In November 2020, I bought and evaluated an iPhone 12, and although I enjoyed the size and performance, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 still got my attention, which is why I returned the iPhone 12. A month later, things changed and the iPhone 12 Pro Max knocked the Z Fold 2 out of favor. So how does the iPhone 12 Pro Max keep up?
Regular readers and Twitter followers know I’m mainly an Android user who regularly uses an iPhone for a month after Apple releases the latest model. The iPhone 12 Pro Max made it two months as my daily driver, and I even bought the AppleCare Plus cover because there are a lot of these phones and my SIM has not been there since December.
Also: iPhone 12 Pro Max review: easily the best smartphone camera ever
As a writer dealing with smartphones, I also had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with the new Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, and although it is a beautiful device with some unique camera capabilities, the iPhone 12 Pro Max better for my needs, and I did not buy an S21 this year. I’m actually a little surprised at how much I like this great new iPhone. I discover every week things that confirm that I have decided to tune in to the latest and greatest from Apple.
Based on my use of the iPhone 12 Pro Max over the past 12 months, I find it extremely compelling for the following reasons:
- Design: I absolutely like the square edges and a flat screen with a matte back of the glass. I also enjoy phones with color, and the Pacific Blue is beautiful. There is actually only one design feature I would improve and is mentioned below.
- iOS 14: The latest Apple OS is more like Android – and it’s a great thing – with useful widgets, updated app launcher and more. It’s also the little things like quickly sharing Wi-Fi login details with a friend who has an iPhone, asking me to turn off my oncoming alarm as soon as the phone realizes I’m using the phone and no longer the do not need alarm. with widgets, enhanced messaging experience and more.
- 5G and Qualcomm modem: In the past, iPhones have always been worse than Samsung phones for mobile reception, but this is no longer the case with the latest iPhones with Qualcomm modems inside. 5G was fast, and more importantly, it provided coverage in areas where I had no cellular signal before.
- Camera experience: I’ll dive deeper into the cameras in the future, but it’s easy to capture and rely on great photos with the iPhone 12 Pro Max in hand. The smartphone cameras of today are all pretty good, but Apple offers one of the most consistent and simple experiences for the masses, while also offering some advanced features.
- Battery life all day: I never even think about my iPhone battery, not even when I go hiking or traveling all day. The lowest level I see of it was something like 30% after a day of shooting photos and using the phone pretty heavily.
- Face ID: Even in this era when we wear a lot of face masks, I still find the flawless experience of Face ID to unlock my iPhone and give me the best security experience on a phone in secure applications.
- MagSafe: I tried out some Apple MagSafe cases, and the simple wallet attachment is great and practical. I also like that wireless charging seems more reliable, and I plan to continue with MagSafe accessories.
Also: Apple iPhone 12 review: 5G, enhanced reception and iOS 14 widgets challenge Android phones
As much as I like the iPhone 12 Pro Max, there are a few things I would love to see in Apple’s future. Most of these are features now available on Android phones, including:
- New design for toggle switch: Maybe it’s my big fingers, but I’m having a hard time manipulating the small switch and seeing if it’s on or off. Perhaps a handy slider bar as we see on OnePlus phones is a better design element.
- Reverse wireless charging: It may be a simple convenience, but given the long battery life of the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the fact that I forgot to charge my Apple Watch 6 a few times, I would love to see this Samsung feature coming on future iPhones. . It can also be used to top up AirPods on the go.
- Apple Pencil Support: I love that Samsung has added S Pen features to the S21 Ultra, even if the stylus is not stored with the phone. It would be great to take notes on the big iPhone 12 Pro Max screen.
- Increased telephoto capability: Samsung’s new dual telephoto camera system sets the standard for a zoom experience, and I’d like to see a more meaningful optical zoom capability in a future iPhone.
There’s a lot to cover in the iPhone 12 Pro Max, and I will continue to dive deep and use it as my daily driver. Keep up to date with articles that take a closer look at the cameras, Siri Shortcuts, LiDAR and more. Let me know if you have any other specific areas you would like to discuss further or explore on Apple’s best iPhone.