The iPhone 12 Pro Max is a super-size phone with all the flagship features. But is it the one for you?
The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max is the zenith of recent iPhones, honoured as the largest and most powerful smartphone to come out of Cupertino. As the name suggests, it takes things to the max, manifesting beast mode and delivering across performance, camera skills, screen, design, and battery life. Following the design of its iPhone 12 counterparts, you’ll find the flat-edged boxy aesthetic, a matt glass back, and shiny stainless steel trim, just like the iPhone 12 Pro. ‘Ceramic Shield’ coats the stunning OLED display for added protection too. And like the iPhone 12 Pro, the 12 Pro Max sports a trio of cameras on the back, plus a LiDAR sensor. You get 5G, of course, Apple’s fastest processor, the A14 Bionic chip, and MagSafe technology too. However, the iPhone Pro Max leaves the rest of the series in the dust when it comes to size. The iPhone Pro Max physically stands out, owing to the 6.7-inch OLED screen, with HDR video and a stereo speaker system that packs one helluva punch, helping to make it the most cinematic iPhone in the series. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the most luxurious (read: expensive) option, with all the flagship features in glorious super-size form. But does that mean it deserves a place in your pocket? (if it’ll fit). Jump to: iPhone 12 Pro Max review: summary What is the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max? How much is the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max? Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max features and performance Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max camera Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max battery Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max design and set up Our verdict Where to buy iPhone 12 Pro Max review: summary Price: £1,099 Key features: SuperRetina XDR display 6.7-inch OLED screen IP68 (waterproof up to 6 metres) 266g Apple A14 Bionic Chip Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB Three 12MP sensors: wide, ultrawide, and a 2X telephoto lens and a LiDAR sensor Waterproof, IP68 iOS 14 MagSafe compatible 5G Pros: Fantastic battery life Stunning screen Stereo sound Awesome at photography Cons: It’s really large It’s heavy It’s expensive Comparing iPhones? Don't miss our other reviews and guides to help you decide: iPhone 12 review iPhone 12 mini review iPhone 12 Pro review iPhone 12 vs mini vs Pro vs Pro Max iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Apple AirPods vs AirPods Pro iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12 What is the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max? The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the top-of-the-range iPhone from the series. It’s the biggest too, with an enormous 6.7-inch screen, but it’s very similar to the iPhone 12 Pro in many other respects. With the larger size, Apple has managed to fit it with a larger battery, so it’ll easily see you through two days of use, unlike the other members of the iPhone 12 family. It’s got a trio of 12MP cameras on the back, plus a 12MP front-facing camera. Like the iPhone 12 Pro, there’s a LiDAR sensor, which is handy for nighttime photoshoots and forays into AR. This all costs a pretty penny, but with 5G and MagSafe on board, it certainly won’t feel dated for a long time. What does the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max do? Allows you to take stunning photos with its mega-talented hardware and software, it can shoot in ProRaw too Capable of stunning nighttime photography with help from the LiDAR sensor Shoots 4K video with Dolby Atmos at 60fps Offers a cinematic smartphone viewing experience with a Super XDR OLED display and stereo speakers Fast unlocks with Apple’s FaceID Allows for gaming and multitasking with Bionic A14 chip Lasts two days off a charge MagSafe offers top power wireless charging Able to connect to 5G internet when it’s available How much is the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max? The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max costs £1,099 off-contract or is available to purchase through a number of networks on pay monthly contracts. Skip to view the pay monthly prices Is the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max good value for money? Paying over £1,000 for a flagship smartphone isn’t unusual by today’s standards, but it’s still got to be compelling enough to take the plunge. Thankfully, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is both style and substance, so anyone with deep pockets is going to be satisfied. With 5G, the A14 Bionic Chip, an unbeatable camera and stellar battery life, the only thing that might seem disappointing is the refresh rate of the screen, but in reality, it’s not noticeable. There are cheaper smartphones available that offer similar perks, and there are even sub-£1000 iPhones like the iPhone 12 (£799), so while it’s good value for what is clearly the most-accomplished iPhone, you don’t need to spread your net far when considering alternatives that’ll be kinder on your wallet. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max features and performance The iPhone 12 Pro Max dwarfs all other iPhones in size, yet the internals don’t diverge hugely from the base iPhone 12. That’s mostly thanks to the A14 Bionic chip, Apple’s fastest and most competent processor ever. Just like the other iPhones in the series, it comes with an IP68 protection rating, which translates as submerging your phone for 30 minutes as deep as six metres, and it’ll be hunky-dory. MagSafe is a great addition too, which allows for speedy charging, should you buy a compatible accessory. And of course, it comes with the must-have of flagship smartphones, 5G. The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a superior camera system to the iPhone 12 Pro, with a larger main camera sensor and a slightly better zoom. It also comes with Dolby Vision recording at 4K at 60fps, which is a boon for movie enthusiasts. FaceID works a treat using the True Depth camera on the front, and you can now even unlock your iPhone when wearing a face mask, with iOS 14.5 and the help of an Apple Watch. It might require you to operate it with two hands, given its size, but the iPhone 12 Pro Max is Apple’s most feature-rich iPhone. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max camera The iPhone 12 Pro Max camera is astounding. With Apple’s latest computational photography upgrades, paired with the hardware, the picture quality is unbeatable for a smartphone. Hardware differences from the iPhone 12 Pro are marginal but not insignificant: a 2.5x zoom instead of a 2x zoom, and there’s a larger sensor in the main camera. There are still three 12MP cameras and a LiDAR sensor, just like the iPhone 12 Pro. However, the slight differences result in better quality close-ups, and the larger sensor allows more light to be processed, which results in clearer images, especially in low light scenarios. The LiDAR sensor is useful in Night Mode, improving autofocus speed, so edges are crisper and more detail is retained. Night Mode can be used on a long exposure on the iPhone 12 Pro Max for up to 30 seconds, which is incredible for very dark scenes. Tripod necessary. Smart HDR 3 is powered by Apple’s A14 Bionic Chip and works alongside Deep Fusion to cleverly piece together shots from multiple exposures to optimise them for detail, colour and vibrancy. These are features that all iPhone 12s benefit from, and the difference from the iPhone 12 Pro is slight, yet the additional hardware to harness the computational photo wizardry puts the iPhone 12 Pro Max firmly in a league of its own. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max battery A smartphone so large must pack a beefy battery, right? Well, it’s certainly the biggest battery from its comparatively diminutive siblings, but it’s still not huge. The A14 Bionic chip is incredibly adept at keeping tabs on power consumption, though, so the iPhone 12 Pro Max won’t let you down. A day of heavy use will leave you with plenty left before bedtime and even the next day. However, once it jumps onto 5G networks, the battery is going to have to work a little harder, so that’s something to consider for the future when it’s more readily available. Apple claims that the iPhone 12 Pro Max will charge from 0-50% in 30 minutes, with a 20w charger (which you’ll have to buy separately as Apple doesn't provide one in the box). We found this to be spot on. Although the charging slowed down significantly after that, it’ll take over two hours to charge fully. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max design and set up The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max is built from glass, and stainless steel squared-off edges, with a full 6.7-inch OLED display. It’s Apple’s biggest iPhone ever, and while it may look the part, it’s unwieldy when using it one-handed, unless you’re blessed with Michael Jordan sized mitts, that is. Apple claims it’s four times tougher than last year’s models, and the ‘Ceramic Shield’ Glass which coats the screen, offers protection from scratches. The OLED display, or what Apple calls ‘Super XDR OLED display’, is up there with the best screen technology possible on a smartphone. The size of the OLED on the Pro Max makes it an excellent mini-TV for films and for viewing HDR content. Plus, it’s great for creating content with Dolby Vision 4K recording. It’s also bright enough to be easily viewed at multiple angles, even in bright sunlight. There are no EarPods or power block in the box, as with all the smartphones in the iPhone 12 series, so you’ll need to buy one separately or perhaps take advantage of MagSafe and take a wireless Apple charger. It’s a USB-C to Lightning cable instead of the older USB-A cables you’ll be familiar with. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is available in a sophisticated array of colours: graphite, gold, silver and blue. Our verdict: Should you buy the iPhone 12 Pro Max? If you want the latest and greatest Apple has to offer, and have pockets deep enough to do so, then the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the smartphone you’re looking for. The larger size and extra camera features give it marginal gains over the iPhone 12 Pro, and yet it’s only £100 more, which seems reasonable when you consider what that’ll mean in the future when 5G is more ubiquitous. The screen is stunning, the camera unbeatable, and it deals with multi-tasking and hefty processing as elegantly as a ballet dancer. Size matters. So if you don’t want a smartphone that’ll protrude out of your pocket, and require two hands to use, then it’s worth considering the smaller iPhone 12 Pro. Rating: Features: 5/5 Battery: 5/5 Design: 4/5 Camera: 5/5 Overall rating: 5/5 Where to buy Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max: Argos Amazon John Lewis Available at Carphone Warehouse | from £49.99 a month and £99.99 upfront Available at Tesco Mobile | from £46.99 a month (36-month contract) Available at EE | from £65 a month and £100 upfront Available at Vodafone | for £49 a month and £29 upfront (36-month contract) Available at O2 | from £57.10 a month and £30 upfront Not sure which of the series is the best iPhone for you? Read about each model's pros and cons in our iPhone 12 vs mini vs Pro vs Pro Max guide, check out our best iPhone guide, or compare with the rival's flagship in our Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review.
