12 max value wise imo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: russell_314
The-Real-Deal82 said:
For many if not most iPhone users, paying a grand for a phone is too much, let alone the extra £100 again for the Pro Max. That’s before one considers whether it is too big or not I would say.
Click to expand...

I wonder if such type of users actually frequent Mac rumours.
 
I say do it. Being lighter and cheaper is a good enough reason.

I love the regular black 12 since it has an oled screen the whole phone is pure black on the front, back and edges.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Robbosan
The 12 seems like a perfect fit for the OP... I could have also gone with the 12, however I’m likely keeping this phone for 3-4 years, therefore, settled on the 12P
 
  • Like
Reactions: PaladinGuy
I’ve owned the 12 mini, 12 and 12 pro. Currently own and keeping the 12 pro.

The 12 is the sweet spot for most people IMO. (As Apple likely had intended).

The 12 is much lighter and will give up nothing to the 12 pro in day to day practical use.

I went with the 12 Pro out of a fear of missing out and other decadent reasons. The regular 12 was more enjoyable to use honestly.

Get a higher capacity 12 and use the extra $$$ for AirPods, etc
 
  • Like
Reactions: Apple OC and The-Real-Deal82
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back