Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Main reason for me returning the 12 and getting the 12 pro max, the screen was to damn small for me on the 12, if apple made a iPhone 12 with a 6.7”-7” screen I’d be all over it in a heart beat.
I don’t think they have a reason to do so. iPhone 12 is supposed to be the “iPhone for everyone.” Anybody who wants a larger display will upgrade to a Pro Max model. (Apples-to-apples the difference is only $220, so a consumer would save ~ $100 if they offered a non-Pro 12 Max.)
 
I don’t think they have a reason to do so. iPhone 12 is supposed to be the “iPhone for everyone.” Anybody who wants a larger display will upgrade to a Pro Max model. (Apples-to-apples the difference is only $220, so a consumer would save ~ $100 if they offered a non-Pro 12 Max.)
Correct, releasing a cheaper iPhone 12 with a bigger screen would eat into sales of the 12 pro max.

We all know Tim Cook needs them dollars.
 
It’s more or less so people can show off that they’re using the latest and greatest iPhone, even with a case.

I’ve heard of some arguments being made for the Ultrawide lens, but I honestly find it to be a gimmick.

I haven’t got much interest in those sorts of people to be honest. I’m too old for all that rubbish. My iPhone is for me, nobody else.
 
I haven’t got much interest in those sorts of people to be honest. I’m too old for all that rubbish. My iPhone is for me, nobody else.
I don’t think people are going around flaunting their three cameras, but I do think the design team is using the number of cameras as a design parameter.

E.g. By adding a second camera lens to iPhone 11, it looks decidedly more premium than iPhone XR.

It’s the design team’s job to make each new iPhone look fresh and desirable, and to differentiate the standard models from the Pro models. Part of the way they’ve done that is with the camera bump.
 
I don’t think people are going around flaunting their three cameras, but I do think the design team is using the number of cameras as a design parameter.

E.g. By adding a second camera lens to iPhone 11, it looks decidedly more premium than iPhone XR.

It’s the design team’s job to make each new iPhone look fresh and desirable, and to differentiate the standard models from the Pro models. Part of the way they’ve done that is with the camera bump.
It’s worth noting though that a significant proportion of the market aren’t looking for a premium device though, so the premium aspect is more niche anyway. I know I’m more interested and drawn to the non Pro iPhones due to what they offer over the Pro devices. Despite being lucky enough to afford whatever phone I want, I still have a level of sensibility when it comes to judging what I want from a mobile phone. It took a while but I think this year Apple finally demonstrated that they are a little bit in touch with their core consumer and didn’t just plough all their attention into the Pro niche.
 
It’s worth noting though that a significant proportion of the market aren’t looking for a premium device though, so the premium aspect is more niche anyway. I know I’m more interested and drawn to the non Pro iPhones due to what they offer over the Pro devices. Despite being lucky enough to afford whatever phone I want, I still have a level of sensibility when it comes to judging what I want from a mobile phone. It took a while but I think this year Apple finally demonstrated that they are a little bit in touch with their core consumer and didn’t just plough all their attention into the Pro niche.
iPhone 12 is a perfectly nice and desirable phone. I think the aluminum design is the best it’s been in years.

Reaching that middle ground where the standard iPhone essentially offers the best features of the Pro models took a lot of effort on their part, including raising the price $100 compared to iPhone 11 and even requiring an additional $30 carrier subsidy for them to maintain profit margins. It’s surprising that they would put OLED and 5G into their base phone, but it makes iPhone fresh again for a new audience and I assume carriers were on board to accelerate the adoption of 5G.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MacLappy
iPhone 12 is a perfectly nice and desirable phone. I think the aluminum design is the best it’s been in years.

Reaching that middle ground where the standard iPhone essentially offers the best features of the Pro models took a lot of effort on their part, including raising the price $100 compared to iPhone 11 and even requiring an additional $30 carrier subsidy for them to maintain profit margins. It’s surprising that they would put OLED and 5G into their base phone, but it makes iPhone fresh again for a new audience and I assume carriers were on board to accelerate the adoption of 5G.
I wouldn’t have cared if they had used an LCD panel in the iPhone 12 but I think they would have been heavily criticised had they not used OLED. The price increase was a bit of a negative and I certainly wouldn’t pay more than what I have for this iPhone. If prices go up further I will just go back to my strategy of buying last years model at a discount as these phones change so little anyway. I’m actually wondering if it’s worth doing that anyway to be honest.

Four months now with an iPhone 12 and it has never once connected to 5G. That’s another feature I could have lived without for now but brought something new to the table for those living in select cities.
 
I wouldn’t have cared if they had used an LCD panel in the iPhone 12 but I think they would have been heavily criticised had they not used OLED. The price increase was a bit of a negative and I certainly wouldn’t pay more than what I have for this iPhone. If prices go up further I will just go back to my strategy of buying last years model at a discount as these phones change so little anyway. I’m actually wondering if it’s worth doing that anyway to be honest.

Four months now with an iPhone 12 and it has never once connected to 5G. That’s another feature I could have lived without for now but brought something new to the table for those living in select cities.
I wouldn’t have minded a 458ppi best-in-class LCD on iPhone 12, but OLED allows them to make the device significantly smaller — and looks a lot better overall, PWM flickering aside.

(I really need to just return my iPhone 12 Pro Max so I can stop complaining about PWM giving me headaches/migraines; unfortunately, the phone itself is fantastic and I’m finding it hard to let go of.)
 
2 years ago, I opted for the Xr over the XsMax with the thought "Same internals, good battery life..." Within a month or two, I regretted the decision. The camera wasn't even close, and I take a lot of pictures/video's etc... So, this time I opted for the 12 Pro Max... And am very happy with the decision... Besides the camera's being amazing and huge step up from the Xr, I can go 2 days between charges! The battery life is incredible. As far as the weight/size, I was aware of it for about... 4-5 days... Now, not aware of it at all.

