iPhone 12 Pro Reviews: New Design and Camera Improvements More Compelling During Early Days of 5G

[MacRumors]

Three days ahead of its launch, reviews of the iPhone 12 Pro are in. We've rounded up impressions of the device below.

With the iPhone 12 now featuring an OLED display like Pro models, The Verge's Nilay Patel said the differences between the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro are "fundamentally much smaller than last year," when the iPhone 11 still had an LCD. In addition to OLED, both devices also feature a faster A14 Bionic chip, 5G support, and a new flat-edge design.

iPhone 12 Pro in Pacific Blue via The Verge​

While the iPhone 12 has an aluminum frame, the iPhone 12 Pro features a more polished stainless steel frame, but Patel notes that it is a fingerprint magnet. His team also managed a tiny nick in the frame of the iPhone while reviewing it. In addition to the more durable Ceramic Shield front cover, Apple told The Verge that the new flat-edge design of iPhone 12 models should also improve drop performance.

Despite rumors suggesting that the iPhone 12 Pro could feature a higher 120Hz refresh rate, the device continues to have a 60Hz display, which Patel said is not very "pro" and is behind virtually every Android phone priced at $700 and up. Overall, though, Patel said the iPhone 12 Pro continues to have an excellent display.

iPhone 12 Pro models sold in the U.S. support ultra-fast mmWave 5G, and to accomodate this, there is a small window on the side of the device that allows mmWave antenna signals to pass through. Apple told The Verge that holding your hand over this window shouldn't affect wireless performance, and Patel said he didn't have any issues during his brief mmWave testing on Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband network.

Last year, Patel said the iPhone 11 Pro had the best camera system on a smartphone, and he found that the iPhone 12 Pro takes another step forward with improvements to low-light performance, noise reduction, and contrast.

Watch these iPhone 12 Pro camera tests from photographers Peter McKinnon and Andy To:

Patel also shared a detailed overview of the iPhone 12 lineup's ability to record HDR video in Dolby Vision, a feature he described as a "big deal."

TechCrunch's Matthew Panzarino shared several photos shot on the iPhone 12 Pro in his review, providing a closer look at Portrait mode improvements and more.

All in all, The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern said the iPhone 12 lineup represents "one of the biggest iPhone upgrades in years, no thanks to the 5G connectivity, but because of its fabulous-to-hold design and substantial camera improvements."

More Reviews

• WIRED's Julian Chokkattu
• Engadget's Chris Velazco
• CNET's Patrick Holland
• Mashable's Brenda Stolyar
• The Independent's David Phelan
• CNN's Jake Krol

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro pre-orders began last week, and the devices will be available starting this Friday. iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max pre-orders begin Friday, November 6, and reviews of those devices are not out yet.

Article Link: iPhone 12 Pro Reviews: New Design and Camera Improvements More Compelling During Early Days of 5G

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

5G is just got real. Perfect timing for Apple.

 

[nathan_reilly]

yes it is

 

[yurc]

Prosser said Tuesday first reviewed will roll out, seems he nail it again this time.

 

[Deinocheirus]

Despite rumors suggesting that the iPhone 12 Pro could feature a higher 120Hz refresh rate, the device continues to have a 60Hz display, which Patel said is not very "pro" and is behind virtually every Android phone priced at $700 and up. Overall, though, Patel said the iPhone 12 Pro continues to have an excellent display.

I'm very cynical about this because everything else Apple has done this year indicates to me that 120 Hz displays were scrapped early on as a cost saving measure. In other words, the already ridiculously expensive iPhone Pro models couldn't get 120 Hz displays because Apple wasn't comfortable with the margin.

 

[Joe Rossignol]

Prosser said Tuesday first reviewed will roll out, seems he nail it again this time.

No surprise, though. iPhone reviews have been on Tuesday before a Friday launch for nearly a decade.

 

[BlueCreek]

😴 let’s see what next year has to offer...

 

[ScreenSavers]

Exciting.

 

[EvilEvil]

I'm very cynical about this because everything else Apple has done this year indicates to me that 120 Hz displays were scrapped early on as a cost saving measure. In other words, the already ridiculously expensive iPhone Pro models couldn't get 120 Hz displays because Apple wasn't comfortable with the margin.

