01 Oct
Blog

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Review: The Best of the Best

Upright functional image of the iPhone 13 Pro.

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

RRP $ 999.00

"The iPhone 13 Pro offers a lot of performance under the hood with a 120 Hz display, excellent camera functions, lots of storage space and endless battery life."

advantages

  • Packs a lot of power into the size

  • Incredible camera and video performance

  • Very long-lasting battery

  • Smooth and responsive 120Hz screen

  • Comes with 1 TB storage option

disadvantage

  • No USB-C

  • Not all third-party apps are optimized for higher screen refresh

I say it in advance; the iPhone 13 Pro is the new iPhone model that you should buy if you can afford it. Unlike last year's iPhone 12 Pro, it has the same features as the larger Pro Max model. You will recall that last year the 12 Pro Max had bigger camera sensors, which gave it better low-light performance and a 3x optical zoom instead of 2x.

Not so this year. The iPhone 13 Pro has all the guts of the 13 Pro Max (apart from the battery capacity and screen size, of course) without breaking your hand or wallet. Add the powerful A15 Bionic processor, 120Hz ProMotion display, almost two days of battery life, and great camera performance, and you have the best iPhone 13 model in the entire lineup.

iPhone 13 Pro upright again.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

iPhone 13 Pro right side.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

iPhone 13 Pro left side.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

draft

The iPhone 13 Pro I tested came in gold which is not my pick, but you will work with what you have. Both the front and the back are protected by ceramic glass and an angular stainless steel strip runs along the sides, which differs in quality from the cheaper aluminum of the iPhone 13.

All the standard buttons are there, including the bell / mute and volume buttons on the left and the side button on the right to activate Siri and turn the screen on and off. There are also downward-facing speakers on either side of the Lightning port. As I've found with other iPhone 13 models I've tested, it's a disappointment that Apple continues to stick with Lightning, especially when most people have USB-C devices for the most part. But my hope is that Apple will make the change for next year's model.

Shot in the style of the iPhone 13 Pro.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The iPhone 13 Pro measures 5.78 x 2.81 x 0.3 inches and weighs 7.2 ounces. That's more or less the same dimensions as the iPhone 12 Pro (5.78 x 2.82 x 0.29 inches), but it's almost an ounce heavier (6, 66 ounces). welcome additions that are worth the extra weight. In terms of usability, I found it to be just as easy to use as the iPhone 13 – you can navigate and grasp the screen with one hand. Only with the Pro Max do you reach the limits of one-handed operation.

iPhone 13 Pro in hand.

apple iphone 13 pro test dan baker 10

Like all other iPhone models, iPhone 13 supports IP68 dust and water resistance. I'll admit that this came into play more times than I expected because the phone spilled a couple of times in the park while I was juggling devices during the test. So it also picked up a dent on the screen, even though the ceramic glass protects the front. It's usually not visible unless the light is reflected exactly that way and it doesn't affect usability. And if you're more careful than me and don't do a circus act in the park (or use a case or screen protector), you probably won't suffer from this problem.

In terms of the physical differences between the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro, there aren't too many. The TrueDepth sensor has a 20% smaller notch on the screen, according to Apple, which is true, but it's also a little deeper and, as far as I could tell, doesn't add a meaningful amount of usable screen real estate. As always, there's Face ID, which I generally found hit-or-miss with wearing a face mask. You can do some alternate face scans to make it work better, but it's not that safe either, so I decided not to give it a try.

iPhone 13 Pro-Notch.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

On the back, the sensor array is pretty similar to last year. There's a vaguely square camera body and three cameras. The only notable difference is that each camera sensor is larger and the camera hump protrudes a little more. In my opinion, this is a fair compromise for improved camera performance.

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There are many selling points for the iPhone 13 Pro, but one of the biggest is the screen, and we're not just referring to the size. Like the iPhone 13, it is a 6.1-inch super retina OLED screen with high color accuracy, a resolution of 2532 x 1170 and 460 pixels per inch. Its sharp, bright viewing angles are great, it can reach 1,000 nits of brightness and up to 1,200 nits for HDR content. Outdoor visibility is excellent even in direct sunlight and the screen also supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision.

This is all fantastic, but what really sets it apart is the 120Hz ProMotion display. ProMotion is a technology first introduced in the iPad Pro series in 2017 that enables Apple to increase the refresh rate from the standard 60 Hz to 120 Hz for different types of content. This has become the standard on Android flagship phones, but it's a technology Apple has been slow to adopt outside of the iPad pros, so it's great to have it on both the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max to see.

iPhone 13 Pro home screen.

Digital trends

Surf the iPhone 13 Pro.

Digital trends

iPhone 13 Pro DT website.

Digital trends

The special thing about Apple's implementation of ProMotion is that the iPhone 13 Pro uses a low-temperature panel made of polycrystalline oxide (LTPO), d 120 Hz for demanding tasks such as fast scrolling or gaming. This type of implementation was first developed for the Apple Watch's always-on screen to save battery life, and has the same effect on the iPhone 13 Pro, but I'll go into that more in the Battery section.

In actual use, the ProMotion OLED screen is sleek and fantastic to use. As someone who used the 120Hz-capable Samsung Galaxy Fold 3 before picking up the iPhone 13 Pro, the transition in terms of ease of use and smoothness was seamless despite the change in display size. And don't let anyone tell you that you won't notice the difference.

The screen of the iPhone 13 Pro.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Main home screen on iPhone 13 Pro.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The lock screen of the iPhone 13 Pro.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The power button of the iPhone 13 Pro.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

After getting used to 120Hz it's impossible to go back, which brings me to the one implementation downside – not all apps run at 120Hz. Most of the games I've tested at 60 frames per second (fps) or less, and at the time of testing, many third-party app animations weren't enabled for 120 Hz, which means animations looked choppy when scrolling. All of this will no doubt change over time as more app developers allow support for ProMotion, but it's something to be aware of.

I usually don't comment on speaker quality as there is only so much you can do with a phone speaker, but the iPhone 13 Pro has remarkably rugged stereo speakers. Even at higher volumes, they do not suffer from great distortion and offer a good range.

Performance, battery life and connectivity

In some ways, it feels a little pointless to talk about the performance of the latest iPhone model. It's the iPhone 13 Pro; It has the latest and greatest A15 Bionic processor with 6GB of RAM so of course it will be an improvement over its predecessor. You get a variety of large storage options including 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, which is what the model I tested had. That's a sizeable amount of storage space that allows you to download tons of apps and games and take lots of photos and videos. I didn't get anywhere near filling it during my test.

I know I said benchmarks were pointless on the latest iPhone, but I ran them anyway and the results 9) below confirmed the phone's powerful capabilities. I was able to launch a lot of apps and play challenging games like Genshin Impact and Asphalt 9. The iPhone 13 Pro will handle whatever you can throw at it and more.

AnTuTu: 823.553
Read / write memory: 1635.3 / 1768.6 MB / s
RAM read / write: 205.8 / 83.2 MB / s
3Dmark Wild Life Extreme: 56.4 fps

The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro.iPhone 12 Pro (left) and iPhone 13 Pro (right) Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The iPhone 13 Pro is a king of batteries. Not quite as much as the Pro Max, but it still lasted well over a day. If I really wanted to, I could go almost two days before I had to recharge. Much of this is due to the optimized power consumption through the combination of the larger A15 Bionic processor and the LTPO screen with its variable refresh rate. At 3,095 mAh, the cell is also larger than the 2,815 mAh battery that came with the iPhone 12 Pro. The result is hours more runtime with average usage, even as a power user.

The iPhone 13 Pro is a king of batteries.

Like all other iPhone 13 models, the Pro is MagSafe compatible, supporting 20 watt fast charging via cable, 15 W MagSafe charging and 7.5 W Qi wireless charging.

Connectivity is as good as you'd expect, with support for 5G, Ultra Wideband, sub-6 GHz, and mmWave. I tested on T-Mobile in the greater NYC area, and while it didn't match the 5G speeds I expected, connectivity was pretty stable overall. The phone also supports dual band Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.

Cameras and videos

The iPhone 13 Pro, along with its bigger brother, has the best camera array in the product range. You get three 12-megapixel sensors: a 12-MP wide-angle, a 12-MP telephoto, and a 12-MP ultrawide sensor that can take 120-degree snapshots. This camera array leads to incredible photo results. When starting the camera app, you can set your preferred filter. For this review (and personal preference), all photos were taken in the standard mode, which is the most lifelike.

All of the outdoor shots in bright sunlight were excellent. Both the standard and ultrawide cameras captured a lot of detail and accurate colors. The deep blue of the sky, the fluffy white clouds, the green grass, the reflections and waves of the pond and even the fine details of individual branches came into their own.

It is also remarkable how well the phone handles recordings in direct sunlight. Shining sun is a major challenge for phones, even flagships. The iPhone 13 Pro handled it like a – dare I say – professional. Even if the sun was a glowing ball in the sky, it didn't completely wash out the photo or cast everything in the shade. The image had some darkness and some colors, especially the treetops, but Apple's software processing is clearly at play here, and it's impressive to see.

The attention to detail of the ultra-wide and telephoto lenses is also commendable.

The attention to detail of the ultra-wide and telephoto lenses is also commendable. While I sometimes noticed a slight edge distortion with telephoto shots, on the whole it came off with excellent clarity and detail. It's also a champion at focusing on what is most relevant in the photo, a fact we noted in our deep dive comparisons with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, where the iPhone 13 Pro generally focuses on most of the time has the edge. At the same time, the Ultra impressed with its pure 10x optical zoom.

In addition to the 3x telephoto zoom, macro photography is the other great feature of the iPhone 13 Pro. Usually when focusing on an object, the phone will lose focus and it will become blurred. It just can't handle the focal length. The iPhone 13 Pro, on the other hand, can switch to the zoom lens to focus objects very closely. This kicks in automatically, and while the result doesn't always work, the results look great, with lots of detail, like sewing in a crochet piece or the individual veins in a sheet.

The only downside is that you cannot manually force the phone into macro mode as it is completely automatic of macro mode.

Last but not least, when it comes to photography, lowlight photos are. The iPhone 13 Pro has a night mode that is activated automatically when the lighting conditions are not ideal. It works mainly by increasing the auto exposure so that a photo that might have been taken immediately takes five to seven seconds instead to let in more light for a picture with better clarity. The result is photos that are taken at night and are much clearer in dark rooms than you would normally get, with better color accuracy. There is some loss of detail and blurring, but it's still an impressive result in most of the shots I've taken.

Cinematic mode is supported by both the rear and front cameras. It's a nice effect that adds a film-like blur to the background. It works best when you focus on faces, but it tends to hit and miss on objects. You also get Portrait Mode which adds the bokeh effect to both front and rear shots. It's neat, and I ended up taking several shots outdoors and playing around with the background.

Solid # iPhone13Pro pic.twitter.com/mkTRl8xXDB

– AJ (┛ಠ_ಠ) ┛ 彡 ┻━┻ (@Ajay_H_Kumar) September 26, 2021

In addition to the already impressive features, there are the video recording capabilities of the iPhone 13 Pro. It can handle 4K at 24/30/60 fps and 1080p at 30/60 fps. I recorded a smooth and stable 4K video of an airplane flying overhead with almost no shake or loss of focus that I could notice. It is rare that such a level of stabilization is achieved on a phone without the help of a gimbal.

Software and functions

The iPhone 13 Pro is updated to iOS 15 by default. We've taken a closer look at individual features introduced with the operating system, but the most notable are improved notification summaries, support for scanning text in the camera app, tabs for Safari, and future support for storing vaccination logs and other data.

iPhone 13 Pro home screen.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

This rating is not a rating of iOS compared to Android. We have lots of these types of parts if you're interested, and by now you probably already know which ecosystem you prefer. However, I'll note that this version of iOS had more bugs at startup than I've usually seen. Aside from the app optimization for the 120Hz screen and hit-or-miss Face ID, I also had an issue with the phone not unlocking with my Apple Watch Series 6. However, Apple has confirmed this problem and should be addressed in the next update.

Price and availability

The iPhone 13 Pro is currently available on sale starting at $ 999 in blue, silver, gold, and graphite color options. It also has 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage size options and works with all major US carriers. The only thing to keep in mind when choosing the memory size besides your requirements is that ProRes recording at 4K 30 fps is only supported with a minimum of 256 GB of memory.

Our opinion

The iPhone 13 Pro is the best iPhone you can get. With the iPhone 13's form factor, a 120Hz screen, great camera performance, tons of battery life, and ridiculous storage options, it's really a phone for power users. My daily driver has been a pleasure to use and you won't be disappointed if you pay for it.

Is there a better alternative?

In terms of hardware, the iPhone 13 Pro is the best model in the lineup, but if you want a longer-lasting battery and a bigger screen, the iPhone 13 Pro Max has it all in the Pro, only bigger. The iPhone 13 is cheaper, but it's pared down with no 120Hz screen, telephoto lens, or macro photo support> It doesn't have a 1TB storage option either. The iPhone 13 Mini is an even smaller version with the same hardware, which makes it a great choice if you love small phones. If you own an iPhone 12 Pro, our camera review didn't show that much of a difference between the two devices and it's probably not worth upgrading.

When you're ready to switch to Android, the Samsung Galaxy S21, OnePlus 9 Pro, and the upcoming Google Pixel 6 can all offer the same or better camera performance, just as much power, and lots of unique features. Android manufacturers also tend to be more innovative by introducing new technologies like folding screens that give you options like the Z Flip 3 and the Fold 3.

How long it will take?

The standard warranty for the iPhone 13 Pro is one year, but you can get Apple Care + to extend it for 2-3 years and cover two accidental damage claims every 12 months. The phone is also waterproof and dustproof according to IP68, so it can withstand complete immersion and rinsing in the sink. Personally, I suffered a superficial dent from dropping the phone on rocky ground without its case, but this is rare and easy to avoid. Apple is also great at software and security updates, so your iPhone 13 Pro should feel like new for three years or more.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. There is no question that the iPhone 13 Pro is the best model in the entire lineup, with the same capabilities as the Pro Max without the bulk or the bigger hit for your wallet.

Editor's recommendations



01 Oct
Blog

Apple iPhone 13 Review: The iPhone for the Masses

iPhone 13 held in hand.

Apple iPhone 13

RRP $ 799.00

"The iPhone 13 remains Apple's flagship model, offering most of the value of the Pro at a lower price."

advantages

  • Fast and responsive performance

  • Excellent camera and video functions

  • Long battery life

  • Supports most of the premium features

disadvantage

  • Still no USB-C

  • No higher refresh rate or telephoto lens

the iPhone 13 is the new iPhone Apple expects most people to buy, and it's easy to see why. It has most of what makes the Premium 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max great, including the lightning-fast A15 Bionic processor, an ultrawide camera, and a battery that can easily be used for a full day before you need to charge it.

If you're a real power user, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max will beat the iPhone 13 with their 120Hz ProMotion screens, extra telephoto lens, and generally superior low-light performance. But you also pay a premium over the base iPhone 13, and let's face it: the average person won't split hair above 60Hz and adaptive 120Hz. The iPhone 13, along with its little brother, the iPhone 13 Mini, does the job and does it well.

iPhone 13 from behind.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

draft

The iPhone 13 does not deviate dramatically from the design of the iPhone 12. The model I tested was a darker blue than the iPhone 13 Pro and the Sierra blue of the Pro Max, which is more of a sky blue. I like both options and I am not surprised that they turn out to be popular choices. You still get the square edges on the sides bounded by aluminum rather than stainless steel on the Pro, a Lightning port, downward facing speakers, volume buttons on the left below the ring / silent switch, and a side button on the right that activates Siri and can turn the screen on and off.

As with other iPhone models, the iPhone 13 is IP68 dust and water resistant and withstood a thorough flush in the sink after I accidentally dropped it into the dirt in the park while juggling four phones in my hands. Both the front and back are protected by Ceramic Shield, which is made by Corning, just like the latest Gorilla Glass Victus that you can find on newer Android flagships.

The front looks largely the same when compared to the iPhone 12, although Apple says the notch that houses the TrueDepth camera is 20% smaller. That's technically correct because it's narrower, but it's also a little deeper now, so the compromise is a bit of a wash in my eyes. Face ID works the same as before, but its usability with a face mask, and especially a face mask and sunglasses, has been a hit-and-miss at best. You can do an alternate scan to improve performance with face masks, but it also compromises safety so I preferred to leave it out.

iPhone 13 face recognitionDan Baker / Digital Trends

The more notable difference can be seen if you look at the back. There's still a vaguely square camera body, but the camera array is positioned differently, with the two sensors not being vertical, but facing each other. This way you can mainly distinguish the older and newer models.

Other differences are a little harder to spot. The iPhone 13 measures 5.78 x 2.81 x 0.30 inches and weighs 6.14 ounces, which makes it just a tiny bit heavier than the 5.78 ounce iPhone 12, which can likely accommodate the larger battery. That's a worthy compromise, and in terms of overall footprint and pocket size, I think the iPhone 13 is a one-handed device, even though the iPhone 13 Mini is Apple's “official” compact phone.

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The 6.1-inch Super Retina OLED screen is big enough that text, apps, and the keyboard never feel cramped, which was a problem for me with the Mini. The 2532 x 1170 Super Retina OLED screen is razor sharp, certified to work with HDR10 and Dolby Vision for a higher dynamic range, and operates at 460 pixels per inch. The downward facing speakers were also surprisingly loud and didn't suffer from much distortion except at the highest volumes, so they're more than capable of serving as audio output if you're too lazy to pair with headphones.

The screen is 60 Hz, but if you've never used a higher refresh rate, it won't bother you. It's still a little disappointing not to see the ProMotion filter across the line, especially when you're paying for a $ 800 phone. You won't find an Android phone in this price range that doesn't have a higher refresh rate, and even cheaper mid-range options support this.

