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Hands-On With the New iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Mini

I’m coming from a 11 pro max.

People who say the 12 pro max is “huge” clearly never owned a max device. It’s literally the same size, and putting it up to my 11PM it’s taller and wider by just a hair. Literally just a hair.

I can easily hold it one handed as I did with the 11PM.
 
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Loving the max!! So happy I returned my pro! With the blue leather case on graphite this phone is amazing for me!! Yet I have big hands so it perfect for me!!
 
MacRumors said:


Happy iPhone launch day part deux! Today is the official release day for the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini, which join the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 that were released last month. We picked up the new iPhone 12 mini and Pro Max for an unboxing, hands-on, and quick video comparison.


At 5.4-inches, the iPhone 12 mini is the smallest iPhone that Apple has released since the 2016 iPhone SE, and the 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max is the largest iPhone to date, so seeing these two devices side-by-side is a bit comical. The iPhone 12 Pro Max, which is a dual-handed use phone, looks enormous next to the super tiny mini, which can be used one-handed.

iphone-12-mini-pro-max-boxes.jpg

For most people, MacRumors videographer Dan included, the 6.1-inch size of the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro may be the sweet spot, but those who want light weight, one-handed use, and better pocketability will love the mini. For most screen real estate, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the device to choose, and many of us here at MacRumors are fans of Apple's largest phone.

iphone-12-mini-in-hand-1.jpg

The 12 Pro Max offers a lot more screen real estate when browsing the web and using apps than the iPhone 12 or 12 mini, but it is a good deal heavier than Apple's other iPhones. Weight wise, it's not too far off from the iPhone 11 Pro Max for those that have that iPhone, but it is much more hefty than the iPhone 12 or 12 mini.

iphone-12-mini-front.jpg

We got the iPhone 12 Pro Max in silver and the color is almost a bright white, which looks fantastic. It has shiny silver edges, and the silver color seems to be better at concealing fingerprints than the blue iPhone with matching blue edges. Our iPhone 12 mini is red, and the red shade this year is brighter than usual like a shiny candy apple, and it too looks great.

iphone-12-mini-pro-max-side-by-side.jpg

The mini is so small that the Wallet accessory that Apple made goes right to the edges of the phone (it's the same width), which makes for an odd look. We also picked up a Leather case and the wallet attachment seems more slippery compared to the Silicone case, which is something to keep in mind.

iphone-12-lineup-all.jpg

The iPhone 12 mini has the same camera as the iPhone 12 and takes identical pictures, but the iPhone 12 Pro Max has a triple-lens camera with a sensor that's better than the sensor in the iPhone 12 Pro, giving it the best camera out of the bunch. Even though it has the best camera, the cameras in the other iPhones are quite good, and you may not see too much difference between them in standard lighting situations. You should, however, see some slightly better performance out of the 12 Pro Max in low lighting conditions.

iphone-12-mini-iphone-12-pro-max-in-hand.jpg

We took some comparison shots with the new iPhones and shared them in the video, so make sure to give it a watch to see if you can tell the difference in photo quality.

iphone-12-mini-pro-max-stickers.jpg


The iPhone 12 Pro Max comes with an extra large Apple sticker​

We're going to have more in-depth coverage of the new iPhones coming next week, including a camera comparison across the iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max, so make sure to stay tuned to MacRumors for all of your iPhone news.

Article Link: Hands-On With the New iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Mini
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FYI:
4032 x 3024 x ~1.26 = ~15.4 Mpx
That's the Size (i.e., Resolution) of the Image Sensor in the Back Wide Camera in the 12 Pro Max.
That's vs. 12.2 Mpx in ALL other premium iPhones (i.e., Back Wide Camera).
To summarize:
● 21% of the Size Increase is due to an Increase in Pixel Size.
● 26% of the Size Increase is due to Image Stabilization support (i.e., the Border).

The Image Sensor "Border" in the Back Wide Camera in the 12 Pro Max is for "Jitter Alignment" purposes.
Specifically, it enables Apple to support Image Stabilization of 12.2 Mpx photos in the Back Wide Camera in the 12 Pro Max.

During post, Apple very-likely uses Interpolation to Downscale to 12.2 Mpx, & stores a Photo at that resolution.

Here, I assume Apple did in-deed mean the sensor is 47% larger & NOT 21% larger !
21% larger accounts for the increase in pixel size ONLY (i.e., 1.4 um to 1.7 um).
In other words, if ONLY 21% larger, then there is NO Border (i.e., extra pixels for Image Stabilization).
If we take them at their word (i.e., 47% larger), then there is in-deed a Border.
 
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After spending about half a day with the 12 Pro Max I gotta say I’m on the fence coming from a X. I’ll have to try it for a few more days to get used to it and form a solid opinion. I like everything about the phone except the weight. Feels so much heavier. Will consider a 12 Pro but we’ll see how it goes.
 