Yet the iPad Pros since 2018 get a 120hz display no problem.

 

[The Game 161]

Prosser said Tuesday first reviewed will roll out, seems he nail it again this time.

It’s common knowledge reviewers get their devices a week earlier and are allowed to post from Tuesday onwards.

 

[The Game 161]

I'm very cynical about this because everything else Apple has done this year indicates to me that 120 Hz displays were scrapped early on as a cost saving measure. In other words, the already ridiculously expensive iPhone Pro models couldn't get 120 Hz displays because Apple wasn't comfortable with the margin.

Has nothing to do with cost, it has to do with battery life not being good enough with 5G For their standards

They will be getting LTPO display next year which cost more than normal panels.....so no this has nothing to do with cost.
[automerge]1603207557[/automerge]

Yet the iPad Pros since 2018 get a 120hz display no problem.

OLED and LCD are two totally different displays and far harder with OLED compared to LCD.

 

[Homme]

Prosser said Tuesday first reviewed will roll out, seems he nail it again this time.

and what it is finally confirmed in this review is the entire iPhone 12 lineup has 60hz screens.

he should have listened to Ross Young the entire time since his predictions of what the 12 lineup had but nope, even going as far as to post a fake YT Video of “proof” of 120hz on an iPhone despite young saying in multiple occasions that it won’t happen

anyway nice reviews, a bit curious for the mixed 5G responses but early days

 

[bbrks]

I am really curious...120h hz..how is this 120 hz so important ??? What for, can anyone please explain...

 

[Oohara]

That flat edge design has me drooling. Can't wait for the Pro Max.

 

[ian87w]

Ah, since any upgrades to a new cellular tech will have lack of coverage irl, Apple always paired it with a new redesign, so for those who doesn't have 5G yet can at least enjoy the new design. Similar to the iPhone 5 redesign and being the first LTE iPhone. Interesting.

 

[Chompineer]

I am really curious...120h hz..how is this 120 hz so important ??? What for, can anyone please explain...

It’s really not. Unless your one joy in life is watching your phone scroll through menus slightly smoother. Which, if that’s the case, you need to reevaluate yourself. Media is all 24/30/60 FPS, games might take advantage of it but battery life will really suffer.

Main reason it matters on the iPad is for pencil latency. For example, your pencil will be “faster” than your display on the new air, which results in a delay between writing and seeing the motion, albeit a very small one.

Just another one of those things for people to whine about since they can’t find any other reason to dislike the device.

 

[Cosmosent]

Is Apple's new ProRAW simply BGR10A2 with a new name ???

Anybody ...

 

[quatermass]

That camera lump on the back is butt ugly!

 

[Rich9454a]

Three days ahead of its launch, reviews of the iPhone 12 Pro are in. We've rounded up impressions of the device below.

With the iPhone 12 now featuring an OLED display like Pro models, The Verge's Nilay Patel said the differences between the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro are "fundamentally much smaller than last year," when the iPhone 11 still had an LCD. In addition to OLED, both devices also feature a faster A14 Bionic chip, 5G support, and a new flat-edge design.

iPhone 12 Pro in Pacific Blue via The Verge​

While the iPhone 12 has an aluminum frame, the iPhone 12 Pro features a more polished stainless steel frame, but Patel notes that it is a fingerprint magnet. His team also managed a tiny nick in the frame of the iPhone while reviewing it. In addition to the more durable Ceramic Shield front cover, Apple told The Verge that the new flat-edge design of iPhone 12 models should also improve drop performance.

Despite rumors suggesting that the iPhone 12 Pro could feature a higher 120Hz refresh rate, the device continues to have a 60Hz display, which Patel said is not very "pro" and is behind virtually every Android phone priced at $700 and up. Overall, though, Patel said the iPhone 12 Pro continues to have an excellent display.

iPhone 12 Pro models sold in the U.S. support ultra-fast mmWave 5G, and to accomodate this, there is a small window on the side of the device that allows mmWave antenna signals to pass through. Apple told The Verge that holding your hand over this window shouldn't affect wireless performance, and Patel said he didn't have any issues during his brief mmWave testing on Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband network.

