Other iPhone 12 6.1" vs 12 Pro 6.1" - your thoughts ?

[The-Real-Deal82]

True. If you don't care about telephoto or LiDAR and want a 6.1" OLED iPhone, the non-pro should be a better option.
I feel a bit embarrassed for this year 6.1 pro vs the non-pro I feel like it is too close to the non-pro despite having a price gap.

Next year, the pro model could be way better and have more visible difference vs non-pro just by getting a full 120 Hz experience with LTPO.

I think the non Pro will be capable enough for most people much like the iPhone 11 was last year. I’ll be interested to see what price it comes in at and see whether to get the non Pro 12 or and 11 Pro with the discount. It’s a buyers market right now. Not at all bothered about whether my phone has 120Hz, I’m happy with the experience on an 8+ so not in he slightest bit wishful for that sort of refresh rate.

 

[JPack]

The 3 cameras on the Pro serves as a status symbol for consumers. So I suspect a significant number of consumers will buy the 6.1" Pro.

The conventional 6.1" model will obviously outsell both versions of the Pro, but I think the 6.1" Pro will provide a good uplift in sales by attracting many people who found 5.8" too small.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

The 3 cameras on the Pro serves as a status symbol for consumers. So I suspect a significant number of consumers will buy the 6.1" Pro.

The conventional 6.1" model will obviously outsell both versions of the Pro, but I think the 6.1" Pro will provide a good uplift in sales by attracting many people who found 5.8" too small.

I think to people who perceive the Pro as a status symbol, any new iPhone will attract the same effect.

 

[Dkka1]

The fact is, don't get fooled by marketing: 600-700 is more than plenty for a high end phone. The "Pro" line and all this stuff was intended as an over the top luxury option for a booming economic cycle, think crazy 80s, but it's basically fugazi and gimmicks (steel and what not), with the previous flagship line capped by using old screens. But that's not sustainable: neither the economic cycle and its demand nor using LCD screens forever.

It's no coincidence we're getting these phones this year: we're in a different economic cycle.

 

[JPack]

I think to people who perceive the Pro as a status symbol, any new iPhone will attract the same effect.

Some consumers grudgingly chose the iPhone 11 Pro because of the camera and outward appearance. But the small display and shorter battery life relative to the iPhone 11 were trade offs.

This year, the choice is easier. If you want an iPhone that serves as a status symbol and really offers more features, the iPhone 12 Pro is a good pick.

 

[Robbosan]

This year, the choice is easier. If you want an iPhone that serves as a status symbol and really offers more features, the iPhone 12 Pro is a good pick.

Don't think so, will still be differences and no one knows yet for sure anyway, you are guessing. 11 pro and 11 battery is similar.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Some consumers grudgingly chose the iPhone 11 Pro because of the camera and outward appearance. But the small display and shorter battery life relative to the iPhone 11 were trade offs.

This year, the choice is easier. If you want an iPhone that serves as a status symbol and really offers more features, the iPhone 12 Pro is a good pick.

Can a £300 difference really be classified as a status symbol? These devices are within reach of most if they decide to finance them in certain ways. A lot people don’t see the worth in the Pro by comparison so these sorts of people aren’t going to be looking at the Pro as a status symbol. Maybe it’s different in poorer countries and I can’t really speak for them but your statement isn’t true in Western Europe or the US.

 

[Lwii2boo]

Some consumers grudgingly chose the iPhone 11 Pro because of the camera and outward appearance. But the small display and shorter battery life relative to the iPhone 11 were trade offs.

This year, the choice is easier. If you want an iPhone that serves as a status symbol and really offers more features, the iPhone 12 Pro is a good pick.

