Having recently looked at one of the previous models in the range 23-9-20, I now get my chance to test the latest version from Apple. Out of the box it seems to me to be rather chunky compared to other phones, this of course may help it to survive the odd drop, while the corners are shaved off the sides are a perfect sandwich shape. This is not the Max or the Mini it’s the iPhone 12.
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The Apple iPhone 12 measures 14.7x7.2x.8cm apart from its two cameras that protrude on the back slightly from the raised square that contain them and the LED flash. It weighs 162 grams.
The box is small because normal things like a charger and ear buds are not included, I read somewhere that Apple consider most people don’t need them. You do get a Lightning to USB ‘C’ cable and of course the Pin to insert your SIM.
There are a range of colours and from the end of the box I see that the one sent to me was Green although it’s very pale and almost cream.
A full charge from empty took two hours and thirteen minutes.
The viewable screen is 14x6.5cm which means the notional diagonal imperial measurement is 6inches with the shaved corners although Apple claims this is 6.1inches; the front facing camera also reduces the screen by .5cm along the top of the screen for 3.5cm with only 1.5cm being viewable left and right.
The display is improved by having the Super Retina XDR Display that was previously only available on the top of the range version. The 2532x1170 pixel display is clear and sharp and seen to best effect viewing photos.
This is a 5G phone and for areas that have 5G they will see performance improvements but it still works fine on 4G.
It has two rear cameras both 12MP and one front (selfie) camera also 12MP. While the images I took with both front and rear were perfectly acceptable other recent camera phones were at least as good or dare I say in some cases better. Of course with Lockdown I cannot travel to the extent of places that I previously could, but that also means I have similar samples shot on different phones. The low light performance was better than most.
Dolby Vision is now built into video and 30FPS in 4K is available. The battery is stated to play back video for 17 hours on a single charge.
For me – as only an occasional Apple tester – I could not see that many differences from the iPhone 11.
Like a lot of phones I get to test this came from Vodafone who have it available on a 24 month contract £19 upfront and then £67 a month with unlimited calls, texts and data. You also get Apple TV free for 12 months. This is for the 64GB RAM as supplied to me but should you need it 128GB or 256GB versions are also available at only slightly higher monthly fees.
https://www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile/phones/pay-monthly-contracts/apple/iphone-12
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