Last year, Patel said the iPhone 11 Pro had the best camera system on a smartphone, and he found that the iPhone 12 Pro takes another step forward with improvements to low-light performance, noise reduction, and contrast.

Watch these iPhone 12 Pro camera tests from photographers Peter McKinnon and Andy To:

Patel also shared a detailed overview of the iPhone 12 lineup's ability to record HDR video in Dolby Vision, a feature he described as a "big deal."

TechCrunch's Matthew Panzarino shared several photos shot on the iPhone 12 Pro in his review, providing a closer look at Portrait mode improvements and more.

All in all, The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern said the iPhone 12 lineup represents "one of the biggest iPhone upgrades in years, no thanks to the 5G connectivity, but because of its fabulous-to-hold design and substantial camera improvements."

More Reviews

• WIRED's Julian Chokkattu
• Engadget's Chris Velazco
• CNET's Patrick Holland
• Mashable's Brenda Stolyar
• The Independent's David Phelan

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro pre-orders began last week, and the devices will be available starting this Friday. iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max pre-orders begin Friday, November 6, and reviews of those devices are not out yet.

Article Link: iPhone 12 Pro Reviews: New Design and Camera Improvements More Compelling During Early Days of 5G

I have a phone for 2 essential reasons, for phone calls and to send and receive data (messages, emails and maybe web browsing too). I have an iPhone XS and it is a great phone except for 1 essential and most basic of features - the antenna is almost totally useless. I can receive and make phone calls usually without any problems. Despite living and working within a mile of Verizon towers where there is a direct line of sight and no tall mountains or buildings in the way, I can usually only get data service when I am connected to wifi. Friends who have other iPhone and Android models (and Verizon service) while sitting next to me make calls, browse the internet, check for and send emails and messages while I sit there with a mostly nonfunctional phone when there is no wifi. My iPhone XS is in perfect condition, and I did not want to spend another $1K on a phone this year, but I ordered the iPhone 12 Pro because I need a phone that works. I would like to see reviews on phone antenna signal quality (decibel comparisons) for this most essential feature more than I am interested on the latest camera or notifications whiz bang details.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

It’s really not. Unless your one joy in life is watching your phone scroll through menus slightly smoother. Which, if that’s the case, you need to reevaluate yourself. Media is all 24/30/60 FPS, games might take advantage of it but battery life will really suffer.

Main reason it matters on the iPad is for pencil latency. For example, your pencil will be “faster” than your display on the new air, which results in a delay between writing and seeing the motion, albeit a very small one.

Just another one of those things for people to whine about since they can’t find any other reason to dislike the device.

And for people who have sensitive eyes, a 120hz screen helps with eye strain.

 

[FightTheFuture]

Really enjoyed the Andy To NYC video. Good to see the Joker stairs are still a thing after a year. 🤡

Has nothing to do with cost, it has to do with battery life not being good enough with 5G For their standards

Yep, with every indication of the battery being a lower capacity than the iPhone 11, something had to be compromised. That said, I believe it was Renee Ritchie who thought Apple didn’t have access or ability to churn out 120Hz displays at the volume expected.

 

[The Game 161]

Really enjoyed the Andy To NYC video. Good to see the Joker stairs are still a thing after a year. Yep, with every indication of the battery being a lower capacity than the iPhone 11, something had to be compromised. That said, I believe it was Renee Ritchie who thought Apple didn’t have access or ability to churn out 120Hz displays at the volume expected.

Yeah for LTPO samsung weren’t able to get enough high volume for demand which is why they have to wait for 2021 for LTPO

 

[Stella]

How reliable is Face ID while wearing a mask?

 

[xpxp2002]

Yet the iPad Pros since 2018 get a 120hz display no problem.

Since 2017, actually.

 

[NIKKG]

Gonna stick to my 11 Pro Max, hardly any meaningful upgrade this year. If they had added a fingerprint sensor I would’ve got it just for that as I’m tired of putting in my password because of the mask, missed opportunity.