For the first time in several months, you can now buy a refurbished iPhone 12 Pro directly from Apple, with prices starting from just $759 ahead of the expected iPhone 14 launch later this year. 

The welcome restock, noted by MacRumors, means you can now buy an iPhone 12 Pro refurbished from Apple in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB in all four color options, with delivery available for early next week and in-store pickup. 

The refurbished discount makes for savings of up to $180 on an unlocked iPhone. 

Buy refurbished?

If you want to buy an iPhone straight from Apple but don't want to pay through the nose for Apple's best iPhone, the iPhone 13, or even an iPhone 12, then picking up a refurbished version is a great way to save a bit of money. 

Every refurbished iPhone comes with a new battery and outer shell (so you basically get a new iPhone anyway), a one-year warranty, free delivery and returns, and more. 

Each iPhone undergoes functional testing, gets genuine Apple replacement parts where needed, and a thorough cleaning. It will also come with iOS 15 and support for iOS 16 when that arrives later this year. Oh, and you all get a brand new box with all the necessary accessories and cables. Just remember, the iPhone 12 doesn't come with a charging brick. 

The refurbished market is a great option for people who don't need Apple's latest and greatest iPhone. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is yet to arrive on Apple refurbished.

Apple unveiled the iPhone 12 Pro in October of 2020, slightly delayed because of the impact of the pandemic on its supply chain. It was the first iPhone to adopt 5G and runs on the iPhone A14 Bionic chip. It also supports Apple ProRAW with major camera upgrades and a new design over the iPhone 11.  

When Apple launched the iPhone 12 series, one of the defining features that would separate the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini from the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max was the Apple ProRAW image format. With the iPhone 13 lineup, the ProRAW feature is also available on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, so if you have the iPhone 13 mini or iPhone 13, then this feature is also absent. ProRAW is Apple's take on the RAW image format, which is commonly used in professional photography with DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. RAW format allows the photographer to get the most data out of the image during the editing process, making it the best format to shoot in if you want complete and total control of the editing process.

So if you have an iPhone 12 Pro/Pro Max or iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max, then you are capable of shooting in Apple's ProRAW format. But what makes Apple ProRAW better than the standard JPEG or HEIC default formats on the best iPhone? Let's take a look.

What is ProRAW?

ProRAW is Apple's version of the RAW image format, but it's not a true RAW image. Traditional RAW images are not intended to be viewed immediately since they're just the actual data that is captured by the camera's sensor — they need to be processed and edited to your liking. Think of it as "cooking" up a photo before it's ready to be consumed. When you shoot in HEIC or JPEG with your iPhone, you're basically allowing Apple's computational photography algorithm to "process" the image first so that it looks good enough without any further editing, though that's always a possibility.

With ProRAW, it's like a hybrid of RAW and JPEG/HEIC. When you shoot with ProRAW, you're getting a 12-bit RAW DNG file with 14 stops of dynamic range. ProRAW format allows Apple to use its signature computational photography features while still giving us as much of the pure data as possible to use in editing. Of course, with all of this data in the image, ProRAW files will be fairly large — an average of 25 MB each — whereas the usual JPEG could be around 3-5 MB, and a HEIC could roughly be 1-3 MB on average.

So while ProRAW is a great new feature that gives you even more control when it comes to editing your photos, keep in mind that they are much larger in size. You could easily go through the rest of your iPhone's storage capacity if you capture everything in ProRAW, so make sure that you only use it on photos that you intend to edit to perfection later.

How do you enable ProRAW?

It's important to note that the only devices that are capable of using Apple's ProRAW format right now are the iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. If you have the regular iPhone 12 or iPhone 13, iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 13 mini, or an older iPhone, then, unfortunately, you can't shoot in ProRAW. However, you could always use third-party apps to shoot regular RAW photos. Keep in mind that the regular RAW format will lack the same computational photography that Apple uses for its ProRAW format.

1. Launch Settings on your iPhone 12/13 Pro or iPhone 12/13 Pro Max.
2. Scroll down and tap Camera.

3. Tap on Formats.
4. Make sure that the Apple ProRAW toggle is ON (green).

You are now ready to shoot in ProRAW! Even though you have it enabled, you'll still have to turn it on when shooting in the native Camera app. That's because ProRAW files are large, and if you have it on for every photo you take (especially if you like to take a million pictures of your pet), then you can kiss your device's storage space goodbye.

If you are sure that you want to take a photo in ProRAW format, tap the RAW indicator while in the Camera app (if it's on, it won't have a line through it).

Limitations of ProRAW

Since ProRAW uses software (it is computational photography, after all), it does have some limitations. While it works great with Night mode (originally launched with the iPhone 11 series), ProRAW will not work with Portrait mode. That's because Portrait mode already heavily relies on computational photography for layering and artificial blur, so you can't pile that on with ProRAW.

Perhaps this would be a possibility in the future, but for now, know that ProRAW only works with Night mode, and you cannot use it with Portrait mode.

Is ProRAW worth using?

If you do not have a DSLR and want to use your iPhone 12 Pro/Max or iPhone 13 Pro/Max as your primary camera, then ProRAW is a feature that is worth making use of, as long as you intend to fine-tune the photos later and don't plan on keeping them on your device long-term.

While it may be hard to tell on the surface (especially in the Photos app), ProRAW photos definitely have a more muted and smoother appearance than a processed JPEG/HEIC image. Of course, you may prefer the JPEG/HEIC photo at first glance, but that's because it's already been processed to look good as-is — RAW and ProRAW photos need a little bit of work before they can look just as good. It's also best to use a photo editing app to see the differences, as I honestly found it impossible to tell from just the Photos app by itself, and that's probably because the ProRAW format utilizes computational photography similar to Deep Fusion and Smart HDR.

For example, the two photos above feature a park gazebo in the evening, during the sunset. The standard JPEG version (left) of it features a bright blue sky, making it appear as if it's during the day (but it's not). The lights are also somewhat washed out and overblown. The texture also feels like it's too sharp, and the color is way more yellow than it should be. The ProRAW version (right) has smoother textures, more true-to-life color with fewer blowouts in the lights, and a muted sky. If you zoom in, the standard JPEG also has more noise, thus losing detail, while the ProRAW version doesn't get as noisy and has more detail.

From the average user standpoint, a ProRAW photo doesn't look too much different than an already processed JPEG or HEIC. However, when you dive into editing a ProRAW image in an app like Darkroom, you get even more control over individual elements. For example, as I was editing the above images in the Darkroom iOS app, the ProRAW version gave me access to exposure and tone adjustment, which were absent from the regular JPEG. I also applied the same exact adjustment numbers I did on the ProRAW with the JPEG version (minus exposure and tone map since those aren't available for non-RAW), and the differences are quite stark.

Of course, you may prefer to just use iOS' "Auto Enhance" feature in the Photos app, or maybe my edits aren't to your liking. That's the thing with photography — it's all subjective, and everyone's taste can differ. With ProRAW, you can edit an image even further to your own liking and preferences.

Simply put, if you want to have the most control in the editing process for an image to make it perfect, then ProRAW will be your best friend. This will be especially true if you want to spruce up your travel shots or other special photos — just make sure to move them off of your iPhone eventually, because they will take up a lot of space. However, if you just want to shoot everyday photos and share them with others, then you're fine with just using the standard JPEG/HEIC format.

ProRAW is not designed to be "better" than the standard iPhone image formats — at first glance, the differences can be very small and negligible, but sometimes you just want to have those small details and finer levels of editing. With that in mind, having the option to go with a ProRAW image with an iPhone 12/13 Pro or iPhone 12/13 Pro Max makes it a worthy upgrade.

What about third-party apps?

There are a handful of apps out there that are the best when it comes to capturing and editing RAW files on your iPhone and iPad. I personally like to use Halide, Pro Camera by Moment, or Darkroom on my iPhone 13 Pro. If you have ProRAW enabled on your device, then you can easily toggle to that (rather than regular RAW format) in these apps as well. It may differ from app to app but should be easy to find — for example, in Moment, just tap on the file format above the viewfinder and make sure it's set to ProRAW (after you enable it in the app settings).

Feel like a pro with Apple ProRAW

As you can see, Apple ProRAW is a great image format to shoot in if you want total control in the editing process. Once you enable it, just remember to toggle ProRAW on when shooting in the native Camera app, or your third-party app of choice. Even though you can enable it in the device settings, shooting every image in ProRAW will take up a ton of gigs on your device, so make sure to only use it if you intend on editing it right after. Otherwise, kiss that storage space goodbye, even if you have 1TB!

Updated May 2022: Updated with iPhone 13 Pro devices.

While Apple's best iPhone is the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, and even the iPhone 14 range has surpassed the iPhone 13 Pro, both the latter and the iPhone 12 Pro are still excellent iPhones for people who don't want Apple's latest and greatest but still want some of the glamour of a "Pro" iPhone in 2023. But what are the main benefits of each and the main differences? Here's our rundown. 

iPhone 13 Pro vs. iPhone 12 Pro: Breaking things down

Most of the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro differences come down to the camera system. The more recent model also offers a ProMotion display and a 1TB storage option. There's also a next-generation processor inside and a significant jump in battery life between charges.

The iPhone 12 series overall offered MagSafe and a Ceramic Shield front for the first time and 5G compatibility. The iPhone 12 Pro series pushed things even further with a LiDAR Scanner, surgical-grade stainless steel, and a Pro 12MP camera system.

All those things about the iPhone 12 Pro series carried over to the iPhone 13 Pro. In most cases, the parts and technology are the same. However, things differ once we turn to the processor and camera system.

iPhone 13 Pro vs. iPhone 12 Pro: The main advances

The iPhone 13 Pro, like the overall iPhone 13 series, offers the A15 Bionic chip with a 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores, a 5-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. All this translates into up to 50% faster graphics performance over the 12 Pro and the ability to perform up to 15.8 trillion operations per second.

The improved camera system is where the iPhone 13 Pro really shined compared to the iPhone 12 Pro series. Both generations include a Pro 12MP camera system (Telephoto, Wide, and Ultra Wide). However, from here, the differences become more clear. The aperture on these cameras on the iPhone 13 Pro is much improved over the old model. Additionally, zoom nearly across the board is oh-so-much-better, as you can see in the chart above.

And then there's the Cinematic mode exclusive to all four of the iPhone 13 series devices. Heavily promoted by Apple, the tool adds depth to video-taking, more in line with what the professionals have been doing for many years with much more expensive equipment.

Cinematic mode is joined by ProRes video recording, which offers high color fidelity and low compression, letting you record, edit, and deliver broadcast-ready content on the go. And then there's ProMotion, which offers a display refresh from 10 to 120 times per second with and all kinds of frame rates in between. As Apple explains, "you've never felt anything like it."

Finally, battery life is radically improved, with the iPhone 13 Pro promising 22 hours between charges, which is five more than the iPhone 12 Pro. All this means, the iPhone 13 Pro is sure to soon make our list of the best iPhones on the market.

