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Face ID is a total dud. It doesn't work with masks, and it's responsible for that gigantic, hideous notch. The Android guys did the notch thing for a year then quickly got rid of it. It's a bizarre relic and it must go. Even in ideal situations face ID is slow, unreliable, and requires the phone to be picked up.

Apple should admit they were wrong and stitch touch ID on a side button as they did with the new iPad Air, then kill the stupid notch.

And as for the camera bump, ffs, what an idiotic piece of design. It should never have existed.
 
No need to pull down the mask. Use your passcode.

The sole point of biometric authentications is to not have to be ussing passcodes or typing things. And right now, and probably for more than we expect, the mask is here to stay making FaceID at least less than ideal in public spaces. They should just put it in the power button like the iPad Air, and I can't see anyone complaining about having another option to choose from instead of having to stick to FaceID only.
 
The sole point of biometric authentications is to not have to be ussing passcodes or typing things. And right now, and probably for more than we expect, the mask is here to stay making FaceID at least less than ideal in public spaces. They should just put it in the power button like the iPad Air, and I can't see anyone complaining about having another option to choose from instead of having to stick to FaceID only.
Apple would do well to incorporate that kind of approach with any upcoming phones. It would help people be more mindful from a health perspective as well as being more mindful of how they are using their devices.
 
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So the notch is staying...
I'm conflicted. I like FaceID. It's great for banking and authentification on apps and sites. It's totally transparent when it comes to that and makes using the phone effortless. But with masks, it pushes us back a decade and it's also annoying when you're watching content. If you play games on your phone it's also a PITA. Luckily I've given up on mobile games (not that I did it often anyway apart from Pinball Dreams and Pinball Fantasies) so the notch doesn't hinder me there. So while a smaller notch is better, it's not the answer many were hoping for. We were hoping the tech had advanced enough to get the camera under the screen. I guess not.
 
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Wow was it that bad? My husband and I opted not to get new SIM cards and upgrade to the 5G service so we’re using our regular service. Of course battery life has been excellent. I’m also mostly on WiFi at home. I’m glad we didn’t attempt to make any changes after all. Of course we were curious, but decided to stay as we are.

Yes, it was really really really bad. I charged my phone to 100%, took it off the charger and turned on 5G Auto and turned the screen off. After 5min I came back to my phone and battery was at 60% and my phone was extremely hot to touch. After that I searched the web to see if I have a faulty unit and if this issue is more widespread, and I found this thread:


I updated my phone to the latest firmware and switched my sim-card to a new one. I resetted my phone and turned off all background apps and background refresh. Nothing worked, after 2 days I factory resetted my phone and issued a return and picked my old 11 Pro Max which battery lasts 5 days, and I can go 2 days with it and not to go under 100% after fully charged.

At least my 12 Pro Max was a huge failure, and I got so pissed at it that I didnt bother swapping it to a new unit, after thoroughly thinking it I decided to wait iPhone 13 lineup. I actually was kinda hesitating if I should even order iPhone 12 Pro Max because this phone has Apples first 5G modem, and usually first ones has some issues and next ones doesnt have childish issues anymore.

Dont get me wrong, I love apple products. Ive been using iPhones since 4S, and I also have MacBook Pro and Watch Series 6. I love everything apple does, but 12 Pro Max was very bad.
 
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It’s good to hear that it gets thicker. The pro models needs bigger battery for the 120 Hz Display so that it not hurts battery life so much.
 
Pet peeve: If it's sensor shift, it's not optical. They are two different image stabilization technologies. With sensor shift image stabilization, the imaging sensor is held in a magnetic cradle that moves the sensor to reduce the effects of hand shake. With optical image stabilization, there is a lens element that is compensating for shake. Sensor shift optical image stabilization is not a real thing.
Wonder why they don’t use both in tandem like on high end mirrorless cameras.
 
Smaller notch is a nice to have. 120hz is a must to stay competitive. And maybe an even larger screen.
 
Definitely waiting for the iPhone 13.
I was not happy with the iPhone 12.
No multi Sim 5G (where is the update that was supposed to come out in late December?), non120Hz, no smaller notch, worse battery than iPhone 11, etc.

Not saying it’s a bad phone but my top 3 features I was hoping for are all missing.
 
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Can someone please update me on something I'm a little confused about.

I recall years ago, when the old iPhone, perhaps the 4 ? had squared off edges, there were complaints about it not being easy to pick up off the table.

