iPhone 12 Pro review: Bringing back the old Apple feels

I have been excited about the new iPhone.

I got it as soon as it came out and it was the first time in a long time that I’ve sought out to get an Apple product as soon as the first reviews rolled out online. I haven’t felt this way about an Apple product since the first Macbook Air commercial in 2008.

Remember when the Macbook Air was slowly pulled out from an 8 x 10 brown envelope with Yael Naim’s New Soul playing in the background? That was a great Apple moment for me, everything after that just didn’t give the same feels.

Oh, and just in case you want to revisit that old commercial:

But now that Apple has given us the iPhone 12, let’s unpack why it’s got me (and the world) excited again.

Design

Perhaps my favorite feature about the iPhone 12 is its departure from the rounded edges that started with the iPhone 6. The flat edge not only feels like you’ve got a valuable and durable piece of technology in your hands, but it just looks really great, too. The rounded edges of the past felt cheap and flimsy to me, so going back to the squared edges was a great move on design. 

Unlike its flat-edged predecessors, all the iPhone 12 variants are sleeker and, simply put, just built better. Built much tougher with its Ceramic Shield display, the iPhone 12 knows that it has no business being carried around in a case—the design is just too good to stifle inside one.

The iPhone 12 Pro in particular gets a surgical-grade stainless steel body, giving it a more premium look and extra grip. 

From the 5.8-inch display of the iPhone 11 Pro, it is quite a leap that the iPhone 12 Pro comes with a whopping 6.1-inch display. To be honest, when my phone was delivered to me, I thought I was mistakenly delivered the Pro Max. The iPhone 11 Pro Max is just a tad bigger at 6.9 inches in display size.

Despite the jump in display size, however, it doesn’t take anything away from the overall feel in your hand. 

Display

Let’s talk about the experience that a 6.1-inch screen gives you, shall we? Personally, I stay away from big phones. My threshold is pretty straightforward: if I can’t send messages with one hand, then the phone is a ridiculous size.

Amazingly, even with all the screen real estate, I have no problems typing up messages with just one hand. There is also quite a significant difference when you are watching videos or viewing photos on a 6.1-inch display.

Coming from an iPhone XS, or even the iPhone 11 Pro, the noticeable size difference was surprisingly a welcomed change. Because Apple barely has any bezel bothering you save for the notch up top, you really feel that all the screen real estate a 6.1-inch display gives is maximized.

I think screen size is an integral part of the iPhone 12 Pro’s design because it really showcases all the new technology that Apple equipped it with. It’s not a big jump in display specs or even in resolution if you’re coming from an iPhone 11 Pro, but the OLED display on the iPhone 12 Pro is noticeably more vibrant. 

The deeper contrasts the screen casts are particularly visible when you crank up the brightness. 

Camera

Possibly the biggest feature I am most pleased with is the iPhone 12 Pro’s camera. Keep in mind, my jump was from an iPhone XS, so the changes in camera performance were epic for me. My husband is on an iPhone 11 Pro Max, however, and I remember being dumbfounded by the camera’s ability to capture a decent image in total darkness.

At that time, I thought the new features on the iPhone 11 cameras were such a momentous leap. Who knew that the iPhone 12 Pro could do better?

The photo was taken in complete darkness on an iPhone 11 Pro Max:

Since both the iPhone 12 Pro and its predecessor pretty much share the same camera specs save for very few and minute improvements, I thought there wasn’t really going to be any substantial difference when capturing images where light is ample.

And because LiDAR is the most noteworthy feature between the two devices, I decided to do a side-by-side comparison of images taken from the iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 11 Pro Max in low light and no light environments. 

The camera on the iPhone 12 Pro definitively gives a sharper image, especially on the areas that have the least light. Notice that the iPhone 11 Pro Max’s capture of the C’thulhu figure has gone blurry.

The camera also compensated with what seems to be its version of white balance in an effort to salvage the subject. On the other hand, the iPhone 12 Pro didn’t have any problems capturing the C’thulu figure. It even showed some depth as the darker areas of the subject were also captured.

There was no obvious compensation made by the iPhone 12 Pro’s camera either. Strictly considering how it appears to the human eye, the iPhone 12 Pro’s ability to replicate what I see, even in very minimal light, supersedes its predecessor by a long shot.

