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iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 12 Pro Buyer's Guide

The 6.1” non-Pro will be a great phone for a lot of people but I think when looking at the 128GB version of the non-Pro and 6.1” Pro, only $120 separates the two, and for that $120, you get extra camera, LiDAR, 6GB of RAM vs 4GB of RAM, SS body, and a screen rated slightly higher in brightness under standard conditions (800 nits vs 600 nits). Those things may not be worth $120 extra, for me they would be. The iPhone 12 Mini is going to be a killer little phone. Basically offers everything people have been asking for.
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Rocko99991 said:
Can someone explain camera differences in 12 Pro vs 12 Pro Max?
Click to expand...
The Pro Max has a larger sensor and OIS on the sensor itself instead of the lens.
 
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itsmilo said:
I am getting the Max because I am like "if I already spent that much money ... I might as well go all in" and it will last me a few years to come with 6 GB of ram. I just wish the Pro had the blue color of the non-Pro
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I feel this way as well, although there are a few key features missing like Pro Motion 120hz, that give me pause.

I feel next year would really be the best time to jump in, but you can say that for any Apple product.

I must say this year's lineup is better than ever and seems to have longer legs than recent years.
 
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MacRumors said:


This month, Apple unveiled the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro as the successors to the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro, with a new squared-off industrial design, the A14 Bionic chip, OLED displays, and MagSafe across the lineup.

iphone-12-vs-iphone-12-pro.jpg


The iPhone 12 starts at $799, while the iPhone 12 Pro starts at $999. As Apple's latest iPhones share a large number of features, should you consider purchasing the lower-cost model to save money, or opt for the high-end Pro model? Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two iPhones is best for you.

Comparing the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro

The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro share an overwhelming majority of features, such as display size, processor, and 5G. Apple lists these same features of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro:

Similarities

  • 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with 2532-by-1170-pixel resolution at 460 ppi, featuring HDR, True Tone, P3 Wide Color, and Haptic Touch
  • A14 Bionic chip
  • Sub-6GHz 5G connectivity (and mmWave in the U.S.)
  • 12MP Ultra Wide and Wide cameras
  • Face ID
  • Battery life with up to 17 hours of video playback
  • Ceramic Shield front
  • Water resistant to a depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes
  • Compatible with MagSafe accessories and wireless chargers
  • Available in 128GB and 256GB
  • Lightning connector

Apple's breakdown shows that the iPhones share a number of notable features. Even so, there are some key differences between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, including the LiDAR Scanner and Telephoto Lens.

Differences


iPhone 12
  • 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with 625 nits max brightness
  • Aerospace-grade aluminum
  • 12MP Ultra Wide and Wide camera lenses
  • Optical image stabilization
  • 2x optical zoom out, 2x optical zoom range, and digital zoom up to 5x
  • Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 30 fps
  • Available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB
  • Available in Blue, Green, PRODUCT(RED), White, and Black
  • 4GB of RAM *


iPhone 12 Pro
  • 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with 800 nits max brightness
  • Surgical-grade stainless steel
  • 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto camera lenses
  • Dual optical image stabilization
  • 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out, 4x optical zoom range, and digital zoom up to 10x
  • Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 60 fps
  • Apple ProRAW and Night mode portraits
  • LiDAR Scanner for Night mode portraits, faster autofocus in low light, and next-level AR experiences
  • Available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB
  • Available in Pacific Blue, Gold, Graphite, and Silver
  • 6GB of RAM *


Note that the iPhone 12 Pro Max provides a few additional improvements over the iPhone 12 Pro beyond a much larger 6.7-inch display. The iPhone 12 Pro Max also offers a wider optical zoom range, sensor-shift optical image stabilization, a telephoto lens with a larger aperture, and longer battery life.

Read on for a closer look at each of these aspects, and see what exactly both iPhones have to offer.

Design and Colors

The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro both have a squared-off industrial design with a flat band around the sides. The dimensions of both devices are identical, although the iPhone 12 is 25 grams lighter. More noticeable is the use of different materials and finishes.

The iPhone 12 uses aerospace-grade aluminum on the edges and a single piece of polished glass on the rear, while the iPhone 12 Pro uses surgical-grade stainless steel on the edges and a single piece of matte glass on the rear.

iphone-12-colors-2.jpg

iPhone 12 colors​


The two devices also use completely different color palettes. The iPhone 12 is available in Blue, Green, PRODUCT(RED), White, and Black, while the iPhone 12 Pro is available in Pacific Blue, Gold, Graphite, and Silver.

iphone12proframe.jpg

iPhone 12 Pro colors​


The iPhone 12 Pro espouses a more luxurious appearance, but the iPhone 12 still looks like a premium device. As the designs are so similar, and only vary in terms of color options and materials, preference for the iPhone 12 or 12 Pro will come down to personal taste.