Like the iPhone 12 Pro, the iPhone 13 Pro is available in Silver, Graphite, and Gold. New to the 13 Pro is Sierra Blue, which replaces the Pacific Blue found on the iPhone 12 Pro. It's a much lighter blue and one you should see in person.

iPhone 13 Pro vs. iPhone 12 Pro: Which should you buy?

For most folks, the obvious choice is the iPhone 13 Pro since it's the newer of the Pro models. With it, you'll get to experience all of the latest bells and whistles, including Cinematic mode, more battery life, an improved camera system, and much more.

The only reason you should consider purchasing an iPhone 12 Pro at this point is price. If you happen to find a huge discount on the recently retired model, you'll need to decide whether the new features on the iPhone 13 Pro are worth the extra price. If you don't plan on shooting many videos, feel 17 hours between battery charges is still great, have no need for 1TB of storage, and aren't in love with Sierra Blue as a color choice, you might be better off picking the older model.

What you need to know

• Apple has released a new ad called "In The Dark."
• The ad showcases the low light capabilities of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro.

Apple has released a new ad highlighting the low-light capabilities of the camera on the iPhone 12 Pro.

The new ad, called "In the Dark," has been uploaded to the company's official YouTube channel. The video, which features people taking photos in low light conditions, highlights the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro's ability to take some pretty stellar selfies in the dark.

If you're into the song from the new ad, it's "In the Dark' by YG. You can check it out on Apple Music below:

The main and ultrawide cameras of the iPhone 12 and iPhone Pro are certainly better at low light photography than the previous models of the iPhone and have really started to compete with phones like the Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy when it comes to taking pictures in the dark.

That competition might really heat up when Apple releases the iPhone 13 lineup in the fall. Last week, a Chinese accessory manufacturer released an image of alleged dummy units of the new iPhone. Looking at the image, you can see that the new iPhones might get an enormous upgrade in the size of the cameras. A larger lens usually equates to more light getting into the camera, which could make possible even better low light performance.

In addition to the camera upgrades, the iPhone 13 is expected to feature a 120hz display and a pretty significant upgrade to battery life.

If you want to shoot with your iPhone 12 Pro even further into the night, check out our list of the Best iPhone 12 Pro Max Battery Cases 2021.

What you need to know

• Delhi officials seized 90 iPhone 12 Pro devices that were incorrectly declared as garments on import paperwork.
• The iPhones had been imported from Dubai.

90 iPhone 12 Pro devices have been seized by Delhi customs officers after they were incorrectly marked as garments on paperwork. They were only discovered after an X-ray operator spotted them when scanning three consignments at a Delhi airport.

The 90 iPhones were reportedly worth Rs.1 cr, or around $134,000. Marking the iPhones as garments would have allowed their importation without the need to pay the required fees — or that was the idea. Now that they've been seized nobody is getting their iPhones, savings or not.

Electronics like iPhones are notoriously costly in India and importing products via Dubai in this manner is one way that some attempt to get around that problem. It isn't the first time a shipment like this has been in the news of late, either. Just last month two men were arrested as they tried to smuggle 80 iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max handsets into the country.

Not paying tax on your iPhone is indeed one way to make it cheaper to buy, but there are better and more legal ways. Like checking our collection of the best iPhone deals for a start! Apple will of course announce its iPhone 13 in just a few short months, so it might be worthwhile waiting for that to arrive before making a purchase. We expect new iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro announcements in or around September.

What you need to know

• Two men have been arrested after trying to smuggle 80 iPhones into India.
• The iPhones came from Sharjah and the men were trying to avoid paying tax on the imports.

Two men have been arrested at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad after they attempted to smuggle 80 iPhones into India without paying the required taxes.

Originating from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, the two men attempted to ring the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max handsets into the country via checked-in luggage but were ultimately foiled by officials according to The Indian Express.

The pair attempted to flee the scene but were caught once the iPhones had been discovered in bags left near the luggage collection area. Officials confirmed that iPhones "valued at Rs 1,00,65,000" were seized. At the time of writing that converts to around $136,000.

Not paying tax on your iPhone is indeed one way to make it cheaper to buy, but there are better and more legal ways. Like checking our collection of the best iPhone deals for a start!

What you need to know

• Someone was able to use a magnetic fishing rod to grab a strike iPhone 12 Pro from the bottom of a canal.
• The retrieved iPhone works fine but the same can't be said for a Nintendo Switch that was found during the same rescue mission.

Apple's MagSafe is a cool way to charge your iPhone but did you know it can be used to go fishing, too? Well, it can – so long as you're fishing for iPhones, that is.

The story goes that an iPhone 12 Pro fell into a German river with initial searches finding nothing but a waterlogged Nintendo Switch. But then, as Apple Insider notes in its report, the idea to fashion a magnetic fishing rod was formed. And it went way better than some of us might have hoped.

Here's the fishing rod thing in action.

Amazing scenes. The working iPhone was retrieved and allow as right with the world. Or at least, right within that little corner of Germany.

MagSafe is available on iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max right now and will presumably have a part to play in future iPhones as well.

Unfortunately, all this means we're going to need to update our list of the best MagSafe accessories available – it's going to need a fishing rod adding to those chargers and cases, isn't it?!

Getting your hands on a new iPhone 12 Pro is even more affordable this month thanks to one of the latest deals now available at Verizon. Regularly priced at $1,000, the iPhone 12 Pro is one of the best new iPhone models in years though it's also one of the priciest. Right now Verizon is offering its customers the chance to pick one up for free when you buy another at regular price with monthly device payments and add a line on an Unlimited plan. That means you can grab two today for just $33.33 monthly.

New customers switching to Verizon can also pick up a $200 prepaid Mastercard when switching to Verizon and choosing an Unlimited plan, though you must port-in your current number to score this offer. Verizon will also throw in a free Stream TV for those who switch and port-in their number.

You can save an additional $800 on today's purchase when you trade-in an eligible device at Verizon. Even if your phone is old or damaged, as long as it's free of battery issues like swelling or leaking, you can trade it in for a discount on a new device.

Here at iMore, we were stunned at the iPhone 12 Pro's performance during our review of the device from late last year. Though it's not a huge upgrade over the standard iPhone 12, it's certainly a noticeable improvement upon older devices with its improved industrial design, 5G connectivity, and Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto cameras that can capture truly gorgeous photographs. This version of Apple's iPhone is equipped with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display that has a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating and haptic touch. It even offers some water protection and is rated IP68.

Be sure to check out our full review of the iPhone 12 Pro for more information on how this device stands up to daily use and then head to Verizon to snag this offer before it comes to an end later this month,

What you need to know

• Apple is expanding its rear glass repair method to the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
• The method allows for repair teams to replace the back of the phone without replacing the whole phone.

Last month, it was reported that Apple had figured out a way for its own repair team, as well as its Authorized Service Providers, to fix the back of an iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini without having to replace the entire device.

As reported by MacRumors, it appears that that capability is extending to the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max as well.

The outlet obtained an internal memo from Apple that revealed that the repair method is now available for all four models of the iPhone 12 lineup.

In order to make the new repair process possible, Apple has created an "iPhone Rear System" that includes all parts of the device except for the display and rear camera.

If you want to ensure you don't smash your iPhone and require a repair in general, check out our list of the Best iPhone 12 Screen Protectors in 2021.

Customers will appreciate the new part as it will make turnaround times on repairs much faster.

What you need to know

• New research suggests the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max could drive a 50% surge in Q1 smartphone shipments.
• Apple is expected to ship 60 million units in the first quarter of 2021.

A new report says Apple will likely ship 60 million iPhones in Q1 of 2021, as demand for the iPhone 12 Pro could drive smartphone shipments up by 50%.

From Digitimes:

Digitimes estimates Apple will be the number one vendor over a period of six months ending on March 31, 2021, shipping over 150 million iPhones, more than 38% more than the same period last year.

At its earnings call in January, Apple noted it had seen a record number of device activations in Q1 of 2021. From that report:

The latest figures from Digitimes echo industry consensus that Apple's iPhone 12 launch has been a smash-hit with customers despite weak iPhone 12 mini demand.

What you need to know

• Apple has shared the floral photography of Nathan Underwood from Tulipina.
• The photographer shares how to get the most out of your floral photography with the iPhone.

In a newsroom post, Apple shared some tips from Nathan Underwood of Tulipina, one of the " leading floral design studios," about shooting florals with the iPhone 12 Pro.

Underwood says that the telephoto lens is his go-to when shooting florals.

Underwood also says that the iPhone's portrait mode, which allows you to adjust the depth of field after the shot, is a lifesaver for beginner to advanced photographers.

The photographer also praised Apple ProRAW, which lets him incorporate the iPhone 12 Pro models into his normal workflow.

You can check out more of Tulipina's work on Instagram as well as the news release.

You can't really lose with either of these smartphones, but choosing between the iPhone 12 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus will hinge on your usage preferences and habits. The Galaxy brings an incredible display with a higher refresh rate, while the iPhone 12 Pro keeps the title for best camera with amazing image quality in any lighting. For convenience, the iPhone 12 Pro now features the very cool MagSafe technology, allowing for the use of all kinds of charging and case accessories. On the other hand, the SG21+ has better zoom features built into the camera. Still not sure? Keep reading for a fully detailed comparison.

iPhone 12 Pro vs. Galaxy S21 Plus: Key differences

Here we have two best-in-class handsets with very different advantages to offer. Both the iPhone 12 Pro and Galaxy S21+ are considered two of the most advanced smartphones in the world, but they look very different when compared side by side. For one thing, the SGS21+ has a bigger, better display, and the iPhone 12 Pro brings all the convenience of the built-in MagSafe technology. Check out the specs below to see how they stack up against each other.

While both phones are impressive when it comes to technical specifications, the Galaxy S21+ actually looks better on paper, with a larger screen, a larger battery, and better camera hardware. When it comes to everyday use, however, the iPhone 12 Pro has a lot to offer. Let's look at the aspects that are most important to usage and functionality.

iPhone 12 Pro vs. Galaxy S21 Plus: Durability versus display

When it comes to design, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is rocking a brand new look that incorporates a contour cut camera set directly into the aluminum chassis. The result is a pleasing contrast between aluminum and glass, a contrast that is even more striking in the violet and gold colorway. While the iPhone 12 Pro is certainly attractive in its throwback squared design, the Galaxy S21+ has a more sleek, modern look. With that being said, the Galaxy is bigger, thicker, and a lot heavier than the iPhone 12 Pro, so if you like to use your phone one-handed, this might be something to consider.

Where the Galaxy S21+ really shines is in its display. The large 6.7-inch screen is bright and vivid with AMOLED 2X technology, a full 100 nits brighter than the iPhone 12. It is also larger than the iPhone 12 Pro, which may or may not be a good thing, depending on your own preferences. The GS21+ also has a super-fast 120Hz refresh rate, which is noticeably smoother than the 60Hz refresh rate on the iPhone. Finally, the iPhone 12 Pro still has that notorious black notch, which is a bit distracting when compared to the Galaxy's seamless edge-to-edge design. There's no denying that the Galaxy S21+ has the better display.