In total darkness, the image on the iPhone 11 Pro Max is grainy and blurry while the image taken by the iPhone 12 Pro is smoother, giving an illusion of a sharper image. Both images were taken at 1.9x zoom in a closed room with no light source or flash.

Even though it is highly unlikely that a user would take photos in total darkness, I found LiDAR most useful when I took this photo.

Focusing on a subject you can’t see had a significantly faster response time on the iPhone 12 Pro. The 12 Pro didn’t have any issues when focusing and zooming in at the same time in complete darkness, either.

I also used the Measure App to test the LiDAR and the reaction time on the iPhone 12 Pro was almost instantaneous. The iPhone 11 Pro Max could not even pick up on the object being measured since I tested the app in a low-light environment.

Another notable feature is the clarity of photos taken when zoomed in with low light. Images remain crisp for as long as you manage to remain as still as you can during the prolonged “aperture exposure.” The combination of the slight increase in optical zoom range with LiDAR translates beautifully on close-ups in a low light setting on the iPhone 12 Pro. 

Probably the most disappointing feature on the 12 Pro is the front camera. With all the capabilities of the other cameras, it seems Apple didn’t really put any effort to improve the phone’s selfie-taking capabilities.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d think Apple was discouraging the selfie-culture with the lack of development in their front cameras. The selfie community will just have to make do, I guess. 

Battery

Even though I was very keen on the iPhone 12 Mini’s size combined with its widespread positive reception from initial users, battery life just holds up better on the iPhone 12 Pro. If you’re like me and work on your phone a lot, any added juice is welcomed and highly prioritized. The deal-breaker of the iPhone 12 Mini for me was its reduced battery life to accommodate its more compact body.

Charging time on the iPhone 12 Pro is pretty decent, giving you half power at 30 minutes charge time on the standard Apple lightning cable and socket charger. An hour and a half will get you a full charge that will last a complete 24 hours of regular use.

Since there is no 5G where I am located, I cannot really comment on how this affects battery life. Many have complained of significant battery consumption when the 5G network is used.

It is to be noted that the new iPhone 12 comes in a much compact box than it used to because a Lightning to USB-C cable is all you’re going to get. Gone are the free earphones and socket charger. I also cannot comment on MagSafe charging just yet since I had to order that separately and the Apple Store online we have access to ships products all the way from Singapore.

Other noteworthy features

The iPhone 12 Pro possibly represents the biggest leap between past iPhone predecessors both inside and out. Apart from all the features discussed, which make the 12 Pro great externally, Apple also released the world’s first 5nm processor leaving most Android phones eating its dust. 

Releasing four iPhone 12 variants was also a bold move by Apple, but the products are brilliantly positioned to target a broader market while appealing to specific needs of the said market. Changing up color options not also differentiates the recent, better-built iPhones giving it a fresher aesthetic.

iPhones allowed me to abandon my DSLR cameras of past, especially during my travels. It’s exciting to finally see Apple as a frontrunner again after playing catch up for the longest time on camera capabilities. LiDAR was not even a consideration when I was choosing between the four iPhone 12 variants and I am very glad I settled with the iPhone 12 Pro as I am really enjoying this feature. 

It’s also useful to know that Apple One is now currently available as a subscription option in the Philippines. Apple One gives you Apple TV, Apple Music, 50 gigs of iCloud space, and Apple Arcade for only PhP 375 a month. If you are subscribed to any two of the apple subscriptions mentioned individually, the Apple One offer is a steal.

Deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, all your subscriptions run on any of your Apple devices. Streaming a show on Apple TV that you initially began on your laptop or iPad at home can be easily continued on your iPhone while on the go, starting exactly where you left off from your previous device.

With the new iPhone 12 Pro, streaming a show from Apple TV gives you the same vibrant colors your OLED TV does. Imagine that. The seamless Apple Eco System works particularly well for me when using Apple Arcade. Any app or game that requires you to do gestures like pinching and enlarging is now much easier on the new iPhone 12 Pro.

Final thoughts

The iPhone 12 Pro’s entry-level capacity is a decent 128GB, which is the main price driver in this series’s Pro variants. Let me repeat that: The 12 Pro has a capacity of 128GB at entry-level. Coming from the Mac OS9 days when Apple was yet to be user-friendly, I sometimes find myself fascinated over the fact that a 6-inch piece of metal is now more powerful than computers from 15 years ago.

