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I have the 11 Pro now and don't use the pro camera features hardly at all -- I have my mirrorless camera for that. I'm going with the 12 this time around.
 
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i can wait until the undo the notch. so my 6s plus has to do 2 more years.
at least it will be a hugh technologigal step up by then :)
You can use iPhones for 5 years since there won't be significant hardware upgrades happen except fine-tuning the existing features further. If you have X, you can skip next two as well unless you need 5G for whatever reason.
 
That's complete nonsense, the Telephoto lens is leaps beyond the Wide lens + digital zoom.

And the Telephoto lens in the 12 Pro Max takes another leap forward with ƒ/2.2 aperture and 5x optical zoom range.

It is by far the most important camera.

Cropping isn’t the same as using digital zoom. The tele lens aperture is the same as the iPhone 11. “Leap forward”? lol. It’s not “5X optical zoom range” despite what  marketing calls it. The wide lens is a 26mm equivalent lens. The telephoto lens is a 52 mm. Effectively giving you 2x optical “zoom”.
 
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Coming from an iPhone 7 Plus, which I've owned for 4 years, the 12 Pro is the clear winner for me. More pocketable than the 7 Plus and 12 Pro Max, and has better specs in all categories (including resolution) than my 7 Plus.

I don't buy a new phone every 1-2 years anymore; I buy for the long haul. To me, $999 (plus tax, and a case, and a 20W charger, so ~$1200) is justifyable. If we're depreciating that cost over 4 years, that's $300 a year, or only $25 a month.
 
I've been struggling against 64Gb this year, so I already decided to go 128Gb. Given this and the $30 premium if you don't go through your carrier, the Pro seems like a no-brainer for the extra $120, especially as I often finding that I wish my camera had a zoom. Only thing pushing me to the cheaper model is I prefer the blue on the non-Pro.
128 GB should be enough for the user who's far above casual/minimalist user (these would be take the occasional photo and maybe have a few large apps), but below "hard core" (who take LOTS of HD video and pics, deal with lots of files, and have dozens of games).

From my experiences, I've been on 4 different Android phones. The first 3 had micro SD card slots. Having 16 GB and 32 GB of internal storage wasn't as big an issue as I originally thought since even though some things are better left on the device (like apps), multi-media like photos, videos, and documents could be offloaded onto the SD card. A 64 GB or 128 GB easily took care of that. The Pixel 4A is my first phone without an expansion card slot, but I figure as long as I leave 50 GB free, that should be enough for all my needs for any given vacation (assuming the US' pandemic situation gets better). I'll off load multi-media onto a desktop when I get the chance to clear up more space.
 
"a telephoto lens with a larger aperture"

This is _incorrect_. The 12 Pro Max has a higher f-stop... but a SMALLER (yes, "worse"/"slower") aperture.

The aperture on the 12 Pro telephoto is: f/2.0
On the 12 Pro Max it's: f/2.2

(larger numbers mean _smaller_ apertures)

That means the 12 Pro telephoto lets in ~20% more light than the 12 Pro Max telephoto.
 
Cropping isn’t the same as using digital zoom. The tele lens aperture is the same as the iPhone 11. “Leap forward”? lol. It’s not “5X optical zoom range” despite what  marketing calls it. The wide lens is a 26mm equivalent lens. The telephoto lens is a 52 mm. Effectively giving you 2x optical “zoom”.
You're wrong. I'm not going to keep repeating it just because you feel some need to justify purchasing a non Pro model.

iPhone 11 Pro Telephoto: ƒ/2.0 aperture, 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom range

iPhone 12 Pro Telephoto: ƒ/2.0 aperture, 2x optical zoom in, 4x optical zoom range

iPhone 12 Pro Max Telephoto: ƒ/2.2 aperture, 2.5x optical zoom in, 5x optical zoom range

...but by all means, keep pretending that is hasn't improved, is exactly the same as it was in the past, and that is no different than cropping a wide photo.
 
Self-identified uber photography geek, but ProRaw is a BIG deal (potentially - won't be out for a while) for me and my kind. Lidar low light focus assist - big deal. Dolby Vision HDR at 60fps vs 30fps sorta big.

Not for everybody, I agree, but $200 for all that feels like a steal!
 