The iPhone 12 Pro is more durable, however, with a more substantial squared, aluminum-wrapped frame and Ceramic Shield screen. While the Gorilla Glass Victus screen on the GS21+ is quite tough, the Ceramic Shield that's built into the iPhone 12 screen shows better results in drop tests. It will likely hold up better under tough treatment than the Galaxy.

iPhone 12 Pro vs. Galaxy S21 Plus: Brains versus brawn

From the outside looking in, the Galaxy S21+ does appear to have an advantage over the iPhone 12 Pro. The 12MP wide and ultra-wide lenses are the same, but the 64MP telephoto is impressive indeed, with the ability to achieve 3X optical zoom and an incredible 30X digital zoom. While the digital zoom does come with a loss of quality, it is the best we've ever seen on a smartphone for sure.

On the other hand, the iPhone 12 Pro comes with a range of computational software tools that allow the camera to take smarter photos. From auto Night Mode in low-light situations to the intelligent auto-focus functionality, the iPhone 12 Pro consistently delivers better photos in low light and Night Mode, along with crisper details and more accurate color reproduction in daylight. The front camera also comes with a 12MP TrueDepth sensor, allowing for FaceID and Memoji features that are both convenient and nifty.

As for video, the Galaxy can record in 8K resolution, but then the iPhone 12 Pro offers Dolby Vision HDR recording. For videographers, this is a definite advantage. Here you have a classic case of software versus hardware, with the smart iPhone camera features offering an edge over the notable telephoto lens that Samsung brings. When you add the convenience of the FaceID feature and DolbyVision recording, the Apple smartphone has a little more to offer in the way of cameras.

iPhone 12 Pro vs. Galaxy S21 Plus: Gameplay versus convenience

You can't complain about either of these smartphones based on performance. Both handsets come with the latest in lightning-fast processors, with the Apple A14 Bionic performing slightly faster than the Snapdragon 888 in the SGS21+. Considering that the Galaxy has more RAM and a higher refresh rate, however, this difference in speed is virtually unnoticeable in everyday use. In fact, for gameplay, the Samsung will probably look and feel smoother due to the superior display.

If you compare batteries, the Galaxy S21+ has a lot more juice due to a much larger 4800 mAh battery, as compared to 2,815 mAh in the iPhone 12 Pro. This does not translate into a longer battery life for the SGS21+, however, because its large AMOLED screen and 120Hz refresh rate suck down juice at a much faster rate. Surprisingly, the battery on the iPhone 12 Pro will actually last slightly longer than the Galaxy during everyday use.

One serious consideration to make when looking at a smartphone is its ecosystem. Apple has so much to offer in this arena, especially for anyone who owns other Apple products. The seamless integration of Apple devices is hard to beat. For example, the iPhone 12 Pro can be used as a remote control for the Apple TV, and content can be instantly shared between Apple devices using AirDrop and AirPlay features. Add that to the popularity of iMessages, and you have a convenient ecosystem that makes life easier in countless ways. Of course, if your family and friends are on Android devices and you use a PC, then the Android ecosystem will definitely be more convenient. This comes down to a lifestyle choice that only you can make.

iPhone 12 Pro vs. Galaxy S21 Plus: Which should you buy?

Hopefully, the points laid out in this article will make your decision easier when it comes time to choose a world-class smartphone. If you like a big, bright display that makes for amazing video playback and gaming features, then the Samsung Galaxy S21+ will be undeniably attractive.

Photographers and videographers, on the other hand, will love the smart computational photography offered by iPhone, as well as the DolbyVision recording capabilities. If you do your editing on a Mac, then the Apple ecosystem will also make things easier for content creators, since the devices work together so seamlessly.

Then again, the SGS21+ has amazing zoom features that you won't find on the iPhone 12 Pro, so it depends on how you prefer to use your camera. Price shouldn't really come into this decision, because both phones are sold at about the same price. This decision will mostly depend on how you use your smartphone and which one fits better into your lifestyle and social circle.

What you need to know

• Apple asked 30 Black photographers to capture their hometowns using an iPhone 12 Pro.

Apple today shared a new Newsroom post that highlights some of the amazing photographs Black photographers created in their hometowns. Apple asked 30 photographers to show us their hometowns – using an iPhone 12 Pro as their camera.

The collections of images are part of Apple's Black History Month celebrations and involve photographers from all across the United States.

Alongside the images that Apple shared, the company also pointed out that this is just some of the amazing work created. More will be shared on Apple's Instagram account with more editorial collections coming throughout the month of February.

What you need to know

• iPhone 12 Pro camera supplier LG saw its revenue rise 43% last year thanks to the iPhone 12's launch.

A new report says that the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max camera supplier LG saw its revenue rise 43% in 2020 thanks to bumper sales of the device.

From TheElec:

LG, which also suppliers the camera module for the iPhone SE, posted particularly big numbers in Q4, up 36% on the previous year.

The news follows multiple reports of an excellent iPhone 12 launch for Apple, with the iPhone 12 reportedly accounting for 56% of all iPhone 12 sales in Q1, raising the average retail price of the phone to a 10-year-high of $873.

The iPhone 12 mini has enjoyed less success, only accounting for around 6% of iPhone sales. Accordingly, Apple has asked its manufacturing partners to reduce the production of the device, and instead turn to making more iPhone 12 Pro models, as Apple remains unable to keep up with demand for the phone.

What you need to know

• Popular iOS photo editor Focos now supports ProRAW images on the iPhone 12 Pro.
• Version 2.4 also brings a new home page.

Popular photo editor Focos has been updated to bring support for RAW and ProRAW images on the iPhone 12 Pro.

As reported by 9to5Mac:

Released Friday, version 2.4 brings the aforementioned support for RAW images as well as other updates. The full release notes state:

• With newly designed home page, it is easier to choose photos from albums for editing with bokeh effect. In addition, you are now able to open photos directly from Files app.
• Support for RAW and ProRAW formats added. You can now adjust exposure / temperature / tone map losslessly & check EXIF before importing RAW images to the editing interface.
• Maximum support of 20M pixels as output resolution on most devices.
• Enhanced editing interface designed for iPad with new slider control.
• The eraser returns to the patch tool and also brings a new "restore" brush.
• Left handed editing mode for iPad added. Appreciation for Luis Maldonado.
• Issue of foreground bokeh with wavy lines fixed.
• Interface stuck issue after sharing images to other apps fixed.
• Fixed the issue of the version 2.4.

Enjoy using Focos and support us by leaving your review for the features of each update to help us make it better.

What you need to know

• Apple has reportedly slowed down orders for the iPhone 12 mini, as the device is struggling to sell during the pandemic.
• It has increased orders for the iPhone 12 Pro, however.

New reports from Digitimes state that Apple has slowed down orders for the iPhone 12 mini due to the negative impact of the pandemic on sales. The iPhone 12 Pro on the other hand, seems to be doing quite well.

From Digitimes:

The second such report this week, it has previously been noted that Apple has reallocated production of the iPhone 12 mini to the iPhone 12 Pro line because Apple still can't keep up with the demand for the 12 Pro. From a previous report:

Digitimes further notes:

By contrast, Digitimes reports separately that iPhone 12 Pro demand seems to be on the up, and supplier Foxconn has obtained more iPhone 12 Pro orders:

The news reflects previous reports about the reallocation of iPhone 12 supply.

A CIRP report this week noted that Apple's iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max accounted for 17% of all iPhone sales in Q1 and that the iPhone 12 as a whole accounted for 56% of iPhone sales, pushing average prices to a 10-year high.

What you need to know

• A prototype of the iPhone 12 Pro in Pacific Blue has popped up on Twitter.
• It gives a look at Apple's internal software for testing the device.

A prototype of the iPhone 12 Pro in Pacific Blue has surfaced on Twitter. Giulio Zompetti posted photos of the prototype, saying that the device was running Switchboard, an internal non-UI variant of iOS 14.1.

The first photo shows off some of the internal apps that Apple uses as part of the SwitchBoard operating system. The second photo focuses on the back of the iPhone 12 Pro, showing off the Pacific Blue color that rolled out when Apple announced the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max in October.

This is the first iPhone 12 Pro prototype we've seen, but it's certainly not the only notable Apple prototype in recent memory. In December, an Apple Watch prototype also popped up on Twitter showing off an early build of watchOS and a watch inside of a security case.

It's always interesting to see a prototype Apple product, and this one is no exception.

What you need to know

• Morgan Stanley believes Apple is going to have a strong quarter due to the iPhone 12 Pro and services.
• Lead analyst Katy Huberty believes the company could reach close to $15 billion in services revenue in the December quarter.

As reported by AppleInsider, Morgan Stanley believes that the iPhone 12 Pro and Apple's services business is pointing to a strong December quarter for the company. Lead analyst Katy Huberty has written an investor note seen by the outlet that supports the investment bank's predictions for the quarter.

Huberty now estimates that the App Store's revenue may grow 31% YoY to $5.3 billion.

The analyst says that the latest data available from the App Store could indicate quarterly services revenue of almost $15 billion for the company.

Lead times of the iPhone 12 Pro continue to indicate the phone is overperforming expectations and could contribute to a strong quarter for Apple.

Apple will announce its 2021 Q1 financial results on January 27, 2021.

Our iPhones are pretty much one of the most important computing devices that we carry around everywhere on a daily basis. But how do we carry them? Some of us carry them in our back pockets, while others prefer the front. Others may carry them in a purse or bag. But let's face it — sometimes it may get a little uncomfortable sitting with a phone in your back pocket, and getting it out of a front pocket may be a little cumbersome in certain situations. And if you have it in a purse or bag, you may not be aware of your device when you get an important call or message.

A holster can solve a lot of issues that may arise. While I have always carried my phone in my pockets, I decided to give the Waterfield Designs Ranger iPhone 12 Pro Case a shot, which is a handmade leather holster. I've never been a fan of holsters, but the Ranger iPhone Case is a rare exception. Plus, as a big fan of Waterfields' other leather goods like the VERO Sleeve and Executive Leather Messenger, I was curious to see how Waterfield could differentiate themselves from the rest.

An elegant leather holster that holds up very well

Waterfield Designs Ranger iPhone Case: What I like

Waterfield Designs is a favorite here at iMore, and that's because we love the company's handcrafted leather goods. The Ranger iPhone Case is no exception. This holster style case is made with premium, naturally-tanned full-grain leather in either black or chocolate color options.

I chose the chocolate option because Waterfield products are known to develop a nice, rich patina over time, showing up better with brown leather versus black. While my chocolate Ranger case arrived as a light brown, it has developed into a darker, richer brown (just like chocolate) after using it every day for almost a month.

The Ranger case is available for several different devices, from the iPhone 11 all the way to the iPhone 12 Pro Max. There are also sizes for Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Galaxy Note 10, and 10+. I have the iPhone 12 Pro size, and it is a perfect fit for my device. While Waterfield states that the Ranger is designed to hold a naked iPhone 12 or an iPhone 12 in an Apple case or similar, I have not had any issues with various cases that I have. I am currently using an OtterBox Symmetry case with MagSafe, and it slips in and out of the Ranger perfectly. I have also used Caseology Parallax, Otter+Pop case, OtterBox Figura with a mophie juice pack connect adapter, Speck Presidio Grip, and other cases without issue. As long as your case (and any attachable accessories) are not too thick or bulky, it should be able to fit in the Ranger.

