iPhone 13 Vs iPhone 1: Cameras
Both of these phones pack dual 12MP cameras – one wide, one ultra-wide. But the iPhone 13 system is notably improved, with less noise in most scenarios than in comparable shots from the iPhone 12.
Its not hard to see why this is the case. The iPhone 13s 12MP wide sensor can suck up 47% more light than before, and captures chunky 1.7µm pixels versus the iPhone 12s 1.4µm.
You also get the sensor shift stabilization system that made shots freakishly steady on last years iPhone 12 Pro Max, which is an impressive addition. The combination of larger sensor and superior stabilization means that low light shots are quite a bit better on the iPhone 13 than on the iPhone 12.
The newer phones ultra-wide sensor also sees improvements, with a wider f/1.8 aperture compared to its pokey f/2.4 iPhone 12 counterpart. Again, it provides a step up in low light conditions.
As always, Apples camera software is as important as its camera hardware – perhaps even more so.
This year you gain Photographic Styles, which enables you to apply custom looks to all of your shots, from Rich Contrast to Cool. This goes beyond mere filters, fundamentally shifting the emphasis of the iPhone 13s shots without making things unnatural. It can be quite a subtle change as a result.
It takes some playing around with to get the results youre after, but its a fun addition.
Before We Get To The Phones: What You Should Know About 5g
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are the first iPhones to support 5G networks. Before I talk about the phones, I should explain 5G, since carriers and Apple are using it as the key selling point. As you’ve probably heard, 5G is still in its early days, and there’s a good chance you won’t be able to use it to its full potential yet.
The new iPhones support all kinds of 5G, including the fastest networks in the U.S. But 5G is super confusing right now, so I’ll explain what’s going on.
First, the 5G speeds you see will entirely depend on where you’re using the phone. The common 5G network most people will see most often right now is sometimes faster than LTE. It can also sometimes be slower than 4G LTE. But, as long as you’re on 5G, the iPhone 12 will let you do things that earlier iPhones needed Wi-Fi for.
That meant FaceTime in HD, which was noticeably clearer than over LTE. It’ll also download software updates and play videos from the Apple TV app at the highest possible quality. Anyway, this is the sort of experience you should mostly expect right now if you’re covered by 5G.
And finally there’s the really fast 5G that’s bragged about the most. Verizon is the most bullish on this, though T-Mobile and AT& T are also building it. It’s mostly in cities. I’ve tested in Manhattan on other phones when I was able to download movies and TV shows in seconds but didn’t come across it on the iPhone 12 in the New Jersey suburbs, where it has yet to roll out.
iPhone 12 Pro Vs iPhone 13 Pro: Conclusion
As is almost always the case, coming up with a definitive and easy-to-summarise conclusion here is not particularly straightforward.
While the iPhone 13 Pro is unarguably a better phone than the iPhone 12 Pro, the differences between the two are reasonably subtle and therefore wont necessarily be worthy of an upgrade for many people.
In terms of body design, connectivity , screen and so on, the two phones are nigh-on identical. If you base your phone buying decisions on the quality of the on-board cameras, its here that we actually see more noticeable differences between the two, which is interesting. Here, there are some upgrades which are fairly tempting, but perhaps more so if you’re upgrading from an older model than the 12 Pro.
The big upgrades are the new longer telephoto lens, the larger sensor for the main camera, the addition of Cinematic Mode for Video, Picture Styles for stills and the new close-focusing option. All of these things are nice to have, and add up together to make a nice set of upgrades, but are arguably not likely to be used enough to justify a big spend if you already have the 12 Pro.
If you have an iPhone 11 Pro or older and you want to upgrade because you’ve had it for a couple of years, the price difference between the 12 Pro and the 13 Pro is so minimal that you may as well plump for the 13 Pro, but otherwise, the 13 Pro is a generation that many may choose to skip and wait for the 14 series.
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iPhone 12 Features: Data Consumption
In addition to choosing your 5G usage, you also have control over how your iPhone consumes data. Go to Settings > Cellular > Data Mode, and you’ll be able to pick from three options.
The default Standard mode lets certain functions like automatic updates and tasks that apps perform in the background continue to work on cellular, while downgrading FaceTime and video quality while on your mobile network, to save data.
If you are using a 5G connection, you can tell the system to Allow More Data on 5G, which gives you better quality for streaming video and FaceTime calls.
And if you’re in a really data-constrained situation , you can activate the Low Data Mode to reduce data usage even further on both Wi-Fi and cellular by pausing those auto updates and background tasks. The power is yours!
iPhone 12 Wireless Charger
Wired charging is old school wireless is the future, though no smartphones yet have come with wireless chargers in the box. The iPhone 12 supports 7.5W wireless charging with all Qi chargers , though with Apple’s proprietary MagSafe, which uses magnets on the back, that goes up to 15W.
iPhones have supported Qi charging for a while, and there are loads of wireless chargers sold on Apple’s website. You can also check out our list of the best wireless chargers to find other options.
