Asus Rog Phone 6 Pro Best Ultra Flagship
Pros
- No built-in fan
- Heavy and bulky
The Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro is arguably the ultimate gaming phone but youll have to pay for it.
Performance is the priority here, so the phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip the most powerful around.
Specs elsewhere are supreme too, with a 165Hz AMOLED screen, 6000mAh battery, and up to 18GB of RAM.
It also features a unique PMOLED screen on the rear of the phone, used to indicate incoming calls, notifications, and charge state, and like all the ROG Phones it ships with a range of optional extra accessories.
The only problem is the price: its more expensive than all its rivals, which in some cases cost half the price but offer similar performance. Its a great high-end bit of kit, but there are plenty of gaming phones thatll give you the same bang for less buck in 2022.
Black Shark 5 Pro Best For Physical Triggers
Pros
- Fixed focus on ultrawide camera
- Can get hot over prolonged sessions
- JoyUI takes some getting used to
he Black Shark 5 Pro might not redesign the wheel, but it ticks all the boxes for gamers: it has a buttery smooth 144Hz refresh rate, top-level performance, gaming-specific features like magnetic triggers and gesture-activated shortcuts plus much more.
The 120W charging, while unchanged, provides some of the snappiest charging times around achieving a full 100% charge in under 30 minutes, though the downside is a smaller battery than alternatives.
Unlike the touch-based triggers of some rivals, the Black Shark 5 Pro has magnetic triggers that pop up from the body of the phone for a more traditional controller experience, making for a great portable gaming experience without the need to carry additional accessories.
Though not usually a focus for gaming phones, the Black Shark 5 Pro has an impressive 108Mp rear-facing camera thats capable of taking decent snaps, though the decision to include autofocus capabilities to the macro lens and not the more popular 120-degree ultra-wide is an odd decision that leaves some ultrawide shots looking a little soft.
It is more expensive than the competing Red Magic 7 Pro, but the magnetic triggers, in particular, make the Black Shark 5 Pro a compelling gaming smartphone that negates the need for a controller in many games.
Poco X3 Pro Best Budget Phone For Gaming
Pros
- Average camera performance
Xiaomis Poco X3 Pro may not be a dedicated gaming phone, but it has built on the success of the popular Poco X3 NFC to provide fast performance without the price tag.
The headline feature is the inclusion of the Snapdragon 860, an impressive feat when you consider the budget nature of the X3 Pro. Thats coupled with 6- or 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage, and the 6.67in LCD panel offers a boosted 120Hz refresh rate and a 240Hz touch response rate.
The whopping 5160mAh battery is more than enough to get you through an intense gaming session or two, and while 33W wired charging isnt the quickest available, its still pretty nippy.
The Poco X3 Pro might not be quite as capable as some of the dedicated gaming options in our chart, but it certainly offers bang for your buck when compared to similarly priced smartphones available right now.
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Which Gaming Phone Accessories Should I Buy
One extra perk of buying a gaming phone is that they usually offer a range of accessories to go with them. These vary by manufacturer, so theres no hard-and-fast rule on what to pick up.
Strap-on coolers and fans are a good way to maintain performance and reduce long-term damage to the phones chip from overheating. If you find it fiddly to play on the touchscreen, you might also want to grab a Bluetooth controller. As with any phone, a protective case and screen protector are always a good bet too.
So The iPhone 12 Sounds Exciting Should You Buy One
As a tech reviewer for longer than a decade, I love getting to play with the latest gadgets. But phones have gotten good enough that you don’t need to upgrade as often as you used to. Apple has done an incredible job keeping older phones snappy and up-to-date with the latest software . So I usually recommend holding onto your devices as long as possible your wallet will thank you, and so will the environment.
But no phone lasts forever.
Maybe your current iPhone is feeling long in the tooth, or you’re weighing the decision to repair the phone you have vs upgrading it. Here are some ballpark recommendations to help steer your iPhone 12 deliberation:
If you have an iPhone X, iPhone 11 or other new-ish device, I wouldn’t recommend upgrading. Those iPhones are still fantastic, providing high-quality cameras, speedy performance and modern software. As much as Apple would like you to think the iPhone 12 would be a revolutionary life change just like last year’s model and the year’s before that upgrading from a recent iPhone is going to offer incremental improvements in the grand scheme of things. That probably isn’t worth $700 to $1,100. Even if your phone needs repairs, it’ll be a fraction of that cost, so don’t let FOMO get the better of you. Your phone is still great.
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Red Magic 7s Pro Most Responsive Display
Pros
- Only guaranteed one Android version update
- ‘Only’ 120Hz refresh rate
The Red Magic 7S Pro is an unusual phone. Its a small upgrade on the 7 Pro chiefly to include the newer Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip but its also not a clear upgrade on the regular Red Magic 7 in every respect, and in fact wed recommend that phone to most people .