Find out how the smaller iPhone 12 Mini scores in our review.
The iPhone 12 Mini is Apple’s first ‘Mini’ iPhone, but rather than compromising on all the premium features, which is often the case with smaller phones, quite the opposite is true — it’s basically an iPhone 12 in a smaller package. With identical cameras and internals to the £100 more expensive iPhone 12, the only difference here is both the size of the device and screen. With the A14 Bionic chip at its core, a new edgier aesthetic, stunning OLED screen, and photography upgrades, it can happily trade blows with the very best. It offers the nostalgia of older iPhones which were sensibly sized and truly pocketable but packed with the latest tech, like 5G and MagSafe, and that’s why it’s truly unique. There’s nothing not to like on the most wallet-friendly and smallest iPhone. Well, there is one thing. The drawback from the smaller form factor is that there’s a smaller battery too, and running out of steam before the day ends might slightly dampen what is, by far, the most alluring and accomplished iPhone for years. The Mini version of Apple's flagship range will usually set you back £699 at Amazon, but right now it's £100 cheaper. So if you’ve read this review and you're looking to invest in the SIM-free handset, now's the perfect opportunity. This deal covers the 64GB handset in all colours, but you'll also find price drops on the 128GB model (was £749, now £649) and 256GB model (was £849, now £749). The iPhone 12 Pro Max certainly isn't a budget handset - but right now you'll find it available, SIM-free, at Amazon for £50 less than usual. Jump to: Apple iPhone 12 Mini review: summary What is the Apple iPhone 12 Mini? How much is the Apple iPhone 12 Mini? Apple iPhone 12 Mini features and performance Apple iPhone 12 Mini camera Apple iPhone 12 Mini battery Apple iPhone 12 Mini design and set-up Our verdict Where to buy Apple iPhone 12 Mini review: summary Price: £699 Key features: SuperRetina XDR display 5.4-inch OLED screen IP68 (waterproof up to 6 metres) Apple A14 Bionic Chip Dual 12MP camera, plus 12MP selfie camera Waterproof, IP68 iOS 14 MagSafe compatible 5G Pros: Smaller size is excellent 5G-ready Stunning photography Choice of lovely colours Cons: Slower wireless charging Battery life is just OK What is the Apple iPhone 12 Mini? The iPhone 12 Mini is one of the smallest 5G phones you can buy. It’s the daintiest and cheapest in the iPhone 12 family, yet still offers an impressive suite of features, including the latest chipset, OLED display and MagSafe. At the most affordable entry point to owning a 5G iPhone, it’s pound-for-pound the most compelling. The middling battery life might not work for all users, but it’s a small price to pay for a miniature hero. What does the Apple iPhone 12 Mini do? Takes stunning photos in all scenarios, employing Apple’s computational photography tech Blazes through games and daily tasks Shoots 4K video Offers the entire App store for you to plunder Takes advantage of 5G speeds when available Fits into small pockets and bags Offers Face ID to unlock How much is the Apple iPhone 12 Mini? The Apple iPhone 12 Mini is available from Argos and Amazon from an RRP of £699 (for 64GB model), but we've seen these prices drop by up to £100 during sales events. Skip to view the pay monthly prices Is the Apple iPhone 12 Mini good value for money? The iPhone 12 Mini is the entry point into the iPhone 12 family and the cheapest way to get all the flagship features in a smaller frame. There’s been no scrimping on materials, both exterior and interior, when it comes to the iPhone 12 Mini design, but the one trade-off is a slightly smaller battery, which won’t give as much as the £100 more expensive iPhone 12. Aside from this niggle, it represents fantastic value for money and is the ideal choice for those looking for a small but mighty iPhone. iPhone 12 Mini features and performance The Apple iPhone 12 Mini houses the same A14 Bionic chip as all four iPhones in the series, which translates into superb performance. Whether you’re playing mobile games or editing video files, it’ll be able to keep up. The 5.4-inch screen is smaller than the iPhone 12’s 6.1-inch display, and reaching all four corners of the device with one hand is a much-underrated asset in the world of enlarged smartphones. However, if you consume a lot of films and videos, the wider screens are going to be a more attractive sell. It’s worth noting that the iPhone 12 Mini is actually the most pixel-dense screen from the entire iPhone 12 family, boasting the sharpest display, but it’s still marginal. Both the iPhone 12 and 12 Mini offer a peak brightness of 1200 nits, which makes it easy to view the phone in bright sunlight and at all angles. All iPhones in the iPhone 12 family are stuck at a 60Hz refresh rate, which is a shame considering rivals like the older Samsung S20, and the much cheaper Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro offer 120Hz. Despite this, it’s not really a deal-breaker, and the screen reigns supreme on things like contrast, accurate colour reproduction, reflectance, and screen resolution. iPhone 12 Mini camera Each year, Apple finesse the camera on its smartphones, as championing creativity is a huge part of the iPhone allure. As with the Apple iPhone 11 and 12, there’s a dual-camera set up made up of two 12MP cameras; one f/1.6 wide-angle and the other, an f/2.4 ultra-wide sensor. Low light photography has typically been an area that Apple has struggled with, but that’s no longer the case. The f/1.6 aperture on the main sensor does a fantastic job of absorbing more light, paired with the algorithmic magic via internal processing results in crisper and brighter nighttime shots. The front-facing camera isn’t neglected either; with a 12MP camera, it’s capable of some incredibly clear low light portraits and wide-angle shots to fit in all the gang. Images are stunning from the camera; with Smart HDR 3 on board, parts of the scene that are in shadow will be balanced to reveal details and clarity, but with remarkably natural-looking results. Video capture is outstanding. Just like the iPhone 12, you can shoot video in HDR with Dolby Vision at 30fps, but you’ll have to opt for the Pro model to attain smooth 60fps. iPhone 12 Mini battery There are a couple of instances when being mini is no good thing: for cakes and smartphone battery units. While Apple never reveals the sizes of its battery units, we know that it’s smaller than the iPhone 12’s 2,815mAh battery. Regardless of this, we were still able to get through a whole day without the thing conking out from exhaustion. When we were ‘in the red’, Apple’s low battery mode does a good job of conserving energy, and this was after relatively heavy usage of photo taking, listening to hours of music via Spotify, and general App hokey-cokey. Following the trend with all iPhone 12 members, although you get a USB-C to lightning cable in the box, there’s no power adapter, so you’ll have to purchase one if you don’t already possess such a thing. The battery isn’t tragically bad and will be fine for the average person, but there are so many similarly priced alternatives that have bags more energy, but can they all