Pasito Tola
Pasito Tola is a tech enthusiast, writer, and engineer. He has a degree in Media Production and Telecom engineering from the University of Coventry and ISTA Ndolo. He is passionate about all things tech and has spent years exploring the latest gadgets, software, and innovations. His writing style is engaging, informative, and accessible, making even the most complex topics easy to understand. He is a valuable asset to our tech review site and we are lucky to have him on our team.
The Apple iPhone 12 Pro is the latest addition to the iPhone series lineup, featuring 5G speed and a Pro 12MP camera system. Following last year’s first execution called “Pro,” Apple refined its formula this year, offering a new design, more versatile photo modules, and 5G. In this article, we will provide an amazing review of the Apple iPhone 12 Pro, discussing its features, pros, and cons to help you decide whether it is the right smartphone. We will cover the phone’s design, camera capabilities, performance, battery life, and its strengths and weaknesses compared to other smartphones on the market.
Perfectly calibrated Oled panel
Versatile camera
Greatly improved night mode
Solid performance.
MagSafe and the different uses that will result from it
IP68.
Longer charging time than the competition.
No mini-jack or adapter.
Blurry night photos on the outskirts.
Perfectly calibrated Oled screen.
Versatile camera.
Night mode and video improvements.
Among the best performances on the market.
MagSafe and the different uses that will result from it.
IP68 certified.
Charging time is a bit longer compared to the competition.
Lack of a mini-jack port or adapter.
2.5x telephoto lens not up to the task at night.
Excellent daytime photos.
Correct autonomy.
Excellent performance.
Exemplary finishes.
5G compatible.
IP68 certified.
Charging time is longer than the competition, even at 20 W.
Blurry photos on the outskirts at night.
No mini-jack or adapter.
After a first execution called “Pro” last year, Apple put the cover back this year. The iPhone 12 Pro does not upset the formula. However, it refines it by offering a new design, more versatile photo modules, and 5G.
Presentation
Each school year, his new iPhone. The end of 2020 will be marked by the iPhone 12, available in 4 distinct models. The iPhone 12 and 12 Pro are the first to hit the market, while the iPhone 12 Mini and Pro Max will land in early November. Here we kick off the tests of Apple’s new smartphones with the iPhone 12 Pro.
It comes in three capacities: 128 GB for € 1,159, 256 GB for € 1,279 and 512 GB for € 1,509. Prices are identical to those of the iPhone 11 Pro, this time with a double storage capacity.
Ergonomics and design
Impossible to miss the new design of this iPhone 12. Apple has finally abandoned the curves initiated on the iPhone 6 to return to something flatter but still deja vu. Indeed, like the whole series of iPhone 12, this 12 Pro offers straight, flat and straight edges. The anaesthetic feature that we already found on the iPad Pro since 2018 and on the new iPad Air 4. It is also a reminder of what was done on the iPhone 4 to 5 SE.
The “new” design of the iPhone 12 Pro compared to the old one is an iPhone 11 Pro Max.
The iPhone 12 Pro, like the 2019 model, is composed of stainless steel. The back is still matte frosted glass with a matte texture. Only the picture module island is encased in gleaming glass. A finish on the iPhone 12 and 12 Mini is completely the contrary. In its catalogue, Apple offers a wonderful new colour Pacific Blue, which replaces the Night Green of the iPhone 11 Pro – it is also the one in our test. Still, it is good to note that the company now only displays its logo on the back. The CE acronyms and the crossed-out bin have been – moved to the right edge. An intelligent way to present an almost immaculate rear.
It is on the back that we also find the MagSafe technology invisible. It allows you to place various accessories magnetically. Apple also sells a MagSafe charger that offers wireless charging at 15 W. New technology-embedding shells are also available, as is a leather cardholder. Many other various accessories should seize this technology.
At the front, it is a 6.1-inch panel that is offered to us, in a 19.5: 9 ratio, for a display surface that occupies 88% of the front panel. The Ceramic Shield screen incorporates ” nano-ceramic crystals ” in its glass. According to Apple, this allows the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro to offer four times more drop resistance than the iPhone 11 Pro.