Together with the new Mac Minis, its buzz-worthy new processors, and the company’s new subscription formats like Apple Arcade, my interest has once again been piqued by Apple. I look forward to anticipating what they come up with next. Tim Cook has stepped up his game considerably and is finally doing a good job at filling in some very big shoes.

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vivo X80 Pro camera review: Worthy of its Pro moniker

07/07/2022

When it comes to DSLR-like quality in mobile photography, Apple, Samsung, and Huawei are most likely on the top of our list. For years, they have produced some of the most innovative camera phones that set the benchmark for all other brands to follow.

With the latest AI and proper optics now being the focus of flagship devices as their selling point, it would seem that we are now at the peak of the mobile photography potential.

There is no denying that the top three brands mentioned produced the most competent imaging quality with the use of the latest hardware and software. However, vivo has recently been making waves in this segment, seemingly ready to take down the top contenders.

Successor to the X70 pro, vivo introduced the X80 Pro with features and optics worthy to take the top spot. Let’s take a closer look at what this phone has to offer and see why the Vivo X80 Pro should be included on your list.

Overview

Powering this device is the latest Qualcomm flagship processor Snapdragon 8 Gen1 and the vivo V1+ imaging chip. These are then combined with 12GB RAM and 256GB of storage partnered with Android 12 and FunTouch12.

On top of that, the device is equipped with an Ultra Large Liquid Cooling Vapor Chamber that promises maximum cooling during heavy tasks helping the phone to always be in peak performance.

It features a captivating 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display delivering a stunning 10-bit color (1.07 billion colors), 8000000:1 contrast ratio, HDR10+, 1500 nits peak brightness, and a 120Hz refresh rate plus 300Hz touch sampling rate. 

With 4700maH of power, the X80 Pro should easily last you the whole day even with heavy use. It comes with an 80W fast charger that claims a 100% charge in 38 minutes and is also offered with an optional 50W wireless charging. This device also boasts a reverse charging system where it allows you to charge other devices wirelessly.

Cameras and UI

The camera module is the shiny centerpiece to this work of art and holds a collection of vivo’s signature ZEISS cameras which includes a 50-megapixel wide with f/1.6 aperture and OIS, an 8-megapixel periscope telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, an additional 12MP telephoto lens (50mm) with 2x optical zoom and gimbal OIS, and a 48-megapixel ultrawide sensor with laser autofocus.  

Additionally, the X80 cameras come with a T* ZEISS glass coating which reduces reflected light, therefore, eliminating unnecessary glare. 

Upon opening the camera app, you are greeted with a user-friendly and well-organized interface. Moving on to the default camera setting, the AI can turn your shots into professional-looking photos without needing to add any more filters. You also get a Zeiss setting offering true-to-life color reproduction that I found amazingly accurate in helping you preserve that natural look.

HDR is subtle and produces vibrant colors while boosting those shadows and taming those highlights. Images produced noticeably come with a natural depth and blur without having to use software thanks to the already wide sensor opening.

Camera performance

Putting the X80 Pro to the test, we have set several photographic challenges for it, namely: portraiture, landscape, still life, sports, macro, and night photography. 

Portrait test

Portraits, being one of the challenging tasks in mobile photography, is one of the notable features of this device. Apart from the main camera and telephoto, the X80 Pro is also equipped with a dedicated 2X lens allowing you to achieve that distinct 50mm prime lens look that photographers commonly use for portraiture.

On top of that, we find an array of Zeiss signature bokeh features in the Styles menu giving you that authentic and professional DSLR semblance. My favorite of which is Biotar which replicates the classic and well-loved Biotar circular motion bokeh, adding a bit of movement and mood to your portraits.

Other Zeiss looks include Cinematic, Distagon, Planar, and Sonnar together with other bokeh settings that are sure to fit your personal style, whatever your taste is. The beautification settings look natural and give skin that glamourous glow while also being able to adjust every facial feature you can think of.

I did, however, notice the edge detection to be a bit off compared to other phones in its category. Hair and even hats are awkwardly cropped with jagged-looking edges. Not really a deal-breaker, but it’s something they should consider fixing maybe in future updates.

Landscape test

Landscape photography is but a breeze with the X80 Pro, with natural-looking HDR and — thanks to that T* Zeiss coating — glare-free images under direct sunlight producing crisp and vibrant images.

