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Angela Lang / CNET
The iPhone 12 has been hugely impressed in our review and it comes with some amazing features like 5G support, a new design and support for the new MagSafe chargers. But some things are missing that in an ideal world we would like to see. No, they are not deciding factors and they are not even features that we would find on any iPhone, but they may be worth considering, especially if you are thinking of making the switch from Android.
1. Expandable storage
Apple has never allowed you to expand storage with a microSD card on any of its phones and the new generation, including the iPhone 12, is no exception. While it may not be a problem for many of you, you will need to think carefully in advance how much space you are likely to need and how much onboard storage you can afford. Apple charges a premium for more storage space with the entry-level 64GB iPhone 12 priced at $ 829, and the 256GB model costs $ 979.
Being able to insert a small microSD card would provide infinite space to store more photos and videos.
Andrew Hoyle / CNET
If you are switch android It may not have been something that you considered much, as many Android phones allow you to insert a microSD card to expand the base storage. If you plan on shooting a lot of 4K videos or downloading a lot of large, graphically demanding games, then you should look at the higher capabilities.
2. Fingerprint scanner
Apple retired the classic home button with its built-in fingerprint scanner several generations ago (not counting the iPhone SEof course) replacing it with FaceID, which uses facial recognition to protect your phone. For the most part it works well, and we really haven’t missed it. That was until the coronavirus pandemic hit, and wearing masks became the norm when we’re in public places. FaceID does not work with face masks so we retype PIN codes to access our phones.
An in-display fingerprint scanner would still provide biometric security, but it wouldn’t take up extra space on the phone.
Andrew Hoyle / CNET
While we wouldn’t want to see the return of a large button on the front of the phone, squashing the screen, many Android phones, including the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and even affordable phones like OnePlus Nord, have built fingerprint scanners. on the screen itself. They are invisible and do not take up additional space on the phone, making them an elegant solution for biometric security when face scanning is impossible.
3. 120Hz screen refresh rate
All iPhone 12 models have 60Hz screen refresh rates, which was a disappointment to many who I expected Apple to boost this to 120Hz. A faster refresh rate gives the phone a smoother look and feel when you’re using it, no motion blur while moving between screens, and everything feels a little more snappy. It’s a feature that is becoming more and more common on Android phones, including Samsung Galaxy S20 and OnePlus North.
The OnePlus 8T has a 120Hz screen, which makes things look buttery smooth on the go.
Andrew Hoyle / CNET
Apple has likely chosen to stick with 60Hz to help improve battery life, particularly as the addition of 5G makes the phones consume even more power. Does it matter? Personally, no. If you hold the iPhone 12 next to the OnePlus Nord with its 120Hz display (as I’ve done), you might be able to notice a bit of a difference, but I honestly don’t think it’s something you’ll notice in everyday use.
The powerful processors inside the iPhone 12 models mean that performance always feels snappy, making for a smooth experience, despite the lower refresh rate, and would take better battery life on a faster screen any day.
4. Telephoto
the The iPhone 12’s camera can take great pictures with its default wide view and the super wide lens. What you can’t do is zoom in with the telephoto lens of the iPhone 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max or in previous generations like iPhone 11 Pro.
Read more: iPhone 12 vs. Pro and Pro Max: The Features That Could Convince You to Go Pro
If that’s important to you, it will depend on how seriously you take your photography and how often you need to get close to a scene, or if you prefer to capture everything that you can in front of you.
The iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max have a telephoto lens that allows you to get closer to the action.
James Martin / CNET
For me, photography skills are my number one priority on phones, so I want to have that telephoto lens to give me additional shooting options when I’m out and about. If you’re a more casual shooter, you might not miss it and you’ll be perfectly happy with the great shots you can get with the other two lenses.
5. ProRaw
Apple’s next ProRaw is an image format that uses some of the computational photography capabilities of cameras (including HDR fusion), but allows for more in-depth editing options, such as a raw image file taken with a professional DSLR. It’s potentially a big compromise between raw full format and camera-spitting standard JPEG, but it’s a feature reserved for the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max.
Apple’s ProRaw can be of great help for professional editing of images after they are taken. Not available yet, so this image was shot in standard JPEG mode, which still allows plenty of editing options.
Andrew Hoyle / CNET
It’s arguably a pretty niche feature that will only appeal to the most dedicated photographers (of which I consider myself a proud member), so as with the telephoto lens, the more casual shooters among you will probably never think twice about your absence. There’s a chance Apple could bring the feature to phones beyond the Pro line, but it seems more likely that it will reserve it as an elite feature to help justify the upgrade cost.
