IPhone 12 Pro (2022) Review: Still Worth It?
Hey guys! So, you're thinking about grabbing an iPhone 12 Pro in 2022, huh? That's cool! Even though it's not the newest kid on the block anymore, it's still a pretty awesome phone. In this review, we're going to dive deep and see if it still holds up to today's standards. We'll check out everything from its performance and camera to its display and overall value. Let's get started!
Design and Build Quality
When the iPhone 12 Pro first came out, its design was a total head-turner, and honestly, it still looks great. The flat edges give it a modern and sophisticated vibe, setting it apart from older iPhones with their rounded designs. The surgical-grade stainless steel band around the edges not only looks premium but also feels incredibly solid in your hand. You can really feel the quality! And let's not forget the matte finish on the back glass – it’s super resistant to fingerprints, which is a huge plus if you're like me and hate constantly wiping your phone. It’s available in some really classy colors like Graphite, Silver, Gold, and Pacific Blue. Each one looks stunning and adds to the overall premium feel of the phone. The size is also just right for most people; it's big enough to enjoy watching videos and playing games, but not so big that it feels unwieldy. Plus, it's got that Ceramic Shield front cover, which Apple claims is four times more drop-resistant than previous iPhones. While I haven't intentionally drop-tested it (and wouldn't recommend you do either!), it’s good to know it has that extra layer of protection. The iPhone 12 Pro also boasts an IP68 rating, meaning it can survive being submerged in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes. This is great for peace of mind if you're prone to accidents near water or just want to take some cool underwater photos (though I'd still be cautious!). Overall, the design and build quality of the iPhone 12 Pro are top-notch. It feels like a premium device, and it's built to last. Even in 2022, it can easily compete with newer phones in terms of aesthetics and durability. So, if you're looking for a phone that looks and feels luxurious, the iPhone 12 Pro is definitely worth considering.
Display
The iPhone 12 Pro features a stunning 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display. Okay, that's a mouthful, but what does it mean for you? Well, it means you're getting a display that's incredibly sharp, bright, and vibrant. The OLED technology delivers true blacks and excellent contrast, making everything from photos to videos look amazing. Whether you're browsing through your Instagram feed, watching your favorite shows on Netflix, or playing graphics-intensive games, the display really pops. The resolution is 2532 x 1170 pixels, which translates to a pixel density of 460 ppi. In simpler terms, that means the screen is super sharp, and you won't see any pixelation. Text looks crisp and clear, and images are incredibly detailed. The brightness is also impressive, with a typical max brightness of 800 nits and a peak brightness of 1200 nits for HDR content. This means that the display is easily viewable even in bright sunlight. You won't have to squint or struggle to see what's on the screen when you're outdoors. Another great feature is the wide color gamut (P3), which allows the display to reproduce a broader range of colors. This results in more accurate and lifelike colors, making your photos and videos look even more stunning. The iPhone 12 Pro also supports HDR (High Dynamic Range), which enhances the contrast and color accuracy of HDR content. When you're watching HDR movies or TV shows, you'll notice a significant difference in the level of detail and realism. One thing to note is that the iPhone 12 Pro doesn't have a high refresh rate display like some newer Android phones. It sticks to the standard 60Hz refresh rate. While this might disappoint some users who are used to smoother scrolling and animations, the display is still incredibly responsive and fluid. Overall, the display on the iPhone 12 Pro is still fantastic in 2022. It's sharp, bright, vibrant, and color-accurate, making it a joy to use for everything from browsing the web to watching videos. Even without a high refresh rate, it's still one of the best displays you can find on a smartphone.
Performance
Under the hood, the iPhone 12 Pro is powered by Apple's A14 Bionic chip. Now, even though it's not the latest chip from Apple, it's still incredibly powerful and capable. The A14 Bionic is a 6-core CPU with two high-performance cores and four efficiency cores, along with a 4-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine. What does all that mean for you? It means that the iPhone 12 Pro can handle pretty much anything you throw at it with ease. Whether you're multitasking between apps, playing graphics-intensive games, or editing videos, the iPhone 12 Pro doesn't break a sweat. Apps launch quickly, animations are smooth, and there's no lag or stuttering. The A14 Bionic is also incredibly efficient, which helps to extend battery life. Even with heavy usage, you can easily get through a full day on a single charge. The 16-core Neural Engine is responsible for handling machine learning tasks, such as image recognition, Siri voice commands, and augmented reality experiences. This allows the iPhone 12 Pro to perform these tasks quickly and efficiently, without draining the battery. The iPhone 12 Pro comes with 6GB of RAM, which is plenty for multitasking and running multiple apps simultaneously. You can switch between apps without having to worry about them reloading or slowing down. In terms of storage, the iPhone 12 Pro is available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB options. If you plan on taking a lot of photos and videos, or if you like to download a lot of apps and games, you'll probably want to go for the 256GB or 512GB model. One of the great things about the A14 Bionic is that it's still supported by the latest version of iOS. This means that you'll continue to receive software updates and security patches for years to come. Overall, the performance of the iPhone 12 Pro is still excellent in 2022. It's fast, responsive, and capable of handling even the most demanding tasks. Whether you're a casual user or a power user, you'll be happy with the performance of this phone.