The notch housing Face ID remains and has not been reduced by an inch. The facial unlocking system still works and is easier to use since it is enough to simply register your face. It’s a shame that this facial recognition solution still stumbles on the new fashion accessory, the mask.
Some minor changes are made to the slices. Right now only accommodates the Power button. The slot for placing a SIM card has been moved to the opposite side and is located just below the volume controls and the silent mode switch. At the bottom, we find a speaker, microphones, and the Lightning port. This iPhone 12 Pro is compatible with the IP68 standard, Which protects it from immersion in water up to 6 metres deep for 30 minutes.
Audio
Since the iPhone 7, Apple has gotten rid of the 3.5mm headphone jack. Since the iPhone 11s, the Lighting to the headphone jack adapter has also disappeared. A gap that prevents it from grabbing the fifth star in Ergonomics and Design.
Other than the improved stereo sound from the iPhone 11 Pro, the quality hasn’t changed on this model; what we said a year ago still applies today to this iPhone 12 Pro. Spatialization is always excellent, making it possible to be comfortable in front of videos, films or series and while listening to music.
Screen
This year 2020, sees the Oled screen of the iPhone 12 Pro go from 5.8 inches to 6.1 inches. It thus joins the iPhone 12. And who says a larger display also means more excellent definition, the latter rising to 2532 x 1170 pixels – for a resolution of 460 PPI?
As always with Apple smartphones, changing the screen settings is impossible. This is no big deal; the latter is, again, well-calibrated by default. We found a Delta E of 1.4, translating into perfectly accurate colours. The colour temperature is just as controlled, measured at 6648 Kelvin, which is practically the value of the video standard (6500 K).
Maximum brightness points to an impressive 831 cd / m², the highest measurement on an iPhone screen. Its reflectance is 48%, in line with previous models. In practice, the iPhone 12 Pro’s display is perfect for reading under the sun. The minimum brightness has been raised to 0.1 cd / m² and does not risk disturbing the night reader.
The OLED panel requires the contrast ratio to be almost infinite, and its afterglow time is zero. The touch delay is 45 ms.
Performances
The iPhone 12 Pro is equipped with the new A14 Bionic chip. Apple does not specify it, but this new model has 6 GB of RAM.
Once again, we cannot pass our standard battery of tests – like all iPhones. Still, we know that the A14 Bionic is among the most powerful processors on the market, competing with a Snapdragon 865+, for example, effortlessly.
Apple’s software optimisation makes its strength, and by extension, this iPhone 12 Pro. At no time have we encountered a problem with slowing down, opening an application, or slowing down performance in even the most resource-intensive games? The Californian firm masters its chip from the study to its creation, engraved for the first time in 5 nm.
However, you might be disappointed if you expect a considerable performance boost over an iPhone 11 Pro. However, you will notice a significant difference if you have a slightly older model. The additional strength of the A14 Bionic is its longevity. The chip is the most powerful today and may be the same in a year or two. And within 4 to 5 years,
Photo
This model finds the three modules already present on the iPhone 11 Pro. Apple has, however, made some changes, especially on the wide-angle lens, which has a larger aperture (f / 1.6). This primary lens is made up of 7 lenses for much sharper photos. The ultra-wide-angle module (UGA) does not change, like the telephoto lens, which still offers a 2x zoom.
New this year, a LiDAR sensor is making its appearance. It improves augmented reality and offers more efficient autofocus. However, it allows better shots in night mode, according to Apple.
BIG ANGLEULTRA WIDE ANGLETELEPHOTO
12 megapixels 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
f / 1.6 f / 2.0 f / 2.4
eq. 26 mm eq. 13 mm eq. 50 mm
Main module: 12 megapixels, f / 1.6, eq. 26 mm
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (26mm eq, f / 1.8, ISO 80, 1/100 s)
iPhone 12 Pro (26mm eq., f / 1.6, ISO 64, 1/121 s)
enlarge
By day, the main module of the iPhone 12 Pro offers good results. The pictures are well-detailed, the colourimetry is good, as is the exposure. Apple’s software processing gives a very natural result and stands up to the 108 megapixels of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (26mm eq, f / 1.8, ISO 640, 1 / 14s)
iPhone 12 Pro (eq. 26 mm, f / 1.6, ISO 1250, 1/15 s)
enlarge
Apple has chosen to limit the pause time to the maximum in low light, even if it increases sensitivity. The result is a natural cliché but underexposed.