The Ranger case's interior is lined with the soft and plush Ultrasuede® material, which also helps clean your screen a little bit as your phone comes in and out of the holster. In front of the main compartment is a small external pocket, which is perfect for holding cash, credit cards, and other small accessories like EarPods or a small external battery. At the bottom of the Ranger case is a cutout for access to the Lightning port, so you can plug in your EarPods or just charge the iPhone up while it's inside.

With the Ranger case, the real magic is within the magnetic fidlock closure on the front. To open it, you need to pull it down first, then lift it up. When you let go of the flap, the magnets weigh it down, and it "snaps" back into place. The overall experience is rather enjoyable, and once you get used to pulling it down first, it's super easy to get to your phone.

On the back of the Ranger case is where you'll find the small magnetic strap that can attach to your belt, bag strap, or even just the top of your pants or pocket. The magnets here are super strong and made with rare-earth materials, so they will keep the Ranger holster in place no matter what. I appreciated the flexibility of the Ranger case, as I had been attaching it to my pants pocket for weeks. But it works nicely with a belt too, and easily slips onto the strap of your favorite laptop bag.

Even though I don't normally use holsters, I have found the Ranger to be a welcome addition to my repertoire of iPhone accessories. I much prefer having my iPhone 12 Pro in the Ranger holster case versus my back pocket that I've been using for years since Plus size devices.

That external pocket could have been more roomy

Waterfield Designs Ranger iPhone Case: What I don't like

I was a little disappointed that I couldn't fit the mophie juice pack connect in the external pocket to use with the adapter on my Figura case. While Waterfield says that pocket is "roomy," don't expect to fit anything too thick in there because otherwise, your iPhone won't fit.

I also noticed that sometimes when wearing the holster on my pant pocket, depending on what I was doing, the magnets would detach by accident. It was still hooked into my pocket, but it would be hanging off a bit. I would notice it before it fell off completely, and I think the reason was because of the jeans I wore. I have had no issues when using the Ranger case with a belt or even on a bag strap.

And finally, like other Waterfield products, the price of the Ranger case is a little high. However, considering how well that the leather holds up, the secure fidlock closure, and versatility, this holster case is worth the cost of admission.

The competition

If you don't want to pay that much for a holster case, then you could take a look at the Monsoon Alpha Leather Case Holster with Belt Clip. It's a slim leather sleeve that has a magnetic flap on the front to keep your device inside, and it has a traditional plastic clip that goes on your belt. It's fairly basic, but the cost is also low.

But keep in mind that Waterfield products are handmade and will last a very long time. Plus, Waterfield leather goods develop a nice patina over time.

Waterfield Designs Ranger iPhone Case: Should you buy

You like genuine leather goods

Waterfield Designs uses premium leather for most of its offerings, including the Ranger iPhone Case. This is real leather, and it develops a rich patina over time. In fact, it doesn't even take long for the patina to start showing if you use this holster daily, as I have.

You want a versatile holster

Thanks to the magnetic attachment on the Ranger holster, it's more versatile. You can always attach it to your belt, but this also works great on the strap of your favorite computer bag or even just on your pants or pockets. Since it's not a plastic clip like other holsters, it won't leave indentations on whatever it's attached to.

You want something tough and durable

Like other Waterfield products, the Ranger is pretty tough and durable. The leather develops a patina over time, and it may get scuffed up every now and then (if you're like me and drop it), but it actually looks better that way. And even if it does fall, your iPhone is safe and secure inside, especially with the Ultrasuede® lining.

You don't like holsters

Holsters are definitely not everyone's style. If you don't usually like holsters, then you may not want to spend money to find out if you'll like this one. But I honestly like it, and I normally don't use holsters, at least until now.

You don't like leather

The Ranger iPhone Case only comes in leather. So if you are a hardcore vegan or just don't like leather products, then you should look into an alternative material holster.

You are on a budget

Waterfield Designs' products aren't cheap — you're paying for high quality. But if you can't drop $89 for a leather holster, then you should look elsewhere.

If you are the type of person who loves real leather products and wants an easier, more versatile way of securely carrying your iPhone 12 Pro around, then the Ranger iPhone Case is a great option. The naturally-tanned full-grain leather feels great, it has a pocket for extras, the magnetic fidlock closure keeps everything secure, and the magnetic attachment gives this holster versatility.

But if you don't care for genuine leather, are on a budget, and not a fan of holsters, then this may not be the product for you. However, just know that I didn't really care for holsters either until I tried the Ranger, and now I take it with me wherever I go!

What you need to know

• Apple's iOS 14.3 updated added ProRAW support for iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
• The feature combines the best of Apple's image processing and the editability of RAW.
• Photographer Austin Mann has been testing ProRAW out with some amazing results.

Apple's iOS 14.3 release added support for ProRAW to iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, offering us all the chance to take our photos and edit them to within an inch of their lives. But what is ProRAW capable of, exactly? Photographer Austin Mann found out and published a whole post to explain.

In its most basic form, ProRAW takes Apple's image processing and combines it with the ability to edit RAW images in ways HEIC and JPG simply don't make possible. It's something that's been available on 'real' cameras forever, and iPhones depending on which app you use. But now it's built into the Camera app and makes use of Apple's image magic as well.

It's the ability to use Apple's processing as well as gain the ability to push RAW edits further that HEIC that makes Apple's implementation so important, as Mann notes.

Now, on to the testing. Mann took an iPhone 12 Pro Max and shot stills using ProRAW. The subject was the Germinid meteor shower and the images captured are breathtaking.

Comparing the HEIC version of the image with an edited RAW shot is an excellent way to see just what RAW offers – the differences between the two images are obvious, even to an untrained eye like mine.

There are more examples in Mann's post and it's absolutely well worth your time to check out. ProRAW is going to change the game for people who use their iPhones as their main camera and want to get the best possible shot out of them, that's for sure.

Those who prefer their explanations in video form, be sure to check out Mann's conversation with Rene Ritchie about the benefits of ProRAW, too.

What you need to know

• Caviar's new iPhone 12 Pro models have a fragment of Steve Jobs' iconic turtleneck inside and that's just weird.

Caviar is a company that has long made a name for itself by taking Apple's iPhones and turning them into abominations. They always have stones where they have no place being and weird images and text slapped on the back. But the Russian company has outdone itself with the iPhone 12 Pro Jobs 4. Because oh my.

As the name suggests, this thing is supposed to pay homage to Steve Jobs and the iPhone 4 – the last iPhone he personally announced. That's fine, I guess. We can all probably get behind that, right?

But then things get weird. Things get very weird indeed.

Wait, what?

Caviar makes it sound like it got its hands on one of Jobs' own turtlenecks here and I can't decide if that's what actually happened or not. If it did, that's really weird. And if this is just a normal black sweatshirt that's being passed off as the real thing, that's just icky. Neither option is a great one.

Pricing starts at around $6500 which is obviously insane and it goes up from there. Because sure, why not?

Oh, I know why. Because it's an affront to anyone with an ounce of taste.

What you need to know

• BBC Click has posted a video showing how accessibility and tech are coming together.
• It also highlights the impact that the LiDAR sensor in the iPhone 12 Pro has for the visually impaired.

The iPhone 12 Pro is the first iPhone to include a LiDAR sensor. The sensor allows the camera to better understand the environment around it and not only has a noticeable impact for photographers, but also those with accessibility needs.

BBC Click has posted a video to its YouTube channel to coincide with the International Day of Persons With Disabilities that dives into the advancements made with accessibility and technology.

Part of the episode showcases the impact that LiDAR in the iPhone 12 Pro has for a blind person. Using the phone, they were able to more precisely navigate their neighborhood, detect when people were close to them, and more accurately identify things around them.

Watch the full episode and check out how the LiDAR sensor in the iPhone 12 Pro helps someone with visual impairment navigate their surroundings with more confidence starting at 2:30.

By now, a lot of us already have an iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro, and others are getting an iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12 Pro Max starting this Friday. The reviews for the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max are coming in, and so far, it's looking good for both. While I am enjoying my iPhone 12 Pro right now, I wouldn't call it my "dream phone," per se. Actually, if I could have things my way, I would buy an iPhone that's the size of the iPhone 12 mini, but has the features found in the Pro devices.

I'm just tired of big phones

In recent years, there has been an uptick in the trend of big phones. Even though I got some of the Plus size phones back in the day, I always had a hard time using them with one hand since one, my hands are small, and well, two is because women's jeans suck due to small front pockets. I could never fit my Plus size device (and even the non-Plus devices) in my front pocket. I always just end up sticking it into my back pocket, even to this day. I've just gotten used to it over the years, but I certainly miss the days when I could easily cram my phone into my front left pocket whenever I didn't need it.

I am also a fan of using my device with one hand, but due to having small, petite hands, I pretty much need to use my iPhone 12 Pro (and even the XS and 11 Pro before it) with two hands almost all the time. By now I'm just used to it, but I miss the days when I could easily juggle my phone and a cup of coffee while texting my husband or best friend. I mean I could just turn on the left or right-justified keyboard on my iPhone 12 Pro, but I still have a hard time with it since my thumb still requires effort to reach the other side of the keyboard due to the overall screen size.

While I was a little bit annoyed that the iPhone 12 Pro was going to be slightly bigger than the iPhone 11 Pro (6.1-inch versus 5.8-inch), honestly I can't really tell much of a difference in actual use. The difference is barely noticeable, but it still doesn't make it any easier for me to use with one hand.

Honestly, I really love the size of the iPhone 12 mini. But there are a few reasons why I did not wait for it, or have plans to purchase it.

I want my phone to have all of the cameras

For many, the iPhone 12 mini camera (along with the regular iPhone 12) is going to be good enough. But for me, it falls short. After using a device with a telephoto lens, I don't think I can go back to not having one.

There are plenty of times where I have taken out my camera and had to zoom in on something to get a good image of it, and that's just impossible to do on the iPhone 12 and 12 mini without getting as close as you can to it. The telephoto lens has become a necessity for me and many others. For example, I believe parents would find the telephoto lens and optical zoom in especially useful for getting candid moments with their kids or pets. The telephoto lens is also useful in situations like getting a closer shot at a concert or sports game (whenever we can go to one again), and plenty of other scenarios.

I'm one of those people who only use an iPhone as their camera (though a standalone digital camera is still best, especially for night photography), so personally, I need to have the best camera options. The iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max are going to be able to shoot in Apple ProRAW format later this year as well, while the iPhone 12 and mini won't be getting this feature. With the ability to shoot in ProRAW format, I will get better control over my photos since they will be uncompressed and high quality, without missing out on Apple's own multi-frame image processing and computational photography.

On top of all of this, having LiDAR built-in to the cameras may be less noticeable on the surface, but it's convenient to have. With LiDAR, the iPhone 12 Pro series enhances the accuracy of distance and measurement. This may not be super useful when you're just taking regular photos, but it improves augmented reality and 3D scanning with the camera, such as with the built-in Measure app. Thanks to the LiDAR scanner, the Measure app can calculate a person's height just by using the camera. Another thing the LiDAR is great for is People Detection, which is a new Accessibility feature for the visually impaired, though it can also help with maintaining social distancing.

