iPhone 12, mini, Pro or Pro Max: these are the differences
There are four different iPhone 12 models to choose from. Find out here how they differ and what advantages or disadvantages the iPhone 12 mini has compared to the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
The majority of the features of all four iPhone 12s are identical. In other words, none of them is noticeably better or worse than the others. But of course there are differences, for which Apple has good-sounding reasons and which ultimately result in different prices. You have to decide for yourself whether the functions are worth the extra cost - just like the colour and memory size.
If you take the iPhone 12 as a starting point, the iPhone 12 mini is the same smartphone - just smaller. The iPhone 12 Pro has an additional camera and the iPhone 12 Pro Max is even bigger.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini: the same in small
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini are the same smartphone in a different size. The touchscreen measures 6.1 inches on the iPhone 12 and 5.4 inches on the mini version. The latter has a lower resolution of 2340×1080 pixels, which is sufficient for a slightly higher pixel density of 476 ppi for the display size. By comparison, the iPhone 12 has 2532×1170 pixels and 460 ppi. In everyday use, however, this is likely to be less relevant than the actual size.
With the smaller display, the iPhone 12 mini is more manageable overall, but also has less space for the battery. It has a lower capacity than the iPhone 12, which is reflected in slightly shorter battery life. According to Apple, video playback lasts 15 hours instead of 17 and music playback lasts 50 hours instead of 65. Sounds like a lot, but in practice the iPhone 12 mini should also last the usual day.
The iPhone SE 2 is the latest smartphone from Apple with an even smaller display. Despite its 4.7-inch touchscreen, it is taller, wider and heavier than the iPhone 12 mini. In other words, if you want the smallest - and not the cheapest - iPhone, the iPhone 12 mini is your choice.
iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max: Another camera
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are identical from the front and have exactly the same dimensions to the millimetre, but the Pro version weighs 25 grams more. It doesn't sound like much, but that's 15 per cent more weight. You can see where this comes from on the back. The Pro version has a third camera with a telephoto lens and is not the only camera feature that justifies the "Pro" suffix.
In addition to the three lenses, the camera module also contains a LiDAR scanner. This is used for faster autofocus in low light, night mode for portrait shots and even better AR experiences. Apple ProRAW is a new raw data format, which is not yet available and will be added with an iOS update.
A look at the smartphones also shows the different materials used. The glass back of the iPhone 12 is reflective and the side edges are made of matt aluminium. The Pro has a matte glass back and shiny stainless steel side edges, which contribute to the weight increase.
One more difference can be seen in the display on the data sheet: Away from HDR videos, the iPhone 12 Pro offers a maximum brightness of 800 nits compared to 625 nits. A difference that you can see, but the 625 nits are already bright enough for you to recognise the display content in sunshine.
The data sheet does not state that the iPhone 12 Pro has more RAM. However, you should only notice the difference between the four and six gigabytes of RAM if you push the smartphone to its limits.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is unsurprisingly the larger version of the iPhone 12 Pro. Its display measures 6.7 inches instead of 6.1 inches. This also means a few more pixels (2778×1284 compared to 2532×1170 pixels) and a lower pixel density (458 compared to 460 ppi). A larger display consumes more power, but the housing has more volume and therefore space for a larger battery. According to Apple, the battery life of 20 hours for video playback and 80 hours for listening to music is longer than that of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro.
With the telephoto lens of the iPhone 12 Pro Max, you can also get a little closer to the subject, as it has a 2.5x zoom. The practical effects compared to the 2x zoom of the iPhone 12 Pro should be minimal. However, according to Apple, the 47 per cent larger image sensor should be particularly noticeable in the dark. In addition, only the Max has an optical image stabiliser for videos.
Conclusion: The small iPhone 12 is only small and not bad
The cheapest iPhone 12 mini is no worse than the more expensive models. You don't have to worry about missing out on anything - even if Apple has of course made sure that the other versions can do more. With the iPhone 12, you get a larger display - which is not always desirable - and a slightly longer battery life. The iPhone 12 Pro offers more options for photos with the additional telephoto lens, LiDAR scanner and camera software. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is even bigger, has a slightly longer battery life and offers a little more in terms of the camera.
Updated on 21 December 2020
When I was but a young student, I'd sit in my friend's living room with all my classmates and play on his SuperNES. Since then I've had the opportunity to test out all the newest technology for you. I've done reviews at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, and have now arrived at Galaxus.de.