match the iPhone 12 Mini in a number of other ways? Probably not. iPhone 12 Mini design and set up The iPhone 12 Mini is smaller and lighter than the iPhone 12, but there’s no trade-off when it comes to the design, rocking the stunning and strong aluminium and glass build, with a shiny glass back and frosted metallic edges, it looks every bit a premium iPhone. Plus, the fortified glass screen gives the Mini that extra bit of protection. Both the iPhone 12 and 12 Mini offer the greatest array of lovely colours: choose from black, white, blue, (product) red, green, and most recently, the newest colour, purple. Securing an IP68 rating means your iPhone 12 Mini won’t bat a proverbial eyelid when it comes to heavy showers or even being dropped in the bathtub. It can thrive six metres deep for up to 30 minutes. Guesses are, people looking at an Apple iPhone 12 Mini are upgrading from an older iPhone, which means swapping over to a new model should be a speedy and seamless experience that begins by simply holding both phones side-by-side. Just back up your iCloud, and you’re on the way to be reunited with all the apps, photos and messages you can’t bear to lose. MagSafe comes to iPhone 12 Mini too, so there’s also the opportunity to treat your phone to a few compatible accessories. Our verdict: should you buy iPhone 12 Mini? If size is a top priority when choosing your next iPhone, and you want the latest and greatest from Apple, then the iPhone 12 Mini will be your ideal match. However, the middling battery life might be somewhat of a bane if you have a very busy life, darting from place to place, and don’t want to be caught short, nor carry a portable charger. The features, camera, screen, design can compete with the best, all in a splendidly dainty package, plus it's £100 cheaper than its bigger sibling, which makes it a pretty good deal. Rating: Features: 5/5 Battery: 3/5 Design: 4/5 Camera: 4.5/5 Overall star rating: 4/5 Where to buy an Apple iPhone 12 Mini? Argos Amazon Available at Carphone Warehouse | from £32.99 per month and £29.99 upfront Available at Tesco Mobile | from £28.99 per month, paying nothing upfront on a 36-month contract Available at EE | from £41 per month and £100 upfront Available at Vodafone | from £47 per month and £29 upfront Available at O2 | from £30.95 per month and £30 upfront Available at Mobiles.co.uk | from £26 per month, and £155 £84 upfront (after voucher) - plus save £15 with code PD15 Not sure which is the best iPhone for you? Read our iPhone 12 review and iPhone 12 Pro review for comparison, or see how flagships score head to head in our iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 and OnePlus 9 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 guides.
Find out how the iPhone 12 Pro scores in our review.
In the iPhone pecking order, the iPhone 12 Pro sits above iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini, but sits below the £1,099 iPhone 12 Pro Max. Just like the iPhone 12 and 12 Mini, the Pro is 5G ready and offers Apple’s new MagSafe technology, plus the lauded A14 Bionic chip, which does a tremendous job of managing multiple tasks, assisting with computational photography and battery optimisation. So when the base models offer just about everything we need and want from a smartphone, it does make us wonder; what are the extras we’re getting from the Pro? Those extras culminate in: a third telephoto camera, polished stainless steel around the edges (rather than aluminium found on the iPhone 12 and 12 Mini), and an ever so slightly brighter screen. There’s no denying that the additional telephoto camera is a mighty asset, but it’s also the same one that graced the back of the iPhone 11 Pro. More interestingly, the Pro has a LiDAR scanner that measures the distance to an object, a boon for portraits and low light shots. The new hardware gets an emphatic nod of approval, but whether it’s worth stumping up an extra £200 over the standard well-specced iPhone 12 is the question worth asking. Read on for our full review of the iPhone 12 Pro. To see how it compares to its chief flagship rival, don't miss our iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 article. And if you're unsure about picking up the higher-spec Pro or the pint-sized Mini, check out our iPhone 12 vs Mini vs Pro vs Pro Max explainer. Or if the cheaper prices of the 12's predecessor are looking mighty tempting, read our iPhone 11 vs 12 article. Jump to: Apple iPhone 12 Pro review: summary What is the Apple iPhone 12 Pro? How much is the Apple iPhone 12 Pro? Apple iPhone 12 Pro features and performance Apple iPhone 12 Pro camera Apple iPhone 12 Pro battery Apple iPhone 12 Pro design and set-up Our verdict Where to buy Apple iPhone 12 Pro review: summary The Apple iPhone 12 Pro is a tad heavier than the standard iPhone 12, as Apple has swapped aluminium for stainless steel in the build, but it shares the same dimensions. There’s a third telephoto lens and LiDAR sensor on the iPhone 12 Pro, which makes for superb portraits and low light photography. Everything else remains the same as the standard iPhone 12, and even its smaller sibling, the iPhone 12 Mini, with 5G capabilities, a fantastic processor, and a stunning OLED screen. The iPhone 12 Pro is also £200 more expensive than the standard iPhone 12, so many will forgo the extra camera to save a buck. Comparing all models? Read our iPhone 12 vs mini vs Pro vs Pro Max comparison. Price: £999 Key features: SuperRetina XDR display 6.1-inch OLED screen IP68 (waterproof up to 6 metres) 189g Apple A14 Bionic chip Three 12MP sensors: wide, ultrawide, and a 2X telephoto lens and a LiDAR sensor Waterproof, IP68 iOS 14 MagSafe compatible 5G Pros: Brilliant photography Great for AR 5G-ready Cons: Expensive On the heavier side What is the Apple iPhone 12 Pro? The iPhone 12 Pro is Apple’s premium offering from the 2020 iPhone line-up. £200 more expensive than the standard iPhone 12, it sports a third telephoto camera and LiDAR sensor, which is great for AR, portraits and Night Mode. However, with so much of the excellent imaging down to the A14 Bionic chip and its HDR tricks, which do an incredible job of distinguishing detail within shadows, the improvements are small compared to the standard iPhone 12. Still, the iPhone 12 Pro comes with 50% more RAM than the standard iPhone 12 and is a beautiful thing to behold, with shiny stainless steel edging, available in silver, graphite, gold and blue. What does the Apple iPhone 12 Pro do? Takes superb photographs, including 2x zoomed-in shots at night, and can shoot in ProRaw Shoots 4K video with Dolby Atmos at 60fps Fast unlocks with Apple’s FaceID Allows for gaming and heavy usage with Bionic A14 chip Lasts a full day off a charge MagSafe offers top power wireless charging Works with MagSafe accessories Able to use lock onto 5G internet as and when it’s available How much is the Apple iPhone 12 Pro? The Apple iPhone 12 Pro has an RRP of £999 and is available at Argos and Amazon. Skip to view the pay monthly prices Is the Apple iPhone 12 Pro good value for money? The iPhone 12 Pro didn't entirely justify the extra spend - in our opinion - set against the original £799 asking price of the iPhone 12. Now, that the standard