I don't know where you live but in France (and I don't think we are very weird as consumers, the main difference is almost everyone here buy outright the whole price day one but on the other hands carrier contract are way cheaper in France and top quality) Pro iPhone is clearly not a status symbol. It tends to target differents type of person like :
- Tech or Photo enthusiasts (logic)
- Wealthy people who like at least a bit tech (logic)
- Influencers on Instragram, YT, TitTok etc
- the sad one : poor people from low/middle class who spent all their precious money and use credit to finance it to show off. More often people <25 years or black girls (no rasicm here to clarify, they just love Pro iPhone here haha ! I just saw it in Paris daily, I have no idea why tbh). Only on this case is it can be sort of a "status symbol" but within low/middle class so it's pure illusion IMO. They tend to don't care at all about tech, just care about apperance. (I am clearly not this type of person and I simply don't understand this but anyway, everyone is different 🙂 )

 

[1rottenapple]

I’m getting my dad the 6.1 non/pro. I’ll upgrade next year I think with a 6.7 max model. I like the big screen. Plus I’d like to hang out to my xs max since I paid so much for it I feel guilty upgrading without extracting as much use out of it.

 

[1rottenapple]

It’s different in the USA for sure. I’m in California and iPhone is so common and not a big deal. Everyone from entry level positions to high level positions had models ranging from entry level to xs max or pro max. Owning which model didn’t correspond with one’s financial status since cellphone companies offered great deals.

In my country (Asian) iPhone is a status symbol but it’s just any iPhone regardless of model. I remember going there and noticed Xiomi (I think) had really good iPhone clones with the home button some years ago and same sized chin and forehead. It was hard to distinguish them from genuine Apple iPhones except they had the proximity front sensor in a different area. And people didn’t use cases!! So they can show it off. I could tell they weren’t genuine because I’m a freaking Apple nerd but most people could not. lol

 

[Lwii2boo]

It’s different in the USA for sure. I’m in California and iPhone is so common and not a big deal. Everyone from entry level positions to high level positions had models ranging from entry level to xs max or pro max. Owning which model didn’t correspond with one’s financial status since cellphone companies offered great deals.

In my country (Asian) iPhone is a status symbol but it’s just any iPhone regardless of model. I remember going there and noticed Xiomi (I think) had really good iPhone clones with the home button some years ago and same sized chin and forehead. It was hard to distinguish them from genuine Apple iPhones except they had the proximity front sensor in a different area. And people didn’t use cases!! So they can show it off. I could tell they weren’t genuine because I’m a freaking Apple nerd but most people could not. lol

Yep it's Xiaomi, they had an UI very iOS like. I don't know if it's still true, but my little brother had one of those Xiaomi phone, I'm an iOS guy but I remember its device was insane value and screen given the price.

In France too, phones don't correspond to financial status 😉
The main difference I think is Apple is popular but less vs USA. For instance, no one cares about iMessage here, we use Messenger or WhatsApp or Instagram etc.. And Samsung is very very popular too and Xiaomi is becoming mainstream progressively too.
Also, we tend to change phone probably around every 3 years on average. I think it's more ~2 years in USA. Probably because we are a bit less consumerist on average + the way of financing phone in USA tends to convince people to upgrade each 2 years while we don't have this kind of incentive here

 

[JPack]

Can a £300 difference really be classified as a status symbol? These devices are within reach of most if they decide to finance them in certain ways. A lot people don’t see the worth in the Pro by comparison so these sorts of people aren’t going to be looking at the Pro as a status symbol. Maybe it’s different in poorer countries and I can’t really speak for them but your statement isn’t true in Western Europe or the US.

$300 can be a status symbol regardless of where you live. It represents the difference between buying an Apple Watch and not buying one. A pair of heels that have red soles vs. black soles. AirPods vs. AirPods Pro. Anybody can finance it with a credit card or otherwise but being able to spend it without consideration means something else.

 

[JPack]

It’s different in the USA for sure. I’m in California and iPhone is so common and not a big deal. Everyone from entry level positions to high level positions had models ranging from entry level to xs max or pro max. Owning which model didn’t correspond with one’s financial status since cellphone companies offered great deals.

