Apple launches iPhone 12 Pro line with new design, better cameras, LiDAR

Posted:
in iPhone edited October 2020
Apple has unveiled its iPhone 12 Pro, the higher-tier model of 2020's iPhone range refresh that offers three cameras on the back, better displays, and LiDAR.

iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 12 Pro Max


Launched during Apple's "Hi, Speed" special event on Tuesday, the iPhone 12 Pro is the premium model of Apple's iPhone 12. Sharing the same core features as the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini, the Pro models enhance what is offered to give a better overall experience to customers willing to pay more.






The iPhone 12 Pro uses a flat edge design that makes them similar to an iPad Pro. The Pro lineup is also where you'll find the largest iPhone display, with the iPhone 12 Pro equipped with an OLED Super Retina XDR 6.1-inch 2,532-by-1,170 display and the iPhone 12 Pro Max opting for an even larger 6.7-inch 2,778-by-1,284 version.

For 2020, Apple has also ensured the Pro models have superior video quality, with the inclusion of support for 10-bit color depth imagery in HDR video. The wide-color P3 screens also boast a 2 million to 1 contrast ratio, 800 nits maximum brightness, 1,200 nits of max brightness for HDR, and TrueTone support.

iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro


Powering the iPhone 12 Pro line is the A14 Bionic System-on-Chip, which Apple revealed in the fourth-generation iPad Air. Packing in 11.8 billion transistors, it uses a new 6-core CPU and 4-core graphics architecture to make it 50% faster than any other smartphone chip available in both processing and graphical performance.

The chip also benefits from a new 16-core Neural Engine, which is twice as fast as the previous version and capable of up to 11 trillion operations per second. New second-generation machine learning accelerators in the CPU also means it will be 10 times faster for machine learning calculations.

Arguably the biggest draw for the iPhone 12 Pro lineup is its support for 5G cellular networks, which carriers are deploying in countries around the world. Furthermore, with support for mmWave -- at least in the U.S. -- it will also mean the iPhone models will be able to connect at the highest speeds 5G offers where mmWave is deployed, typically in built-up areas with higher populations.

Around back, Apple has gone with the same camera arrangement as in 2019, with three 12-megapixel cameras covering Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto ranges, with a 4x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out, and a 10x digital zoom in. Equipped with dual optical image stabilization, it has Portrait Mode and Portrait Lighting effects, a Night mode, Smart HDR, and Panorama features.

On the Pro Max's wide lens, optical image stabilization has been upgraded to a DSLR-style Sensor Shift, where the sensor moves but the lens does not, enabling the image to stay sharper, and for longer exposures to be made that capture more light, even up to two seconds long when hand-held. All OIS motors can adjust up to 5,000 times per second, approximately five times as many adjustments than similar systems used in the iPhone 11 Pro range.

The iPhone 12 Pro's Camera app
The iPhone 12 Pro's Camera app


Apple also took the opportunity to introduce Apple ProRAW for its Pro line, a new imaging format combining RAW photography with computational photography features like Deep Fusion and Smart HDR. This includes having full control over color, details, and dynamic range, all from the iPhone's Camera app.

Video has been boosted to include the ability to record in 10-bit HDR, and is the first to record in Dolby Vision HDR, something that can even be edited on the iPhone and even played through a compatible screen over AirPlay. It is able to do this even at 4K resolution at 60fps, as well as supporting 1080p slo-mo at 240fps, records stereo audio, and supports Audio Zoom.

At the top of the screen is the standard notch and TrueDepth camera array, which can capture 12-megapixel images complete with Portrait Mode and Portrait Lighting effects, 4K video recording at up to 60fps with cinematic video stabilization, 4k 30fps HDR with Dolby Vision, and 1080p slo-mo video at 120fps.

iPhone 12 Pro LiDAR
iPhone 12 Pro LiDAR


New for 2020, the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max are also equipped with a LiDAR sensor, which can perform time-of-flight calculations to generate a 3D map of the surrounding area.