handset has fallen to £699, the price difference is all the more apparent. Let's assess the differences. The Pro's extra camera hardware is great for zooming in shots, and the LiDAR sensor is going to be marginally better at locking onto subjects at night, but the night mode algorithms are so competent on all iPhone 12 models, we suspect lots of consumers will struggle to justify picking the Pro over the standard 12. Comparing specs? Visit our iPhone 12 vs mini vs Pro vs Pro Max comparison or in-depth iPhone 12 review. Apple iPhone 12 Pro features and performance The iPhone 12 Pro is blessed with the A14 Bionic chip, Apple’s most powerful chipset, which is 20% faster than the one before it. With 50% more RAM than the standard iPhone 12, which on paper sounds significant, proved to make very little difference during our testing. When it comes to storage, iPhone 12 Pro sees a boost to 128GB, compared to the rather disappointing 64GB found on the iPhone 12, plus you can opt for 256GB and 512GB models if you’re a media hoarder. Gaming, editing, videoing, and just about everything in between was handled with utmost smoothness, speed and responsiveness. Apple has a habit of being late when it comes to adopting new technology, but when it does, it tends to do a terrific job, and that’s the case here with 5G. Although 5G is still patchy, the faster speeds could open up unbeknown opportunities in the future. MagSafe comes to the iPhone 12 Pro, marking a new piece of tech by Apple that accessories can snap onto, which allow features like speedy charging. iPhone 12 Pro ships with iOS 14 and allows for maximum widget customisation, picture-in-picture and more Memoji options, of course. With IP68 waterproofing paired with the ‘Ceramic Shield’ glass screen, the iPhone 12 Pro is protected from minor accidents and won't be defeated from a six-metre dunking in water for a maximum of 30 minutes. Apple iPhone 12 Pro camera Considering the iPhone Pro makes a big deal about its additional 12MP telephoto camera and LiDAR sensor, hardware that isn't included on the standard iPhone 12, it’s worth delving into how meaningful that all is. With a 12MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide, 12 telephoto camera, plus a LiDAR depth sensor, the iPhone 12 Pro’s camera is a tour de force. However, it’s the computational photography that is responsible for the majority of photography improvements. Smart HDR 3, which is new to the iPhone 12 series, uses machine learning to understand scenes and adjust accordingly for best results. Meanwhile, Deep Fusion fuses multiple images before you even press the shutter button. The iPhone 12 Pro has that extra telephoto lens which allows you to zoom in on a subject with more precision than the iPhone 12, plus the LiDAR sensor has a 6X faster autofocus in low light, which does give the iPhone 12 Pro the edge. HDR video with Dolby Vision goes up to 60fps, whereas it’s capped at 30fps on the iPhone 12, which could tempt those looking to shoot plenty of video. In daylight, photographs are stunning, balancing both clarity and naturalness, but there’s precious little difference compared to the standard iPhone 12. Yes, there are tangible advantages to the iPhone Pro 12 camera, like Apple ProRAW for additional flexibility when editing photos, 4K video at 60fps, the 2x telephoto lens to get closer to subjects, and finally, the LiDAR sensor to assist with night time shots. Yet, when compared to the standard iPhone 12, the differences are so incremental. Apple iPhone 12 Pro battery A smartphone should be able to see you through an entire day without needing a recharge, and on that criteria, the iPhone 12 Pro does the job. There’s a ton of Android alternatives that’ll annihilate the iPhone 12 Pro if it comes to the battery alone, but there’s more to battery life than a spec-sheet, and we’ve found that the A14 Bionic chip does a tremendous job of conserving battery in standby mode. Like all iPhone 12 series phones, there’s a Lightning to USB-C cable in the box, but no power adapter, in Apple's efforts to be more eco-conscious. Apple’s MagSafe offers port-free charging via its ring of magnets, and you can get 15w wireless charging, which is with an Apple-approved accessory, of course. Be mindful that 5G will cause a real drain on the battery life, but that’s something that our future-self will have to deal with; plus, there’s always the option not to join 5G networks, which is one way of negating that problem. Apple iPhone 12 Pro design and set up From the front, the iPhone 12 Pro is indistinguishable from the standard iPhone 12, as they share the same dimensions. However, the build is slightly different, with Apple opting to stainless-steel for the edges of the iPhone 12 Pro, which is shinier and, paired with the additional camera and RAM, makes the phone 25g heavier. The ‘Ceramic Shield’ is a type of glass covering the glorious 6.1 OLED screen and should give some added protection against scratches. Inky blacks and vibrant colours can be enjoyed on the iPhone 12 Pro display, as well as HDR content. Resolution is the same as the iPhone 12’s, and the screen is bright and easy to view at all angles and even in bright sunlight. It’s a touch dispiriting to see the refresh rate frozen at 60Hz, considering most other flagship smartphones offer the faster 120Hz, and Apple’s capable of this as such is the case with the iPad Pro. In reality, though, there’s no noticeable lag, and everything is buttery-smooth when it comes to the screen. There’s no headphones or power adapter in the box, and to benefit from the speedier charging on offer, you’ll need to source a 20W USB-C Power Adapter. Setting up a new iPhone is intuitive as ever, with step-by-step instructions on-screen. The most you'll need to do is enter your Apple ID, or create one if you’re new to Apple. Our verdict: should you buy Apple iPhone 12 12 Pro? The Apple iPhone 12 Pro is a show-stopper of a smartphone, offering stunning design and powerful internals. With Apple’s latest smartphone features, like 5G, MagSafe and a newly designed neural engine coming to all four models, the iPhone 12 Pro doesn’t stand out in the series as anything particularly special. The extra camera prowess will interest serious content creators, especially those interested in video, but the standard iPhone will bring as much joy for most people. The shiny edges and colour options might tempt some folk, as well as that telephoto lens and LiDAR sensor, but we don't feel it's quite compelling enough to justify spending the extra. Rating: Features: 5/5 Battery: 4.5/5 Design: 4.5/5 Camera: 5/5 Overall rating: 4.8/5 Where to buy Apple iPhone 12 Pro Buy from Amazon Buy from Argos Buy from John Lewis Available at Carphone Warehouse from £53 a month and £29 upfront Available at Tesco Mobile from £37.49 a month (36-month contract) Available at EE from £59 a month and £100 upfront Available at Vodafone for £75 a month and £49 upfront Available at O2 from £61.10 a month and £30 upfront The new flagship is here! Read our iPhone 13 review, or compare the iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12.
The iPhone SE is missing a few flagship features, but it also comes without the same hefty price tag.
