Apple iPhone 12 Pro

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Review – The Flagship That Redefined Performance and Design

When Apple took the stage in October 2020, fans across the globe were eager to see what the company had in store. The result was a powerful lineup of iPhones featuring 5G connectivity, improved cameras, and a design refresh that paid homage to older generations while embracing the future. At the heart of this launch was the Apple iPhone 12 Pro, a smartphone that represented the perfect balance between power, elegance, and innovation.

In this detailed 2020-style review, we explore the iPhone 12 Pro’s design, performance, camera capabilities, and battery life, as well as its pros, cons, and real launch prices in different currencies.

Launch and Pricing

The iPhone 12 Pro was officially announced on October 13, 2020, alongside the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. Apple positioned the 12 Pro as the premium model for users who demanded more than the standard version, offering enhanced photography, a luxurious build, and a professional-grade experience.

Official Launch Prices (2020)

• United States: $999 (base model, 128 GB)
• United Kingdom: £999
• India: ₹1,19,900
• Nigeria (approximate): ₦380,000 (based on ₦380 per $1 exchange rate in 2020)

While local taxes and import duties meant Nigerian buyers often paid more, these conversions offer a good picture of what the iPhone 12 Pro cost at launch across markets.

Design and Build Quality

Apple completely revamped the iPhone design language with the 12-series. The iPhone 12 Pro reintroduced the flat-edge design reminiscent of the iconic iPhone 4 and 5, paired with modern refinements. It featured a surgical-grade stainless-steel frame, textured matte glass back, and a Ceramic Shield front that Apple claimed offered four times better drop performance.

The phone felt premium in every sense, from the cool touch of the metal edges to the smooth matte finish that resisted fingerprints. It was also IP68 certified, meaning it could withstand water immersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes.

Design Highlights

• Size: 6.1-inch display (same as the iPhone 12)
• Weight: 189 grams
• Materials: Stainless steel frame, glass back
• Colors: Pacific Blue, Gold, Graphite, Silver

Overall, the iPhone 12 Pro struck a perfect balance between elegance and practicality. It looked professional, felt luxurious, and was built to last.

Display – A Visual Delight

The iPhone 12 Pro featured a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2532 × 1170 pixels (~460 ppi). It supported HDR10 and Dolby Vision, ensuring rich contrast, vivid colors, and lifelike clarity whether you were streaming movies, editing photos, or scrolling through social media.

The brightness levels reached up to 1200 nits for HDR content, making it excellent for outdoor use. The flat display design also reduced accidental touches, offering a more immersive yet controlled viewing experience.

Display Specifications

• 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
• Resolution: 2532 × 1170 pixels (~460 ppi)
• HDR10 and Dolby Vision support
• Ceramic Shield protection
• 1200 nits peak brightness

In short, the iPhone 12 Pro’s display was one of the best on any smartphone in 2020, crisp, color-accurate, and immersive.

Performance and Software

Powering the iPhone 12 Pro was Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, the first 5-nanometer processor ever used in a smartphone. It delivered incredible performance gains while maintaining efficiency. The A14 combined a 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine capable of handling 11 trillion operations per second.

Multitasking, gaming, and professional applications like video editing ran flawlessly. The iPhone 12 Pro was also future-proofed with 5G connectivity, ensuring blazing-fast download and streaming speeds wherever networks supported it.

Performance Overview

• Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm)
• CPU: Hexa-core
• GPU: Apple-designed 4-core GPU
• RAM: 6 GB
• Storage options: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
• Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, MagSafe

Apple’s software, iOS 14, brought added personalization with widgets, an app library, and improved privacy controls, further enhancing the user experience.

Camera System – Professional Photography Redefined

The iPhone 12 Pro was a game-changer in smartphone photography. It came with a triple-camera setup on the rear and a LiDAR scanner for enhanced depth sensing and augmented reality.

Rear Cameras

• 12 MP Wide: f/1.6 aperture, dual-pixel autofocus, optical image stabilization.
• 12 MP Ultra-Wide: f/2.4 aperture with a 120° field of view.
• 12 MP Telephoto: f/2.0 aperture for 2x optical zoom.
• LiDAR Scanner: Improved focus in low light and AR experiences.

Apple’s Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3, and Night Mode worked together to deliver stunning photos with excellent detail and natural color tones, even in dimly lit conditions. Portraits taken in Night Mode, thanks to the LiDAR sensor, stood out with professional-level depth and separation.

Video Capabilities

• 4K recording at 24/30/60 fps
• Dolby Vision HDR recording (up to 60 fps)
• 1080p at 120/240 fps for slow motion
• Night Mode Time-lapse

For videographers, the iPhone 12 Pro offered unparalleled control and quality. It was a pocket-sized tool capable of shooting cinematic footage.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life on the iPhone 12 Pro was respectable, though not class-leading. Its 2,815 mAh battery could easily last a full day with moderate use, thanks to the energy-efficient A14 chip. However, heavy gaming or 5G streaming drained it faster.

Charging was handled through Apple’s new MagSafe technology, enabling wireless charging up to 15 W. Wired charging reached up to 20 W using USB-C to Lightning. However, Apple made the controversial decision to remove the power adapter and EarPods from the box, citing environmental reasons.

Battery Details

• Capacity: 2,815 mAh
• Fast Charging: 20 W (wired)
• Wireless Charging: 15 W MagSafe
• USB Power Delivery 2.0 support

The battery was sufficient for most users, but power-hungry individuals would benefit from a quick top-up during the day.

Audio and Connectivity

The iPhone 12 Pro offered stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support, delivering crisp and clear sound. Calls, music, and video playback all sounded balanced with impressive spatial depth.

Connectivity options included 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and GPS. Apple’s new MagSafe ecosystem also introduced a range of magnetic accessories, from chargers to wallets, that snapped neatly onto the back of the phone.

Pros and Cons of the iPhone 12 Pro

Pros ✅

• Elegant flat-edge stainless-steel design
• Brilliant Super Retina XDR OLED display
• A14 Bionic chip with excellent performance and 5G support
• Triple-camera system with LiDAR and Dolby Vision video
• MagSafe ecosystem support
• IP68 dust and water resistance
• Improved Ceramic Shield durability
• Long-term iOS software support

Cons ❌

• High price point at launch
• Average battery life compared to some Android flagships
• No charger or EarPods in the box
• Telephoto zoom limited to 2x
• Slightly heavier than the standard iPhone 12

Who Should Buy the iPhone 12 Pro?

The iPhone 12 Pro was built for those who wanted the best Apple had to offer without stepping up to the bulkier Pro Max. It catered to professionals, creators, and enthusiasts who valued power, design, and camera performance.

If you shoot videos, edit photos, or simply want a phone that feels luxurious and performs flawlessly, the iPhone 12 Pro was worth every penny. However, if battery endurance or affordability was a priority, the regular iPhone 12 offered nearly the same experience at a lower cost.

Conclusion

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro stood as one of the most balanced and capable smartphones of 2020. It combined elegance, performance, and innovation in one sleek package. From its stainless-steel build and professional-grade camera system to its A14 Bionic processor and MagSafe accessories, it set a new benchmark for what a “Pro” smartphone should be.

While the battery life and missing charger stirred some debate, the overall experience remained stellar. Apple once again proved its mastery of design, software, and ecosystem integration.

For those who wanted the best without compromise, the iPhone 12 Pro was, and remains, a true flagship.

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