Mixed Feelings: My test of the iPhone 12 Pro
Apple divides its lineup into two parts again. With the nickname “Pro” the manufacturer calls the highest quality and most expensive iPhones of the new generation. The models without the “Pro” designation are just as powerful, but have to do without certain features that are not too important for some users in everyday life. The models differ externally in their camera arrangement, as the Pro has three large lenses and the standard model only two. However, the workmanship of both models is equally excellent.
For example, frosted glass is used again on the back, while the device frame is made of highly polished stainless steel. The iPhone 12 Pro looks great and has a first-class finish, Apple does a good job as usual. However, the frame proves to be a true fingerprint magnet. With the iPhone 12 generation, Apple also says goodbye to the curves between the front and back and revives a design that many long-time iPhone users will be familiar with: the design of the iPhone 5. Fun fact: The flat frame allows the iPhone 12 Pro to stand upright without any problems.
Also new is the glass on both sides called “Ceramic Shield”. Apple promises an up to four times higher resistance. Drop tests are not carried out in our test lab, but in the end, the following always applies to such claims: If your phone falls unhappily on the floor, it will break. The new glass may improve your chances in this case, but it is not a guarantee. Accordingly, we recommend investing in a case or protective cover.
The iPhone 12 Pro has grown without getting bigger
On the front of the iPhone 12 Pro, Apple has changed very little. The so-called notch — the display notch on the top side — is still large. But it also contains a lot of technology (more about this below). But the screen edges are a bit narrower, so the display diagonal increases from 5.8 inches to 6.1 inches despite the almost identical case dimensions.
To ensure a constantly sharp picture, Apple increases the resolution to 2,532 x 1,170 pixels. The pixel density is now 459 ppi (pixel per inch). Individual pixels cannot be seen with the naked eye. The display is excellent.
We also find the maximum display brightness convincing, although the over 1,100 cd/m² promised by Apple will probably be seen only rarely in everyday life. In the laboratory we measured a maximum luminosity of around 797 cd/m² in our standard test procedure. The ambient light does not seem to play a relevant role, because the iPhone does not have an automatic boost on the brightness sensor when there is strong light irradiation. Nevertheless, the iPhone 12 Pro can be read without any problems even in sunlight.
Apple promises much more and with some trial and error, we could even measure 1,143 cd/m² in the test lab: when displaying appropriately modified HDR images with extremely bright light sources in the image. We could only force the effect in the image gallery, not via the Safari browser and not via YouTube videos. To put it plainly: We assume that the iPhone 12 Pro will not exceed 800 cd/m² in everyday use, for example when chatting and surfing in sunlight. But that is still a strong value.
Why some Android flagships feel smoother
In the iPhone 12 Pro, Apple is again relying on OLED technology, i.e. self-luminous pixels. The color representation of the iPhone 12 Pro is perfect: It covers the extended DCI-P3 color space completely and precisely and the contrast is also on a high level with 151:1. In addition, the white point is where it belongs (D65), so the white display is neutral white. Due to the “True-Tone” function, however, color temperature fluctuations can occur. The iPhone thus adapts the color display to the ambient light. You can deactivate this function if it bothers you.
All in all, the display performs very well in our test, but the new Apple showpiece lacks an important feature: the refresh rate is still only 60 hertz. Some Android models already deliver increased frame rates of 90, 120 or even 144 hertz. This makes for smoother animations in everyday life. Apple also knows this feature and has been using it in its iPad Pro models for several years. In our opinion, such an upgrade would have been desirable for the new iPhone generation.
No power supply, a problem?
This year, Apple’s decision to no longer include a power supply unit in the scope of delivery is causing great concern. Buyers will only find a charging cable in the packaging. Apple itself justifies this decision above all ecologically: In addition to saved plastic, the size of the packaging is also reduced, which should reduce the CO2 footprint of an individual device.
