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Other Anyone else having a really hard time figuring out what iPhone 12 model to buy?
- Thread starter xxray
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This was exactly my thought when I was watching the event. Looking at all the threads that popped up since the event it is quite clear that Apple needs to trim some fat. No reason to have 4 iPhones and I liked it better when the only difference between the two pros were sizes.
Yeah I have no idea what to do. If the 12 and 12 pro were the same weight it would be easier but right now I’m between the mini, 12 or 12 pro. I like the idea of a lighter phone but won’t be able to tell how much difference 14 percent makes without holding them both. The apple store is closed here so I would have to go to At&T on release day to compare. Then if I get the 12 the return period would be up before the mini came out so not sure what to do. They should have brought the non pros out first then the pros in nov.
I’m not sure what to do. I’m currently using an 11 Pro but I feel like it’s too heavy so that throws out the Pro line for me.
The 12 is about the same size as the 11 Pro but is lighter. The 12 mini sounds nice but with it having less width I wonder if the keyboard will be too small. I also occasionally view things in landscape mode so with a smaller width, it may not be a good viewing experience there.
I think if both the 12 and 12 mini were releasing at the same time I’d go with the mini. But it seems I really need to have hands on both to decide.
I’ll probably just preorder the 12 mini and if I don’t like it, exchange it for the 12. It’s too bad I don’t like the weight of the 11 Pro as it’s a really good device.
The 12 is about the same size as the 11 Pro but is lighter. The 12 mini sounds nice but with it having less width I wonder if the keyboard will be too small. I also occasionally view things in landscape mode so with a smaller width, it may not be a good viewing experience there.
I think if both the 12 and 12 mini were releasing at the same time I’d go with the mini. But it seems I really need to have hands on both to decide.
I’ll probably just preorder the 12 mini and if I don’t like it, exchange it for the 12. It’s too bad I don’t like the weight of the 11 Pro as it’s a really good device.
I was set on the mini, but ultimately the stated battery life is going to feel rough for me coming from an 11 Pro. The 12 Pro Max is way too big, so that just leaves the 12 or 12 Pro. I currently have a 64 GB phone and even with cloud storage I’m starting here and there to bump against the internal storage limits, so I need 128 GB. Once I factor in the up charge on the 12 for 128 GB and the extra $30 for not buying with Verizon or AT&T, there’s a ~$120 difference between the 12 and the Pro, and for the additional camera and RAM I’d rather get the Pro, so 12 Pro it is.
I think I have finally decided on 12 pro, I was considering dropping down to the 12 but at only 150 difference I think I would miss the third camera now that I have gotten used to it on the 11PM.
If it weren't for the lidar in the Pro, I would get the 12. The lidar is interesting to me because I have been having fun with AR stuff. The lidar and more memory for $150 bucks, sign me up for a pro (not the max, I hate big phones and the non-max pro is pushing it already). I like the blue, and that is a departure, as I have always bought the straight up black (or "space gray"). But I suspect the blue is going to be sold out fast, so I might just go for my usual just to avoid getting pushed out on delivery. Color isn't a big deal to me. I think I may be the only phone buyer who doesn't give a hoot about the camera for photography.
I am as budget minded as they come (Ultimate Cheapskate), but I think the 12 Pro Max really is the sweat spot. Once you factor the $30 surcharge for an Unlocked model (C'mon Apple, really), and another $50 for a usable 128gb your within just over a Benjamin for the Pro. So for $120 you get 6GB Ram (vs 4GB/50% Increase), Better Camera, Brighter Display, Telephoto Lens, liDar, and a Premium Stainless Steel Frame. All for a $120 Difference, c'mon that's the "No Brainer" of the Century. How much of that $120 will you get back when you trade-in/sell next year or the year after, $65-80? So now we're down to pocket change. Yea, the standard 12 is a "Dead Man Walking" in my opinion. If you desperately need that small size/portability, your decision is already made, the Mini (but that's the one singular advantage/nearly the same price disadvantages as above). So that leaves the Pro and the Pro Max. For my use, the Pro max with that screen size and Camera upgrades, I can ditch my Ipad Pro and Nikon DSLR. The screen size (Max) is nearing Ipad Levels (within 3-4") and I was never very good at taking photos with my Nikon and the iphones have probably surpassed it anyway. Toss in a new upcoming Silicon Macbook in the 12-13" Range, and that would be a perfect combo. Time to simplify.
