Impressive camera but lack of charger causes concern: What critics are saying about the new iPhone 12 and 12 Pro

From the design and functionality to the much-hyped camera, we take a look at what the first reviews of Apple's latest releases say

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max is unveiled during a virtual product launch seen on a laptop computer in Tiskilwa, Illinois, U.S.Bloomberg

Apple CEO Tim Cook poses with the all-new iPhone 12 Pro at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, U.S. Reuters

Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing unveils the all-new iPhone 12 Pro at a special event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, US. Reuters

Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks about 5G. AFP

Apple's vice president of iPhone Product Marketing Kaiann Drance unveils the new iPhone 12 during an Apple event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. AFP

Features of the Apple iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini are displayed during a virtual product launch seen on a laptop computer in Tiskilwa, Illinois, US., Bloomberg

The Apple iPhone 12 mini is unveiled during a virtual product launch. Bloomberg

The League of Legends Wild Rift game is displayed on a Apple iPhone 12 during a virtual product launch. Bloomberg

Apple HomePod mini speaker is unveiled during a virtual product launch seen on a laptop computer in Tiskilwa, Illinois, U.S. Bloomberg

Apple HomePod mini speaker is unveiled during a virtual product launch seen on a laptop computer in Tiskilwa, Illinois, U.S. Bloomberg

Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple Inc., speaks during a virtual product launch seen on a laptop computer in Tiskilwa, Illinois, U.S. Bloomberg

The Apple iPhone 12 is unveiled during a virtual product launch seen on a laptop computer in Tiskilwa, Illinois, US. Bloomberg

The Apple iPhone 12 is unveiled during a virtual product launch seen on a laptop computer in Tiskilwa, Illinois, US. Bloomberg

Apple's vice president of Hardware Systems Engineering Deniz Teoman speaks about MagSafe for iPhone. AFP

In this screen grab released by Apple, Apple's vice president of Wireless Technologies and Ecosystem Arun Mathias speaks about 5G on the iPhone 12 during an Apple event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. AFP

Kaianne Drance, vice president of iPhone product marketing at Apple, speaks during a virtual product launch seen on a laptop computer in Tiskilwa, Illinois, US. Bloomberg

The Apple iPhone 12 is unveiled during a virtual product launch. Bloomberg

The Apple iPhone 12 is unveiled during a virtual product launch seen on a laptop computer in Tiskilwa, Illinois, U.S. Bloomberg

In this screen grab released by Apple, Apple's vice president of Engineering Program Management, Hardware Technologies Hope Giles speaks about the iPhone 12 during an Apple event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. AFP

The first reviews of Apple's newest iPhones are in, just two weeks after the 5G-enabled models were first revealed in a glitzy press conference.

And it seems the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro may be the most positively received iterations of the device yet – for the most part.

Here, we dig through what the critics are saying to unravel what are the most loved, and most hated, features of the new iPhones, which will officially be released on Friday, October 23.

The boxy design 

Tech critics, who are among the first in the world to receive the new models for review purposes, were almost unanimous in their praise of the phones’ new design, which squares off the device's edges in a way that’s reminiscent of older models.

In his unboxing video, Marques Brownlee, better known as Mkbhd, said “the boxy sides are everything I wanted as far as taking inspiration from the iPad Pro or even iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 eras of phones".

He also praised the phone's flat screen and minimally raised camera on the back.

So while the phones have a fresh design and are packed with a number of new features – including a ceramic-shielded Oled display on all models – it will also feel familiar in your hand.

“Generally, the square sides make it more grippable,” Brownlee said. “Some people may find it a little bit sharp at first, but I think it looks nice. It also happens to stand up on its own."

The new blue offerings also drew compliments from reviewers, while other colours did not impress as much. Brownlee commented that the new Product Red option was not so much red as a “red-orange or coral”.

But enough about colours, let’s talk about what’s in the phones.