Viewing angles are great, colors are rich and accurate, and outdoor visibility is excellent thanks to a peak brightness of 800 nits. When viewing HDR photos and videos, the phone can even increase the brightness to 1,200 nits. I had no problems viewing text, navigating Google Maps, or viewing the camera viewfinder, even in direct sunlight.

Performance, battery life and connectivity

Performance is one thing you will never find on an iPhone, and the iPhone 13 is no exception. It's powered by an A15 Bionic processor, has 4GB of RAM, and comes with a variety of higher storage options including 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, though you won't get the highest storage option in particular at 1TB – that's exclusive for the Pro models.

The review unit I tested came with ample 512GB of storage, which was more than enough for my needs – even when I take a lot of photos and 4K videos. My guess is that for most people, 256GB is the best balance between price and capacity.

My guess is that for most people, 256GB is the best balance between price and capacity.

My average daily iPhone usage required a fair amount of time on Twitter, Reddit, and Microsoft Teams, some browsing, lots of photos, and playing Genshin Impact. Unsurprisingly, the iPhone 13 processed everything I threw at it with no lag or slowdown. Benchmark tests confirm the strong performance with 827,398 on AnTuTu, which measures the overall performance, and 55.1 frames per second in the demanding Wild Life graphics benchmark from 3DMark.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Apple's marketing materials made bold claims that the iPhone 13 can achieve 2.5 hours of battery life than the iPhone 12. That's the kind of claim I always take with a grain of salt, especially as a power user who does a lot does more on my phone than the average person. So I was pleasantly surprised when these claims not only proved correct, but were blown out of the water, with the iPhone 13 comfortably holding out for a day and a half before it needed to be charged.

One reason for this is that the 3,240 mAh cell is larger than the 2,815 mAh battery that the iPhone 12 came with. This is a considerable leap that pays off over a longer period. But what also happens is that with the A15 Bionic, Apple has improved battery optimization and management so you can get more juice out of the cell.

I could leave it unplugged and still have plenty of juice the next day.

While the previous iPhone may need to be charged while it was sleeping, the iPhone 13's standby time was good enough to leave it unplugged and have plenty of juice the next day. It's great to see and arguably the killer feature for the iPhone 13, especially for those using older models.

But that brings me to the disadvantage. While the iPhone 13 is fully MagSafe compatible and supports 20 watt wired charging, 15 watt MagSafe charging, and 7.5 watt Qi wireless charging, it still uses a Lightning connector. As I discovered in my first hands-on, it's getting harder and harder to incorporate non-USB-C devices into my life.

iPhone 13 below.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Most of my batteries, chargers, and even my PC now support USB-C, as do my MacBook Air and the new iPad Mini. The iPhone 13 series, along with the new iPad 10.2, are the only devices that still stick to the old charging port. This made the iPhone 13 a bigger inconvenience than it needed to be when traveling, although in general it is a relatively minor issue that can be fixed with an additional adapter. Still, it gives me hope that we don't have to deal with that for next year's model.

Connectivity is pretty standard. The iPhone 13 supports 5G, Ultra Wideband, Sub-6GHz, mmWave, and basically all the bands you would expect from a flagship phone. I tested on T-Mobile in the greater NYC area and the connectivity was good enough, but I never got the 5G speeds that were promised. This is more of a network congestion and rollout problem than an iPhone 13 problem. In many places, even New York, 5G exists more on paper than in practice. Apart from that, you also get dual-band Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0

Cameras and videos

Cameras are where a lot of magic happens for iPhones. You get a dual rear camera array with a 12 megapixel wide angle camera and a 12 MP ultra wide angle camera at 120 degrees. Unlike the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, there is no third telephoto camera, so you can't take pictures with optical zoom and you don't benefit from macro photography.

iPhone 13 rear cameras.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

iPhone 13 viewfinder close-up.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

iPhone 13 portrait photo.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

iPhone 13 in landscape mode.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Regardless of this, the photo quality – to put it simply – is excellent. When it starts up, the camera app asks you for the filter you want to apply to your photos. Your selection is Standard, the iPhone 13's default setting; vivid, enhancing colors and saturation; and separate options for cooler and warmer filters. I've only shot in standard mode for testing and personal preference, which I think is the setting most people will use as it's most lifelike.

As you can see in the many sample shots, the iPhone 13 does a great job in outdoor settings. The colors are punchy even in standard mode, and the auto exposure handles the contrast between shadows and areas of direct, blinding sunlight well without washing out, as is the case with many smaller phones. The bright blue sky, the puffy white cloud, the green grass of the park, the waves and reflections of the pond, everything looks great in my eyes.

Details are abundant; When zooming in, individual branches and leaves can be seen, but on closer inspection, edge distortions are found. Both ultra-wide and standard shots look great, with a slight fisheye effect to the ultra-wide. If you were satisfied with the camera performance of the iPhone 12, you will be completely satisfied with the sensors of the iPhone 13 overall.

That’s kitchen sink stuff, though. Nowadays, almost every flagship phone and even many mid-range smartphones can take great photos in good lighting. The real standouts are the ones that do well in low light, and that's what makes the iPhone 13 special. The camera app will automatically switch to night mode and adjust the exposure to capture more light for a clearer, brighter picture in darker settings. In a completely dark setting, this can take up to 30 seconds, although most dimmer settings will extend the exposure to five to seven seconds.

The result is a picture with more sharpness, color accuracy and clarity than you would normally get in low light. However, it is worth noting that there is some ambiguity in the details too, especially when compared to the iPhone 13 Pro.

You can record 4K at 60 frames per second, 30 fps, and 24 fps for video. It also supports 1080p at 60/30 fps, but I didn't feel the need to record at a lower resolution as I had 512GB of storage. I was blown away by how stable the video recording was, especially when tracking moving objects.

Stabilization is usually a significant problem with any type of handheld video recording, but the iPhone 13 made it so handy that I felt like I was recording with a gimbal. Panning around also didn't result in dropped images or auto exposure issues.

iPhone 13 selfie.

Ajay Kumar / Digital Trends

Apple iPhone 13 test image example

Like the other iPhone models, the iPhone 13 supports Cinematic Mode, which adds a blurring effect to the background of people and objects, similar to a movie camera. It works best with faces, and you can tell that the blur is clearly an artificial effect, but it's a nice feature when it works. It doesn't work that well with objects, especially moving ones, but on the plus side, it works with the dual 12 MP selfie cameras, which is a pleasant surprise.

Among other things, you have the portrait mode on the rear and front sensors, which gives the images blur and depth. The photos were beautiful and I had a lot of fun playing around with the different background options.

Software and functions

The iPhone 13 can be updated to iOS 15 the moment you turn it on, which I did right away. The latest operating system is packed with features like an improved notification summary, text scanning in the camera app, tabs for Safari, and support for saving vaccination logs, COVID vaccines, and even your driver's license.

A comparison of iOS 15 with Android is not really worth it in my opinion. At this point you know the differences between them and you know which one you prefer. I will say that this version of iOS 15 seems to have more compatibility issues than previous versions. For example, unlocking the Apple Watch with the Apple Watch Series 6 just didn't work for me. Undoubtedly, many of these issues can and will be fixed, so none of them are deal breakers.

iPhone 13 apps on the home screen.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Price and availability

The iPhone 13 is currently available on sale starting at $ 799 in pink, blue, midnight, starlight, and product red color options. It also has 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage size options and works with all major US carriers.

Our opinion

The iPhone 13 strikes a great balance between size, performance, and price. It's smaller than the gigantic iPhone 13 Pro Max, but offers more screen space than the cramped iPhone 13 Mini. The battery life is the really standout feature that gives you a full day of running time and hassle-free charging. Added to this is the great camera performance despite the lack of a telephoto lens. If you're not ready or able to take advantage of the premium features of the iPhone 13 Pro, the iPhone 13 won't let you down, and I recommend it as a good compact phone alternative to the Mini.

Is there a better alternative?

As is so often the case, Apple's toughest competitor is usually himself. The iPhone 13 is challenged most directly by the iPhone 13 Pro, which is the same size but better across the board in almost every way. The 13 Pro and Pro Max both offer you a 120 Hz ProMotion display, a telephoto lens for 3x optical zoom, an even longer-lasting battery and outstanding low-light camera performance.

In contrast, the iPhone 13 Mini is identical in hardware and features, but it's much smaller and designed for those who really love compact phones and don't mind the cramped screen. However, the battery life won't last quite as long. If you have an iPhone 12, the difference between the two devices isn't that big, and the iPhone 13 probably isn't worth the upgrade.

Outside of the Apple universe, many capable Android phones can give you great camera and battery life, including the Samsung Galaxy S21, OnePlus 9 Pro, and the upcoming Google Pixel 6. But if you already exist in the Apple ecosystem, you can become them probably not viewing these as options, although they are equally worthwhile if you are ready to make the switch.

How long it will take?

The standard warranty is one year, but Apple Care + can be extended for 24 to 36 months and it covers two accidental damages for every 12 month interval. In terms of durability, the phone is IP68 so it can withstand full immersion. I played with it roughly and it still survived falls without noticeable scratches on the ceramic glass. In combination with the regular software and security updates, you should be able to easily keep the iPhone 13 for at least three years, if not longer.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. If you like the price, the size, and the extra battery life, the iPhone 13 offers a lot of value, even if it isn't the highest quality option in the lineup.

Editor's recommendations



13 Dec
Blog

Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch M1 Review: The iPhone of Laptops

Apple MacBook Pro 13 m1 review 06

"With the M1 chip, the new 13-inch MacBook Pro is the most exciting Mac in years."

  • M1 is incredibly fast

  • Nice display, as always

  • Fantastic battery life

  • The speakers sound brilliant

  • Top notch keyboard and trackpad

  • Only two Thunderbolt ports

  • Touch Bar is still frustrating

Only Apple would dare to sell a laptop based entirely on its processor in 2020. The main audience is not exactly chip heads, who make purchasing decisions based on core count and power per watt.

And yet Apple has managed to spread a lot of hype around its new M1 chip and the familiar old Macs that run on it.

The design of the new MacBook Pro 13-inch itself has not changed at all with the M1 version. It's identical to the Intel-based model that came out earlier this year. But the M1 processor promises something that a new paint job could never do. It's ready to transform the 13-inch MacBook Pro from another laptop into something new. Something clearly Apple. And yes, finally something better.

performance

The 13-inch MacBook Pro is one of the first of a new generation of Macs that includes the new MacBook Air and the new Mac mini. They all run on the same M1 chip, although performance is different between the three systems. The performance of the professional should be somewhere between air and mini. At least that's the idea.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro was already the most powerful laptop of its size. The adapted 25-watt Intel chip that Apple uses already contains more juice than the typical 13-inch laptop. You can still buy this Intel model, but it starts at $ 1,799. Don't bother about it. It has two additional Thunderbolt ports, but Apple's own 8-core 5-nm ARM processor blows Intel out of the water in every way.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro is still very fast. The results published in benchmarks made me do a double take, regardless of whether it is Geekbench 5 or Cinebench R23. In terms of single-core performance, it is on par with the fastest Intel and AMD chips such as the Core i7-1165G7 in the Dell XPS 13. When it comes to multi-core performance, the M1 is awesome. With eight cores, it clearly outperforms the quad-core laptops against which it has a price. The only laptops with faster multi-core results in Geekbench 5 are large 45-watt laptops like the Dell XPS 17 or the Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel.

This also led to similar results in Cinebench R23. Single-core scores top the list, and multi-core scores are way ahead of the competition. But remember: the MacBook Air has the same M1 chip. Although there is no fan in a slightly thinner case, it is only 11% behind the MacBook Pro in this benchmark. There's only a $ 300 price difference between the Air and the Pro, but the difference in performance is smaller than it used to be.

Of course, these benchmarks have already been optimized for the M1. This does not apply to the vast majority of the apps available. However, this doesn't mean you won't necessarily notice the ones that aren't optimized, especially if your basic workflow consists of basic internet surfing and word processing.

The MacBook Pro isn't technically fanless, but I haven't heard the fans spin yet.

However, you will notice how this laptop is cooled. You'll notice it when you start a Zoom call and don't have to shout over the fan noise. Or maybe if you've hooked up a couple of 4K monitors and are multitasking without it getting warm at all. In contrast to the MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro is technically not fanless – it has a fan that can rotate if necessary. But I've never heard it spin. Not even. This is a far cry from the MacBooks of the past.

Good luck running a game like Fortnite on an Intel MacBook. Not only does it run poorly because of the lame built-in graphics, it turns your MacBook into a portable space heater. Your palms are sweaty, the keyboard feels hot, and the fans spin like they're trying to prevent a meltdown.

With the MacBook Pro 13-inch M1, the experience couldn't be more different. First of all, it easily reaches 60 frames per second (fps) at medium settings. More importantly, it does this without any slight heating. Even $ 2,000 worth of gaming laptops can't do that.

Of course, there are restrictions when playing. While these are built-in graphics, they are a huge leap ahead of what AMD or Intel can offer. Like the iPad or iPhone, the M1's built-in graphics ultimately turn the 13-inch MacBook Pro into a decent gaming machine.

Take all of this with a grain of salt. The performance you can expect from the M1 MacBook Pro depends a lot on the applications you need. So let's turn to the big elephant in the room: app compatibility.

App support

As mentioned earlier, the M1 chip marks a dramatic departure from Intel and traditional x86 systems. Such a drastic turnaround makes app compatibility a major hurdle. Apple has not shy away from making great demands on its solutions, but you are right to be skeptical. Look no further than Microsoft's app disaster with the original Surface Pro X for an example of how badly this type of transition can be handled.

The short answer is, almost any app or software you might need will run on M1 Macs. That doesn't mean it's going to go super fast, of course, but it's a promise you can make to the bank. So far, development support has not been in the charts.

It's no surprise that the MacBook Pro is insanely fast with Apple's own apps natively compiled for this new architecture. If you're running Safari, GarageBand, or even Final Cut Pro, you'll find that the MacBook Pro offers professional-quality performance. Would you like to produce music or edit videos on the side? No problem. The 13-inch MacBook Pro offers you protection, especially if you stick to Apple software. From what we've seen, even the MacBook Air can handle these workflows with no problem.

However, if you are a creative professional or hobbyist, you probably already have the applications you choose to work with – and they may not all come from Apple. Since the M1 is an ARM-based processor, it cannot run software written for x86. These are most of the applications you can download from the Internet. There are a handful of key developers who have already optimized their apps for the M1. Microsoft, for example, has already introduced its office suite. The same goes for Google Chrome. For many people, this covers the majority of their daily use.

There are some holes, however. Adobe's Creative Suite is the main example. Native versions of Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and Lightroom won't be available until 2021. They're coming, but for now the M1 needs an emulated version to run. But do not worry. Apple managed to make these apps work a lot better than you might think. Apple's solution is an app translation process called Rosetta 2 – and it's mind blowing how well it works.

Developers quickly update the software to be compatible with the M1.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro can export a video project to Premiere just as quickly as the average 13-inch x86-based laptop, including the Intel version of the MacBook Pro. That said, you can safely switch to the M1 MacBook Pro without worrying about performance in non-native apps.

Of course there will always be exceptions. For example, I tried downloading the Epic Games Launcher. It's extremely sluggish. Once you load a game, it's great – but the launcher and storefront itself are left behind. Legacy software tied to specific accessories or hardware might have similar problems.

It was also terribly slow coding video in Handbrake. It took five minutes and 28 seconds to complete a 4K video encoding for H.265. That is, until Handbrake released a new version (1.4) that was optimized for the M1. Now? This coding time is only two minutes and 38 seconds. That's 15% faster than the 10th generation Intel Core i5 MacBook Pro (13-inch) when performing the same coding task. It shows how quickly developers update software to ensure compliance.

Battery life

Of course, the advantages of the M1 processor go far beyond pure performance. The laptop starts up in a flash when you open the lid – and even connects quickly to external displays. The biggest quality of life improvement you will experience with it is battery life. The 13-inch MacBook Pro has never been a champion in battery life. It barely squeaked enough to be considered appropriate. But not with the M1.

This 13-inch MacBook Pro has the best battery life I've ever tested on a laptop, despite only having a 58-watt battery. The 13-inch MacBook Pro lasted well over 16 hours on a single charge when surfing the Internet lightly. That's a lot of screen-on time. It outperforms many of the best Windows laptops like the Dell XPS 13 or the HP Specter x360. On a lighter load like a local video loop, the MacBook Pro can last for more than 21 hours. Angry.

Nearly doubling battery life without changing battery size is a tremendous achievement.

The best part? Just because you see the low battery notification doesn't mean you are doomed. The 13-inch MacBook Pro can last for about an hour, especially if you turn the brightness down a bit.

ARM designed processors are known for their extreme efficiency. So I wasn't too surprised that the MacBook Pro excels in this area. Still, it's a tremendous feat to nearly double the battery life of previous models without changing the size of the battery.

design

A laptop is of course much more than just a processor. The display, keyboard, trackpad, speakers, port selection, portability, and battery life are all equally important. Not much has changed in that regard, but this is where the MacBook Pro still excels. Mainly.

The chassis is 0.61 inches thick and weighs exactly three pounds. When this design was first used in 2016, it broke new ground. Nowadays it is taken for granted. You can find thinner, lighter, and equally robust laptops like the Dell XPS 13, HP Specter x360, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, and Microsoft Surface Laptop 3.

Still, it's a very mature laptop with no hint of flex or bend – and that includes the lid.

There is room for improvement, however. All I want is a MacBook Pro with some modern looking bezels. Laptop designers have made great strides in this department, but Apple seemed content with leaving things as they are. To make matters worse, the 720p webcam in that fat bezel isn't terribly good anyway.