Every little bit of extra RAM helps

For a few years now, the iPhone has been stuck on only having 4GB of RAM across the board. But for the first time ever, the iPhone 12 Pro series has been bumped up to 6GB of RAM, and when you combine that with the A14 Bionic, it's just blazing fast. The iPhone 12 and 12 mini are still stuck at 4GB, but are still pretty fast (just not as much) with the A14 Bionic.

But the bump up in RAM really makes all the difference. With my iPhone 11 Pro, I always noticed whenever an app that was "suspended" in the background would have to "refresh" when I went back to it. This happened constantly, and honestly, it was very annoying. I've been using my iPhone 12 Pro since launch day, and I have noticed apps refreshing and reloading a lot less. It still happens, but at a much lower rate of frequency than I experienced with my old iPhones.

The bump up in RAM makes the entire phone snappier and more responsive, without having to reload background apps as frequently — it would be hard to get anything less at this point.

Pacific Blue is best blue

Ok, so this last one may not technically be a feature but rather something entirely cosmetic, but while the iPhone 12 mini comes in blue, it's not Pacific Blue, which is arguably the best blue. Yes, the Pacific Blue may not look great at all angles and it really depends on the light, but when you get it just right, man, that color really shines. And even when it doesn't, the deep blue color around the cameras is beautiful, and it really pops, even if it's in a case.

There are a lot of people who like the blue on the regular iPhone 12 and 12 mini, but I'm not one of them. It makes me think of Best Buy's blue color. I guess it doesn't look that bad in the right light, but I just prefer the Pacific Blue.

I dream of a small phone with powerful, pro features

Seriously, my dream phone would be small and compact, so I can fit it into the front pocket of my jeans and use it comfortably with one hand, but still have the powerful features of a Pro iPhone. My iPhone is my main camera, so I need to have the best lenses without compromise, and that extra RAM really makes a difference. I understand that it can be difficult to get the necessary components into a smaller case body, but technology advances all the time. Who knows — maybe all of this can be possible within a few years. Here's hoping.

Is your dream phone similar to what I'm looking for? Or are you satisfied with the current iPhone 12 lineup? Let us know in the comments.

What you need to know

• The iPhone 12 Pro models seem to be the most popular so far.
• The Pacific Blue color is also the most popular color of the new phones.
• The 128GB configuration is outselling higher storage configurations.

Reported by Loup Ventures (via AppleInsider), it appears that the iPhone 12 Pro is beating out the iPhone 12 as the most popular new phone so far in its 2020 lineup. This of course comes before the release of the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max which are set to launch on Friday, November 13.

In a note, Gene Munster and David Stokman believed that the two upcoming iPhones will enjoy the benefit of higher stock than the phones that were released back in October.

Shipping dates for the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max did, however, begin to slip for certain models when both phones became available for preorder on Friday, November 6. It appears that, in addition to the Pro models being more popular so far, the Pacific Blue color seems to be the most popular for iPhone buyers.

Once November 13 rolls around all of Apple's 2020 iPhone lineup will officially launch. As of today, the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max, as well as the HomePod mini, are available to preorder. The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro have been available to order since October.

What you need to know

• Apple has been surprised by the demand for iPhone 12 Pro.
• It's struggling to keep up with the manufacturing requirements.
• It's pulling parts from iPad production to try and make up the shortfall.

Apple is reportedly so surprised by the level of demand for iPhone 12 Pro that it's had to repurpose parts that were supposed to be put into iPads just to keep up with manufacturing requirements.

According to a Nikkei report, demand has been considerably stronger than Apple's forecast, leaving it short of handsets for sale. As a result, it's pulling parts from iPad production to try and ramp things up a notch.

As a result, iPad production has now been impacted as well.

Apple is said to be trying to get more iPhones – of all configurations – onto shelves as quickly as possible.

While stock shortages around an iPhone launch are nothing new, Apple is dealing with unprecedented issues this time around thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. That's a situation that's unlikely to change any time soon, too.

What you need to know

• The iPhone 12 Pro has unseated the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra as the fastest smartphone.
• The iPhone beat the Galaxy in a speed test focused on app loading.
• It has been almost two years since the iPhone held the top spot on the test.

Reported by PhoneBuff (via 9to5Mac), a new video from Phonebuff shows that the iPhone 12 Pro has unseated the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and regained the crown as the fastest smartphone in a speed test comparison, Specifically, the speed test shows how the phones compare when loading apps.

According to PhoneBuff, it has been almost two years since the iPhone was the fastest smartphone in this specific test.

The report notes that the iPhone 12 Pro achieves this level of performance over the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra despite having half the RAM of its Android competitor. Apple's control over its hardware and software allows it to optimize performance, meaning that it normally does not need the kind of raw hardware that other competitors need to perform at the level it does.

You can watch the full speed comparison test between the iPhone 12 Pro and Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra from Phonebuff below:

What you need to know

• Apple's MagSafe Leather Cases have been announced for iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, but we can't buy them.
• Apple said they were coming but we're still waiting.
• The first video of the new cases has appeared online suggesting they'll launch this week.

Apple announced its MagSafe Leather Case for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro lineups last month but, so far, we can't buy them. The folk at Macerkopf seem to have gotten their hands on them though, giving us our first look at arguably the best case the company makes.

If you've ever seen or used one of Apple's previous Leather Cases this video won't show anything you weren't already expecting. Beside the MagSafe ring – which you can't see from the outside – these cases look almost identical to the ones we've seen before. That's no bad thing, though. The previous models were excellent cases.

Like previous cases these appear to have the same soft inner lining to keep your iPhone from being scratched, thankfully.

Interestingly, Macerkopf believes that the new Apple MagSafe Leather Case for iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max will all go on sale this coming Friday. That's also the same date that iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max will be made available for pre-order, too.

If this past week had been different, this would probably be a different review. It would have involved me doing the kinds of tests that I do for every new phone I receive, assiduously searching for the nuances that readers like you may want to know.

But two things happened that changed the direction, and tone, of what you're about to read. The first is that my two-year-old daughter came down with a pretty bad cold, forcing my wife and me to keep her home from daycare, first for one day, and then two, and then six. The second is that, by juggling my already-busy week with the minutiae of childcare, I missed publishing this review with the first wave of iPhone 12 reviews.

Instead, I got the iPhone 12 Pro, put my SIM card in it, set it up while my daughter napped, and just used it. And in turn, I ended up documenting a week of extreme work and parenting with my phone, this new phone that everyone's talking about as an object of intense curiosity.

That's what the iPhone does: it excites, it pushes people on either side of the aisle, loyalist or rejector, to pay attention to it. And while I certainly spent the last few days noting the ways the iPhone 12 Pro is better than its predecessor, or different from the flock of Android phones out there today, I also appreciated how easy it was to adjust to, how quickly it did what I wanted, and most of all, how enjoyable it was to use.

iPhone 12 Pro review, day one First impressions

My iPhone 12 Pro review device is a Canadian unlocked model in Pacific Blue, which is objectively the best color of the new slate of models. Sorry, no follow-up questions. Out of the box, the color is subtle in the shade and shimmery in the sun, and it's clearly going to influence the rest of the industry throughout 2021, just as Apple's green iPhone 11 and 11 Pro hues had a profound influence over its competitors throughout this year.

The more boxy, angular design is certainly a throwback to the iPhone 4 and 5 eras, but the additional size and heft (at 187 grams, this thing is not light!) over those earlier phones make it a more imposing and, well, pro pick. It's honestly one of the nicest technology objects I've ever held.

After unboxing the iPhone 12 Pro, which is considerably easier given this year's notable omissions, I set it up and restore it from my iPhone 11 Pro's backup, which I made earlier this morning. My single homescreen restores perfectly (I've moved minimalist, opting for the App Library when I need to explore my catalog), and most of the apps work without needing to log back in. A few of them work but remind me that notification may be wonky. I fix the wonk and continue.

I restore many more Android phones than iPhones (there are a lot of Android phones out there!), and I'd say the iOS 14 restore experience is better than a generic Android cloud restore (going from, say, a Samsung to an LG), on par with a Samsung-to-Samsung restore (which basically mirrors one phone to the other, but has some settings wonk), but not as good as a Pixel-to-Pixel restore, which is pretty much flawless.

After restoring the phone, I don't have much time before I just need to start using it — my daughter is awake — so I stick the phone in my new $49 Cypress Green iPhone 12 & 12 Pro Silicone and get to work. The case is, honestly, fantastic, a much softer silicone material that's easier to get in and out of tight jean pockets than previous models.

I've spent a lot of this year using the iPhone 11 Pro in one pocket and an Android phone of various sizes in another, and the iPhone 12 Pro's size feels completely manageable to me, though I do wish it were a few millimeters shorter — reaching the top of the display requires ever-so-slightly more acrobatics than I'd like. Still, at 7.4mm thin and only 0.1mm wider than the 11 Pro, the 12 Pro is super comfortable to pick up and use, put down briefly, and pick up again (and repeat, ad infinitum) throughout the day. That's what I do, because as much as I love spending time with my kid, I still have to work.

As I go about my first day with the iPhone 12 Pro, and as the phone settles down after apps restore and background processes complete, I notice that the larger display is a clear advantage over the 11 Pro's 5.8-inch OLED panel. It doesn't make an enormous difference, but having those additional horizontal and vertical pixels makes the content a little easier to consume — videos are larger, and there's more text to read without scrolling.

It also brings me closer to some of the experiences I have on larger Samsung phones like the Galaxy S20+, which has a 6.7-inch screen in a body with a higher screen-to-bezel ratio than the 12 Pro (we're talking 90% compared to 86%). But those phones also don't have a notch, and rely on slower in-display fingerprint sensors for biometrics; I love Face ID, and wish it was on every phone I use, even if that means dealing with a notch.

Given that I transitioned to the iPhone 12 Pro from the Pixel 5, and from the Galaxy S20 FE before it, the drop from 120Hz to 90Hz to 60Hz is noticeable. But it's also something that doesn't bother me unless I have another phone — or an iPad Pro, I guess — side-by-side. I'm disappointed Apple didn't offer the option, but given that the iPhone 12 Pro already offers a slight regression in battery life over the 11 Pro, its absence is not surprising.

At the end of day one, I place the iPhone 12 Pro on the Qi wireless charger next to my bed, exhausted, with the battery reading 13%, my alarm ready to go for 6:30am.

iPhone 12 Pro review, day two Getting reacquainted

When it comes to performance, new iPhones need to be graded on a curve. The A14 Bionic is objectively the fastest mobile processor on the market, but it doesn't feel notably faster than the A13 Bionic in the iPhone 11 Pro or the A12X in my 2018 iPad Pro.

But what I do notice, especially coming from the Pixel 5, is how much less time I spend waiting for apps to open. This is very clearly a very powerful phone that's able to do far more than I'm currently asking of it.