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I thought I’d go smaller and get the 12 Pro this year. I returned the 12 Pro for the Max, and I’m so glad I did!! I would have been disappointed all year if I’d stuck with the 12 Pro. The Max screen is so much more immersive. So glad I got pacific blue, too. I’m surprised that the reviewer thinks that the stainless silver band hides fingerprints better than the blue band. I looked at both at the Apple Store, and I think the opposite. The light has to hit the blue band just right to show the smudges, but the stainless is easy to see.

It seems like every year reviewers feel like they have to warn people about the size of the Max/Plus phones. Do they give the same caveats about huge Android phones? By now, I think most people know how big these things are and whether it’s for them. My Max phones fit comfortably in all of my pockets and my hand.

Love the Max
 
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I noticed mine is more yellow than my X is. But after having it on now for 6 hours...it looks less yellow when I go toLight from Dark mode. But will watch it.

If I turn off True Tone I get more blue...More yellow with True Tone On...same for when I use True Tone on my Mac.
 
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Amacfa said:
I’m coming from a 11 pro max.

People who say the 12 pro max is “huge” clearly never owned a max device. It’s literally the same size, and putting it up to my 11PM it’s taller and wider by just a hair. Literally just a hair.

I can easily hold it one handed as I did with the 11PM.
Click to expand...
Why do you keep telling us the time? I really don’t care that it’s 11PM by you.
 
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kovalchuk71 said:
Definitely NOT a fan of the anodized coating on the aluminum "bumper" of my Mini. It's going to get scratched up quickly for people (such as myself) that go naked. Probably going to have to put a "film" over it.....ugh.

The rest of the phone looked nice though. I didn't get a chance to play with it yet, as it arrived right as I was leaving for work.
Click to expand...
Mirror polished, stainless steel...scratches like crazy. Shows the slightest abrasions. The aluminum takes a lot more to scratch, and is easier to grip.
 
Originally wanted the 12 Pro but now I’m interested in the 12 Mini! Something about ease of use is nostalgic...
 
I had the Plus units back in the day but have been using a 5.8" X since 2017. I opted for the Max b/c the X feels too small and I wanted a bigger screen and the 6.1" just doesn't seem like it much different from the 5.8" X.

Hoping that the Pro Max won't be too cumbersome and I won't need to return it for a 12 Pro.
 
Amacfa said:
I’m coming from a 11 pro max.

People who say the 12 pro max is “huge” clearly never owned a max device. It’s literally the same size, and putting it up to my 11PM it’s taller and wider by just a hair. Literally just a hair.

I can easily hold it one handed as I did with the 11PM.
Click to expand...
I've come to the conclusion that some people just like to complain. There's multiple smaller options, so I don't understand the complaints and shrug them off.

I didn't get a mini and then complain about how small it is. The name tells you what it is.
 
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afonsomduarte said:
After spending about half a day with the 12 Pro Max I gotta say I’m on the fence coming from a X. I’ll have to try it for a few more days to get used to it and form a solid opinion. I like everything about the phone except the weight. Feels so much heavier. Will consider a 12 Pro but we’ll see how it goes.
Click to expand...
I had the 7 Plus and 6 Plus before my X. I worry that after 3 years with the X that the Pro Max will feel too heavy and too big, but I want the real estate and I use my phone sooo much. My eye sight is also starting to degrade and I see myself using it in zoomed mode to make everything a bit bigger.

I get the argument that you should use an iPad when you can and not the phone, and in theory I like that idea because while I have not been an iPad fan in a long time and prefer my MacBook Pro, I just bought an iPad Air 4. Does that mean use the Air 4 for when I want a larger screen and not the phone. No. Why? Because I don't take my iPad everywhere and I always have my phone and I read so much email and web content on my phone that I want a bigger screen.

Of course with all that I am still concerned about trying to use a Pro Max one handed and the weight and size of it, especially after 3 years removed from the Plus iPhones with my X.
 
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Anyone experiencing slower than normal WiFi connectivity in their iPhone 12 mini? Mine has been out of the box for four hours and everything is running at a glacial pace: websites in safari, app downloads, data within apps. It’s embarrassingly slow.
 
I'm using the iPhone 12 mini now, and it's just what we've needed for a smaller-factor phone. The previous phones I had were the 7, SE, 5s and 4, all either hand-me-down or pre-owned. This feels more like the 7 honestly than the rest, even if it's shorter.
 
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Got the 12 Pro Max today!!! I can confidently say that it’s not only the best iPhone I’ve ever had, it’s the best phone in general. Getting decent 5G speeds in my neighborhood and I wasn’t even expecting that. The camera system is INSANE. But being the first phone to ever have a sensor shift stabilization system, I’m not surprised. The speed is just crazy too. Besting an intel i9 - so again not surprised. Great design too. I have large hands so the size is fine for me. All in all, since my phone is the device I use all the time, I’m completely happy with it. I do recommend that everyone get AppleCare Plus. I would never want to go without insurance on an expensive device that I rely on so much.

Side note: Apple is absolutely wiping the floor with the competition. Especially with the SoC.
 
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One other thing, I’m sooooo glad Apple didn’t cave to the USB-C crowd. Would’ve been disappointing if they did. I hope they skip USB-C and just go completely portless
 
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