battery life of the iPhone 12 Pro Max is longer than the other models. For example, audio playback time on the 12 Pro Max is rated at 80 hours versus 65 hours on the 12 and 12 Pro, with the 12 mini maxing out at 50 hours.
iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max have triple rear-facing cameras, providing amazing optical zoom, Portrait mode, and other features. The 12 and 12 mini has dual rear-facing cameras.
Screen resolution: The higher the resolution, the crisper the phone display. The iPhone 12 and 12 Pro provide 2532 x 1170 resolution; 12 mini boasts 2340 x 1080; and 12 Pro Max provides a stunning 2778 x 1284.
Table 1-1 gives you a quick comparison of iPhone XR, 11, SE (2nd generation), 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max (models currently sold by Apple). All costs are as of the time this book was written. (Some carriers may introduce non-contract terms.)
TABLE 1-1 iPhone Model Comparison
| Model | Storage | Cost (may vary by carrier) | Carriers |
|---|---|---|---|
| XR | 64 and 128GB | from $499 | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile |
| 11 | 64, 128, and 256GB | from $599 | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile |
| SE (2nd generation) | 64, 128, and 256GB | from $399 | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile |
| 12 | 64, 128, and 256GB | from $799 | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile |
| 12 mini | 64, 128, and 256GB | from $699 | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile |
| 12 Pro | 128, 256, and 512GB | from $999 | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile |
| 12 Pro Max | 128, 256, and 512GB | from $1099 | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile |
www.apple.com/shop/iphone/iphone-upgrade-program for more information.
Decide How Much Storage Is Enough
Storage is a measure of how much information — for example, movies, photos, and software applications (apps) — you can store on a computing device. Storage can also affect your iPhone’s performance when handling such tasks as streaming favorite TV shows from the World Wide Web or downloading music.
Your storage options with an iPhone 12 or 12 mini are 64, 128, and 256 gigabytes (GB), while 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max are 128, 256, and 512 gigabytes. You must choose the right amount of storage because you can’t open the unit and add more as you usually can with a desktop computer. However, Apple has thoughtfully provided iCloud, a service you can use to back up content to the Internet (you can read more about that in Chapter 4).
How much storage is enough for your iPhone? Here’s a guideline:
If you like lots of media, such as movies or TV shows, you might need 512GB.
For most people who manage a reasonable number of photos, download some music, and watch heavy-duty media such as movies online, 128GB may be sufficient. But if there’s any possibility you may take things up a notch in the future regarding media consumption and creation (such as the newest grandchild being on the way soon), you should probably seriously consider 256GB.
If you simply want to check email, browse the web, keep your calendar up to date, and write short notes to yourself, 64GB likely is plenty.
What’s the price for larger storage? For the iPhone 12, a 64GB unit costs $799; 128GB is $849; and 256GB will set you back $949. iPhone 12 mini with 64GB goes for $699, 128GB at $749, and 256GB for $849. iPhone 12 Pro with 128GB is $999; 256GB is $1099; and the model tops out at $1299 for 512GB. Not to be outdone, iPhone 12 Pro Max is the priciest: $1099 for 128GB; $1199 for 256GB; and $1,399 for 512GB. Note that prices may vary by carrier and where you buy your phone.
Understand What You Need to Use Your iPhone
Before you head off to buy your iPhone, you should know what other connections and accounts you’ll need to work with it optimally.
At