Using the new sensor, users can take advantage of the depth data to create enhanced Portrait Mode imagery, among other photographic effects. It is able to assist the autofocus in low-light situation, making it gain focus 6 times faster.

It is also likely to have serious utility for ARKit applications that can use the added depth data, including room scanning.

The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max


The water resistance has been updated again this year, with the models rated for IP68 splash, water, and dust resistance, enabling it to survive 6 meters of submergence for up to 30 minutes. Support for MagSafe is also included, enabling it to work with the new line of cases and accessories, and to line up correctly on supported wireless chargers.

In terms of other wireless, the pair also include Wi-Fi 6 support with MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0, and Ultra Wideband, which is used for spatial awareness in features like AirDrop.

Battery life is rated at up to 17 hours of video playback for the Pro, and up to 20 hours on the Pro Max. Supporting up to 15W of wireless charging using MagSafe chargers, it can also take advantage of wired charging for fast-charge, reaching 50% battery life in around 30 minutes with a 20W adapter or higher.

The iPhone 12 Pro starts from $999 with a higher starting capacity of 128GB, $1,099 with 256GB of storage, and $1,299 for 512GB. Meanwhile the iPhone 12 Pro Max starts from $1,099 for 128GB, rising to $1,199 for 256GB, then $1,399 for 512GB.

The iPhone 12 Pro will be available to preorder from Oct. 16, with shipping starting from Oct. 23, while the Pro Max preorders start from Nov. 6 with shipments starting Nov. 13.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 47
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 12,844member
    Damn. I held only my X until the 11 and figured I'd be on 2-year cycles form now on...but man, the 12 Pro is badass. MagSafe, tougher screen, LiDAR, better low-light, and bigger screens in same shell size? I'm there.
    tmaySpamSandwichzigzaglenswatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 47
    Most underwhelming phone ever announced.
    dicebier1Lasvegas666
  • Reply 3 of 47
    Most underwhelming phone ever announced.
    Seriously?  You're kidding, right?
    tmaywatto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 47
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 12,844member
    Most underwhelming phone ever announced.
    You're on some serious, serious drugs. Seek help.
    tmayDetnatoraderutterLasvegas666pscooter63watto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 47
    zimmiezimmie Posts: 651member
    The zooms listed above are slightly wrong. For the Pro, it's 2x in, 2x out with the wide lens as the point of reference. The 4x is the full optical zoom range from widest to narrowest. 10x optical zoom is based on the wide lens as 1x. The Pro Max is 2.5x in, 2x out, 12x digital zoom (I suspect it's actually 12.5x; the digital zoom is 5x the long optical lens).

    The full zoom range for the Pro is 4x optical, 20x digital, with the ultrawide lens as the point of reference.

    The full zoom range for the Pro Max is 5x optical, 24x (or maybe 25x) digital with the ultrawide lens as the point of reference.

    And it looks like only the Pro Max has sensor-shift image stabilization, and only on its wide lens (not ultrawide or long).
    edited October 2020 watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 47
    tmaytmay Posts: 6,312member
    Damn. I held only my X until the 11 and figured I'd be on 2-year cycles form now on...but man, the 12 Pro is badass. MagSafe, tougher screen, LiDAR, better low-light, and bigger screens in same shell size? I'm there.
    Most everything was rumored from a while back, though DolbyVision was last minute, Apple ProRAW was unexpected, and very welcome. All the new and upgraded photography/video features, taken together, are a huge leap forward.

    I'm upgrading from a 7 Plus, so this isn't a difficult decision, except for the color, of which I am undecided, but it will be a 512GB model.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 47
    This is a very impressive box of technology. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 47
    Anyone blown away?

