Cutting Edge Apple iPhone 12

Mostly excellent, the iPhone 12 gets a host of new features in an improved design… but at a higher price

Processor A14 Bionic chip

Screen 6.1-inch 2532x1170 OLED

Memory 8GB

Storage 64GB/128GB/256GB

Battery Up to 17 hours video playback

Cameras 12MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide rear; 12MP front

OS iOS 14

Dimensions 71.5x146.7x7.4mm

Weight 162g

One of four new iPhones released towards the end of 2020, the iPhone 12 will probably be the most popular model, coming in the middle of the flagship phone price range, and offering a solid range of improvements compared to the iPhone 11. However, it has also had a price rise, which tempers the feeling of value.

All of Apple’s new phones this year feature a new design, which most closely resemble the design of the new iPad Air and latest iPad Pros, and which many have compared to the iPhone 5-era devices, with flat sides, and severe corners.

The iPhone 12 is significantly smaller than the iPhone 11, despite having the same-size screen. Removing the curves of the case and thinning the bezel around the screen’s edge means this phone is effectively the size of the 5.8-inch iPhone 11 Pro – and is identical in size to the iPhone 12 Pro, in fact. And the flat sides and smaller borders mean the screen is much easier to reach across with one hand.

The iPhone 12’s aluminium side frame and glass back come in five colours: black, white, red, green and blue. Unlike, say, the iPad Air where the colours tend to stick with all being quite pastel, here they run an interesting range. The new design is superior in every way – aesthetically, ergonomically and functionally. It’s maybe the best-looking iPhone so far.

In glowing colours