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Other Anyone else having a really hard time figuring out what iPhone 12 model to buy?

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xxray

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Original poster
Jul 27, 2013
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For example, here are my thoughts:

  • iPhone 12 mini:
    • Pros:
      • Extreme one-handability, pocketability, portability: I've been curious about downsizing for a while now.
      • Price/value: With OLED + smaller bezels, a lot of the Pro features are just "nice to haves"
    • Cons:
      • Battery life: I've been excited to get the battery upgrades that the 11 series brought, but the mini sounds like it'd be a downgrade from what I currently have.
      • Screen brightness: Again, was really looking forward to the improved brightness in the 11 Pro series (800 vs 625 nits). 625 nits is bad sometimes in direct light.
      • Misleading price: $729 for SIM-free
      • Colors/aesthetic: As shallow as this is, especially since I rarely look at the back of the phone and use cases, I've never liked the iPhone 11 design (I liked the 11 Pro design), and the 12 is basically the same from the back. Also, I don't really like any of the colors.
      • No telephoto lens: Prefer this over the ultra-wide
      • 64GB base storage: Would become around $800 for 128GB storage
  • iPhone 12 Pro (Max):
    • Pros:
      • Cameras: Telephoto lens, Dolby Vision video, Apple ProRaw: I could go either way on the camera benefits honestly, besides telephoto which I use a lot. I don't use my camera that much, but I do like to use it creatively at times. I could do without these benefits, but it'd also be great when I did get creative.
      • LiDAR: Most interested in this for faster auto-focusing, especially in low light
      • Brightness: 800 nits, heck yeah!
      • Higher base storage
      • Design/colors: I absolutely love the Pro design, and I've regretted not getting gold since I got my XS Max, so I'd love to get the 12 Pro (Max) in gold
      • Battery life, especially on the Max
    • Cons:
      • Price
      • Size: I was really looking forward to downsizing to the 5.8 (11) Pro. 6.1 doesn't seem that much smaller from my 6.5 iPhone XS Max and still seems quite a bit larger than the 5.8 (11) Pro imo.
      • All of the extra features are only "nice-to-haves," not really necessary. Is it worth an extra $200, but when you've already spent $800? 🤷‍♂️
      • Difference in Max and non-Max features: It's disappointing that the largest model gets more features, even if it makes sense why physically it can have more features
It just feels like, to me, there's no standout iPhone that is an easy buy. I want to downsize and a lower price, but is it worth the battery life hit and when I've gotten used to large phones? What if I miss the larger screen over time? I've been wanting the brighter screens the Pros brought last year, but if I'm already mostly happy with 625 nits and I've been curious about downsizing for a while now, is it worth forcing myself into a larger phone and an extra $200? I really dislike the non-Pro design and colors too, but does it really matter if I use a case anyways? I like having a very capable camera and would appreciate the Pro, especially Pro Max, features when I had them, especially since I love low-light photos, but do I use my camera enough to justify the cost?

So many tradeoffs and compromises to figure out. Anyone else having similar thoughts?
 
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I think for the first time since the XS and XS Max came out it’s really hard to justify the extra cost for the Pro models. There’s just not enough to separate them from the Mini and 12 for most people.

For me, I’m going from a XS Max to a 12 for a few reasons.

I really want a smaller and lighter phone, the XS Max is just too big and the fact that the 12 Pro Max is even bigger and heavier is kind of crazy to me.

I considered the 12 Pro but now more than ever you’re paying the extra just for one more camera. At least last year and the year before you got an extra camera and a much better quality display. Now, the displays are basically equal. It’s obvious that Apple messed up with ProMotion. There’s a glaring hole where it should be.

I think for most people the Mini and 12 are an excellent buy. Some people will want some of the Pro specific features but they’re likely to be an even smaller minority than the last two years.
 
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No. After all the struggling I had earlier this year deciding on a phone, I had pretty much already made up my mind that the 6.1 12 was my only option, and then only if it was smaller/lighter than the 11, which, thankfully, it appears to be.

Since I promised my granddaughter this SE for her birthday, I knew I’d be deciding on something when 12s came out (either get an 11 pro, get a 12 of some sort, or get another SE).