I expect all of that to change in 2021 with the introduction of a 14-inch MacBook Pro to replace this one. If you buy a MacBook Pro today, it won't help you much.

This particular MacBook Pro only has two USB-C / Thunderbolt ports, both on the left. These handle DisplayPort, charging and data transfers at up to 40 Gbit / s. Personally, for reasons of convenience, I prefer a charging port on both sides of the laptop, for example on the Dell XPS 13.

The four Thunderbolt ports of the Intel version of the MacBook Pro are really the only advantage over the M1 version.

Display and speaker

There was never much room for complaint on the MacBook Pro screen. The 2,560 x 1,600 "Retina" display is sharp, bright and color-accurate. With the plethora of 4K screens available in laptops, the MacBook Pro is a few pixels short in comparison. Not that you would notice, of course. Just don't be surprised if Apple goes to great lengths to surpass 5K in pixel count over the next year. It can even use mini LED technology!

One caveat: I couldn't get our colorimeter software to work. It's a good example of niche software that just refused to run on the M1. However, I have confirmed with Apple that this is an identical panel to the previous model, with a maximum brightness of 485 nits, a contrast of 1470: 1 and 91% AdobeRGB color space.

With the M1 chip, Apple can do the audio processing itself.

The 16:10 aspect ratio has been used by Apple for many years, but is now finally being adopted by companies like Dell and HP. Apple has been right all along.

Speakers are another area where Apple has always been ahead. No competitors even come close. Apple has taken this new model further and made some improvements to the speaker tuning. With the M1 chip, Apple can do the audio processing itself and thus tinker with the stereo spreading and the equalizer. This was previously done with the T2 chip, but tighter controls mean more options to adjust.

The result is fantastic audio quality, especially when listening to music. Unlike most laptops, it is actually a joy to listen to. The speakers get loud without crackling or distorting, and there's even a ton of bass. It's a wonder considering how small these speakers are, but Apple's added tech takes them to the next level.

Keyboard and touchpad

I'm not going to spend too much time complimenting Apple on their keyboard repair. Gone are the days of unreliable and inconvenient butterfly keyboards. Apple's Magic Keyboard, which uses a more conventional scissor switch, was introduced in the 13-inch MacBook Pro earlier this year. It's still here and it's still awesome.

The same applies to the trackpad, which is particularly large and responsive. Force Touch technology means there is no physical mechanism under the glass – just a highly sensitive series of motors that simulate the sensation of movement.

In the meantime, I will continue to lament the missed opportunity the Touch Bar offers. I almost never use it. And when I do this e.g. B. to adjust the volume or the screen brightness, this is annoying. I just hope Apple now has improved tools for better implementation in the future, but at the moment it doesn't matter much.

Our opinion

The $ 1,299 MacBook Pro 13-inch M1 is a fresh start for the Mac. The physical design will eventually catch up, but right now we have the start of a season for the Mac where it will be difficult to compete with.

Are there alternatives?

The closest competitor is the Dell XPS 13. I prefer the slim design of the Dell laptop as well as the option for a 4K model. However, the MacBook Pro 13-inch M1 is now a more powerful laptop and outperforms battery life.

If you don't need the added power of the Pro, then the MacBook Air should be considered. It uses a slightly underperforming version of the M1, but it only starts at $ 999 (or $ 899 with student discounts).

How long it will take?

The MacBook Pro 13-inch M1 is based on Apple's new system architecture and is a safe purchase. It will be supported for many years. That being said, a major redesign of the MacBook Pro is slated to hit the market in 2021, though it may be a while before we hear more.

All Apple MacBooks come with a standard one-year warranty. Of course, you can get Apple's great AppleCare + service for up to three years, although it comes at an additional cost.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. More than any other MacBook Pro in the past few years, Apple has finally created one that has an undeniable advantage over its competitors.

Editor's recommendations




18 Nov
Blog

Apple iPhone 12 Mini Review: Tiny Yet Mighty Phone

iPhone 12 Mini

"The iPhone 12 Mini is exactly what small phone fans have been waiting for: a full-featured iPhone in a tiny size."

  • Incredibly compact size

  • Great camera quality

  • First class performance

  • Any iPhone 12 function

  • Weak battery life

  • The screen can actually feel tight

The iPhone has not been "small" since the iPhone 8. Although Apple has kept its main models compact compared to major Android competition, your only choice for a really small phone from Apple was to buy or keep an iPhone SE with an older model. Either way, you had to choose between the latest features and capabilities and a phone the size you prefer.

That is no longer the case. Now we have it iPhone 12 Mini.

I'm so excited that Apple chose the $ 700 iPhone 12 Mini because there's no reason why people who want a small phone should be treated like second-class citizens. You should be able to get a fully functional modern iPhone in a size that won't challenge your hand. And with a few caveats expected, we have just that.

The basics: hardware, specifications and functions

Apple's consistency between iPhone models isn't exactly exciting, but when you think about it, it's exactly what you want to see. Considering the iPhone 12 Mini is smaller and cheaper than the base iPhone 12, there has been ample opportunity for Apple to sacrifice – just look at the iPhone SE. But that was not the case. Aside from the fact that the battery and screen shrink, which are obvious changes, the iPhone 12 Mini is identical to the iPhone 12.

iPhone 12 Mini

iPhone 12 Mini

It starts with the design, which translates very well when scaled down to that size. The lack of curves and the focus on sharp edges suits a small phone that tries to be as efficient as possible with space, and Apple's hardware finish is exquisite again. The lineup's bright color options also go well with the playful size – though I loved the completely incognito look of my black phone that was spiced up with a red leather case.

Apple had ample opportunity to sacrifice in the 12 Mini, and it didn't.

It's not typical for a phone of this size (and price) to match the rest of the top-end specs of the iPhone 12 Mini. The A14 Bionic chip in the controller is equally powerful when compared to the other iPhone 12 models, so the performance of the 12 Mini is excellent. You get good speakers, the latest in Ceramic Shield screen glass, IP68 water resistance, top-notch feel, face recognition, and more on the list. Apple will also remind you that this is the smallest phone that doesn't yet have a full 5G implementation with Sub-6 and mmWave, as well as global network band support.

I went through all of the specifics of this platform's features in my full iPhone 12 review. I recommend reading them for a complete picture of what the iPhone 12 series offerings are. After that, you can see here what makes the iPhone 12 Mini special.

A lovely little phone

Unlike modern mini cars, the iPhone 12 Mini is actually small. And it's not just "small" because it's smaller than the iPhone 12, which has now grown to a 6.1-inch screen – it's really small. It's shorter, narrower, and lighter than the iPhone 8 (and the latest iPhone SE) and one of the smallest fully featured modern smartphones.

iPhone 12 MiniAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

You can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia when you get to the iPhone 12 Mini from another phone. Think back to a time when you could have a phone that was compact and yet was considered state of the art. But after a day with the 12 Mini, I didn't think of its size as something new – I just used it and enjoyed hell.

The iPhone 12 Mini doesn't expect anything from you. It's so light and your hand folds lightly around the sides for a secure grip. It actually makes sense to use your thumb to reach across the screen or up. And gosh, it doesn't just fit in a pocket, it doesn't even stretch the fabric. On several occasions, I kept the iPhone 12 Mini in my coat pocket and forgot it was there. Half an hour later, I caused a moment of panic when I feared I had left it somewhere.

The iPhone 12 Mini doesn't expect anything from you. Still, it's an incredibly powerful phone.

It's very liberating to have a small phone that doesn't feel like a burden to carry and use, but is more than capable of doing everything you need in the day.

iPhone 12 Mini

iPhone 12 Mini

With a 5.4-inch display, the 12 Mini has just enough screen space not to feel cramped. And iOS 14 is identical to a bigger screen on this smaller screen – you get the same icon grid and buttons, but things are just a little bit smaller. Every app works perfectly, and I never felt the need to go into settings and increase the font size or the screen zoom. Basically, when you view your inbox, you're just missing an extra email or reading an article in the browser, missing a few extra lines. Everything is just as lightning fast as it was on the iPhone 12 as I was able to run apps and multitask with no issues. To my surprise, I didn't have any thumb collisions with two-handed typing, but because it's so tight I really enjoyed typing with my finger.

Size comparison: iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 12 Mini vs. iPhone 12 Pro max

iPhone 12 modelsAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

I admit that the 12 Mini doesn't provide an immersive video viewing experience, nor does the screen give you an expansive viewfinder for taking photos. But it's perfectly functional on both accounts. If you plan on using your phone for a lot of media operations, you probably won't even consider the 12 Mini in the first place.

I know the screen is the same as the iPhone 12, but I swear it won't get quite as bright as the larger phone's screen. There have been a few situations with the 12 Mini out in the sun where I've pulled the Control Center down to increase the screen brightness only to see that it was already set at 100%. Other than these cases, the screen is fantastic: great colors, good viewing angles, low reflectivity, and crisp text.

Battery life

When the rubber hits the road, the only place the iPhone 12 Mini falls short is in the fuel area. On a weekend trip to beautiful Mystic, Connecticut, I spent a lot of time outdoors with 100% screen brightness, taking tons of photos, and leaning on Google Maps while keeping up with my usual messaging and social media apps. And the results … weren't great.

Battery life is the only annoying part about using such a small phone.

On Saturday I took the phone off the charger at 8 a.m. and was discharged to 10% battery by 9 p.m. as we enjoyed a nightcap under a patio heat lamp. That's four hours of screen on, which is respectable, but when the battery is very low it's not to be trusted. Sunday brought more of this with it when the phone went off the charger at 8 a.m. After more than three hours of on-time, the battery was charged with a worrying 40% battery by 1:00 p.m. when I plugged in to use CarPlay to drive home.

iPhone 12 MiniAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

Apple's cited estimates for video playback paint a rosier picture than reality. It is clear that if I use the iPhone 12 Mini the same way as the 12 or 12 Pro, I am going to exceed the limits of the battery life by the end of the day. On lighter days, with time inside and via WiFi, I got through the day by 20% to 30% – but that's still not a good sign for late evenings or days when I need a hot spot or have to spend a lot Navigate time in Google Maps.

If you get stuck to your phone all the time, this is not the phone for you. However, I don't think this will be a problem for so many people as the philosophy of many who want a small phone is also consistent with the expectation that there is no need to have a phone in hand all the time. Know what you are getting into and be ready to charge it up a little in some situations and you will be fine.

If you want to live connected to your phone, this is not the phone for you.

The advantage of a tiny battery is that it charges very quickly. With a 20 W charger, it accelerates from 0% to 50% in 30 minutes. And because the capacity is so small, it even charges a little quickly from a computer, a charger with a smaller wall thickness, or the MagSafe charger. Even my car's low-power USB port easily drained enough power to add a significant charge when running CarPlay.

Cameras

Perhaps the best thing about the iPhone 12 Mini is that Apple didn't skimp on its cameras in this small case. This was something you had to keep in mind when considering an iPhone SE as a small phone option. The 12-megapixel main camera and 12-megapixel ultrawide camera make a great pair – that's what the $ 999 iPhone 12 Pro does, and all the more so at the price.

Few people expect a camera to be this good on a $ 700 cell phone, but it delivers.

In daylight, you get bright and colorful photos with just enough pop and added warmth to make them feel a little more alive. The sharpness and level of detail are excellent, even with mixed lighting photos that require additional processing. In low light, photos are just as good as long as you can keep your hand steady. The camera relies on long exposures in night mode, but the results are excellent. And if you keep the lights on, the selfie camera is good too.

I'm so familiar with this camera setup that I often forget how impressively it relates to the competition. Anyone who picks up this phone will be amazed at the photos that come out of it. Same goes for video, where you can get crisp 4K 60fps footage with great colors and stabilization. You may choose not to shoot in Dolby Vision HDR due to limited playback compatibility. You can also skip it to save space. My friend Michael Fisher made maximum use of his 128GB Mini the first afternoon after installing apps, recording videos, and syncing iCloud Photos to the phone. You should spend at least an additional $ 50 on the 128GB model as the 64GB base feels very tight.

You won't be missing out on the camera features of the $ 300 iPhone 12 Pro anymore.

On rare occasions, I'd miss the 12 Pro's 2X zoom camera, but otherwise this is a camera setup that is perfectly on par with this phone. Anyone who buys the 12 Mini won't be missing out on the subtle improvements to this third camera and the promise to take RAW photos with a future software update.

Our opinion

The $ 700 iPhone 12 Mini plays in a category of its own: a really small phone with an otherwise first-class experience. It's small enough to be manageable in everyone's hands and pockets, but it has full iPhone 12 features, from the great hardware, to the processing speed, to the camera quality and software experience.

If the annoying decision of choosing between a phone with high-end features or a handgrip phone put you off, this is it iPhone 12 Mini should be your next purchase. But not everyone has such a strong sense of size, and if so, they should look out for the slower battery life and a screen size that after years of getting used to 6-inch displays may feel restrictive.

I absolutely like the size of the iPhone 12 Mini, but I don't think I can make it my main phone. I need more confidence in battery life and that means moving back to the iPhone 12. And as much as I love the size of the 12 Mini, I can handle the Standard 12 without feeling weighed down by its size – that makes it an easy choice to get the medium sized phone.

Are there any better alternatives?

In this size and price range, you really have no other choice. You can get one for literally half the price Google Pixel 4a It's the same size but not a competitor outside of the camera.

Then there are phones that are larger but still handy and comparable in price and options. You can buy these for a $ 100 premium iPhone 12This is a logical choice if you can handle more screen and want longer battery life. The Google Pixel 5 is still relatively compact and costs the same as the 12 Mini – it also has a great camera and streamlined software experience that iPhone owners will be familiar with.

How long it will take?

Because the 12 Mini was built on the same platform as the iPhone 12, it should have a long lifespan. There will be several iOS updates in the future, and the A14 Bionic chip is very powerful to run them. It also has strong water resistance should it take a splash or a dunk. The iPhone 12 Mini will easily last two years, or up to four years if you are tight on your budget.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you feel disenfranchised by the ever-growing size of smartphones and are longing for a compact model that doesn’t save on functions.

Editor's recommendations




13 Nov
Blog

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Review: Amazing Camera, Massive Size

iPhone 12 Pro max

"This is the iPhone with amazing battery life and an exceptional camera experience, but it comes at a price that is too big for most people to manage."

  • Big and beautiful display

  • Excellent hardware quality

  • First class camera experience

  • Long battery life

  • Unbelievably big

  • Very difficult

It was frustrating for them in a way iPhone 12 Pro max a month later than the iPhone 12 Pro because we couldn't immediately compare them side by side. However, working in these conditions bought me a lot of time with the iPhone 12 Pro. Now that I finally have a 12 Pro Max in hand, I can take advantage of this considerable experience with the platform.

This way I can evaluate the three big aspects (emphasis on big ones) that make the iPhone 12 Pro Max stand out: the size of the phone, the subsequently larger battery and the improved camera system.

The basics: hardware, specifications and software

The "Max" iPhones have a short history but have gained an extremely enthusiastic following. Some people realized the value of a giant iPhone and never looked back. For these people, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is wonderful – it's another giant iPhone that was introduced into the modern era of Apple hardware design and features.

iPhone 12 Pro maxAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

If you like the design of the new iPhones, like me, you'll love that you simply get more of them in the 12 Pro Max. The proportions of everything at this size are a bit strange when you really look at it, but I'm not looking – this phone is beautiful. The stainless steel frame and matte glass back feel amazing and look like a super expensive phone.

If you like the look of the new iPhones, you'll love that you can easily get more of them with the 12 Pro Max.

The whole matter is taken to a new level in this gold color that I have referred to as the "Kardashian Special". The hyper-shiny golden pages are just … a lot. They are so reflective that you regularly see strong reflections of light on tables and walls around you which is just amazing. Thank God. The back made of matt glass has a subtle mother-of-pearl color and dampens the overall effect. But I really enjoyed the phone in its absurdly expensive but excellent form Apple leather case. However, those golden shimmering sides still protrude a little bit from the edge of the case!

Everywhere else, you get the same specs and features as the Standard 12 Pro, without a single drawback. The same A14 Bionic processor, 6GB (supposedly) of RAM, 128/256/512GB storage options, 5G connectivity, Ceramic Shield glass, speakers, and a lot more on the list. Face recognition continues to be great (despite our current situation with wearing masks), as is the tactile feel of the buttons, mute, and haptic feedback – these are the little things Apple is so good at. This is just an enlarged iPhone 12 Pro – and that's a good thing most of the time.

If you haven't read all about the iPhone 12 Pro, I highly recommend that you read my full review of the 12 Pro first and find out the details about the 12 Pro Max here.

A really big phone

The iPhone 12 Pro Max's main selling point is the same as ever: you get a huge display. It's now up to 6.7 inches tall, and the effect of this year's smaller frames is enhanced by their size in proportion to the screen area. The OLED panel is absolutely great – incredibly bright, clear and colorful. It is perfectly visible in any lighting, including outdoors, even if the brightness is not increased when viewing HDR content.

iPhone 12 Pro maxAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

I can't find a bug … other than not having a 90Hz (or higher) refresh rate like the Android competition. Even so, Apple does things with software that makes 60Hz still look good. These are all the same assessments I had of the iPhone 12 Pro's display mind you, but once again I appreciate it in this larger size.

It's not the largest phone display, but it's close.

Of course, it's not the largest phone display, but it's close. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is larger and combines its display with even smaller bezels, but is also a bit larger. Really, you wouldn't notice a usable difference between this 6.7-inch screen and any other large Android device. It is important that you have significantly more additional screen with the 12 Pro Max than with most cell phones in the lower 6-inch range.