The screen: Oled for everyone 

Perhaps one of the biggest changes is the screen. For the first time, an Oled display is now offered on the entire line-up. In fact, the only difference between the screens of the standard 12 and the Pro models is the brightness during typical usage.

The displays are also protected by ceramic shielding that is, according to Apple, four times stronger that the glass of the previous model. In addition to this, all four models are now water-resistant to a depth of six metres for up to 30 minutes.

Stainless steel vs aluminium 

The two phones are similar in size and have more than a few shared specifications – yet a number of key features separate the two models. Aesthetically, the iPhone 12 Pro has a polished stainless steel band, whereas the iPhone 12 sports a matte aluminium.

However, though the stainless steel band may feel like a more premium offering, Brownlee pointed out that it is more prone to fingerprint smudges.

“I honestly prefer the aluminium sides. The fingerprints that catch on stainless steel don’t look great. It’s the same reason I don’t want the stainless-steel Apple watch,” Brownlee said, adding that the aluminium-sided iPhone 12 is also lighter by 30 grams.

The cameras: Better than ever 

Perhaps the most noticeable difference between the two phones is the extra camera.

Both models sport a 12-megapixel-wide camera, which Apple says has been updated with a wider aperture to let in 27 per cent more light. Both models also have an ultra-wide camera, which can capture sprawling scenes, as well as software that corrects lens distortion, which allows for crisper photos.

But the iPhone 12 Pro also has a telephoto camera, which allows users to perform a 2x optical zoom on their subjects.

The Pro also has a Night Portrait Mode.

"It did a nice job, but Portrait Mode still generally struggles with tough backgrounds," Joanna Stern writes in her review for the Washington Post.

Tech critic iJustine took the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro out on a hike, testing its cameras by taking photos and videos of the natural scene outside Los Angeles.

“I’m incredibly impressed with the photos,” she said after taking a picture of some trees against the night's sky. She also tested the iPhone 12 Pro’s camera by shooting a time-lapse video at night. The camera fared surprisingly well, clearly showing cars and houses amid the conifers, as well as a few wispy clouds streaming under the starry sky.

iJustine also tested out the iPhone 12’s 5G capability against her iPhone 11. “This is exciting. In comparison to a 44.5 megabits per second download and 29.4mbps upload on my AT&T phone,” she said, “the 5G has a 573mbps download and a 41.7mbps upload.”

The lack of charger rankles

So, what did the critics not like? For one thing, iPhones now don't come with a charging brick nor do they come with headphones. Apple, during the online unveiling event on October 13, said it chose to remove the two accessories due to environmental reasons.

“It means they won’t have to ship all these chargers and materials that are going to end up in landfills anyway because people already own charging bricks,” Brownlee explained.

Which is fair, except the iPhone 12 models require a USB-C wall brick for charging, which was only shipped as standard to users who bought an iPhone 11.

"So most people will have to go out and buy a USB-C wall brick, which Apple will conveniently sell you. so you can see how that looks," Brownlee added.

MagSafe: as good as it looks?

Another complaint was the strength of the iPhone’s new MagSafe feature, which Apple claims will not only make sure your new iPhone is in its optimal charging position when using the MagSafe wireless charger, but will open up the iPhone to a whole new range of accessories.

Brownlee showed that while the iPhone 12 models snap on to the new MagSafe wireless charger with a satisfying click, it was a little less impressive when connecting certain accessories to it, such as the magnetic wallet.

“It's not quite as cool as I was hoping mainly because of the strength of the magnets. It’s a little loose,” he said, showing how the wallet case can easily slide off when slipping the phone in his pocket. “That’s your wallet, that’s the one thing you definitely want to stick to the phone the strongest.”

Even with the questionable magnet strength and lack of accessories, Brownlee and other reviewers said it is evident that Apple has taken a step in the right direction for its flagship product.

However, keep in mind that these are still the very first reviews for the iPhone, so we’ll have to wait and see how they fare over time.