I’m using an SE, and while I absolutely love almost everything about it, I struggle with the keyboard size (even zoomed). It’s very frustrating to try and type on it. Because of that, I knew I couldn’t go smaller, even though I LOVE the size of the 12 mini.

It looks like the 12 is close enough to the 11 pro in size/weight that I feel comfortable going that route. I knew I wouldn’t do a pro model because I’m just not interested in spending that much on a phone, plus I don’t like the added weight from the stainless, don’t really need the additional camera features, etc.

Anyway, in short, the regular 12 6.1 is what I’m planning to order, likely in black because I‘m boring. That blue is stunning, but I think I’d get tired of it.
 
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I am currently debating between 6.1 12 and and 12 pro max. I love the light weight of 12 and the blue color is indeed stunning. But I like bigger screen of pro max. I don't care about the camera differences and price is not an issue for me
 
I think this is the first time I am having a really hard time deciding. I currently have the 11 Pro Max and while the size doesn't really bother me too much, there are times where I wish it was smaller. I didn't really want to increase the size of the phone with the 12 pro max but I am trying to decide if the better camera is worth the size difference. I take a lot of pictures as it is but have been looking to take more. Wish we could see comparison shots of the same photo, one taken with the 12 pro and one with the 12 pro max.
 
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Never felt this hard to decide which one to get...
I keep switching between the Mini and both 6.1'' models...

I think if the Mini wasn't delayed i would have just gotten that one...
 
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xxray said:
For example, here are my thoughts:

  • iPhone 12 mini:
    • Pros:
      • Extreme one-handability, pocketability, portability: I've been curious about downsizing for a while now.
      • Price/value: With OLED + smaller bezels, a lot of the Pro features are just "nice to haves"
    • Cons:
      • Battery life: I've been excited to get the battery upgrades that the 11 series brought, but the mini sounds like it'd be a downgrade from what I currently have.
      • Screen brightness: Again, was really looking forward to the improved brightness in the 11 Pro series (800 vs 625 nits). 625 nits is bad sometimes in direct light.
      • Misleading price: $729 for SIM-free
      • Colors/aesthetic: As shallow as this is, especially since I rarely look at the back of the phone and use cases, I've never liked the iPhone 11 design (I liked the 11 Pro design), and the 12 is basically the same from the back. Also, I don't really like any of the colors.
      • No telephoto lens: Prefer this over the ultra-wide
      • 64GB base storage: Would become around $800 for 128GB storage
  • iPhone 12 Pro (Max):
    • Pros:
      • Cameras: Telephoto lens, Dolby Vision video, Apple ProRaw: I could go either way on the camera benefits honestly, besides telephoto which I use a lot. I don't use my camera that much, but I do like to use it creatively at times. I could do without these benefits, but it'd also be great when I did get creative.
      • LiDAR: Most interested in this for faster auto-focusing, especially in low light
      • Brightness: 800 nits, heck yeah!
      • Higher base storage
      • Design/colors: I absolutely love the Pro design, and I've regretted not getting gold since I got my XS Max, so I'd love to get the 12 Pro (Max) in gold
      • Battery life, especially on the Max
    • Cons:
      • Price
      • Size: I was really looking forward to downsizing to the 5.8 (11) Pro. 6.1 doesn't seem that much smaller from my 6.5 iPhone XS Max and still seems quite a bit larger than the 5.8 (11) Pro imo.
      • All of the extra features are only "nice-to-haves," not really necessary. Is it worth an extra $200, but when you've already spent $800? 🤷‍♂️
      • Difference in Max and non-Max features: It's disappointing that the largest model gets more features, even if it makes sense why physically it can have more features
It just feels like, to me, there's no standout iPhone that is an easy buy. I want to downsize and a lower price, but is it worth the battery life hit and when I've gotten used to large phones? What if I miss the larger screen over time? I've been wanting the brighter screens the Pros brought last year, but if I'm already mostly happy with 625 nits and I've been curious about downsizing for a while now, is it worth forcing myself into a larger phone and an extra $200? I really dislike the non-Pro design and colors too, but does it really matter if I use a case anyways? I like having a very capable camera and would appreciate the Pro, especially Pro Max, features when I had them, especially since I love low-light photos, but do I use my camera enough to justify the cost?

So many tradeoffs and compromises to figure out. Anyone else having similar thoughts?
Click to expand...
Ditto. Let me know what we decide to do.