The first iPhone SE was announced back in 2016 as a cheaper alternative to the flagship iPhones of the time, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Apple waited four years until releasing a successor, the iPhone SE (2nd gen), announced a few months after the iPhone 11 series. Like the first time around, the SE (2nd gen) is a smaller and more basic version of the 2020 iPhone line-up. It comes with many of the same features, but for a fraction of the price. There’s more to it than just size though, the iPhone SE (2nd gen) does have its drawbacks, namely: a smaller battery, only one main camera, and no full OLED screen. However, one all-important piece remains: the A13 Bionic chip, which is responsible for the phone’s performance. This chip not only unlocks much of the computational photography tricks which help make the iPhone SE (2nd gen) a tempting proposition, but it also helps to manage power consumption. The iPhone SE (2nd gen) also offers all the standard iPhone features, like iMessage, FaceTime, the huge and brilliant app store, plus the constant iOS updates will ensure features are always up-to-date. The A13 Bionic chip might’ve been taken over by the newer A14 model from the iPhone 12 line-up, but it can hardly be deemed dated, and it still succeeds on so many levels. It boils down to one simple consideration: how much are you willing to sacrifice for a cut-price iPhone? Read on for our verdict on the iPhone SE. We've also put a number of other Apple handsets to the test: you can read our iPhone 12 review, iPhone 12 Pro review and iPhone 11 Pro review. Jump to: Apple iPhone SE review: summary What is the Apple iPhone SE? How much is the Apple iPhone SE? Apple iPhone SE features and performance Apple iPhone SE camera Apple iPhone SE battery Apple iPhone SE design and set-up Our verdict Where to buy Apple iPhone SE review: summary Are you looking to upgrade an older iPhone model but don’t want to spend a fortune nor purchase something so large and chunky that you can barely wrap your hands around it? iPhone SE (2nd gen) is the answer. What you get here is an affordable Apple device that is far lighter than the alternatives yet still retains the quality and ease of use, even if it does omit a few flagship features. Price: £399 Key features: Glass and aluminium design 4.7-inch retina display A13 Bionic chip 12MP wide camera Portrait Mode and depth control on camera 4K video QuickTake - which means you can start recording by just holding down on the shutter 1,821mAh battery Touch ID Water-resistant up to 1 metre for 30 mins Apple Pay Pros: Lightweight Access the App store to plunder iOS experience is seamless Camera results excellent Cons: Fairly short battery life Uses some old screen tech Portrait mode doesn’t work on pets and objects What is the Apple iPhone SE? The iPhone SE (2nd gen) squeezes in a lot of the tech seen in the flagship iPhone 11 series, most notably the much-celebrated A13 Bionic Chip, Apple’s custom-made chip that boosts performance by 20% and is 30% more efficient than its predecessor. Until the iPhone 12 Mini popped onto the scene, it was also regarded as Apple’s smallest phone, and it remains to be Apple's most affordable recent phone. It’s not got the wow-factor of an edge-to-edge OLED screen, multiple cameras, or FaceID, but that seems a small sacrifice in the grand scheme of things. What does the Apple iPhone SE do? Play mobile games with the A13 Bionic Chip Can take vibrant photos and control the depth for amazing portraits Shoot 4K videos with well-balanced exposure Can be used in the rain Wireless charging is on board Makes use of Apple huge library of iOS apps How much is the Apple iPhone SE? The Apple iPhone SE retails for £399 and is available on Amazon. Skip to view the deals Is the Apple iPhone SE good value for money? Its very raison-d'etre is that it’s incredibly good value for an iPhone. It’s powered by the same chip as the way pricier iPhone 11 Pro, which is well over double the price. Although there’s only one 12MP camera here, it’s really the computational photography that will make images sing, using several processes that help with colour reproduction and HDR. Other features like burst mode are ideal for action shots, and the level of detail is impressive. The important things that will allow you to get through a day smoothly with no niggles are all accounted for. And if you want your phone to work harder or perform better when it comes to low-light photography, or should you require the sharpest screen resolution, then you’ll have to look at pricier models. Apple iPhone SE features and performance While the design doesn’t look like a huge trajectory from the much older iPhone 8, it’s the A13 Bionic chip at its core, responsible for the performance boost. Thanks to the extra power, it’ll compete with the iPhone 11 range in a number of ways, matching speeds when it comes to switching between apps, editing videos and photos, and multi-tasking between all of these things always feels fluid. It’s possible to run AR apps and measure real-world objects, which is a great feature to have, yet we haven’t found much real-world use for it, though mapping the night’s sky for star constellations is appealing. One of the advantages of iPhones is that many of the useful apps are built-in as soon as you set up the iPhone SE (2nd gen), and it’s a doddle to download more from the App store and customise the home screen to suit your needs. There’s no 5G on board, which is something that many new phones (even within this price range) do offer, but it does have Wi-Fi 5 and 4G LTE, which deliver speedy downloads. The 4.7-inch Retina HD screen does date the phone somewhat, with the black bezels flanking the ends of the screen. The iPhone 12 Mini, which is ever so slightly smaller, has a full screen and is more in keeping with Apple’s recent aesthetic and most modern smartphones. Bezels are a thing of the past. There’s an argument to say the smaller screen makes it easier to handle, and at 148g, it’s really very manageable. Apple iPhone SE camera Smartphone manufacturers get a bit carried away when it comes to cameras, adopting a ‘more is more’ attitude. Thankfully, that isn’t the case with the iPhone SE (2nd gen). Apple has done something clever while keeping hardware to a minimum, with only a single 12MP sensor linked to an f/1.8 aperture lens with OIS, there’s no ultra-wide or zoom lenses, yet it’s the image processing that pits the phone’s photography skills above many other smartphones in this price range. iPhone SE offers 5x digital zoom, but it’s the bokeh and depth control that achieve professional-looking portraits in good daylight, that is. Things are a bit blurrier at night without depth-sensing technology. Portrait mode won’t work for your furry friends; sadly, it’ll only detect humans. Colour reproduction is excellent, with images looking vibrant, and it’s got a knack of balancing exposure, managing to capture cloud details in the sky while still capturing detail in the foreground. The 7MP front-facing camera is adequate and is also capable of Portrait Mode, but it doesn’t do the job quite as well. Shoot 4K video up to 60fps, and you can always stick to HD video, which should be ample for most needs unless you want something of a really high production value, where an iPhone SE probably wouldn’t be what you’d use. There are loads of fun features like capturing a timelapse video with stabilisation, and by simply holding down the shutter button in photo mode, you can create instant videos. Apple iPhone SE battery life The 1,82mAh battery within the iPhone SE (2nd gen) isn’t quite the same as seen in the iPhone 8, but it’s still quite small. The iPhone 11 rocks a 3,046 mAh battery for comparison. The point of the Bionic chip is that it’s more power-efficient, meaning you can do more with less. That being said, a full day with the iPhone SE (2nd gen) is just about doable, but if you’re a power-user, shooting and watching videos and spending many hours chopping between apps, then you might find you’re in the danger zone before bedtime. If battery life is the most important factor, an equally excellent value iPhone would be the iPhone XR which has superior battery life but not nearly as good a processing chip. You only get a 5W charger in the box, which won’t win any awards for speedy charging. For an extra £29, you could purchase an 18W USB-C power cable, which will charge the iPhone SE rapidly, going from empty to about 50% in only 30 minutes. This is probably the only area that’s quite disappointing, as we’d like to think most smartphones last a day without needing to reach for the charger. Apple iPhone SE design and set up Setting up an iPhone SE (2nd gen) is much like setting up any iPhone. The experience is seamless; whether you’re starting new or switching from an old iPhone, simply transfer over the features and apps, you still require via iCloud. Many of the apps come pre-loaded, so after a charge and a few minutes selecting language and preferences, you’re ready to go. The pre-installed apps take up about 4GB of storage, and storage capacity comes in either: 64 GB, 128 GB or 256 GB. There’s no Face ID, but the fingerprint scanner is lightning fast, and you’ll be asked to set this up, as well as selecting a PIN if you choose to do so. You’ll find some EarPods in the iPhone SE box that use the Lightning connector, which will alleviate those who’ll bemoan the missing 3.5mm headphone jack. There’s no OLED display, and you’d only really expect that from high-end models, but the Retina HD display does the job. Colours are bright, and although the resolution isn’t up to much on paper (1334 x 750), in reality, it’s not so noticeable or lacking in any way. The iPhone SE (2nd gen) comes in black, white or Product Red, where every sale contributes directly to the Global Fund to combat COVID-19. Our verdict: Should you buy Apple iPhone SE (2nd gen)? The iPhone SE (2nd gen) is very much for those looking for an upgrade from an iPhone 8 or anything earlier. It also might tempt some Android fans looking for a taste of iOS, who might’ve been discouraged by Apple’s high price tags. Battery life on the iPhone SE (2nd gen) is good. The camera is excellent in good conditions, it’s lightweight, comfort alone is a bit of a sore spot for Apple, but the excellent A13 Bionic chip keeps things stable in the hand and offers a plethora of apps and iOS fun at your fingertips. Rating: Features: 4/5 Battery: 3/5 Design: 4.5/5 Camera: 4/5 Overall star rating: 4/5 Where to buy the Apple iPhone SE (2nd gen) Buy from Amazon Buy from Argos Available at Carphone Warehouse from £22.99 a month and £0 upfront Available at Tesco Mobile from £17.49 a month (36-month contract) Available at EE from £37 a month and £30 upfront Available at Vodafone for £47 a month and £9 upfront Available at O2 from £21.95 a month and £30 upfront Looking for more Apple product reviews? Read our Apple Watch SE review next. Or, compare the latest flagships in our iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12 guide.
