Gold Version of iPhone 12 Pro Apparently Has a More Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Frame

[MacRumors]

iPhone 12 Pro reviews hit the web today, and one of the more interesting tidbits came from TechCrunch's Matthew Panzarino, who revealed that the Gold version of the device apparently has a more fingerprint resistant coating applied to the stainless steel frame.

From his review:

Most of the iPhone 12 Pro finishes still use a physical vapor deposition process for edge coating. But the new gold (which I do not have in person but looks great) uses a special high-power, impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) process that lays down the coating in a super dense pattern, allowing it to be tough and super bright with a molecular structure that mimics the stainless steel underneath — making it more durable than "standard" PVD. One side effect is that it's easier to wipe clean and takes on less fingerprints, something that my blue model was, uh, definitely prone to.

Panzarino said the new coating is also "more durable" than the one applied to other iPhone 12 Pro finishes, suggesting that the Gold version of the device could be at least slightly less susceptible to scratches, nicks, or other wear and tear.

While this information presumably comes from Apple, it appears that all reviewers were provided with the Pacific Blue version of the iPhone 12 Pro, so we'll have to wait and see exactly how much more durable and fingerprint resistant the Gold version proves to be. The device will begin arriving to customers starting this Friday.

We've rounded up iPhone 12 reviews, iPhone 12 Pro reviews, and unboxing videos of both devices ahead of Friday's launch.

Article Link: Gold Version of iPhone 12 Pro Apparently Has a More Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Frame

 

[nameste]

gold looks #1

 

[Robin Bonathan]

buxxer, i ordered pacific blue :-(

 

[NewYorkRanger]

This is only a “problem” for people who go caseless. Non-issue for the vast majority who use a case.

I would mention gold is great, I love the gold edges but the back is basically cream, not sure why they didn’t choose a different darker tone.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

So what I'm hearing is that Apple cheaped out on providing proper protective coatings for the majority of these phones?

 

[PieTunes]

Just what I needed, another reason to further consider the gold!

 

[C7 POWER]

I had planned to get the Blue 12 Pro Max for the last few months once the color was rumored, BUT when Apple held the event 2 weeks ago, and started the video for the Pro and the look of the Gold, I was totally swayed to buy the gold. So on 11/6, thats the one I am pre ordering for sure.

 

[Metrosey]

And what are the negatives of using this process?

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

It's quite astonishing, really. We now live in an age were we have a supercomputer in our pocket and worry about the amount of fingerprints on part of its case.

 

[spytech]

So there is phone that's "more Pro" than the other Pro's in the lineup just because of a color? Disappointing

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

So, is the same coating not applied to Pacific Blue???

 

[pioneer9k]

I just went silver so I can always polish the “chrome” anyways. Plus I use a case lol

 

[4jasontv]

This is gold as in iPhone Sherwin-Williams Edition, not gold as in Apple Watch Edition, correct? So why would there be a different process?

 

[techno-Zen]

I use a case. who cares

 

[Metrosey]

Any photos of the gold?

 

[UltimateSyn]

So now it's Gold Max or Blue Max.. Hmm......

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

So now it's Gold Max or Blue Max.. Hmm......

Both lol

 

[mazz0]

I use a case. who cares

Other people?

 

[TonyC28]

I’ll take a Pro with aluminum please

Or as Jony would say, aloominium

 

[44267547]

And what are the negatives of using this process?

PVD if it had a reaction to anything, it might cause a separation or ‘tarnish-like appearance‘ if it comes in contact with certain types of fluids/cleaning solutions. The gold stainless Apple Watch uses PVD, [a few members posted their experiences with with tarnishing due to the PVD, but it was more of a rarity.]

 

[Apple_Robert]

I was set on blue for the mini but, that gold looks even better.

 

[Hendo999]

I just went silver so I can always polish the “chrome” anyways. Plus I use a case lol

Silver will also have pvd coating

 

[metalsiren]

I use a case. who cares

same here

 

[TroyBoy30]

thats why god made skins

 

[x-evil-x]

I just went silver so I can always polish the “chrome” anyways. Plus I use a case lol

Can’t polish it like the raw stainless. It still has a coating. Unless you want it to look like complete garbage wearing off in spots