Camera
The camera system on the iPhone 12 Pro is one of its standout features. It's a triple-lens setup, featuring a 12MP Wide lens, a 12MP Ultra Wide lens, and a 12MP Telephoto lens. Each lens is designed to capture different perspectives and shooting scenarios. The Wide lens is your main shooter, capturing detailed and vibrant photos in most lighting conditions. It has a f/1.6 aperture, which allows it to gather more light, resulting in better low-light performance. The Ultra Wide lens is perfect for capturing wide landscapes, group photos, and creative perspectives. It has a 120-degree field of view, allowing you to fit more into the frame. The Telephoto lens offers a 2x optical zoom, allowing you to get closer to your subject without sacrificing image quality. It's great for portraits, wildlife photography, and capturing distant objects. One of the key features of the iPhone 12 Pro camera system is its computational photography capabilities. Apple uses advanced algorithms to enhance the image quality, reduce noise, and improve dynamic range. Smart HDR 3 analyzes the scene and adjusts the highlights, shadows, and colors to create a more balanced and natural-looking image. Night mode is available on all three lenses, allowing you to capture bright and detailed photos in low-light conditions. It uses a combination of long exposure and image stabilization to reduce noise and blur. Deep Fusion enhances the detail and texture in your photos by analyzing multiple exposures and merging them into a single image. The iPhone 12 Pro can also record video in up to 4K resolution at 60fps. It supports Dolby Vision HDR recording, which enhances the color and dynamic range of your videos. Cinematic mode adds a shallow depth of field effect to your videos, creating a more professional and cinematic look. The front-facing camera is a 12MP TrueDepth camera, which captures detailed selfies and supports Face ID. It also supports Night mode and Smart HDR 3. Overall, the camera system on the iPhone 12 Pro is still excellent in 2022. It captures detailed, vibrant, and well-balanced photos and videos in a variety of lighting conditions. Whether you're a casual user or a photography enthusiast, you'll be happy with the camera performance of this phone.
Battery Life
The iPhone 12 Pro has a 2,815mAh battery, which might seem small compared to some Android phones, but it's actually quite efficient. Thanks to the A14 Bionic chip and iOS optimizations, the iPhone 12 Pro can easily last through a full day of moderate usage. If you're a light user, you might even be able to squeeze out a day and a half on a single charge. With heavy usage, such as gaming, video streaming, and constant social media browsing, you'll probably need to charge it before the end of the day. But overall, the battery life is pretty good for a phone of this size and performance. The iPhone 12 Pro supports fast charging, allowing you to charge the battery up to 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W adapter (sold separately). It also supports wireless charging, which is convenient for topping up the battery without having to plug in a cable. The iPhone 12 Pro also supports MagSafe charging, which uses magnets to align the charger with the back of the phone. This ensures a more efficient and reliable charging experience. One thing to keep in mind is that the battery life can vary depending on your usage patterns and settings. Factors such as screen brightness, background app refresh, and location services can all impact battery life. To extend the battery life, you can try reducing the screen brightness, turning off background app refresh, and limiting the use of location services. You can also enable Low Power Mode, which reduces the performance of the phone to conserve battery life. Overall, the battery life on the iPhone 12 Pro is decent. It's not the best on the market, but it's good enough to get you through a full day of moderate usage. And with fast charging and wireless charging, it's easy to top up the battery when needed.
Value
So, is the iPhone 12 Pro still worth it in 2022? Well, it depends on your needs and budget. If you're coming from an older iPhone, such as an iPhone 8 or earlier, the iPhone 12 Pro would be a significant upgrade. You'll get a much better display, a faster processor, a more advanced camera system, and 5G connectivity. If you're on a tight budget, you might want to consider the standard iPhone 12, which offers similar performance and features at a lower price. However, you'll be missing out on the telephoto lens and the stainless steel design. If you're willing to spend a bit more, you might want to consider the iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 Pro, which offer even better performance, camera capabilities, and battery life. But keep in mind that these phones are also more expensive. One of the advantages of buying an older iPhone is that it's often available at a discounted price. You can find used or refurbished iPhone 12 Pro models for significantly less than the original retail price. However, you'll want to make sure that you're buying from a reputable seller and that the phone is in good condition. Overall, the iPhone 12 Pro still offers good value in 2022. It's a powerful and capable phone with a great display, camera, and design. If you can find it at a good price, it's definitely worth considering.
Conclusion
The iPhone 12 Pro remains a fantastic phone in 2022. While newer models have since been released, the 12 Pro still packs a serious punch with its A14 Bionic chip, stunning display, and versatile camera system. It's a great option if you're looking for a premium iPhone experience without paying top dollar for the latest model. Plus, the sleek design and robust build quality mean it'll still turn heads. So, if you're considering upgrading or just want a high-quality smartphone, the iPhone 12 Pro is definitely worth a look!