In my country (Asian) iPhone is a status symbol but it’s just any iPhone regardless of model. I remember going there and noticed Xiomi (I think) had really good iPhone clones with the home button some years ago and same sized chin and forehead. It was hard to distinguish them from genuine Apple iPhones except they had the proximity front sensor in a different area. And people didn’t use cases!! So they can show it off. I could tell they weren’t genuine because I’m a freaking Apple nerd but most people could not. lol

iPhone alone of course, may not be a status symbol. It’s the combination of the iPhone, watch, jewelry, vehicle, dining, travel, and other lifestyle behaviors that make it up. The difference between an iPhone and a more expensive contribute to that equation

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

$300 can be a status symbol regardless of where you live. It represents the difference between buying an Apple Watch and not buying one. A pair of heels that have red soles vs. black soles. AirPods vs. AirPods Pro. Anybody can finance it with a credit card or otherwise but being able to spend it without consideration means something else.

It’s not something I would consider a status symbol, just that someone paid slightly more that’s all. Status symbols generally suggest ‘status via wealth’ and phones are a fairly cheap example of that in my view. I work with people on much lower wage brackets than myself who own a better iPhone than me for example.

 

[kevink2]

Some consumers grudgingly chose the iPhone 11 Pro because of the camera and outward appearance. But the small display and shorter battery life relative to the iPhone 11 were trade offs.

This year, the choice is easier. If you want an iPhone that serves as a status symbol and really offers more features, the iPhone 12 Pro is a good pick.

And yet I kind of wish now I had gone ahead and got the pro. Telephoto lens, and the smaller phone would have been better for me.

 

[Christopher Kim]

Both my wife and I are still on the iPhone X (first year stretching our usual 2yr upgrade cycle to 3yrs) and both going to upgrade this year. About a month ago, I was 100% set on both getting the 6.1" 12 Pro.

Assuming all the rumors / speculation is true, I'm now leaning more towards the 6.1" 12 as well. My wife, who takes way more photos / vidoes than I do will likely still get the 12 Pro given she can really use the better camera / telephoto lens. But from my perspective, the 12 will likely handle all my needs. Also living in Canada, any difference in price between non-pro / pro is magnified (typically our C$ price is 35% more than the US$ price, and then we also have 13% sales tax - higher than any US state, understand it's lower than EU implied VAT!).

When I was a bit younger, I think I cared more about having the absolute best. These days (mid-30s, have 2 young kids), I'm happy to save the ~$350 all-in price difference - could use it either for an ARM MBP eventually (to upgrade my still great but getting long-in-the-tooth 2016 13" MBP) or frankly, just save the money. Given uncertainty with the pandemic, on the margin, saving money a good thing!

 

[jm31828]

If the 12 has Oled maybe, but camera will probably be sub par like the 11. Going to be an uproar if it's just a 11S with same LCD screen.
Most probably stick with my 11 pro.

It seems all the rumors are of the 12 models across the board having OLED. Is there some talk of maybe one of them having LCD? I am actually hoping the mini will be LCD, for those of us wanting to avoid the eye strain caused by the OLED screens!

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Both my wife and I are still on the iPhone X (first year stretching our usual 2yr upgrade cycle to 3yrs) and both going to upgrade this year. About a month ago, I was 100% set on both getting the 6.1" 12 Pro.

Assuming all the rumors / speculation is true, I'm now leaning more towards the 6.1" 12 as well. My wife, who takes way more photos / vidoes than I do will likely still get the 12 Pro given she can really use the better camera / telephoto lens. But from my perspective, the 12 will likely handle all my needs. Also living in Canada, any difference in price between non-pro / pro is magnified (typically our C$ price is 35% more than the US$ price, and then we also have 13% sales tax - higher than any US state, understand it's lower than EU implied VAT!).