Size comparison: iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 12 Mini vs. iPhone 12 Pro max

However, since the "normal" iPhones have gotten bigger and now have up to 6.1-inch displays, they don't feel as tight, making the iPhone 12 Pro Max feel less necessary. And iOS 14 looks and works exactly the same on this 6.7-inch display as it does on the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 Mini.

iPhone 12 modelsAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

You can't multitask any other than any other iPhone, and viewing picture-in-picture video isn't much more useful either. Although you can now place widgets on the home screen, you don't have any extra space to place them. They still have the same grid size of 4 × 6. Apps can mostly only be adapted to the screen instead of keeping the elements the same size and displaying more content. For example, in Gmail, another email appears in the inbox. On Twitter, you might see an extra half of a tweet.

You can use the "zoom" feature to zoom in on anything on the screen, but you can't go the other way and zoom out, which is what a lot of people want. You can reduce the text size, which I did (by one notch) and that will at least help you get a little better use of the screen.

iPhone 12 modelsAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

This bigger screen is still appreciated when watching videos, playing games, taking and editing photos and videos, browsing non-mobile websites, and typing with two hands. The media experience is only enhanced by this bigger screen, and some people really spend hours a day watching videos on their phones – the 12 Pro Max is a great experience there. There are also people who don't have great vision and appreciate a phone that just makes everything huge.

It seems like a missed opportunity not to give the Max a little more functionality in the software to take advantage of that screen size, especially now that we've been dealing with these Max phones for a few generations, and with developments in the same area on iPadOS .

The media and gaming experience is improved by the larger screen, otherwise nothing changes.

This is especially true because that bigger screen comes at a cost: a bigger phone overall. The 12 Pro Max is about 9% larger, 9% wider and 20% heavier than the 12 Pro. These are serious leaps, especially in terms of weight – at 228 grams, it is one of the heaviest smartphones currently available. This stainless steel frame adds up.

iPhone 12 Pro maxAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

It's big enough to be awkward in a pocket, especially for weighing down gym shorts and stuffing jeans pockets. And it certainly doesn't fit in most women's pockets – it takes up space in a pocket instead. It hardly fits in my running beltand just without a case. Since it's so hard, I prefer to leave it at home for long runs.

The phone is extremely massive and difficult to use. Only you know if it is worth looking into.

It's downright awkward to do anything other than scroll through feeds or hold the phone to read with one hand. Even with my big hands, reaching across the screen or sliding my finger over the picture is a hassle. Fortunately, you can use the “reachability” gesture (swipe down in the lower center of the screen) to get to the “top” edge of the screen without fumbling with the phone. Most tasks are considerably easier with a second hand, some tasks require it. If you come to terms with this fact and stop even trying to use it with one hand, the overall experience improves.

Battery life

With the first Max iPhone, it seemed like most people bought it just for the battery life. A larger phone offers more space for the battery. If everything else stays the same, this should translate into significantly longer battery life. As usual, Apple does not offer battery capacities or realistic battery benchmarks for its phones. That's why I'm here.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is a battery champion thanks to a very simple equation: It has a 30% larger (supposedly 3687 mAh) battery than the 12 Pro. If you need a phone that will work all day every day, regardless of battery saving, then this is it. On my usual day with messaging, listening to podcasts via Bluetooth, countless emails and using social media apps, mainly via WiFi, I ended the day after more than three hours of on with 40% battery.

The 12 Pro Max is a battery champion – you don't have to think about it.

The closest thing to low power mode, which triggers at 20%, was a day of three hours of hotspotting on my laptop, including streaming the Apple “One More Thing” event. Even so, I had a little over 20% when I went to bed. I've experienced solid battery life on the smaller 12 Pro, but found that it can get a little tricky if you squeeze it hard. This is just not the case with the 12 Pro Max – it will never lead to battery fear.

iPhone 12 Pro Max with MagSafe chargerAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

We got used to the fast charging times offered by the iPhone's small battery, but that's not the case with the 12 Pro Max. If you ever run out of battery or miss a night charge, you need to consider how long it will take to charge.

You can go from dead to 50% in just over 30 minutes, which is good enough, but it takes over an hour to get to 95%. And that's if you buy a 20W charger (remember, there isn't one in the box). There are many good options from companies like anchor and Aukeyand it's basically a requirement for the 12 Pro Max. Charging with less is a real pain. The MagSafe charger is approximately 30% slower than a 20W wired charger. Plugging in an older plug under 10W will take several hours to complete – and worse with a generic wireless charger.

Cameras

Apple bifurcated the Pro line with an all-new main camera sensor on the Pro Max, and that's a big change. The 12-megapixel sensor is 47% larger, which means every pixel is dramatically larger for the same resolution. Larger pixels let in more light, which is always good – light is the currency you use to buy sharp photos. The sensor itself is also physically stabilized, much like the way dedicated cameras provide stabilization that is different from the OIS on most other phones (including the 12 Pro) that have the lens stabilized.

The advantages are immediately apparent when taking photos in poor lighting conditions. With larger pixels, the camera doesn't have to rely on long night mode exposures as often, which means you'll have less softness and blurring from handshakes or moving objects in your scene. This means that photos of people and pets are more likely to be crisp, even in difficult lighting conditions. But that's more of a side effect: the real impact is that every single photo you take with low or mixed flash is brighter, sharper, and more colorful.

Lowlight shots have great detail, texture, and sharpness, and for the most part, do without a fake, over-edited look. In some cases where night mode is used for a 3 to 4 second exposure, the contrast and saturation are a little over the top, to the point where it actually looks better to revert to a 1 second exposure. Other times, I just turn off night mode for a natural shot and the sensor easily pulls in enough light to keep things from getting loud or grainy. I think Apple could actually tweak more to really take advantage of the big sensor and rely even less on the night mode.

As the lighting improves, the 12 Pro Max's camera benefit diminishes. Most of the footage is indistinguishable from what you get with the 12 Pro's camera. But that's not a bad thing. The 12 Pro takes great photos. In the edge cases where you have shadows or mixed lighting, you will notice that the large sensor is working again – not to brighten these areas, but to get them right and without noise.

You'll see the big sensor in play again with close-ups of macros and portraits. Because the sensor is so large and has a f / 1.6 lens, you can get incredible natural bokeh (background blur) if you know your way around your goal of focusing. If you are strategically focused on a good focus, background defocusing is great. The effect is so far that I really didn't bother with portrait mode, which still has quirks and problems far too often. Natural bokeh is always better than fake, and this camera does it incredibly well.

The ultrawide camera is identical to the other iPhone 12 models – really good for ultrawide conditions and ideal for confusing the perspective of your recordings. The telephoto camera has a 25% longer focal length than the 12 Pro, but I still wouldn't call it "telephoto" with only 2.5x zoom over the main lens. Even so, any improvement is good, as the whole point of a telephoto camera is to get the specific look of a narrower field of view. It gives you that change of perspective and you can use it to get great zoom shots.

The Dolby Vision HDR video, which Apple is making a big deal of this year, remains unchanged on the 12 Pro Max as well. Recording with a larger viewfinder could be a bonus to your budding film career, but HDR video really shouldn't be a determining factor in your buying decision – and of course, it's available on all iPhone 12 models. Yes even the $ 699 mini.

The selfie camera is the same too; If you have good lighting, it will take great shots but will stall in darker scenes and rely heavily on the on-screen flash. The selfie camera's night mode is a hit-or-miss mode considering that you really can't get over how small a sensor and lens you're working with – and it's harder to keep your hand steady hold when arm is extended.

Our opinion

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is characterized by three things: its enormous size, its long battery life and its more powerful camera. If you buy it, it should be because of the first feature, not the latter two. I really believe that only those who want A big phone with a big screen and extra space to work and play should buy one. Anyone who buys the iPhone 12 Pro Max because they expect longer battery life and camera improvements even though it is bigger than they can be will be disappointed.

Yes, the battery life is exceptional, especially better than the iPhone 12 Pro. And the camera is more powerful at night, even by the high standards that Apple set with the iPhone 12. However, the phone is just too big for most people to comfortably use in one hand, and it's big enough to prevent your person from walking. This is not a situation to put yourself in if you don't immediately see a benefit in the size of the screen. No battery or camera improvement is worth constantly being upset that your phone is too big.

If the big phone is your thing, the starting price of $ 1,099 is reasonable. You pay just $ 100 more than the iPhone 12 Pro and get a lot more phone.

Are there any better alternatives?

There are few phones in this size class to compete with each other. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the obvious choice, with a huge display and great features that can go head to toe with the 12 Pro Max. It also has a built-in pen which is a real differentiator. However, most people don't regularly switch between iPhones and Androids, so it may not be an option.

The other obvious choice is to step up a notch to the iPhone 12 Pro. It is a “normal” size phone that is easy to use with one hand and never feels like an administrative burden, but has all of the core features of the 12 Pro Max. It's really a question of whether you can handle the weaker battery life (which is still fine by average phone standards) and a smaller display and come to terms with not having the best camera Apple makes. The size is a personal preference, but we're talking about minor improvements on the front of the camera. The 12 Pro's main camera is great too.

How long it will take?

Apple has had an excellent track record of supporting and updating its phones for several years. The iPhone 12 Pro Max has the hardware to run the next four (or more) versions of iOS without errors. The hardware with a stainless steel frame and IP68 water resistance should also hold up.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you have two qualifications. The first is that you want or can manage such a big phone. Second, you expect to push the limits of the camera system. If you're not here for both things, you're better off with that one Base iPhone 12 Pro.

Editor's recommendations




31 Oct
Blog

Apple iPhone 12 Review: The Best iPhone for Most People

Apple iPhone 12 review blue back angle 2

"The iPhone 12 is insane value for $ 799 and questions how many people need to buy a 12 Pro."

  • Excellent camera performance

  • Fast and consistent software

  • Nice and colorful hardware

  • Good battery life

  • 5G connectivity

  • Lightbody feels a little cheap

  • MagSafe currently offers little

The iPhone 12 Pro is the focus of press and technology enthusiasts. It's the full-featured, high-end model and the price is damn, we all want one. What it overlooks, however, is that most people have more reasonable expectations and budgets and are immediately interested in the standard iPhone 12.

The iPhone 12 is the phone people use to get in the door (or on the website) and have the option to change their choices to a Mini, Pro, or Pro Max. And that puts a heavy load on the iPhone 12: it has to be really good because most people choose it by default. Here's how well it meets expectations. And why it is, indeed, the best iPhone 12 model for most people.

Hardware, design and display

The iPhone 12 is exactly the same size as the 12 Pro – Apple's own cases are interchangeable. And with a case on the phone, all you can tell is that it's not a pro, but the missing third camera lens – although you still get that large case with a square camera that reminds you of the space that more sensors take up if you had done this you would have spent more money.

iPhone 12

However, if you're brave enough to use your phone without a case, or at least convinced you would wear it naked, there are plenty of other differentiators in the hardware. The first is the colors, which you've no doubt seen in a row that look like a bowl of cone. The colors of the iPhone 12 are fun, playful, and bright – even that blue, which is one of the relatively muted options alongside black.

The iPhone 12 is characterized by a fresh appearance and a familiar high quality of execution.

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro

The frame of the iPhone 12 is made of aluminum, not stainless steel like the 12 Pro, and the metal is kept in a matte texture that matches the hyper-gloss of the 12 Pro. Instead, the gloss is transferred to the rear glass. This is a boon to the handle, but an absolute fingerprint stain magnet – it will never be clean once you take it out of the box.

Aside from stains, which are just a reality of modern glass-backed phones, the iPhone 12 stands out. It's a really nice design and I'm so glad we're returning to those angular lines from the metal pillow shapes of the past few years. There's only more for your fingers and eyes to discover, and it's actually easy to hold. This is even more true of the 12, which is about 15% lighter than the 12 Pro, though that lightness helps make it feel a little cheap or weak. If you had never had the 11 Pro or 12 Pro in your hand, you wouldn't think about it – this is just a lightweight and easy to manage phone.

The brightness is impressive if you remember that the screen is larger than before (now 6.1 inches) thanks to a new OLED display with smaller bezels on all sides. And when you add the sharp transition from screen glass to metal sides, it feels even more compact. The Face ID notch is still visually annoying, but the Face ID itself is well worth the compromise.

iPhone 12

The display is excellent especially for this price point. It's clear, bright, and colorful with good viewing angles and minimal color shift. And since it is a laminated OLED, the visibility outdoors is of course also good.

The only difference, at least on paper, is that the iPhone 12 has a maximum brightness of 625 nits versus the 800 nits of the 12 Pro. The distinction is strange, as teardowns show that the displays are interchangeable, and Apple's own documentation shows that both can achieve the same 1200 nits when viewing HDR content. I can hardly say that the display on the 12 Pro is brighter, but I also don't know if that's just a mental trick. It certainly doesn't look like it's 28% brighter as Apple's numbers claim.

The new Ceramic Shield glass promises a 4-fold improved drop performance, which we all appreciate, but I'll make it clear: There is no claim that it is better against scratches. My test device had already noticed some normal scratches with normal use over the course of a week. So don't expect this display to be indestructible. I managed to clumsily drop the phone from waist height onto the sidewalk, luckily with a silicone case, and there were no ill effects.

Features, software and performance

For many people, the best thing about the iPhone 12 is that it offers the exact same iOS 14 software experience as the current phone. While this may seem boring to Android users, who supposedly have the opportunity to try a new twist on Android every time they upgrade their phone, this consistency is a big reason why so many people stick with iPhones.

iPhone 12 Pro blue

Depending on how old your current iPhone is, the only difference from the 12 is that everything just runs faster – and it will be fast for years to come too. The A14 Bionic chip is faster than anything you're currently using and is clearly designed for future iOS features.

The only differences in daily use between the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro can be noticed when you really press the phones. The iPhone 12 has 4GB of RAM (storage) for the 6GB of the 12 Pro. So if you multitask a lot or play an intense game while streaming media in the background, you may notice a small difference in performance. And we know the smaller storage capacity is why some of the most advanced camera processing features are limited to the 12 Pro.

With all my regular use, which is not that difficult, I did not notice any difference in the opening times of the app, the graphics or the like. Ultimately, the A14 Bionic is still running the show, and that is what matters. Nobody can blame the iPhone 12 for being slow.

Even with less memory than the 12 Pro, the iPhone 12 flies with everyday tasks.

There is no reason for me to repeat myself talking about 5G and MagSafe, the two big features of the iPhone 12 generation, after writing hundreds of words on both in my iPhone 12 Pro review. Hope you will read the details there as they are fully applicable to a discussion of the iPhone 12 as well. However, a brief summary is in order.

The gist of the 5G discussion is this: Right now you are mostly using Sub-6 5G which behaves like charged 4G. It's a little faster and smoother without using more power than you are used to – that's great, but not groundbreaking. The so-called mmWave 5G, which is mostly used by Verizon but is growing with T-Mobile and AT&T, is the dramatically faster but incredibly sparse network that is still years away from its ubiquity. There is no reason to buy the iPhone 12 to the 5G but it sure will be nice to have for years to come.

iPhone 12 MagSafe accessories

MagSafe is exciting, especially knowing that Apple has a good track record of getting these kind of ecosystems right (mostly) and will get the critical mass of supported phones and accessories soon enough. But at the moment there isn't much to say. Apple makes a charger that, while nice, isn't that much different from the way you use most wireless chargers. The enclosures, two of which are available, are just passages for other MagSafe accessories. We need to see a robust market for third-party MagSafe accessories before we can judge the success of this system – this may take a while.

Battery life

After spending a week on the iPhone 12 Pro checking out all the new features and running numerous 5G speed tests, I was able to settle into the iPhone 12 right away and use it even more normally, as I would later in the life after Review rush is over. This gives my rating of the 12 battery a better analysis of the "real use".

And if you stop testing the iPhone 12 and just start using it, the battery life is really good! Yes, the capacity is the same as the 12 Pro, which is actually lower than the iPhone 11 Pro, but Apple knows what it's doing here with a much more efficient chipset that the phone runs on.

You will easily get through a full day on a full battery.

With my normal usage, which includes much of my time on Wi-Fi and primarily keeping up with lots of email, messages, social media apps, utilities, and lots of podcasts over Bluetooth, 30% can get through a day without any problems remaining. That means I have a lot of overhead for those heavier days, with lots of photos and videos, streaming from YouTube or new podcast episodes, hotspotting over 5G, or taking video calls. Despite all of this, I usually only turn on the energy-saving mode (20%) for dinner – and make it to bed without charging.

If you chose the iPhone 12 rather than the 12 Pro, your expected usage is likely a little lower at first. And it doesn't matter: using the 12 and 12 Pro the same, battery life wasn't an issue on either phone. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is obviously going to be the true battery champion for people who have to push the limits of their phone every day.

Cameras

The main attraction for buying the 12 Pro compared to the 12 is the improvement in the camera. It's important to note, however, that the 12 provides most of the 12 Pro's camera experience. The 12 Pro offers a "telephoto" camera, lidar sensor, Dolby Vision HDR video at 60 fps (out of 30), and the promise to support Apple ProRAW files in the future.

The camera is identical to the 12 Pro where it counts: the main camera and the image processing.

This telephoto camera is just a 2x zoom behind the main camera, which is not strictly necessary. Lidar brings portrait mode to night mode, which is cool but not necessary. Remember that the normal night mode is otherwise the same on both phones. And if you want to shoot HDR at 60 fps, you've probably just bought an iPhone 12 Pro.

The main, ultra-wide, and selfie cameras are all identical hardware supported by the same camera processing, including Smart HDR 3, Deep Fusion, and every other Apple buzzword. That said, most people wouldn't notice any difference in camera features between the 12 and the 12 Pro – that is large for iPhone 12 buyers.

As I've mentioned many times, check out my iPhone 12 Pro review for more camera thoughts (and lots of sample photos).

Camera performance is fantastic with an iPhone 12 Pro for $ 999, which means it's particularly good here for $ 200 less. The main camera consistently produces bright, crisp, and colorful photos with a warm and punchy profile that is appealing but not overdone. HDR effects don't go crazy and usually do well at reducing highlights and enhancing lowlights. Portrait mode is still great for real chest portraits, but is better for full body shots or inanimate objects.

