Yes, it is a bit early to exchange my iPhone 11 Pro Diary for an iPhone 12. But I’ve been thinking about my options and if I could finally get my real iPhone SE 2 this year.
I always buy my iPhones directly, rather than any type of contract or financial agreement, which means I’m not on a default upgrade schedule. Every year, I have to choose between keeping the phone I have, buying the latest flagship model or buying a low-end one.
As a gadget lover, I will usually buy the flagship model, but there has been one notable exception: when I “downgrade” the iPhone 6s to the original iPhone SE. I did it for the size, but also for the aesthetics: I’ve always loved the classic tile design.
I know it’s shallow, but let’s be honest, the great design is one of the reasons we all buy the Apple kit. User interface and ecosystem may be more important factors in the scheme of things, but we are also people who appreciate magnificent aesthetics and are willing to pay a (modest) premium for something as beautiful as it is functional.
I’m willing to pay a premium for great design because every time I look at or use a fancy device, I’m glad I did. I never had that feeling on the iPhone 6 or 6s, but I do have it on the SE. Only this time, I don’t even have to pay a premium – I’d actually have money in my pocket after selling my 6s. Win win
This year, I will get the return of the slab design that I already enjoy on my iPad Pro and iPhone 2020. The design just means that I already know that I will update this year. The most difficult question, however, is: to what?
The real iPhone SE 2?
While Apple seized the name “iPhone SE” for something that wasn’t the successor to the beautiful, compact original, things seem to be changing this year. Because the low-end iPhone 12 sounds almost exactly like the iPhone SE 2 you’ve always wanted.
One of the best looks we’ve had so far is Marques Brownlee’s practice with some realistic-looking fictional models (above).
The 5.4-inch screen size is, of course, larger than the original 4-inch display, but thanks to a nearly bezel-less design, the external dimensions shouldn’t be much larger than the first-gen SE. Being almost pocket-like, and with the return of classic design, it is, in my opinion, the true successor to the iPhone SE.
So … I already want one. The question is: what compromise could be involved in choosing the low-end iPhone 12 instead of the iPhone 12 Pro?
What would you sacrifice?
One likely difference is that only the Pro models seem configured to get the time-of-flight sensor for better AR performance. However, I can easily live without it. While I consider augmented reality to be an awesome form of technology, I don’t actually use a single AR app.
One possible difference is in the 5G technology on board. There have been conflicting reports on which iPhone 12 models will get which 5G versions. In particular, will all models or all countries get the faster but shorter range 5mm mmWave? If not, will all models be in just some countries or just some models in all countries?
If I was thinking this year, I wouldn’t mind: 5G is hardly a thing yet, even in London. But it should become something sometime next year, and mmWave 5G is likely to be found in London in the kinds of places it spends time, like airports and train stations. So if only iPhone 12 Pro models offer that, things are already getting tough.
More complicated still is the fact that the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 comes with just two cameras, while the flagship models get three. That could be a deciding factor for me since being a camera is a key part of my iPhone job description.
While I’ve found a key weakness in the iPhone 11 Pro’s camera, and I don’t expect it to be fixed in iPhone 12, iPhone is the only camera that I use most of the time. Traveling (remember that?) Is still the main exception, and even then I used the iPhone as my only camera on my most recent trip. So, ideally, I want the best possible cameras I can have on my iPhone.
At this time, reports suggest that base models will get standard and ultra-wide-angle lenses, while Pro models will add a telephoto lens. Of the three lenses, the telephoto lens is the one I sacrifice the most. But if there are other camera differences … that could be the deciding factor.
I really hope there isn’t. If the 5.4 inch model gives me standard and ultra wide lenses; no other camera compromises the Pro; both sub-6HGz and mmWave 5G; And there are no other major differences from the Pro models – I think that will be my next phone. A real iPhone SE 2.
Image: Marques Brownlee
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