Find out how the iPhone 12 scores in our review.
The iPhone 12 series marks the moment when Apple jumped on the 5G bandwagon, as until now, Apple was a little behind the curve. Although 5G promises to bring uncompromised speed and connectivity, only some areas have deployed 5G masts. However, it’s still one way to futureproof your phone as more cities join. Along with 5G, Apple debuted MagSafe, a connection that paves the way for an entire ecosystem of magnetic accessories, many of which will enable speedier charging. There are MagSafe chargers, cases and wallets both from Apple and other third-party accessory manufacturers. Performance has been upgraded from the iPhone 11 series, with the introduction of the A14 Bionic chipset, which boldly claims to outperform all smartphone competition across the board. Strangely, Apple harks back to the excellent iPhone 4 and 5 with its more box-like design and flat edges, but for the first time ever, it won’t ship with a power adapter or headphones. Why? It’s part of Apple’s sustainability efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. It’s built from recycled parts, too, and Apple uses renewable energy sources during the assembly process. Along with most of the hardware, the camera remains much the same as its forebearer, though there have been some improvements. The iPhone 12 sits alongside the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max and might just hit the sweet spot. Read on for our in-depth verdict on the iPhone 12. To see how it squares up to Samsung's flagship rival, read our iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 guide. And if you're also considering the other handsets in the 12 range, check out our iPhone 12 Pro review and iPhone 12 vs Mini vs Pro vs Pro Max explainer. Or if the cheaper prices of the 12's predecessor are looking mighty tempting - and we can tell you they most certainly do - there's our iPhone 11 vs 12 article. And if it's the new iPhone 13 you're tempted by, take a look at our iPhone 13 deals or head to our iPhone 13 review for a breakdown of the key specs. Jump to: Apple iPhone 12 review: summary What is the Apple iPhone 12? How much is the Apple iPhone 12? Apple iPhone 12 features and performance Apple iPhone 12 camera Apple iPhone 12 battery Apple iPhone 12 design and set-up Our verdict Where to buy Apple iPhone 12 review: summary The iPhone 12 is the most up-to-date iPhone with 5G and, unlike the iPhone 11, it’s graced with a stunning OLED screen, or what Apple calls ‘super Retina XDR’. It might omit a third telephoto camera, no optical zoom, but with the latest hardware and solid battery life, it’s the crowd-pleaser of the iPhone 12 series. There’s nothing about the iPhone 12 that’s so compelling to upgrade if you already have an iPhone 11. It scores highly in all areas: 5G is good to have, MagSafe is pretty convenient too, but if you need an upgrade, you won’t be disappointed. Price: £799 (64GB) Key features: SuperRetina XDR display 6.1-inch OLED screen IP68 (waterproof up to 6 metres) Apple A14 Bionic Chip Dual 12MP camera, plus 12MP selfie camera Waterproof, IP68 iOS 14 MagSafe compatible 5G Pros: Stunning OLED screen Enhanced camera Excellent battery life More sustainable design 5G ready Cool MagSafe addition Cons: Pricier than iPhone 11 No USB-C port No power cable in the box No third telephoto camera What is the Apple iPhone 12? The iPhone 12 is the base level from Apple’s 2020 smartphone line-up. It comes loaded with the new A14 Bionic chip, 5G, and a stunning OLED screen, which is an upgrade from the LCD screen found on the iPhone 11. The camera sees a slight improvement, but it’s much the same as iPhone 11, and there’s no telephoto third camera. The iPhone 12 will be the top choice for most people looking to have Apple’s latest technology in their hands. It’s got a decent battery life, is a good size for most, and the boxy design is charming, giving a fresh feel from recent models. What does the Apple iPhone 12 do? Takes stunning photography employing software skills and image stacking Shoots 4K video with Dolby Atmos Fast unlocks and optimum security with FaceID Allows for gaming and heavy usage with Bionic A14 chip at its core Lasts a full day off a charge MagSafe offers peak power wireless charging Attaches to a number of MagSafe accessories Makes use of 5G as and when it’s available How much is the Apple iPhone 12? The Apple iPhone 12 has an RRP of £699 and is available at Argos and Amazon. Skip to view the pay monthly prices Is the Apple iPhone 12 good value for money? The iPhone 12 sees about a £100 price hike from the iPhone 11, and there’s an argument to say there’s not a whole lot that makes it compelling enough to upgrade. For instance, 5G is great, but it’s not of much use if it’s not available in your area. MagSafe is cool but by no means life-affirming. The camera is marginally better, but there's little in it if you’re coming from an iPhone 11. The screen, however, is a big step up. It’s really about time that an OLED screen was found on the base level iPhone; whether or not that’s worth the extra depends on what matters to you. It’s not unreasonable, and to future-proof your phone, it’s probably worth it. Apple iPhone 12 features and performance? The iPhone 12 is the default iPhone that benefits from a boost in performance, design, camera, plus 5G and MagSafe. This is going to be the utilitarian iPhone to please the majority of Apple fans. The 12 Mini might be too small for some, the iPhone 12 Pro — too expensive, and the 12 Pro Max — totally excessive. The A14 Bionic Chip is a beast, and the 4GB RAM (which iOS does an excellent job of managing) will allow for long gaming sessions, plus hopping between work tasks and social apps without a hiccup. Benchmark scores obliterate anything you’ll find from top Android alternatives, and we found things to run extremely smoothly. Apple iPhone 12 is packed full of 5G bands (more than many of its rivals), so when a signal is available, you’ll be able to take advantage of that, including the seriously fast millimetre wave spectrum, which has rolled out in some US cities. Apple iPhone 12 ships with iOS 14, which brings many worthy additions that work like a dream on this model. There’s a new translate app, picture-in-picture, plus Apple's new storage solution, the App Library. Many apps also offer widgets that you can customise the size and placement of on the screen, giving you more control over screen layout. Apple iPhone 12 camera The iPhone 12 dual-camera set up consists of a main 12MP f/1.6 wide-angle camera, which is a step up from its predecessor. The smaller aperture will allow more light to reach the sensor. The other 12MP camera is an ultra-wide lens ideal for sweeping landscapes and group shots. The biggest improvements are via Apple’s incredibly capable camera software thanks to the A14 Bionic Chip. Night Mode on the iPhone 12 is something to behold, and it even works with the selfie camera, something we’re yet to see on any previous iPhone series. Apple combines multiple frames together in what it calls Smart HDR 3, which optimises photographs by processing data, recognising faces and objects, and merging multiple takes into the best single shot. Both cameras take advantage of these new software features, so even ultra-wide photos look decent at night, though they are still a tad grainy on closer inspection, but it’s still a huge leap forward than what we’ve had previously. Record up to 4K at 60fps video in 10-bit HDR and Dolby Vision which results in really punchy colours and can be viewed on HDR displays, but it’s capped at 4K 30fps, so you’ll need the iPhone 12 Pro if that’s too slow for you, but it’ll do just fine for most. Apple iPhone 12 battery life On paper, the iPhone 12 