At night you will immediately see the advantages of the larger aperture and the improved processing in night mode. Photos go head-to-toe with the Pixel 5's night vision device, but the iPhone 12 has the advantage of not having to switch to a separate mode for these photos – the camera decides when to do so. And even though I didn't have lidar, I didn't have any problems with autofocus in the dark.

In most scenarios, it's easy to get great photos. And yes, Dolby Vision is cool too.

As I discussed in my iPhone 12 Pro review, the Dolby Vision HDR draw is interesting but not currently practical. DV HDR can only be viewed on modern iPhones, Macs, and Apple TVs connected to compatible TVs. Anywhere you view or share it, e.g. B. on social media platforms, the default dynamic range is displayed. You save large files: A one-minute 4K 30 HDR clip has a size of approx. 250 MB. Fortunately, Apple's typical 4K 60 fps video looks great in SDR too, with good stabilization for handheld recording.

Our opinion

Those who already have an iPhone and are looking to upgrade to the latest phones should start with the iPhone 12 as the default choice. It's a great phone that has all of Apple's usual strengths: great hardware, a beautiful display, consistent performance, and now an especially great camera. It also has good battery life, 5G connectivity for the future, and fascinating additions like MagSafe. Overall, it's a fantastic phone at a reasonable price.

Only consider upgrading to the iPhone 12 Pro if you can knows that you need what it offers. I recommend paying an additional $ 50 for 128GB of storage on the iPhone 12 The 12 Pro costs $ 150 more. For that money, you get a heavier stainless steel case in new colors, an additional camera with some additional camera features, and more memory for possible future performance improvements. Most people just don't care enough to make the money worth it, and better spend that $ 150 on a couple of suitcases and MagSafe accessories.

Are there any better alternatives?

This price range is competitive. For those willing to move beyond the Apple world, there are several Android competitors available. The Google Pixel 5 offers a similarly simple approach as the iPhone with comparable camera and slick software for $ 100 less. The OnePlus 8T is the same price, with better hardware, but weaker cameras. And the Galaxy S20 FE offers an Apple antidote with a bigger screen, more cameras, more flash, and more features.

Obviously, most of the people will stay in the iPhone ecosystem, so there really is only one other option: spend $ 200 more on it an iPhone 12 Pro. If you're pragmatic and buy a 128GB storage model, that's only a $ 150 upgrade. For this money you get a heavier stainless steel frame, an additional telephoto camera, a lidar sensor for extended camera functions and a subtle memory expansion. It won't blow most people who are likely satisfied with an iPhone 12, but it's a good choice when money isn't a big deal.

How long it will take?

With Apple's excellent track record of updating iPhones with new software for several years after it was released, and a powerful A14 Bionic processor, the iPhone 12 will no doubt stay safe for three years without a second thought. The aluminum frame isn't technically as strong as the 12 Pro's steel, but most other phones are also made of aluminum.

There are also some concerns that the Ceramic Shield glass, despite being severely cracked, could be very sensitive to scratches – but we cannot see the long term viability of Ceramic Shield until it has been in the wild for years.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. If you are in the iPhone ecosystem, the iPhone 12 is an excellent all-round phone with an excellent price-performance ratio.

Editor's recommendations




26 Oct
Blog

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Review: A Step Above the Competition

iPhone 12 Pro

"The iPhone 12 Pro is the choice for those who want to take their phone experience beyond the ordinary."

  • Exceptional design and workmanship

  • Fantastic photo and video quality

  • High quality display

  • Universal 5G network

  • The MagSafe utility is questionable

  • Limited improvements over iPhone 12

The range of phones from Apple has grown steadily in size and thus in complexity. For the end of 2020 we also have four iPhone 12 models in three sizes and several hundred dollars the iPhone SE, iPhone XR, and iPhone 11 these are still on sale. Apple will sell you a new iPhone that will suit just about every possible need, regardless of size, features, and budget.

However, in the eyes of many people, there is only one choice: the latest Pro model. The iPhone 12 Pro differs less from the “standard” model than the Pro from last year and still has a premium of 200 US dollars. Is it still the one to get? Let's discuss.

Hardware, design and display

After three years of the same rounded design, we have something fresh to put our eyes and hands on. The iPhone 12 series has a wonderfully angular, plate-like appearance. For the 12 Pro, an upgraded stainless steel frame that's not excusingly heavier than the aluminum 12 is beautifully finished with an intense sheen and a flat glass back that maintains the 11 Pro's etched matte texture.

iPhone 12 Pro

The color "Pacific Blue" is not nearly as strong as the candy-like blue of the iPhone 12, but it does match the overall subtle atmosphere of the Pro line. The hyper-glossy sides are undoubtedly luxurious, but they do collect fingerprints at an incredible rate – on top they offer some support to counteract the slippery back. The 12 Pro may not be as ergonomic as the 11 Pro, but the glossy sides and sharp edges provide plenty of grip if you want to use it without a case.

It's refreshing to see a brand new iPhone design, and the Pro interfaces take it to a new level.

As a total object to keep your eyes on, it is as great as you would expect from an Apple product. Lines, tolerances and overall finish are perfect. However, this design suffers from a flaw: a "window" cut in the lower right to make room for a mmWave antenna – something exclusive to the US model that you can never really miss after you noticed it.

Apple kicked it out of the park again. A new OLED has now been increased diagonally to 6.1 inches (from 5.8 inches) and runs at a solid 460 pixels per inch. It's calibrated fantastically, balancing gorgeous colors with accuracy. The subtle True Tone adjustments made to match the ambient lighting conditions are the icing on the cake. The display also has smaller bezels on all sides, which appear even smaller thanks to the sharp vertical sides that have replaced the previous subtle curves. Although the 12 Pro is a bit bigger than the 11 Pro, it really doesn't feel like it. You still have a big notch at the top that my eyes never entirely forget, but Face ID is so amazing I can forgive it.

Apple threw it out of the park again with this new display.

It's noteworthy that the 12 Pro operates at a refresh rate of 60 Hz – every other phone over $ 700 is 90 Hz or 120 Hz. However, IOS is so fluid and well-managed that it's not a massive loss, but your eyes are Definitely notice the drop after using another phone. It's just a quality of life improvement that you know you could have elsewhere. We look at our screens for hours a day, so I think we deserve a high refresh rate.

The screen doesn't get as bright as the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, but the viewing angles and reflectivity are so great you'll never have trouble seeing the screen outdoors. It shows a brightness of "1,200 nits" for this display, but that's a misnomer. When viewing HDR photos or videos, 1,200 nits can be achieved. That's cool, but not regular. The important number is 800 nits, which corresponds to the typical full screen brightness. That's still very bright and a place where the display beats the cheaper iPhone 12, which beats 600 nits (but interestingly still 1,200 nits for HDR).

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro

Aside from the significant changes you can see to the hardware, there is one big change you can't see: new "Ceramic Shield" glass over the display. It looks and feels the same as any other smartphone, but Apple claims it has four times the durability – which, of course, I didn't move out of the way to test it out. Given the number of phones we all use with broken screens and the number of pop-up screen repair shops, this is obviously a necessary improvement.

Notably, the back is still made of the more common ion exchange glass and is still likely to crack at about the same rate as any other glass-backed phone. Nor does Apple claim that Ceramic Shield is any less scratch sensitive than any other glass, which is only part of the deal – there is an inherent trade-off between scratch resistance and crack resistance. This is something we will all have to deal with over time – although there are screen protectors for the paranoid.

Features, software and performance

Apple has cultivated an extraordinary holistic experience of combining hardware and software, the core of which doesn't really change from generation to generation. This is especially true because iOS 14 is available again for the iPhone 6S, so almost anyone upgrading from an old iPhone won't expect any surprises on the 12 Pro. There's no need to go into a complete look at how iOS is a great operating system, especially since so few people are actually switching between Android and iOS right now.

The iPhone 12 Pro simply expands and enhances the iPhone experience you already know. With the A14 Bionic chip that runs the show, the 12 Pro does everything at a breakneck pace – there is nothing you can do to slow it down. Playing games, multitasking, taking photos and videos, and going through every app imaginable is easy and worry-free. It turns out that it also has 6GB of RAM, compared to 4GB in the iPhone 12, which improves performance and makes iOS updates even better for years to come.

iPhone 12 MagSafe accessories

A whole new iPhone experience is MagSafe – an old name with a new purpose. With a magnetic ring on the back of the phone, you can connect standardized accessories that come in almost any shape. Apple has a $ 39 MagSafe charger that delivers 15 watts of power (more than a standard wireless charger) and it's convenient because you know with 100% certainty that it will charge when you plug it in. It's also great for playing with the phone in landscape mode.

MagSafe has promises, but you shouldn't expect it to change your life on Day 1.

However, the true promise of the MagSafe experience has yet to be fulfilled. The first-party covers (read: expensive) from Apple all support MagSafe because they have magnets that are guaranteed to work with other attachments. However, no magnets are required for these cases. Using a thin case eliminates the need for magnets to work with the MagSafe charger. But you can bet the vast majority of iPhone 12 cases will have the magnets anyway.

Any accessory company can make MagSafe products, so there are some amazing ideas out there – from multi-device desktop chargers to vehicle mounts to modular bike and tripod mounting systems. And all of this is especially exciting if you don't normally use a suitcase, as you no longer need to put on a company's suitcase for that company's accessories to work – your phone is fully compatible on its own.

Welcome to the 5G future (and present)

iPhone 12 5G speed tests

It would be almost impossible to know the iPhone 12 and not know it has 5G. Apple and every carrier in the world have emphasized it. But is that really important? Similar to the discussion about MagSafe, 5G is full of potential for the future and unfulfilled promises in the present.

iPhone 12 and 5G: How It Will (Eventually) Make a Difference

First and foremost, your 5G experience depends on your network operator and where you live. (Attention: Nerdy Talk Ahead.) T-Mobile has the largest 5G network footprint as it is based on the far-reaching and easy-to-implement Sub-6 standard that is based on low-band spectrum. AT&T is in a tight second place as it is also mainly based on Sub-6.

Verizon, on the other hand, just turned on its Sub-6 network with a limited amount of spectrum after years of investing money into its high-band mmWave (millimeter wave) 5G network. While mmWave is incredibly fast and leads to absurd potential downloads in excess of 4 Gbps, it is also (currently) incredibly unreliable as it has an absurdly short range. We talk about losing a signal by taking a few steps, turning around, or letting a dense tree blow in the wind. T-Mobile and AT&T also have mmWave networks with a small footprint, but this is not the core of their 5G network.

There is no reason to buy a 5G phone for mmWave. It is only available in tiny parts of a handful of cities nationwide. It's just a bonus if you see it a couple of times.

Sub-6 5G, on the other hand, is basically like charged 4G: widespread coverage, faster speeds, no impact on battery life, and a seamless transition to 4G. With Sub-6 on T-Mobile in New York City, I routinely had download speeds in the 100Mbps to 300Mbps range and uploads in the 25Mbps to 75Mbps range. Not mind-blowing, especially when the ping times (30ms to 50ms) often match 4G, but it's just faster and works just like you're used to.

5G is not yet groundbreaking, but you can see a remarkable and consistent improvement in daily speed.

Knowing that 5G networks are not fully developed, Apple has a number of smart controls in place to reduce the impact of transitions between networks. By default, voice and data are set to “5G Auto”, which prioritizes the best overall network experience. You can set it to “5G On” to stick to 5G as much as possible. You can also set your data mode to “Allow more data on 5G” from “Standard”. This allows the phone to use full 5G cloth for all sorts of things, maximizing video quality when streaming or chatting.

Apple's default settings are the correct ones here, and most users shouldn't touch these settings. Network usage is handled pretty well between the phone and the carrier to give you the best combination of speed and battery usage. I stuck to the default settings and saw 5G almost 100% of the time, barring trips on the subway and some buildings.

Battery life

Whenever Apple introduces its phones, it always cites very ambiguous battery life like "17 hours of video playback over WiFi", which isn't the least bit useful. This time around, however, it was significant that Apple made no claims about longer battery life. And now we know why: the iPhone 12 Pro's battery is actually smaller than the 11 Pro's. However, capacity has never been a major concern for the iPhone as the chipset and operating system work together to get the most out of it.

That’s the case again. The A14 Bionic is clearly an exceptional piece of silicon and works perfectly hand in hand with iOS 14. With the 12 Pro, as I did with my 11 Pro months ago, battery life was generally great. In a full day of casual use with email, social apps, messages, photos, maps, maps, and numerous pocket casts, I would use 3 to 4 hours of screen time and still have 20% to 30% of my battery life at the end of the day leave.

The battery still dramatically outperforms its capacity, although it doesn't offer the same confidence as the 11 Pro.

The only limitation is that you hit the phone hard, especially when networking. It turns out that you use a 5G connection that is over 200Mbps a lot! When you stream videos, they are of the highest quality. If you can download and upload large files in a moment, do so now instead of waiting to get home. And when you're running your hot spot, you can use your laptop as if it had great WiFi at home – and that takes a lot of battery power.

With 20% to 30% leeway, those tough days put me in low power mode to get through the evening – but I made it anyway. I certainly feel that the 12 Pro's battery has less headroom than my 11 Pro's, but that doesn't matter.

The only limitation is that you are regularly using an mmWave 5G network, which is currently consuming more and more power as your phone is almost constantly switching to and from the network for data transfers, constantly looking for new towers. This is primarily an issue for Verizon customers and less so for AT&T and T-Mobile, but there is something to be aware of. It's also a problem that is a problem "right now" as mmWave is still struggling to build a sizeable footprint.

I also have to praise Apple for their battery-saving charger, which by default slows down the charge rate after 80% charge to minimize the time the phone spends at 100%. Spending a lot of time on 0% or 100% on a charger is bad for batteries, and tons of smartphones implement these protections to help extend battery life. The Apple version is seamless.

Cameras

The iPhone 12 Pro takes a well-known 12 megapixel sensor and combines it with a new lens with a larger f / 1.6 aperture, resulting in a 27% improvement in low-light performance. The physics is well known: a larger aperture lets more light into the sensor and requires faster shutter speeds and lower ISO values. That means sharper and smoother photos in all lighting conditions.

I'll focus on photos in low light for now as there's an improvement this year that is clearly visible. Low-light photos on the 12 Pro are consistently smoother, less grainy, and yet sharper than before. Apple's multi-frame and "Deep Fusion" processing, which relies on the A14 Bionic's "Neural Engine", superimposes frames to create incredible shots with good detail, correct colors and white balance. You can now also use the night mode for the ultrawide camera, which provides far weaker results compared to the main camera, but is dramatically better than last year without it.

Night photos show the greatest improvement and the results are incredible.

I'm not going to say outright that the 12 Pro's Night Mode shots are better than the Google Pixel 5's Night Vision, but it's neck to neck in most situations, and an extra point goes to Apple's camera app for a smooth transition between the modes. You don't have to switch to night mode like with Night Sight – it just happens automatically.

Photos with good lighting are more like the same. Apple takes an incredibly consistent, solid, and relatively neutral approach to camera processing. Colors pop, but not too much. The exposure is nailed to perfection throughout. Highlights and lowlights are rarely blown out, but you don't get an overworked faux HDR look. All in all, the iPhone 12 Pro is difficult to take a bad photo – and it's easy to take a great photo.

The 12 Pro's LiDAR camera, which is mainly used for auto focus in low light conditions, also allows for better depth imaging for effects in portrait orientation. Portrait mode continues to be a love-hate relationship to me because when the camera pegs it it's mind-blowing, but when it's missing it ruins a photo. There are still cases where Portrait Mode can make your subject look like a cardboard cutout against a background, and in many cases there are fun mix-ups where an ear, arm, or item of clothing is defocused. Portrait mode still works best for an actual portrait – also known as shoulder-on – where there are far fewer potential sources of error.

The lidar camera also allows recordings in night portrait mode, so the function is only available for 12 Pro and Pro Max. As long as you can bring your subject to a standstill, the results are surprisingly good. There are actually fewer ways to handle foul ups as the shot will be softer and smoother overall, although it is far less likely to come out sharp where it matters – that just comes with the territory.

Daylight shots are consistently great, and the portrait mode approaches perfection.

I'll save you from seeing a gallery of selfies, but Apple hasn't upgraded the 11 Pro's front camera hardware. There's better processing, including Deep Fusion and "Smart HDR 3", as well as night mode. I found the photos to be the same – aka very good – as before. Night mode added little to the experience as it was far too difficult to stay still and keep your arm still enough to get a sharp shot.

Aside from the improvements in the stills, Dolby Vision HDR video recording is Apple's other massive marketing push alongside 5G. Dolby Vision is really cool as it makes your video look just amazing – better highlights and lowlights, better peak brightness, everything. Unfortunately, you can only view Dolby Vision on a latest generation iPhone, MacBook, or Apple TV connected to a compatible TV. Otherwise, everywhere you export your video, you will get converted SDR video.

Dolby Vision can be displayed in many more locations in the future. For this reason, I would recommend just leaving it enabled in the settings. But otherwise, just expect the standard iPhone video experience: it's great looking video that is incredibly stable even on handhelds and while walking, and even if you stick to the standard 1080p resolution (see above). Increase the image size up to 4K 30 frames per second for even better results, although the file size triples in the process. Fortunately, the iPhone 12 Pro has a base of 128 GB of storage.

Dolby Vision is an amazing tech demo, but it has a lot of limitations. Thankfully, SDR video is still great.