When I was a bit younger, I think I cared more about having the absolute best. These days (mid-30s, have 2 young kids), I'm happy to save the ~$350 all-in price difference - could use it either for an ARM MBP eventually (to upgrade my still great but getting long-in-the-tooth 2016 13" MBP) or frankly, just save the money. Given uncertainty with the pandemic, on the margin, saving money a good thing!

I changed my mindset on iPhones after I had kids too. When the prices went to £1k+ I snubbed the top models. I can afford the Pro’s but I just can’t stomach the cost on principle so this year I think i’ll get the standard 12 and perhaps an iPad Air. I can’t really see what I’d be getting with the Pro that isn’t already rumoured on the 12?

 

[trims]

I changed my mindset on iPhones after I had kids too. When the prices went to £1k+ I snubbed the top models. I can afford the Pro’s but I just can’t stomach the cost on principle so this year I think i’ll get the standard 12 and perhaps an iPad Air. I can’t really see what I’d be getting with the Pro that isn’t already rumoured on the 12?

You're not alone. With the market downturn £1k+ phones aren't going to sell well. Other manufacturers are already responding with cheaper flagships. Apple won't want to be seen to be 'stepping down' so the 12 Pro will still be £1k+, but their trick will be to make the £800 12 appear great value - which will boost their sales and maintain market share.

 

[Eldiano]

So will the Pro models be released in November? That’s my main question, I also hate the fact that it got upgraded in size, I like the smaller models, they just work for me, i had oversized phones and didn’t like them at all to be honest, would rather just keep it as is.

 

[alstrike]

I'm eyeing the regular 12 but will watch the Keynote to gather more info and make a decision.

 

[Dkka1]

Can a £300 difference really be classified as a status symbol? These devices are within reach of most if they decide to finance them in certain ways. A lot people don’t see the worth in the Pro by comparison so these sorts of people aren’t going to be looking at the Pro as a status symbol. Maybe it’s different in poorer countries and I can’t really speak for them but your statement isn’t true in Western Europe or the US.

The fact that those 300 bucks are completly unnecessary is what makes it a luxury item.

Everybody can buy a 100 dollars piece of bread. However, it would be a luxury article, hence, it would give its buyer status. Why? Because it would be exclusive. Why? Because it is unnecessary. Why? Because it does the same as 1$ bread.

But, you need a brand and some clear differentiation (different back, three cameras), so everybody knows you're buying the expensive one.

 

[1rottenapple]

I'm keeping the XS max, it would be interesting to pair it with the 6.1 iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 model.

 

[Dkka1]

I don't know where you live but in France (and I don't think we are very weird as consumers, the main difference is almost everyone here buy outright the whole price day one but on the other hands carrier contract are way cheaper in France and top quality) Pro iPhone is clearly not a status symbol. It tends to target differents type of person like :
- Tech or Photo enthusiasts (logic)
- Wealthy people who like at least a bit tech (logic)
- Influencers on Instragram, YT, TitTok etc
- the sad one : poor people from low/middle class who spent all their precious money and use credit to finance it to show off. More often people <25 years or black girls (no rasicm here to clarify, they just love Pro iPhone here haha ! I just saw it in Paris daily, I have no idea why tbh). Only on this case is it can be sort of a "status symbol" but within low/middle class so it's pure illusion IMO. They tend to don't care at all about tech, just care about apperance. (I am clearly not this type of person and I simply don't understand this but anyway, everyone is different 🙂 )

You are right.

 

[K4VKS]

I changed my mindset on iPhones after I had kids too. When the prices went to £1k+ I snubbed the top models. I can afford the Pro’s but I just can’t stomach the cost on principle so this year I think i’ll get the standard 12 and perhaps an iPad Air. I can’t really see what I’d be getting with the Pro that isn’t already rumoured on the 12?

It’s weird how that happens. I just had a baby and feel the same. My math always falls back on “how many diapers could I buy with that money...?” Lol