Night mode
iPhone 12 Pro (night mode)
iPhone 12 Pro
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To obtain a better result and enjoy a better-exposed shot, the night mode of the iPhone 12 Pro is essential. Activated by default, it enhances the brightness and readability of the shot without betraying its realism or the white balance. But to achieve such a result, it will be necessary not to shake too much for a maximum of 10 seconds.
Ultra wide-angle module: 12 megapixels, f / 2.4, eq. 14 mm
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (13mm eq, f / 2.2, ISO 64, 1/50 s)
iPhone 12 Pro (14mm eq, f / 2.4, ISO 160, 1/198 s)
enlarge
Suppose the main module of the iPhone 12 Pro and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra are pretty close. In that case, the gap begins to widen when switching to ultra-wide-angle. Apple’s smartphone can offer a detailed shot and is not so far from the result of the wide-angle module. There is minimal smoothing, and the exposure is correct. It results from Apple’s software processing, aided by the A14 Bionic chip. However, we note the appearance of digital noise on the black background.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (13mm eq, f / 2.2, ISO 2000, 1 / 25s)
iPhone 12 Pro (14mm eq, f / 2.4, ISO 2500, 1/15 s)
enlarge
At night, it’s exactly like the first module. The iPhone 12 Pro seems to prioritize sharpness overexposure. We already raised this point when the ultra-wide-angle module appeared on the iPhone 11 Pro.
Night mode
iPhone 12 Pro UGA (night mode)
iPhone 12 Pro UGA
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The iPhone 12 Pro brings night mode to the ultra-wide-angle module and saves it a bit. If night shots in UGA are challenging to use, activating night mode helps matters a bit. The image appears much better exposed, although noisy, and more flattering than in the “classic” way. However, a certain lack of sharpness remains visible.
2x telephoto lens: 12 megapixels, f / 2, eq. 52 mm
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (12 Mpx, 120 mm eq, f / 3, ISO 100, 1/50 s)
iPhone 12 Pro (52mm eq., f / 2, ISO 80, 1/121 s)
enlarge
Note right away that the 2x zoom of the iPhone 12 Pro is here compared to the mighty 5x zoom of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
Apple has improved its telephoto lens, once again offering images with a bit more detail, although those look pretty strained.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (12 Mpx, 120 mm eq, f / 3, ISO 800, 1 / 5s)
iPhone 12 Pro (52mm eq., f / 2, ISO 1600, 1/16 s)
enlarge
At night, the result offered by the 2x zoom is very respectable. Exposure is controlled, with, however, a slight tendency to underexposure. The objects in our scene are sharp. However, digital noise covers the entire photograph simultaneously as a very light veil, making you lose sharpness.
Front module, portrait and video mode
At the front, we find the TrueDepth camera present since the iPhone X. This 12 Mpx module ensures the unlocking of the smartphone thanks to Face ID and offers a portrait mode in Night mode since the arrival of the A14 Bionic. Low-light selfies are yours!
On the back, the portrait mode is also enriched. It takes advantage of the addition of the LiDAR sensor to offer an ever more natural bokeh. This new sensor also makes it possible to take brighter portraits at night. Apple uses machine learning to improve the bokeh of photos as more photos are captured. The more pictures you take, the more precise the software will be in its clipping.
The iPhone 12 Pro can shoot up to 4K for video at 24, 30 or 60 fps. It is also the first smartphone capable of filming in Dolby Vision, offering HDR videos at 60 fps. Optical stabilization is present on the wide-angle module. Video recording with the front module is possible up to 4K at 24, 30 or 60 fps. Dolby Vision HDR mode is also present, but only at 30 fps.