I dive into day two the way I always do, giving my daughter breakfast and then lacing up my boots to take my dog for a walk. I always carry a pair of wireless earbuds with me, and this morning I grab my AirPods Pro, strapping on my Apple Watch Series 6 at the same time. I've been wearing a Fitbit Sense every day for the past month, and rotating between a number of wireless earbuds based on my needs, but when Apple claims to sell an ecosystem of products, there is something to that.

The Apple Watch is probably the piece of technology I enjoy using the most, but it needs an iPhone to function. When I'm not wearing one, I miss it. Similarly, there are better wireless earbuds for most people than the AirPods Pro, but the advantages of having instant pairing, a rock-solid connection, and the ability to seamlessly switch back to my MacBook when I'm back at my desk, increases the overall value of the iPhone itself. Waves upon waves, and all that.

On the walk, I start snapping photos with the iPhone 12 Pro's cameras, all of which are very similar to the 11 Pro's but somehow take better shots in every condition. Aside from all-day battery life, a consistent camera experience is my primary concern when using a phone, and the iPhone 12 Pro doesn't disappoint.

It's not the massive improvement we saw from the XS to the 11 Pro, but I'm particularly impressed by its flexibility in almost every lighting condition; despite the 11 Pro's massive low-light quality gains, the 12 Pro has two key advantages: a wider f/1.6 aperture, which lets more light hit the sensor; and a lidar scanner, which makes it much easier to focus on subjects in the dark.

While I often still prefer the photos that come out of the Pixel 5, mainly because of color science, I appreciate that the iPhone camera is good in every situation, and is reliable in a way that no other Android camera is.

At the end of day two, my battery is at 8%.

iPhone 12 Pro review, day three Making it through the day

A lot has been said about the iPhone 12 Pro's smaller battery, and how Apple kind of reversed its stance on thicker phones with the 12 series after the 11 and 11 Pro gained larger cells a bit of stoutness as a result. The batteries in the 12 and 12 Pro are identical, we know now, and are 8% smaller than the 11 Pro's, which is about what I would say is the difference in overall uptime.

Mainly I'm finding that the phone lasts all day, but has less additional capacity by the time I go to bed, which feels reasonable given its svelte body — it's all about compromise. I probably wouldn't mind a larger battery on the iPhone 12 because it's already so much lighter and thinner than the 11, but chunking up the 12 Pro, and adding additional weight, would be a non-starter for me. In a case, it already verges on being a bit too heavy for me.

Still, today I'm happy with the phone's battery life and don't really have any complaints. But it is worth talking about MagSafe, which I received as part of my reviewer's kit but is, on its own, a $39 addition. I also bought a second one so I can use it next to my bed and in my office.

On paper, MagSafe doesn't make sense. It's just a magnetic wireless charger; why would you want that? But the more I think about it, and use it, the more useful it becomes. First, I literally had the problem last night MagSafe ostensibly solves where my iPhone didn't charge because it was misaligned on my beside wireless charging stand. I woke up this morning with my phone hovering at 2%.

Secondly, MagSafe is small, so it's easy to fit anywhere on a desk. A lot of reviewers have been comparing it to the size of a Lightning cable and saying how much larger and more cumbersome it is, but that's not the right comparison; you have to compare it to other wireless chargers, especially those that offer high speeds, and for Apple to offer 15 watts in a puck this size is actually an engineering triumph. It can even charge other phones, or small accessories like true wireless earbuds.

Finally, the magnets are incredibly useful. It makes it impossible to misalign the coils, so high-speed charging is guaranteed every time, not just when the placement is perfect, but it also lets you use the phone while it's charging, or keep it close by without the charger taking up too much room. And yes, it's easy to plug in a Lightning cable, but it's much easier to set a phone down on a wireless charger. That's why wireless charging has become so ubiquitous despite its slow speed.

Obviously, though, MagSafe isn't perfect. It only offers the full 15 watts of speed on the iPhone 12 when it's connected with the company's 20-watt charger, which comes neither in the iPhone's box nor MagSafe's. That's a pretty bad deal if you ask me.

My daughter loves watching YouTube, specifically Sesame Street. On the way to the park I give her my phone to hold, both as a way to stress the battery — need to test it in the real world — but also to see, should she drop it, whether the new Ceramic Shield glass holds up to in-motion drops. But against all odds, she keeps the phone firmly in her grips.

It's the end of the day and I used the MagSafe to top up my iPhone 12 Pro for a few minutes while my daughter slept; my phone is at 34%.

iPhone 12 Pro review, day four Finding 5G

Today I set out to find 5G, which is fairly easy here in Toronto, but it's not the ultra-fast kind that many Americans can access through Verizon's mmWave network.

The 5G I get when I walk down the street is called sub-6, and it's most likely similar to what you're going to get wherever you are in the world: fast, but not dramatically more so than what's currently available on 4G.

When I find a good 5G signal, I get over 300Mbps download speeds on the iPhone 12 Pro, which is considerably higher than I usually see on Telus's 4G LTE network. But I am more likely to get around 150Mbps, which is also what I usually get on LTE. In other words, 5G is promising but it's just that, a promise, not a solution to some problem we can't currently accomplish on our phones. Eventually, that may change, but the 5G signal I see on my iPhone 12 Pro doesn't comfort me. It just is.

After walking around the city all day testing 5G, at bedtime my battery is 23%.

iPhone 12 Pro review, day five Versus the 12

I'm starting today by setting up other iPhone I was sent earlier this week, the iPhone 12. I want to make sure I understand what separates the two phones, and whether I can recommend the 12 Pro to my friends and family — and to you — like I could the 11 Pro over the 11 last year.

If you've read other reviews, you've likely come to understand just how similar these two phones are, and until the 12 mini and 12 Pro Max are available in November, we won't have a full picture of Apple's 2020 lineup. But based on the current availability of these two phones, I have to say what a lot of people have been saying: if you use the telephoto lens on a regular basis, you should buy the 12 Pro and not look back. For me, the telephoto lens is crucial to good baby and pet photos, since it lets you get closer without sacrificing (much) quality.

The lidar sensor, too, feels like one of those features that's going to be important down the road, if and when AR becomes more ubiquitous, but right now, its presence merely means faster and more accurate autofocus in low-light situations. Plus, if you take a lot of photos and need the 12 Pro's base 128GB of storage, that's also a bonus.

But for everyone else, I'd recommend sticking with the cheaper and almost-as-good iPhone 12. It's just as fast, the screen is basically the same (its average brightness is slightly lower), and it's lighter, which makes a big difference when you're carrying something around in a pocket all day.

When the light goes down, I take both photos out and compare the low-light shots, and the lidar sensor on the 12 Pro really does make a difference in hitting and maintaining focus. That the iPhone 12 doesn't have either a telephoto or lidar shouldn't matter to most people, but I appreciate their presence on the 12 Pro, and once I'm able to go out and enjoy myself at a bar again, I think the additional sensor data will come in handy.

At bedtime, my iPhone 12 Pro is at a cool 24%.

iPhone 12 Pro review, day six A day at the park

I'm meeting a friend for a walk today, so I take my iPhone 12 Pro along with the Pixel 5 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra to a park to capture some fall foliage.

I take a photo of a beautiful fall park scene, with the three phones behaving very differently in the same lighting. The Note 20 Ultra wins this scene despite some issues, by preventing the highlights in the sky from blowing out while maintaining a tremendous amount of detail in the foreground. The iPhone 12 Pro does well, too, deftly handling the bright sky and the colorful foliage while also keeping the leaves on the ground at proper exposure. The Pixel 5 looks muddy and overly contrasty, and quite disappointing.

I take the same shot with the three phones' ultrawide cameras, and while none of them look particularly good, the Note 20 and iPhone 12 Pro come out on top.

Later in the day, I take my daughter to play on the local playground and jam a Pixel 5 in my other pocket to compare to the iPhone 12 Pro. It's a very sunny day and I'm running around trying to get the same shot from both phones. The iPhone shots appear to be brighter and punchier, with saturation levels turned up a notch compared to the more muted and cooler Pixel 5 photos.

SmartHDR 3 on the iPhone 12 Pro appears to be trying to optimize for social media straight out of the camera; everything looks just a bit too overprocessed for my tastes, but Apple also does a better job with overall dynamic range, preserving the highlights in the brighter areas without making the shady parts difficult to discern.

Before bed, I take all three phones out again for a night mode test, and I'm very impressed with the iPhone 12 Pro. While the same contrasty, almost-overprocessed look is still here, Apple still ekes out plenty of detail from the shots, and night mode is truly just a joy to use largely because I don't have to think about it.

While it's true of all parts of the phone, the fact that the iPhone is reliable in any lighting condition is what I find so attractive about using it. This week has been largely about using my phone when necessary and ensuring that I can balance the needs of work and childcare. I took so many photos of my daughter this week and most of them turned out pretty darn well, and even if they're not the best photos I could take on a phone, they're all extremely useable.

The other aspect of photography I enjoy more on the iPhone has to do with iOS as a platform; apps like Halide and Clips make it so easy to use the iPhone's camera in interesting ways, and even apps like Instagram and TikTok are just objectively better, and run more smoothly, on iOS compared to Android. This has been an advantage of Apple's for years, and it doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon.

As I head to bed, my battery is at a spooky 3%.

iPhone 12 Pro review, day seven Should you buy it?

This hasn't been the iPhone 12 Pro review I intended to write, but in a way, it's been a blessing to sort of diarize my experience with a brand new phone this way.

I think the iPhone 12 Pro is one of the best phones available right now, and possibly the best phone of 2020. But its success is somewhat undermined by the upgrades in the $829 ($799 if you go through a carrier) iPhone 12 over that phone's predecessor, and how much value you're getting for your dollars. If you don't take a lot of portrait photos or shots at night, you can safely stick to the iPhone 12 and not miss out much.

But as I learned in my week with the iPhone 12 Pro, those two additional features, plus the beautiful stainless steel build, are indeed worth the extra money, at least to me, and if I had to choose between the two models I'd stick with the Pro every time.

You must have telephoto. If you're choosing between the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro, the addition of a telephoto lens is what will likely sell you on the extra money. Lidar and a stainless steel frame are bonuses, but likely not worth the extra cash.

You love the Pro's matte glass back. Personally, I love the iPhone 12 Pro's contrasting look, between the frosted glass back and the polished stainless steel sides. I love the additional heft that brings along, too.

You can't handle a phone with just 64GB of storage. The iPhone 12 Pro comes with 128GB of storage standard; the iPhone 12 needs a $50 upgrade for that, bringing it to $849 (or $880 unlocked), or just $120 - $150 shy of this model. If you're someone, like me, who fills up their phone with apps, photos and other crap, get this one.

You need the best iPhone currently available. If you can't wait for the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which debuts in a few weeks, and can't stand the idea of using a larger phone display, this is Apple's best iPhone available right now.

You don't have $1000 to spend on a new iPhone. It goes without saying, but there are other iPhones Apple will sell you that cost a lot less than the iPhone 12 Pro, and you're not losing a ton going with any of them. The iPhone 12 is the logical move, but there's also the iPhone 11, which is slightly bigger and a little less premium, or the iPhone 12 mini which releases in early November.

