iPhone 12 - page 5

RAVpower USB-C wall charger is ideal for the iPhone 12 [Review]

By

RAVpower PD 30W USB-C Charger with Lightning Cable review
RAVpower’s USB-C wall charger and cable is just right for the iPhone 12.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

RAVpower PD 30W USB-C Charger with Lightning Cable can be the wall charger that iPhone 12 users need. It includes USB-C and USB-A ports, and fold-down electrical prongs. And it juices up iOS handsets as fast as possible — far quicker than Apple’s old 5W chargers. Plus, it even comes with a charging cable for use with older iPhones.

Read on for the results of my real-world testing of the wall charger and cable combo.

iPhone 12 Pro components cost surprisingly little

By

iPhone 12 Pro parts cost shockingly little
The sum of iPhone 12 Pro parts cost is less than half the price of the product.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The iPhone 12 Pro starts at $999, but the components for this high-end smartphone cost less than half the selling price. Market researchers disassembled Apple’s latest top-tier handset to ascertain its parts cost.

And they figured out that only a tiny percentage of the device is actually made is China.

Apple Watch, MacBook tipped for big redesigns in late 2021

By

Monowear-Urban-Canvas-Apple-Watch-3
New iPads with mini-LED displays could come even sooner.
Photo: Adel Neal/Cult of Mac

Apple will introduce a redesigned Apple Watch and MacBook lineup in late 2021, according to one reliable analyst.

Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities expects Apple’s next-generation wearable to bring “innovative health management functions.” He also told investors iPhone 12 is off to a strong start.

MNML Cases treat iPhone 12 series to fresh new colors, branding-free protection and a Cult of Mac discount

By

MNML iPhone cases are think, light and protective.
MNML iPhone cases are think, light and protective.
Photo: MNML

This iPhone 12 case post is presented by MNML Case.

Those who upgrade to the new iPhone 12 series face a dilemma. Do they flaunt the gorgeous thing to the max, going without a case? Or do they protect the precious and pricey device like a responsible person, strapping on a protective covering that obscures it? Thanks to MNML, it’s hardly a hard choice anymore, because the company’s cases provide barely noticeable protection.

$129 MagSafe Duo charger is slower than $49 MagSafe puck

By

MagSafe Duo
It maxes out at 14W, but iPhone 12 can charge at 15W.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s fancy new MagSafe Duo charger delivers less power than the more affordable MagSafe puck, despite its $129 price tag.

Its charging power can be increased — if you cough up more for a beefier charging adapter — but even then, the MagSafe Duo is unable to match the solo MagSafe in charging speeds.

Optimize your new iPhone experience with these expert setup tips

By

iPhone Xs
Get your new iPhone set up the right way.
Photo: Apple

For many people, iPhone 12 will be radically different from previous iPhone models. Despite this, the iPhone setup process hasn’t changed much. However, while you might find yourself on familiar ground, there are still plenty of little things you really ought to do before you fire up your new phone for the first time (or pretty soon thereafter).

Let’s take a look at all the things you can do to get your iPhone set up exactly how you want it.

iPhone batteries could shrink again in 2021, but without battery life cuts

By

iPhone 12 battery teardown
iPhone 13 could be first with new "soft board" battery tech.
Photo: iFixit

Apple will reportedly shrink iPhone batteries again in 2021 to make room for new technologies. But that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll have to get used to charging more frequently.

Reliable TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects Apple to adopt new “soft board” battery technology for iPhone 13. It could allow more power to be squeezed into a smaller space.

Totallee releases thin cases for iPhone 12 series

By

Totallee's new cases for iPhone 12 are thin, light and branding-free.
Totallee's new cases for iPhone 12 are thin, light and branding-free.
Photo: Totallee

This iPhone case post is presented by Totallee.

When a new iPhone series comes out, a slew of accessories is sure to follow. So it is with Totallee, which just released its line of thin cases for iPhone 12 for people who like streamlined protection without the bulk. These are the cases for those who’d rather not have one, but don’t want to go caseless because not protecting your expensive new device would be reckless.

Globe-trotting photog’s camera review shows power of iPhone 12 Pro Max

By

Austin Mann reviewed the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Travel snapper Austin Mann put the the iPhone 12 Pro Max to the test.
Photo: Austin Mann/Cult of Mac

Austin Mann got early access to the iPhone 12 Pro Max, and the professional photographer really tested the improved camera in Apple’s latest. His laboratory was Zion National Park in Utah, where he took a series of photographs that pushed the handset to its limits.

The results are spectacular and informative. And good news for anyone who already got an iPhone 12 Pro.

HomePod mini sells out but you can still get iPhone 12 mini and Pro Max

By

Get the Phone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini with no extra wait.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is just too big to be comfortable.
Photo: Apple

Good news, procrastinators — Apple still has stock of iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini eight hours after they went up for preorder Friday. Preorders placed now will still arrive on the first day of availability.

But that’s not true of the HomePod mini. This small smart speaker can no longer be preordered for delivery on its launch date.

MagSafe Duo Charger, iPhone 12 leather cases debut on Apple Store [Updated]

By

The MagSafe Duo Charger is ‘coming soon.’
The MagSafe Duo Charger might be the closest we ever get to AirPower.
Photo: Apple

Some hotly anticipated iPhone 12 accessories appeared in Apple’s online store Friday. The MagSafe Duo Charger, the Leather Sleeve and Leather Case for the latest iOS devices are now listed as “coming soon.” Apple also revealed pricing on these accessories — and they’re not cheap.