:)
 
Same here... Can't decide between 6.1 12 and 12 Pro. The Max is way to big for me. I like the look of the Pro but I don't really need a tele lens... 60fps HDR is nice to have but I can live with 30fps HDR...

The Pro is 200$ more here in Switzerland... I really don't know...
 
Back to massively confusing product lines and too many SKUs. This is exactly what Steve Jobs fixed when he came back to Apple. It’s been the same with MacBooks and iPads for years. There’s just no need to have so many lines of products with small differences. Garmin does the same crap. It’s very annoying.
 
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I value the advantages of the Pro series so that part for me is an easy decision. I’ll gladly pay the premium.

However, now that the Max has what appears to be a much better camera system than the 6.1” pro, I am forced to choose between the size I want vs the camera I want. Not keen to going back to carrying around a half pound phone.
 
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I will go with the Pro Max 6.7 as I want the bigger display. Because of the delay, I will have 2 'extra' payments. As a result my monthly payment will be almost $8/month cheaper than what I am already paying.
 
For me, there's only a $200 price difference between the mini and the pro. One side is like "you aren't getting a WHOLE lot more for that 200 bucks". And the other is saying "Yeah, but it's ONLY $200 bucks, can't take it with you..."

first world problemso_O
 
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ARizz44 said:
I value the advantages of the Pro series so that part for me is an easy decision. I’ll gladly pay the premium.

However, now that the Max has what appears to be a much better camera system than the 6.1” pro, I am forced to choose between the size I want vs the camera I want. Not keen to going back to carrying around a half pound phone.
Click to expand...

Seems like a bunch of us are debating this, which is a bummer. I use my phone one-handed a lot and am pretty sure that will be cumbersome with a pro max, but my biggest use for my phone is its camera. If the better camera was in both sizes, I think I would have no issue going with the smaller pro.
 
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I am another one who is undecided. I currently own 11 Pro. I thought I would immediately go to the 12 pro larger size, as the 11 Pro feels a little small, but the pro max feels too big. But I don’t know if the upgrades enough to justify it.
 
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iPhone 12 mini is the one for me, and anyone in my family. All the good stuff, in a reasonably sized package.

I don't need a big phone, because I love iPads! Phone is for calls, and taking photos and videos, and more. I prefer to do most other things on an iPad.
 
PaladinGuy said:
Back to massively confusing product lines and too many SKUs. This is exactly what Steve Jobs fixed when he came back to Apple. It’s been the same with MacBooks and iPads for years. There’s just no need to have so many lines of products with small differences. Garmin does the same crap. It’s very annoying.
Click to expand...

Strongly disagree. Nothing about the product line is confusing at all, if you do find it confusing, go ahead on compare on apples website.

I for one enjoy having the choice. I guess you would also like there to be a single colour and storage size ?
 
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I’m faced with the same dilemma this year. I’m leaning towards the iPhone 12, but its a difficult choice because I’ve always went with the Pro model(s) so the iPhone 12 feels like I’m getting less. As others have pointed out, Apple really narrowed the gap this year between models, so unless you step up into the iPhone 12 Pro max, there‘s only a marginal differences between the 6.1 Pro vs. non-Pro. The 6.7” is just too bulky for me. I might end up ordering both and returning one. Now, I need to decide which color. Decisions, decisions....
 
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Haven't decided if I'm going to upgrade, but since Apple will charge extra $30 for SIM-free 12, the difference between 6.1" is only ~$120 for 128 GB so no brainer there and at that rate I may get the 6.7" for another $100. Would jump in with both feet if the display was 120 Hz :(
 
I don't have a problem with witch one to buy the question is do I really need it, I have the iPhone 11 Pro max 256GB
midnight green, nothing in the 12 pro max justify me to spend the money
5G is not in my area or enough coverage in the USA 4G LTE is fast enough (unless it will be slow down)
the camera video and all the great option are not for me I don't make movies,
but if some how I will buy it it will be the iPhone 12 pro max
 
Yes the regular 12 is a great device this year, but one thing I think some are overlooking is that once you increase the storage from 64GB to 128GB, the price increase to get the Pro isn't that much, and that starts with 128GB as well as the other improvements.
 
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