Cameras

The main difference between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro is the rear camera setup. The iPhone 12 has a dual 12MP camera system with Ultra Wide and Wide lenses. This facilitates a two-times zoom out. On the other hand, the iPhone 12 Pro has a 12MP camera system with Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto lenses. This allows it to offer a two-times zoom in and a two-times zoom out. For video, iPhone 12 Pro can record HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 60 fps, but iPhone 12 can only do this up to 30fps.

The iPhone 12 Pro also has a LiDAR Scanner, which allows for Night mode portrait photos and enhanced AR experiences.

Apple_iphone12pro-back-camera_10132020.jpg

iPhone 12 Pro triple camera​


Beyond hardware, the two devices offer different camera software features. iPhone 12 can use digital zoom to zoom in up to five times, but iPhone 12 Pro doubles this to a ten times digital zoom. iPhone 12 Pro can also capture photos using "Apple ProRAW," a new RAW file format that takes full advantage of the device's rear cameras.

apple_iphone-12_dual-camera_10132020.jpg

iPhone 12 dual camera​



iPhone 12 Pro clearly provides a more capable and fully-featured camera experience, so users who prioritize photo and video capabilities should get the more expensive device, and even consider the iPhone 12 Pro Max. However, beyond the telephoto lens, many of these features, such as Apple ProRAW and LiDAR, will not be important to the majority of users. For most people, the iPhone 12's camera setup will be more than sufficient, and still offers a range of significant advances, such as HDR video recording with Dolby Vision, Night mode time-lapses, and front-facing Night mode and Deep Fusion.

Other iPhone Options

If you feel that the iPhone 12 is slightly out of your budget, and you do not need the new industrial design, 5G connectivity, the latest A14 chip, or OLED Super Retina XDR display, you may wish to consider the iPhone 11. The iPhone 11 uses the same materials as the iPhone 12, has the same 6.1-inch screen size, and starts at $599. The iPhone 11's A13 chip and dual-camera setup are still highly capable for day to day use.


Apple_iphone_11-rosette-family-lineup.jpg

iPhone 11​


iPhone 12 Pro Max


If you feel that the iPhone 12 Pro is too small or you want the absolute best iPhone camera available, you may wish to consider the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The iPhone 12 Pro Max boasts a much larger 6.7-inch display, and comes with a wider optical zoom range, sensor-shift optical image stabilization, a telephoto lens with a larger aperture, and longer battery life.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the iPhone 12 Pro offers minor advancements over the iPhone 12 in terms of materials and the rear camera. The iPhone 12 Pro is $200 more than the iPhone 12, and many people will find it difficult to justify the additional $200 simply for more premium materials and a better rear camera setup. Those opting for the iPhone 12 Pro will be seeking the most premium iPhone, or be interested in specific features such as the LiDAR Scanner or the Telephoto lens.

Since the two phones share a large majority of features, including design, an OLED Super Retina XDR display, 5G connectivity, the A14 Bionic chip, battery life, and MagSafe, it is difficult to actively recommend the more expensive model. As the improvements of the iPhone 12 Pro are minor and specific, most people should get the iPhone 12.

Article Link: iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 12 Pro Buyer's Guide
Click to expand...
Also remember that if you need 128GB, the price difference becomes $150 since the 12 starts at 64GB and the 128GB is more expensive at $849
 
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Rocko99991 said:
Can someone explain camera differences in 12 Pro vs 12 Pro Max?
Click to expand...
Very clearly spelled out here: https://www.apple.com/iphone-12-pro/specs/

  • Telephoto: ƒ/2.0 aperture (iPhone 12 Pro); ƒ/2.2 aperture (iPhone 12 Pro Max)
  • 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 4x optical zoom range (iPhone 12 Pro)
  • Digital zoom up to 10x (iPhone 12 Pro)
  • 2.5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 5x optical zoom range (iPhone 12 Pro Max)
  • Digital zoom up to 12x (iPhone 12 Pro Max)
  • Sensor-shift optical image stabilization (iPhone 12 Pro Max Wide)
Better Telephoto camera: larger aperture, greater optical zoom range.
Better image stabilization on the Wide camera.
 
When I was younger, I probably would have done the stupid thing and financed my phone again and gotten that pro model. Really though, now that iPhones have for the time peaked in features, it makes absolutely no financial sense for me to get a pro model and more than likely never use the camera features. Heck, even the regular 12 has the OLED display now which surprised me.

I’ll probably stick with my XS Max since it’s working perfectly fine and give it another year or so. Plus Apple again did not put USB-C so that’s a bit of a let down.
 
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selmy said:
Though if you want a SIM free 128GB phone, the price difference is $120.
Click to expand...
Would that allow me to switch carriers in the US? For example, I have my phone and my kids on AT&T. I wasn't too impressed with their 5G network and in the future, I may switch to Verizon or T-Mobile. I typically pay 100% for the phone up front. In the past, you could not switch from AT&T to Verizon (or vice-versa) with an iPhone since their networks were not compatible (GSM vs CDMA).

Thanks!
 
