Apple recently launched the iPhone 12 family of smartphones. Much like previous years, we have several models to choose from at different sizes and price points. Today, we are taking a closer look at the iPhone 12 Pro — Apple’s medium-sized flagship with all the latest and greatest that Cupertino has to offer.
Preorders opened up on October 16, and the iPhone 12 Pro release date is set for October 23. Interested in learning more about the iPhone 12 Pro and how it stacks up to the rest of the lineup and some of Apple’s previous devices? Keep reading to find out.
This iPhone 12 Pro overview is part of our larger series on the iPhone 12 family. Learn more about the iPhone 12 lineup by visiting our iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, and iPhone 12 Pro Max overviews.
Table of Contents:
iPhone 12 Pro specifications
Being Apple’s flagship smartphone, the iPhone 12 Pro features a lengthy list of hardware specifications and software innovations that add up to one of the most premium smartphone experiences currently available. Just like the rest of the iPhone 12 lineup, you get Apple’s A14 Bionic chip with next-generation Neural Engine, 5G wireless connectivity, a class-leading camera setup, and one of the best smartphone displays on the market.
| iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 12 | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 12 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | ||||
| Display | 5.4-inch OLED | 6.1-inch OLED | 6.1-inch OLED | 6.7-inch OLED |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 (476 ppi) | 1170 x 2532 (460 ppi) | 1170 x 2532 (460 ppi) | 1284 x 2778 (458 ppi) |
| Cameras | Ultrawide: 12MP sensor with 13mm, f/2.4 lens and 120-degree FOV Wide-angle: 12MP (1.4μm pixels) sensor with 26mm, f/1.6 lens and OIS | Ultrawide: 12MP sensor with 13mm, f/2.4 lens and 120-degree FOV Wide-angle: 12MP sensor (1.4μm pixels) with 26mm, f/1.6 lens and OIS | Ultrawide: 12MP sensor with 13mm, f/2.4 lens and 120-degree FOV Wide-angle: 12MP sensor (1.4μm pixels) with 26mm, f/1.6 lens and OIS Telephoto: 12MP sensor (1.0μm pixels) with 52mm, f/2.0 lens (4x optical zoom) and OIS | Ultrawide: 12MP sensor with 13mm, f/2.4 lens and 120-degree FOV Wide-angle: 12MP sensor (large 1.7μm pixels) with 26mm, f/1.6 lens and Sensor-Shift OIS Telephoto: 12MP sensor (1.0μm pixels) with 65mm, f/2.2 lens (5x optical zoom) and OIS |
| Storage | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Battery | 15 hours video playback | 17 hours video playback | 17 hours video playback | 20 hours video playback |
| Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4mm | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm |
| Weight | 135g | 164g | 189g | 228g |
| Water Resistance | ||||
| Release Date | November 13, 2020 | October 23, 2020 | October 23, 2020 | November 13, 2020 |
| MSRP | Starts at $699 | Starts at $799 | Starts at $999 | Starts at $1099 |
A14 Bionic chip
The iPhone 12 Pro is powered by the Apple A14 Bionic chip with next-generation Neural Engine. The A14 consists of six CPU cores, four GPU cores, 16 machine learning cores, and an image signal processor. These components work synergistically to deliver the fastest mobile computing available. And because the A14 is the first smartphone processor built using TSMC’s brand new 5nm manufacturing process, the A14 is not only faster but also incredibly energy-efficient.
5G wireless connectivity
Having a fast phone means more than just cramming in the latest processor. Instead, a smartphone’s speed has a lot to do with its wireless connectivity. The iPhone 12 Pro supports 5G wireless on all frequencies and bands commonly used in the US, including the new Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband with mmWave. This means best-in-class 5G speeds and connectivity, leading to snappy downloads, low latency gaming and teleconferencing, and nearly instantaneous browsing.
iPhone 12 Pro camera
One of the primary draws of the iPhone 12 Pro is its camera. All iPhone 12 variants have great camera hardware and software. However, Apple takes things a step further in its “Pro” lineup with additional camera hardware and software.
Computational photography
Just like the rest of the iPhone 12 lineup, the iPhone 12 Pro can make use of Apple’s full suite of computational photography tools such as Portrait Mode with Advanced Bokeh and Depth Control, Portrait Lighting effects, Deep Fusion with Night Mode, Night Mode Time-Lapse, and Smart HDR 3.
The iPhone 12 Pro takes this a step further with Apple ProRAW. This feature is poised to give mobile photographers more creative control when taking and processing images by capturing and storing the lossless sensor data along with Apple’s image pipeline data. This means you get a head start on editing, with noise reduction and multi-frame exposure adjustments already applied. Learn more about what makes the iPhone 12 Pro’s camera great by visiting our iPhone Camera Comparison.
Pro-level camera upgrades
The iPhone 12 Pro packs three 12MP cameras, covering the entire focal length range from ultrawide to telephoto. The ultrawide and wide-angle cameras are shared with the mainstream iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini, whereas the telephoto module is unique to the iPhone 12 Pro.