You don't need a 5G phone right now. Don't buy an iPhone 12 Pro for 5G. Buy it in spite of 5G. If your area has great 5G signal and you're looking to see what the fuss is about, go nuts. But don't expect miracles.

What you need to know

• The iPhone 12 Pro is off to a very strong start, especially in the US.
• That's according to a new report from DigiTimes.
• Apple is having to increase the delivery lead time from manufacturers and order more LiDAR components.

A new report says the iPhone 12 Pro is off to a great start, especially in the US.

According to DigiTimes:

The report says that Apple is "poised to increase its orders" of VCSEL chips, used in the LiDAR scanner of the iPhone 12 Pro. According to sources within Taiwan-based supply chain manufacturers, Apple's iPhone 12 Pro is seeing very high demand, in particular in the US. Accordingly, it has increased the delivery lead time from manufacturers.

The news reflects other reports of strong demand around the world. On Wednesday it was reported that both the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro had broken pre-order records in India, driven in part by special promotions like cashback offers from banks, and Apple's newly-opened online store in the country.

Similarly, iPhone 12 pre-orders lasted just 45 minutes in Taiwan, and Apple is struggling to keep up with shortages of the device in the country.

Earlier this week, Apple analyst Neil Cybart reported that per estimates, Apple recently passed the milestone of 1 billion concurrent iPhone users worldwide, likely achieving the feat sometime in September. According to Cybart, the iPhone 12 could propel Apple to sell in the region of 240M iPhones in 2021, which would break the previous sales record from 2015.

Unfortunately, if you want to put a case on your new iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro, you're going to have to buy an entirely new case for it. That's because the iPhone 12 line has a brand new design with flat edges, unlike the curved edges that Apple has featured since the iPhone 6. With the new flat sides, the iPhone 12 Pro has a depth of 7.4mm versus the 8.1mm of the iPhone 11 Pro. While these differences seem negligible to the naked eye, it's enough to make old iPhone 11 Pro cases impossible to fit on the new iPhone 12.

And unlike the iPhone 11 Pro, the iPhone 12 Pro now has a 6.1-inch screen, which is a tad bigger than the 5.8-inch screen of the previous generation. So your old iPhone 11 Pro cases definitely won't fit just because of the difference in screen size. The iPhone 12 Pro is 5.78-inches tall, while the iPhone 11 Pro is 5.67-inches — so while it's a small difference, it makes it backwards compatibility for cases impossible.

While the iPhone 11 had a 6.1-inch screen, that doesn't mean that old iPhone 11 cases are going to fit the iPhone 12 Pro either. Because of the flat edges, you have narrower bezels that give you more screen estate, but a smaller overall size. Remember, the iPhone 12 Pro is 5.78-inches tall, while the iPhone 11 is, believe it or not, 5.94-inches — that's quite a difference. So even though the iPhone 11 had a 6.1-inch screen, it is physically bigger than the iPhone 12 Pro. So no, you can't use an iPhone 11 case on an iPhone 12 Pro (or regular iPhone 12, for that matter).

No, you cannot buy an iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro case for your iPhone 11. The iPhone 12 Pro is 2.82-inches wide, while the iPhone 11 is 2.98-inches. The iPhone 11 is just too wide for the narrower iPhone 12 Pro cases, so you can't just buy one and expect it to fit on old devices. It just isn't going to happen.

In short, you will have to purchase a brand new iPhone 12 Pro case if you want to protect it. Because of the new design and subtle differences in product dimensions, your old case will not fit the new iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro.

Make sure to check out some of the best iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro cases available right now if you need to pick up some extra protection.

What you need to know

• Apple has released a new video about the iPhone 12 Pro.
• The video highlights the iPhone 12 Pro and its ability to record in Dolby Vision.
• Watch the phone go through a number of intense filmmaking situations.

Apple has released a new video on its YouTube channel called Make movies like the movies. The video showcases the iPhone 12 Pro's prowess in recording high-quality video in a number of extreme scenarios.

Some of the scenes include throwing the phone over a wall, rigging it up to a speeding car, and dropping it down a flight of stairs. It's a really interesting look to see how filmmakers get creative when using the size of the iPhone 12 Pro as opposed to larger, heavier cameras.

As Apple explains in the video and the video description, the iPhone 12 Pro is the first camera to ever shoot, edit, and playback footage in Dolby Vision, a feature that brings even more color and dynamic range to videos.

The iPhone 12 Pro is available to order from Apple now, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max will begin preorders on November 6.

What you need to know

• Filmmaker Terry Warfield has an iPhone 12 Pro and isn't afraid to use it.
• He took the phone to a gorgeous location and used it to tell a story.
• It's a great example of what these cameras are capable of when in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing.

Filmmaker Terry Warfield got hold of an iPhone 12 Pro and the obvious thing to do was put those cameras through their paces. The result is more than just a test of hardware – it's storytelling, too.

We've seen plenty of examples of videos and photos created by the new iPhones but this is an excellent example of the new iPhones' ability to help tell a story wen in the hands of someone capable. It's well worth your time at just 2 minutes, 27 seconds.

The fact this was filmed in HDR but then shared to YouTube in SDR is an example of why movies created on the new iPhones will likely be best viewed on them, too. Hopefully that will change in the future – it wouldn't be the first time Apple's iPhone has pushed an industry forward, after all.

What you need to know

• There's a new Experiments video to enjoy.
• An iPhone 12 Pro was used to capture space without leaving the planet.
• There's a video showing how the whole thing was created, too.

Apple's Experiments series has a new video, this time with an iPhone 12 Pro used to capture the look and feel of space all without ever leaving Earth. Apple has also shared a new video that shows exactly how the whole thing was filmed, too.

The new video uses the iPhone 12 Pro's Dolby Vision HDR video recording to full effect, with some truly amazing visuals that are designed to give the feeling of space and the creation of the universe and planets.

The video is best viewed on an iPhone because it's filmed in portrait and HDR, but the video showing how it was done looks amazing no matter how you watch it. You'll also learn all about the magic of glass and water. I kid you not.

Who knew that you could make something so incredible from seemingly mundane materials? That's probably why these people make videos and I write about them.

The new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are both available to buy now, with iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max up for pre-order on November 6.

The iPhone 12 Pro will be available for the masses starting on October 23, 2020. This is the latest generation for the Pro model, which is the new flagship that Apple offers every year. The new iPhone 12 Pro has a brand new flat-edge design reminiscent of the iPhone 4 and 5 days, 5G, A14 Bionic, upgraded camera systems, and more. If you are looking to pick up an iPhone 12 Pro, they come in three storage capacities: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. So which size is right for you? Let us help you decide!

iPhone 12 Pro storage size: Price per gigabyte

For those who want to look at it as getting the most bang for the buck, or just want the best value, then you'll want to start at how much it costs per gigabyte. Let's do a quick breakdown:

• 128GB - $999 or $7.80 per gigabyte
• 256GB - $1099 or $4.29 per gigabyte
• 512GB - $1299 or $2.54 per gigabyte

When you look at those numbers, it's pretty clear that the baseline 128GB version, while an improvement over the previous 64GB, is still the worst value. The 256GB option is a nice middle ground, but if you really want to get the most bang for the buck, then 512GB is the way to go. Plus, with the most storage, you won't have to ever worry about running out of space again.

iPhone 12 Pro storage size: Local storage or cloud storage?

While the 512GB is the best value, you may not actually need all of that space. Let's take into account whether you you actually require a lot of space, or do you use enough cloud storage services (iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.) that you don't rely on local storage?

Apple provides everyone with 5GB of iCloud storage for free. Even though it costs you nothing, it's such a measly and paltry amount that it is actually insignificant for most people. After all, 5GB isn't even going to be enough for an iCloud backup! However, you can buy more iCloud space if you need it, and honestly, we recommend doing so. Plans for iCloud start at $0.99 for 50GB, $2.99 for 200GB, and $9.99 for 2TB. Apple is also going to include iCloud subscriptions in its Apple One bundles coming later this year, so those will be worth looking into if you use Apple Arcade, Apple News+, Apple TV+, Apple Music, and the new Fitness+ services.

With an active iCloud subscription, you could use iCloud Photo Library to store all of your photos, rather than have local copies on your device. And with Apple Music, you get iCloud Music Library, so you can stream your music anytime, instead of having to sync it all locally. However, be aware that you aren't able to shoot and upload 4K video directly to iCloud, unfortunately, so you will still need to have some local storage on your iPhone 12 Pro for high-resolution video.

• If you already use cloud storage for pretty much everything, then 128GB should be more than enough for your needs.
• If you do a lot of traveling or just don't always have a stable data connection, then 256GB is a good medium.
• If you want everything stored locally, then 512GB is the way to go.

iPhone 12 Pro storage size: Take advantage of powerful cameras

The iPhone 12 Pro will continue with having the telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom, an Ultra Wide lens with 120-degree field of view, Night Mode portraits with the new LiDAR scanner, dual optical image stabilization on the Wide and Telephoto lenses, and more — and that's just for still photos! When it comes to video recording, you can do HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 60fps, 4K video recording at 24/30/60fps, Slo-mo videos at 1080p at 240fps, Night Mode time-lapse, and more. The front-facing TrueDepth camera also gets some new improvements, like Night Mode and Deep Fusion as well, so your selfies will never look better.

With such powerful camera systems, you're going to get beautiful, crystal-clear shots and super smooth video, but guess what — they're going to take up space! Especially if you want the highest quality video, having a lot of those stored locally will quickly eat up your available storage. If you plan to use your iPhone 12 Pro for a lot of photography and video, then you will want at least 256GB.

• If you don't plan on shooting a lot of 4K video, but will use the camera occasionally for stills and portraits, then 128GB should be okay, especially if you use iCloud Photo Library.
• If you plan on taking a lot of photos and some video with the camera, you should consider the 256GB.
• If you are planning to use your iPhone 12 Pro for a lot of photos and video, then pick up the 512GB.

iPhone 12 Pro storage size: Stay entertained with all media

With the iPhone 12 Pro, you're getting a gorgeous 6.1-inch OLED screen for the Super Retina XDR display. This is slightly larger than the previous 5.8-inch screen of the iPhone 11 Pro (RIP), which means you can see even more on the screen at once. While I would still prefer to use a larger tablet screen or even a monitor or TV for watching movies and shows, sometimes you'll just need to work with what you have.

The average size of a movie on iTunes is between 1GB to 3GB for a standard file, or 3GB to 6GB for an HD file. Television show episodes are about half the size of movies, but of course, you need more episodes to compensate. Music files clock in at much smaller sizes than movies and shows, but with whole albums, that can also add up pretty quickly.

With music, it's not just iTunes either — we have music streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify, but you also have the option of downloading music files for offline listening (great for spotty data areas). And think about video streaming services too, such as Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, and more, which also let you download content to enjoy without a data connection. You may stream all the time, but want to download some stuff so that it's always readily available, data connection or not — this adds up, and you'll need enough space for everything you want.