And indeed: The packaging of the new iPhone 12 Pro is much more compact. But how is the iPhone supposed to charge at the power outlet? According to Apple, many users already have numerous power supply units at home anyway. In theory, that may be true, but in practice it presents a problem. The iPhone 12 Pro’s included charging cable ends on the power supply side with a USB-C plug and not with the even more common USB-A plug. But since many power supplies of the last years have a USB-A port, they are more or less worthless for the included charging cable. This could mean that many users simply have to buy a new power supply if they don’t have an old Lightning-on-USB type A cable.
For the 20-Watt power supply we used in the test you pay around 25 Euro. By the way, this one is transported to you again in its own packaging and — if you order online — via a parcel service. Will the environmental idea then still come into its own?
The fixed battery in the iPhone 12 Pro measures just 2,815 mAh. This is not much compared to Android cell phone standards, but the iPhone 12 Pro still lasts very long in the test: 12:17 hours in continuous operation. This means you can use it for long days without having to recharge the iPhone in between.
If you purchase the 20 watt Apple power supply additionally, the iPhone’s battery recharges from 0 to 100 percent in 108 minutes. That may not be a record, but it’s still fast, especially since after half an hour more than 50 percent is charged again. Alternatively, the iPhone 12 Pro can also be powered wirelessly.
Apple is introducing a useful new function with the “Mag Safe” feature. On the back of the iPhone 12 Pro, ring-shaped magnets are embedded in the case. This enables practical additional applications. A compatible Qi charger, for example, automatically snaps into the optimal position to provide full charging power.
Some cases should also have a stronger grip on the iPhone thanks to the magnets. In tests we have found that this technology also unintentionally attracts guests in their trouser pockets or handbags: For example, copper coins (1 cent, 2 cents and 5 cents) adhere quite well to the back.
Even more power — at least on paper
Like every new iPhone generation, the iPhone 12 Pro comes with a new Apple processor, in this case the A14 Bionic. The CPU works with six computing cores and has a peak clock rate of up to 3.1 gigahertz. The A14 Bionic is the first processor manufactured using the so-called five-nanometer method. In simple terms, this means more transistors per surface area. Or even simpler: slightly better performance with lower energy consumption.
For the first time in an Apple cell phone, the processor is accompanied by six gigabytes of main memory. Since Apple’s hardware and software are very well coordinated, this is quite sufficient.
At the time of testing, no other smartphone is as fast as Apple’s flagships. In figures, this means the following for the Pro model: an incredibly short loading time of just 1.4 seconds for our elaborate test PDF file and a GFX benchmark value (scenario: Manhattan 3.1; off-screen in 1,440p) of 74. By way of comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra only managed a value of 50 in this test. However, since the display resolution has also increased somewhat and Apple continues to use 60 Hz screens, the new iPhones do not manage to distinguish themselves significantly from their predecessors.
iPhone 12 Pro: 5G is inside
Unlike other well-known smartphone manufacturers, Apple relies on its own operating system iOS. On the iPhone 12 Pro, this comes pre-installed in the current version 14.1. Among other things, the manufacturer is known for providing the longest software support in the smartphone industry.
You will also receive: Bluetooth 5, WiFi 6 and NFC for contactless payment via Apple Pay and last but not least support for the new network standard 5G.
The year of masks makes FaceID worthless
Many features, including the great stereo speakers and an IP68 certification (protection against dust and water) the iPhone 12 Pro takes over from its predecessor. But the half-hearted dual-SIM function, which only works with an eSIM, and the lighting instead of a USB-C connection remain unchanged.
For biometric unlocking, Apple continues to rely on FaceID. This is a three-dimensional face recognition system that is invisible to the human eye thanks to infrared light technology. In a year that is characterized worldwide mainly by a mask obligation, a fingerprint sensor would have been a nice alternative. Face recognition does not work with a mask on.
As usual, the price for Apple’s Pro model is high: A whopping 1,237 euros is what Apple is asking for after the VAT reduction in the basic version for the iPhone 12 Pro with 256 GByte. After all, the smallest memory variant now starts at 128 gigabytes for 1,120 euros, so Apple has increased the price. A maximum of 512 gigabytes is possible, but this cannot be expanded. Apart from a charging cable (without power supply) and the user manual, no other accessories are included in the scope of delivery.