The only real downside is knowing that despite the fact that it is a "Pro" model, it is not the best camera Apple makes. This is the case with the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which has a larger main sensor with a new optical image stabilization system (OIS) as well as a different telephoto lens with a longer focal length. The 12 Pro also has only minor advantages over the Base 12, with a (honestly weak) telephoto camera and a lidar sensor – the core camera experience is otherwise identical. Taken together, knowing it's not that different from the 12 Pro takes some shine from the "Pro" feel of the 12 Pro, and the 12 Pro Max has the real Pro camera.

Our opinion

The iPhone 12 Pro has a smaller addressable market this year as it is under pressure from multiple angles. It's a relatively small year-over-year upgrade of the 11 Pro, is only marginally more interesting than the base iPhone 12, which costs $ 200 less, and doesn't have the same “Pro” camera as the larger iPhone 12 Pro Max .

There's no need to talk about how much value 5G, MagSafe, Dolby Vision, and general camera improvements add to this experience as they can all be found on the base iPhone 12. For most people, the iPhone 12 Pro is over the top – it's more marginal utility money. But it's better, and sometimes that's all you need to know to go pro.

There's still reason to want the iPhone 12 Pro. The stainless steel frame gives you a reassuring weight and sense of quality, and the finish and colors are arguably nicer than the base 12's. The telephoto camera and lidar sensor are just the icing on the cake overall represents an extraordinary camera experience. The battery life is good, the screen is fantastic, and the A14 Bionic, coupled with plenty of storage and 128GB of base storage, gives you years of care to keep this phone for a long time to come.

I recommend most undecided iPhone buyers choose the iPhone 12 instead, as it is so similar and costs less. However, if you know from the start that you are a Pro user, there is no need to convince you: the iPhone 12 Pro is the phone for you.

Are there any better alternatives?

The clear alternative to the iPhone 12 Pro is the base iPhone 12. It costs $ 200 less and still offers a nearly identical everyday experience. They're exactly the same size, run the same software, have the same battery, and offer the same core functionality. The 12 Pro simply offers more memory, more basic memory as well as a telephoto camera and a lidar sensor and looks significantly different with new colors and a steel frame. Most users should start their iPhone searches with the 12 and only choose the 12 Pro if they know they need the advanced features.

On the Android side, there's a big argument in favor of saving money as well Get the Pixel 5 for just $ 700. It follows the simple "less is more" mood of the iPhone taking the best of any Android device and having a comparable camera. There is also the OnePlus 8Tthat offers a similar experience for the same price, but with a little more flair. At the upper end a Galaxy S20 + can be found for about the same price as the iPhone 12 Pro and judging by hardware quality and features. It also comes from the only brand that Apple is really asking for credit.

How long it will take?

IPhones are known to have an incredibly long lifespan thanks to support for software updates that lasts for several years. With the A14 Bionic chip, 5G network, and a top-end display, you'll have no problem getting three years out of the iPhone 12 Pro before you feel like you're a little behind the times. The only questions will be how the Ceramic Shield display glass will hold up and whether the battery will degrade properly over time.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The iPhone 12 Pro is the perfect embodiment of Apple's great smartphone experience that doesn't cut corners or skip specifications for cost savings.

Editor's recommendations




24 Oct
Blog

iPhone XR Review: The ‘Budget’ XR is the iPhone to Buy

"The iPhone XR is a great choice if you want what iPhones do without the flagship price."

  • Beautiful, colorful design

  • One day battery life

  • Good performance

  • Strong camera

  • Easy to use software

  • The screen resolution could be higher

  • Portrait mode restricted to people

publisher's Note: Apple released the iPhone 12 which is now available for purchase. The iPhone 12 is the successor to the iPhone 11, which is itself the successor to the iPhone XR. It improves the quality and performance of the camera, but comes with a slightly higher MSRP of $ 799. We recommend stopping buying the iPhone XR. Instead, if you want to save money, consider buying one iPhone 11or the $ 400 iPhone SE. Here is our list of the best iPhones to buy.

The iPhone XR is the best iPhone of the year. Yes, the iPhone XS and XS Max have better screens and more versatile cameras, but none of them look as good as the XR in yellow, blue, or coral. The iPhone XR (pronounced "Ten-R") is also significantly cheaper and offers many of the best features of the flagship products. It is hands down great value at $ 750.

Colorful design, solid screen

We can't stop holding the iPhone XR the wrong way round. Sure, the screen is a window to our apps and notifications, but it's the glowing, bright yellow paint on the back that makes us smile every time we pull this phone out of our pockets. We feel like Gollum and we constantly admire the beauty of the one ring. It's perfection.

When you buy the iPhone XR – and you should – we can't envision the idea of ​​going black or white. For the first time since the iPhone 5C, you get a rich, colorful selection of Apple – red, blue, yellow, and coral in addition to black and white. This is a phone that you want to flaunt. We strongly recommend choosing the colors yellow, blue or coral. The product color (red) looks nice too, but we've seen it many times so it doesn't feel that special. The colors also mask any fingerprints that build up on the glass bottom.

Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

The edges around the phone are aluminum – a step up from the stainless steel of the iPhone XS and XS Max – but the color here is more metallic and offers a nice, complementary two-tone look. The buttons click as usual.

The iPhone XR looks a lot like the iPhone 8 from the back with its single camera lens, but flip it over and you get the full iPhone X treatment. There's a notch, no home button, and an edge-to-edge screen for the most modern iOS experience you can get at this price. The differences between the XS can be felt here as the black frames around the screen are thicker. However, the bezels are not so big that they clutter the device.

We feel like Gollum and admire the beauty of the one ring. It's perfection.

That's a good thing, because the XR has a large 6.1-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 1,792 x 828. Apple calls it the Liquid Retina Display, and while the screen resolution may sound a little low, it looks like the The distance you normally hold your phone at. If you take a closer look, pixels become visible. We think Apple could have added at least a 1080p screen here – there are hardly any Android phones with such a low-resolution screen in this price range. Even the OnePlus 6 for $ 530 has a resolution of 2,280 x 1,080.

Even so, it's difficult to find anything else wrong with the display. The black levels aren't as deep as the OLEDs on the XS and XS Max, but they're close to each other. The screen is colorful and bright enough to be used outdoors. We believe the screen is good enough for most people, but it's one of the XR's few shortcomings.

The iPhone XR has the advantage of being the perfect size for people who find the XS too small and the XS Max too big. At 6.1 inches, it is right between the flagships (slightly smaller than the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus). It's not as easy to use one hand as the 5.8-inch iPhone XS, but we can still reach most parts of the screen. And it's not as cumbersome as the 6.5-inch XS Max, which is undoubtedly a two-handed phone.

Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

Face recognition is the primary method of unlocking your phone and it works just as quickly as it does on the iPhone XS. With a price range of $ 750, it's one of the few facial recognition tools you can use to log into secure apps. There's not a lot of competition here on the Android side, but that could gradually change.

The iPhone XR's stereo speakers are loud and sound good, although the sound isn't as dynamic or robust as the sound coming from the Razer Phone 2's speakers. You will be satisfied if you are in a quiet room, but you will fight outside when it is noisy. There's no headphone jack, and Apple has also decided not to include the 3.5mm headphone jack adapter in the box. You can opt for the included Lightning EarPods, which don't sound too good, or you can opt for wireless earbuds or headphones.

Great performance and iOS 12 is fluid

The iPhone XR is powered by the same chipset as its more expensive sibling, the A12 Bionic, although it offers less RAM (3GB instead of 4GB). We don't have any performance issues yet. The processor makes iOS 12 run smoothly and had no problem switching quickly through multiple apps. Games like Altos Odyssey and Tekken, and ARKit 2.0 games like AR Robot, run just fine.

  • Geekbench 4 CPU: 4,703 single core; 11,065 multi-core

In Geekbench 4, the iPhone XR rightly scores just below the iPhone XS and XS Max, but is faster than any Android smartphone tested so far. This phone can tackle just about anything you throw at it.

This is a phone that you want to flaunt.

We took a closer look at iOS 12, but the iPhone XR marks the first time Apple has brought several new features introduced on the iPhone X at a lower price. For example, thanks to the TrueDepth camera, you can create animojis or memojis in iMessage. Since there is no home button, it takes some getting used to the gesture navigation system, which is among the best on a phone.

The XR doesn't have 3D Touch, but Apple has replicated that with a feature called Haptic Touch. With 3D Touch on the iPhone XS, you can use the pressure-sensitive display to press and hold certain parts of the interface to see more actions. For example, if you press and hold an email notification, you can mark it as Done. Haptic touch is more limited. This only works in selected areas, e.g. For example, in the Control Center when you want to expand a tile, or on the lock screen when you want to turn the flashlight on or off quickly. How often you miss 3D Touch depends entirely on how often you use it. We suspect most people don't use it often.

Our iOS 12 guide will tell you all about the new features introduced in the latest version.

Strong camera

The iPhone XR has the same main camera on the back of the iPhone XS – a 12-megapixel lens with an aperture of f / 1.8 and optical image stabilization. It can record 4K video at 60 frames per second, record stereo sound, package Smart HDR and use portrait mode for the first time without the need for a secondary lens.

We tested the improvements in the iPhone XS main camera over the iPhone X. While not radical, groundbreaking changes, Smart HDR gives the new camera the edge. This function helps with high-contrast scenarios, minimizes hidden lights or sky and brightens the foreground in order to make it visible. It works as advertised on the iPhone XR and delivers great photos in extreme lighting, although it doesn't quite match the quality of HDR + on the Google Pixel 3.

Like the more expensive iPhones or flagship Android devices, the camera app has almost no shutter lag. This allows you to capture detailed, well-exposed photos that keep strong color. It can hold its own even in poor lighting conditions. However, you need to make sure you stay calm to avoid a blurry photo.

  • 1.
    Portrait mode selfie.
  • 2.
    Portrait mode.
  • 3.
    Portrait mode.
  • 4th
    Portrait mode selfie.

We miss the telephoto lens on the iPhone XS and XS Max. The 2x optical zoom lets you take shots that don't look as good when the iPhone XR is digitally enlarged. When we go back to a camera with a lens, we need to change the way we take some photos and physically move closer to the subject instead of standing some distance away. The lack of the secondary lens also affects Portrait mode, which allows you to take photos of a subject with a blurred effect that mimics a DSLR. We're really excited to see Portrait mode available on the XR, as Apple first incorporated it into a camera phone with a lens. Portrait lighting is also available, but there are only three options as opposed to the five options on the XS – Natural, Studio, and Contour.

The iPhone XR doesn't zoom in to take portrait mode photos like the XS, so you have more space to work. It's not as accurate as XS and XS Max, but we've been impressed so far. In low light conditions, the photos weren't as grainy as the iPhone XS.

Above: iPhone XR portrait mode, below: iPhone XS portrait mode

Portrait mode only works on people, however, and that's disappointing. On the iPhone XS, portrait mode can be used on food, people, objects, pets, and almost anything. The XR camera uses this mode, however, partly with the help of artificial intelligence and neural networks. It is trained to identify a face, and this is why it can outline people so accurately. When you try to take a portrait photo of a dog or object, the camera says "No Person Detected" and doesn't even try. Google's Pixel 3 smartphone has a single-lens camera and is great for using portrait mode on a variety of subjects. We hope Apple can expand Portrait Mode on the XR to get a bit more versatile with software over time.

The front-facing camera is the same TrueDepth camera system as the iPhone XS, so you can take great selfies in portrait mode here. It even worked with our dog. This 7 megapixel camera takes great shots even in standard mode.

While the iPhone XR's camera isn't as versatile as the iPhone XS or XS Max's, it's still top-notch and the photos it takes are excellent.

Don't worry about the battery

You don't have to worry about the battery of the iPhone XR. It's a 2,942 mAh unit, and we often ended a work day at around 50 or 45 percent by 6.45 p.m. It is taken from the charger around 7 a.m. and used to surf the Internet, take pictures, stream music and play games with the phone. On lighter days we reached 35 percent at 9.42 p.m. With this phone, you can easily get through a full day and have a few hours the next day if you forget to charge it.

The battery life of the iPhone XR doesn't worry you.

This day-long battery life is comparable to other phones on the market like the Galaxy S9 Plus and even outperforms the iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS. It lasts slightly longer than Google's Pixel 3 and 3 XL, which struggle to get through a day of moderate to heavy use.

It supports fast charging, but unfortunately the corresponding cable is not included. You can also charge this iPhone wirelessly, just like the XS series and last year's iPhone devices.

Price, availability and warranty information

The iPhone XR starts at $ 750 and is available now. The best deals and prices can be found in our buying guide.

Apple offers a one-year limited warranty that protects the device from manufacturing defects. You can purchase AppleCare for additional protection.

Our opinion

Undeniably outstanding value – this is the iPhone XR. Some features may be missing, but this is the iPhone that makes others yellow, blue, or coral with envy. The colors are stunning, the battery life is great, Face ID is still industry leading technology, iOS gestures are intuitive, the camera is superb, and the performance is fantastic. This is the iPhone to buy.

Is there a better alternative?

publisher's Note: Apple released the iPhone 12 which is now available for purchase. The iPhone 12 is the successor to the iPhone 11, which is itself the successor to the iPhone XR. It improves the quality and performance of the camera, but comes with a slightly higher MSRP of $ 799. We recommend stop buying the iPhone XR. Instead, if you want to save money, consider buying one iPhone 11or the $ 400 iPhone SE. Here is our list of the best iPhones to buy.

Yes. If you want all the bells and whistles, buy the iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max. They're more expensive, but you get better build quality, a nicer and sharper screen, and a more versatile camera. If $ 750 is too high, Apple is still selling the iPhone 8 and iPhone 7 at discounted prices. They are excellent phones, if not that futuristic.

On the Android side, you are spoiled for choice. Our pick, however, is the Google Pixel 3. It costs $ 50 more, but you get a slightly better camera, great software with quick updates, and a high-resolution screen.

How long it will take?

Apple's iPhones typically last four to five years, if not longer. The iPhone XR has an IP67 rating instead of IP68. That means you can get it up to 1 meter underwater for 30 minutes and nothing more. While Apple says it's the most durable glass on the front and back, it is wise to buy a case to protect the phone. Apple sells a clear case for the iPhone XR in case you don't want to hide the gorgeous, colored body.

Expect software updates for the next four to five years. The iPhone 5S, released in 2013, is the oldest iPhone that can run iOS 12, so your device will last a long time.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. Buy it in yellow. You will not be disappointed.

Editor's recommendations




10 Aug
Blog

2020 Volkswagen ID.3 First Drive: The Four-Wheeled iPhone

2020 volkswagen id3 review firstdrive gallery1

2020 Volkswagen ID.3 first drive: The iCar Apple not built

"The Volkswagen ID.3 is attractive and user-friendly and an electric vehicle that you can live with every day."

  • Smooth, linear drive train

  • Usable electric range

  • Extra spacious interior

After stopping to take a few photos, I briefly loosened the rear wheels while pulling off a dirt road, which was hardly unusual. What surprised me was that this happened behind the wheel of a Volkswagen. The company has largely stayed away from rear-wheel drive vehicles since ceasing production of the iconic rear-engined Beetle. Although the ID.3 opens the next chapter in Volkswagen history, it also picks up where its sought-after ancestor left off.

Before we dive in, let's dispel a myth: No nudging or nudging will convince Volkswagen to sell the ID.3 in the USA. It is clearly not happening. And yet it's worth a closer look, because the technology it introduces will permeate over half a dozen electric cars to come, including a Tiguan-sized crossover called ID.4, which will eventually be built in the US and which has been long awaited Modern bus preview thanks to the ID.Buzz concept.

Start over

Volkswagen developed the ID.3 on a blank board. It's not an electric version of an existing car like the E-Golf was, and it shares almost no parts with other recent additions to the company's range, like the eighth-generation Golf. It's his own thing. It is the beginning of a new adventure for Volkswagen. It is based on a specially developed architecture called MEB, which in its standard configuration has rear-wheel drive. However, all-wheel drive is as simple as adding a second electric motor over the front axle. Volkswagen told me MEB was flexible enough to support anything from a city-friendly hatchback to a family-sized SUV. Limousines, wagons and vans are also planned.

Although recognizable as a member of the Volkswagen family, the ID.3 shares very few stylistic elements with its siblings, and its proportions are anything but anodyne. It's 100 percent electric and wasn't designed for internal combustion engines (not even a range extender), so stylists could extend the wheelbase to almost Passat-like proportions while reducing the overhangs. Its motor is compact enough to fit in a sports bag.

Stylists have put a lot of energy into reducing the visual bulk of the ID.3 with styling cues.

The ID.3 measures 167.8 inches end to end, is 71.2 inches wide, and 61.1 inches tall, meaning it's an inch shorter, about an inch narrower, and four inches taller than the latest Golf. It's a bit higher than expected because the lithium-ion battery that sets the engine in motion is stowed right under the passenger compartment. Silke Bagschik, Head of Marketing and Sales for Electric Cars at Volkswagen, explained that stylists had put a lot of energy into reducing the visual mass of the ID.3 by using stylistic elements like plastic panels on the underside of the doors and a curved panel that clipped from there the base of the windshield extends to the top of the tailgate.

Do these mind tricks work? You tell me.

The ID.3 is a little larger than the average hatchback, but also much more spacious inside. The bottom is a little higher than expected, which in turn is due to the battery underneath. However, it is completely flat and offers a surprising amount of legroom, regardless of whether you are sitting in front or in the back. It offers 13.5 cubic feet of trunk space, space for four or five adults, depending on the configuration, and numerous storage spaces in the cabin. And yes, the pedals are marked with play and pause, just like the ID concept that was unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show and the stunning ID. Buggy concept I drove in sunny California in 2019 The production version of the retro The fabulous ID.Buzz concept, which is expected to appear in 2022, will also receive it.

Ronan Glon

Apple? Is that you?