houses a 2,815mAh battery, smaller than the iPhone 11’s 3,110mAh cell, but it’s not quite as simple as that because the A14 Bionic chip does a better job at optimizing battery life. That said, it’s still a slight step down in terms of longevity. The good news is that it’s not really a deal-breaker, as the iPhone 12 gives plenty before it’s exhausted. A day is easily doable without having to reach for the charger. However, it does fall short when considering cheaper Android competition, but it’s an improvement from iPhones of yonder. In terms of charging, as we mentioned earlier, there’s no power adapter in the box. All you get is a USB-C to Lightning cable, so you’re going to have to purchase the correct adapter if you don’t already own one. Yours for £19 from Apple, but you can also purchase one from third-party suppliers. If you really want to splash out, the rather neat disc-shaped MagSafe charger (£39) provides fast wireless charging at 15W, but any Qi charger will do the trick. Apple iPhone 12 design and set up The iPhone 12 series is built from aluminium and glass with the screen coated in what Apple has named ‘Ceramic Shield’, a material that is a glass-ceramic hybrid. This new material is more robust, so dropping it shouldn’t be the catastrophe it once was. The whole design has been upgraded with flatter edges, and it’s really attractive and reasonably comfortable to hold, too. It’s smaller, narrower and 32g lighter than its forerunner and is really a beautifully designed device, even if it does lack the all-screen wow factor we’ve seen from Android flagships. With an IP68 rating, it can be submerged 6 metres for 30 minutes and is less likely to be water-damaged. The notch continues to blight the 6.1-inch display, which is graced with a high-contrast OLED display which is a big improvement from iPhone 11’s LCD screen and a feature usually reserved for ‘Pro’ models. HDR content really packs a punch, and it makes viewing regular photos and videos a pleasure too. Apple omits the fingerprint sensor, which would’ve been handy, not least for the fact our faces are often half-covered. The Lightning port remains at the bottom of the device as opposed to the newer and more widely-used USB-C port. Within the back of the handset lies the new MagSage technology, which comprises a ring of magnets that helps accessories, such as the MagSafe charger, to seamlessly align to the phone. It opens up a whole host of other MagSafe accessories. Our verdict: Should you buy Apple iPhone 12? The iPhone 11 was the one-size-fits-all iPhone of last year, and the iPhone 12, in some ways, offers a touch of ‘Pro’ style, owing to that glorious OLED display. It’s future-proofed with 5G compatibility and Apple fastest A14 Bionic chip, and MagSafe is a funky addition too, but this might not be a compelling enough case to upgrade. For a small chunk less cash, there’s every possibility that the iPhone 11 will satisfy your needs and maybe even last a bit longer on a charge. The new design is a welcome change from the smooth curves, which have become somewhat homogeneous on iPhone and many smartphone rivals. It’s smaller than the iPhone 11 with a larger screen too, which is another win for the iPhone 12. If you need the latest and greatest and aren’t fussed about the extra camera powers of the iPhone 12 Pro, then the iPhone 12 is a crowd-pleaser, which performs on just about every level. Rating: Features: 5/5 Battery: 4/5 Design: 4.5/5 Camera: 4.5/5 Overall star rating: 4.5 Where to buy an Apple iPhone 12? Buy from Argos Buy from Amazon Available at Carphone Warehouse from £34.99 a month and £49.99 upfront Available at Tesco Mobile from £31.99 a month (36-month contract) Available at EE from £45 a month and £100 upfront Available at Vodafone for £55 a month and £29 upfront Available at O2 from £49.37 a month and £30 upfront (save £72) The latest flagship is here! Head to our iPhone 13 page for the freshly unveiled iPhone. Comparing to other flagships? Read our iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 guide. Read our best iPhone guide to compare all models.
We put Apple's iPhone 11 Pro to the test, but how does it compare to the competition?
The iPhone 11 Pro was the jewel in the crown of Apple’s 2019 iPhone roster. It offers a superb camera unit, excellent battery life, and a lovely matt finish on the back, which is going to keep fingerprint smudges at bay. When it was launched in 2019, the one thing that was hard to stomach was the jaw-dropping price. There’s no denying that it’s very much at the premium end of things, qualified by its ‘Pro’ status, but since the iPhone 12 has entered the fray, the 11 Pro is looking more affordable. iPhones see incremental upgrades each year, but some of these changes are more significant than others, and by that very admission, the iPhone 11 Pro is still a fantastic smartphone and hardly far behind the iPhone 12 Pro in a number of ways. While the iPhone 12 pro is slightly boxier in shape, is 5G ready, and plays nice with MagSafe, Apple’s magnetic technology built for attaching accessories like fast wireless charging, there’s not a lot else in it. Those features feel superfluous for now, but when it comes to the things that matter like camera, performance and battery life, the iPhone Pro 11 shows little weakness. We put it to the test to see if it’s worth your time and money. To hear what we thought of the latest generation of iPhone, you can read our iPhone 12 review and iPhone 12 Pro review. And to see how one generation compares to the other, don't miss out iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12 explainers. You might also want to check out our iPhone SE review, to find out more about Apple's affordable handset. Jump to: Apple iPhone 11 Pro review: summary What is the Apple iPhone 11 Pro? How much is the Apple iPhone 11 Pro? Apple iPhone 11 Pro features and performance Apple iPhone 11 Pro camera Apple iPhone 11 Pro battery Apple iPhone 11 Pro design and set-up Our verdict Where to buy Apple iPhone 11 Pro review: summary The iPhone 11 Pro offers a premium Apple experience. Straight out the box, it fits comfortably in the hand, especially compared to larger devices like the iPhone 11 Pro Max. The new frosted glass matt finish on the exterior contrasts pleasingly with the shiny stainless steel sides. The triple-lens camera is capable of DSLR worthy photography and the 5.8-inch OLED screen is superior to the LCD screen found on the standard iPhone 11. It’ll last all day, and then some more, and is capable of chomping through pretty much any task you throw at it with the A13 Bionic Chip inside. A year later with the iPhone 11 Pro and it doesn’t feel the slightest bit dated. Price: £899 Key features: Super Retina XDR display 5.8-inch OLED 64GB, 256GB or 512GB A13 Bionic Chip A trio of 12MP cameras which shoot regular, telephoto and ultra-wide perspectives, plus an additional 12MP front-facing camera 4K video recording Face ID Apple Pay 3,046 mAh battery Pros: Fantastic camera with excellent Night Mode Great design which feels manageable for most hands Solid battery life iOS 14 works seamlessly Cons: No 5G Still expensive What is the Apple iPhone 11 Pro? Every September, Apple announces a series of new iPhones in an entertaining over-the-top presentation. Last year, we got three: the iPhone 11, the iPhone 11 Pro, and the iPhone 11 Pro Max. As you might expect, they go up in price and features in that order too. The iPhone 11 Pro sits bang in the middle and arguably is the most appealing of the lot. The iPhone 11 only has two cameras and an inferior LED screen, and the super-size iPhone 11 Pro Max which has a cinematic 6.5-inch screen, will struggle to fit in a pocket, feeling closer to a tablet and it’s incredibly pricey. What does the