The primary camera on the iPhone 12 Pro is a 12MP wide-angle with a 26mm, f/1.6 lens. If you want to zoom out a bit and capture dramatic landscapes or group photos, the iPhone 12 Pro has a 12MP ultrawide camera with a 13mm, f/2.4 lens. And if you want to get a bit closer, the iPhone 12 Pro also has a 12MP telephoto camera with a 52mm, f/2.0 lens. This means that the iPhone 12 Pro has a 4x optical zoom range. Topping things off, the iPhone 12 Pro also packs in a LiDAR scanner aimed at improving Augmented Reality apps and dramatically speeding up autofocus speed in low-light scenarios.
Video capture
The iPhone 12 Pro doesn’t just take great stills — it can also capture incredible video. The iPhone 12 Pro is capable of 4k video recording at 24, 30, or 60 fps. Regardless of resolution or frame rate, the iPhone 12 Pro can capture video in full HDR with Dolby Vision.
iPhone 12 Pro display
As with the entire iPhone 12 lineup, the front face of the iPhone 12 Pro is dominated by its large, Super Retina XDR display. The iPhone 12 Pro screen size is 6.1 inches, and it comes in at a resolution of 1170 x 2532 and a pixel density of 460 ppi. This OLED panel offers deep blacks, vibrant colors, exceptional sharpness, and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio.
In addition to looking good, the iPhone 12 Pro display is also more durable than ever before thanks to a new type of hardened glass called Ceramic Shield. This newly developed glass uses a high-temperature crystallization step to grow nanoceramic crystals within the glass matrix, leading to four times the durability compared to previous models.
iPhone 12 Pro size
The iPhone 12 Pro dimensions are 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.29 in), and the iPhone 12 Pro screen size is 6.1 inches. These measurements probably seem a bit familiar, as they’re identical to the mainstream iPhone 12. However, the iPhone 12 Pro weighs a bit more at 189g, compared to 164g on the iPhone 12. Both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are mid-sized phones that should have no problem comfortably fitting in your hand or pocket.
iPhone 12 Pro colors
The iPhone 12 Pro is available in 4 colors: Silver, Graphite, Gold, and Pacific Blue. This is in contrast to the mainstream iPhone 12, which comes in Black, White, (Product)RED, Green, and Blue. Unfortunately, we can no longer choose Space Gray, but Graphite is close enough for those looking for an understated aesthetic.
iPhone 12 Pro battery life
The iPhone 12 Pro is officially rated for up to 17 hours of local video playback, 11 hours of streaming video playback, and 65 hours of audio playback. This extended battery life is made possible by the energy-efficient A14 Bionic chip and Super Retina XDR OLED screen. Despite these technological advancements, preliminary reports seem to indicate that the iPhone 12 Pro can’t quite match the iPhone 11 Pro when it comes to battery life — even when the iPhone 12 Pro has 5G disabled. So if all-day battery life is important to you, consider picking up an iPhone 11 Pro instead.
MagSafe wireless charging and accessories
The iPhone 12 lineup doesn’t just offer a long-lasting battery — it’s also more convenient to charge thanks to MagSafe wireless charging. MagSafe uses an array of magnets to automatically detect and align wireless chargers and accessories. This improved alignment allows for 15W fast wireless charging, as well as a whole new ecosystem of accessories such as cases, wallets, and more. And for those who’d rather charge with a cable, you can get to 50% in just 30 minutes with 20W USB fast charging over the Lightning port.
Is the iPhone 12 Pro waterproof?
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: No phone is truly waterproof. That being said, the iPhone 12 Pro is rated IP68 under IEC standard 60529. This means that the iPhone 12 Pro is fully dustproof and able to withstand submersion at a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes.
Despite its IP68 certification, the iPhone 12 Pro is not rated to handle powerful or high-temperature water jets — so don’t go swimming with it or take it in the shower with you. But if it happens to fall in the sink or get splashed a bit, it’ll be okay.
Is the iPhone 12 Pro worth it?
The iPhone 12 Pro features some of the most advanced hardware and software on any smartphones. But with a starting price of $999 for 128GB and $1299 for 512GB, the iPhone 12 Pro isn’t cheap. Luckily, used iPhone 12 Pro prices are lower than they’ve ever been, making it a great time to buy!
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‣ iPhone 12 vs iPhone 12 Pro
The iPhone 12 Pro is the best medium-sized iPhone that you can buy today. However, the more affordable iPhone 12 offers the majority of the benefits of the iPhone 12 at a slightly lower starting price of $799 for 64GB and $949 for 256GB. So what does the additional $200 get you? In short, you get an upgraded camera, a slightly more durable stainless steel frame, and a frosted rear glass panel.
For most users, we don’t think that the iPhone 12 Pro makes a lot of sense. But if you absolutely must have the best iPhone camera, there are only two options: iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max. Whichever you choose, you’ll soon be able to pick one up on Swappa and save compared to paying MSRP. Browse our wide selection of iPhones to find the best deals and the right iPhone for you. Find out more on our iPhone 12 vs iPhone 12 Pro Comparison page.
‣ Pick up a gently used iPhone 11 Pro for hundreds less
What if you don’t need an A14 Bionic chip or a slightly larger screen? Last year’s iPhone 11 Pro is still an incredibly capable smartphone that will be able to handle anything you throw at it for several years to come. In fact, preliminary tests have shown that the battery life on the iPhone 12 Pro can’t quite match last year’s iPhone 11 Pro! And since you can pick up a newish iPhone 11 Pro for hundreds less than you’d pay for a brand new iPhone 12 Pro, it’s really a no-brainer. Learn more on our iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 11 Pro Comparison page.
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