The only thing that annoys me this year is the disparity between the Pro and the Pro Max again - I loved the launch of the X got right of this had parity in features no matter if you wanted normal or massive sized, three years later and we're back here with "well we've been lazy so we can put better features in a big frame instead of working to engineer them into both sizes"

I slipped into buy the massive phones around the iPhone 6 period just because I wanted the best camera and it was the worst iPhone I ever owned, I had the massive size and weight and I couldn't wait to back down a size again. Bar screen size and battery the Pro range should have feature parity.
 
Stop reading after seeing $799. Sim-fee cost $30 more ($829), only att and verizon are priced at $799. This needs to be specified and more wide spread.

Also, doesn't Verizon and AT&T have activation fees for new phones, essentially making them around $829 as well?
 
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As many, many others have said, you have to compare apples to apples, not base to base.

I need 256gb, SIM free.

12 $979
12 Pro $1099

$120 for the extras seems like a no brainier, especially spread out over 24 months ($5/month).

But I'm probably going to keep my XS for another year and wait on 12s or 13.
 
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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.

No - an f/2.2 is a _smaller_ aperture than an f/2.0 aperture.

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.

Yes! Exactly right - and I agree that it's not a big difference (about 20% more light in the Pro vs. Pro Max).

That's complete nonsense, the Telephoto lens is leaps beyond the Wide lens + digital zoom.

And the Telephoto lens in the 12 Pro Max takes another leap forward with ƒ/2.2 aperture and 5x optical zoom range.

It is by far the most important camera.

The f/2.2 is _slower_ than the f/2.0 of the iPhone 11 telephoto... BUT: it does make up for it with extra reach (zoom)

Cropping isn’t the same as using digital zoom. The tele lens aperture is the same as the iPhone 11. “Leap forward”? lol. It’s not “5X optical zoom range” despite what  marketing calls it. The wide lens is a 26mm equivalent lens. The telephoto lens is a 52 mm. Effectively giving you 2x optical “zoom”.

The Pro Max is a 65mm telephoto... which is 2.5x more zoom than the wide and 5x the ultrawide. So: as a camera "system" the optical zoom range is _5x_ (from widest to most zoomed). Also, don't forget that the Pro Max has a larger sensor for the Wide lens too (47% larger). These all add up to be pretty good gains over the previous generation (and other iPhone 12 models).

You're wrong. I'm not going to keep repeating it just because you feel some need to justify purchasing a non Pro model.

iPhone 11 Pro Telephoto: ƒ/2.0 aperture, 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom range

iPhone 12 Pro Telephoto: ƒ/2.0 aperture, 2x optical zoom in, 4x optical zoom range

iPhone 12 Pro Max Telephoto: ƒ/2.2 aperture, 2.5x optical zoom in, 5x optical zoom range

...but by all means, keep pretending that is hasn't improved, is exactly the same as it was in the past, and that is no different than cropping a wide photo.

Just keep in mind that f/2.2 is "worse"/"slower" than f/2.0 (by about 20%). Other than that: I agree, the iPhone 12 Max is out in front in terms of camera... for instance, it also has a 47% larger sensor for the Wide lens.
 
The only thing that annoys me this year is the disparity between the Pro and the Pro Max again - I loved the launch of the X got right of this had parity in features no matter if you wanted normal or massive sized, three years later and we're back here with "well we've been lazy so we can put better features in a big frame instead of working to engineer them into both sizes"

I slipped into buy the massive phones around the iPhone 6 period just because I wanted the best camera and it was the worst iPhone I ever owned, I had the massive size and weight and I couldn't wait to back down a size again. Bar screen size and battery the Pro range should have feature parity.

Completely agree. I still have the X and I love the size. I never wanted a big one again after my 6S+ and 7+ (that jet black though!). BUT: I can't pass up on the improvements to the camera in the 12 Pro Max. It's enough that it's worth it to me to lug around the larger phone.

For refernce, my main camera is a big ass DSLR that I lug most places - but I do like to do "real" photography with my iPhone too - so any improvements there are useful!

128GB Blue Pro Max here...
 
I slipped into buy the massive phones around the iPhone 6 period just because I wanted the best camera and it was the worst iPhone I ever owned, I had the massive size and weight and I couldn't wait to back down a size again. Bar screen size and battery the Pro range should have feature parity.

Completely agree. I still have the X and I love the size. I never wanted a big one again after my 6S+ and 7+ (that jet black though!). BUT: I can't pass up on the improvements to the camera in the 12 Pro Max. It's enough that it's worth it to me to lug around the larger phone.