The changes here are mostly in the display. The first is that the 7S Pro comes with the most responsive display in any phone right, registering touch input at 960Hz i.e. it can detect touches 960 times a second. Thats literally a game-changer, but it brings a drawback: the screen refresh rate is only 120Hz, down from the 165Hz of the regular 7.
The other change is the inclusion of an under-display selfie camera. This helps keep the 7S Pro compact and gives you a gorgeous full-screen experience, but again theres a trade-off: your actual selfies wont be all that great, with a soft, over-processed look to them.
This packs plenty of power and delivers on battery life too, but with a hefty price tag consider carefully if you really need the upgrade from the Red Magic 7 or if youd be happy with the slightly cheaper Red Magic 7 Pro, which is essentially the same phone with the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
What Are My Delivery Options And When Will I Get My Items
Delivery estimates are based on item availability and the shipping option you choose. Youll get a final delivery date after you place your order.
Free next-day delivery is available for any in-stock iPhone and free standard delivery on all orders. Or you can upgrade your shipping method for an additional charge.
Depending on your location, your order may be eligible for Apple Store Pickup. At checkout, simply choose to pick up your items at an Apple Store near you.
Orders placed through apple.com can only be shipped within the country or region of purchase. Visit the online store of the location where you want your products delivered.
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iPhone 12 Mini Battery Life
- A battery life that should last for a full day of normal use
- You may find the battery struggles for any longer
Apple has yet to confirm the exact battery size on the iPhone 12 mini, but filings from a mobile agency in Brazil suggest it’s a 2227mAh cell. As with most recent iPhone models, the battery life has improved over older devices, but it still isnt going to give you the best life.
We found that the iPhone 12 mini would last us for a full day from a single charge, but on the odd occasion it would die off toward 10pm after a high day of usage. This was a particularly intensive day, though, and on other busy days we also found the phone would make it through to bedtime.
In a mid-to-high intensity use day, we found the iPhone 12 mini got to the end of the day with 22% left in the tank. That was with four hours and 20 minutes of screen-on time, and a variety of tasks running in the background such as music playback and notifications.
We had other days where we managed over six hours of usage, but that was often when we didnt connect to a mobile unit and we didnt take the phone out of the house as much.
If youre switching between 5G and 4G connectivity while on the go, youre likely to see the battery life drop down from that as well. We found on the days where we were away from Wi-Fi few and far between owing to lockdown restrictions the battery life would drop faster.
- These are the best iPhone 12 mini cases right now
iPhone 12 Mini Display
- New Super Retina XDR OLED technology is impressive
- A high 476 pixels per inch
- Still a 60Hz display despite rumors of 120Hz
The iPhone 12 mini has a phenomenal screen, and its one of the best weve ever seen on an iPhone. For the first time, the company has brought its Super Retina XDR OLED technology to all its new iPhones, and the difference between this and LCD is remarkable.
The screen here is 5.4 inches, and youre comfortably able to reach all corners when using the phone one-handed.
The resolution is higher than on the iPhone 11 at 1080 x 2340, and the difference is noticeable. That resolution works out to 476 pixels per inch, and its the sharpest display wed seen on an iPhone at launch, so while the screen is smaller than the iPhone 12 Pro or Pro Max, its arguably better. The picture is crisp and clear, and the brightness is impressive too.
The display is also HDR10-ready, meaning youll notice more detail in dark and light areas when watching content encoded with the technology. The difference is most notable when youre watching video from sources like Netflix or iTunes, but it also means photos and other images look better.
A lot of Android manufacturers are now including high-refresh-rate screens on phones, which makes for smoother images when youre gaming, watching video or scrolling your Twitter feed, but Apple hasnt included this on the iPhone 12 mini.
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iPhone 12’s New Purple Color Is Pastel Perfection
The flat aluminum edges on the iPhone 12 are also purple and match the back. It definitely looks striking in-person. But even though the color is new, everything else about the phone is the same. It has the same support for 5G. The OLED screen is covered with Apple’s ceramic shield. The body has an IP68 rating for dust- and water-resistance. It supports MagSafe wireless charging and accessories. It has the same A14 Bionic processor, runs on iOS 14 software and even has the same cameras.
And that brings me to the question: Should you buy it? We’re at that weird halfway point in the typical iPhone refresh cycle. And it’s smart for Apple to release a new color to help spur interest in the iPhone 12.
In most cases, if you’re due for an upgrade and are looking to get an iPhone, it would be silly to wait. Get the iPhone 12 and rest comfortably knowing that Apple supports its phones four or even five years after they’re released with OS and security updates.
