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Apple embraces 5G with new iPhone 12 range

The first reviews of Apple’s new 5G iPhones are out — so what’s the verdict?

There are four new models, with prices ranging from £699 to £1,099. Unlike previous iPhones, the new iPhone 12 is 5G-capable, allowing users to benefit from the lightning-fast speeds and lower latency offered by the next generation of mobile connectivity.

Compared to the iPhone 11, the new design has flatter edges and is noticeably smaller despite having the same size screen.

Reviewing the new smartphone, Dieter Bohn from the Verge said that the iPhone 12 “feels more elegant and confident than the past few years of iPhones”.

Stuart Miles from Pocket Lint was impressed by the night mode and HDR capabilities of the camera, while Rhiannon Williams from the i newspaper filmed 4K videos in daylight and at night and was “blown away” by the quality of the footage.

TechRadar’s Gareth Beavis, however, noted that while the iPhone 12 is more future-proof with lots of potential, it doesn’t feel like a massive change from the iPhone 11.

If you’re looking for a compact phone and are happy with a 5.4-inch screen size, the iPhone 12 mini packs the same features as the iPhone 12 but with a smaller price tag. The 6.1-inch iPhone 12, meanwhile, is better if you regularly use your phone to watch videos, TV shows and films.

Targeted at professional users, the iPhone 12 Pro is the same size as the iPhone 12 but comes packed with additional features for photographers and film-makers. And the top-of-the-range iPhone 12 Pro Max delivers all that and more with a 6.7-inch screen size — even bigger than its predecessor, the iPhone 11 Pro Max.

All four models come with edge-to-edge Super Retina XDR displays for a brighter, more immersive viewing experience, and a new Ceramic Shield front cover which Apple claims is four times better at surviving a drop. They are powered by the superfast A14 Bionic chip which features a 16-core Neural Engine capable of completing 11 trillion operations per second, and come with MagSafe for improved wireless charging and an ecosystem of easy-to-attach accessories.

Computational photography features in the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max include the new Apple ProRAW for more creative control in photos, and the first end-to-end Dolby Vision video experience, up to 60 fps.

The upgraded camera systems include an expansive Ultra Wide camera, a Telephoto camera with an even longer focal length on iPhone 12 Pro Max, and new Wide cameras to capture professional-quality images and video in bright and low-light environments.

The two new phones also introduce a new LiDAR Scanner for immersive augmented reality (AR) experiences.

Top quality smartphones aren’t cheap, and to pay for one you may have to sign a contract — which you’ll need to keep on paying even if you lose or damage your phone. Protect against such risks with specialist insurance for iPhones from Gadget Cover.

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