The smallest and largest iPhone 12 clearly focus on completely different target groups. Yet they differ little from each other in terms of functions and specifications. In this first impression, I’m going to get started with the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
First impression of the iPhone 12 mini and Pro Max
All iPhone 12 phones are now available. After the entry-level model and the iPhone 12 Pro have been for sale for a while, you can now also buy the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max. We will work with the latter two in this first impression, the final reviews with purchase recommendations will come next week.
iPhone 12 mini first impression
Small. That’s the first thing I thought when I got my hands on the iPhone 12 mini. That feeling starts the moment you see the packaging. Thanks to the lack of an adapter and EarPods, it is smaller than ever before. Only one charging cable is included in the box. According to Apple, this is considerably more robust than its predecessor and should therefore break less quickly.
On to the phone itself. The iPhone 12 mini can rightly call itself “mini”. Especially when you put it next to the 12 Pro Max, it is striking how compact the device is. With its 5.4 inch screen, the device is a lot smaller than the ‘normal’ iPhone 12 (with 6.1 inch screen) and will be easy to operate with one hand for most people.
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New design, old problem
Speaking of which, the angular design ensures that the phone is slightly different in the hands than previous iPhone models. Apple has switched to a new design. The housing is now angular, the edges are ‘harder’ and the screen lies flat on the frame.
In general, I think the iPhone 12 mini is a beautifully designed device, but I am less pleased with the back. This is really a magnet for fingerprints, just like the iPhone 4s was back then. That’s a shame, because the reflective finish comes into its own when it can shine freely.
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Finally oled
The differences between the entry-level iPhones and Pro models are smaller this year than ever before. Screening technology plays a major role in this. The iPhone 12 mini (en iPhone 12) no longer have an LCD panel, such as the iPhone 11, but an OLED screen. That is good news, because OLED surpasses LCD in all areas.
The Super Retina XDR screen, as the Apple marketing name of the 12 mini screen, therefore has a much wider color range, higher contrast and the blacks look deeper. The added value of this screen should be evident in the long term, but the first films I have watched look beautiful.
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Dual camera
The camera is less revolutionary. Again, Apple opts for two 12-megapixel lenses on the back: the primary lens is amplified by a wide-angle lens. You can use the latter for capturing large groups or landscape photos, for example.
In terms of hardware, little has been done to the camera. That kite does not apply to the software: Apple has taken significant steps there. For example, the Night mode now works on all lenses, including the selfie camera.
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Surprise: MagSafe
One of the biggest surprises during the presentation of the iPhone 12 was the announcement of MagSafe. Thanks to this magnetic connection you can ‘click’ all kinds of accessories on the back of the iPhone 12 phones, such as a cover for your cards. You can also use MagSafe for wireless charging, for example.
Conclusion iPhone 12 mini first impression
The iPhone 12, only smaller. That’s the best way to describe the iPhone 12 mini. People have been asking for a high-end Apple phone in a compact package for years and the 12 mini serves this group of people at their beck and call. The smallest iPhone 12 can do everything its bigger brother can do, but it is a lot easier to handle. Moreover, thanks to this smaller screen size, the device is a lot cheaper and therefore an interesting deal.
iPhone 12 Pro Max: first impression
On to the greatest Apple phone ever: the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The new Pro Max has a 6.7 inch screen, the 11 Pro Max had to make do with 6.5 inches.
This is a great achievement from Apple, because in terms of dimensions the new Pro Max is only slightly larger than its predecessor from 2019. The front of the device is therefore more efficiently designed, which means that the effective screen surface has increased proportionally. In addition, the new, flat design ensures that the 12 Pro Max has even become slightly thinner.
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Heavy, but stylish
Nevertheless, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is gigantic, especially when you put it next to the smallest iPhone 12. Now some will like this large format, a larger screen is better for watching movies, for example, but I think the Pro Max is quite heavy. It taps 226 grams on the scale, just like the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
I may notice this weight because I simultaneously use the iPhone 12 mini, which is of course much lighter. In terms of design, the Pro Max also draws the longest straw. The matt finished back looks much more stylish and is above all a lot less sensitive to fingerprints.
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Largely identical to iPhone 12 Pro
Basically, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the same device as the iPhone 12 Pro, which we have discussed extensively before, so we will keep it brief in this first impression and focus mainly on the differences.
The Pro Max is larger than the entry-level Pro model, has a longer battery life and better camera. For example, it has 2.5 times optical zoom, so you can get the image closer without any loss of quality, while the regular Pro remains at 2. The largest iPhone ever also has a physically moving sensor that comes into action the moment you try to get the image stable while shooting.
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Focus on camera
The first snapshots I took with the iPhone 12 Pro Max look fantastic. Focusing on small parts is flawless, the colors look beautiful and the contrasts are fine. I have not yet been able to test the Night mode extensively, but the first results are very promising.
New this year: the LiDAR scanner. This sensor measures the distance from the camera to an object or person. This allows the camera to better estimate how far or close someone is and adjust the settings accordingly. In practice, you will therefore encounter the LiDAR scanner especially during portrait photography, or when you use the new one Measuring app used.
Conclusion iPhone 12 Pro Max first impression
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has the largest iPhone screen ever, feels very solid and, thanks to its matt finished back, looks a lot more stylish than the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini. Thanks to three lenses and the addition of a LiDAR scanner, the Pro Max also draws the longest straw when it comes to photography. On the other hand, the largest iPhone 12 is a lot more expensive than its smaller brothers and therefore especially interesting for a smaller audience.
On to the reviews
Little can be said about some components at the moment. The A14 chip of the iPhone 12 devices is, for example, a speed monster on paper, but practice must show whether this is really the case. And what about the battery life of the iPhone 12 mini? The first reviews from international media were critical in this area.
In the coming days I will be working hard with the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max and you will read the results in the reviews next week. Do you know enough and do you want one of the two devices at home? Then use the price comparators below to find the best deal. Check us in advance delivery time itemas all iPhone 12 models are currently poorly stocked.
iPhone 12 mini
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