Then 1 or 2 models/years later Apple changed to a rounded edge design, which I strongly recall at the time pretty much everyone loved, and many posts about this love for the more comfortable rounded shape, and also the fact it was not much easier to pick up off the table (as I guess your nails could get underneath the sides a little)

But now we're gone back to this squared design, and again people are posting how they love it.

I hope you can understand my confusion on this point, and why the design, and people's love is flip flopping between there two designs.

Logically I would imagine a rounder edge, would be the best as, it's easier to pick up and nicer to hold as your fingers wrap around it. After all there is a reason why all things designed to be held are smooth and rounded for comfort.

So why the new love for what, in theory is a worse design? Puzzled.
Good comment!

it’s the same with fashion and architecture. Things go in and out of style constantly.

And with the iPhone, people just like it mainly because it’s new and everyone else can tell.
 
After all the drama about 'the notch', I rarely notice it on my inherited 11 Pro Max. I mean, I know it's there, but it's such a non-issue. *shrug* Should it be smaller? Is it wrong not to care? Some people seem to dwell on 'the notch'. *shrug* There are bigger things to be invested in I guess...
 
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At least we can all agree that once iPhones no longer had notches and we are a few years/models away from any iPhone that used to have a notch.
Everyone who is happy with the notch will then agree with everyone else, how bad it is to have a notch :)
 
Not thin enough on the notch.. it will vanish.

Plus, i've always hated that raised protrusion of lenses on the back.. At least that's some good, being thinner slightly.
 
Yes, it was really really really bad. I charged my phone to 100%, took it off the charger and turned on 5G Auto and turned the screen off. After 5min I came back to my phone and battery was at 60% and my phone was extremely hot to touch. After that I searched the web to see if I have a faulty unit and if this issue is more widespread, and I found this thread:


I updated my phone to the latest firmware and switched my sim-card to a new one. I resetted my phone and turned off all background apps and background refresh. Nothing worked, after 2 days I factory resetted my phone and issued a return and picked my old 11 Pro Max which battery lasts 5 days, and I can go 2 days with it and not to go under 100% after fully charged.

At least my 12 Pro Max was a huge failure, and I got so pissed at it that I didnt bother swapping it to a new unit, after thoroughly thinking it I decided to wait iPhone 13 lineup. I actually was kinda hesitating if I should even order iPhone 12 Pro Max because this phone has Apples first 5G modem, and usually first ones has some issues and next ones doesnt have childish issues anymore.

Dont get me wrong, I love apple products. Ive been using iPhones since 4S, and I also have MacBook Pro and Watch Series 6. I love everything apple does, but 12 Pro Max was very bad.
Oh man that sucks! I owned all the 12’s this year but returned all but the 12 mini and the 12 Pro Max. They’re okay on 4G. But the regular 12 that I had and returned often would randomly heat up. At that point I had made up my mind to go for a mini anyway for my main line. My 12 Pro Max is being used kind of like I used to use my iPad mini.

I have a Samsung S20 with the same 5G modem. It does give me better call clarity than my iPhone 12 mini or 12 Pro Max does, but I kept this phone on 4G service, too. I’m not sure why my Samsung phones and some of the other Android phones I’ve had give me more clear voice calls than I can get with iPhones.

I suspect Samsung may have a better antenna design. One of the reasons I have two lines in the first place is I could only count on my Android phones for actual good voice calls. I’ve had problems with either iPhone mics and/or intel modems. Given that I was dealing with elder care and medical emergencies on a regular basis I had to keep one good voice phone, even though I usually preferred iOS for most other things.

I’m probably keeping the 12 Pro Max for 2 years, but will likely upgrade the mini this year.

Thanks for sharing your experiences with your phone. It was very informative, thank you.
 
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Can someone please update me on something I'm a little confused about.

I recall years ago, when the old iPhone, perhaps the 4 ? had squared off edges, there were complaints about it not being easy to pick up off the table.

Then 1 or 2 models/years later Apple changed to a rounded edge design, which I strongly recall at the time pretty much everyone loved, and many posts about this love for the more comfortable rounded shape, and also the fact it was not much easier to pick up off the table (as I guess your nails could get underneath the sides a little)

But now we're gone back to this squared design, and again people are posting how they love it.

I hope you can understand my confusion on this point, and why the design, and people's love is flip flopping between there two designs.

Logically I would imagine a rounder edge, would be the best as, it's easier to pick up and nicer to hold as your fingers wrap around it. After all there is a reason why all things designed to be held are smooth and rounded for comfort.

So why the new love for what, in theory is a worse design? Puzzled.
Novelty. Go back and forth every few years.
 
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