From the driver's seat, the ID.3 feels like a car that turns everything you can eat at the technology counter and keeps a small piece of heritage for dessert. It's a fascinating paradox. Instead of looking at circular displays, the driver is faced with a 5.3-inch screen that shows everything they need to know while driving (like speed, available range, and navigation instructions) and nothing superfluous. Although the electric motor can spin up to 16,000 rpm, you won't find a tachometer in your line of sight. I like this simple approach, but it's not new. In a way, it reminds me of my 1972 Beetle, which has an equally simple instrument cluster that consists of a single track. It groups an analog speedometer, an odometer, a fuel gauge (which is broken after almost 50 years) and … that's it.

Ronan Glon

There is a 10-inch freestanding touchscreen on the dashboard. It shows off a new infotainment system that looks and feels like a tablet. It is easy to use, the graphics are sharp, it responds quickly to inputs and the menus are arranged logically. Touch-sensitive sliders just below the screen replace the bulky knobs, dials and buttons on the climate system. There's another touch-sensitive slider to adjust the volume of the stereo, as well as additional touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel that control the various driving aids (like adaptive cruise control). Do you notice a pattern? Almost everything in the ID.3 is touchable, with the exception of key systems such as turn signals and windshield wipers, which for security reasons should not be replaced by buttons on a screen.

Touch-sensitive sliders just below the screen replace the bulky knobs, dials and buttons on the climate system.

Volkswagen kept conventional power window switches, but instead of four, only two are embedded in the door panel on the driver's side. Opening or closing the rear windows from the driver's seat requires pressing a backlit button that – you guessed it – is touch sensitive to activate it and using the same two switches that control the front windows. By tapping again, the rear windows are disengaged and the front windows are supplied with power again.

Ronan Glon

From the driver's seat, the ID.3 feels like a giant iPhone before you even move. I know this is an overused cliché, but I've never seen a vehicle that embodies it so accurately. It has been a few years since we heard about Apple's auto project. The ID.3's blend of simple, clean design and user-friendly technology makes it the closest thing ever to mass production to the long-rumored iCar.

Always gentle

One of the few buttons in the cab is on the right side of the steering column. It is used to wake up the electric motor. Volkswagen told me that it didn't need to add this feature, its engineers could easily have programmed the car to wake up on its own by recognizing its key fob, but decided to add it at the last minute because it noticed some Owners Did That Switching from gasoline to electricity will appreciate a dose of familiarity in an otherwise unfamiliar setting. Driving down is as easy as pressing the brake pedal – I mean pressing the pause pedal – and turning a small lever next to the instrument cluster to shift into gear.

At the time of writing, buyers have three lithium-ion battery packs to choose from: 48, 62 and 82 kilowatt hours. These numbers correspond to a maximum range of 205, 260 and 340 miles. Note, however, that these numbers were obtained for the WLTP test cycle used in Europe, which for electric vehicles brazenly relies on the optimistic side of the scale. Regardless of which battery you sit on, it routes the stored power to a rear engine that has 204 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of instant torque. Electric cars are heavier than comparable gasoline-powered models, and the 3,790-pound ID.3 is no exception. The time from zero to 100 km / h is 9.2 or 7.3 seconds, depending on how it is configured. It's not fast, but it's brisk.

Sleek and nimble, the ID.3 is a true city dweller who loves to jump from light to light in crowded cities.

Sleek and nimble, the ID.3 is a true city dweller who loves to jump from light to light in crowded cities. The design forces viewers to pause while eating, stare for a few seconds, and wonder if they should report a UFO sighting. The best part about driving this car in an urban center is not interrupting meals. It's the dazzlingly tight turning radius that makes maneuvering to or from a parking lot a breeze. Volkswagen said it had succeeded in teaching the ID.3 to turn on a cent because there is no engine between the front wheels. It is therefore believed that the other members of the ID family with rear-wheel drive offer motorists the ability to do a three-point turn at a time.

It is pleasant to drive on the winding back roads of Germany, where the relatively aggressive energy recovery system – when operated with the same lever that shifts the gear – allows driving with a pedal. For example, instead of braking when entering a city, you can simply take your foot off the accelerator and let the ID.3 slow down while the motor gains kinetic energy and feeds it back to the battery. Alternatively, the adaptive cruise control analyzes the navigation data and automatically slows the hatchback if it determines that the speed limit is about to change. The instrument cluster displays a message to let the driver know what's going on. When you're traveling at 100 km / h, it will flash “70 ahead” before slowing down so you won't be surprised when the car makes decisions for you.

Ronan Glon

Don't let the datasheet fool you. The ID.3 has a rear-engine and rear-wheel drive, but doesn't feel like a Porsche 911 or the current-generation Renault Twingo that is popular on this side of the pond. The heaviest part of the car is the battery, which takes up most of the space between the axles, making the ID.3 … feel preloaded from below. Its center of gravity is lower than that of a golf, so it is firmly planted on the road. If you're looking for a comprehensive performance, you'll have to wait patiently for Volkswagen to bring out a line of GTX-badged electric cars. It's too early to say if the ID.3 will be part of the range, though it does well for a sportier chassis setup.

Instead, the ID.3 is best enjoyed when driven calmly and relaxed. It provides linear acceleration, in part because the engine turns the rear wheels through a fixed-ratio gearbox that never shifts. The steering is well weighted without much feedback and the ride is pretty firm but not punishing. And the ID.3 is incredibly quiet as soon as the warning signal for pedestrians over 19 km / h switches off. The only noise in the cabin comes from the wind and tires, but neither is excessive or annoying – and both are inevitable regardless of what drives a car.

The ID.3 is incredibly quiet as soon as the pedestrian warning tone switches off above 19 km / h.

With my cell phone and an app called Sound Meter, I recorded around 68 decibels in the ID.3's cabin while driving at 75 miles per hour on an empty German autobahn. There were no other cars around; It was just the battery-powered Volkswagen and me. Of course the windows were closed and the stereo was turned off. Admittedly, this is hardly a scientific measurement, and I will never present myself as a car interior noisologist. So take this reading with a grain of salt. The declared app 68 decibels corresponds to a normal conversation. For context, it was found that a rating of 20 decibels is as quiet as a mosquito and 40 decibels is equivalent to the noise level in a library. And do you remember the 1972 Beetle I mentioned earlier? The air-cooled quadruple engine belts off about 82 decibels when I start it up after sitting for a few days.

The ID.3's user interface remains intuitive, although I wish Volkswagen had built in a volume control instead of a slider – I like these better when they're edible, preferably stuffed with beef and cheddar. This is not the most accurate method of turning the stereo up or down. And the two-step buttons on the multifunction steering wheel are extremely sensitive, although I imagine it's a habit to apply the right amount of pressure when you're behind the wheel for several days. Volkswagen informed me that the cool augmented reality head-up display announced in 2019 has been delayed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has forced it to neutralize its global operations. The function will be transferred to the ID.3 ordered with it via a wireless software update before the end of 2020.

My time behind the wheel of the ID.3 was too short to measure the range accurately. However, it is important to remember how far you can get to charge a charge last. This will depend on a variety of factors including your driving style and manner of driving, wearing and the road conditions. Volkswagen emphasized that the 77 kilowatt hour battery is compatible with the 125 kilowatt fast charging technology. The two smaller packs have an output of 100 kilowatts.

Our opinion

With the ID.3, Volkswagen is proving that it is serious about bringing electric vehicles into the mainstream. It is a car that represents a holistic, informed, and engineering-led effort to make battery-powered technology attractive, usable, and relatively affordable for as many drivers as possible. Mainstream is the key word here. Volkswagen pointed out that it is a volume-oriented manufacturer. The decision not to sell the ID.3 in the US, where hatchbacks are housed in a shrinking niche, makes perfect business and marketing sense. Simply put, nobody would buy it. That's why the standard Golf isn't returning and Honda is keeping the E off our shores.

Electrical engineering is still not cheap, even if it is a production car. Therefore, the ID.3 is considerably more expensive than a comparable petrol-powered hatchback. In Germany, its home market, it has a base price of 35,574 euros (about $ 42,000) before taking into account the various available incentives. To put this number in perspective, the Golf starts at 19,880 euros (approx. 23,500 US dollars) and an entry level The Audi A4 costs 33,240 euros. However, if you are willing to pay the price, when you have decided that an electric car will suit your lifestyle, and if you live in a market where the ID.3 will be available, this is an excellent choice that may be can be the only car in your garage.

Americans don't have to apply, even if they ask nicely, but everything I liked about the ID.3 (including the smooth drivetrain and easy-to-use technology) will arrive on our shores in a bigger, bigger package called ID.4 That is due it will be in the same emerging segment as the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Nissan Ariya, and the Tesla Model Y, among others. It will be full. let the games begin.

Editor's recommendations




24 Apr
Blog

Apple iPhone SE (2020) In-Depth Review: Buy This iPhone

iPhone SE

"The new iPhone SE is the fastest phone you can buy for $ 400."

  • Light, compact design

  • Class leading performance

  • Loud, pleasant audio

  • Great camera

  • iOS is excellent

  • Not a great display for $ 400

  • The battery life is ok

Apple develops devices for a long service life and not just because they like them. Apple can also refurbish an old device with new specifications and sell it as a new one. The iPhone SE is the latest example, but hardly the first. Apple took a similar approach to the iPhone 8 and continues to sell a MacBook Pro 13 with a touch bar that is essentially the same as the 2015 model.

It's a polarizing strategy, and the new iPhone SE has created a schism for the usual reasons the moment it was announced. Some see the wise reuse of a great design that still makes sense. Others see a rotten rebranding of an outdated phone. People in both camps tend to have their opinions ready before they ever put their hands on the phone in question.

Whatever your thoughts may be, one fact is undeniable: the iPhone SE ($ 400) is the cheapest iPhone, and that makes it important regardless of design or hardware. Many people will buy it because it is the new standard selection.

But is it a good phone?

design

I'll get an uncomfortable shot out of the way. As a technical appraiser, you can expect me to update my equipment every year. Not me. My everyday phone is an iPhone 7 Plus, which despite the lack of knockout functions on modern devices is still a nice phone.

The only thing I don't like is a disadvantage that it shares with the iPhone SE: chunky frames around the display. They are massive compared to other modern phones. Every Android competitor in this area offers slim frames with maximum screen size for a certain space requirement.

Can you live with them Certainly. I have been for years. However, this is certainly the biggest problem with the design of the iPhone SE. You get jealous when a friend pulls out a Google Pixel 3a or Moto G stylus. While the iPhone SE replaces the iPhone 8, its design is based on the iPhone 6 – a phone that came out in 2014. It's not unfair to say that the new iPhone SE looks like a six-year-old phone.

Fortunately, the bad news ends here.

iPhone SEMatthew Smith / Digital Trends

Despite its frame, the iPhone SE remains a slim, slim device with pockets. It's 5.45 inches tall, 2.65 inches wide, 0.29 inches thick, and weighs only 5.22 ounces. It is the lightest of the current iPhones. The Google Pixel 3a, which is one of the smaller mainstream Android phones, is still half an inch larger, more than a tenth of an inch wider, and a tenth of an inch thicker – although it has the same weight.

If you compare the iPhone SE with a powerful Android phone like the Moto G Stylus, you will notice a bigger difference. The phone with a 6.4-inch display is three quarters of an inch larger, a quarter of an inch wider, and much thicker. It's also about 30 percent heavier. That's a difference you'll notice easily, and I complained that the G stylus felt too heavy and too thick in my test.

As a small phone, the iPhone SE answers the prayers of those who preach the path of using one-handed smartphones. I am 6 feet, 1 inch tall and never needed two hands to use it. In fact, it feels a bit silly to put two hands on it.

Owners under 5 feet, 4 inches can find a way to reach the top edge, but the maneuver is still possible with a slight flicker. In this sense, the new iPhone SE lags behind the highest one-handed use of its 4-inch predecessor. Still, it's small enough that I don't think most people find this a problem.

Here you will find all the usual buttons: power supply, volume up and down and a physical switch for switching vibrations on and off. Like the chassis, they are all made of aluminum and feel good.

The Touch ID sensor, which enables error-free registration via fingerprint, continues to serve as a home button. This is a subtle but significant design decision. Since the iPhone SE has a home button, it does not use the new gesture navigation system of other new iPhones. I like that. Gesture control is clearly the new normal, but I like the button that I think is more intuitive.

As for the ports, you get a Lightning connector – a proprietary dead horse that I don't have to dig up and whip. You just need to know that you need either wireless audio or a Lightning to 3.5mm audio adapter that is not included.

display

The iPhone SE has a 4.7-inch IPS multi-touch display with a resolution of 1,334 x 750 (or 326 pixels per inch). It is a true tone screen (ie it adapts to the light in your environment) with a wide color support, haptic touch and a maximum brightness of 625 nits per Apple.

Is a 4.7-inch screen too small for a smartphone sold in 2020? No … but it's close.

This is an undeniably small screen next to what you might find elsewhere. Many Android competitors offer 6.2-inch to 6.5-inch screens at the same price, and some may even be OLEDs. I'm not going to say that these displays look "more realistic", but they'll please your eye in a way that the iPhone SE's 4.7-inch IPS screen can't. They are of course larger and often look more powerful and lively.

iPhone SEMatthew Smith / Digital Trends

Let me put it differently. The screen of the new iPhone SE is about 23 percent smaller than that of a Google Pixel 3a and 40 percent smaller than that of a Moto G stylus or Samsung Galaxy A51. It's also 33 percent smaller than Apple's iPhone 11. It is much smaller than other phones that you will see in this price range.

I had no problem using it every day. In fact, the smaller size feels more comfortable in normal everyday use.

The new iPhone SE is a great device to create a quick text response, take a few photos, or go to Yelp to see what foods are nearby. It's small, nimble, easy to get to, and shows just enough information to get the job done.

The longer I used the device, the more I felt restricted. This starts on the home screen, where apps are icons that are much closer together than on most iPhones. Text can be more difficult to read because it is smaller and you need to scroll more when navigating websites.

Then there is a video. Mobile video consumption is a big deal for many people, and here the iPhone SE has to make a sacrifice. Viewing a video on the 4.7-inch display is nowhere near as comfortable as on a larger 6.4-inch or 6.5-inch screen. Even the 5.5-inch display of my iPhone 7 Plus belongs to a different league.

Audio

While the display of the iPhone SE impressed me just as I expected, the audio quality was a surprise. This little phone can rock.

The iPhone SE offers stereo playback with enough volume to fill a living room with sound. There's even a hint of bass that opens the sound stage and reduces distortion on complex tracks.

While listening to lo-fi hip hop beats, I noticed a depth of sound that I don't often hear on a midrange smartphone. It sounds like an older Oontz speaker that I use a lot, although the maximum volume of the iPhone SE is much lower.

iPhone SEMatthew Smith / Digital Trends

The clear middle section also helps in films. Large explosions and deep bass soundtracks usually destroy the smartphone speakers, with smaller and cheaper phones suffering the most. The iPhone SE isn't free of subdued dialogues, especially in action scenes where explosions and dialogues often occur simultaneously, but it's better than most of the others.

And yes, it's a huge upgrade for anyone still stuck on the original iPhone SE.

As already mentioned, there is no 3.5 mm audio jack here. To use external audio devices, you need wireless audio or a Lightning-to-3.5 mm audio adapter.

camera

Take a look at the specs and the iPhone SE's camera doesn't look impressive. It is a single lens system with a 12MP shooter. It has optical image stabilization, portrait mode, panorama mode and Smart HDR among other things, but none of it is really remarkable.

Apple claims the secret sauce is its image pipeline, powered by the powerful A13 Bionic Neural Engine. And you know what? It's a good sauce. This is the entire camera I will ever need for a phone.

Outdoor picture quality

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iPhone SE outdoors "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/iphone_se_outdoors-3-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: / /www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Matthew Smith / Digital Trends

iPhone SE outdoors "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/iphone_se_outdoors-2-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: / /www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Matthew Smith / Digital Trends

The new SE takes appealing photos outdoors. I wouldn't call it neutral, but the iPhone SE is less prone to dramatic, vivid shots than most Android phones. This can make the iPhone SE look flat, but the iPhone largely avoids excessive color saturation. Photos look realistic and balanced.

I have to praise the new SE's ability to handle bright light. This is a place where Android phones in the middle range are often neglected. It's not perfect, but the blue sky is less likely to overwhelm a photo's background, and the new SE usually sets the right white balance without the need for tricky adjustments.

Indoor picture quality

iPhone SE inside "class =" m carousel - picture dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn5.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/iphone_se-3-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: / / www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Matthew Smith / Digital Trends

iPhone SE inside "class =" m carousel - picture dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn6.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/iphone_se-indoors-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: / / www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Matthew Smith / Digital Trends

iPhone SE Indoors "class =" m-Karussell - picture dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn7.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/iphone_se_indoors-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: // www. digitaltrends.com / data: image / gif; base64, https: //www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Matthew Smith / Digital Trends

The interior quality of the new SE didn't inspire me so much. The phone is still setting the correct white balance. However, due to the tendency towards neutral, realistic shots, some photos may look flat.

This is a different problem than the noisy, grainy images you see on a below-average smartphone camera. I think the photos look very sharp. You just lack the wow factor that you can see from a flagship smartphone.

However, I still think that the new SE does well in its category and you can take great indoor shots. I don't like taking test photos and I haven't done anything to improve the lighting. Simply turning on a lamp will significantly improve your results.

Image quality in low light conditions

iPhone SE in low light conditions "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn8.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/iphone_se_poor_lighting-3-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: //www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Matthew Smith / Digital Trends

iPhone SE in low light conditions "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn1.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/iphone_se_poor_lighting-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: // www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Matthew Smith / Digital Trends

apple iphone se review 2020 poor lighting 2 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/iphone_se_poor_lighting-2-640x640.jpg "srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7

I can't fault the performance of the iPhone SE in low light. Color saturation and contrast are missing, but I'm a little surprised at how clear and sharp these photos have become. You can see grain in the photo, but it's not that bad that the photo looks ugly – which is certainly the case with some medium-range phones.