And a previously-announced Belkin car mount for the iPhone 12 series went on sale on the Apple Store today.

iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro Max, HomePod mini are available for preorder now [Update]

By

Preorders start for HomePod mini, iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini on November 6.
The wait is almost over for HomePod mini, along with iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini.
Photo: Apple

Update: The iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro Max, and HomePod mini are all available for preorder now. The iPhone models will start delivery on November 13, while the HomePod mini will ship November 16.

More than the largest and smallest iPhone 12 models can be preordered Friday. The HomePod mini will be available to preorder that same day, too.

All three devices will go up at the same time, Nov. 6 at 8 am EST.

iPhone 12 Pro puts premium in your pocket [Review]

By

Pacific Blue iPhone 12 Pro on wooden table
The iPhone 12 Pro looks like a piece of jewelry, and offers a ton of powerful features, too,
Photo: Ian Fucs/Cult of Mac

Back in September 2012, Apple released what was arguably the best iPhone, the iPhone 5. It looked beautiful, felt great in hand, and signaled the shift from 3G to LTE.

Now, eight years later, Apple is revisiting that playbook with the iPhone 12 lineup. And after about a week of using the iPhone 12 Pro, and putting it to the test on my family’s vacation to Disney World, I think I can safely say this is both my new favorite iPhone, and possibly the new best iPhone of all time.

iPhone 12 Pro review

iPhone 12 Pro blows away Galaxy Note 20 Ultra in real-world speed test

By

An iPhone 12 Pro speed test against Galaxy Note 20 Ultra was no contest.
There’s no doubt which handset is faster, iPhone 12 Pro or Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
Photo: PhoneBuff

The new iPhone 12 Pro takes the crown as the fastest smartphone. It significantly beat the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra in a speed test designed to evaluate real-world use.

Apple’s new processor and additional RAM helped push its handset over the top.

Want to make a MagSafe accessory for iPhone 12? Follow these guidelines

By

MagSafe on iPhone 12 Pro GIF
MagSafe is back — but not as you knew it.
GIF: Apple

Apple has created a guidelines document for third-party manufacturers who want to create their own MagSafe accessories for the iPhone 12.

It contains specific guidance, such as the fact that MagSafe cases must have a a maximum thickness of 2.1mm, and should be capable of clinging on securely to an iPhone without necessarily having to rely on the magnets to do so.

These MagSafe mounts take iPhone 12 photography up a notch

By

Check out the lineup of Moment MagSafe mounts.
Moment put together a range of MagSafe-compatible mounts and cases for the iPhone 12 series.
Photo: Moment

Accessory-maker Moment unveiled a variety of mounts to help photographers make better use the very advanced cameras built into the iPhone 12 series. These employ the MagSafe magnetic-connection system built into Apple’s newest handsets.

There’s also a new lineup of MagSafe-compatible iPhone 12 cases from Moment.

How to understand the different 5G icons on iPhone 12 and 12 Pro

By

Understand 5G icons on iPhone 12
What does your 5G icon mean?
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

If you’re lucky enough to have already picked up an iPhone 12 or 12 Pro, and you live in an area where 5G is available, you may have noticed that you sometimes see different 5G icons in your status bar.

There are three altogether, and they change depending on what kind of 5G network you’re connected to. Here’s how to understand them.

Apple may have underestimated the popularity of iPhone 12 Pro

By

iphone12
iPhone 12 Pro could be a lot more popular than even Apple expected.
Photo: Donel Bagrov

Apple was seemingly banking on the iPhone 12 being its most popular new handset this year. But it appears the company may have underestimated just how popular the new iPhone 12 Pro is with users.

According to Digitimes, Apple is ramping up orders for the LiDAR Scanner exclusive to the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max models.

iPhone 12 ‘scratchgate’ is a figment of the imagination

By

An iPhone 12 scratch test is no big deal.
iPhone 12 display won‘t get scratched any more than other phones.
Screenshot: JerryRigEverything

The iPhone 12 display is no more likely to get scratched than its predecessors or competitors. A rigorous test disproves an early report that Apple’s latest is easily susceptible to this type of damage.

This should head off anyone declaring “scratchgate” in the spirit of the iPhone 6’s actually real Bendgate and the MacBook’s Flexgate.

Despite strong iPhone 12 preorders in India, Apple remains a bit player

By

The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 price is now the same for all the top US telecoms.
Despite no 5G, the iPhone 12 is selling well in India.
Photo: Apple

Preorders for the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro are “super high” in India, largely thanks to authorized resellers offering good trade-in deals and monthly installment payments, according to a report published Wednesday.

Apple doesn’t reveal iPhone sales figures anymore. That means Apple watchers must be on the lookout for other early signs to indicate how well new iPhones are doing. In India, at least, that appears to be pretty darn well for iPhone 12.

iPhone 12 is so good, there’s no real reason to go Pro [Review]

By

iPhone 12 review
The 6.1-inch iPhone 12 is the “Goldilocks” of Apple’s four new handsets.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

There’s no need to struggle to decide which of the four iPhone 12 versions is the best. The 6.1-inch “standard” version packs all the features most people need — like 5G and a great camera — while coming in at a price far lower than the Pro series.

After plenty of real-world use, here are all the reasons why the iPhone 12 (non-Pro, non-mini) is the right choice.