• If you solely plan to just stream all of your content, then 128GB is plenty.
• If you are going to download some music or video to enjoy offline, then 256GB should be enough.
• If you want to download a lot of music or video, or just want to not worry about space when doing so, then get 512GB.

iPhone 12 Pro storage size: Fill it up with apps and games

To make the most out of your iPhone 12 Pro, you're going to want to experience all of the cool and fun apps and games on the App Store. With pretty much millions of apps and games available to download, there's a lot to discover and experience! Apps can help you be productive, maintain a healthy lifestyle, entertain or inform you, let you gaze at the world through the eyes of others, and so much more. And if you want fun, then there are a ton of mobile games on the App Store, and Apple has its own gaming service, Apple Arcade. With Apple Arcade, you can enjoy unlimited exclusive and premium games for just $5 a month.

But in order to experience all of these amazing apps and games, you'll need space. While most apps are small in size, the more graphic intense apps and games are bigger, and can clock in at at least 1GB of space, depending on what it is. If you continue to just download apps without checking your storage, you may end up using up a lot of that space. It's just another thing to consider.

• If you don't play a lot of mobile games and use the stock apps, but may download an app every now and then, 128GB is fine.
• If you want to download a variety of apps and games, then 256GB is good.
• If you want to download freely without having a care in the world, then 512GB is for you.

Who should get the 128GB iPhone 12 Pro?

Those who mostly use cloud storage services, stream music and video, aren't planning to shoot a lot of 4K video or photos, don't need a lot of apps, and don't do mobile gaming will be fine with the 128GB iPhone 12 Pro. It is the worst value in terms of price per gigabyte, but sometimes the minimum is all you need.

Who should get the 256GB iPhone 12 Pro?

The 256GB iPhone 12 Pro is the perfect middle ground for most people, from the casuals to the power-users. I personally use the 256GB size and it's been able to handle what I need for years. I can have files stored locally on my device and use cloud storage, stream and download music and video, take a lot of photos with some video, and enjoy plenty of apps and games. You still get some room to spare.

Who should get the 512GB iPhone 12 Pro?

The power-users who want as much free storage as possible, without ever having to worry about running out of room. With 512GB, you can have a lot of files available without a data connection, including music and videos, and you can shoot more 4K videos and amazing photos on a whim. And you can download apps and play the best games available on iPhone. This is also the best value, technically, so why not make the most of it?

Go with what you need

This is the first time that Apple has bumped up the baseline storage capacity of an iPhone to 128GB, and we're glad to see it. This means that those who usually get the base model now have twice the storage to work with at the same price, offering a bit more leeway and flexibility. But those who need more, the 256GB and 512GB options are good values and don't cost that much more, in all honesty. And if you're getting an iPhone 12 Pro, make sure to protect it with some of the best cases so far!

We've outlined it for you here, but ultimately, it comes down to what you need and what you can afford. The iPhone 12 Pro is not cheap, so even the baseline model is high for most people. Still, if you end up realizing that what you bought isn't going to work out, you can return it to Apple within the 14-day return window and try another storage capacity, or even a different device. Just double check Apple's updated return policy FAQ before you do that, because of current store availability.

What you need to know

• Aerial photographer Toby Harriman captured a video flying over San Francisco using an iPhone 12 Pro.
• He took a helicopter and captured stills and video as he flew.
• The result is a pretty stunning HDR video.

Apple's iPhone 12 Pro will go on sale in a matter of hours and some lucky people have already spent time with them. One of those is aerial photographer Toby Harriman and he spent that time very wisely indeed. There's a whole web page full of video and photos to prove it.

The arrival of iPhone 12 Pro marks the first handset that can record 4K HDR video and the results are already looking mightily impressive.

You can find all of the media over on Planet Unicorn along with some background on how this all came about.

So how did it all go down? What special apps were used to make something that looks so special? Turns out, just the standard Camera app.

That means, in theory at least, that any one of us would have been able to capture what we're seeing here. That's, honestly, pretty insane.

Again, go check out the full page with some amazing stills for you to check out. If my photos of my lunch look anything like these, my Instagram game is going to be on point this year!

You can get more info on the video and how it was created by watching this interview Rene Ritchie managed to get with the man himself. Again, this is well worth your time.

What you need to know

• Apple's iPhone 12 Pro has some camera improvements to boast about.
• Photographer Aundre Larrow has taken some great portrait photos to test the new cameras.
• To the untrained eye, these photos look pretty great.

Apple's new iPhone 12 Pro will be available to buy in just two days and the hype train is in full flow right now. As ever, the cameras in the new iPhone are getting a ton of attention because of the changes Apple has made. But what happens when you put an iPhone 12 Pro in the hands of a professional? You get stunning portrait images.

Photographer Aundre Larrow took an iPhone 12 Pro to capture "friends and family that have spent most of 2020 quarantined together" and the results speak for themselves.

Larrow did capture something that a lot of us have been saying for years, though – phone cameras are great right now and they have been for years. You probably aren't going to see huge game-changing improvements anymore.

But, importantly, Larrow goes on to say that he sometimes chooses an iPhone over a dedicated camera. The fact that's possible is still amazing to me, but to hear a photographer say it just drives the point home.

Finally, Larrow has a word to say about the industrial design this time around, confirming that iPhone 12 Pro is easier to hold. It's almost worth upgrading for that alone!

You can see more images and read about the portrait project over on PetaPixel right now.

What you need to know

• Photographer Austin Mann has published the results of his iPhone 12 testing.
• He took an iPhone 12 Pro to Glacier National Park in Montana.
• The results are breathtaking.

Every year photographer Austin Mann takes the latest iPhone somewhere photogenic and and creates magic. He's been at it again, this time taking an iPhone 12 Pro to Glacier National Park in Montana. And ever, the photos he brought back are breathtaking.

I very much recommend checking out the full blog post that goes into detail about how the photos were taken and with what settings. It's a great read, even if the most complicated photos you take is of a child trying to fill its face with birthday cake.

An example of Mann's findings comes courtesy of the added Dark Mode support for the ultra wide sensor.

And the image?

Amazing stuff and perhaps a reason to upgrade to iPhone 12 Pro alone.

Again, go read the full post over on Mann's site for more examples of what these cameras can do.

What you need to know

• Some early unboxings and reviews of iPhone 12 Pro have been shared today.
• One of those, from TechCrunch, suggests that the Gold iPhone 12 Pro has a different coating to the rest.
• That coating should make it more durable and less prone to fingerprints.

Today saw a number of unboxing and review videos and articles appear online, giving iPhone 12 Pro its first public unveiling since the announcement last week. It also comes a few days before the product goes on sale and we're still learning tidbits about it. For example, the news that the Gold iPhone 12 Pro uses a different coating around the edges than the other colors.

That tidbit came from within TechCrunch's coverage and was spotted by the eagle-eyed Joe Rossignol at MacRumors.

The review goes on to say that the new coating is more durable than that used on the other models, suggesting the Gold iPhon 12 Pro is set to be the most durable of all.

Whether that would be enough to make you choose that color over the rest, I don't know, but I'd still wager that Pacific Blue will be the most popular model around.

Regardless, the overwhelming majority of iPhones will end up inside a case anyway.

What you need to know

• Videographer Andy To has shared a new video filmed entirely on iPhone 12 Pro.
• The video takes us on a tour of the parts of New York City that don't often get shown.
• The whole thing is filmed in 4K and HDR.

Apple's iPhone 12 Pro will go on sale this coming Friday and some people have already been able to take one for a spin Videographer Andy To is one of those people with the result being a cinematic tour around New York City. In 4K and HDR, no less.

The video, according to To, was recorded in 4K 60FPS / 4K 24 FPS HDR without the use of any external lenses. It was edited in Final Cut Pro and the result is impressive by any measure.

Check it out.

I'd say he did a good job of showing what iPhone 12 Pro is capable of, wouldn't you?

The iPhone 12 Pro is the first to record in 4K Dolby Vision which is a big deal. We might not all have the skill of Andy T, but we can rest assured that the videos of our kids falling off bikes will look glorious!

What you need to know

• Apple's iPhone 12 Pro will go on sale Friday, October 23.
• Someone seems to have gotten hold of one already.
• They shared a short video to Twitter showing what appears to be a Graphite iPhone 12 Pro.

People will start to receive their new iPhone 12 Pro later this week and it seems that someone already has hold of one. Not content with just having it in-hand, they wanted to make us all jealous as well – the result is a 14-second video that appears to show us an iPhone 12 Pro in Graphite.

You might want to get some sunglasses before hitting the "play" button. My, those are some shiny sides!

There is, of course, the chance that this isn't as legit as it first appears. But this same Twitter account also shared details about the iPad Air 4 release ahead of time. Complete with photos of the tablet's manual. With that in mind, it's quite possible this really is the real deal.

That said, I have thoughts.

• Those sides are super-duper shiny. Way shiner than I'd expected. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I'm undecided. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
• Do those edges look a bit on the sharp side? Not take-your-finger-off sharp, but definitely less comfortable to hold than iPhone 11 Pro and its predecessors.
• I might need to cancel my Pacific Blue iPhone 12 Pro in favor of Graphite!

Now the rest of us have to wait until Friday to get our own iPhones. It's going to be a long wait!

What you need to know

• Benchmarks for Apple's iPhone 12 are beginning to surface.
• They show big performance gains on the iPhone 11.
• That's in spite of a few expected erratic results.

Benchmarks for Apple's iPhone 12 Pro have started to surface on Geekbench, revealing a big jump in performance on last year's model.

The results, as noted by MacRumors seem to reveal that the iPhone 12 Pro is benchmarking at around 20-25% higher than the iPhone 11 Pro, and is scoring in a range similar to the new iPad Air 4, which features the same A14 chip. From the report:

There are some erratic results, however, including plenty of scores much lower than Apple's previous-generation iPhones. Citing Geekbench's John Poole, MR notes that this is quite a common occurrence with devices just out of the box and that devices performing tests can be hampered by setup, app restoring, and the rest. With that in mind, just how much faster the iPhone 12 is compared to previous models will likely become more evident as more benchmarks appear in the database. For example, no iPhone 12 models are listed in Geekbench's charts as there are not yet five unique results in the database.

Apple's A14 chip is the first-ever built on the 5nm process, meaning it packs more power despite being the same size as previous models. This makes it 50 faster in both CPU and GPU performance compared to the fastest competing smartphone chips.

What you need to know

• Cinematographer Emmanuel "Chivo" Lubezki has been showing off what the iPhone 12 Pro can do.
• A longer version of his iPhone announcement video appearance has been uploaded to YouTube.
• It's amazing what you can do with a phone nowadays.

Cinematographer Emmanuel "Chivo" Lubezki made an appearance on the iPhone 12 Pro announcement video showing off what the new phone's cameras are capable of. Now, a longer version of that appearance has been uploaded to YouTube with Lubezki waxing poetic about how impressive those cameras are.

The iPhone 12 Pro cameras are the best ever in an iPhone and the cinematographer was particularly impressed with the handset's ability to record Dolby Vision HDR video and then display it, color-corrected, on-screen.

The video is a great watch for anyone interested in creating video. It also gives us an amazing look at some beautiful desert shots as well.

Apple's new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro will go up for pre-order tomorrow with the first units arriving the following week. Anyone wanting to get their hands on iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12 Pro Max will need to wait a couple of weeks, unfortunately.