However, please note that the iPhone SE does not have a night mode (or similar). If you try to take a photo outdoors at night, you won't see a lot of anything.

Enlarge image quality

Matthew Smith / Digital Trends

As a single-lens shooter, the iPhone SE lacks a zoom lens that can be used to take distant subjects. It only supports digital zoom up to 5x. However, I'm not sure if this is a big disadvantage.

Adding an optical zoom lens felt like a big deal the first time you spoke on the phone, but reception of the idea has cooled off over time, especially when the lens is only a 2, 3, or 5x zoom . I found it difficult to use and largely ignored it when I wasn't testing its quality.

I think the zoom performance of the new SE is fine for a midrange phone, even solid. If you zoom in all the way, you will see a drop in quality, but the photo is still sharp enough to use. This is better than some inexpensive phones that I have tried.

Image quality of the front-facing camera

The iPhone SE has a 7 megapixel front camera and did not impress me. It fights indoors and often delivers grainy, flat photos. Take it outdoors and it struggles with white balance and contrast. It is a functional shooter that can take good photos in ideal situations, but is not well suited for quick selfies. The salvation is the fact that all phones in this price range have similar problems.

Image quality of the portrait

Apple iPhone Se Review 2020 portrait mode 1

iPhone SE portrait mode

iPhone SE Portrait Mode "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-19-2486446

  • 3rd
    Portrait mode on the front-facing camera

The portrait mode remains breathtaking.

Suddenly, photos from the front-facing camera are raised from disappointing to not bad. The main camera, meanwhile, can take fantastic portrait photos. Remember, I am not staging the associated photos. I don't use special lighting or turn on lights in a room to take photos better. Nevertheless, I would like to share the photos I took in portrait format with friends.

It is not perfect. Portrait mode is handled entirely in software and can cause errors. Take a close look at my curly locks and you will see that sometimes they are out of focus when they shouldn't be. This is a common problem on phones with a lens that try a depth of field.

On the positive side, you can edit the pictures after taking them in different ways. You can change lighting and aperture, or omit the background entirely. It all happens with surprising speed and is a lot of fun to play with.

Photo quality: iPhone SE vs. Google Pixel 3a

The Google Pixel 3a, like the iPhone SE, costs $ 400 and is often considered the master of mid-range cell phone photography. Fortunately, I have a Google Pixel 3a XL so I can compare it directly.

iPhone SE (left) and Google Pixel 3a XL (right)

iPhone SE "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-20-2486462

Google Pixel 3a XL "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-20-2486455

iPhone SE "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-20-2486460

Google Pixel 3a XL "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-20-2486453

apple iphone se review 2020 portrait mode 8 "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-20-2486465

Apple iPhone Se Review 2020 Google Pixel 3a portrait mode "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-20-2486464

iPhone SE Essen "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-20-2486474

Apple iPhone se rating 2020 Google Pixel 3a xl "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-20-2486475

  • 1.
    iPhone SE (2020)
  • 2nd
    Google Pixel 3a XL
  • 3rd
    iPhone SE (2020)
  • 4th
    Google Pixel 3a XL
  • 5.
    iPhone SE (2020)
  • 6.
    Google Pixel 3a XL
  • 7.
    iPhone SE (2020)
  • 8th.
    Google Pixel 3a XL

I prefer the new SE, but it's not a blowout. I think Apple's phone does a better job with white balance. This can be seen most clearly in the photo of the pizza logo against a partly cloudy sky. The iPhone delivers an accurate photo much better, while the color temperature of the Pixel 3a XL becomes too cool.

The new SE also takes the lead in portrait format. I think the image quality is comparable – but have a look at mine! The Pixel 3a XL's algorithm is significantly less aggressive. While the iPhone blurs some unpredictable locks, the Pixel 3a gives me a strange halo.

However, Apple doesn't win every photo. I prefer the photo of the Pixel 3a XL from the lush garden sidewalk. It is more alive and still looks natural. You can almost smell the fresh spring air. The photo of the iPhone SE is too flat and cannot capture my memory of the scene.

Photo quality: New iPhone SE compared to the original iPhone SE

You may be wondering what 4 years of progress you will bring. What is the answer after versions 2016 and 2020 of iPhone SE are pitted against each other? A lot of.

iPhone SE 2nd generation (left) and iPhone SE 1st generation (right)

iPhone SE Portrait Mode "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-21-2486447

apple iphone se review 2020 2016 2 "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-21-2486466

iPhone SE "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-21-2486460

apple iphone se review 2020 2016 "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-21-2486470

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iPhone SE "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-21-2486462

apple iphone se review 2020 2016 4 "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-21-2486468

iPhone SE groceries "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-21-2486474

apple iphone se review 2020 2016 5 "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-21-2486469

  • 1.
    iPhone SE (2020)
  • 2nd
    iPhone SE (2016)
  • 3rd
    iPhone SE (2020)
  • 4th
    iPhone SE (2016)
  • 5.
    iPhone SE (2020)
  • 6.
    iPhone SE (2016)
  • 7.
    iPhone SE (2020)
  • 8th.
    iPhone SE (2016)
  • 9.
    iPhone SE (2020)
  • 10th
    iPhone SE (2016)

The most striking thing is the enormous improvement in the white balance and color temperature of the new SE. The original iPhone SE suffers in many outdoor situations. It can't even deal with a cloudy sky. This results in excessively bright images that lack color, contrast, depth, and other features that you would associate with a good photo.

The inside photo of a hearty piece of coffee cake shows less difference in lighting and color, and you can briefly confuse the photos of each SE. However, if you take a closer look, the photo of the new iPhone SE is obviously much sharper.

Portrait mode isn't available on the original iPhone SE, of course, and that makes a big difference. Portraits of the new iPhone SE look sharper, with better contrast and far better focus on the subject.

IPhone SE camera quality summary

The new iPhone SE has a great smartphone camera. I think it outperforms the Google Pixel 3a, which is generally considered the benchmark in this category. It works well in most situations and can deliver some really great shots.

I miss something the lack of an additional camera, such as. B. an Ultrawide to improve versatility. You can find that on some competing phones. However, these phones cannot keep up with the main camera of the iPhone SE.

What the new SE lacks in versatility makes up for it by making solid recordings with little preparation.

Video quality

You can record 4K videos at up to 60 frames per second on iPhone SE or videos with extended dynamic range at up to 30 frames per second. Optical image stabilization ensures even shots, and the digital zoom works up to three times. The phone also supports slow motion 1080p videos up to 240 fps.

I don't shoot videos on cellphones often – or not at all – so I admit that I'm not the best quality assessor. I think it looks great, especially at 4K. I can imagine that most casual users will do the same. Professionals and enthusiasts can have a different opinion.

What struck the most was not quality, but speed. The new SE is a snappy performer, even when shooting 4K 60 fps. There is no delay to start recording and no delay during recording. This definitely does not apply to medium-range phones, some of which cannot record 4K at 60 fps.

performance

Apple's decision, P.A. The half-year 2008 is easily one of the most important in the company's history. Outstanding performance is a key feature of Apple phones and tablets in all price ranges.

The iPhone SE is proof of that. Although it starts at $ 400 and is significantly smaller than other newer iPhones, the SE has the same A13 Bionic processor that you find in the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro. This is paired with 3 GB of RAM.

  • Geekbench 5 single core: 1,324
  • Geekbench 5 multi-core: 3,192
  • Antutu: 484.479
  • 3DMark Sling Shot: 4,024

The iPhone SE is a mid-range phone, but its performance corresponds to a flagship. The new SE's single-core Geekbench 5 score of 1,324 is almost four times faster than that of a Google Pixel 3a, and the multi-core score is almost two and a half times better. The CPU of the iPhone SE easily defeats the more expensive Google Pixel 4 XL. With the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra and the OnePlus 8 Pro it goes from head to toe, wins in single-core and almost in multi-core.

All of this performance is achieved on a 4.7-inch screen with a resolution well below 1080p. The iPhone SE doesn't just fly. It screeches through apps and games like a supersonic jet. The performance is almost perfect as I have never seen it before. It's not just great. It sets new standards for mid-range phones, which I doubt Android competitors will be affected by in the next few years.

The iPhone SE doesn't just fly. It screeches through apps and games like a supersonic jet.

This is the part where I would normally try digging deeper and highlighting a few nitpicks that affect the experience. Not here. I have nothing to add. It's perfect.

warehouse

The iPhone SE for $ 400 has 64 GB of storage space. You can upgrade to 128 GB for $ 450 or choose 256 GB of storage for $ 550. You have to choose the right amount from the start, because like with other iPhones, you won't be able to add more storage later.

In contrast to some earlier entry-level iPhones, the basic storage of the new SE is sufficient. My iPhone 7 Plus has 256 GB of storage, but I only use half of it, and more than half of my use is old podcast episodes and unnecessary photos. I think a lot of people can get by with the 64GB model.

iPhone SEMatthew Smith / Digital Trends

Still, it's not a bad idea to spend an additional $ 50 on the 128GB model. Memory is something you don't really care about until you run out, but doing so can be annoying. The 128GB model lets you create podcasts, photos, and apps without constantly deleting old files.

I do not recommend the 256 GB model. Anyone who uses so much storage space is a serious smartphone enthusiast, and the iPhone SE's small screen doesn't take this into account for most heavy users. I know there are a handful of die-hard small phone lovers who want the 256GB model, but for most, it's overkill.

Wireless connection

The iPhone SE is not a 5G phone. Apple has been slow to adopt 5G, and the technology hasn't yet been filtered down to that price. This makes little difference for me and most buyers as 5G availability is limited. As far as I know, I would have to travel more than 250 miles to get a 5G signal.

This is a dual SIM device that can be useful for travelers and is somewhat surprising given the price of the phone. The iPhone SE supports Bluetooth 5.0 and the Wi-Fi 6 standard.

Battery life

A 1,821 mAH battery supplies the iPhone SE with power. Apple claims a battery life of up to 8 hours when streaming videos or 13 hours when playing videos from the phone's local storage. The phone supports fast charging with an 18-watt adapter (unfortunately not included in the scope of delivery) and wireless charging via Qi chargers.

Like all iPhones, the new SE draws very little juice in standby mode. I suspect it could take a week, though I didn't have it long enough to test it.

At heart, I'm not a heavy smartphone user. My personal iPhone tells me that I switched on the display between one hour and one and a half hours every day. It's been years since I last tested a phone that can't hold all day, and many can hold two. The iPhone SE is no exception.

iPhone SEMatthew Smith / Digital Trends

I suspect heavy users would have more problems. A half-hour benchmarking of the phone, for example, cost 12 percent of the full charge. If you want to play demanding 3D games or use the phone to watch streaming movies, it may be necessary to charge a lunchtime fee.

As already mentioned, the iPhone SE is not aimed at these owners, since the small screen size is not suitable for games or films. If you want this, buy a bigger phone.

But let's face it: Android phones can affect the battery life of the iPhone SE, just as the iPhone SE can affect the performance of Android. The Moto G Power that I recently tested has a 5,000 mAh battery. In my hands it could take two to three days. The iPhone SE can certainly not keep up.

However, battery life is not a problem for me. The iPhone SE can hold in my hands all day, and I can't get anything from a phone that lasts longer.

software

On the iPhone SE, of course, runs iOS 13. It is the killer function of the phone. Since I bought my first "real" smartphone, the HTC Thunderbolt, in 2011, I've been switching back and forth between iOS and Android phones. I always found iOS to be preferable.

Apple's iOS is faster, safer and more attractive. I despise the bloatware and the flood of senseless notifications that attack most Android phones. Yes, it is possible to configure Android to (mostly) fix the problem, but I prefer not to.

I'm not going to cover every aspect of iOS 13 here, but there are a few key features to keep in mind.

On the iPhone SE, of course, runs iOS 13. It is the killer function of the phone.

Switching from another iPhone is a breeze. Place the new and old phones side by side and use the new phone to take a photo of a pattern that appears on the screen of the old phone. This will start the transfer. This can take minutes if an iCloud backup is available. Your apps and files are making the leap, and although you'll need to sign in to some accounts again, this isn't always the case. I had the iPhone SE ready for use in 20 minutes with all my previous data.

Since the face ID is missing and the home button is present, the new SE does not use the new touch gesture navigation of the iPhone X and newer models. Wenn Sie ein alterndes iPhone wie mich besitzen, wird es Ihnen nichts ausmachen. Wenn Sie ein neues Modell besitzen und verkleinern möchten, seien Sie jedoch vorsichtig. Sie müssen alles verlernen, was Sie über das Navigieren in neuen iPhone-Modellen gelernt haben. Das könnte eine frustrierende Erfahrung sein.

Dem iPhone SE fehlt auch die Gesichtserkennung. Ich mag Gesichtsanmeldungen, wenn sie schnell und sicher sind, wie es auf dem iPhone der Fall ist, aber es ist purer Luxus. Touch ID ist schnell, flüssig und sicher. Auch hier richtet sich das iPhone SE an Personen, die ältere Telefone besitzen. Wenn Sie Face ID noch nie verwendet haben, werden Sie es nicht verpassen.

Garantie

Apple liefert das iPhone SE mit einer einjährigen Garantie. Das ist der Industriestandard.

Sie können zusätzlichen Schutz über AppleCare + erwerben, wodurch die Garantie verlängert und einige Unfälle abgedeckt werden. AppleCare + kostet 80 US-Dollar für eine Versicherungsdauer von 24 Monaten, oder Sie können von Monat zu Monat 4 US-Dollar bezahlen. AppleCare + mit Diebstahlschutz kostet 150 US-Dollar oder 8 US-Dollar monatlich.

Ich empfehle AppleCare für dieses Telefon nicht. Dies ist ein kostengünstiges Telefon und ein kleines Telefon, das (theoretisch) weniger wahrscheinlich fallen gelassen wird. Schlagen Sie einfach einen Fall darauf und nennen Sie es gut. Das Brechen eines Telefons ist zum Kotzen, aber in diesem Fall ist es nicht wahrscheinlich, sodass Sie wahrscheinlich keinen AppleCare-Dienst benötigen.

Es sei daran erinnert, dass Apple im Gegensatz zu den meisten Marken über ein großes Netzwerk von physischen Geschäften verfügt, die Service anbieten können. Ich hatte mehr Glück beim Lösen von Problemen bei einem Besuch in einem Apple Store als beim telefonischen Support anderer Marken.

Unsere Stellungnahme

iPhone SEMatthew Smith / Digitale Trends

Das iPhone SE ist ein gutes Telefon und einen Wert von 400 US-Dollar. Es ist nicht jedermanns Sache, aber für viele großartig, und ich würde es ernsthaft in Betracht ziehen, wenn ich jetzt ein neues Telefon kaufen müsste.

Gibt es eine bessere Alternative?

Googles Pixel 3a ist der klare Konkurrent. Es ist ein großartiges Android-Handy zu einem niedrigen Preis. Das iPhone SE ist schneller und hat eine bessere Kamera, aber das Pixel 3a hat ein größeres Display, und Sie können sich für das Pixel 3a XL für ein etwas größeres entscheiden. Derzeit kostet das Pixel 3a XL bei Amazon nur 420 US-Dollar. Ich bevorzuge iOS, daher würde ich das iPhone SE kaufen, aber Sie könnten sich für das Pixel 3a entscheiden, wenn Sie ein Fan von Android sind.

Der Platzhalter ist Googles Pixel 4a, der erwartet, aber noch nicht angekündigt wird. Dies wird wahrscheinlich zu Verbesserungen der Kamera und einer noch besseren Anzeige führen. Die Leistung wird jedoch immer noch zurückbleiben, da derzeit niemandes Silizium den A13 Bionic von Apple übertreffen kann.

Sie könnten auch das Samsung Galaxy A51 oder den Moto G Stylus in Betracht ziehen. Diese Android-Handys der Mittelklasse bieten Ihnen mehr Funktionen, von denen einige sehr schön sind. Das Galaxy A51 hat ein schönes OLED-Display und der Moto G Stylus hat einen Stylus. Es handelt sich um größere Telefone mit großen Bildschirmen, die trotz günstiger Preise für starke Benutzer geeignet sind. Sie sind solide Telefone, aber das iPhone SE bietet ein zusammenhängenderes, intuitiveres Gerät mit einem Prozessor, der beide umkreist.

Einige Käufer werden das iPhone 11 in Betracht ziehen. Es ist deutlich teurer, hat aber einen viel größeren Bildschirm und eine Ultrawide-Kamera. Machen Sie keinen Fehler, das iPhone 11 ist ein besseres Telefon. Die 300-Dollar-Lücke zwischen dem iPhone SE und dem iPhone 11 ist jedoch beträchtlich, und nicht jeder wird feststellen, dass die Vorteile des größeren Telefons den Preisanstieg wert sind.

Wie lange wird es dauern?

Das iPhone SE ist ein Fünfjahres-Telefon. Die Leistung ist ausgezeichnet und Apple liefert im Gegensatz zu den meisten Android-Marken jahrelang Betriebssystem-Updates, nachdem ein Telefon veröffentlicht wurde. Das einzige zu beachtende Problem ist die Akkulaufzeit. Es ist nur in Ordnung und nach fünf Jahren Abnutzung müssen Sie sich wahrscheinlich mit dem Aufladen am Mittag befassen.

Solltest du es kaufen?

Yes. Das iPhone SE ist ein solides iPhone für Einsteiger. Sie können ein besseres Gerät kaufen, benötigen jedoch kein besseres Gerät. Wenn Sie, wie ich, ein Smartphone als eines von vielen Geräten betrachten, für die Sie Geld ausgeben könnten, kann die Entscheidung für die 400-Dollar-SE sehr sinnvoll sein.

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