If they had a "Mini Pro" that had the same Cameras and LiDAR, I'd go for it. As it is, I'm going with the 12 Pro. If I go see the Mini and the 12 Pro isn't all it was cracked up to be, I can swap them out.
I agree. Leaning toward the 12. Have a 11 pro and hate the weight. The pro models will have 2gb more ram at 6gb reportably.
Just hold a reg 11 and a 11pro. I have the 11pro and it feels like a brick. The iphone 11 has a much better weight distribution. And the 12 will be lighter and smaller than the 11. Always went with the pro models but the small difference between them and the weight might tip the scale for me.
I wouldn't call it confusing. It is extended. But it is not confusing. Apple has a line which is for everyone (iPhone 12 and 12 mini) where the only difference is the size. So 70% of all users just need to decide which size is perfect for them. And after that we have a Pro Line which costs more, but also has newer features. And there we have a customer base which wants the best and also wants to compare specs.
(Ok, the iPad Line is a bit of a mess currently but I blame that on the pandemic and the delay with the iPad Pro)
But times have changed. If there was only one iPhone many would not be satisfied. I like the choice.
Slightly better camera in some respects. Those respects may not matter to you, as they probably won’t for most people. That’s basically it. They’re otherwise the same.
To the person who said those who went down to a smaller screen from the Max would regret it, I beg to differ. I was a Max phone guy for many iterations. Switched to the 11 Pro last year and love it. Wouldn’t want anything else at this point. Perfect size for me and I don’t miss the Max screen at all.
I like the idea of the 12 Pro but I'm currently using a XS Max and I really enjoy the extra screen real estate. That being said, I think I'm going to pre-order the 12 Pro 256 GB tomorrow and and if for some reason I'm truly not a fan of the downsize in screen size, I'll return the 12 Pro and order a 12 Pro Max 256 GB on 11/6.
Thank you. The camera is very important to me but the differences don’t seem enough to me (until the reviews come out). Would like the 12 Pro if possible: smaller phone but bigger screen than my 8 plus
I'm on a very similar boat.
A bit of background: I'm a hobbyist photographer, but ever since I got an iPhone 8+ at release, phone photography has replaced 90% of my camera usage. I still use the camera for planned portraits, special events, and outdoors vacations, but otherwise the iPhone camera is good enough for day to day snapshots.
I had an 8+ until this past May, when my carrier offered me to upgrade me to the SE2 for free by trading in my 8+. Took the offer and I love the smaller form factor, although not as happy with the SE2's battery life.
I have my first child on the way, and... well, I want to capture those moments. It's also going to be my parents' first grandchild, so I'll be sharing lots of pictures and videos with them.
I definitely want the smaller form factor of the 12 Mini, the upgrade to OLED, and the ultrawide lens. I take my phone with me when I run, so having it be small and lightweight is definitely appreciated, and the Mini being both smaller and lighter than the SE2 are big pluses in my book. The bump in battery life compared to the SE2 is also nice.
But I like the Pro because it has LiDAR for better autofocus, the telephoto lens, and Night Mode for portraits - I definitely miss the telephoto lens on my 8+. However, this comes at the cost of a bigger, bulkier, heavier, and more expensive phone. The extra RAM will probably be nice for future-proofing (I update every 2-3 years), and the extra battery over the mini is another nice bonus.
I've taken a look at the size and weight spec sheets for my SE2, the 12 mini, and the 12 Pro too many times, and the difference seems to be minimal - the 12 mini is not much smaller than my SE2, and the 12 Pro is not that much bigger than my SE2.
If the mini had a telephoto lens, it would be a no-brainer. So it really does come down to the telephoto lens being the differentiating factor, and whether that is worth the increase in price, size, and weight.