Stepping it up a notch, nightscapes is where the vivo X80 Pro might just beat other flagship phones. The difference is simply night and day when compared to other flagship devices. The combination of a large sensor, large aperture, and its integrated gimbal and advanced OIS makes it possible to use low shutters allowing more light into the sensor giving you stunning and dynamic nightscapes.

Even without a tripod, this phone still produces accurate and vivid colors even in near-pitch black situations. On top of that, a collection of cinematically color graded presets is at your disposal, adding more drama to the already stunning nighttime visuals.

Turn on Astro Mode and watch the stars appear before your eyes while Supermoon Mode will give you the best possible shots of the moon produced from a mobile phone, thanks to its periscope lens that goes all the way to 60X digital zoom combined with AI and OIS.

But its capabilities don’t end there. Exploring more of its camera features, you will find the Long Exposure Mode allowing you to capture even more stunning nightscapes and low light images with several options to choose from. It offers settings of 2 seconds – bulb while capturing light trails and other motion blurs while, amazingly, still without a tripod. 

Additionally, its zooming capabilities are also on point for when you want to shoot far away objects and still keep details intact.

Sports and macro tests

Sports photography using the X80 Pro gives you professional-looking shots as well. With the use of Motion Focus, the camera will automatically track the subject while maintaining stability keeping your action shots sharp and engaging. 

If you’re the type of photographer who is into post-processing and getting every detail to your liking, RAW format DNG is available in Pro Mode allowing you to capture more exposure data for highlight and shadow recovery — a feature professional photographers will certainly find appealing. 

Macro photography is useful as well. It can capture subjects up close in great detail without compromising on clarity. Meanwhile, other camera features include High-res, Double exposure, Panoramic, AI group portrait, and more.

Video performance

Those are all impressive, but photography is not the X80 Pro’s only strong point. Switching to video, this phone excels just as well.

Those ZEISS-certified lenses and advanced stabilization are really what its video capability is all about. Boasting 8K 30fps and 4K 60fps with gimbal stabilization, you can be assured of top-quality videos.

Furthermore, the X80 is provided with a collection of familiar cinematic LUTS that further give your film a movie-like feel. In addition, enabling the ZEISS cinema option will allow you to shoot in a film-standard 2.39:1 aspect ratio while producing that distinct oval bokeh, giving you that desired Hollywood aesthetic.

Much like in Photo Mode, turning on AI in video mode will also allow you to capture stunning detail even in extremely low-light situations while keeping noise levels to a minimum. A notable feature for me is the fact that you get LOG color profile at 24p in video Pro Mode turning this device into a serious mobile cinema camera.

My only complaint with the video quality is the automatic bokeh in normal video mode that, sadly, cannot be switched off.  I found it annoying that the fake depth of field with bad edge detection messes up the footage almost all the time. To get rid of it, you have to use Pro Mode which is an unnecessary extra step and removes the 2.39:1 aspect ratio. A future software update hopefully fixes this problem. 

Vs vivo X80

We also have the X80 Pro’s more affordable sibling — the vivo X80. Without the Pro moniker, it touts Full HD+ display (vs QHD+ of X80 Pro), a different chipset made by MediaTek, no water and dust proofing, and no support for wireless charging.

For the cameras, thee X80 also carries a 50-megapixel main but using a different sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide, and another 12-megapixel portrait lens. There is no fourth sensor like the periscope telephoto of the X80 Pro, but still its ZEISS optics are able to produce images that are more than enough for social media posts and comes with the same features and effects from ZEISS to easily achieve cinematic shots.

Here are more samples from the vivo X80:

Final thoughts

There is a reason why the vivo X series has been voted the “best camera of the year” in several international ranking lists in the past few years. The innovative gimbal integration and ZEISS optics are pretty much game-changers for mobile photographers and videographers.

While top brands all produce exceptional photos in normal shooting environments, nothing comes close to vivo’s night mode which is what sold me with this phone. Yes, it still has its flaws but in my opinion, it is now the benchmark for nighttime photography and should inspire other brands to step up their game.

The vivo X80 is priced at PhP 45,999 (via vivo website, Shopee, and Lazada) while the vivo X80 Pro retails for PhP 59,999 (via vivo website, Shopee, and Lazada).

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