Apple’s MagSafe is a new addition to the phones, so it remains to be seen how useful it is, but 15W wireless charging sounds good. Only Apple sells MagSafe tech through its website, though third-party sellers could start soon.
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When I Buy From Applecom Does My iPhone Come Ready To Use
If you completed the steps to authorize activation with AT& T, Sprint, T-Mobile, or Verizon when you purchased your new iPhone online, it will arrive ready to use. Just turn it on and follow the onscreen instructions to set it up and activate with the carrier. If you chose to skip carrier authorization at the time of purchase, youll need to contact your carrier or visit an Apple Store to enable cellular services.
You can also set up your iPhone without a nano-SIM using Wi-Fi. You will need an active nano-SIM to enable cellular services. If you selected the SIM-free iPhone, youll need to insert your own nano-SIM card or obtain one from the supported carrier of your choice and activate it in order to use cellular services on your iPhone. If Sprint is your carrier, youll need to get a new nano-SIM card in order to activate your iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro.
Dual Lens Camera System
The rear camera setup is similar to the iPhone 11. There are two 12-megapixel rear cameras one wide and one ultra-wide. The layout is the same as the iPhone 11 but features a wider aperture on both lenses.
The Wide Camera has an f/1.6 aperture, which improves on the iPhone 11’s f/1.8 aperture. This allows 27% more light for better low-light photos and videos.
Computational photography is vastly improved thanks to the A14 Bionic processorDeep Fusion and Night Mode work on all the cameras, including the front-facing selfie camera.
Smart HDR 3 uses ML to adjust white balance, contrast, texture, and saturation in every photo. Each photo taken is analyzed by the image signal processor built into the A14 to bring out the most accurate detail and color.
The iPhone 12 can shoot video in HDR with Dolby Vision grading, the first for any smartphone. Recording in 4K HDR with Dolby Vision will allow filmmakers to create a video that has never been possible on an iPhone before. Apple touts the fact that you can record, edit, view, and share Dolby Vision content all on the same device.
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iPhone 12 Features: Enable Spatial Audio
The perfect accompaniment for fancy video is, of course, fancy audio. If you’ve got a pair of Apple’s AirPods Pro or new AirPods Max, you can pair them with your iPhone 12 and get the new Spatial Audio feature.
Then, when watching supported content I recommend Ted Lasso or The Mandalorian you can leave your phone behind and feel like the audio is coming directly out of your device, no matter where you go. It’s a little hard to explain, but it’s mind-blowing when you see it in use.
To enable spatial audio, you’ll need your AirPods paired with your iPhone. Then go into Settings > Bluetooth and tap the “i” button next to your headphones. Scroll down and tap Spatial Audio you’ll even have the opportunity to try it out right there. After all, as they say, hearing is believing.
G And Wireless Connectivity
Apple upgraded from 4G LTE to 5G in the next-generation iPhones. Qualcomm will provide the modems this year since Intel has exited the 5G modem business.
Apple may start making modems after acquiring the patents from Intel in a billion-dollar deal. However, the Apple-designed modems wouldn’t be ready until 2022 at the earliest.
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iPhone 12 Release Date And Price
- iPhone 12 is out now around the world
- Price starts at $699 / £679 / AU$1,199
- Price jumps to $849 / £829 /AU$1,449 for 256GB of storage
The iPhone 12 release date was October 23, 2020, so the phone has been out a while but you’re able to buy it directly from Apple as well as a variety of retailers. The phone’s sibling – the iPhone 12 mini – wasn’t available until a few months later, but it’s still available.
The iPhone 12 price at launch started at $799 / £799 / AU$1,349, which is $100 / £70 / AU$150 more than the iPhone 11 range. That was likely due in part to the cost of adding in a 5G modem, but also because the iPhone 12 mini is grabbing that iPhone 11 price point, starting from $699 / £699 / AU$1,199.
But those prices have dropped now that the iPhone 13 has launched, meaning you can get an iPhone 12 starting at $699 / £679 / AU$1,199 for the 64GB model, and the new price for the 256GB version is $849 / £829 /AU$1,449.
Remember too that youre only getting the 64GB version of the phone at that starting price, and thats pretty stingy as a base level of storage in 2021. What will the phone cost in your market? We have the iPhone 12 prices for the US, UK and Australia below.
| Region | |
|---|---|
| AU$1,279 | AU$1,449 |
In the US, you’ll be able to get the device on AT& T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon. Note that, in the US, the $799 price is only when you buy the phone SIM-free from those networks if you want to just buy it unlocked, itll cost an extra $30.
iPhone 12 Tips: 10 Features You Should Enable And Disable Right Away
No matter how youve gotten your hands on one of Apples iPhone 12 models whether its a gift you unwrapped during the holidays or something you treated yourself to your heart is probably all aflutter about the prospect of a brand new Apple phone. But before you dive in, you might be wondering what fancy new features are available in the iPhone 12.
Even long-time iPhone users might find some of the additions and enhancements in the iPhone 12 to contain a few surprises. To help you make the most of your new phone, here are the iPhone 12 features you should check out first and what you need to do to enable and disable these newfound capabilities.
