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iPhone 12 Which is the perfect iPhone for my needs?

guitarfoodpanda

guitarfoodpanda

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 24, 2021
2
5
So basically, I'm upgrading from a OP 6T and I've decided to get back to iphones for its consistent cameras. And the regular updates on iphones

My carrier offered me these devices for an initial cashout as follows:

iPhone XR 64 Gb for $160 and 24 months lock-up ($30/month)

iPhone 12 128 Gb for $350 and 36 months lock-up ($40/month)

iPhone 12 mini 128 Gb for $200 and 36 months lock-up ($40/month)

I mostly use my phone for taking pictures of my gf and selfies with her on our trips, and I play COD mobile a lot and for playing music. I'm trying to pick the most economical choice since I'm currently also in med school. Thank you guys!!!
 
For $10 more it makes sense to go for the 12 imo. Wouldn’t wanna be spending 30 a month for 2 years on a phone already approaching 3 years old. Only 64gb storage also. The XR is better value when brought out right, either new or used.
 
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guitarfoodpanda said:
So basically, I'm upgrading from a OP 6T and I've decided to get back to iphones for its consistent cameras. And the regular updates on iphones

My carrier offered me these devices for an initial cashout as follows:

iPhone XR 64 Gb for $160 and 24 months lock-up ($30/month)

iPhone 12 128 Gb for $350 and 36 months lock-up ($40/month)

iPhone 12 mini 128 Gb for $200 and 36 months lock-up ($40/month)

I mostly use my phone for taking pictures of my gf and selfies with her on our trips, and I play COD mobile a lot and for playing music. I'm trying to pick the most economical choice since I'm currently also in med school. Thank you guys!!!
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XR is obviously the most cost effective choice. However given that you like to take pictures and play games I would go for the 12. I believe that the 12 offers better cameras. Mini is great, but not sure if the battery would be enough for you. Gaming and camera do have a toll on the battery.
 
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I have a friend who wasn’t happy about the XR, experiencing issues like an overly sensitive screen (it turned on by itself).

Also, if you’re coming back to iPhone because of the cameras, the ones on the XR aren’t anything spectacular. I’d recommend the 12 or 12 mini, as you will have an awesome night mode (improved from the iPhone 11), and you’ll have a durable device with software updates until 2025 at least.

I’d grab the mini, but if 6,1” is not too big for you, then go ahead and pick the regular 12.
 
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OP if your used to one plus size phones then the iphone 12 would be the best recommendation for you especially with gaming. But im gonna throw a curve ball here, and also recommend the One Plus 9 as its got the Hasalbad camera profile which will take more consistent pics, definitely better than previous gen one plus cameras and about on par with iphone cameras. You also get the 120hz screen which is better for gaming.
 
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I don't like being locked into a contract for that long, let alone potentially on an almost 3 year old phone to start with. So the XR while a good phone still, isn't my first choice.

The Mini is nice but nope, not the greatest gaming experience.

Out of the options you listed, I'd do the 12 personally.

I'm curious about a few things, can't you get into a payment plan with yearly upgrades if you chose to do so? Being locked in for 2-3 years, you need to make sure you get the best phone for your needs. How about something like a 11 Pro/Pro Max, there's deals to be had on those models.

Maybe this will help in your decision: https://www.apple.com/iphone/compare/
 
The XR is still pretty fast plus the price is good & the contract is shorter.

Chances are in 2 years, there’ll be cheaper 5G phones & better monthly network charges.

So I wouldn’t go go for the mini for that reason

that leaves the XR and the 11.

I have an XR and it still feels very fast to me (it shipped with iOS 12)

Tbh the iPhone 11 is an incremental improvement over the XR. Only go for it if the wide angled camera lens is important for you.

I’d say though that it’s just not worth it to be locked into a contract for 3 years.
 
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I'd go with the 12 since the OP stated they play COD on their phone, followed by the Xr if they're looking to save some money per month.
 
Speaking of gaming on iphones, Apple should really consider adding the ‘direct power’ mode to new iphones like on the new Asus ROG phone, where you plug your phone in and the battery is bypassed with straight power going to the main logic board. You can use the phone with no degradation to the battery.
 
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If you can afford it, the iPhone 12 gives you the storage, the screen space and the camera.

If you can’t, decide between smaller storage (Xr- 64GB) vs smaller screen (mini - not ideal for gaming).
\_(ツ)_/¯
 
Any of them phones is a huge upgrade from your current android phone. 😊
 
I had a mini and loved the small form factor but found 2 handed typing (what I do like 75% of the time) to be a tad difficult and content consumption was meh. Ended up getting a 12 pro max instead. I’d say get the 12. You game and will want the screen real estate and battery. Also the wide angle camera is much better and you get some versatility with the ultra wide. also as snipr mentioned the OP9 supposedly has a good camera system (haven’t researched myself)
 
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For 3 years usage: 12 is better than mini, especially on battery
XR: it will be too obsolete in next 2 years. There are also discussions on its screen hurt eyes on some sensitive people
 
Just want to say 36 months sounds a long time to me, it's longer than a lot of marriages last. Just think, 49 weeks in you'll still be on the hook for more than two years. Punishing. But if you must stick with that carrier go for the shortest commitment.
 
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Spudlicious said:
Just want to say 36 months sounds a long time to me, it's longer than a lot of marriages last. Just think, 49 weeks in you'll still be on the hook for more than two years. Punishing. But if you must stick with that carrier go for the shortest commitment.
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Ouch...also funny
 
Ahiqar said:
the xr is your most economical option of the three, and it is a very good phone. (They all are.)
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I agree. If Money was a concern XR is great. We have an xs max on regular use and it’s the same processor as the xr. Pretty freaking fast. Pictures are pretty great to. Battery life is excellent. Only knock is the display but then again I’d you don’t care then with oled side by side you won’t notice.
 
guitarfoodpanda said:
So basically, I'm upgrading from a OP 6T and I've decided to get back to iphones for its consistent cameras. And the regular updates on iphones

My carrier offered me these devices for an initial cashout as follows:

iPhone XR 64 Gb for $160 and 24 months lock-up ($30/month)

iPhone 12 128 Gb for $350 and 36 months lock-up ($40/month)

iPhone 12 mini 128 Gb for $200 and 36 months lock-up ($40/month)

I mostly use my phone for taking pictures of my gf and selfies with her on our trips, and I play COD mobile a lot and for playing music. I'm trying to pick the most economical choice since I'm currently also in med school. Thank you guys!!!
Click to expand...
iPhone 12 is the best deal.
The XR's 64GB will get tight quickly if you like taking photos and videos and install many games.
The mini's smallish screen is not ideal for gaming.
Get the 12.

36 months lock up.... Get Apple care and replace the battery by the 2 year mark.
 
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