This is what it boils down to for me. I want a smaller size again. Really, a better everything in a smaller size now.

I found this comparison between the 7 Plus and 12 Pro, and the differences are going to be shocking to me lol.
 
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No - an f/2.2 is a _smaller_ aperture than an f/2.0 aperture.
I'm well aware, I'm pointing out the differences/changes to the person claiming nothing had changed.
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Other than that: I agree, the iPhone 12 Max is out in front in terms of camera... for instance, it also has a 47% larger sensor for the Wide lens.
47% larger than what? The 12 Pro? The 12? The 11 Pro?
 
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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.

So, the main camera’s sensor is identical between the two? And the only benefit on the Max is with the Telephoto/zoom lens?

Or am I getting confused with what a sensor and lens is, and just sound stupid? Ha. As in the sensor is what controls all 3 lenses, and if larger, allows more light for all of them - and will improve all 3 lenses over the 12 Pro?
 
It really just comes down to the Telephoto lens. If you've gotten used to using that over the years (like I have), you're not going to give that up. The Telephoto is monumentally useful. It allows you to take shots that would be otherwise impossible or unremarkable when taken with the Wide lens. And the Ultra Wide lens is nice, but its a small step away from being a gimmick. It can take some interesting pictures but its not something you would use normally. Telephoto is.

The extra RAM is NOT a reason to buy the Pro. The extra RAM serves a very specific purpose, and we can even point to them. Dolby Vision recording at 60 fps vs. 30 fps, and Apple ProRAW. These are distinct software features that have NO other hardware limitation other than memory. The extra 2 GB is there to serve those features. Apple does not add more RAM than is absolutely needed because the OS and user experience do not need it and the battery would suffer needlessly if they did.
The telephoto lens is great. I am over having a huge phone (currently with an 11 Pro Max). The large screen is nice, but I am frustrated with the "reach to tap the top" maneuver I have to make nearly every time I use the phone. Back to a 12 Pro for me. And of course, now that the lineup is out, I'm already critiquing and thinking that I wish the iPhone Mini had a telephoto. Oh well. Perhaps they'll eventually give that option.
 
Minor differences between iPhone 12 or 12 pro. Most customers who buy the pro/pro max are absolutley not interested in benchmark results, or RAM sizes, or professional photography. These products are so fast that average users won't notice any difference. They change their iPhones each year basicly to get more attention on social media, and public places, and this attention costs 200$ more... (Apple knows that for sure!) So simple it is! I bet the new pacific blue model will be the super best selling iPhone 12 pro EVER!
It definitely will for the reasons you said. Apple always puts something unique on the new models for the vain customers. Plus they featured the color on GMA. Hopefully they forget by the time Pro can be ordered or it will be backordered to 2021 if you don't order in 30 seconds.
 
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One thing not mentioned is the difference when taking portrait mode photos. On the 11 it uses the wide angle, while the 11 Pro uses the telephoto, changing the image composition and the distance you need to stand from your subject.

Is this the same on the 12 vs 12 Pro?
 
I remember months ago, there was a rumor that the 12 would support 8-bit color and the 12 Pro would support 10-bit color. Is this still accurate? I haven’t seen any of the tech spec comparisons mention this.
 
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I'm well aware, I'm pointing out the differences/changes to the person claiming nothing had changed.

Sigh. I said nothing has changed in the telephoto lens that the 11 has vs the 12 Pro. It is identical!

And the Pro Max tele has slightly inferior light gathering ability vs the tele lens on the 12 Pro.
 
Please don’t speak on behalf of us who upgrade every year. I don‘t upgrade my iPhone every year to ”get attention.” On the contrary, I always get the black phone with a black ultra-thin case, so I don't “stand out.” I upgrade every year because I appreciate having a new, faster phone as I pretty much use it for everything. Both work and personal. All these yearly upgrades, no matter how incremental they might seem, are always worth it to me. Having the latest iPhone doesn’t make me feel like I’m better or more special than the next person. Because I’m not. I do it because it dramatically benefits MY life.
Well not everyone does, but I'm sure a good amount do, which is why Apple always has some unique thing on the new iPhone.
 
I just want a 12 mini with telephoto lens. Whether that's adding a third lens or killing the wide angle, either would be nice.
I'm going to happily upgrade from my 11 pro to get the smaller 12 mini even if I have to give up the heavily used telephoto.
 
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