- Heres how to add a widget to your iPhones home screen in iOS 14
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Fast Running Fast Charging
The iPhone 12 feature Apple’s new A14 processor running at 3GHz, teamed with 4GB and 6GB of RAM respectively. They scored the same in benchmarking: 1,599 in Geekbench single-core 4,006 in Geekbench multi-core around 9,350 in Geekbench Compute, and about 600 in Basemark Web. That’s a 16% lift over the iPhone 11 series in Geekbench and a similar speed-up when it comes to Web browsing. The bump in Geekbench Compute, which measures GPU computing power, was a startling 48%.
Oddly, I had trouble running graphics benchmarks on both phones GFXBench and 3DMark came up with inconsistent and sometimes nonsensical numbers. Apple tried to help me figure it out and we were both stumped.
Apple phones never feel slow when they’re launched. The processor speeds are more about future-proofing than anything elsepreparing for applications that are three or four years down the road. So although the iPhone 12 has a speedy CPU, I wouldn’t buy it over the iPhone 11 specifically for thatthere are plenty of other reasons to do so.
Both the 12 and the 12 Pro pack 2,815mAh batteries. That’s smaller than the iPhone 11’s 3,110mAh cell, yet these iPhones last longer on a charge that’s the effect of the OLED screens combined with the more efficient A14 processor. The 12 mini has a smaller battery, and the 12 Pro Max a larger one.
MagSafe is certainly fun to use, but it’s unpredictable in practice.
iPhone 12 Features: Video Hdr
Speaking of fancy new image formats, while video can’t take advantage of Apple’s new ProRAW format, it gets its own boost on the iPhone 12 with the addition of HDR.
High Dynamic Range has been around in photos for a while, but the iPhone 12 lineup marks the first time this capability is available in videos in the form of the very fancy Dolby Vision HDR standard, which enhances color and contrast.
To enable the feature on your iPhone 12 model, go to Settings > Camera > Record Video and make sure HDR Video is enabled. Now your videos can rival those of professional filmmakers!
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Record Hdr Videos With Dolby Vision
All of the new iPhones can shoot videos in HDR with Dolby Vision. I’m sure you all know what HDR means and how it works for photos, and it works very much the same way for videos. Bringing that to the iPhone is a feat in itself. But Apple went a step further with Dolby Vision, a mastering and delivery format that gives you more control over color grading each frame â right from the Photos app .
For more information on what HDR with Dolby Vision is and what it means for your video recordings, check out our full explainer.
How To Use The iPhone 12
Finally got your hands on the iPhone 12 and want to make the best of it? We have a ton of guides on the iPhone 12 and iOS 14 to help you out. For example, heres our guide on iOS 14 tips and tricks, which should help you get up and running with Apples latest and greatest mobile operating system. By the way, you dont need an iPhone 12 to get iOS 14 and if you dont have an iPhone 12.
If youre dealing with a 5G iPhone, you can also take a look at our guide for how to turn off 5G when you dont want to use up your data.
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All The iPhones That Support Tap
As mentioned above, any iPhone with iOS 14 can use back tap. Units compatible with iOS 14 include the iPhone lines 11, XS, XR, X, 8, 7, 6s, SE , and iPod touch .
Apple unveiled iOS 14 alongside the new iPhone 12. While it still lacks some of the functions found on top-of-the-line Android phones, it brings with it enough enhancements to be worthy of an upgrade for those on older devices. Just be sure to buy a new charger for fast charging.
Wifi Bluetooth And U1 Chip
The iPhone 12 models include the same Apple-designed U1 chip that was first introduced in the iPhone 11 lineup. The U1 chip enables Ultra Wideband technology for improved spatial awareness, allowing the iPhone 12 models to precisely locate other U1-equipped Apple devices.
Apple has likened Ultra Wideband to “GPS at the scale of the living room,” because the technology is designed for improved indoor positioning and location tracking.
The U1 chip allows the iPhone 12 and 12 mini to precisely locate nearby AirTags. It’s also used for directional AirDrop and interaction with the HomePod mini, which also has a U1 chip.
As for Bluetooth and WiFi, the iPhone 12 models support Bluetooth 5.0 and WiFi 6, the newest and fastest WiFi protocol.
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Earpods And Power Adapter Controversy
Apple, claiming an environmental initiative, has removed the EarPods and power adapter from all new iPhone boxes, including the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. It is claimed that removing these items would reduce e-waste and permit a smaller iPhone box, allowing more devices to be transported simultaneously to decrease carbon footprint. Apple now includes a USB-C to Lightning cable, incompatible with the existing USB-A power adapters that Apple previously supplied with its devices. Users can still use their existing USB-A power adapters and cables, but must purchase a USB-C power adapter sold separately to enable Qi fast charging.
In December 2020, a Brazilian consumer rights watchdog Procon-SP Foundation requested Apple to provide proof that not including chargers is beneficial to the environment. The watchdog argues that Apple removing the charger is anti-consumer and wants to force the company to include one as it claims the charger is an essential component.
Apple also went into controversy after people found out that Apple removed the charger to save costs, not saving the environment.