Apple unveils impressive little and large iPhone double act
THE final pieces of the 2020 iPhone jigsaw fell into place last week with the release of the final two variants of the new devices.
The iPhone 12 Mini and the iPhone 12 Pro Max have been in our hands for a couple of weeks now, and we like what we see.
We know all about the 12 and the Pro, which have been out for a month – they’re fast, have great cameras, and run the best mobile OS you can find in iOS 14.
So what’s new with the latest models?
The name of the iPhone 12 Mini more or less gives the game away
– it is identical to the iPhone 12, but at a smaller size - a 5.4in screen in contrast to the regular 12’s 6.1in.
Apart from that, they have the same 5G connectivity, the same super-fast chip, the same improved camera, and the same MagSafe features.
The only difference is the Mini sports a smaller battery, so has a slightly shorter battery life.
It’s a delight to use – the perfect size, I would say. It’s a little smaller than the iPhone SE, but has a larger screen.
The only downside for an old man like me is it’s a little tougher on the peepers than a bigger screen.
Your mileage on that may vary. Starting at £699, it’s also the cheapest way to get into the iPhone 12 world.
In contrast to the Mini, the Pro Max is a beast of a phone with a 6.7in screen (the regular Pro is 6.1in). The difference in size has allowed Apple to make enhancements to the phone’s camera. The Pro Max camera has a 47 % bigger sensor in the main wide camera, which leads to better photos, particularly in low light, and the telephoto lens can zoom in a little further. There’s also a more sophisticated image stabilisation system.
It’s perhaps the first time Apple’s Pro line of phones has lived up to the name – this is a pro-level camera system that can produce extraordinary results.
Whether it’s worth the extra money (the Pro starts at £999 with the Pro Max costing £100 more) will depend on your usage.
You’d have to be a pretty serious photographer to need the significantly better camera system.
The larger screen, however, brings all sorts of advantages – especially if you’re are challenged in the eyesight department.