     :| 

    PS: I'll order the Pro Max, but that's only because I am sheep.
    electorSpamSandwichpscooter63
  • Reply 9 of 47
    HeliBumHeliBum Posts: 129member
    As soon as my iPhone XS Max is paid off (in a few months), I'll likely be getting the 12 Pro Max. I'll also likely be switching from AT&T to Verizon due to my disappointment in AT&T's coverage. I've been in two different recreational locations where AT&T coverage was non-existent but Verizon or T-Mobile worked fine.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 10 of 47

    Most underwhelming phone ever announced.
    You're on some serious, serious drugs. Seek help.
    He's not out of line. I don't see people breaking down doors to comment or react here. That is quite contrary to prior (significantly new) iPhone intros...

    Revealed preference.
    chemengin1SpamSandwich
  • Reply 11 of 47

    Most underwhelming phone ever announced.
    You're on some serious, serious drugs. Seek help.
    He's not out of line. I don't see people breaking down doors to comment or react here. That is quite contrary to prior (significantly new) iPhone intros...

    Revealed preference.
    My experiences here in the past is that people have been breaking down the doors to complain about what wasn't included or a load of other negative stuff.  Those people appear to be silenced for the most part, which leaves the few of us who do actually like Apple stuff and are capable of intelligent conversation having some actually pretty sensible (albeit less vocal without the whiners) discussions for a nice change.

    ;-)
    edited October 2020 tmaywatto_cobrajdb8167
  • Reply 12 of 47
    Has anyone figured out what the sensor that looks like what is on the side of the iPad Pro which connects and charges Apple Pencil 2 that’s under the power button on iPhone 12 Pro is? 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 13 of 47
    Most underwhelming phone ever announced.
    Agreed!

    Bottom line - Apple needs to keep secrets like the old days, start REALLY innovating rather than these snowflake upgrades, and most importantly - get the excitement going again!

    I have a iPhone XS MAX, skipped the 11, and now I'm skipping the 12.

    Mass market will be like "no charging block?" "still a lightning connector?"

    Another year of mild evolution...... I'll put my XS MAX against all this new stuff and come away happy and not regretting a thing.

    Watch - They'll be giving these away to get you to sign up for unlimited
    chemengin1Lasvegas666
  • Reply 14 of 47
    crowleycrowley Posts: 10,453member
    The phones look good, but that event was so much cringe.  I can't imagine anyone will bother parodying it as Apple do a fine job themselves.
    JinTechanantksundaramJapheyLasvegas666razorpit
  • Reply 15 of 47
    Gonna wait for pro-motion.  Happy with my XS.  First time since the smartphone era that I’m going to skip a two year upgrade cycle.  Nice phone but gonna keep that $$$ in my pocket this time.  Would regret it next year. 
    Lasvegas666razorpitapplguywatto_cobra
  • Reply 16 of 47
    Most underwhelming phone ever announced.
    These announcements bring out the trolls. Thanks for making it easier to find and block you.
    DetnatorGG1Lasvegas666pscooter63watto_cobra
  • Reply 17 of 47
    The A14 chip is quite impressive and I’m considering another Pro for the low-light photography improvements.
    JaiOh81tmayDetnatorboltsfan17watto_cobra
  • Reply 18 of 47
    tyler82tyler82 Posts: 1,100member
    I recently bought an SE that I plan on using until the wheels fall off (or it is no longer supported by Apple) but if I didn't already purchase an iPhone I would get the Pro, I really like the blue.
    JaiOh81watto_cobra
  • Reply 19 of 47
    OferOfer Posts: 237unconfirmed, member
    Is the included charging cable a braided cable as has been rumored? 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 20 of 47
    boltsfan17boltsfan17 Posts: 2,294member
    The A14 chip is quite impressive and I’m considering another Pro for the low-light photography improvements.
    I actually went into watching the announcement with low expectations. I'm definitely impressed now with the photography improvements. Being able to record videos at 4K with Dolby Vision is what sold me. That was a huge surprise. 
    SpamSandwichwatto_cobra
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