Autonomy
Apple has reduced the battery size of its iPhone 12 Pro but still promises the same battery life as the iPhone 11 Pro. According to our specific test protocol on Netflix, this new iPhone lasts 15 h 04 min. That’s a little over 30 minutes longer than the previous model. Note that our protocol does not use the 5G network currently unavailable in France. Autonomy will not always be as crucial as being on a mobile network.
Our regular readers know it. We have included the charging time since June 2020 in our rating of the autonomy of smartphones. We use the charging pad and cable provided in the box. Unfortunately, Apple has chosen not to deliver a charger with its mobiles in 2020, only a cable. A strong choice” for the planet, according to the company’s communication.
While the intention is laudable, the execution seems somewhat problematic. Indeed, the cable supplied is a USB-C to Lightning cable. Possibly, Apple would have proposed USB-A, which is much more widespread. It is, therefore, necessary to have a unit with a USB-C output at home or a USB-A to Lightning cable to charge your device. Smartphone at home Information to keep in mind before going to checkout.
Technically, the iPhone 12 Pro accepts a charge of up to 20 W. Wirelessly charges at 7.5 W with conventional Qi charging and 15 W with the MagSafe charger. Under the best possible conditions, using a 60W MacBook Pro charging pad (USB-C), the iPhone 12 Pro regains 60% of its battery life in just under 30 minutes. 100% is reached in just over an hour. An average score gave the battery capacity (2815 mAh), which makes it lose a star in autonomy. Especially since you only have the old 5W charging block (models over two years old), it will take longer to get back to 100.
Interface & OS The iPhone 12 Pro has iOS 14.1, the latest version of Apple’s smartphone operating system. One of the main new features of this version is the appearance of Widgets, application blocks that can be placed on your screen and mixed with your applications. These Widgets adopt three different sizes, displaying more or less information. So you can show your photos, and a specific music controller (for Spotify, for example).
An application library is also emerging. It allows you to store apps you no longer want to see on your various home screens without permanently deleting them from your iPhone. Beneficial for applications that you rarely use but can still be helpful.
iOS 14 introduces Picture-in-Picture to the iPhone. Present on the iPad for a few years now. It only appears on smartphones. On compatible video apps, you can place a video block at the top, bottom, or corner of your screen to continue using your phone to reply to messages or check Twitter, for example. A handy feature that Android users are familiar with. Be careful. However, it is unavailable on YouTube unless you are a Premium subscriber.
This is only a tiny part of what iOS 14 adds to iPhones. To find out more, we recommend that you read our particular file devoted to the annual update:
iphone 12 Pro Specs
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with True Tone |
| Capacity | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Splash, Water, and Dust Resistant | All-glass and surgical-grade stainless steel design, water and dust resistant (rated IP68) |
| Camera & Video | Triple 12MP cameras with Portrait mode, Depth Control, Portrait Lighting, Smart HDR 3, and 4K Dolby Vision HDR video up to 60 fps |
| Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth front camera with Portrait mode, Depth Control, Portrait Lighting, and Smart HDR 3 |
| Power and Battery | Video playback: Up to 17 hours; Video playback (streamed): Up to 11 hours; Audio playback: Up to 65 hours, 20W adapter or higher (sold separately); Fast-charge capable: Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher |
| In the Box | iPhone with iOS 14, USB-C to Lightning Cable, Documentation |
| Height | 5.78 inches (146.7 mm) |
| Width | 2.82 inches (71.5 mm) |
| Depth | 0.29 inch (7.4 mm) |
| Weight | 6.66 ounces (189 grams) |
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Pasito Tola is a tech enthusiast, writer, and engineer. He has a degree in Media Production and Telecom engineering from the University of Coventry and ISTA Ndolo. He is passionate about all things tech and has spent years exploring the latest gadgets, software, and innovations. His writing style is engaging, informative, and accessible, making even the most complex topics easy to understand. He is a valuable asset to our tech review site and we are lucky to have him on our team.