Apple iPhone 11 Pro do? Takes pro-level photographs both in day and night Shoots stunning clear 4K video Unlocks via FaceID Offers a seamless experience of the App store Provides iOS updates with all the latest features Stays on top form for an entire day of heavy use without needing a charge Its stunning OLED screen and quick refresh rates make it excellent for gaming How much is the Apple iPhone 11 Pro? The Apple iPhone 11 Pro retails for £899 and is available at John Lewis and Amazon. Skip to view the pay monthly prices Is the Apple iPhone 11 Pro good value for money? Premium iPhones have always left some head-scratching, yawping at how it can be so impossibly expensive compared to many of its Android counterparts. A year later after its arrival, we now see a significant price-cut, which makes it decent value for money, plus, it’s far less than you’d pay for an iPhone 12 Pro, without too much of a sacrifice. It’s a brilliant Apple phone that performs across the spectrum, so while it is decent value, you’re not getting a bargain here and unless you go second hand, an iPhone steal is hard to come by. Apple iPhone 11 Pro features and performance? The iPhone 11 Pro’s headline feature is the new camera hardware, as it’s rare that Apple shake things up to this extent. The camera array has proven to be very divisive for its funky looks, but fast-forward to a year later, and seeing it continued onto the iPhone 11 Pro, it’s shed any sensational value it once had. It’s really the A13 Bionic chip that makes the iPhone 11 Pro a performance champ when it comes to tasks which require a good amount of grunt, like editing chunky video files and downloading tracks. Apps downloaded super fast and FaceID beats the iPhone XS for speed. Handy features like Picture in Picture introduced in iOS 14 make the iPhone 11 Pro feel new. This feature allows you to watch a video in the corner of the screen while continuing to browse, so you can multitask like a maven. Apple puts paid to 3D Touch and it’s replaced by Haptic touch, requiring the user to press for longer, rather than pressing harder. Although the screen is very similar to the one seen on the older iPhone XS, this version is brighter, this makes a big difference when viewing the phone outdoors in sunny conditions. It also makes HDR content look phenomenal and Dolby Atmos sound joins the party, simulating surround sound for a full cinematic experience. Apple iPhone 11 Pro camera The camera upgrades are twofold. There’s the additional lens on the iPhone 11 Pro which makes a huge difference, and then there’s also the computational photography tricks performed by the A13 Bionic chip. It’s a lethal combination. Both the 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max benefit from a third 12MP f/2.4 ultra-wide lens, which joins the main 12MP f/1.8 camera with OIS, and the 2x 12MP telephoto lens. Image quality is magnificent. It’s vibrant and crisp, but also offers natural colour rendering with not over-saturation we see from rivals. All this is achieved by Apple’s smart image layering process which uses data from all three cameras. Portrait mode is masterful and works with any object. Apple has increased the aperture of the iPhone 11 Pro’s telephoto lens to f/2.0, rather than f/2.4 seen on the iPhone XS. This means more light can get to the sensor and this translates into an improved portrait mode, even in tricky lighting situations. You can even switch between 1x and 2x focal lengths which offers even more versatility when shooting. Apple seems to finally have an answer to Google’s famed, Night Mode, and it’s really compelling too. Depending on the available light, it’ll take between 1-3 seconds to expose a photo, just stay as still as possible, or better, prop the iPhone 11 Pro on a stable surface. The selfie camera does the trick and Apple has upped the resolution to 12MP, which is the same found on the iPhone 12 Pro. All three cameras are capable of recording 4K video at 60fps and you can even switch the camera as you zoom in or out whilst shooting. Subject tracking on video recording works well too, while audio zoom is available to narrow into the subject making the sound. Apple iPhone 11 Pro battery life The ample 3,046 mAh paired with the efficient internals means the iPhone 11 Pro lasts a full day, if not more. We never found ourselves in the red zone, even after some seriously heavy use. The chunkier battery claims to add 4-hours onto the battery life compared to its predecessor, we’re not so sure that’s totally accurate, but it’s not far off. Go from 0% to 50% in about 30mins with the 18W charger and cable found in the box. In Apple efforts to be more environmentally conscious, the iPhone 12 series doesn’t come with a charger at all. Of course you’ll find better battery life on the iPhone 11 Pro Max, but there are other features which might put people off opting for that, mostly the size. The recent iPhone 12 Pro slender aesthetics has one drawback, and that’s the 2815mAh battery, noticeably smaller than the one in the iPhone 11 Pro and Apple even admits to it lasting an hour less when testing. You won’t be left frustrated with the iPhone 11 Pros battery capabilities no matter what you put it through, and does anyone really need a phone to last more than a full day? Apple iPhone 11 Pro design and set up Dimensions come in at 144mm x 71mm x 8mm and that feels like a decent size, allowing your hand to reach all corners of the phone. And the lush frosted matt back is a welcome change from the shinier designs seen in older models. It also comes in Apple’s new flavour of the year, which happens to be a delightful Midnight Green. It’s also available in silver, grey and gold. The TrueDepth camera notch is still there, and it’s the same story for the iPhone 12 series, which makes us wonder; when will Apple finally launch a full edge-to-edge display like the Samsung S20, and S21. It shares the same Super Retina XDR OLED screen with identical brightness capabilities and a near same pixel density. The iPhone 12 Pro does have a marginally larger screen. Deep blacks and vibrant colours make watching media on the iPhone 11 Pro a pleasure, but we’d like to see a higher refresh rate than 60Hz, and the same could be said for the iPhone 12 Pro. Apple makes it very easy to transfer all data over to a new handset, but to ensure a smooth transition it’s worth downloading the latest iOS, and remember to switch off your two-factor authentication and then reactivate everything once you’re set up and ready to go. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. Our verdict: Should you buy Apple iPhone 11 Pro? There’s no denying that the iPhone 11 Pro is the dream handset for an Apple fan who loves to take photos. The image processing, paired with the additional camera make for a powerful camera set-up. Although it’s centred around photography, the iPhone 11 Pro is brilliant to use, with great battery life, a luscious OLED screen and stellar sound, only there are far cheaper smartphones if you’re willing to bypass Apple, and if photography doesn’t matter so much. However, if you’re an Apple fan and a photography fan who wants a phone that’ll zip through daily tasks and isn’t humongous, and you don’t much care about 5G, then step this way. Rating: Features: 4/5 Battery: 4.5/5 Design: 4.5/5 Camera: 5/5 Overall star rating: 4.5/5 Where to buy the Apple iPhone 11 Pro? Buy for £919 from Amazon Available at Tesco Mobile from £31.99 a month (36-month contract) Available at EE from £47 a month and £100 upfront Available at O2 from £32.37 a month and £30 upfront Interested in comparing the iPhone 11 to its successor? Check out our iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 guide, or see how the iPhone 12 vs mini vs Pro vs Pro Max compare.