A bit of background: I'm a hobbyist photographer, but ever since I got an iPhone 8+ at release, phone photography has replaced 90% of my camera usage. I still use the camera for planned portraits, special events, and outdoors vacations, but otherwise the iPhone camera is good enough for day to day snapshots.
I had an 8+ until this past May, when my carrier offered me to upgrade me to the SE2 for free by trading in my 8+. Took the offer and I love the smaller form factor, although not as happy with the SE2's battery life.
I have my first child on the way, and... well, I want to capture those moments. It's also going to be my parents' first grandchild, so I'll be sharing lots of pictures and videos with them.
I definitely want the smaller form factor of the 12 Mini, the upgrade to OLED, and the ultrawide lens. I take my phone with me when I run, so having it be small and lightweight is definitely appreciated, and the Mini being both smaller and lighter than the SE2 are big pluses in my book. The bump in battery life compared to the SE2 is also nice.
But I like the Pro because it has LiDAR for better autofocus, the telephoto lens, and Night Mode for portraits - I definitely miss the telephoto lens on my 8+. However, this comes at the cost of a bigger, bulkier, heavier, and more expensive phone. The extra RAM will probably be nice for future-proofing (I update every 2-3 years), and the extra battery over the mini is another nice bonus.
I've taken a look at the size and weight spec sheets for my SE2, the 12 mini, and the 12 Pro too many times, and the difference seems to be minimal - the 12 mini is not much smaller than my SE2, and the 12 Pro is not that much bigger than my SE2.
If the mini had a telephoto lens, it would be a no-brainer. So it really does come down to the telephoto lens being the differentiating factor, and whether that is worth the increase in price, size, and weight.
Anyone debating carriers because of 5G differences?
I’m a long time GSM user cause I like how GSM works globally but Verizon’s 5G data rates shown by Speedtest were crazy better (where available) than ATT and T-Mobile. (ATT was clearly worse which may explain their aggressive upgrade offers).
I‘ve setup my iPhone upgrade program for a 12 Pro on ATT but am very curious about the Verizon option.
9to5mac.com
I’m a long time GSM user cause I like how GSM works globally but Verizon’s 5G data rates shown by Speedtest were crazy better (where available) than ATT and T-Mobile. (ATT was clearly worse which may explain their aggressive upgrade offers).
I‘ve setup my iPhone upgrade program for a 12 Pro on ATT but am very curious about the Verizon option.
Early iPhone 12 5G speed tests show how results will vary by carrier and location - 9to5Mac
One of the headlining features of iPhone 12 is its support for 5G connectivity. Ahead of pre-orders beginning on Friday,...
9to5mac.com
The price difference is minimal, but so is the feature difference. Of those things you listed, only the telephoto lens would mean anything to my use of the phone. I guess the extra RAM might matter a few years from now, if I kept it that long.
I am struggling. Currently have an 11 non-or right now. I had wanted a larger screen and better battery, and the form factor is really not that much different from the 11 where it matters (width and depth). Where I'm struggling though is that I really like the blue of the 12 the most, and I don't really need the camera upgrades....so right now I'm actually slowly talking myself out of upgrading at all.
If finances were back in order, I would definitely order 12P 6.1" tomorrow morning since I'm not too excited about incremental camera upgrades, the 11PM is already getting big for my pocket, and it would be $100 less and a month less to wait. Since I may not order for a bit, I will probably see how much bigger the Max actually is in person and decide between 12P 6.1" vs 6.7" There is too much of a difference in screen and camera etc for me to choose normal 12 6.1"
I'll be sure to message you with my blue I intend to order! It really does look nice!
I’m more torn on which capacity to get. Based on current usage, 128GB should work fine. However, I wonder how much recording in HDR and Dolby Vision will increase file sizes. Is that enough to justify going to 256GB to be safe?
Move the largest files over to the computer, you'd have to shoot ALOT of video and want to keep every single thing on your phone forever to justify a 256gb just for that reason. I film skateboarding videos as pretty much my only hobby, and have every song I've ever downloaded in my life on my phone, and plenty of TV shows/movies, and I still plan on downsizing from 256gb to 128gb this year because I've had so much free space over the past 2 years.