I feel last year, the iPhone 11 was a clear choice over the 11 Pro in a bang for buck analysis. This year this is less of a distinction because once you get above 128gb, the difference is smaller than the $300 that separates the base models. If I were to upgrade, the iPhone 12 Pro might be a good option as I love having at least 256gb of storage.
 
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I'm not sure what the point of these "most people should buy ____" articles actually is. Yes, obviously, the base model is the "most people" model. But the XS Max and the 11 Pro Max obviously sold in good enough numbers where Apple is continuing with that size/price category. The people who are going to buy iPhone 12 aren't going to check sites like this before buying, they're just going to say "I want the new iPhone 12" and don't even care that there's a Pro model. The people who are more knowledgeable about the product and what they need out of it are more likely going to choose the Pro/Max and also don't need Macrumors' assessment before doing so.

I'm just saying, there was even less difference between the 11 Pro and the 11 Pro Max last year--it was basically just size. People still bought the Pro and Pro Max anyway, and the regular 11 was the "most people" model. Clearly this strategy is working well for Apple or they'd stop doing it.
 
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Deinocheirus said:
Very clearly spelled out here: https://www.apple.com/iphone-12-pro/specs/

  • Telephoto: ƒ/2.0 aperture (iPhone 12 Pro); ƒ/2.2 aperture (iPhone 12 Pro Max)
  • 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 4x optical zoom range (iPhone 12 Pro)
  • Digital zoom up to 10x (iPhone 12 Pro)
  • 2.5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 5x optical zoom range (iPhone 12 Pro Max)
  • Digital zoom up to 12x (iPhone 12 Pro Max)
  • Sensor-shift optical image stabilization (iPhone 12 Pro Max Wide)
Better Telephoto camera: larger aperture, greater optical zoom range.
Better image stabilization on the Wide camera.
Click to expand...
Actually, the Pro telephoto lens has a larger aperture than the Pro Max. The lower the f-stop number means the lens opens up wider. This in turn means that theoretically the Pro telephoto would do better in low-light situations than the Pro Max, especially when you factor in the fact that it's a shorter focal length, but it's probably splitting hairs when comparing f/2.0 vs f/2.2 and 55mm vs 65mm.
 
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Deinocheirus said:
Very clearly spelled out here: https://www.apple.com/iphone-12-pro/specs/

  • Telephoto: ƒ/2.0 aperture (iPhone 12 Pro); ƒ/2.2 aperture (iPhone 12 Pro Max)
  • 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 4x optical zoom range (iPhone 12 Pro)
  • Digital zoom up to 10x (iPhone 12 Pro)
  • 2.5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 5x optical zoom range (iPhone 12 Pro Max)
  • Digital zoom up to 12x (iPhone 12 Pro Max)
  • Sensor-shift optical image stabilization (iPhone 12 Pro Max Wide)
Better Telephoto camera: larger aperture, greater optical zoom range.
Better image stabilization on the Wide camera.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Do you know if the larger image sensor just on the Max or is at on both?
 
Thanks MacRumors this is awesome. However my dilemma is going from 11 Pro to 12 (not Pro).

I don't like the blue on the Pro - it's not strong enough and I'm fickle for a good colour!
 
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Johnny Steps said:
When I was younger, I probably would have done the stupid thing and financed my phone again and gotten that pro model. Really though, now that iPhones have for the time peaked in features, it makes absolutely no financial sense for me to get a pro model and more than likely never use the camera features. Heck, even the regular 12 has the OLED display now which surprised me.

I’ll probably stick with my XS Max since it’s working perfectly fine and give it another year or so. Plus Apple again did not put USB-C so that’s a bit of a let down.
Click to expand...
I have an XR and am waiting for next year's models (at least). The only way I'll switch is if my cell provider runs an upgrade promo where I can get a new phone for free (trade-in would be fine). Otherwise, there's no reason to upgrade this year. I think the upgrades this year are bigger than last year's upgrades but I'm holding out for maturity of 5G, the rumored 120 Hz screens, and maybe even microLED (2022 should be the soonest that will happen but that's probably being too hopeful). Next year is when I'll start to consider an upgrade.
 
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tedwill said:
Would that allow me to switch carriers in the US? For example, I have my phone and my kids on AT&T. I wasn't too impressed with their 5G network and in the future, I may switch to Verizon or T-Mobile. I typically pay 100% for the phone up front. In the past, you could not switch from AT&T to Verizon (or vice-versa) with an iPhone since their networks were not compatible (GSM vs CDMA).

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Absolutely. I do the same, pay 100% up front, and have now had all 4 carriers (RIP Sprint).
 
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I don't get why they put the ultra wide in the low end phone as the other option. id imagine most people want the zoom. I want to get my dad a low end one but I'd have to go find an old X or something to get a zoom... also its kinda pathetic 2x is still the max considering the competition...
 
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And here I am just waiting for the mini. Love that form factor, and now have no need for a pro camera or Phablet type screen.

Just as an aside, at what point to you trade from top of the range Photography on an iPhone, and move to a professional DSLR camera?
 
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