If you know you’ll want the latest and the newest and you can wait six months, you probably already know your decision. And if you love all things purple, what are you waiting for? But let’s be real for a moment. No matter which phone you get or which color it is, most people will likely take this purple beauty and put it in a case.
iPhone 12 Mini Design
- An iPhone 4 reminiscent design with angled edges
- The smallest iPhone for a number of generations
- Easy to hold and use in one hand
The iPhone 12 minis design is its unique selling point, and its a welcome alternative for those who want a smaller iPhone, and whove looked on in dismay as Apple has released ever-larger handsets .
It essentially mirrors the iPhone 12 design, but in a smaller body thats easier to wrap you hand around and despite the smaller size the phone still manages to pack a large 5.4-inch screen more on that below
With dimensions of 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4mm its the smallest iPhone in a long time, and thats including the iPhone SE that was released earlier in 2020. Its also light, without feeling too light at 135 grams its easy to slip into a pocket, but doesnt feel cheap.
It may seem obvious, but if youre looking for a small iPhone and youre not too worried about the cost, then the iPhone 12 mini is an instant, dont-even-think-about-anything-else choice.
Away from the phones sheer size , the iPhone 12 mini comes with flatter edges than weve seen on recent iPhone generations. Its always nice to see design evolution in an iPhone, but this move, which nods to the look of older iPhones, wont be to everyones taste.
The rear of the phone is glass, and it doesnt feel slippery, as glass on some smartphones can. Youll quickly start to notice fingerprints appearing on the rear of the phone though.
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The iPhone 12 And iPhone 12 Mini Are Now Available In Purple
Until today, Apple’s iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini was available in five colors: black, white, red, green and blue. Today, at its annual iPad event, the company unveiled yet another color: purple. According to the company, it’ll be available for pre-order on April 23rd, with general availability starting April 30th.
Will My iPhone Work Worldwide
All iPhone models are world phones, so you can use them almost anywhere. Whether you are a GSM or CDMA network customer, you can roam internationally on GSM networks in over 200 countries or regions around the world. If you financed your iPhone with your wireless carrier, contact them to verify that you can roam internationally.
Availability of 5G and LTE data varies in some countries or regions and depends on carrier support for certain 5G and LTE radio frequencies. Contact your wireless carrier for more information regarding international roaming policies and rates.
** Price includes a $30 Sprint, T-Mobile, or Verizon discount. Requires activation with carrier. This discount is not available for AT& T.
Available for qualifying applicants in the United States.
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Apple iPhone 12 + Carrier Subscription
- 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display
- Ceramic Shield, tougher than any smartphone glass
- A14 Bionic chip, the fastest chip ever in a smartphone
- Advanced dual-camera system with 12MP Ultra Wide and Wide cameras Night mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3, 4K Dolby Vision HDR recording
- 12MP TrueDepth front camera with Night mode, 4K Dolby Vision HDR recording
Gallery: Apple iPhone 12
In a press release, Apple also said that it will begin selling cases in complementary colors. The MagSafe Leather Case or Leather Sleeve will be available in Deep Violet, the Silicone Case in Capri Blue, Pistachio, Cantaloupe or Amethyst, and the Leather Case will also be available in Arizona. All of these cases are available to order today.
Follow all of the news from Apples spring event right here!
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices are correct at the time of publishing.
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iPhone 13 Vs Purple iPhone 1: What To Consider Before You Upgrade
We’re past the probable halfway point between the iPhone 12 and 13, and Apple goes and releases a pretty new purple color.
Patrick Holland
Senior Editor
Patrick Holland has an eye for photography and a passion for everything mobile. He is a colorful raconteur who will guide you through the ever-changing and fast-paced world of phones. He also is one of the hosts of CNET’s I’m So Obsessed podcast.
Apple released a new color for the iPhone 12 and 12 Mini this spring, and it’s purple. It’s on sale now, but I got my hands on one of the new phones ahead of time. And I can indeed confirm, it’s purple. But the timing of the new color is six months after Apple launched the iPhone 12 series and less than six months away from the rumored iPhone 13. So should you buy one or wait? I promise to explain.
Purple is the sixth color for the iPhone 12 and 12 Mini, which come in black, white, blue, green, Product Red and now purple. There were six colors in Apple’s rainbow logo, which the company used from the late ’70s through the ’90s, and which also had purple in it. The new purple color isn’t available on the iPhone 12 Pro or 12 Pro Max, which makes sense because the Pro models usually stick to graphite, silver and gold finishes.
The purple iPhone 12 and 12 Mini went on sale in April. Prices start at $829 for the iPhone 12 or $799 if you activate it on a carrier when you buy it. The purple iPhone 12 Mini starts at $729 or $699 with a carrier discount.