Which one to buy ?: That's how good the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro are

The iPhone 12 is a big step forward compared to its predecessor, the Pro version is even better equipped. Ntv.de has tried out what the devices can do and whether it is worth spending more money on the Pro version.

A few weeks before the mini and Max are available, Apple launched the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. Not only do both have the 6.1-inch display in common, the differences between Standard and Pro are very small in the 2020 models. It is all the more difficult for potential buyers to make a decision. ntv.de has tried both devices and now suspects which of the two will be a bestseller.

Successful design

What you just have to celebrate Apple for is the design of its new smartphones. Because with their clear edges they stand out pleasantly from the rounded monotony. Apple is now also doing it quite colorfully, but has also shown taste in the choice of colors and does without a dazzling appearance. Thank you.

Besides different colors, the only difference in the case is the material of the frame. While the Pro has a steel frame, the simple 12 is encased in aluminum. Both have advantages and disadvantages. The specially coated, shiny steel is easier to grip, but magically attracts fingerprints. The aluminum frame, on the other hand, shows no signs of contact, but is a bit more slippery.

Both models share the same 6.1-inch OLED screen. With that, the iPhone 12 has made a big leap compared to its predecessor, which only has an LCD. And because the edges are now much narrower, the new device is even around 4 millimeters narrower and shorter than its predecessor. With the Pro, progress is limited to growing in size. 0.3 inches doesn't seem like much, but actually makes a clearly visible difference.

Identical displays

The displays of the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro do not differ in a direct comparison. At the highest brightness level they show exactly the same bright, natural colors and strong contrasts. Both panels are crisp and sharp with a pixel density of 460 ppi. In addition, True Tone, where the display is adapted to the ambient light, is now also part of the repertoire of the simplest iPhone.

The screens of both models also have in common that they do not have a higher refresh rate, as is the case with numerous Android innovations. Apple is rumored to have opted for 90 or 120 Hertz (Hz) to keep power consumption low. This is understandable, even with competitors with higher rates, the frequency is therefore usually set to 60 Hz by default. The fact that the display trembles a bit more when scrolling than at 90 or 120 Hz cannot be overlooked.

Both panels are protected by a new ceramic glass, which is said to be four times more shatterproof than the protective glass of its predecessor. Initial drop tests confirm that the "Ceramic Shield" is indeed very resistant. The back is covered by conventional protective glass, which is why a cover is recommended. The new iPhones can also withstand a lot otherwise, they are waterproof and dustproof according to IP68.

Chip plays in a league of its own

The main camera takes photos with lots of detail.

(Photo: kwe)

All new iPhones are powered by Apple's new 5-nanometer A14 chip. In terms of performance, it is in a league of its own and its limits cannot currently be tested. But buyers can rest assured that the processors will still have enough power in a few years and that four or five major iOS updates will take part.

In the Pro model, the chip is supported by 6 gigabytes (GB) of RAM, the A14 of the iPhone 12 can only access 4 GB. That may play a role in the future, but currently the difference is not noticeable in everyday life.

Perhaps the most important innovation of all new iPhones is 5G. Wherever it is available in Germany, there is usually a very good LTE network, which is why the difference currently hardly plays a role. But that could soon change with new applications. Because so many people buy iPhones, 5G will probably get a new boost with the 12 generation.

Persistent despite 5G

Since Telekom's 5G is already available in large areas in Berlin, the iPhones were able to show how well equipped they are for the standard. In the Opensignal test, the devices achieved download rates between 600 Mbit / s and 1.1 Gbit / s, the upload moved between 37 and 60 Mbit / s, and the latency was 19 milliseconds throughout. To save electricity, the devices only activate 5G when required and otherwise remain in the LTE network.

With HDR recordings, the progress is not particularly great compared to the iPhone 11.

(Photo: kwe)

The runtimes of the devices are also pleasantly long. You can get through the day well with them and usually have reserves of around 30 percent before going to bed, even with more intensive use. IPhone 12 buyers have to take care of a charger themselves, Apple no longer includes a power adapter. But that's okay and better for environmental protection, since chargers are already accumulating in most households anyway.

If you want, you can also charge the new Apple smartphones wirelessly, which works with all common Qi devices. The 12 models can also be magnetically docked to the MagSafe charger, which is also new. This has the advantage that the induction coils sit exactly one above the other and thus work particularly efficiently. In addition, the iPhone will not slide off the station when it vibrates. Only the Apple original is still available for almost 44 euros, but in the future there will also be cheaper accessories from third-party suppliers.

Improved cameras

On the back, the iPhone 12 has an optically stabilized dual camera with wide and super wide-angle lenses, while the Pro also has a telephoto camera and a lidar sensor. The resolution is still 12 megapixels, but Apple has enlarged the bezels and improved the lenses. The new chip also makes the cameras more powerful.

The results are excellent, but do not differ too much from those of the previous models. The biggest difference is seen in night shots, which can now also be made with the super wide and front cameras. Here you can see that the cameras have become more sensitive to light.

Another new feature is that machine learning now not only improves sharpness and detail display in super wide-angle shots, but also compensates for distortions. You can see that in the photos. It may be that HDR should also work better, but it is not so obvious.

As far as videos are concerned, the new iPhones could once again achieve top marks in professional tests. The stabilization works great, and the pictures look really good even in low light. And if you want to really exhaust the cameras, you can now film in 4K Dolby Vision. The A14 chip is also strong enough to process such films on the device.

Pro model hardly better equipped

The Pro model also has a telecamera with double optical magnification on board. It also delivers very nice pictures, but is not a great gain compared to cameras with five times optical zoom. The same applies to the lidar sensor, which the simple 12 series lacks. It noticeably helps to focus better in night shots and also makes the focus more jagged in daylight, but is not really missing on the standard iPhone. The possibility to take RAW recordings is more interesting, which Apple would like to retrofit with an update for the Pro devices.

Both devices – the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro – are excellent smartphones with an exceptionally successful design. All in all, the differences between the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro are not particularly great, which is why the additional expense is only worthwhile for users who absolutely want a telephoto camera. Otherwise, you are well served with the standard model, which costs 925 euros with 128 GB of storage. For the iPhone 12 Pro with an equally large memory, 1120 euros are due.