I'd get the 12 Pro Max if I were you

YMMV

Coachingguy
 
I had the 12 Pro and didn’t like it cause it was too heavy. Switched to the 12 and what a difference in weight. I don’t miss the telephoto because I didn’t use it much. I installed a frosted back protector from Slick Wraps and with that get no smudges. Whenever I pick up my wife’s 12 Pro now it feels so heavy that makes be glad that I switched to the 12.
Exactly. IMHO (hopefully no one gets butt hurt), stainless steel is overrated for phones that will be in a case anyway. I really like the lightness of aluminum in my mini. That's my advice to my sister who wanted the 12 pro but the advantages are so few and its heavier.
 
2 years ago, I opted for the Xr over the XsMax with the thought "Same internals, good battery life..." Within a month or two, I regretted the decision. The camera wasn't even close, and I take a lot of pictures/video's etc... So, this time I opted for the 12 Pro Max... And am very happy with the decision... Besides the camera's being amazing and huge step up from the Xr, I can go 2 days between charges! The battery life is incredible. As far as the weight/size, I was aware of it for about... 4-5 days... Now, not aware of it at all.

I'd get the 12 Pro Max if I were you

YMMV

Coachingguy
I don’t think that phone is in the equation here as it’s asking about the 12 and 12 Pro. The 12 Pro Max is a significant jump in both size and cost so isn’t appealing to everyone.
 
Exactly. IMHO (hopefully no one gets butt hurt), stainless steel is overrated for phones that will be in a case anyway. I really like the lightness of aluminum in my mini. That's my advice to my sister who wanted the 12 pro but the advantages are so few and its heavier.
Agreed. I much prefer the matte aluminum sides of the 12 / 12 mini over stainless steel of the Pro’s. Less weight, less fingerprints, and less mini scratches.

For me though screen size and battery life are my top priorities so the 12 Max it was ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
Agreed. I much prefer the matte aluminum sides of the 12 / 12 mini over stainless steel of the Pro’s. Less weight, less fingerprints, and less mini scratches.

For me though screen size and battery life are my top priorities so the 12 Max it was ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Yeah but the stainless has more grip right? 12 is slippery on sides but grippy on back but also a smudge magnet.
 
Despite initially favoring the 12 pro, I did go for the 12 this year. Defo don't regret it; the OLED display is beautiful, a great upgrade from my 11s LCD, and the reduced footprint/weight is really nice. If the 12 pro launched with ProMotion/120hz it would have been no contest, but since I'm not going to be taking many pictures or videos this year, the 12 just made more sense to me.
 
Despite initially favoring the 12 pro, I did go for the 12 this year. Defo don't regret it; the OLED display is beautiful, a great upgrade from my 11s LCD, and the reduced footprint/weight is really nice. If the 12 pro launched with ProMotion/120hz it would have been no contest, but since I'm not going to be taking many pictures or videos this year, the 12 just made more sense to me.
The 12 is going to be the best option for most people.

I think the cost to upgrade to the Pro is worth it for anyone that can justify having the stainless steel build, telephoto lens, or LiDAR which I haven’t found to make a major difference but the other two features are nice to have — especially the 2.5x telephoto on the Max.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TechLord
The 12 is going to be the best option for most people.

I think the cost to upgrade to the Pro is worth it for anyone that can justify having the stainless steel build, telephoto lens, or LiDAR which I haven’t found to make a major difference but the other two features are nice to have — especially the 2.5x telephoto on the Max.
Agreed, the price difference between the 12 and 12 pro 128gb models is relatively minor; if you can justify it for the camera upgrades I do think the 12 pro is a pretty good deal.
 
Agreed, the price difference between the 12 and 12 pro 128gb models is relatively minor; if you can justify it for the camera upgrades I do think the 12 pro is a pretty good deal.
I just went 64gb so the difference would of been $350AUD to get the 12 Pro. Thinking about it if you are going to go pro the max is better value for what you get for another $150. V last year where both pro and pro max were the same except for the size.
That is if you can handle the size.
 
I just went 64gb so the difference would of been $350AUD to get the 12 Pro. Thinking about it if you are going to go pro the max is better value for what you get for another $150. V last year where both pro and pro max were the same except for the size.
That is if you can handle the size.
It’s only negligibly larger than the Plus models.
 
Ended up getting a Graphite 256gb 12 Pro Max last Thursday, picked it up for $518AUD off apple retail, i actually got a 128gb the week before but really wanted 256gb so flipped it for $300.
So after selling my 12 64Gb i had for 4 months and the cases i had, cost me $0 to swap.
I sold my SG 11 pro 256gb for what the 12 cost, in hindsight was probably a bad decision, got caught up in wanting the all black 12 and it being lighter with a bit bigger screen.
But didn't realise the smudge magnet it would, slippery edges and screen not as bright.
Was a great phone with no faults though, it is what it is.

So far so good, i have big hands so can use one handed mostly, got a OB symmetry magsafe and have a black apple leather coming so should be even better, needed something for work with MagSafe now.
Much easier to type on for me.
This phone feels so good with no case. Much nicer to hold with no case than the 12, SS has grip the aluminium was like a bar of soap, and the back doesn't smudge all over like the black 12.
Screen is great no yellow or any other issues i can see not that i am hunting for them. My 12 was the same.
Screen is much brighter soon as i fired it up i could tell, much better outside and in car holder with sun coming in, (got called a troll for pushing this in a mini v 12 thread lol). It's hot/sunny most of the year here and i work outside a bit so makes a difference to me.
Battery went for 2 days with 50% left straight up.
Speakers much better.
Camera is nuts.

See how long the one lasts lol.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.